8th March - 13th March 2008 Actual
France-Belgium-France
Dover-Calais-Dieppe-Honfleur-Lisieux-Le Mans-Orleans-Gien-Sancerre-Nevers-Autun-Meursault-Beaune-Troyes-Reims-Thiepval-Arras-Lille-Ypres-Hazebrouck-Bruay la Buissiere-Doullens-Albert-Abbeville-Boulogne-Calais.
From the outset, I knew this trip would be testing, the old girl suffered indicator problems a few days before leaving, speedometer went before the M25, Seafrance were on strike when I arrived in Dover, very wet and windy 4 out of the 6 days travelling, only to arrive back in Calais area, earlier then expected, to find Seafrance were still on strike.
An enjoyable tour, despite the appalling weather, stunning scenery, but with so many long periods of rain, some of the enjoyments of travelling were missing. The idea was to take toll roads to where I wanted to go, and then take country roads.
8th Southampton - Dover
A very early morning drive to Dover to catch a 05:45 ferry to Calais. At that time of night, all I saw were road works; M27 – A3M – M25 – M20 Closed – A2/M2, nightmare! Got to the port to find Seafrance are on strike, transferred to P&O ferries leaving at a similar time.
Great, on my way!
8th Calais - Dieppe
Couldn’t sleep on the ferry, so I arrived in Calais at about 08:20, and the rain was lashing down.
Left Calais and headed for Abbeville along the A16, an hour down the road, stopped and slept for an hour in one of the many splendid rest areas on French roads. The weather improved slightly, had a bite to eat, made a cup of tea and headed along the D925 towards beautiful Le Treport and Dieppe.
But the weather was getting worst, and the reports weren’t good, it was coming in from the West. Let me just say; I’m a fair weather person, I’ve seen enough rain and have been through some bad storms in my life time, so I enjoy the clear skies and good visibility, especially when I’m travelling. But, such is life; you have to make the most of it.
But amazingly after leaving DieppeI drove down the N27 to pick up the A29 towards Honfleur, and it started to clear and even the sun popped out, great! So still feeling tired I pulled over into a service area, and slept for a bit, a bit too long, awoke even more tired. So I had something to eat, and thought stuff it, stay here the night and make a fresh start in the morning.
9th Dieppe - Gien
Awoke to find I made a big mistake, weather was a lot worst, wind and rain, so had some croissants and tea and continued to Honfleur, crossed the two large, steep arch like viaducts crossing the Seine, the second one costing 5 Euros.
Such a shame to see a beautiful place in this kind of weather, took the road into Honfleur only to find that diesel cheaper, cheap supermarket next to it, and above all, to make a bad start worst, I could of spent the night next to one of the basins in the port for 7 Euros (motor homes/caravans and vehicles if you can sleep inside them, NO tents), what a muppet! Could of, easily travelled down yesterday, filled up with cheap diesel and do some shopping (this being Sunday, very few things are open in France), parked up for the night in Honfleur, wandered around the lovely old port in the dry late afternoon, and had a great meal somewhere overlooking the old quay. Like I say muppet! But next time!
So got bored of getting wet and pushed on; drove down the D579 to Lisieux, a lovely place, would of stopped longer, but the rain was unrelenting. After some fresh French bread and soup, took the D519 to Orbec and onto the A28 to Le Mans.
At this point, I decided to change my route, instead of going west into even worst weather, I decided to go east towards one of the wine regions and headed towards Orleans along the N157, an excellent national road through St Calais, Busloup, Moree, Ouzouer-le-Marche, all typically lovely French villages, and, just as good as the toll roads, and free. Skirted Orleans, and headed along the D952 though Chateauneuf towards Gien. Found a rest place, cooked dinner, and enjoyed a good night’s slept.
10th Gien - Troyes
Leaving Gien and picking up the N7 heading south towards Sancerre and Pouilly, back into vineyard country, the rain hadn’t let up, but it was a little clearer. Campsites were seemly open around here, but wind the wind and rain, couldn’t be bothered, with tents.
Travelled down to Nevers, which is quite nice, clean pleasant place, before heading west again along the D978 towards Autun, this was the most scenic road of the trip, climbing up to 950 meters, through typically beautiful French villages of Chatillon en Bazois and Chateau Chinon, which are amongst a forest area. Continued along the D973 through vineyards and the lovely villages of Nolay, La Rochepot and the cobbled streets around Meursault, such a famous name in wine, and a beautiful chateau to match.
Unfortunately, the weather had become even worst, so did some wine tasting instead of sight seeing, and then pushed onto Beaune, and found a very good wine wholesaler, more wine tasting, brought a few cases and felt the need to keep moving.
With the weather coming in from the west, the south looking bad as well, I did some map reading and decided to head north again. To make some initial miles I got on the A31/A5/A26 toll road and headed towards Troyes.
