France

France

 

22nd October 2007: Calais, France

Arrived in Calais, France at 6:00pm on SeaFrance ferry after deciding on the ferry to try to reach Reims. This would make tomorrow's drive towards the Black Forest region in Germany, slighly shorter.

Drove till late, reaching the town of Reims at about 10:00pm. We decided to explore the town in Duzi2 by moonlight with quiet roads. The town itself is beautiful with many ancient Roman-like ruins and a cathedral, all lit up at night. It all has a distinct European feel with a narrow one-way road system.

We drove on along the A4 motorway, stopping at a Truck / Car stop called Aire La Esperance with loads of big sleeping trucks , weird shower-flush loos and rabbits jumping around on the grass next to Duzi2. Our FIRST wildlife sighting!!.

After carefully prising the sleeping bags from the crammed back area, and putting up all Mom's fantastic black-out curtains, which made it warm and snug in front, we settled in to "sleep". We now appreciate the abundant leg room in an SAA international flight !?!

 

23rd October 2007: Aire L'Esperance, France           GPS Info:  N49°10'29.0"   E04°09'50.6"

Miles today: 303                Total Miles: 596

Woke up early to ice-block feet and the gentle hum of a TGV express train screaming past next to us, with the soothing murmur of the truckers waking up and moving off !! Watched the sunrise and were very glad to have not put up the tent as everything was now covered in a white layer of ice. As the sun rose the temperature reached 1degC.

Packed up and set off  for breakfast, something hot to drink, and Baden-Baden, Germany.

Met a very friendly journalist called Martin who was very intrigued by our trip, as he is planning to do a trip through Africa with his girlfriend in the next few years. He is currently reading a book about a family who travelled from Czechoslovakia to Ghana and back in 1947, setting a record of 2 and a half months.

Thanks for your text John, we've had a lovely 2nd day and the trip is becoming more real now.


=================Crossed into Germany========== (France continues here after leaving Switzerland)================


Tuesday 30th October 2007: Port Leucate, France           GPS Info:  N42°52'03.1"   E03°02'37.9"

Miles today:                 Total Miles: 

HAPPY 10th BIRTHDAY Greg! We hope you have a very special day and are spoilt by your Mom, Dad, Murray and all of your friends. Sorry we aren't able to get in touch with you, but hope you know we are thinking of you. We wish you a fun-filled year ahead.

Wow, what an amazing nights sleep. We both slept soundly and only woke up late, even though the wind was blowing gales outside. We cooked up eggs and bacon for breakfast using the last of our Tesco bread for toast. Opened up the window shutters and enjoyed the sunshine and view of yachts in the area over the wall. Despite the howling of the wind outside we were both in denial saying it couldn't be as strong as it sounds. Oh were we wrong.

We went out to explore our surroundings and to search for the Mediterranean Sea and the beach. The wind was 'owling, Bene! We found the beach and a very angry sea with huge white horses and little blustery squalls. We walked out on a long wooden jetty and struggled against the wind to get back. Despite the wind, it's beautiful and the water is a turquoise colour. Explored Port Leucate looking for bread, milk and an internet cafe, saw some big yachts bobbing in the main marina. You'd have liked this area Paps. The sun was shining and the temperatures are more than double what they have been so far on our travels. It's good to be further South.

Drove towards Perpignan and found a Decathlon so tried again to find strops for Ross, this time in luck. They may be a bit too big (12.5-13), but at least he has some seeing as his Cape Union Mart ones broke after 2 days. Bought groceries from Carrefour and headed back to luxury for a pizza dinner and to spend time updating our diary. Yay a comfy bed again tonight. So glad we're not camping as the wind is still howling. Hope to try the jacuzzi outside tomorrow.

