Austrian - Swiss - Italian Alps 29th April - 8th May 2010 Actual
UK - France - Germany - Austria - Liechtenstein - Switzerland - Italy - Switzerland - France – UK
Dover - Calais - Metz, France - Uberlingen, Germany - Austria - Vaduz, Liechtenstein -Valchava, Switzerland - St Moritz, Switzerland, Lake Como, Italy - Dijon, France - Peronne, France – Wimereux, France, Calais - Dover.
Well almost went to plan; a late winter, blocked passes, snowy and very wet weather, flooded and damaged tents. But all returned safe and well, had a great time and saw some absolutely stunning scenery. 2,170 miles.
29th Southampton – Saint Avold, France
Up very early, met the others, made Dover in good time, sailed through France to Metz, and finally Saint Avold, a few diversions before finding the campsite. A pleasant and sunny trip and the campsite were good. Pitched tents and relaxed after a long day.
http://monsite.orange.fr/camping-felsberg/
30th Saint Avold, France – Saint Peter, Germany
After a very nice sleep, freshened up, and on our way, following tolls roads towards Germany, came off the toll road at Offenburg to do a scenic route up to the Kandel Pass, loads of switchbacks, and fog when we got to the top, couldn’t see 50ft in front of us, but spotted a café at the top and stopped for a break.
By the time we’ve had our refreshments, the fog had cleared and it was a beautiful sunny day over the pass and region. After a while got in the Landy and had no ignition lights, lights worked, strange; the story to follow is as true as I’m writing this.
After some 3hrs (approx) after ringing the RAC, 2 guys turn up in a Porsche, yes a Porsche, one dressed in fine Country set, cigar and all, the other looking a bit more like a mechanic with a tiny jumppack. Had a go at starting the landy, nothing, they then motioned (they spoke no English, we didn’t speak any German) to push the landy down a slight decline, we did.
The landy set off down the other side of the pass, switchbacks and all, me imaging the worst, 1. My pride and joy free-wheeling down a mountain and 2. The other guy in the Porsche following him. I started to leg it after the landy, while waving my mates to follow on, I was off like Linford Christie after my landy, thankfully the Porsche stopped alongside me and I hopped in and with head held in my hands, watched very nervously the Guy in my Landy, free-wheeling down the mountain’s very twisty roads.
We all eventually arrived at a junction near the bottom, with a huge sigh of relief from me, frantically trying to get hold of the RAC to confirm what’s happening, but a bad signal area. They then want my mate to tow me to the garage (I assume) to which we said no until we knew what was going on. One of the Guys dashes of in the Porsche and comes back with a tatty breakdown tow truck with a slipping clutch, loads the Landy with only one wheel strap, brilliant.
After 6kms we enter Saint Peter, and the garage, when I saw it I immediately relaxed, because it was fully equipped and the Electrician/Mechanic spoke a little English, after a while found a main service fuse had blown, replaced it, now all working again. PHEW! Paid him and brought another fuse, and thanked everyone involved, and headed off for the nearest campsite, 1km away.
Pitched tents, had some food and it started raining but we had shelter, great, but didn’t need the rain, what a day! We’ve been laughing about it ever since!
1st Saint Peter, Germany - Prato allo Stelvio, Italy
The campsite wasn’t too bad, but it rain most of the night, not to be downhearted we awoke, showered, had some tea and set off for breakfast in Uberlingen.
Where we had a reasonable snack and a good coffee, most of the shops closed but were starting to open, so we set off again towards Austria, Liechtenstein, Switzerland and our campsite near Valchava, Switzerland. After a few detours and some shopping in Switzerland (expensive), we ended up on an Austrian motorway to make up some miles so we could enjoy our time in the mountains.
This is a first for me, buying a “vignette” for Austria, very simple, stopped at the start of the motorway and brought a 10 day permit costing 7.90 Euros, this allowed us to use the Austrian motorways for 10 days, obviously, quick and convenient. There were also 30 day and annual permits.
