Tuesday 21 January - Aguilas to Cabo de Gata

6.45 a.m. he's getting better! An hour or two later was deemed more acceptable to surface and have breakfast before preparing to depart. We were in no rush so by the time we had (very carefully) extracted the van from the driveway so we didn't damage the water tank again, and said our farewells  it was 11.25.

Several calls to make today, refill the gas bottles, probably the fuel tank and some shopping as our plans have included another longer stay at a campsite. It was obvious that Spain has once again attracted the entire European population of motorhomers with many places crowded with wild-campers so we've decided that we'll stick to campsites, hopefully being able to book ahead, and only use other places for when we are in-transit.

First call was Annibels for gas, which turned out to be a fuel station that had expanded to be a camperstop and service point and was crowded with motorhomes. We joined the queue for gas but decided we didn't need anything else there and moved on, for now keeping to the smaller very scenic coast road. Passing through one of the small towns we spotted a Pleinoil so called in top up with cheap diesel. Bren spotted a Mercadonna supermarket but we couldn't find anywhere to park so carried on, eventually spotting our old favourite Lidl for the shopping and a lunch break.

We fancied returning to a very quiet site we'd visited a good few years ago with Tony Westwell, an old coach driver colleague who is sadly no longer with us. Checking on-line it looked like it had been well redeveloped and possibly still had some room - there were a couple of others around if that was not the case. So TomTom was programmed and we set off, once again on the A7 autovia before turning off into the Cabo de Gata National Park, a desert-like nature preservation area and down to the rocky coastline and village of Los Negros. A narrow roadway along the clifftops took us about 1km to We Camping where we discovered it was indeed almost unrecognisable fro and am the past as well as practically full.

At first the receptionist didn't think they could help, despite having a few empty pitches, mainly because they all had fixed canopies which we were unable to get under - we did try...... But perseverance paid off and we found a spot tucked away in a corner with a higher cover and manoeuvered our way in. We've booked for a week as it has everything we need including a pool, supermarket, restaurant and a small beach for Jamie.

The day had become surprisingly warm and after the regulation cuppa we found ourselves a little weary so settled down for a short nap........ Some hours later (!) we switched the lights on and got some supper!

The weather forecast is good, at least for the next few days with sunshine and temperatures of 22C so this'll do us for the week.

Monday 20 January - Nr. Aguilas

Five a.m. but Terry was up anyway so a quick walk around the garden and back to bed until a more reasonable hour! Another bright sunny day and after a leisurely breakfast just wasted the morning chatting with our friends plus a couple of neighbours. There are perhaps around a dozen residences in the complex, a couple of Brits, some Spanish and whilst we watched new German/Swiss owners of the chalet next door spent the entire day ripping out the interior, presumably with a view to completely renovating it. To be honest we didn't really think it would have been worth it as Derek thinks they paid well over the odds for what is basically a caravan with a veranda on a rented piece of ground; they'll never get their money back. But they were using a brand new Porsche SUV as a delivery truck..............

Come lunchtime we went down to the hotel/restaurant at the place we met up with our hosts for a meal, lunchtime because they are closed in the evening. Despite it being not much to look at and definitely a locals establishment the food was very good. The €11 plata de dias included a salad entree, first course of appetisers, a main course then a simple dessert as well as a drink, cola, wine or beer. Simple, basic fare.

Back to the ranch and a coffee later we tidied up and serviced the van ready for the off in the morning. Later we discussed how we might help in collecting D & J's new motorhome which they will need to collect from Elche, about 100km north, as June no longer drives. Once they know when it will be ready we'll see what we can do but as we don't have anywhere particular to be at any time it should be possible.

We have really enjoyed our few days with Derek and June, they're the kind of folk who you don't see for a while but then meet up as if it's only been a day or so and continue where you left off! But life moves on and so must we.

Sunday 19 January - Near Aguilas

We cannot say an undisturbed night because this is becoming a feature of the holiday, Jamie wanting out at 6.30. But it was Sunday so once he had been seen to it was quiet until a much more respectable hour saw us greet an absolutely beautiful morning, the sun heating up the van very quickly. Smoked salmon breakfast, no particular reason why we didn't have the bacon we'd brought in the freezer, it had just been an impulse purchase at Mercadonna. To hell with the cost we're going to enjoy ourselves!

First order of the day was to refill the water tank and see how our repairs had done. To our relief not a drop of water after the first partial fill so we continued until full. A few checks later we declared ourselves satisfied - now, that concrete lip could do with some attention..................

