We set off on our 2-year adventure from
Darlington on 27 December 2016 at 9:15 to catch the 17:20 Euro shuttle train. We
were told that this was one of the busiest days to travel and they weren’t
wrong! The A1 wasn’t too bad but the M11 and M25 was
gridlock. A journey that would normally take about 5 ½ hours took
nearly 7 ½ and it was touch and go if we would make it in
time. However, with Stirling Moss (aka Mel) behind the wheel for the
last leg of the journey we made it - phew!
We’ve always used the ferry to get across the channel as I'm a bit claustrophobic and being in an underwater train has never filled me with confidence, so the Eurotunnel was going to be a whole new experience. Once through passport control, and gas checks for the motorhome done we were surprised to just drive onto a train through a side door, down what can only be described as a long corridor and 5 minutes later we were on our way.
For those who haven't been on before, I have taken a little video:
We’ve always used the ferry to get across the channel as I'm a bit claustrophobic and being in an underwater train has never filled me with confidence, so the Eurotunnel was going to be a whole new experience. Once through passport control, and gas checks for the motorhome done we were surprised to just drive onto a train through a side door, down what can only be described as a long corridor and 5 minutes later we were on our way.
For those who haven't been on before, I have taken a little video:
Some 30 minutes later we were in France, straight off the train and on the road to our first overnight stop. We had the coordinates (E1°30'51" N 49°50'01") in the sat nav to the Aire (parking stops for motorhomes) and got to the village about 20:30 only to find the coordinates taking us down a dirt track in pitch black to some French farmers field - don't you just love sat navs!!
Approx 2kms later we were able to turn around and go back to the village, spotted another motorhome parked up and figured that was the Aire. Just over 11 hours and 415 miles of travelling we were exhausted. So it was a quick bite to eat and an early night, as we had another long day ahead tomorrow.
Sonny, the motorhome parked up for the night at Callengeville Aire
We need to be in Punta Umbria, Spain for 31
December, ready for new year celebrations with our son, his girlfriend and
her family. We have allowed 4 days to travel approximately 1700
miles and will be using motorways nearly all the way, so unfortunately, we will
miss all the scenic parts but needs must.
We are aiming for Biarritz tomorrow, so
fingers crossed the roads are a lot quieter that the UK!
Sally x
Some 30 minutes later we were in France, straight off the train and on the road to our first overnight stop. We had the coordinates (E1°30'51" N 49°50'01") in the sat nav to the Aire (parking stops for motorhomes) and got to the village about 20:30 only to find the coordinates taking us down a dirt track in pitch black to some French farmers field - don't you just love sat navs!!
Approx 2kms later we were able to turn around and go back to the village, spotted another motorhome parked up and figured that was the Aire. Just over 11 hours and 415 miles of travelling we were exhausted. So it was a quick bite to eat and an early night, as we had another long day ahead tomorrow.
We need to be in Punta Umbria, Spain for 31
December, ready for new year celebrations with our son, his girlfriend and
her family. We have allowed 4 days to travel approximately 1700
miles and will be using motorways nearly all the way, so unfortunately, we will
miss all the scenic parts but needs must.
Approx 2kms later we were able to turn around and go back to the village, spotted another motorhome parked up and figured that was the Aire. Just over 11 hours and 415 miles of travelling we were exhausted. So it was a quick bite to eat and an early night, as we had another long day ahead tomorrow.
 |
| Sonny, the motorhome parked up for the night at Callengeville Aire |
We are aiming for Biarritz tomorrow, so
fingers crossed the roads are a lot quieter that the UK!
Sally x
Great Blog! Looking forward to reading them all over the next 2 years
ReplyDeleteThanks Jan, lovely to hear from you. Will try to make them interesting reading :) xxx
DeleteHi Sally & Mel - Good luck, we will be reading your posts with interest.
ReplyDeleteWendy & Gary x
Thanks for tuning in to the blog Wendy and Gary. Long time no speak - hope you are keeping well xxx
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