So we travelled a little way on the motorway and wound our way up into the mountains towards Davos along route 28, through a beautiful snowy Klosters, turning left out towards the stunning Fluelpass with loads of snowy top mountains. Up, down and along some switchbacks, a thoroughly enjoyable drive and thankful for the Landy’s heater. :)
We carried on out towards Zernez and Ofenpass, with even more snow and its lovely frozen lake, simply stunning! We eventually entered Valchava, this whole area is simply stunning, only to find a late winter was still in this area and both campsites closed.
Also the Umbrail pass was closed, just too much snow, bummer, it was getting into the late afternoon, so we hopped back onto the main road and went around into Italy and Prato allo Stelvio, where we found a campsite after a diversion or two, my fault, though campsite gps co-ords were out.
What a day, thoroughly enjoyed it, now a well deserved glass or two, lit the BBQ and enjoyed the evening, in a very good campsite with very good facilities.
http://uk.campingcompass.com/camping/italy/trentino-south-tyrol/prato-allo-stelvio-bz
2nd Prato allo Stelvio, Italy – Chapella, Switzerland
Awoke, had a lovely shower, some breakfast, a couple of mugs of tea.
And we’re off, the idea being to take the Stelvio pass and do plenty of switchbacks all the way to Bormio, along a very scenic route to Passo del Bernina and then up and onto St Moritz.
But no, the Stelvio pass was closed, a surprise for 2 reasons; 1. It’s a major attraction and a decent road, and 2. We drove up as far as we could and there seemed to be less snow than others places we’ve already been through. A real bummer, so a little downhearted, we stopped for coffee. We knew now we also couldn’t get to it from the other side, so we changed our route.
Back through Prato allo Stelvio to join the S40 North towards Nauders, and Austria, a different road to the one we went on yesterday, but none the less stunning, although not much snow, plenty of switchbacks, high mountains, narrow, short tunnels dug out of the rock face, steep drops and 1000’s of fir trees. Really beautiful!
Out of Italy, into Austria, some stunning switchbacks in this region (one of the areas I’ve marked down to return to), before heading South again into Switzerland and onto Scuol, down pass Zernez and onto St Moritz. Which is not as pretty as I’d imagined, but it was still a very well looked after resort, with it’s pretty lake, nice buildings and clean appearance?
We travelled out a bit of St Moritz, to find not 1, but both campsites closed (when both should have been open), it must indeed be a late winter. Luckily I brought a CD with me with a load of campsites on it, so we turned around and headed for another campsite, also closed. We spotted an open campsite, some 20kms back in Chapella, near Zernez, so as it was getting near 16:00, we headed back and found this small campsite open, but with excellent showers and toilets.
So we pitched our tents, awning etc and lit a bbq, and then it started to rain, marvellous!? So we muttered a bit, eat well enough and had a few drinks, to pass the evening away.
www.campingchapella.ch
3rd Chapella, Switzerland - Lake Como, Italy
I awoke at about 05:00hrs to the sound of the awning collapsing, bizarre, I also saw my tent was bowing in a bit, felt it, cold, pushed it up and heard the swoosh of snow falling. I got up to about 1ft of snow, which caused some laughter, only to find both ground tents needing digging out and luckily for one of us, his tent didn’t collapse in the night, it having so much snow on it. Well we are camping at 1850m.
Packed the whole lot away, freshen up and had plenty of teas/coffees, and set off. In Switzerland you’d expect it to be properly ready for the snow, and so it was, snowploughs were running up and down all the time, trains were passing frequently with not only passenger cars, but also freight carriages, one train was seen pulling 2 passenger and 4 freight carriages, what a great idea! So simple, yet a solution!
We headed back to St Moritz, and it looked much better in the newly laid snow, down pass the lakes, through some beautiful passes, more little tunnels and some more stunning scenery. Over the border into Italy, and down towards lake Como, skirting around the top of the lake before dropping down towards Gravedona, where we stopped for coffee and shopping.
