Stuck in Spain
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I know we enjoy 'off-autoroute' journeys, but these are not to be recommended under the present difficult circumstances. The traffic apparently isn't heavy because everyone is 'staying at home'.
Wow I'm impressed folks can read listen and obey 😉😀. I wish those over here were as well educated 😂😂😂.
Seriously folks pleas be sensible follow guidance and stay safe for yourselves and the rest of us.
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We (a convoy of 3) have just spent yesterday driving up from malaga. Spent the night at the first aire across the border from san sebastian. The gendarmes did want to see our printed off attestation forms) We've now just passed Bordeaux on the peage and going smoothly apart from 2 of our number being fined 135 euros each for waiting after a toll booth for the third to get through. We're booked on a dfds ferry on Tuesday but now looks like nowhere to stay in the UK on our trip north as the club has closed all it's sites!
What next!
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That's a very kind thought, David . We'll be arriving in Dover at 7.30 pm. As we'll have done a few miles in France before that, we were hoping not to have to travel too far. Eventually heading up to manchester. We are in a caravan so probably a service station would suit is best.
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I have stayed overnight a couple of times in the Ashford Tescos car park just off the M20 Jnct 10. It is normally a 24 hour store but maybe closed except for restocking. You can also overnight in the Truck stop at the first junction westward on the M20. I have not tried that one but I have stopped off there for lunch.
peedee
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Evening all,
so after a delayed start this morning(trying to phsyche nervous one) we arrived at the campers top in Teruel to be told to move on and stay on the motorways. Five minutes later the heavy mob turned up and threatened us with arrest if we don’t go now! A quick rephsyche and we’ve pulled on a closed services with now about another 15 vans turned up. I ain’t moving again it’s time for a beer🍻.
So, it’s motorway all the way tomorrow!Same for us on Thursday evening when we alight the tunnel, waiting for head office to tell us where we can go😂
JK
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Good luck, JK.
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I knew that was happening jv. I’m an employee don’t forget! We’re flexible where we go in case somewhere doesn’t have site sitters for the next 3 months. Could turn left or right out of Folkestone who knows. I think tomorrow evening will be clearer🤞
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like your positive attitude just hope your National insurance is fully paid up or you could come unstuck when the club say no way and you try to get some state money, but i am sure you have all under control, but seriously you would not believe how many business have now closed their doors Ikea, Primark to name just 2, stay safe
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you would not believe how many business have now closed their doors Ikea, Primark to name just 2
Like those two are essential to the life support system! With a mindset that would visit either of those places in the current circumstances, we're doomed.
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Nora Sharples on CC Forum has posted today that just about all French campsites are closed. She has been staying on Aires and reports that 'caravans are being allowed on too', though whether officially allowed , or at all Aires is not clear. 'Fingers crossed' approach for caravaners?
Steve
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pals managed to get put on an earlier shuttle and have arrived back in Devon....long drive from Dover but needs must...
their advice, just get to the Shuttle and waste as little time as possible, if theres space you will get on...
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Evening All
you’re right BB the best plan is to munch the miles and get to the shuttle. The folks I’m with have got used to the idea now and have lost most of the nerves. Did 520 miles today, we’re on a motorway Aire about 50 miles north of Bordeaux. About 30 outfits here so far, with about a dozen truckers as well. Garage open for fuel and one toilet and shower available free. There’s a good friendly spirit tonight as well. The gendarmes have been around twice to check we’re “distancing”.
7.00 start in morning ha, there’s now about a dozen in our convoy but as we are going for it we’ll leave them behind after a while!
phoned erotunnel and they say as long as you’ve a booking you can get on early if space.very nervous what’s in the UK now. We’ve been used to lockdown and strict order which I have to admit works, roll on Friday!
cheers
JK
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Evening again folks
So, another mile munching day,motorways almost empty, easy driving. We stayed (pushed by gendarmes) on toll roads and all picnic aires are closed off. Normal serviced aires are open but as I said before no supplies available. We’re now at a completely rammed full aire about an hour from the tunnel. We’re two days early for our booking but received an email from eurotunnel saying don’t bother to phone just come to book in and we’ll get you on ASAP. The hgv’s have priority because they’re keeping the shops stocked (rightly so).
the thing I’ve noticed this last couple of nights, when we’ve all found a spot for the night is the camaraderie and the felling of kindred spirit amongst all the lv’s. Last night I felt so tired and drained but having a chat and a laugh with all the nationalities was so uplifting it seemed all the upheavals and stress was worth while.Had a phone call from our employer this afternoon and happy we’re not forgotten😀
Stay Safe
JK
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You're nearly back, JK. The roads are really quiet here today due to the stay at home ruling. Be prepared to be stopped by police querying the reason for your journey. Devon & Cornwall Police have been pulling drivers over to check if their journeys are essential.
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Well done JollyKernow the ends in sight, then you can have a good rest hopefully. You've done a sterling job and all credit to you 👏👏👏. I trust those in your convoy are appreciative.
Safe onward travels and keep us posted when you can.
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Hi All
So we arrived at the tunnel at 10.00 this morning, we'd said our goodbyes to our convoy as we left the last aire as they all have dogs so different check in lanes etc. Even tough our booking was for 18.00 on Thursday there was no problem at all and we were booked on the next train. I guess there was around 30 vans all in.
We're now in isolation for two weeks on a site not far from the tunnel. Hopefully this nice weather will stay a while, be nice to sit out with a book and a beer! It's been a long journey from southern Murcia to Kent in 3 days, in different times the journey would have been enjoyed and took longer. The first day was terrible, we were moved on 3 times and felt really uneasy, only slept 3 hours that night!, funny though we then drove 520 miles the next day ok!.The added stress of no where to buy anything but fuel, and the heavy police presence everywhere was a bit surreal but hey we're back, and safe (I hope). The good thing to come out of it is that we've made some good friends who hopefully now after me winding them up and being a shoulder won't be that nervous again
Looking forward to a nice glass of something and a lay in!
Cheers all and thanks for your support
JK
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Cheers,
I guess I have a positive outlook?
Thing is we didn't have much choice as the Spanish govt. just said "get out of town!"I've worked out with all the pop we brought back I should be a complete alcoholic by day 14!!!
If I had the choice though I'd be sat back in the sun outside the RV
This time next year hopefully!JK
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Glad you all got back in one piece.
Good that you had a 'site' to go to.
I've worked out with all the pop we brought back I should be a complete alcoholic by day 14!!!
Everybody needs a project
Strange how in difficult times the body copes with much less sleep, while the Adrenalin flows you just keep going its afterwards that you get the crash, please do take care over the coming week/week's
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