1998 Spring A Grand Tour to Tuscany

 This was our first major trip on our return to caravanning after a break of some years and was largely planned as we went along. Using a Dover Calais crossing we spent almost 6 weeks on a circular tour of 2650 miles that took in Cambrai, Verdun, Burgundy Grenoble, Provence and on into Italy where we spent time in the hill towns of Tuscany. Our return was via Lake Garda, the Austrian Tirol, Germany and back at our start point near Cambrai

Countries visited

Nights

France

18

Italy

18

Austria

4

Germany

1

UK

3

Commons Wood WGC 

Sites Used

13

Commons Wood and Honnecourt  twice 

1999 Spring Return to Tuscany and Umbria

After a Dover Calais crossing and we spent almost 7 weeks on a circular tour of 3532 miles, After another visit to Honnecourt near  Cambrai we travelled to Luxembourg and 3 nights at Remich. We had night halt at Aichelburg (Baden Wurtenburg) and then on to Bergen in Bavaria for 3 days exploring the mountains. Our next move after a night halt  at Villach was to Punta Sabbioni and 4 days for Venice.  After  visiting  Bologna we moved  to Lake Trasimeno  in Umbria . We stayed 8 nights before a return visit to Marchalia in Tuscany for a week. Our return journey was via Lake Garda, and the  Reisa Pass to Prutz  where we spent 3 days exploring in the Tirol. From the Tirol we travelled via the Arlburg tunnel to Binau on Lake Constance and after a day there on to Eguisheim in Alsace where we spent 4 days (and planned a swift return visit) before retracing our steps via Luxembourg and Honnecourt to Calais .

Countries visited

Nights

France

10

Italy

22

Austria

4

Germany

6

Luxembourg

4

UK

3

Commons Wood WGC  

Sites Used

18

Note Honnecourt and Commons Wood twice

1999 Autumn in Alsace

After our brief visit to Eguisheim in June and having been assured by a Swiss regular that a "micro climate" promised even better weather in the Autumn we were eager to return for a longer stay and to be there during the grape harvest.  With a discount deal for caravans on the  Hull to Zeebrugge route we avoided the trip to Dover and gave ourselves more time on the continent. Day one we travelled to Remich and spent 2 nights  there before moving on the Eguisheim. We spent 18 nights  exploring the wine villages, Great War battlefields in the Vosges mountains  and  visited  Strasbourg and Colmar  .

On our return journey we first spent 4 nights at Sivrey sur Meuse as the only residents on the site and used our time there to tour the Verdun battlefields and forts. Next move took us to Bruges for 2 days sightseeing in the city before a short run back to the port. 

 Round Trip: 979 miles and 29 nights

Countries visited

Nights

France

22

Belgium

3

Luxembourg

2

Ferry

2

Sites Used

4

2000 Spring Tuscany again

In Mid May we took the Hull Zeebrugge crossing and began another largely unstructured trip but with Tuscany as the eventual destination. After 3 days in  Luxembourg we crossed Germany with stops at Aichelburg and Bergen to Villach Austria where we spent 4 days around the Carithian lakes.  Our next move was to Grado between Venice and Trieste and stayed 3 days.  Moving again we had a night halt at Sasso Marconi in the Bologna Region before again returning to Camping Colliverdi at Marcialla for 7 nights and spent our days visiting the hill towns and Florence. Moved on to Pisa and spent 2 days visiting the city and another at Lucca. Moving on 2 days were spent at Antibes and after a night halt at St Andiol we settled at Aigueze on the banks of the Ardeche for 7 nights. A short move north to Lussas followed but only stayed 3 days as the site was a "little Holland" and we did not enjoy. On the recommendation of friends met earlier we moved to Fleurie and began a "love affair" with the Beaujolais region and wine. From here we moved via  Chalons en Champagne back to Honnecourt where we spent another 4 days of Great War "Battle fielding"  before taking a  Calais ferry.