 

Much of the rest of the day was spent sitting out in the sun, enjoying the view and the pleasant company. Late afternoon a little foray with Derek down to the unofficial rubbish dump - no facility in the complex, electricity was supplied by the site owners which we learned was not cheap and explained the profusion of solar panels, gas was by self-purchased bottles and the water was apparently from a local source and not to be entirely trusted. Ah well, you can't have everything and paradise too but it seemed to suit a lot of people as the properties appeared to sell easily enough, next door spent all day finishing emptying theirs.

As the sun set (bother, forgot the photo) once again we enjoyed a self-prepared evening meal and chat over drinks before adjourning for hopefully an uninterrupted sleep. Fat chance!

Saturday 18 January - Murcia to Aguilas

Up at 2.30 for Jamie, we were not quick enough so had a rather large wet patch to deal with, just what you need in the middle of the night. We are beginning to wonder why he no longer seems able to last through the night, perhaps it's all the travelling without the chance to regularly relieve himself although we give him every opportunity we can. We'll watch for a pattern.

It didn't stop him asking again at 6-40 so once again Bren donned coat and hat and went for a short walk. The signs all indicated that the market would be starting to assemble very early but no sign of it, even though the car park was half full of trucks and vans. At a more respectable getting up time we spotted folk going into the adjacent large building and guessed that was the actual venue - we didn't visit.

Breakfast, service the van and a chat with a Funster couple before getting on our way. As mentioned before our friends have bought a holiday home near Aguilas and we'd been invited to visit when we were in the area. From our stopover it was maybe a 2 hour drive so, after managing to translate the destination instructions onto TomTom we rejoined the autovia, routing around Lorca towards Aguilas, which is a popular holiday resort on the coast. As their place was "in the back of beyond" we'd been told to stop at a hotel/restaurant on the main road, call them and they would come and meet us, which all went to plan. Once greetings were completed we followed them, firstly to a supermarket for some essentials, then back to their "pad".

We'll post pictures later but it is a really nice 2-bed holiday home, on a small complex of similar places in the mountains above Aguilas with fantastic views. Plenty of room to park Bertie, although the gate was a little narrow, unfortunately there was a raised concrete lip and we managed to "ground" the fresh water tank, yes you've guessed it, ripping off the drain pipe yet again, even though we'd had it shortened. What a stupid design. Naughty words but we'll have lunch then sort it out later.

Fortunately it wasn't damaged too much and with the use of some bits and pieces plus a cartridge of silicone sealant we managed to replace the pipe and actually ended up doing a much better job. We decided to let the whole thing dry out and cure overnight before attempting to refill the tank until tomorrow, water now not being too much of a problem with a tap almost next to us.

The rest of the day was spent chatting and enjoying a nice evening meal - the restaurant mentioned earlier was only open at lunchtime so that idea had to be abandoned but we had more than enough "stuff" to do our own thing. Happily the garden was dog proof so we could let Jamie off to explore for himself although he never ventured far from us plus he also got a few walks around the complex, meeting various local dogs of course.

A beautiful sunset from the front window somehow got missed so we'll try for a piccie again tomorrow.

Friday 17 January - Valencia to Murcia

As expected quite heavy rain throughout the night but it did become more intermittent as we got breakfast, finished the packing and serviced the van. The insulating screens were, of course, soaking wet so once folded and bagged were put in the shower to drain - they were never going to dry out though until opened out again, not a problem.

All done and checked out we were away by 10.40 with a plan to first find a supermarket to refill the much depleted fridge then make our way south west to Aguilas although it is quite a drive so we were not really expecting to get there today. Whether we missed a turn or what we didn't find the large Carrefour we thought we remembered from previous years so for the moment just set the satnav for Murcia and joined the A7 autovia. We spotted a Pleinoil service station sign so pulled off and refuelled with the cheapest diesel we've seen for a long long time, £1.15pl.

 

 Continued on the A7 noting snow on the hills alongside not much higher than us. Bren did a little research and found a Mercadona supermarket at Castella so navigated us there using Google Maps on her phone for a change! The app reported plenty of outdoor parking but failed to mention it was all the covered type and at 2.3m was no good for us. However the road outside was quiet with plenty of room so we just parked there, moving a little to accomodate an articulated lorry waiting to reverse into the loading bay.