Parked up, freshened up, had a nice meal, studied maps and fell asleep.
11th Troyes – Bruay la Buissiere
Awoke, had breakfast, before studying the maps again, with the continuing poor weather seemly in this area, and coming in from the west, I decided to come north early, and spend some time visiting north-western France, and in particular the Somme area. So I set off at a leisurely pace along the A26, the weather starting to clear, and the old girl was trundling along very nicely.
The most expensive toll road yet, 31 Euros from Dijon to Cambrai, but saved so much time and enjoyed some of the many excellent rest areas, though take your own camping toilet seat or use the Ladies, if you want to sit down as many of the Men’s are the Arab style of toilet: i.e. a hole in the floor. Came off at J9 just south of Cambrai and joined the D917/D149 towards Combles and onto Albert, Thiepval, Hebuterne, Gommecourt, Puisieux, and many other villages, that are scattered around the Somme area.
Having lost two great uncles in the WW1, I wanted to visit their graves. The first one is at Thiepval, what an awe inspiring site, a stunning monument to 73,000 missing.
The second I understood was at Ypres, and as it was well into the afternoon now, I still had to visit Ypres and find a place to park up. So hopped onto the A1 north to Arras and then picked up N17 around Lens, onto Lille on the N47 and finally picking up the N365 to Ypres (Leper).
The condition of the roads, were terrible, just as well I have a Landy, and along with the driving rain I entered Ypres, a stunningly pretty and historic place. I would have stayed longer, and seen more, but I finally got though to the UK, only to find out my other Uncle was buried somewhere else on the Somme. So I headed out of Ypres towards Hazebrouck along the N375/N42, and through a pretty Belgian village of Loker, drove through the lovely old place that is Hazebrouck, and like most places in France, litter-free.
Parked-up in a rest area, studied maps, had a pleasant meal, and turned in.
12th Bruay la Buissiere - Abbeville
Woke up early amidst a hailstorm, went to sleep again, awoke, had a good breakfast, studied maps, and picked-up the D943 and the very scenic D916 down to Doullens, yet another national road in excellent condition, and unlike UK, you also don’t see many cones/road works, yet the condition, the standard and number of rest areas, lack of litter/graffiti, makes driving in France a pleasure.
Headed towards Hebuterne in a cloudy, but dry morning, and after a couple of hours looking for the graveyard (there are somewhere in the region of 200 graveyards in this area alone, with fallen men from the four corners of the world), stumbled across a Scottish couple of cheery and hardy deposition, one in a kilt in spite of the weather, the rain had abated, but a cold wind had picked up. The gentleman pointed me in the right direction, ex-army himself, and duly muttered and agreed between ourselves about the decimation of some of the greatest Scottish regiments, forced to disband and merge.
Just off the “Serre road”, up a muddy track was indeed the correct graveyard, gave my long overdue respects, vowed to return, said thank you and goodbye to the Scots, and made my way towards the coast. But not before I met, and gave a lift to Richard Holmes, the great WW1 historian, didn’t initially recognise him, but had a good chat as to why I was here. Let me just add, all the graveyards I visited were immaculately kept, thank you to the Commonwealth war commissions, and of course, the French people.
Joined the D938 out of Albert, and headed towards Abbeville on the D925, a smallish, but bustling town. Stopped here at an ALDI, did some shopping, a lot cheaper in the French parts of France, as opposed to the tourist areas, picked some lovely wine at silly prices here. After having a decent, chicken and fresh bread lunch, pushed onto Le Crotoy, why? Nothing more than it’s a beautiful part of this coast.
Spotted a few campsites open, but with the wind and, now rain again, it seemed pointless just spend money in sleep in the old girl, so read maps, hopped onto a toll road, aired-up for the extra weight and had a good meal, and a pleasant but restless sleep next to a wind turbine.
13th Abbeville - Southampton
Awoke early, had croissants and tea, and headed up towards Boulogne in the best of the weather so far.
Got off the A16 toll road at J32, and picked up the D940 coast road, initially came across yet another British war cemetery at Terlincthum, also some WW1 German graves here as well, very poignant!
Joined to the coast road again, and travelled through some very nice coastal villages, huge sand dunes, lovely beaches and great views of the sea. Stopped in lovely Wimereux did some shopping and continued towards Calais.
The weather had improved, but tomorrow it was going get worst again! So I visited the port, Seafrance still on strike, and I was told to turn when I want to travel, I couldn’t pre-book a ferry.
So had a drive around Calais, tanked-up, and thought, lets get back to the port and see what happens, was told the 14:00 ferry has room, after that, or tomorrow, they didn’t know, so took the ferry and along with it shortening my trip, but planning a return trip, hopefully in June.
A very wet, yet uneventful trip back to Southampton, the old girl made it, now she’s needs servicing and fixing some electrics.
