3 weeks in Europe, mid September!

[Stay Frosty]

Gorge du Verdon, Gorges du Loupe, Grasse, definitely been impressed with the Alpes Maritimes over the years and can only imagine what the Alps proper look like.
Don't get me wrong I wouldn't mind seeing the Camargue but swamp versus mountains and the mountains win.

 

[TallPaul_S]

Gorge du Verdon, Gorges du Loupe, Grasse, definitely been impressed with the Alpes Maritimes over the years and can only imagine what the Alps proper look like.
Don't get me wrong I wouldn't mind seeing the Camargue but swamp versus mountains and the mountains win.

Yeah agreed - I completely bypassed that area initially, it was only watching a video on youtube that informed me there were wild flamingos there, not something you'll see every day!!

FYI I've done the Alps, proper - on multiple occasions! It's... BIG.

On the motorbike I've done some of the famous passes - Stelvio, Gau, Furka, Grimsel, Susten...The dolomites too. Stunning place and I'll need to go back at some point.

Then mountain biking I've ridden at 3300m on a glacier


And underneath Mont Blanc, on both sides - French and Italian - and various places in Les Gets, Morzine, Alp Du Huez, La Thuile...




I'll be purposefully avoiding the Alps proper on this trip, because you could spend 3 weeks just in the French Alps! And, I've already done some of those areas close to where I'll be travelling - Allemond is one place, but the campsite I stayed at is closed when I'll be passing.

I think on this trip there'll be a big emphasis on seeing the Pyrenees, Catalonia (can't wait for the beaches there and to be able to swim in early-mid 20's temperature sea), and the French Rivera.

 

[ginkster]

Then mountain biking I've ridden at 3300m on a glacier

Mega’ I assume? Great ride. But further down:



Mt B from Les Houches. I’d move to Chamonix tomorrow.



Amazing how I didn’t die with 26” wheels BITD!!

 

[TallPaul_S]

Mega’ I assume? Great ride. But further down:

Yep! We rode the entire Mega route (multiple times actually, apart from the snow bit) the campsite in Allemond we stayed at was right next to where the race ends.

Stunning route, in the snow, the rocky sections with snow patches, the open singletrack, and the wood sections - the bottom bits were my favourite, we rode it not long after the actual race and so the bottom bits through the woods were well worn in, and dusty as hell, amazing riding!

 

[Ayjay]

Get yourself an ACSI card if there’s enough time - if your’e going to use even one campsite, it’s a no brainier as even that could recoup the annual fee so any more savings after that are a bonus.
Also, take note of what Stay Frost says - I’ve formed the opinion that France in general has developed a weird electro magnetically compatibility issue that causes modern VW dashboards to light up in otherwise healthy vans.

 

[TallPaul_S]

Get yourself an ACSI card if there’s enough time - if your’e going to use even one campsite, it’s a no brainier as even that could recoup the annual fee so any more savings after that are a bonus.
Also, take note of what Stay Frost says - I’ve formed the opinion that France in general has developed a weird electro magnetically compatibility issue that causes modern VW dashboards to light up in otherwise healthy vans.

I'd looked at the ACSI card but wasn't sure if it would save me much - I'll take a better look, although the options for what to purchase are a bit confusing!

Looks like the card for just this year + free app is €23.90.

Cheaper with a subscription though (annual).

 

[ginkster]

Yep! We rode the entire Mega route (multiple times actually, apart from the snow bit) the campsite in Allemond we stayed at was right next to where the race ends.

Stunning route, in the snow, the rocky sections with snow patches, the open singletrack, and the wood sections - the bottom bits were my favourite, we rode it not long after the actual race and so the bottom bits through the woods were well worn in, and dusty as hell, amazing riding!

Yep, great fun. We did it in late August (many years ago!) and there was no snow at the top. The glacier was good though and, as you say, the bottom section was a hoot. Love the long Alpine descents - and the uplift!

 

[JumpShip]

One stretch of autoroute between Neufchâtel-en-Bray and rouen is damn expensive so keep your eye on that one
ACSI online membership one off payment of approx £20 does us proud through winter and pays for itself in no time.

 

[TallPaul_S]

Cheers, will check that out, I did notice the autoroute avoiding Rouen was as about €25 cheaper, but it adds an hour to the journey. I'll have a play with the route planner.

Just filled up with adblue, so much easier when you have a pump nearby. MFD reset straight away to 6000 miles range from 3509 miles so all sorted there!

 

[Ayjay]

@TallPaul_S. We're currently on our way to Greece having travelled through France and Italy to near Ancona (see my next post) and, as an example, we've stayed at a couple of sites (inc. the current one) that were in excess of €45 per night because we're still in high season and out of the ACSI CC period (which varies by site). I reckon the average cost when the ACSI discount is applied would be €20 - 25. We sail for Greece next Tuesday and we're hoping prices start reducing come September. Whatever yo do, enjoy.