Shopping completed we had a latish lunch whilst researching possible stopovers as Aguilas was now just a little too far. The weather had dried out completely and we enjoyed a steady run, still on the A7 until the satnav turned us off around Murcia to a free local authority motorhome area in the suburbs. Basically part of a municipal carpark with a service point it was almost full but we found a  nice spot and settled in with a cuppa and slice of Christmas cake.

No rush tomorrow and there is apparently a market in the carpark.

Tuesday 14 to Thursday 16 January - Valencia

We really did nothing special these few days, which is pretty well how we had planned. Fortunately with the weather being dry and sunny, we were able to sit out in our sheltered area for a few hours every day and enjoy the warmth the winter sun was putting out. We watched people come and go, chatting with a few of them, lots of walkies for Jamie otherwise just lazing around.

Finally, as forecast, the weather started to change Thursday lunchtime as it gradually clouded over and by late afternoon it was raining. Planning to move on Friday we got as much as possible of the packing away done as we could in between the showers because the rain was expected to carry on throughout the night and well into tomorrow. There was even a rumble or two of thunder.

We have enjoyed our stay at Devesa Gardens, it got us back into the "holiday" mood we'd been missing. However it's not in our nature to stay for too long in any one place so we are ready for new vistas. Our good friends Derek and June have bought a place near Aguilas and returned there a couple of days ago so our plan is to head there.

Monday 13 January - Valencia

More wall-to-wall sunshine although it's much cooler today. Nothing to report 'cos that's what we did - nothing.

Oh yeh, the bedding got washed. Hard work is retirement, you never get a day off!

Sunday 12 January - Valencia

Now this is getting ridiculous - 4.30am! It was just as well that T was already up for the usual nocturnal sojourn.

So once again a late start into another brilliant morning although the breeze has freshened again making it a little less than yesterday. But shorts and tee shirt are still de regeur at 20C. Bacon and eggs for breakfast, not our usual full English 'cos we ate the (Spanish) sausages earlier in the week, which were very nice.

 

Domestic service again before settling down in the sun once more. We had thought about taking Jamie down to the beach but when we heard reports that there was still a lot of flotsam and jetsom from the flood damage, then somebody said they'd heard human remains had been washed up.............. well perhaps not. It seems there is still a long way to go in the clearup operation as a Brit had ventured out to the retail park complex a few miles down the road and found businesses still being pumped out with mud and debris everywhere. Heartbreaking and probably explains why it's so quiet.

Saturday 11 January - Valencia

Saturday and the locals have all come for the weekend. Last night a German in a gin palace was complaining to me about the noise of youngsters playing football on the roadway at 10.30pm -  all I could tell him was it's family weekend away and there's not a lot you can do. There are rules about quiet periods and for here it's midnight to 8.00am so I didn't think complaining to Reception would do much good. A bit unfortunate for him that they were only 2 bays away whereas we're much further along the road. Wonder how he reacted at 8.01am this morning...........

But it's another lovely day and we had another late start after Jamie...., well it's becoming a habit we'll have to nip in the bud. Nothing really planned, the day just spent relaxing in and around the van. The temperature did actually reach

23 degrees C!

mid-afternoon, quite sufficient to bring out the shorts and tee shirts! Sorry everybody at home!

Late on we took a walk around the complex but were disappointed to note that, although the Receptionist implied everything was open, it clearly was not however the restaurant and bars were. The menu looks a bit better than last year so we'll probably try it out before we leave.

10 January - Valencia

Once Jamie had had his early morning perambulation we didn't bother rushing. Thus a very late breakfast before loungers deployed to enjoy another warm sunny day, occasionally interrupted by an insistent Westie for walkies. We had thought about going down to the beach but that was as far as we got, thinking about it!

Quite a lot of UK visitors this year although the site is maybe only 2/3 full. Perhaps the devastation caused by the floods the area suffered late last year has put people off although there are no signs of it here at Devesa Gardens. We are told, however, that there are areas that have been quite badly affected.

9 January - Valencia

 Another bright and warm morning with Jamie getting things going for us again. A nice refreshing shower to start the day then after breakfast a few domestics, Terry getting the servicing done (by servicing we mean empty the loo and dirty water tank then refilling the fresh water, also get rid of rubbish and recycling) whilst Bren got a load of washing started. The site is perhaps only 2/3 full so no queues for the laundry - everything done, dried, folded and put away by early afternoon.

Then chairs out and enjoy the sunshine!

8 January - Valencia

Despite an earlyish request from Jamie, this time seen to by Terry, we had a decidedly late start to the morning, something I think we both needed as the journey down seems to have taken more out of us than we thought. We're not getting any younger!

