France and Holland 2012

Just returned from a very enjoyable and relaxed 13 weeks in Holland and France. Started off just south of Amsterdam, visiting Keukenhof for the bulb show, then to Venlo for Floriade. Keukenhof in our opinion was better than Floriade.

After that, down via Verdun, into south west Burgundy to Clamecy, then a small CL type site in Creuse(listed under Fleurat). Wonderfully relaxed atmosphere, chickens and ducks wandering around the site, could sit and watch the owners working, building their own house on site. The after that the Ceverac le Chateau, formerly a municipal site, but now being developed into a very nice quiet site. (Shame about the rain prior to our arriving, as some pitches were too water-logged to be usable by motorhomes.)

A gentle journey from there took us to Alet les Bains, south of Carcassonne. Very handy for trips out into the foothills of the Pyrenees, and also the train/bus combination into Carcassonne itself. Soreze to the north-west of Carcassonne was next, again another former municipal site, now in private hands. Enhancement work being done.

After that, off to another smallish site in the Lot valley, at Larnagol, to the west of Cajarc. Only around 40 or so pitches, run by an English couple who have taken over the site in 2012. Some updating of facilities has already been done under the new ownership and some more is planned.

After Larnagol, our next stp was in Aubazine, Correze. This is operated/marketed under the Campeole label(be warned they don't like twin axle vans - try to charge €26 extra per night). Site other than that very clean, good sized pitches and wonderful surroundings. We then wandered off to our small site at Fleurat again, as it was a good stopping off point between Aubazine and Montbazon near Tours. Montbazon was used as a centre for a few days in the Loire chateaux.

Our final stay was at a favourite for many English, as well it would appear also for Dutch at Neufchatel en Bray in Normandy. The owner of this site has gradually and quietly developed the grounds, they are almost parkland like. He has plans to open around 15 hard standings for motorhomes on an all year basis as from March 2013. Anybody who has been to this site, will have seen the owner flying around the site, leading in new arrivals, on his bike. You have to be quick to keep up with him!

After 13 weeks, it was a shame to have to return home, but only for a coulpe of weeks, then we go away for another two weeksm but this time with 2 grand-daughters.