 

Wednesday 31st October 2007: Port Leucate, France            GPS Info:  N42°52'03.1"   E03°02'37.9"

Miles Today: 0            Total Miles: 1548

 

Woke to a gloriously sunny day, but wind still howling outside. Settled for a chocolate breakfast, just cause we had to, consisting of chocolate yoghurt and Nutella smothered rye bread. While sitting at breakfast we suddenly noticed we could see big snow covered mountains through the window. After stupidly thinking they could be Mont Blanc (too much chocolate), we realised we wouldn't be able to see that far and they were indeed the Pyrenees, to which we were headed.Spoke to Bene this morning and after her recommendations of a few places for internet access, we went looking for them, but sadly as it is the end of the holiday season here, they were all closed.

As our flat in Twickenham is still vacant, this is becoming a huge concern of ours and we therefore spent some time trying to contact our agents in Richmond, but no luck there either. Rather frustrating day as the two things we wanted to cover were unsuccessful. Francette, Bene's French speaking mum, came over to show and explain the workings of the jacuzzi on our deck. Although a few things were lost in translation we got the general meaning. We must use it sometime while we are here. She also kindly told us that Rene, Bene's step-dad, said we were welcome to use his internet connection for our updates. Yay !! At last we could have a chance to do a proper update and see all the comments people had left for us on our guestbook.

Had mince fajitas and wine for dinner, before heading for bed.

P.S. Hypothetically speaking we could have also searched for many hours today for wind protected sunny spots and unprotected wireless internet access ... probably no luck there too though!

Thursday 1st November 2007: Port Leucate, France           GPS Info:   N42°52'03.1"    E03°02'37.9"

Miles Today: 0           Total Miles: 1548

We decided to stay on another day in this luxury as it wasn't costing us anything, to do some work on Duzi2 to make him/her really secure before heading further south. All wrapped up to brave the freezing wind coming straight off the Pyrenees, despite the fantastic sunshine, we set to work. Took ages to do and nearly cost Ross half a finger (Note to self: Landy vices are for holding metal in and not ripping fingers open on). Took the "small" first aid bag for it's first test drive. In the afternoon Rene came over to tell us he would show us how he put videos to music onto the internet and to invite us to watch some he had done before of some of their holidays.

At last all the doors are now secure with padlock fittings at the top of each door.

We had sausage casserole and rice for dinner and headed over for a very enjoyable and entertaining evening next door. Ross & Rene communicating in broken French/English about the music, voice, video compilations upstairs, while Heidi and Francette were babbling on and laughing hysterically with sign and no commonly understood language down in the lounge. They are such a lovely warm couple.

After returning to our own little home we got into the jacuzzi but the wind was too icy so we didn't stay in very long. Changing the temperature of the water to warmer could have been one of the things lost in translation.

Friday 2nd November 2007: Start - Port Leucate, France           GPS Info:  N42°52'03.1"   E03°02'37.9"

Miles Today:                 Total Miles: 

Got up early today to hopefully hit the road early, but trying to trim down some of our excessive load and neatening and packing up the car, took longer than expected. As frustration levels rise we can't wait to lose some load as this would make life in a vehicle easier.

After saying a sad goodbye to Rene & Francette we set off on a desperate search for a FRENCH FLAG sticker!! We have been trying to find one for Duzi2 since arriving in Calais, but sadly (for the French) they are not being represented.

The weather was perfect today with calm turqoise seas and warm sunshine. At least we got to see Port Leucate in it's normal beauty before leaving. Drove via Leucate village before heading across to ascend the very impressive and beautiful Pyrenees mountain range. Tried to get hold of our agents in Richmond again to discuss urgent changes, but still no luck.

Stopped at a McDonalds (very French ?!) for dinner before setting off on the long, steep, and windy climb to Andorra. Duzi2 had to work really hard climbing to new heights tonight. We went passed many beautiful old stone villages and stopped in an old castle village, Villefranche de Conflent. amoung other things it had beautiful metal picture signs above each shop door.

After a lot of difficult concentration-requiring driving we left France and entered Andorra. We still have no French Flag sticker and it will be noted by it's absence. Maybe we can somehow find one somewhere else in our travels.