Heading North and Home

The N7 took us north from Avignon along a most attractive route up the Rhone valley. On the way we stopped in a layby for Jan to buy cherries from a roadside stall manned by a charming, old gentleman. Language was not necessary, gestures quite sufficient. We reached La Galmier, north of St Etienne by mid afternoon where we found an excellent site, Campeole Val de Coise. Small and very friendly the terraced site had views across the river and was within walking distance of the most attractive town with a square filled with market stalls.

We enjoyed a relaxing late afternoon absorbing the atmosphere and taking the odd photograph.

The following morning proved something of a disaster. We had made use of the aire positioned outside the site to empty grey water and refill. Whilst reversing out to drive, on our way I must have tangled the bike rack in the hedge. Some two or three miles up the road, we had a feeling all was not right so we pulled into a layby. The bikes were a sorry sight with the rack frame bent at an impossible angle and the rear wheel of Jan's bike distorted to match the new angle of the frame. Fortunately, we always carry a roll of light rope and were able to bend the rack  tying it back together securely.

However, following this mishap, fortunately the only one on our journey, we enjoyed an excellent journey north using and N and D roads. On the way we stopped at Autun to admire the cathedral with its wonderful tympazeum

We watched children rehearsing for their confirmation in the cathedral and, back in the midday heat, enjoyed an ice cream in the square. We finally arrived at Camping de lEtang de Fouche in Arnay-le-Duc at about 4pm. This flat site is situated by a lake around which provided a very pleasant evening stroll.

Leaving the site mid morning the following day, we headed for Langes. Life is so much easier on the continent in a motorhome. The large car park was virually empty on a Sunday morning and a lift gently glided us up to the town. We have visited Langres before but this time we had the opportunity to walk the walls and enjoy the view.

We arrived at our next site in Bannes late afternooon.Hautoreille is a peaceful site set amongst gently sloing grassy fields and woods. There was, though, rather a steep slope up to connect the power!

Making Hard Work of a Short Climb

After accessing the internet that evening and finding that gales were forecast for the channel three deys hence, we decided to take a long haul towards Calais the following day. Though tired, we arrived at Bien Assise in Guines south of  Calais for our final stop prior to catching the ferry the following morning - luckily it was a reasonably calm crossing.

As the holiday started at our CL in Dover so it ended providing the opportunity to clean the motorhome prior to arriving safely back at Chelmsford. Another memorable trip which, in all, took us about 2,500 miles.