Cannero Riviera

29th April 2013

Woke this morning after a long night constantly raining with very low cloud, still looks a mysterious place, feel like we are back in Noah's Ark again today ! None stop rain!!! Even the ducks are fed up with the rain.Had a walk in to the village - with the umbrella ! Stopped at Cannero Hotel for a coffee then back to the motorhome to watch a movie.Cleaned the chairs down and loaded them back in to the boot ready for moving on.

Cannero Riviera Lake Maggiore

28th April 2013

Woke this morning to the sound of church bells, looking out over the lake from our bedroom window.The weather is still cloudy however it gives the location a magical and mysterious feel.Quite a lot of rain today! Went for a walk in the local village it's all uphill so it must be doing us some good on 

the exercise front! Stopped at a lovely little coffee shop,Went out for tea again! Pizza this time -Mama Mia and Neapolitan both delicious, then back to the motorhome to watch a film cos it was raining quite hard.

Lake Lucerne to Lake Maggiore Italy

 27th April 2013

Woke up to the sound of rain on the roof this morning.Set off for Italy about 10.30am after emptying the waste and filling up.tTravelled down the side of lake Lucerne through lots of tunnels too,one of them 10k long,it was a very picturesque drive.We were then in a traffic jam for an hour,then came to another tunnel which was 16k long it's suppose to hold a world record for the longest tunnel in Europe.Since we left home we have now travelled 1000 miles and have not reached Italy yet.We arrive in Italy about 3.00pm travelling along Lake Maggiore to Cannero Riviera camping lido,the views over the lake are fabulous just a shame the sun is not shining.Went for a walk along the lake stopped at a little cafe for a glass of Pinot Grigio ,it would be rude not to on our first night in Italy! Then we went to a restaurant called Europa on the lake side for a meal spaghetti bolognaise and Tirimasu and more pinot grigio ,The whole place is stunning fell in love with Italy already and only just got here.

Derek's Treat

Lake Lucerne

26th April 2013

Woke this morning to the sound of the dawn chorus! Spring has definitely sprung here. Then at 8.30am was a loud noise coming from behind our motorhome we looked out the window to see a huge cement mixer!!! Spreading gravel .Lovely sunny morning, just what you need on an idyllic campsite.Everyone is out of there Motorhomes with there hands on there hips and bellys pushed forward not impressed, looks so funny so you just gotta laugh.Just when we thought it everything had gone quiet,the Swiss Air Force decide to do an air display for about an hour.Like watching the red arrows.We cycled in to Lucerne centre and had a walk round very picturesque ,stopped for coffee and on the way back we sat on a bench overlooking the lake to admire the view and watch the Air Force display again.

Montreaux Chateau to Lake Lucerne

 25th April 2013

Lovely sunny morning sat out having breakfast admiring the view for the last time. Packed up emptied our tanks and filled up with water.Set off and stopped at the local supermarket for gas.This would be our last purchase of gas till we get to Barcelona in 7 week time.We have got half a bottle Spanish gas,one bottle British gas and one French so we hope we have got enough.We leave France today and are heading for Lucerne in Switzerland.We have also paid our first toll .We stopped at the Swiss border to purchase a vignette which allows you to drive on the roads it's similar to a toll but covers you for 12 months,got our first site of the Swiss Alps.When we arrived at the site in Lucerne it was stunning! The views of the lake with the alps in the background was breathtaking.

Montreaux Chateau

24th April 2013

Woke today with the sun shinning,after breakfast we got the bikes off the back of the motorhome and went for a bike ride down the side of the canal, shorts and t-shirts on. It was a lovely peaceful ride only other cyclist and walkers to be seen, we cycled from the side of the canal through the lovely little villages in the area about 8k altogether.On the way back we stopped at a cafe called titanic two ! Well it was a kebab shop which was open during the day with tables and chairs outside. We then cycled back to the motorhome and sat in the sun for a while. At about 4ish we headed for the supermarket cos that was the time it opened and bought pork chops and salad for tea so we could get the George Forman out and cook outside.

