Wednesday, 16 May 2012
Germany-bound
This week saw us heading towards our second country of the trip, Germany. Not before driving across the breadth of France, a task which seems to fit into all of our holidays somehow - she's a big country France, full of long straight roads... However, what a surprise we had waiting for us in Eastern France - no-one ever really mentions Eastern France do they? It is truly beautiful, all alpine mountains and fields of brown and white splodged cows. A perfect place to stop for a few days and gather some energy for Germany. A campsite in Corcieux, run by a chap from Huddersfield and his French wife was our pitstop. The sun finally came out for a couple of days, and we filled our days with lots of mountain cycle rides, which are as challenging and beautiful as they sound. By the time we strapped the bikes to the back of the van and headed off, we were truly relaxed. Onto Germany then. We managed to drive through the Black Forest and ended up at a town called Tuttlingen. Rather than go back we thought we'd stay the night and found a great aire by the river in town. Now for a beer; the change of country had left us feeling a little strange, and let's face it beer helps with that. Only thing is that we are finding that with the exception of the UK, the whole of Europe shuts down on a Sunday, so we are left wandering the streets of Tuttlingen getting thirstier with every step. Turns out the only place open in the whole town is...yep you guessed it...an Irish bar. What can I say we were desperate. And anyway, this place was about as Irish as my accent. Thankfully, the next day Tuttlingen came alive - we had a very early walk and stumbled across a fantastic market, where we stocked up on lovely fresh food for the week ahead...and the obligatory pretzels of course. Now for the Black Forest...
Thursday, 10 May 2012
Precipitation Across the Nation - Week 2
Captain's log stardate 080512; We, seem to have landed, on a strange, grey, sunless world, where the only weather system is one of continuous precipitation. The world beneath our van consists of a gelatinous substance that once imprisoned in, is hard to escape..
So, week two, weather still not up to much and we thought we'd be over in Germany by now but just about leaving Brittany. Had a funny night in a place called Quiberon in an Aire (a place to park your camper for those not in the know). Pulled up next to a heavily dribbling, recently divorced guy from Belgium called Harry, who liked to talk, and also managed to get ourselves locked in the Aire. Normally they are free but this one had those rising, falling bollards. We got in OK, but the machine that was supposed to give us our code to exit konked out just as the bollard rose behind us meaning we were stuck, never mind, we'll deal with it in the morning. Dribbling Harry left his code in his van window, should we get up early and take his code leaving him trapped? Thought of it but he seemed on the edge anyway, didn't want to finish him off. We ended up having to walk to the next town, find the Office de Tourism (that's French for Tourism Office for anyone who doesn't speak the language) to seal a release. We got out in the end, after having to run back to the Aire to meet the guy who put up our bail.. we saw another property, good place but not much land and generally bobbed about Brittany meeting Notaires (who look after property sales) and going through towns to get a feel for where we want to live. We also saw a shop called 'Fanny Boutique' but it was too wet to go inside... we then headed back to Wendy and Graham's for sanctuary, good food, warm showers, jazz and van repairs! Van all sorted now and in return for all the hospitality and van stuff we had the opportunity to help them prepare a boat for sail, which was awesome. So we had to actually go to work, on a Monday. The 'office' was the stunning Port du Foleoux (or something like that)and rather than answering e-mails we polished the hull, tied ropes but didn't hoist main sails (we missed that bit). A brilliant experience watching 'Alondra' being lifted into the water worrying if all our hard polishing work would be lost to the sea, but all ok. We're now on our way to Germany for week 3 and will post again next week, in the meantime here's a picture of a dog..
So, week two, weather still not up to much and we thought we'd be over in Germany by now but just about leaving Brittany. Had a funny night in a place called Quiberon in an Aire (a place to park your camper for those not in the know). Pulled up next to a heavily dribbling, recently divorced guy from Belgium called Harry, who liked to talk, and also managed to get ourselves locked in the Aire. Normally they are free but this one had those rising, falling bollards. We got in OK, but the machine that was supposed to give us our code to exit konked out just as the bollard rose behind us meaning we were stuck, never mind, we'll deal with it in the morning. Dribbling Harry left his code in his van window, should we get up early and take his code leaving him trapped? Thought of it but he seemed on the edge anyway, didn't want to finish him off. We ended up having to walk to the next town, find the Office de Tourism (that's French for Tourism Office for anyone who doesn't speak the language) to seal a release. We got out in the end, after having to run back to the Aire to meet the guy who put up our bail.. we saw another property, good place but not much land and generally bobbed about Brittany meeting Notaires (who look after property sales) and going through towns to get a feel for where we want to live. We also saw a shop called 'Fanny Boutique' but it was too wet to go inside... we then headed back to Wendy and Graham's for sanctuary, good food, warm showers, jazz and van repairs! Van all sorted now and in return for all the hospitality and van stuff we had the opportunity to help them prepare a boat for sail, which was awesome. So we had to actually go to work, on a Monday. The 'office' was the stunning Port du Foleoux (or something like that)and rather than answering e-mails we polished the hull, tied ropes but didn't hoist main sails (we missed that bit). A brilliant experience watching 'Alondra' being lifted into the water worrying if all our hard polishing work would be lost to the sea, but all ok. We're now on our way to Germany for week 3 and will post again next week, in the meantime here's a picture of a dog..
Wednesday, 9 May 2012
Tuesday, 1 May 2012
Vantastrophe - Week 1
Well well well, here we are then, week 1, and what a week we've had thus far. Naturally we left in very high spirits only to be dampened by the French version of 'drought'. I.E pissing it down rain and gale force winds. Nevermind, these things happen, at least we have the shelter of our trusty, reliable van.. until we caught sight of the underside and heard the brakes squeal as we tried to stop. A BIG shout out to Andy at Campervans4u and EMG Motors of Ely for letting us head off into the (not so) sunset with a rusty tin can as an exhaust and the braking system of an oil tanker..
We've stuck it out in Vannes to get it all sorted by a local genius and luckily we are in the unbelievably beautiful Gulf de Morbihan, sun is out, beers sunk, skin burnt.
In between we have been looking for our French home (see below picture of our 'dream'). Not as bad as it looks although you should bring an umbrella, wellies (and a bucket for the obvious) when you come and visit. Lots to consider..
Excuse the look of the blog for now (Matt), it WILL look better soon.
Tune in for another excruciating instalment next week (or so)!
We've stuck it out in Vannes to get it all sorted by a local genius and luckily we are in the unbelievably beautiful Gulf de Morbihan, sun is out, beers sunk, skin burnt.
In between we have been looking for our French home (see below picture of our 'dream'). Not as bad as it looks although you should bring an umbrella, wellies (and a bucket for the obvious) when you come and visit. Lots to consider..
Excuse the look of the blog for now (Matt), it WILL look better soon.
Tune in for another excruciating instalment next week (or so)!
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