So here we are setting off on a new adventure. We are in a new home from home too! Yes, we made that decision and are now proud owners of our Rapido Itineo MB2740 motorhome!

 

It has taken the last few weeks to find a place for all our gear. Believe me that was a hard task. I’m sure things will move along our journey from one place to another and we may have forgotten things we need but for now we are packed up and on our way.
We left home on Friday 17th May. Val and Melanie (our next door neighbours) were there to see us off and gave us a bottle of wine to enjoy.
We traveled to Folkestone to stay at the caravan & motorhome club site – The Black Horse. The site has a good system for people arriving late or departing early on ferry or tunnel crossings to France. This was needed as we arrived later than 6pm due to the time we spent on the M25 car park. In fact it was 7.30pm.
The following morning we made our way to the Eurotunnel for our 9.20am crossing. The first plus of being in the motorhome was having breakfast so easy in the queue. The train departed on time and we were soon in France.
We had a very smooth journey to Le Crotoy and our first “aire” experience. It’s a very busy aire and we drove around to find a place to park for the night. As we were getting organised the kind driver of a motorhome parked on the front of the aire with a lovely sea view came and told us he was leaving in 10 minutes if we would like to in that spot as he left.

 

We did just that and we were soon sat out in front of our new home having lunch and also enjoying our bottle of wine courtesy of Val and Melanie. We later had a walk along the seafront and back through town. The seafood stalls, patisseries, restaurants, people playing a game of boules, playing on the beach, family picnics by the sea. It’s good to be back in France. A quiet evening and a lovely dinner. This is the life!
Our trauma for the first weekend away is that our newly purchased TV has only half a screen viewable! The other half being white! We have yet to see what happens but Amazons first response has been good. They will refund as soon as it is returned and will pay postage even though we are in France. Luckily we have a laptop and I pads to use until we have a replacement.
On Sunday morning I walked along the seafront to the bakers. Croissants and a baguette for breakfast. They were gorgeous. After breakfast we were soon on our journey. The sat nav was set for Angers but we had three days to get there. We were meeting David & Glynis, friends we met on our travels last year. The roads were good and after a couple of hours we decided to stop off for the night. We chose Camping Le Clos St Nicolas in Le Bec Hellouin. We turned off the main road and drove through the forest following the campsite signs to find the little 4 star campsite.

 

For €18 per night we had our pitch for two people plus electricity, a bar, restaurant, an indoor heated pool, boules pitches, tennis court and much more.
We had a good overnight stay and we spend our days at the moment pottering around the motorhome and rearranging storage of things as we use them! Hahaha It’s coming together nicely. It was great to have an afternoon swimming session once more.
The next stop along our journey was a small village called Piacé where there was a place to stay overnight. I found this in the “camperstop” book. It was a pleasant riverside site able to accommodate 11 motorhomes. There were just 3 overnight and including electricity it cost €7:50.
Tuesday 21st May we set off to Angers. We were meeting Glynis & David at Camping Angers-Lac du Maine and surprising them with being in the motorhome!
On our journey we had a message from them to say they had arrived and their pitch number. We arrived to see a note on their windscreen “Gone to the pool” After a bite to eat we joined them and it was lovely to see them again. We chatted away and at times it almost slipped out about the motorhome. Finally the truth was out! We had the grand tour of the van with a few G&T’s and the evening just flew by.

 

The following morning we decided to take the bus into Angers to explore the city. It is a lovely place and the sun was shining. We sat in the large central square and enjoyed a cold beer. In the afternoon we headed back to the campsite for a few hours by the outdoor heated pool. The site is having a huge makeover and is well worth a visit if you are in the area.

 

On Thursday 23rd May we followed the cycle route along the river and visited the small towns of Bouchemaine and Savennières on our journey. There was the usual beer stop too, although Glynis was very good and had a soft drink. Our return journey brought our distance cycled to 17 miles and the sun had been shining brightly all the way. A dip in the pool is just what we all needed. Later, over a few G&T’s, we planned our onward journeys. Glynis and David had decided to head to Spain to find the sun and we were going to Lake Annecy on our way to Kandersteg.

 

Friday was spent around the campsite, pottering with the van and an afternoon swim before chilling over dinner with a bottle of red wine.
Saturday 25th May we left the site after saying our goodbyes to Glynis and David. It had been great to see them again and I’m sure we will get together again sometime soon.
We had a lovely journey through the vineyards and decided to stop overnight in Loches. There was an Aire for 3 motorhomes in a spot just behind the park in the centre of town. The sat nav directed us via a road with a low bridge! So turning around and going through town we arrived safely. We were the only motorhome overnight.

 

We had a stroll around town and up to the Royal Lodge and the Donjon (Keep) of the Chateau de Loches. Interestingly it was once occupied by Henry II of England and his son Richard the Lionheart. We took a few photos in the park before relaxing in the sun reading before dinner.
On Sunday morning around 8am we woke to car doors and voices outside the van. There was to be an archery competition at the sports stadium just next to us. Teams were arriving from far and wide. After breakfast we went to see how it was going. There were hundreds of archers and all ages taking part in the competition.

 

 

 

Then we were off once more and as lunch approached we stopped at an Aire alongside the canal at Sancoins. It was a very peaceful stop. Every other van there was fishing and next door even had 3 rods on the go. After lunch and a couple of hours chilling we decided to drive a little further for our overnight stop. We ended up at Dompierre-sur-Besbre, an Aire for 7 motorhomes alongside the river. Each parking place had electricity too and this was all free. 

 

Our plan the following morning was to drive along our route to Annecy and stop off at a campsite for a couple of nights but things changed. We stopped for lunch in the lovely town, Nantua. We parked by the lake with lovely views but it was a little breezy. After lunch we checked our route and decided to drive on to Annecy as it was only 2hours away.
We arrived at Camping les Rives du Lac at 5:30pm and were soon settled on our pitch. The rain came as forecast but it wasn’t cold and good weather was promised for the rest of the week.
I woke in the morning to the sound of rain so stayed snug in bed a little longer. We were soon up with a loud noise outside and to our dismay our awning had collapsed at one side. We still don’t understand why as we had sloped it so the rain would run off it.
We managed to get it folded back in place but it was well and truly broken!!
We now had a mission for a new one to be found.
It rained as promised for the rest of the day but after the last few days of travelling a chill day was good.
After phone calls to and from the insurance company we now know they will pay for a replacement awning once we are back in the UK.
The next day the weather had improved and we cycled into the centre of Annecy. There is an amazing cycle path the whole way and it takes you all along the edge of the lake with beautiful views across to the mountain.

 

The old part of town with its waterways and winding streets is known as “The Venice of The Alpes” and it was a good place to stroll around and enjoy the sights.
Thursday 30th May, Ascension day and also Andy’s Mums birthday. It was a beautiful day with the sun shining brightly so we had a lazy day on site. Reading and relaxing, eating and drinking. We made a phone call to wish Andy’s Mum a very happy birthday. The trusted Amazon had done its job and delivered her birthday present on time so we were all happy.

 

The following day was market day in Annecy. After an early breakfast we cycled into town. It was very busy and very hot! The market was amazing and we wandered through the small streets taking it all in. We made our way across the gardens overlooking the lake. It was full of families picnicking in the beautiful weather. We stopped at the boules club for a refreshing beer. Then it was back to the site to relax in the sun by the lake with a quick dip now and again to cool down. The water was freezing!!
Saturday 1st June, my birthday! I opened my birthday cards and once again I had two identical cards for”Mum”. After breakfast we went for a bike ride along the cycle path but this time in the opposite direction. We stopped along the way by the edge of the lake and took in the views. Everywhere you look it is beautiful. Nice cold beers are a must on bike rides in the sun, especially on your birthday. That evening we had a lovely meal and washed it down with a lovely bottle of red. I had a wonderful birthday and thank everyone for the birthday wishes I received.

 

Our final full day on site was spent relaxing and preparing for our onward journey. More reading, relaxing, swimming, eating and drinking! This is the life!
On 3rd June we packed the van and after breakfast set off on the final part of our journey to Kandersteg, Switzerland.
We decided to go the scenic route that took us over the Juan Pass in the Swiss Alps. This reaches 1,509m above sea level and has many hairpin bends. It was worth it. The views were amazing and brought tears to my eyes.

As we got closer the familiar sights appeared and as usual I’m so happy to be back. We were going there as helpers at Kandersteg International Scout Centre. The new short term summer staff were arriving that weekend and help was needed to cover during their training weeks.

So here we are back at KISC once again and ready as always to Live the Dream!

Keep smiling, work hard and amazing things will happen.

Take care, Carol & Andy