Thaon les Vosges to Montreaux Chateau

23rd April 2013

Woke up to a lovely sunny morning with the birds singing, After breakfast we set off, stopping at a Lidl for some provisions. Still heading south east towards Epinal. The road from Thaon les Vosges to Thann was absolutely stunning very picturesque and looking very alpiney, going past lots of ski resorts, we are now very close to the Swiss border. We topped up with fuel along the way and arrived at the Montreux Chateau Aire about 2.00pm. Derek went to pay and decided we were going to stay here for 2 nights, we got the chairs out and sat out admiring the view of another canal. While we were sat out a young Belgium lad came up and embarrassingly asked us for toilet paper as there was none in the toilets on the Aire, we got talking and he told us he was cycling from Belgium to the centre of France and was volunteering to work on an Eco farm. Gotta take your hat off to him we must have been 200 miles from Belgium, after chatting for 10 mins he was on his merry way waving to us as he cycled away with a pack of our Aldi tissues. We spent the rest of the evening with a glass of white wine (or two)  watching the sun go down.

Pont a Mousson to Thaon les Vosges

22nd April 2013

Sunny morning, had breakfast overlooking the river then packed up, filled up with fresh water, emptied all the waste and set off for Aire Thaon les Vosges. We arrived at this Aire about lunch time and parked right alongside the canal. A Very peaceful location. Went for a walk in to town but as per usual for a Monday in France everywhere is shut. So back to the motorhome for a spot of lunch. Finished reading my book (A street cat named Bob) sitting next to the canal. Sat out by the canal for an hour then went to get a baguette for tea. After tea we watched the sun go down with a glass of vin rouge.Got a message from Chris saying Manchester United had won the premier league again so Derek had a few beers to celebrate.

Pont a Mousson

21st April 2013

Had a lie in today.While having breakfast admiring the lovely view of the river marina and the swans gliding by on the water, we were reminding each other how lucky we were to have this opportunity to travel in the motorhome. We decided to stay another night here. There was hot water, clean showers and a washing machine available too. Had home made cheese and onion pie for tea.

Camping Birkelt to Aire Pont a Mousson

18th April 2013
We both woke up with red faces! caught out by the sun yesterday.Had a bit of a lie in then Derek went to get a baguette and we had bacon butties for breakie cooked outside as the sun was shinning although a bit cooler than yesterday.Went to the pool in the afternoon,how good was I? swam 10 lengths,had a coffee at the lovely site cafe then back to the motorhome to plan the stop for tomorrow. Caught up with everyone on Skype,Viber doesn"t work in Luxembourg.

19th April 2013
Set the alarm for 8.30am cos we had to vacate the site for 11.00am. Filled up with water and emptied all the waste before we left. We headed for an Aire at Dudelange close to the french border.When we arrived there was only one other motorhome parked up.We had a kip for an hour then went for a wander in to town which is what most of us motorhomers do when we arrive at a new place.Stopped for a coffee and Skyped mum then stocked up with a few provisions from a local supermarket. When we got back to the motorhome another 4 motorhomes had joined us which meant the Aire was pretty full.

20th April 2013
After Breakfast we said our goodbyes to the people we met on the Aire and headed on our merry way.Heading out of Luxembourg and back in to France going to Pont a Mousson Aire. When we arrived there were a lot of motorhomes,This aire was right next to the Moselle river at the marina, lovely spot with electric hook up,showers and washing machine not bad for 8 euros a night. Had a walk round the town,there was a lovely gothic church with lots of gargoyles. when we got back to the aire it was full.Before our tea we went out for a couple of drinks.

Off to Luxembourg

16th April 2013

After a good nights sleep and after breakfast we headed towards the border with Luxembourg. We stopped for lunch on the way.We arrived at an Aire at Bastogne about 2.30pm we parked up and Derek looked at the map to see how long it would take us to get to our first Acsi site. While looking for the site another motorhome parked up at the side of us, a British couple from Kent who are heading for Germany. We went for a walk round Bastogne a town where the battle of the bulge took place, lots of world war 2 memorabilia. Stopped for a couple of Belgium beers - would be rude not to, then back to the motorhome for tea.

