Mon 5th April
It seems to have been a long winter this year but at last the time has come for our caravanning season to begin. After loading the car, a quick shower it is time to leave home for the 18:20 Euro tunnel crossing to France. Arriving early they allow us on the 17:50 crossing. After an uneventful 35 mins its off to Cite Europe to fill up with diesel, at 1€10 a litre it is a bit cheaper than the UK.
We then follow our usual route down the A16 to Abbeville, then on the A28 to Rouen. The roads are very quiet when compared to the UK. It’s then onto the N154 through Evreux, Dreux and Chartres to Orleans where we pick up the N20 to Vierzon. Its along this last stretch where we decide to stop for a few hours sleep.
Eurotunnel Folkestone terminal
All Aboard The Train
Tue 6th April
After a couple of hours, and even less sleep, we decide to carry on down the A20 to Limoges. At Limoges we join the N141 towards Angouleme, after stopping at Chabanais for breakfast and a bit of shopping, it is just a short distance on to Suris and camping La Blanchie where our van is stored, arriving about 11am.
The sun has come out and the temp hits 22deg, but being tired and having the van to sort out we don’t really appreciate it. I am pleased to say the van seems to have wintered well and all appears to be working as it should.
It seems to have been a very long day, so we were quite happy, and ready, to go to bed at 9pm.
Pitched at La Blanchie
Wed 7th April
After having a good 12 hours sleep we awake to hear birds walking on the roof, on second thoughts it’s not birds, it’s rain. That wasn’t in the plan! Still, it doesn’t last long, although it remains overcast all day. We take things easy, enjoying the atmosphere. Late afternoon we take a drive into Chabanais to have a walk by the river Vienne. We do feel a lot better having had a good nights sleep.
Vienne at Chabanais
Riverside Gardens
Thu 8th April
Today we hook up for the 120mile drive to the Dordogne, although not in any hurry we leave about midday, stopping at services on the way for our picnic lunch.
We then arrive at camping La Riviere, at Lacave, right on the bank of the Dordogne, about 10miles east of Souillac.
There are only two other units here, both German, the site looks as if it could do with tidying up and cutting the grass. Only one of the three shower blocks are open, but it has only just put up the “ouvert” sign for the coming season. They are putting new sanitary ware in one shower block so they are working on it. Still it will do us for the next 5 nights. It has a pool and bar/snacks, neither of which are open this early in the season.
Aire de Repos
Pitched at La Riviere
Feel Seasick Looking out the Window
Fri 9th April
A leisurely drive to the hilltop touristic village of Rocamadour is on the agenda for today. It always amazes me why they build in such difficult places, why don’t they just build in the valley below? In the height of the season it would be packed with tourists, but in April there are very few people about, the ideal time for a visit.
On the way back we stop off at Martel and have a wander round the cobbled streets of the 12th century village.
Then it’s back to the campsite to sit by the river for a couple of hours in the pleasant sunshine, it has been up to 23deg today, very nice.
Rocamadour
Rocamadour
Sat 10th April
We planned a trip to Sarlat (tourist capital of the Dordogne) today, have been through it before in the high season and has always been so crowded we haven’t bothered to stop.
When we awake there’s a clear blue sky without a cloud to be seen. Have a leisurely breakfast and do up a picnic lunch then a drive through Souillac to Sarlat. Although reasonably busy we soon find a parking spot in the centre of town, then go for a stroll around. There is quite a large tourist market down one of the main shopping roads, we soon come across the pedestrianised medieval city centre with the pavement cafes and restaurants. We had never realised that it could be such an interesting place to visit.
We then continue driving along the bank of the Dordogne until we come to the picturesque village of Beynac where we stop for our picnic. A few miles further on we find a bridge to cross the river and have a slow drive back through the quiet lanes and sleepy villages. What has struck us is how clean and alive the area looks, after some of the drab buildings and shuttered windows of other parts of France that we have been to.
Sarlat
Sarlat
Beynac
Sun 11th April
A quiet morning in today just sitting by the river taking in the country air, and preparing a quick roast dinner. In the afternoon we went back to Martel to have a wander round the 12th century city centre and take a few pictures, and also to find out about the chemin de fer touristique (tourist train). It was a pleasant couple of hours. Returning via country lanes to see more of the area.