So we eventually surfaced to a warm sunny morning, the wind now having dropped. After a very late breakfast we spent a little time cleaning and tidying, chatting to neighbours then investigating the "supermarket" - Aldi and the like don't need to worry! Saying they had any kind of range of anything would be a complete overstatement, but at least they still had baguettes at 2.00pm so lunch taken care of.

We got the chairs out of course and enjoyed some sunshine but we had a small backlog of tasks, including regular walkies for a very under-exercised Westie, so by the time we'd got sorted it was getting dark. But we've successfully achieved the first stage of our "adventure" so who cares?

With no plans the next few days aren't going to be very interesting to anybody except us, but we'll try to say something each day. For now, though the only thing on our horizon is possibly meeting up with our old friends June and Derek at their new "pad" apparently near Aguilas when we move on from here.

7 January Carenena to Valencia - Devesa Gardens campsite

Once more Jamie got Bren up early to a bright but cold morning. Didn't bother with servicing the van so just changed the rubbish bag and after breakfast got on our way. Joining a very quiet autovia we noted that we will have been on the A63 for its entire length by the time we reach the coast. A little breezy at first, we enjoyed a fast quiet trip, it getting busier as we approached the turning to Valencia thence along the coastal motorway to a retail park with a big Carrefour hypermarket to stock up on goodies. We have booked our destination for 10 days and, although there is a small supermarket on site, it doesn't have a big range so we'll fill the larder now.

Shopping completed we had a late light lunch before continuing into the city and joining the usual heavy traffic through the modern outskirts. Valencia is a place we have yet to explore despite having passed this way numerous times so we might make an effort to visit this year. Unfortunately dogs are not allowed on the buses (unless you can carry it in your pocket!) so we'd have to leave Jamie in the van for a while, but we'll see.

Welcomed by the same reception lady, check-in was very quick and we were directed to our allocated spot on bay C16. All the pitches have good shelter but also are angled to get the best out of the sun, have water and electricity and are only a few yards from really excellent toilet blocks. Apart from the afore-mentioned shop there are a couple of eating places - I hesitate to call them restaurants because their range is somewhat limited - pleasant gardens, swimming pool, spa plus a couple of small entertainment facilities, all of which are open which has not been the case at this time of year in the past. In summary a very pleasant place to spend awhile, nicer when we were informed that booking for 10 days had given us 3 free nights! However, contrary to the previous two years the site appears to be only 2/3 full although the receptionist did say they were expecting to be busy later, in case we wanted to stay longer.

So got ourselves set up and got the kettle on. The sun was shining and, in the shelter, it felt like 20C although there was still a fairly strong breeze blowing precluding the disposition of sun loungers etc. But the forecast is good for a few days so hopefully we'll get the sunshine and warmth that we crave.

Apparently it's still snowing at home...............

6 January 2025 Aire sur l'Adour to Carenena

 

A lot warmer overnight although still some rain about, which continued most of the day. Jamie asking to go out early again - we think it's more that he's bored and wants to be outside rather than physiological needs despite last thing "walkies" before bed. But anyway, breakfast, empty the loo and on our way heading for Pau then Oleron St Marie before climbing up to the tunnel. As the fuel level was getting a bit low we felt that it would be wise to top it up before tackling the mountains rather than hope for cheaper fuel once we arrived in Spain. In the end we paid exactly the same as the first fuel station in Spain so no real loss there. Shame about the rain because it took away our views of the mountains but once clear of Oleron the road was very quiet and we made excellent time, only held up slightly as a tanker pulled out in front of us as we were about to enter the tunnel, but at least he mostly drove at the speed limit.

Through to the other side and into Spain, we were disappointed to find the weather was the same but stopped anyway at a picnic spot for lunch, trying to keep it short so we could get as far as possible tonight. There is a autovia, Spanish free motorway, from a short distance after the tunnel all the way to Valencia, via Huesca and Zaragoza, except for short stretches early on that haven't been finished and don't look as if any work has been done on them for a while - run out of money now that UK has left Europe?

Anyway, we're now well on schedule, changing our route having saved us quite a lot of mileage and time, although Spain's speed limits are much more reasonable and we found ourselves cruising faster than is our norm. It soon became obvious that a town we've stopped at a few times was just the right distance away so Bren programmed TomTom for the aire at Carenena where we found half a dozen motorhomes already parked up but there was a space on the end for us. Unfortunately we still don't appear to have escaped the rain and as this is written we're listening to its gentle sound as we prepare tea.

