Arnhem To Dieppe

Day14 18/4 Tilburg

Went for a walk round the site looked at the jungalows then in to the Africa club for a coffee overlooking the lake as it was a cold day. Then the sun came out so we went back to the van to get the chairs out for a couple of hours. After tea we went back to the Africa Club to have a few drinks but it was very quiet so we retired back to the van.

Day 15 19/4 Mons showers all day

Up at 7.30am and we left Beekse Bergen en route for Waterloo at 8.30am. We arrived at Waterloo at 10.30am. We went straight to the visitor centre and watched a couple of movies about the battle. Then climbed the 220 odd steps to the top of the lion mound where you could see for miles the whole battlefield. While we were sat catching our breath after the climb to the top, Martin Johnson the England Rugby captain /coach appeared up the steps. Its a funny place to meet him ???? After walking back down the steps we had our lunch then went on a guided tour of the battlefield. Then on to Mons in Belgium Waux-Hall campsite. Found a pitch and settled in for the night.

Day16  20/4 Mons showers all day

Today we caught the train from Mons to Brussels and did a big bus tour of the city. Had chocolate waffles and caught the train back. Then went in a student bar for a few drinks and a Kebab on the way back.

Day 17 21/4 Mons showers all day

Had breakfast and decided we would turn the van round and change pitch so it would be easier to leave the following day. Bad idea!!!! Stuck in the mud. The UK breakdown company wanted £400 to turn someone out but the site lady got someone for 75 euro .After a stressful morning we decided to go in to town found an Irish Bar and had a few needed drinks. Back to the site for tea.

Day18 22/4 Conty – France showers all day

Left Mons at 10.00am slow drive down to France for our first Aire which was a large area that could accommodate 20 motorhomes. Came in to contact with a lot more British here after a few in Holland and Belgium. Feels warmer than Belgium. Had a walk in to town but everywhere was closed being Sunday so back to the van for the evening?

Day 19 23/4 Conty Rain All day

Went in to village in the morning everywhere closed so rain started stayed in the van all day. Was kept amused by an old French man in the camper opposite who couldn’t stop tinkering and at one stage he donned his waterproof got a long brush and started washing his motorhome down in the pouring rain using puddles as clean water.

Day 20 24/4 Dieppe showers all day

Up early and in to the village to buy gas – Le Cube, think the Dutch gas is on the verge of running out. Steady drive through the rain to Dieppe found the Aire on the quayside overlooking the harbour. Went for a walk in to town busy town centre found a coffee shop near the Aire with free wifi and post the blog.

Arnhem

Day 9 13/4 Amsterdam

Stayed around the campsite most of the day getting everything packed away for a move off the next morning. About 5ish caught the metro into Amsterdam and went for a pub crawl around the red light district. Some great bars but would you believe it we sat down in one bar having a chat with a group of girls who happen to be from Manchester. Out of the group i (Derek ) knew 2 of their fathers Jimmy Cook who use to live in Failsworth and Peter Kay a retired cop. Then went for an Italian meal before heading back.

Day 10 14/4 Arnhem

left the site and Amsterdam stocked up with fuel and a new gas bottle then headed off to Arnhem. On arrival stopped off at the airborne museum at Oosterbeek only 1€ to get in then headed of the find the camp site camping Warsnborn. Arrived and set up everything sun shining but cold when the sun goes in.

Day 11 13/4 Arnhem

Dull day today not very warm went out on the bike but not so warm had a ride into Arnhem and saw the John Frost bridge then back to the military cemetery at Oosterbeek. Everywhere here is closed on a Sunday so back to camp and settle in for the day. One of the best things we bought was the TV satellite system.

 Day 12 16/4  Arnhem

Cold day again but the sun is shinning, we got the bus from the camp site in to Arnhem Centre. Walked through the town centre to the river Rhine noticed that all the shops were shut, after looking at the shop opening times it seems that Monday  is a half day with most shops opening at 1.00pm. Walked up the river embankment passed some river cruise boats moored up, visited a small memorial and museum to the war before going on to the John Frost Bridge. Walked back in to the town centre tried a Rooteworst sausage/hotdog with mustard. Lovely town centre stopped for a beer and a red wine before catching the bus back to the site. Once back the sun started to show its face and we were able to sit out for the first time.

Day13  17/4 Tilburg.

Left Arnhem for a steady drive to Tilburg sat nav guided us to the Beekse Bergen Safari Camp site lovely site with lakes, river and wildlife a bit like centre parks but with a safari park attached, The site has high standard of toilets and showers, there is a supermarket and bar near to our pitch. Clouds have come in and started to rain.  The  plan is to stay here two nights then move down in to Belgium and look for the sun.

Off we go

Day one 5 April 2012

Left Cassie at 10 oclock after saying cheerio to Joanne, Dave & Kev steady drive down to Grafham Water Caravan Club site all the hills on route were white with snow but the sun was shining and the roads were clear. Grafham water is a decent site and we were made welcome by the staff even asked to call on our way home to tell them about the tour.

Day two 6/4

letft the site at 10:30 to the Black Horse farm site at Densole in Canterbury (Dover) arrived 2 pm and given a pitch that needed us to reverse. Problem! Trailer had a mind of its own so trailer and bike taken off and put back on again in the morning. Had a ride out on the bike for a coffee at the Jackdaw pub. Then visited a local pub for a couple of drinks the back to the van.

Day three 7/4

Left the site at 10:00 stopped at sainsburys for provisions and a coffee at Mcedees got to the ferry just before 12 but let on the 12 oclock ferry. Smooth crossing and arrived Dunkirk at 3pm. ½ hour drive to camping Des Dunes where we were given a grass pitch for two nights. The site is on the beach but the weather was poor cold and raining.

Day four 8/4

Still showers and cold went for a ride on the bike and tried to get French gas without success didn’t help as it was easter weekend. Had a pizza for tea and put extra blankets on the bed still cold.

Day 5 9/4

Left the site at 09:00 filled up with some fuel and drove up through Belgium into Holland to Amsterdam. Loads of  Motorhomes out and about. Arrived at Het Amsterdamse Bos camp site at 3 oclock big site lots of chalets and good facilities. Transport readily available into Amsterdam rained all day.

Day 6 10/4

Took the bus into Amsterdam and took a city centre bus tour then back to the site still raining.

Day 7 11/4

Stayed around the site sorted out the laundry etc 4pm caught metro into the city and did a canal cruise tour then a red light district tour. Caught the bus back arriving at midnight. Bright and showery.

Day 8

Went out and about on the bike looks like were going to have to get a dutch gas bottle to manage till we get back into France then in the afternoon used the push bikes to go shopping in Amstelveen