Sunday 30th May

Up 5.45 am. Quietly set up the MH for the journey, started engine at 0650 (naughty!) and exited site as quietly as possible. Uneventful run to Channel Port, only a few miles. No queue at check-in. Charged additional £10 again for change of booking. Formalities passed for Bryn without fuss. Checks made for illegals on board by Border Agency chappy, then straight into queue. Given our own lane (dog on board?) alongside a very impatient Spanish man with his family. Thought we were queuing for the Rodin, which, worryingly, had evidence of contact with another hard object on its starboard side (getting all nautical here). Then our vessel arrived and docked at Calais 5, which made our queuing position a little more sensible. We amused ourselves playing cards in the back (having failed to pick up any TV signal from Blighty). Eventually the marshalls appeared, with the Spaniard trying to communicate in English. Even started his engine, and edged forward for a better view past us. Why don’t people realise we will all arrive at the same time, whatever position we are on the ferry? That said, it was particularly satisfying when WE were pulled out of lane first and directed onto the ferry ahead of everybody! Positioned in the open on the rear deck, it was looking like we were to be off first, but I knew that had its own problems. When we landed, we were directed to the inspection area (see, I was right!) but a DEFRA guy just wanted to check Bryn’s paperwork, which only took a moment or so. And off home, with more than a couple of breaks, one for a snooze as tiredness kills, you know!

Saturday 29th May

Last full day (provided we can get on the ferry tomorrow). Walking dog in the morning showed how full the site was, with many very nice, very expensive MHs. One, in particular, took my eye, because it was in the same range as ours, only on an 07 plate. Same Fiat JTD, so must have been in stock for at least a year, not that it matters. It was a Burstner T615, which was a little longer. Spoke to the owners, a couple from Northern Ireland, who, like us, were still learning, having owned it for just a year. Had done more miles in that year than we had. Invited in, popped my head in to see our preferred layout, fixed end bed with toilet/washroom alongside, and fixed dining table. Both front seats rotated (as ours do, rather pointlessly) with additional passenger seat(s). Much longer awning, owner asked me did I have any experience of mounting the centre bracing pole, which I had not. Yes, something like that would be perfect. Went for a wander in the MH to Guines, ended up in the town centre which was almost pedestrianised. The MH felt much larger than it was, there. Ended up in Calais town centre, parked on an official parking area, which was in reality a cleared site. Had a lovely coffee at a bar right opposite the theatre. There is more to Calais than most people, well us, realised. Then drove off, a look round Auchan, made essential purchases, filled up with fuel for the last time in France (1.116 Euros per litre) (38 litres after 235 miles – 6.2 miles per litre – 28.1 mpg) then back to La Bien Assise for lunch and a relaxing afternoon. Clouding – storm coming?

Friday 28th May

Let the Satnav choose the route to Guines, the same site we spent our first night in. Refuelled at supermarket (66.3 litres after 373 miles – 5.65 miles per litre – 25.6 mpg). Followed the Satnav religiously, then Chris’ phone pinged a message. “Welcome to Tesco Belgium”. How bizarre. The road signs mysteriously changed as well. We were in Belgium, heading for Charleroi. I knew we were not far from the border in the Ardennes, but this was not making much sense to us. Chris thought I had set up the Satnav to avoid Autoroutes, but I hadn’t. I was pretty sure there was a better route in France, but having committed this far, we stuck it out. Seemed a long way though. Eventually started to get the countdown for Calais, but decided to leave at Bethune. We really got it wrong when we chose Monday as our return day. For the Tick/Worming treatment for the dog, we needed a window between 24 and 48 hours, which meant it clashed badly with the weekend. So we decided to chance finding a vet open in Bethune, rather than arriving in Calais as 5pm loomed. And find one, we did. Traffic was heavy but managed to slot the beast into a parking place within the meter zone area. Manoeuvred it fairly tight against the kerb, and walked to the vet we found. He didn’t speak a word of English (and why should he?) but we managed to make our needs clear and he carried out the treatment to the tune of 33 Euros, completing the necessary pages in the Pet Passport. When we walked back to the MH, I saw that it was awfully tight against a round traffic sign and made a mental note to manoeuvre gently as I got out of the space. I did, but not gently enough and “twang” as the posted vibrated. What had I done? It was not until we stopped later that we realised there was no mark whatsoever, the very back end of the awning assembly had clipped the aluminium sign. We arrived at a very busy Guines site. Very slick operation, quick check-in, pay our ACSI fee for two nights, and escorted by the receptionist in a golf cart at speed to our placement. Quick point out of facilities, then she was away, to return several more times with other arrivals. This must be three times busier than our arrival day.

Thursday 27th May

Decided to run north up the Moselle valley. What a beautiful run it was. Very pretty scenery, dramatic, fantastic mountain drive negotiating hairpins. Set up Satnav to find site at Buzancy in the Ardennes. Again, long drive, sometimes unsuitable roads. The Ardennes is very heavily forested, weather threatening. Arrived at the site quite late (for us) and the site receptionist suggested we find a hard standing “in case it rains”. Site was adjacent to the “Plan d’eau”. Must look that up when we get back, appears to be a local reservoir or something. Think the site manager knew something that we didn’t. Because it did rain, good style! Unfortunately we sheltered under the awning, which of course got very wet. Still wet in the morning when we packed up. Head for Calais in the morning. Need to arrange vet.

Wednesday 26th May

Wet night. Had already decided we would move on, the only problem being: Where? Never really done the east side of France, so decision made. Off through Dole and Besancon and head for Mulhouse, Colmar or Belfort. Refuelled at a supermarket just outside Dole on the way with 53 litres after 357 miles (Impressive 6.73 miles per litre 30.6 mpg). Satnav was creating more problems than it was solving. Looking for the shortest route it was taking us on unsuitable roads. After seemingly endless drive, arrived at Belfort, a fortified town, we found a site alongside a lake. Camping L’ Etang Des Forges, 3 star, nice site, but poor excuse for a swimming pool, not that we would ever have used it. Able to walk around the lake, but before long it was raining again. Move on tomorrow.

Tuesday 25th May

Chill out day. Still very warm. Windows open all night. Gentle walk for Bryn early on, then left him in the airy, shaded MH whilst we walked into Chalon. Had misunderstood the site owner for directions, should have walked UNDER (sous) the bridge not over (sur), however, made only a little difference and found our way into the delightful old town, where we had an expensive coffee in the cathedral square, followed by a mootch around the shops. Went online at the free hotspot and found a way of resetting the Garmin other than the way I had tried. Attempted reset and lo and behold, it booted up. Problem was I had lost all my data. But at least it worked. Back for light lunch and clothes washing! Oh the life. Watched the sky change ominously over to the east. Is there a storm brewing?