Thursday 20 September 2012
The pleasure of looking at the nice views wore off this morning when we found you have to pay for a shower. And then, we went under a tree and snapped off the TV aerial. We seem to have fixed it but who knows until it rains.
The route to Switzerland looks easy on the map but “Jane” kept getting confused so we followed a Dutch lorry. Eventually he went left and we went right for Switzerland over the Maloja pass. It had a fair share of hairpins but nothing like the Russian Road in Slovenia.
St Moritz looked a bit posh. No doubt all the paying car parks helped. We could not even park outside the tourist information place.
Onward to a pleasant ACSI camp called Camp Chapella. All grass where you can pitch anywhere. Electricity free but WiFi costs 5 Swiss Francs a day. Lovely views of surrounding mountains and river running alongside. A railway embankment keeps the road noise out, but there is a train now and again.
We spent some time watching a couple arrive in a car and proceed to erect a fold-up caravan (not a tent). Then they took two massive packs of firewood from the car. Then they erected two more tents before putting the awning on the fold-up caravan. Finally out came 2 tables and four chairs. If we wait long enough we may find out why.
Later that day we met Ken and Ruth who are British but now live in France. Ken is 83 years young and they have both been motorhoming for years. At one time they were full-timing for 3 years. They were an amazing source of information about Switzerland and France. We are very grateful.
The route to Switzerland looks easy on the map but “Jane” kept getting confused so we followed a Dutch lorry. Eventually he went left and we went right for Switzerland over the Maloja pass. It had a fair share of hairpins but nothing like the Russian Road in Slovenia.
St Moritz looked a bit posh. No doubt all the paying car parks helped. We could not even park outside the tourist information place.
Onward to a pleasant ACSI camp called Camp Chapella. All grass where you can pitch anywhere. Electricity free but WiFi costs 5 Swiss Francs a day. Lovely views of surrounding mountains and river running alongside. A railway embankment keeps the road noise out, but there is a train now and again.
We spent some time watching a couple arrive in a car and proceed to erect a fold-up caravan (not a tent). Then they took two massive packs of firewood from the car. Then they erected two more tents before putting the awning on the fold-up caravan. Finally out came 2 tables and four chairs. If we wait long enough we may find out why.
Later that day we met Ken and Ruth who are British but now live in France. Ken is 83 years young and they have both been motorhoming for years. At one time they were full-timing for 3 years. They were an amazing source of information about Switzerland and France. We are very grateful.
Friday 21 September 2012
It was a cold night. Inside the motorhome it was 1°C and outside minus 5°C. Our morning was spent in doing motorhome chores, such as emptying toilets, filling with water and having a good clean all around. At 1100 we were invited for coffee by Ken and Ruth. Ken is 83 years young and they both enjoy travelling. They were more than pleased to give us advice on roads, passes and things to see.
We left the camp around noon and headed for Davos. On they way we found an ATM, thanks to Ken, and took out 100 Swiss Francs each. It does not appear to be enough as later we had two coffees in our new campsite that cost us £6.50. No more coffees.
The trip took us over Fuela pass. The high parts were absolutely barren. A friendly Swiss motorhomer told us that just a few kilometers away were three lakes: one red, one white and the other blue.
Down the other side and through Klosters, where all the best people go for skiing. But we settled for a LIDL at Chur. A very good choice of meats and a couple of tins of beer at around 45p. Better stick to beer instead of coffee.
After Chur we spent some time in tunnels. Two or three of them were over 2 kilometer long.
Our destination was Trun (pronounced Troon) where there is a small campsite. It is almost full of static caravans but we found a grassy level spot to spend the night. The electricity is a long way away so we may have to use our gas tonight if it cools down again.
We left the camp around noon and headed for Davos. On they way we found an ATM, thanks to Ken, and took out 100 Swiss Francs each. It does not appear to be enough as later we had two coffees in our new campsite that cost us £6.50. No more coffees.
The trip took us over Fuela pass. The high parts were absolutely barren. A friendly Swiss motorhomer told us that just a few kilometers away were three lakes: one red, one white and the other blue.