We entered the campsite called “Magic Lake” www.magiclake.it
In Dongo, at about 12:30. An excellent campsite right on the front of this beautiful lake, excellent facilities, near shops etc. And it was sunny, so we sat in the sun, soaking up the rays and having a great time, finally. Enjoyed a good lunch, a snooze, and a few drinks.
Went out to the local pizza place, for some Italian pizza, lovely, and wandered back for a few drinks. And then it started to rain a little, then a lot, and did it rain! And then got windy, after the IOW trip last year I wasn’t too worried, but my friends were in for a rough night, and I was not happy. May’s weather in Italy, expected better I suppose.
4th Lake Como, Italy – Huningue, France
I got up, packed away and made some hot drinks. My friends were dispirited and I was sorry for them, one of them spent the night in his vehicle because his tent flooded and the other’s outer tent zip broke and had enough. I sensed they weren’t happy and I was disappointed for them!
We left the campsite and headed South towards Menaggio and along Lake Lugano towards Lugano, and it rained this entire trip, weaved our way through Lugano and headed north towards Bellinzona, we pulled over at the services for toilets, food etc.
A decision had been made, sadly, the other’s hearts weren’t in it now, with the damaged wet tents and possible bad weather ahead, they decided to push for home, I couldn’t blame them. So we split up, though both following the same route towards Switzerland, they could make good speed without me, so it was the best decision for all of us, albeit a sad one!
I drove up through the tunnels (the passes were closed) of St Gotthardpass towards Andermatt, I wanted to retrace the steps of my 2008 trip, down over the Furkapass towards Brig, but this pass was closed, this is the main route 19 road from Chur – Sion, so I was surprised, this was a late winter. So I drove as far as I could, took a few photos and rejoined the Swiss motorway north, why, because what I wanted to see wasn’t accessible, so I re-planned my route.
I’d like to see more of Basel, but not on this trip, so I entered France, via Luzern and Basel, just got into Huningue, France and spotted a campsite on the river, “Camping au Petit Port”, a basic campsite and cheap, but it was after 16:00 by the time I set up, so I didn’t care, it had been a long relatively unhappy day.
And then it started to rain, so sheltered under my roof tent and studied some maps, ate and drank a few before hitting bed.
5th Huningue, France – Dijon, France
Awoke and got up early as normal, packed up, had a shower, some breakfast and a couple of cups of tea and set off.
The idea was to carry on to Dijon as planned, though earlier than planned, do the odd vineyard, some shopping, sightseeing etc, and camp at “Camping du Lac Kir” www.camping-dijon.com A good campsite in a great location, with reasonable facilities.
And so it was; a trip along the D105 towards St Louis and Mulhouse, Belfort and came off the toll road to take in the scenic Besancon, down to Dole and up to Dijon. The campsite is on the outskirts on the other side of Dijon, so drove around this beautiful city, stopped had a coffee and watched the world go by. Drove out a few miles to visit a couple of vineyards, yummy, and headed back to the campsite, arrived about 14:00hrs, found a lovely pitch and put up tent and relaxed.
Enjoyed a another quiet evening, missed the company, but settled down to my normal solitary regime, reading landy mags, maps, books, snacking and drinking wine.
Lit a bbq and kept warm thinking of hotter climes, just as it started to rain, again, and did it rain! Sunshine for the last 2 weeks apparently here, but not now, eventually turned in earlier than normal, and listened to the rain pelting the tent.
6th Dijon, France – Peronne, France
Got up early in dry weather, a nice change, packed up, freshened up, had breakfast and tea and set off.
The idea was to travel today on toll roads north towards Calais, but come off at St Quentin and camp at Peronne. And so it was really, straight up and along the toll road to Troyes, Reims, where I stopped to stretch my legs etc, brought a snack and a coffee, and on my way again. Coming off at St Quentin, along the D1029 and D44 into Peronne, why here, it was on the edge on the Somme area and I wanted to visit some WW1 graves again.
