Sunday, 18 November 2018

Travels with my spinning wheel, accross the sea to France.

Sunday morning found us up and about early on but as our ferry wasn't until 8.45 we were pretty much the last van off the ferry pitches on the site ( pitches near the site entrance resrved for people getting early ferries)

First time on the ferry for puffin, first time for us for a few years :-) the ferry was busy so we grabbed a sandwich at the bar and chilled for an hour. We were joined by another traveller who was very familiar with Skye so the journey was passed most enjoyably, exchanging tales of good and bad experiences when traveling.

Our first destination in France was La Coupole, a former V2 launch site which is now a museum. As we arrived early afternoon we had a light meal in the café and asked if it would be possible to park overnight and visit the museum in the morning. They were happy for us to do this, filled our drinking water container and directed us to the overflow car park.

As you can see we were joined by another van. I spent a pleasant afternoon spinning in the sunshine.



We visited the museum the next day, I would suggest that you follow the link above for more details as I find it hard to put into words anything about the destruction caused buy these weapons.

I've posted some photos, I don't think they really need descriptions.




                                    







                From the cab of the van you can see the original trackway for the rockets.



We left the museum mid afternoon and headed south, stopping at an old campsite that had seen better days but did deliver bread to your door in the morning.












Tuesday, 13 November 2018

travels with my spinning wheel, early days.

We had been talking about taking an extended trip for some time and eventually everything came together. Working for the same company for 40 years entitled me to an extra 4 weeks paid holiday and coincided with our 30 years anniversary of being happily unmarried.

September 1st saw us picking up the van, loading the last few essentials ie jar of marmite, block of cheddar cheese, box of essential cooking spices etc and my spinning wheel. Two ukuleles, heaphones and Bluetooth speakers were added along with the usual knitting requirements.



As this was a Saturday, we had decided to leave around mid morning and head to a campsite about 10 miles from Dover. I must confess that we both like bridges and have crossed some interesting ones when out on the bike but being in the van meant I had my camera ready for a photo of the Dartford crossing.


Yep, I had set up online payment before setting off as well as obtaining the various critical air stickers for the van incase we strayed into the wrong areas at the wrong time in France and Germany however we saw few other vans with these.


By tea time we were camped up and on our way to the local pub for dinner and feeling excited about catching the ferry for the first time in 5/6 years.

We had read about people using Aires in France were you can park overnight with water and waste facilities but we like to have a campsite if possible, it gives us a better sense of security knowing where we are heading to especially on a trip like this. Maybe in the future we will be a bit more adventurist but for now we like the home comforts.












Sunday, 11 November 2018

I'm back!!

Well , to be honest I've actually been back in the uk for a while but really haven't got back into th swing of work etc so the blog went on the back burner.

The last post was early August when we were planning a road trip, getting the van services and fitted with an extra battery and playing with ideas as to where to go.

But first, a quick update on the TDF yarn which I eventually managed to get washed.


Fleeces arrived,

 Ryland
Castlemilk Moorit



Pagan Pride was visited.


Once the van was serviced, we picked it up and took it straight down to Uttoxeter, why Uttoxeter? simple because it was away from home and any distractions.
We stopped at the racecourse campsite and wandered up into the town armed with maps, books and tablets and tried to work out a rough route for the first week or so.





Did I mention that this road trip was going to take four weeks ? We have never had that much time together 24/7 before !!