La Belle France

After an uneventful crossing on Stena Horizon, it was fine, Rupert was happy in the MH, our cabin was clean, we finally arrived to beautiful sunshine in Cherbourg. First port of call was the beach to the left of the port where Rupert had a good run. We then set off.

Our first night, we drove south of Rennes and parked in an aire at Port Rean. A really beautiful spot to park. We were late arriving but did manage to find a small bar open. This morning we took Rupert for a cycle. He managed 8km attached to Bobs bike. We then set off again.

We are now parked by a lake at St Philbert de Grand Lieu, an aire south of Nantes. Another lovely spot. Tomorrow we head to Île de Ré.

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The past 2 nights were spent in Île de Ré at the aire with the motorhomes facing the sea at Rivedoux Plage. It gets filled up very quickly. One row faces the sea and the others are parked behind them, but as soon as someone leaves the back van pulls forward. We were approached a few times last night asking if we were going this morning and would we save our spot!!! Île de Ré is beautiful. Yesterday we cycled to St Martin, an eventful cycle, I came off the bike and took my knee out.

This morning we left and headed for St Emilion where we are now parked at a France Passion site. Really lovely and 2 km walk from the village. En route we detoured to Blaye, a UNESCO Heritage site and really really lovely. There is a campsite within the actual citadel, must be fantastic to wake up there. Blaye has the largest estuary in Europe and there is free MH parking on the pier

Tomorrow we visit a cave and start filling up with bottles. Where are are parked is a vinyard and we are looking forward to visiting them in the morning

We had an interesting start to our day when we woke up in Port Saine Foy et Ponchapt, actually it was the rain that woke us followed by a knock on the door from the gendarme. Bob got into his usual panic as in have we the right papers? Where are they etc only to discover we were being interviewed in relation to a stolen car that was parked near us during the night. Would only happen to us!

Rain was so bad it was time to move so we decided to head for Bergerac

Well we're home and due to frustration at upside pics and sometimes just a poor signal I decided to wait and finish this in one go.

We continued to Bergerac, fab, and stayed in a campsite close to the village. The following day we headed to Limeuil for 2 nights, once again a campsite. Limeuil is a beautiful village, straight out of a fairy tale. Our journey continued, we planned to stay in Sarlat but the aire, very handy for the city, is, in our opinion, only functional as a parking stop as it's very noisy but Sarlat is a lovely city to wander around. We then decided to double back and found ourselves in Beynac for a night. Very friendly campsite within walking distance through a wooded area to the village. For once we had a purpose and the following day did one of the highlights of the trip - a 14 km kayak trip, one each, on the Dordogne. Stopped for a lovely lunch half way and returned and set off again, this time to Brantome 2 aire.

We spent 2 nights in camping municipal site on Île d'or, Amboise. Another lovely place to visit. There is also a municipal aire beside the campsite. Once again, being active, we cycled for 37 km along the banks of the Loire.

As we were now headed north we stopped in La Fresnaye sur Chedouet in an aire on the way back. A tiny village, the aire was fine for an overnight this time of year but would say it's fab during the summer. It is in a wooded area with lots of walks and cycles.

Heading back towards Cherbourg we detoured to Lisieux. The aire here is a joke, tight car park with only 2 spots for motorhomes. However, the car park at the Bassilica is huge and free. Lots of MH parked there. We continued on to Ravenoville Plage where we spent out last night in Le Cormoran campsite which has well deserved its 5*

Before we boarded the ferry we stepped at L'clerc and promptly damaged our bumper, expensive wine!!!

I will do full reviews in the review section of places we stopped in

Weather - very mixed with a lot of rain but very warm. Luckily mostly at night, only 2 mornings of full on non stop rain but we were moving anyway.

Mifi with UK 3 SIM card - absolutely fantastic

Solar panels - brilliant never had to think about batteries

We only ever had lunch out and typically that was half way point of a long cycle.

What we learned

- made the typical first time to the continent mistake and way too much driving
- learned on return ferry that trucks not allowed on roads on Sunday
- need to get a groundsheet, very handy when it's wet or sandy outside
- some of the Aires were packed in like sardines so we quickly realised that with the ACIS card, invaluable, and for only a couple of € more were were getting way more space and electricity and services included in price
- bring far less clothes!!!
- people travelling with dogs usually decide to stay in same campsite first and last night and on first day make an appointment with vet for dog on penultimate day. Never thought of that but I spotted a vets as we were driving through a village in the middle of nowhere. Asked did I need an appointment, didn't, and Rupert got his passport stamped etc within the time frame for the return journey

We had a terrific time and would definitely do it again but would limit our distances to allow minimum of 2 nights everywhere. I probably prefer to travel first week in September too.

I'll try to get the full reviews posted in next couple of days and maybe with pics, only if I can straighten them out!!!