In hindsight Albert just up the road is a nicer place, with plenty of campsites, but Peronne was pretty enough, one campsite www.camping-plaisance.com/index.php
Is the better one, but just out of the centre of town over the bridge, and the municipal campsite very near the centre, well signposted but basic. But it was sunny, so I opted for the muni campsite, pitched the tent about 15:00hrs and relaxed. Had a lovely evening in the sunshine, a meaty bbq, some wine and enjoyed the moment.
7th Peronne, France – Wimereux, France
Awoke very early in the morning sunshine, which gave me an extra spring in my step, packed up, showered had some tea and left the campsite, drove out towards Albert along the D938, a very pretty road through some lovely villages, fields covered in rape, headed out to Thiepval and Queen’s cemetery on the “Serre road” to give my respects to 2 of my Uncles who died in WW1.
As always these graves are immaculately kept, very thankful to the French people and the CWGC for looking after these, and the 1000+ others around this area.
Eventually heading out to Doullens, down to Abbeville, where I stopped for fresh bread, stores etc. And carried on, out to Le Crotoy, along the coast road, travelled up to Berck, Le Touquet-Paris-Plage, Boulogne and Wimereux. A decent road through some very pretty villages, stopped for lunch and refreshments in one of these, and carried on around Boulogne, I’ve never stopped there, maybe one day.
And so it was, at about 14:00hrs, I entered an L’Olympic municipal campsite in Wimereux, less than 1km from the centre, very nice campsite, and very friendly staff as have all the other campsites I’ve been to.
I like Wimereux, it has enough of the tourist stuff, but still really French, and it’s right on the coast, some 30kms south of Calais, so very near and easy for the ferries/chunnel etc.
Had a lovely evening in the sunshine, next to the bbq, bread, brie and wine, what more do you want.
8th Wimereux, France – Southampton
As normal, got up early, packed away, made tea, left the campsite at 07:30hrs, hopped on the motorway and parked on the ferry at 08:20hrs. Seafrance, brilliant again and helpful, brought a large coffee and croissants and relaxed.
Got off the ferry and started the 150miles drive home, in the rain, oh well. Got home early afternoon, a great trip, more areas marked to explore again, can’t wait to go on my next one.
UK - France - Germany - Austria - Liechtenstein - Switzerland - Italy - Switzerland - France – UK
Dover - Calais - Metz, France - Uberlingen, Germany - Austria - Vaduz, Liechtenstein -Valchava, Switzerland - St Moritz, Switzerland, Lake Como, Italy - Dijon, France - Peronne, France – Wimereux, France, Calais - Dover.
Well almost went to plan; a late winter, blocked passes, snowy and very wet weather, flooded and damaged tents. But all returned safe and well, had a great time and saw some absolutely stunning scenery. 2,170 miles.
29th Southampton – Saint Avold, France
Up very early, met the others, made Dover in good time, sailed through France to Metz, and finally Saint Avold, a few diversions before finding the campsite. A pleasant and sunny trip and the campsite were good. Pitched tents and relaxed after a long day.
http://monsite.orange.fr/camping-felsberg/
30th Saint Avold, France – Saint Peter, Germany
After a very nice sleep, freshened up, and on our way, following tolls roads towards Germany, came off the toll road at Offenburg to do a scenic route up to the Kandel Pass, loads of switchbacks, and fog when we got to the top, couldn’t see 50ft in front of us, but spotted a café at the top and stopped for a break.
By the time we’ve had our refreshments, the fog had cleared and it was a beautiful sunny day over the pass and region. After a while got in the Landy and had no ignition lights, lights worked, strange; the story to follow is as true as I’m writing this.
After some 3hrs (approx) after ringing the RAC, 2 guys turn up in a Porsche, yes a Porsche, one dressed in fine Country set, cigar and all, the other looking a bit more like a mechanic with a tiny jumppack. Had a go at starting the landy, nothing, they then motioned (they spoke no English, we didn’t speak any German) to push the landy down a slight decline, we did.