Martel
Martel
Martel
Mon 12th April
Today we travelled east to visit the Gorges de la Cere, we stopped at a picturesque riverside spot at Laval-de-Cere for our picnic lunch. It was then along roads not much better than dirt tracks round the gorge, this was a bit of a disappointment as there were so many trees you couldn’t see anything. We travelled back via the country route on the other side of the river Dordogne. Passing through sleepy villages including one called Carennac which looked very old and worth a visit if we have time.
River Cere at Laval
Laval
Tue 13th April
We had intended returning to La Blanchie today, but as the weather was so good we thought we would stay another day.
We went for a ride on the tourist train from Martel to St Denis, a full size train but the carriages were like cattle trucks. It kept stopping along the route to allow people out to take pictures, it took about one and a half hours. Think children would enjoy it but we probably won’t do it again, but for 7€ it wasn’t too bad.
As we weren’t too far away we thought we would go back to Carennac to have a closer look. I think it must be the oldest village I have seen with no modern buildings at all. There were probably more tourists there than anywhere, but you could still count them on the fingers of both hands.
Then back to the campsite to start packing up as we really must leave tomorrow.
Cattle Trucks
View of the Dordogne
Everybody Out
One of the Engines
Carennac
Carennac
Carennac
Wed 14th April
We get up early, about 10, and have breakfast. Then have to go and settle the bill, 105€60 for 6 nights wasn’t too bad. Pull out the gates about 11:30 for the drive back to La Blanchie. Although it is mostly on the toll free A20, it is very hilly and not the fastest of roads when towing, but we’re not in any hurry, and get back to La Blanchie about 3:30.
Get sorted out and spend a few hours not doing anything in particular. Looks like there are six English vans here, so there will be people to chat to. Then sun is still shining but the breeze feels chilly in the shade.
As it’s a nice evening we go for a stroll round the local fishing lake, before settling down for the night.
Fishing Lake
Thu 15th April
Our last full day, what shall we do?, Hmm, lets go and have a look at the semi-restored Roman baths at Chassenon then we can go and have a wander round Rochechouart and a look at the chateau. So that’s what we did.
Then we went to Mcdonalds to connect to the wifi and see what’s happening in the world as we have been out of touch since leaving the UK. Someone’s called an election! And there’s no planes flying! Something always happens when we’re incommunicado.
Then its back to the van to start packing up ready for our depature tomorrow, that is the only problem with storing abroad as you have to get everything sorted out before leaving.
It’s a shame to see the sun going down tonight.
Roman Baths at Chassenon
Chateau at Rochechouart
Sunset on Last Night
Fri 16th April
Last minute packing and draining water etc, and get away about 1pm for the 200+ mile drive to Orleans where we have a hotel booked for the night. Arriving there about 5pm we go into Orleans to have a look around, but all we really find is the Cathedral, but that’s closed.
Orleans Cathedral
Sat 17th April
On our drive back to Calais today we will have a look at more Cathedrals on the way, beginning with Chartres, quite impressive as you can see it for miles around as you approach the city.
Then its on to Rouen to have a look at theirs. Didn’t enjoy driving round there with all the traffic and not knowing where we were going, but we survived to tell the tale.
On the A28 between Rouen and Abbeville we were held up for an hour by roadworks, an unusual occurrence in France. Arrive back at the Eurotunnel terminal in time for the 21:50 crossing back to Folkestone, then its just a short distance to Chatham and home.
That’s our first 10 nights in the van for 2010.
Why do holidays have to end?
Chartres Cathedral
Chartres Cathedral
Rouen Cathedral
Rouen Cathedral
How the French Spend their Saturdays
Summary
It was a nice spring break with plenty of sunshine, but it was very chilly in the morning, so glad we had the heater to warm the van before getting up.
Mileage 1668
Tolls 30 €
10 nights campsites 169€60
Cost per night 16€96
Diesel 272€53
Roll on the summer
Pete