Round trip: 2730 miles and 49 days

Countries visited

Nights

France

23

Germany

3

Luxembourg

3

Austria

4

Italy

18

Ferry

1

UK

1

Commons Wood WGC  

Sites Used

16

2000 Autumn back to Alsace

Early September we again took the Hull Zeebrugge crossing and spent 4 days touring Luxembourg whilst based at Camping De La Sure  Diekirch before a short move to Remich . Returning to Eguisheim and Camping Les Trois Chateaux we spent the next 9 days touring the wine villages, and trips further afield to Strasbourg (by train), Colmar and over the Rhine to Neuf  Brisach. Our next move was back to Fleurie where we spent 5 days visiting the cooperatives and wine buying. After a night halt at Chalons en Champagne we spent the last 3 days at Ypres visiting the WW1 sites including on the morning of our last day  before making our way back to Zeebrugge.

Round trip: 1418 miles and 29 nights

Countries visited

Nights

France

18

Luxembourg

6

Belgium

3

Ferry

1

Sites Used

6

2001 Spring wandering in France

Mid May we took a Portsmouth to Le Havre crossing and  began  an unstructured tour beginning with 4 nights at Fiquefleur outside Honfleur . We spent 3 days exploring  in Normandy before moving to Courtils near Monte Saint Michelle  for 5 nights. Moving to Erdevan near Carnac we spent a week exploring that part of Brittany and its beaches. After an unsatisfactory night at Pousages (noisy locals) we settled down for 7 nights at Ervert near Le Tremblade , cycled and toured Oyster production, visited Cognac and Ile D'Oleron. Next 5 nights were spent at Rauzen , highlight a day in St Emilion.  Moved on to Ares on Arcachon Basin, did lots of cycling, visited Dune de Pyla and Pauillac.  Moved via a NH at Jauney Clan to Chailles in the Loire, highlights visit to Chambord and Amboise.  Last stop, back at Fiquefleur for 4 nights before ferry.

Round Trip: 1656 miles 51 nights.

A mixed trip and the last totally unplanned one we have done.

Countries visited

Nights

France

49

UK

2

Rooksbury Park and BoPeep

Sites Used

12

2001 Autumn  Luxembourg and French vineyards

Early September used the Hull to Zeebrugge crossing and travelled to Diekirch where we spent 3 nights, very wet and after discovering the closure of the Remich site stayed at Schwebsingen for 1 night before returning to Eguisheim. Stayed 6 nights but weather poor and moved again to Fleurie. After 5 nights moved to Beaune for 6 nights and  explored the Burgundy wine villages. Returned to Chalons en Champagne and stayed 2 nights with a day spent visiting the Mercier cellars at Epernay. Moved to Mons and spent a day exploring the Great War sights then  moved to Brugge. Explored city and cycled. Returned to Zeebrugge for ferry.

Round trip:1392 miles and 29 nights

A wet trip with 18 days of rain mentioned in diary.

Countries visited

Nights

France

19

Belgium

4

Luxembourg

4

Ferry

2

Sites Used

9

2002 Spring  Wet weeks in France then discovering Spain

Mid May took a Portsmouth to Cherbourg crossing and then spent 3 nights at Carentan touring the D Day beaches and sights. After a halt at Montaigu we returned to Ares and Camping Pasteur. Stayed 11 nights and did some touring and cycling but overall weather was poor. Moved to Hossegor but only stayed 2 nights, liked the place better than the site! Next stop was Santillana del Mar but unable to find a site we liked moved back into France and Camping Larrouleta . We had 11 very wet days however we liked the site and area enough to take us back most years since . After weeks of dire weather some people returning from Southern Spain encouraged us to take a day and a half's journey across Spain to Puerto Mazarron  and Camping Los Madriles. I had no idea of the transformation that had taken place on Spanish roads but using their suggested route we drove over 400 easy motorway miles to a service station at Honrubia, ate in the restaurant and spent the night parked with the HGVs. After a short run next day we set up our sodden awning in hot sun and then had 10 days of  sun  and local sightseeing.