The landy set off down the other side of the pass, switchbacks and all, me imaging the worst, 1. My pride and joy free-wheeling down a mountain and 2. The other guy in the Porsche following him. I started to leg it after the landy, while waving my mates to follow on, I was off like Linford Christie after my landy, thankfully the Porsche stopped alongside me and I hopped in and with head held in my hands, watched very nervously the Guy in my Landy, free-wheeling down the mountain’s very twisty roads.
We all eventually arrived at a junction near the bottom, with a huge sigh of relief from me, frantically trying to get hold of the RAC to confirm what’s happening, but a bad signal area. They then want my mate to tow me to the garage (I assume) to which we said no until we knew what was going on. One of the Guys dashes of in the Porsche and comes back with a tatty breakdown tow truck with a slipping clutch, loads the Landy with only one wheel strap, brilliant.
After 6kms we enter Saint Peter, and the garage, when I saw it I immediately relaxed, because it was fully equipped and the Electrician/Mechanic spoke a little English, after a while found a main service fuse had blown, replaced it, now all working again. PHEW! Paid him and brought another fuse, and thanked everyone involved, and headed off for the nearest campsite, 1km away.
Pitched tents, had some food and it started raining but we had shelter, great, but didn’t need the rain, what a day! We’ve been laughing about it ever since!
1st Saint Peter, Germany - Prato allo Stelvio, Italy
The campsite wasn’t too bad, but it rain most of the night, not to be downhearted we awoke, showered, had some tea and set off for breakfast in Uberlingen.
Where we had a reasonable snack and a good coffee, most of the shops closed but were starting to open, so we set off again towards Austria, Liechtenstein, Switzerland and our campsite near Valchava, Switzerland. After a few detours and some shopping in Switzerland (expensive), we ended up on an Austrian motorway to make up some miles so we could enjoy our time in the mountains.
This is a first for me, buying a “vignette” for Austria, very simple, stopped at the start of the motorway and brought a 10 day permit costing 7.90 Euros, this allowed us to use the Austrian motorways for 10 days, obviously, quick and convenient. There were also 30 day and annual permits.
So we travelled a little way on the motorway and wound our way up into the mountains towards Davos along route 28, through a beautiful snowy Klosters, turning left out towards the stunning Fluelpass with loads of snowy top mountains. Up, down and along some switchbacks, a thoroughly enjoyable drive and thankful for the Landy’s heater. :)
We carried on out towards Zernez and Ofenpass, with even more snow and its lovely frozen lake, simply stunning! We eventually entered Valchava, this whole area is simply stunning, only to find a late winter was still in this area and both campsites closed.
Also the Umbrail pass was closed, just too much snow, bummer, it was getting into the late afternoon, so we hopped back onto the main road and went around into Italy and Prato allo Stelvio, where we found a campsite after a diversion or two, my fault, though campsite gps co-ords were out.
What a day, thoroughly enjoyed it, now a well deserved glass or two, lit the BBQ and enjoyed the evening, in a very good campsite with very good facilities.
http://uk.campingcompass.com/camping/italy/trentino-south-tyrol/prato-allo-stelvio-bz
2nd Prato allo Stelvio, Italy – Chapella, Switzerland
Awoke, had a lovely shower, some breakfast, a couple of mugs of tea.
And we’re off, the idea being to take the Stelvio pass and do plenty of switchbacks all the way to Bormio, along a very scenic route to Passo del Bernina and then up and onto St Moritz.
But no, the Stelvio pass was closed, a surprise for 2 reasons; 1. It’s a major attraction and a decent road, and 2. We drove up as far as we could and there seemed to be less snow than others places we’ve already been through. A real bummer, so a little downhearted, we stopped for coffee. We knew now we also couldn’t get to it from the other side, so we changed our route.
Back through Prato allo Stelvio to join the S40 North towards Nauders, and Austria, a different road to the one we went on yesterday, but none the less stunning, although not much snow, plenty of switchbacks, high mountains, narrow, short tunnels dug out of the rock face, steep drops and 1000’s of fir trees. Really beautiful!