1,640 miles approx (using route planners)
France-Belgium-France
Dover-Calais-Dieppe-Honfleur-Lisieux-Le Mans-Orleans-Gien-Sancerre-Nevers-Autun-Meursault-Beaune-Troyes-Reims-Thiepval-Arras-Lille-Ypres-Hazebrouck-Bruay la Buissiere-Doullens-Albert-Abbeville-Boulogne-Calais.
From the outset, I knew this trip would be testing, the old girl suffered indicator problems a few days before leaving, speedometer went before the M25, Seafrance were on strike when I arrived in Dover, very wet and windy 4 out of the 6 days travelling, only to arrive back in Calais area, earlier then expected, to find Seafrance were still on strike.
An enjoyable tour, despite the appalling weather, stunning scenery, but with so many long periods of rain, some of the enjoyments of travelling were missing. The idea was to take toll roads to where I wanted to go, and then take country roads.
8th Southampton - Dover
A very early morning drive to Dover to catch a 05:45 ferry to Calais. At that time of night, all I saw were road works; M27 – A3M – M25 – M20 Closed – A2/M2, nightmare! Got to the port to find Seafrance are on strike, transferred to P&O ferries leaving at a similar time.
Great, on my way!
8th Calais - Dieppe
Couldn’t sleep on the ferry, so I arrived in Calais at about 08:20, and the rain was lashing down.
Left Calais and headed for Abbeville along the A16, an hour down the road, stopped and slept for an hour in one of the many splendid rest areas on French roads. The weather improved slightly, had a bite to eat, made a cup of tea and headed along the D925 towards beautiful Le Treport and Dieppe.
But the weather was getting worst, and the reports weren’t good, it was coming in from the West. Let me just say; I’m a fair weather person, I’ve seen enough rain and have been through some bad storms in my life time, so I enjoy the clear skies and good visibility, especially when I’m travelling. But, such is life; you have to make the most of it.
But amazingly after leaving DieppeI drove down the N27 to pick up the A29 towards Honfleur, and it started to clear and even the sun popped out, great! So still feeling tired I pulled over into a service area, and slept for a bit, a bit too long, awoke even more tired. So I had something to eat, and thought stuff it, stay here the night and make a fresh start in the morning.
9th Dieppe - Gien
Awoke to find I made a big mistake, weather was a lot worst, wind and rain, so had some croissants and tea and continued to Honfleur, crossed the two large, steep arch like viaducts crossing the Seine, the second one costing 5 Euros.
Such a shame to see a beautiful place in this kind of weather, took the road into Honfleur only to find that diesel cheaper, cheap supermarket next to it, and above all, to make a bad start worst, I could of spent the night next to one of the basins in the port for 7 Euros (motor homes/caravans and vehicles if you can sleep inside them, NO tents), what a muppet! Could of, easily travelled down yesterday, filled up with cheap diesel and do some shopping (this being Sunday, very few things are open in France), parked up for the night in Honfleur, wandered around the lovely old port in the dry late afternoon, and had a great meal somewhere overlooking the old quay. Like I say muppet! But next time!
So got bored of getting wet and pushed on; drove down the D579 to Lisieux, a lovely place, would of stopped longer, but the rain was unrelenting. After some fresh French bread and soup, took the D519 to Orbec and onto the A28 to Le Mans.
At this point, I decided to change my route, instead of going west into even worst weather, I decided to go east towards one of the wine regions and headed towards Orleans along the N157, an excellent national road through St Calais, Busloup, Moree, Ouzouer-le-Marche, all typically lovely French villages, and, just as good as the toll roads, and free. Skirted Orleans, and headed along the D952 though Chateauneuf towards Gien. Found a rest place, cooked dinner, and enjoyed a good night’s slept.
10th Gien - Troyes
Leaving Gien and picking up the N7 heading south towards Sancerre and Pouilly, back into vineyard country, the rain hadn’t let up, but it was a little clearer. Campsites were seemly open around here, but wind the wind and rain, couldn’t be bothered, with tents.
Travelled down to Nevers, which is quite nice, clean pleasant place, before heading west again along the D978 towards Autun, this was the most scenic road of the trip, climbing up to 950 meters, through typically beautiful French villages of Chatillon en Bazois and Chateau Chinon, which are amongst a forest area. Continued along the D973 through vineyards and the lovely villages of Nolay, La Rochepot and the cobbled streets around Meursault, such a famous name in wine, and a beautiful chateau to match.
Unfortunately, the weather had become even worst, so did some wine tasting instead of sight seeing, and then pushed onto Beaune, and found a very good wine wholesaler, more wine tasting, brought a few cases and felt the need to keep moving.
With the weather coming in from the west, the south looking bad as well, I did some map reading and decided to head north again. To make some initial miles I got on the A31/A5/A26 toll road and headed towards Troyes.