All being well we're easily within reach of our booked campsite tomorrow with enough spare time for an hours shopping to stock up as we're planning a ten day break.

5 January 2025 Poitiers to Aire sur l'Adour

Rain still overnight but it had brought with it a sharp increase in temperature which was most welcome. We seem to have gone off our usual Full English Breakfast on Sundays but bacon and egg sarnies are an acceptable replacement - and don't take as much clearing up after too. But we forgot the HP sauce...........

Despite our intentions to try for an early start it was still 10.40 by the time we got away but at least no servicing to do and we found our way back onto the N10 with a resolve to push on with minimum disruptions today. After an hour the sky cleared and it became a pleasant Sunday morning drive, just keeping an eye out for the speed cameras. France has revamped its speed limit policy and the N10 is 90kph but 80kph for vehicles over 3500kg, the idea being to persuade trucks to use the autoroutes, which are mostly toll of course. Motorhomes in France are never heavier than 3500kg of course.... But we still took the foot off the gas passing them in case they're linked into the UK database.

Past Angouleme and we stopped just short of Bordeaux for lunch before tackling the ring road and joining the A63 towards Bayonne then Spain with a sort of objective of San Sebastian although it looked a push. However whilst ruminating on possible destinations for this evening it occurred to us that the Somport Tunnel, through the Pyrenees, had very recently re-opened and as the weather forecast was fine we thought we may save some time by going that way. So just before the peage we turned of to Mont de Marson, programming TomTom for the aire at Oleron St Marie which is the start of the pass up to the Somport Tunnel. However it soon became apparent that even that was a bit too far so Bren spent a little while sorting out possible places within reasonable reach and we decided on the small town of Aire sur l'Adour and it's free, large and pleasant enough looking, erm, aire. We followed our site book directions but must have missed one so enlisted TomToms help who took us up an almost impossibly narrow lane but did in fact find it for us. Basically a riverside carpark with a service point at the entrance, it was typical of many in France where the local community turn over a piece of otherwise unwanted ground to motorhome use. We could do with some of that in the UK but, of course, land is so expensive it takes a very liberal local council to do the same, not forgetting objections from the local community and other campsite operators.

But, getting off the high horse, the place was more than acceptable to us with only 2 other vans parked up. So screens on, kettle on and drag Jamie round the carpark. We're quite pleased at progress today but more importantly feel like we're getting back into the swing of things and beginning to relax.

4 January 20205 Marboue to Poitiers

A heavy frost overnight and Bren got up to take Jamie out, put the heating on and the gas bottle ran out - we've used an awful lot of gas up to now as it's been so cold. So a quick run round the van, switch bottles, then back to bed for an hour until it's warmed up. We need to work out the timer system on this new boiler, the old one wasn't working so we never bothered with it. Another lovely morning but -3C so after breakfast and trying to roll up frozen solid insulation screens we headed out. The service point here is still wrapped up so nothing to do, although it would almost certainly been off anyway.

Although we have the second gas bottle we thought it would be a good idea to refill at any early opportunity so after consulting the MyLPG.eu app we spotted and visited a station around 45km away at Vendome, just off our route. Unfortunately the pump was on the wrong side of the van and our efforts to try and approach from the other side were thwarted by a couple of cars waiting to use it, something we've never encountered before! Never mind, there will be others along the way and it's good to see that France still retains it's network of LPG refuelling points, unlike the UK where they seem to be reducing.

Next major city on our route was Tours and we've found that it's possible to skirt the centre by joining the autoroute north of the city, cross the bridges then vacate at the exit before the peage (toll) begins. As usual this worked out quite well and on the main road out of the city we happened to chance upon an Auchan hypermarket advertising LPG so quickly turned off and spent 10 minutes trying to find the service station on a huge retail park. And then the only pump was occupied by a French lady filling her car with both LPG and petrol - and she was in no rush........... Once we'd done the gas we thought we may as well do the fuel tank too which would probably see us to Spain. We later noted that the exchange rate used on the credit card was an incredible 1.20 euros to the pound, we hadn't realised the euro was in such a weak state compared to the pound.

But, as forecast, the weather was turning and as we left Tours it started to rain. Stopped at a supermarket at Montbuzon to buy a baguette for lunch and treat ourselves to cakes for later in the afternoon. Despite the rain we still made good progress but had now spent too much time messing about, not helped when Jamie suddenly announced quite volubly that we'd better stop NOW or suffer the consequences, so had to rein in our expectations for a night stop. In the end we chose Futuroscope at Poitiers, a place we've used before, knowing there were full services there and oodles of space. Couldn't quite remember how to get into the parking but eventually spotted the entrance at the other end of a one way street (yes, going the other way but there was no-one coming...) We went straight to the service point to fill up the water and emptied the loo and waste tank whilst we were there to save time in the morning. Then settle down for the evening as it turned dark - still raining.

