Read all about our summer holiday to Argeles-Sur-Mer in the Languodoc region of France.
Argeles is described in one guide book I read as the last of the big resort towns of the south coast. Continue reading “Our Eventful Summer Trip To France”
Things I Have Learned This Summer
I have had a bit of an education this summer during our trip to the South of France. Some things were learnt the hard way so I thought I would share my new found knowledge.
- Check the age of your caravan tyres!
Tyres are recommended to be changed at no more than 5 years old.
- Don’t believe any caravan dealer when they tell you the tyres on your new van are good to go.
Part Cinq (5) The Voyage Home…..Sounds like a movie
So the day has finally arrived. The Long Drive in reverse. Not literally in reverse. I’m good but over 1000 miles in reverse is just silly.
Everything had been packed on Friday afternoon and all we needed to do was disconnect the electric, put the combicool in the boot, wind up the legs, hitch up and go. Not forgetting to get dressed first of course.
So by 7:30am we were hitched up. By 7:50am we were waiting outside the camp shop for fresh Pain au chocolate, Pain Aux Rasins and croisants. We deposited the rubbish in the bins and set off. Continue reading “Part Cinq (5) The Voyage Home…..Sounds like a movie”
Part Quatre…4 Andorra
With the weather being a bit rubbish, still warm but cloudy and rainy on and off, we decided let’s go to Andorra and do a bit of shopping.
Andorra is an independent Principality (try saying that after a few gins) a bit like Monacco but as far as I know no Prince and much less sun. Andorra is high in the Pyrenees mountains and is know as a ski resort but also as it’s tax haven status. In fact there is No Tax in Andorra…. Now think for a moment duty free with no duty. Yes that’s it Cheap Booze, Cheap Tobacco, Cheap Perfume etc….. Basically everything can be had cheaper.
Part Trois – Panic in Barcelona
Barcelona today. Always a highlight of a trip to Argeles-Sur-Mer as it’s a nice easy drive, hop on the A9 and turn left, then just keep going about 1h45 to 2hours Autopista (motorway) all the way.
We missed the chance to go early as, well we didn’t get up early plus I managed to tweak my back bending over the day before so I took my time and plenty of pain killers and let it free up slowly.
We have always parked in the same place. A 2 minutes walk from the Sagarda Familiar but this year they limited the parking to 4 hours. A guy on duty told us of an alternative just around the corner. Very tight! If you don’t know most parking in Barcelona is underground. The first time we went we had a Vauxhall zafira with a roofbox which meant we could not get into any of the parking garages. We had to return another day minus the roofbox. Continue reading “Part Trois – Panic in Barcelona”
Part Deux. Bites, Tyres, Doctors
Well we actually arrived without further incidents. No calling out the breakdown service (why do I pay them?) No more blown tyres. Just a nice easy drive down the A20, A61 past the impressive Airbus factory at Tolouse to Narbonne then the A9 to Perpignan. Past the now familiar landmarks of the arches on the hill and Perpignan prison. To jump.on a the D914 to Argeles-Sur-Mer.
The Long Drive
We left the storage yard bang on time for once. We’re usually at least half an hour late.
We/I had decided on the M6,M5,M42,M40 & southern side of the M25 which turned out to be bang on as the signs on the M42 were saying that the M1 was shut. We had a very good run and only his any traffic once on the M25 for about 15min.
Today’s The Day
Holiday!!!
As soon as I finish work it’s home to pack the car, shower, something to eat and then collect the van from storage and we’re off!
Two weeks in the glorious South of France right on the med and about as South as you can get in France.
Want to come with us?
3 Sleeps To Go – PANIC Sets in!
With only 3 sleeps now until our “Big Trip” the panic has finally hit the management. Last night she told me “you’re not helping!” True but it is quite entertaining to watch her panicing about nothing really because, well France is not exactly devoid of shops.
Countdown
With just 1 week to go until the “Big Trip” the countdown has well and truly begun. Truth be told I have been counting the days, weeks, months for ages!
So what do the last few days have in store? Well the management has just 1 day left at work before the panic sets in. I have lost count of the times that we have been away together weather that is just a weekend or a fortnight camping or roughing it in some 4* hotel, yet she still flaps when it comes to packing for a trip. Packing takes me all of 30seconds, I just empty the drawer into a bag, job done? Continue reading “Countdown”