17th April 2013

Set off for Luxembourg after waving goodbye to the British couple we met yesterday, Our last day in Belgium which met bye to the croissants and beer! Had a lovely drive to the first campsite of our trip and the sun was out.Once we had crossed the border we filled up with fuel,at only €1.19 we fiiled the motorhome to the brim.The site was called camping birkelt lovely 5 star site also a member of caravan club.We got set up and did the washing ,changed into our shorts and T-shirts and relaxed for the afternoon.Made a Skype call with mum.

Gravelines to Boussioulx

14th April 2013

Set off from Gravelines at about 11ish and stopped at super u for fuel and gas then headed for the evacuation beach at Dunkirk.Had a walk along the seafront to the war memorial had a cafe au lait. The area was a bit like a run down seaside town. We then headed for an Aire at Bailleul a small town near the Belgium border. The weather is dry and sunny,25 degrees ! had a walk and bought a fresh baguette and a fancy strawberry tarte to share.

15th April 2013

Derek got up at about 9.30am and walked in to town for fresh croissants from the boulangerie our first on this trip. After breakfast we packed up and headed for Tournai in Belgium just south east of Lille across the border.When we arrived we had lunch filled up with water and emptied all the waste tanks.There was a circus behind us just packing up ready to move on.We then moved on to an aire at Hornu which was down a cobbled street in front of a museum. Derek then decided to move on again so we finally stopped for the night at an Aire called Boussioulx. We now have realised Belgium is a bit of a dump and very industrial.

Canterbury to Dover

13th April 2013

Left the Aire at Canterbury at 9.30am and headed for Dover the check in time was 10.00am for a 12.00 ferry crossing. The weather was fine but dull.While on the boat we saw dolphins.Stayed at an Aire overlooking an estuary with little boats at Gravelines. It was raining so we stayed in and admired the view after all it was our first night in France. We met a couple who parked next to us who were on there way home after touring Germany for two weeks.

 12th April 2013

Had a lie in cos the rain had kept us awake with a couple of heavy showers.After breakfast we caught the bus to Canterbury to go round the cathedral - one of the thousand places to see before you die ! And we found it to be very impressive,then had a walk round Canterbury , wrote a little prayer which i left in the cathedral in a box in front of Mary Magdelin statue,then went in to Weatherspoons before heading back to the motorhome for tea.When we got back to the aire some additional Motorhomes had arrived. All our new gas fitting are in working order and we are currently running on French gas from last years trip.

Home to Cantebury

Blog

10th April 2013

Left home at about lunch time called at Tesco to fill up with diesel then went to the car wash to clean the motorhome.We then headed for Grafham Water caravan club site at Cambridge for our first overnight stop.Derek replaced all the light bulbs with LED bulbs to make us save on our leisure battery.

11th April 2013

Set off for Canterbury at lunch time after filling the van with water.When we reached Canterbury we stayed on an Aire at the park and ride area at New Dover Road.At about 5ish we caught the bus to the centre of Canterbury had a few drinks called in Sainsburys for some bread then headed back to the motorhome for tea.Had good news from my uncle. Rupert the bear was also created in Canterbury we saw a memorial plaque remembering him.

So the Motorhomes nearly fully stocked up, not yet put in any electrical gear for security reasons. The plan is to leave Wednesday after lunch via the petrol station and then go and give the van a wash over before heading off the Huntingdon in Cambridge for our first night. Stayed here last year (graham water caravan club site). The following day we set off for the Aire at Canterbury hopefully will visit RAF Duxford on the way down. 2 nights in Canterbury then the 14:00 ferry from Dover to Dunkirk. We then plan to travel to Lucerne Switzerland via France Belgium & Luxembourg where we will stay overnight before crossing the border into Italy. We're hoping to see a lot of Italy finishing in Rome. We have a ferry book from Rome to Barcelona which leaves on the 19 June and will camp in Barcelona till 25 June when we fly back to London for 2 nights. Once back from London we will make our way down to La Florida for a long hot summer before moving off to Morroco. Mid December were going Benidorm (Derek were going to Benidorm) where were planning on staying for Christmas. We will be back in the UK late January for a week then plan on being back home again in April.

So hope you keep up with the blog and feel free to make any comments
Derek & Sharon