Moved north and spent 1 night at Camping D'Oremor a dreadful site just North of Madrid before returning to Larrouleta and a day sightseeing on the border. To take in a market day at Andernos we returned to Ares for 2 nights . Moving north  we had a night halt at Coement south of  Le Mans before 2 final nights at Cherbourg and Camping Le Pins.

Round trip:3212 miles and 52 nights

Wettest ever trip that lead us to discover how easy it is to cross Spain.

Countries visited

Nights

France

35

Spain

14

Service Area

1

Spain

UK

2

Rooksbury Park and Burford 

Sites Used

13

2002 Autumn in Auvergne

Late August we again took the Hull crossing to Zeebrugge and explored  Luxembourg some more from Diekirch . Moved to Alsace and spent another 9 nights at Eguisheim, highlights : Schlumpf and Eco museums at Mulhouse and Great War sights in the Vosges. Moved to Macon planning to go to the Mediterranean but caravans streaming north due to floods decided us to go no further than the Auvergne, at Varennes sur Allier we spent a week pitched in the grounds of a chateaux, highlights: Gorges du Sioule and Puy de Dome. Returned to Macon for 2 days wine buying , on to Beaune for 3 nights and then to Chalons en Champagne where we spent a day in the city. After a night at Camping Memling Bruges we got the ferry back to Hull.

Round Trip 1543 miles and 33 days

Countries visited

Nights

France

26

Luxembourg

4

Belgium

1

Ferry

2

Sites Used

9

Macon twice

2003 Spring Revisiting favorites and finding new ones

Leaving in mid April this time we took a Cherbourg crossing and pressed on south with just night halts at Carentan and Montaigu to Camping Larrouleta Urrugne where we paused for 4 days before again travelling to Puerto Mazarron and Camping Los Madriles with a night halt among the lorries at Honrubia. Although its rather out of the way as a base for touring we did combine some sightseeing with relaxing days on site, visiting Cartagena, Lorca, La Manga and Sierra Espuna but these were quite long trips. We left after our longest stay yet of 22 nights and moved to Granada.  We took in the famous sights, the Alhambra and Sierra Nevada and then finally the city itself by the bus. From Granada we moved to Aranjuez for 3 nights, highlight: a tourist "train" around the city, parks and Palace gardens.

A long day took us back to Urrugne where we caught up with "housework" and some local sights before a long cross country journey to the Dordogne. Some days spent sorting out a decent site, first a very nice spot Lalinde,  was ruined other  guests and it took another day driving around from a temporary halt to find Camping Aqua Viva near Sarlat. Toured area and famous sights but often too hot to appreciate, heat wave eventually forced a move to the coast and the Ile de Re. Intended a few days only but stayed 11 until forced to leave for our ferry and have been back every year since. Quickly discovered it is no place for motoring, all villages confusingly similar and parking difficult but cycling on the dedicated tracks opens up many places inaccessible by road and we love it.

Returning to Cherbourg we broke the journey at Servon and spent the final night on the docks before getting our ferry. 

Round Trip: 3211 miles and 72 nights

Countries visited

Nights

France

39

Spain

29

UK

2

Morn Hill and Burford 

Service Areas

2

Honrubia and Cherbourg Docks

Sites Used

14

Larrouleta twice

2003 Autumn Regulars and discovering Gard

After a Hull to Zeebrugge crossing we spent a few days in Luxemburg, cycled  along the river Sure and visited Clervaux Castle and museum. Returned to Alsace and spent a week at Obernai sightseeing, highlight Haut Koenesburg castle. Moved to Macon, cycling and wine cooperatives before moving to Uzes in Gard, stayed for 9 nights shopping at the market and sightseeing, highlights Pont du Gard and Camargue Bird Park. Back to Macon and 4 nights, cycling and wine buying visits to the cooperatives. After night halts at Chalons en Champagne and Mauberge  returned to Zeebrugge ferry.