Down the other side and through Klosters, where all the best people go for skiing. But we settled for a LIDL at Chur. A very good choice of meats and a couple of tins of beer at around 45p. Better stick to beer instead of coffee.
After Chur we spent some time in tunnels. Two or three of them were over 2 kilometer long.
Our destination was Trun (pronounced Troon) where there is a small campsite. It is almost full of static caravans but we found a grassy level spot to spend the night. The electricity is a long way away so we may have to use our gas tonight if it cools down again.
Saturday 22 September 2012
View on Oberalp pass.
The night was not so cold but we awoke to low clouds and lots of rain. However as we were having breakfast we began to see little blue patches in the sky so we left. Our route took us over 2 passes that were magnificent: Oberalp pass on the way to Andermatt and
Susten pass. In total we climbed over 14,000 feet today. Then we descended towards Interlaken where we stopped at Alpenblick campsite.
Switzerland is so clean and tidy. The fields are all lush and green. Moreover they look like somebody has manicured them. Cows are everywhere, each with a bell around its neck.
The other thing that surprised us was how many houses were made of wood. We expected some, but not so many. They all look really pretty with window boxes of all sorts of flowers.
The other feature is the firewood stacked along the side of houses, sometimes up to the eaves. At least it is renewable.
We had a good night even though there was a Disco/barbecue in the wigwam just 30 meters away.
Susten pass. In total we climbed over 14,000 feet today. Then we descended towards Interlaken where we stopped at Alpenblick campsite.
Switzerland is so clean and tidy. The fields are all lush and green. Moreover they look like somebody has manicured them. Cows are everywhere, each with a bell around its neck.
The other thing that surprised us was how many houses were made of wood. We expected some, but not so many. They all look really pretty with window boxes of all sorts of flowers.
The other feature is the firewood stacked along the side of houses, sometimes up to the eaves. At least it is renewable.
We had a good night even though there was a Disco/barbecue in the wigwam just 30 meters away.
Sunday 23 September 2012
Judit, Eiger and Mönsch.
Once again we awoke to low cloud and drizzle.
We wanted to see the Eiger mountain. One of the camp staff suggested that we should take the bus to the station and then the train to Grindelwald. Judit checked the prices; 74 Swiss Francs (about £50) each return. The decision was easy; take Bessy. The journey lasted about 25 minutes and there were giant car parks available that cost us 5 Swiss Francs for the day. Having saved on a train we took the gondola lift up Männlichen (7500 feet). That cost us £55 for the two of us.
It was worth every penny. The views of the Alps were stunning and the sun was blazing. In fact we could look down on cloud covered Interlaken. At the top it was a short, but puffing, walk to the summit where we had a 360° panorama.
How do we stop Judit taking so many photos when there are views like that? The North Face of the Eiger looks grim and foreboding without one ray of sunshine on it all day.
Helicopters were buzzing around all day taking very rich customers to get a close look, then on to the restaurant “Top of Europe”. Others, who must also be rich, take the train which passes through the Eiger towards the restaurant.
About 1500 we made our way down on the lift and back to camp for hair washing, etc.
Switzerland is expensive and we will soon be making our way towards France and hopefully some free Aires.
We wanted to see the Eiger mountain. One of the camp staff suggested that we should take the bus to the station and then the train to Grindelwald. Judit checked the prices; 74 Swiss Francs (about £50) each return. The decision was easy; take Bessy. The journey lasted about 25 minutes and there were giant car parks available that cost us 5 Swiss Francs for the day. Having saved on a train we took the gondola lift up Männlichen (7500 feet). That cost us £55 for the two of us.
It was worth every penny. The views of the Alps were stunning and the sun was blazing. In fact we could look down on cloud covered Interlaken. At the top it was a short, but puffing, walk to the summit where we had a 360° panorama.
How do we stop Judit taking so many photos when there are views like that? The North Face of the Eiger looks grim and foreboding without one ray of sunshine on it all day.
