Neither Here Nor There

DavidKlyne
DavidKlyne Club Member Posts: 13,867 ✭✭✭
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edited November 2013 in Your stories #1

Apologies to Bill Bryson but the title of his book more or less summed up our 2013 trip to Europe. The intention was to tour Austria. We got as far as Fussen in Southern Germany but the weather and my knee forced a major change of plans. At one stage we thought we would be heading back to the UK, although as we got further back into Germany the knee problem eased enough to allow us to carry on. Unfortunately the weather did not improve as much although we did have a couple of nice days on the Neckar before moving into France where we stayed at Nancy which is a beautiful city, may have even been nicer in the sunshine!

Obviously by now the weather was starting to impact on ground conditions so we made the decision to head south through France and made our way to Beaune where we knew the Municipal had hard standings. Despite the weather not being much better at least we had a firm footing. Moving further west to get to the A75 we made an overnight stop be fore heading for Camping Robinson at Marseillan Plage. It is an unpretentious campsite which we rather likes. We could walk or cycle into the town. The campsite was pretty empty whilst we were there. We met an English couple, Brian and Anne,  with a couple of Border Collies which I fascinating to watch, especially when they let you throw the ball for them. From Marseillian Plage we moved further south to Argeles sur Mer to another quiet campsite, although I suspect in the high season there would be a lot more noise from the surrounding entertainment. Since being in the South the weather has been better but not as good as we usually expect. This was the furthest point of our trip and we started to head north calling at Trebes near Carcassonne, the Lot Valley the west coast, the Loir, Dieppe and finally near Calais for our crossing home.

This was a new adventure for us as it was the first trip abroad with our new motorhome have for the past 30 odd years been caravanners. It was a steep learning curve but we adapted well to the change.

For more details of the trip have a look at the full Blog here

Comments

  • royandsharont
    royandsharont Forum Participant Posts: 735
    100 Comments
    edited November 2013 #2

    Hi David,

    I read the full story with great delight. I like to see where people have ben and what was there for the likes of us. I have put a marker on my Google Earth re Beaune for the hard standings just in case I need them some time. Where is the photo of the canal
    and how far could you ride on the tow path? Regards, Roy

  • brue
    brue Forum Participant Posts: 21,176 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    edited November 2013 #3

    I enjoyed the blog too David, glad your knee survived the journey, was half thinking I'd be reading a bit about French hospitals! Sounds as though you have mastered the art of motorhoming. I liked the route map of your travels, you are both intrepid travellers.

  • DavidKlyne
    DavidKlyne Club Member Posts: 13,867 ✭✭✭
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    edited November 2013 #4

    Thanks to both of you for your kind comments.

    Roy, the place on the Neckar is Neckarzimmern and there are lots of possible cycling excursions direct from the campsite. Perhaps Google Earth might be able to show you the options. We did several rides but none were long distance. We did cross the River
    Lock and ride to the next village.

    David

  • GarJac75
    GarJac75 Forum Participant Posts: 8
    edited November 2013 #5

    Hello David, Glad your knee recovered enough for you to enjoy your trip. I'd be interested to know why you switched to a motorhome after ''30 odd years of caravanning''. What are the main differences, plus/minus?

  • DavidKlyne
    DavidKlyne Club Member Posts: 13,867 ✭✭✭
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    edited November 2013 #6

    Hi Caravanner

    All sorts of reasons and something we had been thinking about for some years. We were increasingly spending a week or less, usually less, on a site and felt the motorhome would suit us better. I have a Blog here
    http://www.davidklyne.co.uk/motorhome_blog.html which explains in a bit more details.

    David

  • GarJac75
    GarJac75 Forum Participant Posts: 8
    edited November 2013 #7

    Many thanks Dave, I've gone to your blog and will read with interest.