Out of Italy, into Austria, some stunning switchbacks in this region (one of the areas I’ve marked down to return to), before heading South again into Switzerland and onto Scuol, down pass Zernez and onto St Moritz. Which is not as pretty as I’d imagined, but it was still a very well looked after resort, with it’s pretty lake, nice buildings and clean appearance?
We travelled out a bit of St Moritz, to find not 1, but both campsites closed (when both should have been open), it must indeed be a late winter. Luckily I brought a CD with me with a load of campsites on it, so we turned around and headed for another campsite, also closed. We spotted an open campsite, some 20kms back in Chapella, near Zernez, so as it was getting near 16:00, we headed back and found this small campsite open, but with excellent showers and toilets.
So we pitched our tents, awning etc and lit a bbq, and then it started to rain, marvellous!? So we muttered a bit, eat well enough and had a few drinks, to pass the evening away.
www.campingchapella.ch
3rd Chapella, Switzerland - Lake Como, Italy
I awoke at about 05:00hrs to the sound of the awning collapsing, bizarre, I also saw my tent was bowing in a bit, felt it, cold, pushed it up and heard the swoosh of snow falling. I got up to about 1ft of snow, which caused some laughter, only to find both ground tents needing digging out and luckily for one of us, his tent didn’t collapse in the night, it having so much snow on it. Well we are camping at 1850m.
Packed the whole lot away, freshen up and had plenty of teas/coffees, and set off. In Switzerland you’d expect it to be properly ready for the snow, and so it was, snowploughs were running up and down all the time, trains were passing frequently with not only passenger cars, but also freight carriages, one train was seen pulling 2 passenger and 4 freight carriages, what a great idea! So simple, yet a solution!
We headed back to St Moritz, and it looked much better in the newly laid snow, down pass the lakes, through some beautiful passes, more little tunnels and some more stunning scenery. Over the border into Italy, and down towards lake Como, skirting around the top of the lake before dropping down towards Gravedona, where we stopped for coffee and shopping.
We entered the campsite called “Magic Lake” www.magiclake.it
In Dongo, at about 12:30. An excellent campsite right on the front of this beautiful lake, excellent facilities, near shops etc. And it was sunny, so we sat in the sun, soaking up the rays and having a great time, finally. Enjoyed a good lunch, a snooze, and a few drinks.
Went out to the local pizza place, for some Italian pizza, lovely, and wandered back for a few drinks. And then it started to rain a little, then a lot, and did it rain! And then got windy, after the IOW trip last year I wasn’t too worried, but my friends were in for a rough night, and I was not happy. May’s weather in Italy, expected better I suppose.
4th Lake Como, Italy – Huningue, France
I got up, packed away and made some hot drinks. My friends were dispirited and I was sorry for them, one of them spent the night in his vehicle because his tent flooded and the other’s outer tent zip broke and had enough. I sensed they weren’t happy and I was disappointed for them!
We left the campsite and headed South towards Menaggio and along Lake Lugano towards Lugano, and it rained this entire trip, weaved our way through Lugano and headed north towards Bellinzona, we pulled over at the services for toilets, food etc.
A decision had been made, sadly, the other’s hearts weren’t in it now, with the damaged wet tents and possible bad weather ahead, they decided to push for home, I couldn’t blame them. So we split up, though both following the same route towards Switzerland, they could make good speed without me, so it was the best decision for all of us, albeit a sad one!
I drove up through the tunnels (the passes were closed) of St Gotthardpass towards Andermatt, I wanted to retrace the steps of my 2008 trip, down over the Furkapass towards Brig, but this pass was closed, this is the main route 19 road from Chur – Sion, so I was surprised, this was a late winter. So I drove as far as I could, took a few photos and rejoined the Swiss motorway north, why, because what I wanted to see wasn’t accessible, so I re-planned my route.
I’d like to see more of Basel, but not on this trip, so I entered France, via Luzern and Basel, just got into Huningue, France and spotted a campsite on the river, “Camping au Petit Port”, a basic campsite and cheap, but it was after 16:00 by the time I set up, so I didn’t care, it had been a long relatively unhappy day.