3 January 2025 Wissant to Marboue

The weather has been very cold over the last few days and today was no exception. We'd hammered the batteries a bit at Mums, choosing not to hookup in case we needed an early start, but there was enough to last. Jamie got us up to a beautiful sunny morning and a slowish start, trying to get back into the routine, then after breakfast waiting for a Frenchman who'd managed to break down on the service point, until we just worked around him.

In our planning we've set a target for each day of 4 hours driving, which will get us to our first planned and booked campsite on Tuesday afternoon. So it was straight onto the autoroute, paying the toll for the section down to Abbeville from Boulogne as it takes ages using the D roads. A nice fast run saw us through Rouen at lunchtime, our usual route of course avoiding the low bridges, and decided on the aire at Pont de l'Arche for lunch, a place well known to us and free at this time of year. 

Our "target" was Dreux but we thought we could do better. Chateaudun has always been a nice spot for us however we have learned that it has now closed as an aire so needed an alternative. Picked out a couple of places, including Marboue, which is just a few k's before Chateaudun, as well as another which turned out not to be what/where we thought it was! No problem however and we pulled onto the parking at Marboue just before dusk to spend the night on our own.

We've made excellent progress today and the weather has been superb, if a tad cool. We hope we can do the same tomorrow.

Christmas and New Year - Home to Wissant

A quiet Christmas, even for us, before we collected Bertie from storage a couple of days prior to our departure for loading etc. Then, as in years gone by, we travelled down to Navenby on New Year Eve to spend a short time with Terrys Mum. Uneventful trip, we didn't bother to hook up the electricity in case we needed to make an early start, which wasn't the brightest idea but in the end wasn't too much of a problem. We just used a lot more gas than usual as it was bitterly cold, and the leisure batteries took a caning too.

So away mid-morning on Thursday onto generally quiet roads, making good time and stopping at Thurrock for lunch. Our train was booked for 16.38 but we hoped to get an earlier train so after refuelling at Ashford (fuel is cheaper than France) we pitched up around 1500 to find that due to technical problems all departures had been rescheduled. One advantage about having to go through Pet Control is we at least had a say in what train we were to use but the agent just put us on the first with available space which departed at - 16.38!

This meant that it would be dark once we deboarded but at least Bertie knows his way to the aire at Wissant. However, as expected from our ealier visits, this aire was now "payant" with an almost incomprehensible set of instructions on how to get in! But the skillful application of finger to random buttons, the presentation of a credit card got us an entrance ticket which, when shown to a magic eye on the barrier opened the place up. 

Plenty of space so we just parked up in an "ordinary" bay, having failed to get the electric to work, and settled in to what promised to be yet another cold night. Both of us quite tired so an early night.

We're on our way!

Our first post, just to keep the many hundreds of our fans up-to-date. Having made the decision we set things in motion and made our brief plans, deciding to simply repeat what we've done before and that is, spend New Year with Terrys Mum before heading down to Folkestone for Le Shuttle. Bertie brought home a few days beforehand to be readied and loaded up - a bit less this time as we've had a bit of a clear-out and got rid of "stuff" we never use. Nevertheless there was still only minimal space left when we finally got away on New Year Eve after a pretty well non-existent Christmas which we couldn't be bothered with this year.

Nothing of any particular note, we had a nice day with Mum, parked up on her driveway, before heading south to catch our late afternoon train. Uneventful run, arriving quite early but finding that due to technical problems every booking had been re-arranged! They were, however, doing a good job of catching up and we managed to get away at more or less our booked time. It would have been nice to get an earlier departure as we were now faced with a short night drive to our first planned stop, but Bertie knows his way to Wissant and we were soon at the gate. Gate? Yes, the upgrading has finally been completed and it is now "payant" although the instructions were all but incomprehensible, expecting us to have downloaded an app we'd never heard of and made a booking. All a bit pointless really as just pressing a few buttons and presenting a credit card got us an entrance (and exit!) ticket, but we never worked out how to get electricity or water although we did spot that they were "extras". Not to worry, we didn't need them but 11 euro thingies wasn't really cheap.

Thus begins our next adventure!