 

[TallPaul_S]

One stretch of autoroute between Neufchâtel-en-Bray and rouen is damn expensive so keep your eye on that one
ACSI online membership one off payment of approx £20 does us proud through winter and pays for itself in no time.

Would that be this section? €38 to cover 120 miles? Good to be aware of that one, ta! I might head for the 3hr stop over on the first night, €24 in tolls total vs €48 euros if I drive for an extra hour! I can then take the back roads the next day with more time.

 

[JumpShip]

Let me go through my paperwork and see if can narrow it down to exactly where . From memory it was about €60 for one section

 

[Podge]

I recently drove a section of motorway in Portugal that cost me over 74 Euros for about 200 miles and the same again to return. The main reason is that I was towing so that put me in Class 4 which is the same as the largest lorries. This didn't happen in France or Spain. Also in Portugal tolls are automatic (no Peage booths) just cameras above the motorway. You have to stop and register a credit card as you cross the border from Spain. If you miss the megre signage about this you will get fined. Must admit I won't be visiting Portugal again unless they sort this sort of thing out.

 

[Ayjay]

If you really want to travel on the motorways, one of the great 'joys' of French and Spanish toll tags you never know how much you're actually spending until the bill arrives or you check your account. We've got both and for me anyway, ignorance is bliss. On the other hand, our 600 odd Km run through Italy on Friday was all PAYG and was about €90.

 

[TallPaul_S]

If you really want to travel on the motorways, one of the great 'joys' of French and Spanish toll tags you never know how much you're actually spending until the bill arrives or you check your account. We've got both and for me anyway, ignorance is bliss. On the other hand, our 600 odd Km run through Italy on Friday was all PAYG and was about €90.

Yeah with the emovis tag I'll get a bill after the trip - I'll be trying to keep an eye on costs though via Waze, it gives you the toll costs for the route.

Eg:

 

[TallPaul_S]

12 days and counting until I'm on the shuttle...

I've been keeping an eye on a couple of the busiest aire camping car parks in Biarritz, there's 2 closest to the town/beaches and during august they were rammed with no free spaces at any time. Today there was actual free spaces in 2 of them for a few hours, one (closest to the beach) is now booked up but the other is nearly half empty, so hopefully things are calming down and I'll be able to make a decision on the day when booking one of these aires or a campsite.

 

[TallPaul_S]

Well, 3 weeks worth of clothes, a weeks worth of food, a bike and biking stuff, all fit in with relative ease!


Currently waiting for my train under the sea!

 

[The Flying Scotsman]

Exciting stuff.
Hope you have a great trip Paul.
Am looking forward to seeing what you get up to.

 

[TallPaul_S]

Right then, a day and a bit, and 925km down...

Last night after getting on an hour earlier chunnel, I used the autoroutes to get to my first choice of parkup in Gace, which I found was closed as there was a fair or something similar being built!! SO, onto my 2nd choice which I was going to go to if I had the time, just to the west of Le Mans.

Completely empty, although despite being a camping car park on google maps, there's a poster saying no camping or motorhomes. Ah well, I left no trace, so no problem.

440km done after driving off the channel tunnel last night.

My initial plans were to head to La Rochelle on the 2nd day (today), staying overnight just outside, but instead I've driven another 485km down to the west of Bordeaux, used no toll roads at all, just A roads and dual carriageways, which for the most part (aside a little traffic around Bordeaux) were empty and joyous!

Drove via Le Mans and the 24hr track sections which are public roads, and of course had to stop for a pic...

Or 2...



After Le Mans I drove the other 400-odd km, watching the outside temperature display slowly climbing up to 23 degrees, to a free campervan area in Le Grand Crohot - Parking camping-car · 33950 Lège-Cap-Ferret, France - which is pretty busy but considering I arrive not much before 6pm, there was still a few spaces.


It's 10 minutes walk to the beach..

Which is currently full of kitesurfers and wingfoilers as there's a nice cross onshore breeze at the moment.




First feet in the sea of the trip! Water is still fairly chilly though, I think I need to head further south for some warmer water!



Currently looking where to stay around Biarritz tomorrow, I going to do the Dune du PIlat on the way. I'll need to keep an eye on the weather in Ainsa too, as currently it's going to be chucking it down on Friday, Sat and Sun, with showers Monday - and that's roughly when I was looking to get there...

 

[Ricardo T]

Loving this read whilst we are all (well some of us) are keeping the economy going....just, if you can call it that!!
Keep it coming, whatever the weather.....but hope its not too bad at the weekend for you!!