Parked up, freshened up, had a nice meal, studied maps and fell asleep.
11th Troyes – Bruay la Buissiere
Awoke, had breakfast, before studying the maps again, with the continuing poor weather seemly in this area, and coming in from the west, I decided to come north early, and spend some time visiting north-western France, and in particular the Somme area. So I set off at a leisurely pace along the A26, the weather starting to clear, and the old girl was trundling along very nicely.
The most expensive toll road yet, 31 Euros from Dijon to Cambrai, but saved so much time and enjoyed some of the many excellent rest areas, though take your own camping toilet seat or use the Ladies, if you want to sit down as many of the Men’s are the Arab style of toilet: i.e. a hole in the floor. Came off at J9 just south of Cambrai and joined the D917/D149 towards Combles and onto Albert, Thiepval, Hebuterne, Gommecourt, Puisieux, and many other villages, that are scattered around the Somme area.
Having lost two great uncles in the WW1, I wanted to visit their graves. The first one is at Thiepval, what an awe inspiring site, a stunning monument to 73,000 missing.
The second I understood was at Ypres, and as it was well into the afternoon now, I still had to visit Ypres and find a place to park up. So hopped onto the A1 north to Arras and then picked up N17 around Lens, onto Lille on the N47 and finally picking up the N365 to Ypres (Leper).
The condition of the roads, were terrible, just as well I have a Landy, and along with the driving rain I entered Ypres, a stunningly pretty and historic place. I would have stayed longer, and seen more, but I finally got though to the UK, only to find out my other Uncle was buried somewhere else on the Somme. So I headed out of Ypres towards Hazebrouck along the N375/N42, and through a pretty Belgian village of Loker, drove through the lovely old place that is Hazebrouck, and like most places in France, litter-free.
Parked-up in a rest area, studied maps, had a pleasant meal, and turned in.
12th Bruay la Buissiere - Abbeville
Woke up early amidst a hailstorm, went to sleep again, awoke, had a good breakfast, studied maps, and picked-up the D943 and the very scenic D916 down to Doullens, yet another national road in excellent condition, and unlike UK, you also don’t see many cones/road works, yet the condition, the standard and number of rest areas, lack of litter/graffiti, makes driving in France a pleasure.
Headed towards Hebuterne in a cloudy, but dry morning, and after a couple of hours looking for the graveyard (there are somewhere in the region of 200 graveyards in this area alone, with fallen men from the four corners of the world), stumbled across a Scottish couple of cheery and hardy deposition, one in a kilt in spite of the weather, the rain had abated, but a cold wind had picked up. The gentleman pointed me in the right direction, ex-army himself, and duly muttered and agreed between ourselves about the decimation of some of the greatest Scottish regiments, forced to disband and merge.
Just off the “Serre road”, up a muddy track was indeed the correct graveyard, gave my long overdue respects, vowed to return, said thank you and goodbye to the Scots, and made my way towards the coast. But not before I met, and gave a lift to Richard Holmes, the great WW1 historian, didn’t initially recognise him, but had a good chat as to why I was here. Let me just add, all the graveyards I visited were immaculately kept, thank you to the Commonwealth war commissions, and of course, the French people.
Joined the D938 out of Albert, and headed towards Abbeville on the D925, a smallish, but bustling town. Stopped here at an ALDI, did some shopping, a lot cheaper in the French parts of France, as opposed to the tourist areas, picked some lovely wine at silly prices here. After having a decent, chicken and fresh bread lunch, pushed onto Le Crotoy, why? Nothing more than it’s a beautiful part of this coast.
Spotted a few campsites open, but with the wind and, now rain again, it seemed pointless just spend money in sleep in the old girl, so read maps, hopped onto a toll road, aired-up for the extra weight and had a good meal, and a pleasant but restless sleep next to a wind turbine.
13th Abbeville - Southampton
Awoke early, had croissants and tea, and headed up towards Boulogne in the best of the weather so far.
Got off the A16 toll road at J32, and picked up the D940 coast road, initially came across yet another British war cemetery at Terlincthum, also some WW1 German graves here as well, very poignant!
Joined to the coast road again, and travelled through some very nice coastal villages, huge sand dunes, lovely beaches and great views of the sea. Stopped in lovely Wimereux did some shopping and continued towards Calais.
The weather had improved, but tomorrow it was going get worst again! So I visited the port, Seafrance still on strike, and I was told to turn when I want to travel, I couldn’t pre-book a ferry.
So had a drive around Calais, tanked-up, and thought, lets get back to the port and see what happens, was told the 14:00 ferry has room, after that, or tomorrow, they didn’t know, so took the ferry and along with it shortening my trip, but planning a return trip, hopefully in June.
A very wet, yet uneventful trip back to Southampton, the old girl made it, now she’s needs servicing and fixing some electrics.
1,640 miles approx (using route planners)