Round Trip: 1735 miles and 30 nights

Countries visited

Nights

France

25

Luxembourg

3

Ferry

2

Sites Used

7

Macon twice

2004 Spring France and Spain six centre tour

Early April: Cherbourg crossing and halts at Carentan and Montaigu before 4 nights at Urrugne. Broke the journey south early due to a storm and found ourselves our worst site ever, Campo Real Arganda south of Madrid. At Santa Pola in the Valencia region we spent a week, local visits and cycling. Moved to Los Madriles Puerto Mazarron for our 3rd and what turned out to be final visit. Local sightseeing, highlight: Bateria de Casteillitos, a huge naval gun battery on a headland nearby . We left after 16 nights for Escorial and visited the "Valley of the Fallen" and Avilla before moving to Plasencia and Camping Monfrague . We stayed 5 nights visited Trujillo, bird watching and  took a guided tour of the park. Moved north due to extreme heat and visited Burgos. After 3 nights back at Urrugne we moved to Sarlat and 9 nights of sights and cycling. Returned to Ile de Re for 12 nights, rather dull but lots of cycling days.

Returned via Courtils and to spent a night on Cherbourg docks before crossing

Round Trip 3505 miles and 68 days

Countries visited

Nights

France

31

Spain

34

Dockside

1

UK

2

Morn Hill and Burford 

Sites Used

14

Larrouleta twice

2004 Autumn France and Costa Brava

Early September  took Dover Calais crossing and night at Chalons en Champagne . Moved to Macon for 3 nights, some cycling and domestic. Night halt at Montelimar, had a swim and a bar meal at site café. Moved to Camping Nautique Narbonne and stayed 7 nights. Toured locally highlights: Cathar Country and Narbonne city tour. Moved on to Estartit for 7 nights, toured Costa Brava coast, highlights: Cadaques and Llfranc. Brief move to Barcelona and spent day at main sights in the city, left early due to horrible campsite. Retraced our steps to Macon with a night at Montelimar and then 3 days wine co-ops and domestic. Stopped an extra night at Chalons en Champagne and visited Fort Pompelle. Final halt in France at Manoir de Senlecques, Pernes. A day in Boulogne with lunch.

Round Trip 2472 miles and 33 days

Countries visited

Nights

France

21

Spain

9

UK

3

Commons Wood WGC and Blackhorse Farm

Sites Used

13

Chalons en Champagne, Macon, Montelimar and WGC twice

2005 Spring: France favourites and discovering the Costa de la Luz

Mid April took the Portsmouth to Le Havre afternoon crossing. 2 nights at Camping Catiniere, shopping and visit to Honfleur.  Halt at Montaigu and to Camping Larrouleta Urrugne for 9 nights, sightseeing and cycling, good day in Hossegor and Espelette but unable to ascend the Rhune railway: too busy each time tried. Moved south with night halt at Aranjuez. Unable to locate site in Cordoba, opted for La Carlota 25km south. Unsuccessful day trip to Cordoba (parking) and moved on to Conil de la Frontera. Planned on about 10 days at Camping La Rosaleda but stayed 35. Much beach time plus explored coast from Cadiz to Tarifa, visits to Cadiz, Jerez and Vejer. Moved to Monfrague, a day in the National Park, shopping and domestics.

After a halt at Estepar near Burgos returned to Urrugne for 4 nights, shopping domestics and a beach day at Socoa. Moved to Ile de Re and 10 more nights at Tour des Prises, La Couarde. Mixed weather but cycled most days. Long day back to Honfleur, extra day shopping and then late Le Havre ferry check in caused by proprietor who insisted on morning payment and barrier down until 7 o'clock.

Round Trip 3116 and 72 days

Countries visited

Nights

France

28

Spain

42

UK

2

Morn Hill and Burford 

Sites Used

14

Catiniere and Larrouleta twice

2005 Autumn Tarn and the Languedoc

Start of September used the Channel Tunnel and via Chalons en Champagne moved to Macon for 4 nights. Cycling, wine co-ops and domestics. Moved to Millau and Camping Les Rivages for 9 nights. Mixed weather, sightseeing and market shopping, highlights: Roquefort Papilon caves, Templar villages and Tarn Gorge. Moved to Argeles sur Mer, Camping La Massane, cycling, beach and visits around coast and mountains, highlights: Collioure, Peurto de Selva and Certet. Moved to Sitges and spent 3 days at Camping El Garrofa, visited Barcelona by bus . Poor site , moved 6 miles to Villanova Park for  5 nights, visited Barcelona by train and drove up to Monserrat Monastery.  Returned north via Millau and spent an extra day shopping for leather goods before returning to Macon for 3 nights and wine buying and shopping. Moved via Chalons en Champagne to Boulogne Camping Manoir Senlecques  and spent a day with lunch in Etaples  before tunnel crossing .               

