Europe 2018, 6

Awoke to rain, cloudy but warm so when the rain stopped about 10, we are up bikes, had a great strong coffee, and set off about 12.

Headed to Chateau Villandraut, which should have been 6k was 7miles at the end was a cafe Le Medivale. I had a biere Ambre Fischer, Jacqui a Vin Route, grilled entrecote moyen, Jacqui Condit du Canard, cafe Gourmnad dessert and a profiteroles for Jacqui. All in all very nice . Cycled back very hot at the van 32 in the shade, so headed for the pool had a dip and then beer, wine, reacher, cheese, bread, ice, bed.

Bruges 2018

Decided to pop over the channel for a little tour of places bookmarked over the last few weeks. The plan was to goto Bruges and then maybe Amsterdam.

Booked the tunnel in Tuesday, for travel on the Thursday 11:40 slot gave us time to get to Bruges and then get settled. Jacqui had a book club and I had mower pickup and some minor work issues, so Thursday was easiest, decided to co e back in the following Wednesday as we have the MHF Maypole meet the following weekend.

Journey to tunnel was very easy although a bit tedious, will interesting when a one way ticket is our option and may choose return by another means.

There was minor delay loading but we were underway about 15 minutes late, as we left train pulled over at services and turned gas on. Set off to Bruges.

Again journey was easy roads relatively clear, till Bruges it self. Road surface quality also changes in Belgium they seem to favour concrete slabs for a lot of the roads as opposed to tarmac, very noisy, bit like M6 Birmingham.

Found the kamper stop, glorified car park between a ring road, boat moorings and bus/coach park. Get a ticket on entry and then drive through and park up, picked a corner spot door opening on hedge and boat moorings other side.

Electric provided but only 6amp, each socket is numbered so plugged into 16 which was empty but no power, initially thought it was only certain time but basically socket 16 did not work, so used a spare socket, this seems a common thing.

Power sorted we decided to walk into Bruges, it is less than 10 minutes, very easy lots of people about. Mainly tourists, seems a popular place. We had a good wander around a beer, Stew and beer, half man brewery had Beers and Flemish Stew and Chips, very good.

Next day decided to do some culture so Churches Sint Salvatore, fantastic stained glass and Museum Historium tour life in Bruges, interesting but the VR tour waste of money and a free Beer in the Duuvelorium bar. Sunny in the pm so got bikes out and had a trip round the canals.

Chilli and tacos in the van and started Gotham.

Decided to move on the next day to the tulip fields and Dutch coast South of Amsterdam, if rubbish then could head for the city.

France September 2017

Tour of France from 1.9.2017 to 21.9.2017, met up with Alistair and Julie for about 4 nights.  Tunnel both ways

Great trip.

Ile de Re
St Tropez
Neufchatel en Bray

 

Gastes

Decided to look for an aire so picked Gates as it has a Rose Mark, only about 10km away, but quick journey even including the stop at the Intermarche.

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When leaving the campsite L’arbre we went to see the lake also the Aire virtually on the lac. Seemed fine and other than a pool can see no reason to use the campsite.

Gastes, was next to small marina with cycles paths next to it, bar down the road (closed). Entry is by french CB card only or cash 4.50 euro for the day, 2 toilets, waste and fresh water very good.

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Saint-Gengoux-le-National

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Arrived at Saint-Gengoux-le-National aire, very nice right on a cycle track route vert, near a town with bars and cafes and shops, there are toilet, and waste facilities.  Electric and fresh water not available when we were there broken.

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