Helicopters were buzzing around all day taking very rich customers to get a close look, then on to the restaurant “Top of Europe”. Others, who must also be rich, take the train which passes through the Eiger towards the restaurant.
About 1500 we made our way down on the lift and back to camp for hair washing, etc.
Switzerland is expensive and we will soon be making our way towards France and hopefully some free Aires.
Monday 24 September 2012
We called it the fishscale house in Willisau.
During the night it rained heavily. In fact we awoke to rain and low cloud. It didn’t seem a good day for sightseeing so we decided to test out some of PJ’s Night Stops that he found on his trip to Turkey.
First stop was an Aire in Switzerland at Willisau. NIce and easy to find and comfortable. We had a walk around the town and confirmed that Switzerland is expensive when we bought a few things in a local supermarket.
Onward into France to another PJ place at Ferrette. A Yorkshireman cannot miss a place with a name like that. Although it looked to be in a good location there were about 5 vans there already so we moved on to the next one at Hirzbach. I might add that so far the countryside low down is lovely with rolling hills reminding us of the Chilterns (plus a few hairpin bends).
To our annoyance the French had decided to dig up the road to the Aire so we had to move on again. This time to Bourbach-le-Haut. Would you believe it, the road was also dug up. However a windy detour through the village backstreets put us back on track. The Aire at Bourbach-le-Haut is in a lovely comfortable setting. We decided not to park next to the water and electric point, but a few meters further on in a gravel car park next to the kids playground. As we entered France the wind really picked up and blew us around quite a bit. But the car park we are in is well sheltered.
After getting organised we had a walk around and disturbed two lads and one lass having a quiet fondle round the back of the church. There’s nothing like having a little experiment! So we moved to the restaurant to check out the menu. At that moment three firemen walked out carrying a ladder!
Back to Bessy where we ate burgers, spuds, onion and a can of Slovenian Baked Beans... lovely.
Tomorrow we must find a filling station and buy a breathalyzer kit. The French law states that every vehicle must have one; what a nonsense.
First stop was an Aire in Switzerland at Willisau. NIce and easy to find and comfortable. We had a walk around the town and confirmed that Switzerland is expensive when we bought a few things in a local supermarket.
Onward into France to another PJ place at Ferrette. A Yorkshireman cannot miss a place with a name like that. Although it looked to be in a good location there were about 5 vans there already so we moved on to the next one at Hirzbach. I might add that so far the countryside low down is lovely with rolling hills reminding us of the Chilterns (plus a few hairpin bends).
To our annoyance the French had decided to dig up the road to the Aire so we had to move on again. This time to Bourbach-le-Haut. Would you believe it, the road was also dug up. However a windy detour through the village backstreets put us back on track. The Aire at Bourbach-le-Haut is in a lovely comfortable setting. We decided not to park next to the water and electric point, but a few meters further on in a gravel car park next to the kids playground. As we entered France the wind really picked up and blew us around quite a bit. But the car park we are in is well sheltered.
After getting organised we had a walk around and disturbed two lads and one lass having a quiet fondle round the back of the church. There’s nothing like having a little experiment! So we moved to the restaurant to check out the menu. At that moment three firemen walked out carrying a ladder!
Back to Bessy where we ate burgers, spuds, onion and a can of Slovenian Baked Beans... lovely.
Tomorrow we must find a filling station and buy a breathalyzer kit. The French law states that every vehicle must have one; what a nonsense.
Tuesday 25 September 2012
The weather in the morning was pretty good; just a little cloudy. We left around 1000 but nobody came for any money. As we did not use water or electricity I suppose it was only fair. The drive over the hills was very pleasant with just a few hairpin bends.
However when we got to the main road it started to rain and became very windy. We hear that it’s the same in the UK. Then amazingly our only turning for many miles was closed for roadworks. Is there a French plot against Englishmen? It meant turning back and a trip around the mountain rather than over it.
On our way we topped up with diesel and asked the man if he had a breathalyzer for sale. He had not and said that you cannot find them anywhere! So much for stupid laws.