And then it started to rain, so sheltered under my roof tent and studied some maps, ate and drank a few before hitting bed.
5th Huningue, France – Dijon, France
Awoke and got up early as normal, packed up, had a shower, some breakfast and a couple of cups of tea and set off.
The idea was to carry on to Dijon as planned, though earlier than planned, do the odd vineyard, some shopping, sightseeing etc, and camp at “Camping du Lac Kir” www.camping-dijon.com A good campsite in a great location, with reasonable facilities.
And so it was; a trip along the D105 towards St Louis and Mulhouse, Belfort and came off the toll road to take in the scenic Besancon, down to Dole and up to Dijon. The campsite is on the outskirts on the other side of Dijon, so drove around this beautiful city, stopped had a coffee and watched the world go by. Drove out a few miles to visit a couple of vineyards, yummy, and headed back to the campsite, arrived about 14:00hrs, found a lovely pitch and put up tent and relaxed.
Enjoyed a another quiet evening, missed the company, but settled down to my normal solitary regime, reading landy mags, maps, books, snacking and drinking wine.
Lit a bbq and kept warm thinking of hotter climes, just as it started to rain, again, and did it rain! Sunshine for the last 2 weeks apparently here, but not now, eventually turned in earlier than normal, and listened to the rain pelting the tent.
6th Dijon, France – Peronne, France
Got up early in dry weather, a nice change, packed up, freshened up, had breakfast and tea and set off.
The idea was to travel today on toll roads north towards Calais, but come off at St Quentin and camp at Peronne. And so it was really, straight up and along the toll road to Troyes, Reims, where I stopped to stretch my legs etc, brought a snack and a coffee, and on my way again. Coming off at St Quentin, along the D1029 and D44 into Peronne, why here, it was on the edge on the Somme area and I wanted to visit some WW1 graves again.
In hindsight Albert just up the road is a nicer place, with plenty of campsites, but Peronne was pretty enough, one campsite www.camping-plaisance.com/index.php
Is the better one, but just out of the centre of town over the bridge, and the municipal campsite very near the centre, well signposted but basic. But it was sunny, so I opted for the muni campsite, pitched the tent about 15:00hrs and relaxed. Had a lovely evening in the sunshine, a meaty bbq, some wine and enjoyed the moment.
7th Peronne, France – Wimereux, France
Awoke very early in the morning sunshine, which gave me an extra spring in my step, packed up, showered had some tea and left the campsite, drove out towards Albert along the D938, a very pretty road through some lovely villages, fields covered in rape, headed out to Thiepval and Queen’s cemetery on the “Serre road” to give my respects to 2 of my Uncles who died in WW1.
As always these graves are immaculately kept, very thankful to the French people and the CWGC for looking after these, and the 1000+ others around this area.
Eventually heading out to Doullens, down to Abbeville, where I stopped for fresh bread, stores etc. And carried on, out to Le Crotoy, along the coast road, travelled up to Berck, Le Touquet-Paris-Plage, Boulogne and Wimereux. A decent road through some very pretty villages, stopped for lunch and refreshments in one of these, and carried on around Boulogne, I’ve never stopped there, maybe one day.
And so it was, at about 14:00hrs, I entered an L’Olympic municipal campsite in Wimereux, less than 1km from the centre, very nice campsite, and very friendly staff as have all the other campsites I’ve been to.
I like Wimereux, it has enough of the tourist stuff, but still really French, and it’s right on the coast, some 30kms south of Calais, so very near and easy for the ferries/chunnel etc.
Had a lovely evening in the sunshine, next to the bbq, bread, brie and wine, what more do you want.
8th Wimereux, France – Southampton
As normal, got up early, packed away, made tea, left the campsite at 07:30hrs, hopped on the motorway and parked on the ferry at 08:20hrs. Seafrance, brilliant again and helpful, brought a large coffee and croissants and relaxed.
Got off the ferry and started the 150miles drive home, in the rain, oh well. Got home early afternoon, a great trip, more areas marked to explore again, can’t wait to go on my next one.