Round Trip: 2527 miles and 47 nights

Countries visited

Nights

France

36

Spain

8

UK

3

Commons Wood WGC and Folkestone Racecourse 

Sites Used

13

Chalons, Macon and Commons Wood (WGC) twice

2006 Spring France and Andalucia

Used Hull Zeebrugge ferry and stopped on the Bois de Boulogne site, Paris for a visit to French friends. Moved to Ares after a halt at Jauney Clan. 4 nights cycling and Andernos market. On to Larrouleta for 4 nights , local sightseeing and domestics. Found Aranjuez site closed and camped outside the gate! Halt at La Carlota and back to Rosaleda for 34 nights, mostly beach days and local sights, highlight: luxury night spent at Ronda Paradore , day in the town and Bullring visit.

Moved north to Monfrague and glad to find pool open. A hot day in park and shopped in Plasencia. Halt at Camping Cabia and week at Urrugne sightseeing and domestics, visited Hosegor looking for ok site, no success. moved back to Ile de Re again and spent 9 nights at La Couarde, cycling and domestics. 2 night halt at Fresnay sur Sarthe and then 3 at Les Pinades, Etaples visited Le Touquet. Nice site spoilt by regulars.

Returned to Zeebrugge.

Round Trip: 3215 miles and 72 nights

Countries visited

Nights

France

31

Spain

39

Ferry

2

Sites Used

13

2006 Autumn Tarn Languedoc and Costa Brava

An Autumn trip where we spent time in the Tarn, Languedoc and two centres in Costa Brava then on our return leg, wine buying in Beaujolais and a visit to the Ypres battlefields.

Hull Zeebrugge ferry and travelled via Chalons en Champagne and Macon (2) to Millau (7) then Argeles sur Mer (8) moved to Cambrils (7) . Vilanova i la Geltru (6) then Millau (3), Macon (3) Beaune, Chalons and Ypres (2)

Round Trip: 2432 miles and 43 nights

Countries visited

Nights

France

26

Spain

13

Belgium

2

Ferry

2

Sites Used

11

Macon  and Chalons twice 

2007 Spring France and Andalucia

Used Portsmouth to Caen overnight ferry then spent 6 nights on Noirmoutier cycling and sights. After an overnight at Pons and 5 nights at Urrugne moved South. With overnight halts at La Cabrera and La Carlotta, returned to Camping Rosaleda at Conil de la Frontera for 33 nights of mostly beach days and local sights. Moved to El Rocio for 4 nights during which visited the Donana National Park.

Moved on to Plascencia and spent 4 nights in the Monfrague National park. Halt at Camping Cabia and 4 nights at Urrugne sightseeing and domestics. Returned to Ile de Re again and spent 7 nights at La Couarde, cycling and domestics. Night halt at Baine de Bretagne and a final night at Ouistreham before ferry.

Round trip: 3219 miles and 72 nights

Countries visited

Nights

France

26

Spain

44

UK

1

Ferry

1

Sites Used

13

Larrouleta twice

2007 Autumn Languedoc

An Autumn trip where we spent time in the Tarn, and Languedoc and on our return leg wine buying in Beaujolais.

Hull Zeebrugge ferry and travelled via Chalons en Champagne and Macon (3) to Millau (7) then Argeles sur Mer (21) then Millau (2), Macon (3) Beaune (1), Chalons (2), Serracourt le Grand(1)

Round Trip: 1925 miles and 43 nights

Countries visited

Nights

France

41

Ferry

2

Sites Used

9

Chalons en Champagne and Macon twice

2008 Spring France and Andalucia again

Burford CC site 2 nights visited Winchester

Portsmouth to St Malo overnight ferry then 5 nights at Coulon some  sights but poor weather. Moved to Urrugne  and after 11 nights moved South. Overnight halts at La Cabrera and Villafranca de Cordoba then to Camping Rosaleda at Conil de la Frontera for 37 nights of mostly beach days and local sights.