As we were making good time we decided not to follow PJ’s Night Stops but plod on. It was pouring down after all. When we passed Luxembourg City on the autoroute we stopped at a Service Station. What an amazing shop selling all sorts of goodies at vastly reduced prices. Tobacco in giant tubs, cigarettes, wine, coffee in enormous bags, etc. But no whisky. The young man said they were not allowed to sell anything stronger than 15%.
Diesel was also much cheaper in Luxembourg than the surrounding countries. A couple of Dutch truckers were filling cans with petrol to take home. For some reason my Caxton card for paying for diesel was rejected but later it worked in the shop.
Only a few kilometers further we stopped at the Arlon Aire next to the Fire Station. It was here where we stopped on our way out. This time it was full with Nederlanders going to Spain and Portugal for the Winter. On their advice we parked just next to the Aire in the Fire Station car park. In total 12 motorhomes. They said others did it the night before with no problems. But we don’t have use of the free electricity.
However when we got to the main road it started to rain and became very windy. We hear that it’s the same in the UK. Then amazingly our only turning for many miles was closed for roadworks. Is there a French plot against Englishmen? It meant turning back and a trip around the mountain rather than over it.
On our way we topped up with diesel and asked the man if he had a breathalyzer for sale. He had not and said that you cannot find them anywhere! So much for stupid laws.
As we were making good time we decided not to follow PJ’s Night Stops but plod on. It was pouring down after all. When we passed Luxembourg City on the autoroute we stopped at a Service Station. What an amazing shop selling all sorts of goodies at vastly reduced prices. Tobacco in giant tubs, cigarettes, wine, coffee in enormous bags, etc. But no whisky. The young man said they were not allowed to sell anything stronger than 15%.
Diesel was also much cheaper in Luxembourg than the surrounding countries. A couple of Dutch truckers were filling cans with petrol to take home. For some reason my Caxton card for paying for diesel was rejected but later it worked in the shop.
Only a few kilometers further we stopped at the Arlon Aire next to the Fire Station. It was here where we stopped on our way out. This time it was full with Nederlanders going to Spain and Portugal for the Winter. On their advice we parked just next to the Aire in the Fire Station car park. In total 12 motorhomes. They said others did it the night before with no problems. But we don’t have use of the free electricity.
Wednesday 26 September 2012
Ian woke at 0500 to the sound of heavy rain. The rain continued for most of the day. We left Arlon about 1030 and drove for hours on the worst roads for a long time. We said it before, but it is worth repeating. Mile after mile of washboard concrete resembling a game park in Africa. Then the damned potholes; some as big as a washing up bowl. Even the repaired ones had sunk and needed filling again. It is clear now why the Belgians are easily satisfied with the EU... they are easily satisfied with anything.
The highlight of the day was a visit to Tyne Cott Cemetery near Iepers (for the French it is called Ypres and the Brits, Wipers). Ian once checked the Commonwealth War Graves Commission website for anyone called Shires. Two people called Shires died in the Great War. One from Bradford and another called Leonard. He was the brother of Ian’s Grandfather. Up to that moment Ian did not know anything about the man. Poor Leonard went to war at the second battle of the Somme and was never seen again. He is remembered by a simple inscription among the many thousand other poor souls who gave all to protect us.
Back to Iepers for Belgian chips and frikandelle special. Delight. Then to Dunkirk port to buy a ticket at the port. If you buy a ticket for today it is cheaper by telephone or internet. Strangely, if you buy a ticket for tomorrow, or later, the price is the same as on the internet or phone.
Finally a visit to Auchan in Grand Synth for a few goodies and some cheap diesel. Back to the port to bed down, ready for the 1000 sailing tomorrow.
The highlight of the day was a visit to Tyne Cott Cemetery near Iepers (for the French it is called Ypres and the Brits, Wipers). Ian once checked the Commonwealth War Graves Commission website for anyone called Shires. Two people called Shires died in the Great War. One from Bradford and another called Leonard. He was the brother of Ian’s Grandfather. Up to that moment Ian did not know anything about the man. