First time in France - done it!
Posted: Tue Sep 01, 2009 8:56 am
First of all I need to thank everyone who helped to make our trip successful - the advice given here was invaluable!
The journey - A total of 3389 MILES round trip. From Ayrshire to Dover (overnight). Calais to Orleans, overnight. Orleans to Riviere Sur Tarn, Tarn Gorge (9 nights). Drove to Carcassone and then onto the coast for an overnight near in Adge.
On way back Tarn Gorge to Dordogne (3 nights - near Rocamadour). Dordogne to Normandy (2 nights, should have been 6). Normandy to Calais (overnight) and then home! Unfortunately, our 3 week holiday was cut short due to bereavement. We were supposed to sail from Cherbourg but because we had to return in a hurry and coulndt get earlier sailing from Cherbourg we had to sprint to Calais.
The areas visited - Tarn Gorge area was fantastic - not commercialised or touristy, very beautiful area, lots to see and some great campsites. Would definitely return: The Dordogne, another beautiful area I will return to - 3 nights was not nearly long enough: Normandy, some lovely areas/villages though didn't get to see much of it. Didn't appeal just as much as the other 2 areas so would probably only return if on my route for a couple of days. Adge - the overnight stay was enough for me and wouldn't go back- all the things I hate - touristy, commercialised, very busy. Must appeal to a lot of people though as it was thronging with folk - mostly Brits from what I could see.
Highlights - every day in the Tarn Gorge - was so chilled out there. Was a pleasure to drive through or just sit and enjoy!
Rocamadour - lovely place
Millau Bridge - what a structure
Letdowns - Carcassone - lovely place but just didn't do it for me! Worth visiting if in the area but wouldn't do the drive (3 hours) just to see it again.
The roads - easy peasy, lemon squeezy! Hubby's first time driving in France and found it to be a dawdle. Great roads, great facilities everywhere en-route.
The dog - despite unseasonally hot weather (mid 30's for most of the time) he was great. Made sure he had plenty of shade, water and places to swim and everything was good. Note for next time - to make sure we are always camped near a river/stream for him to swim in as it made all the difference. Was allowed access everywhere so was actually easier camping in France than back home. Travelled great - just slept in the back of the Bongo with the occasional peep out the window.
What I couldnt have done without: The trailer, the tarp (oh how glad we were for the tarp for shelter from the sun) and the Cadac easy chef (great for bbq's, and making french toast/breakfasts when we got fed up with croissants).
Finally - the BONGO. Not a peep or a whimper out of it. Fuel consumption was great and OH found it a pleasure to drive the distance.
ps - The campsites we stayed on were mostly very good - anyone wanting to know more just ask.
The journey - A total of 3389 MILES round trip. From Ayrshire to Dover (overnight). Calais to Orleans, overnight. Orleans to Riviere Sur Tarn, Tarn Gorge (9 nights). Drove to Carcassone and then onto the coast for an overnight near in Adge.
On way back Tarn Gorge to Dordogne (3 nights - near Rocamadour). Dordogne to Normandy (2 nights, should have been 6). Normandy to Calais (overnight) and then home! Unfortunately, our 3 week holiday was cut short due to bereavement. We were supposed to sail from Cherbourg but because we had to return in a hurry and coulndt get earlier sailing from Cherbourg we had to sprint to Calais.
The areas visited - Tarn Gorge area was fantastic - not commercialised or touristy, very beautiful area, lots to see and some great campsites. Would definitely return: The Dordogne, another beautiful area I will return to - 3 nights was not nearly long enough: Normandy, some lovely areas/villages though didn't get to see much of it. Didn't appeal just as much as the other 2 areas so would probably only return if on my route for a couple of days. Adge - the overnight stay was enough for me and wouldn't go back- all the things I hate - touristy, commercialised, very busy. Must appeal to a lot of people though as it was thronging with folk - mostly Brits from what I could see.
Highlights - every day in the Tarn Gorge - was so chilled out there. Was a pleasure to drive through or just sit and enjoy!
Rocamadour - lovely place
Millau Bridge - what a structure
Letdowns - Carcassone - lovely place but just didn't do it for me! Worth visiting if in the area but wouldn't do the drive (3 hours) just to see it again.
The roads - easy peasy, lemon squeezy! Hubby's first time driving in France and found it to be a dawdle. Great roads, great facilities everywhere en-route.
The dog - despite unseasonally hot weather (mid 30's for most of the time) he was great. Made sure he had plenty of shade, water and places to swim and everything was good. Note for next time - to make sure we are always camped near a river/stream for him to swim in as it made all the difference. Was allowed access everywhere so was actually easier camping in France than back home. Travelled great - just slept in the back of the Bongo with the occasional peep out the window.
What I couldnt have done without: The trailer, the tarp (oh how glad we were for the tarp for shelter from the sun) and the Cadac easy chef (great for bbq's, and making french toast/breakfasts when we got fed up with croissants).
Finally - the BONGO. Not a peep or a whimper out of it. Fuel consumption was great and OH found it a pleasure to drive the distance.
ps - The campsites we stayed on were mostly very good - anyone wanting to know more just ask.
.......but we will be back over to France next year, I go to Le Mans each June and will be back in July for the Classic, SWMBO wants to do France again next year....now what about a Bongo meet in France, that would be something...
Did you use any of the Aires? All the bongos internal "arrangements" work out ok? 