Moved on to Plascencia and spent 2 nights in the Monfrague National park. Halt at Camping Cabia and 2 nights at Urrugne sightseeing and domestics. Returned to Ile de Re and 9 nights at La Couarde, cycling and domestics. Night halt at Servon and a final night at Ouistreham before ferry.

Halt at Burford CC site

Round trip: 2981 miles and 75 nights

Countries visited

Nights

France

29

Spain

42

UK

3

Ferry

1

Sites Used

11

Larrouleta twice, Burford twice

2008 Autumn Germany and Languedoc

An Autumn trip where we spent time North Rhine Westfalia before traveling to the Tarn, and Languedoc and on our return leg wine buying in Beaujolais.

Hull Rotterdam ferry and traveled to Munster (4) cycling with friends and then via Metz to  Macon (4)  before moving to Millau (5) to Argeles sur Mer (18) then Millau again (2), Macon (4) wine buying, halts at Beaune (1), Chalons (1), Serracourt le Grand(1) before using the Zeebrugge  to Hull crossing

Round Trip: 2362 miles and 43 nights

Countries visited

Nights

France

37

4

2009 Spring France and Andalucia

After a halt at Morn Hill used Portsmouth to St Malo overnight ferry  then after a NH at Montaigue spent 8 nights at Royan  cycling and sights. Moved on to Urrugne and spent 8 nights sights and domestic , rained most days!

South with overnight halts at La Cabrera and Villafranca de Cordoba returned to Camping Rosaleda at Conil de la Frontera for 39 nights of mostly beach days and local sights. 

Moved on to Plascencia and spent 2 nights in the Monfrague National park. Halt at Camping Cabia and 2 nights at Urrugne sightseeing and domestics. Returned to Ile de Re and spent 9 nights at La Couarde, cycling and domestics. Night halt at Servon and a final night at Ouistreham before ferry.

NH  Burford

Round trip: 2949 miles and 77 nights

Countries visited

Nights

France

30

Spain

44

UK

2

Ferry

1

Sites Used

14

Larrouleta twice

2009 Autumn Languedoc , Ardeche and Gent

Rotterdam ferry, NH at Metz then to Macon for 3 nights. Moved to Millau and 5 nights at Les Rivages

Moved to Grau d'Agde  but only stayed 2 nights unhappy with the site and returned to Argeles Sur Mer and Camping La Massane for 21 nights.  Returned to Les Rivages (2) and on to Macon 3 days wine buying, NH halt and afternoon in Beaune  before move to Chalons en Champagne. Moved to Gent and spent day in city before final move to Zeebrugge and ferry home.

Round trip: 2190 miles and 43 nights

Countries visited

Nights

France

39

Belgium

2

Ferry

2

Sites Used

10

Macon  and Les Rivages twice

2010 Spring In France and Iberia

 We again used an overnight crossing from Portsmouth to St Malo and then spent 9 days at Nauzan Plage before moving South to Larrouleta and another 9 days.

South to Andalucia we used the regular route  stopping at La Cabrera and Albolafia before spending  31 nights  at Camping Rosaleda, Conil de la Frontera. This was to be our last long stay there as we moved on to Lagos on the Algarve  and  discovered Camping Turiscampo. 7 days were spent there reconnoitering  the area for a return visit before moving North via Evora where we spent 2 nights and back via Monfrague, Cavia and Larrouleta to the Ile de Re for 11 nights. Final leg was back via Servon and Ouistreham for a Caen Portsmouth crossing

Round trip: 4117 miles and 80 nights

Countries visited

Nights

France

32

Spain

36

Portugal 

9

UK

2

Ferry

1

Sites Used

13

Camping Larrouleta twice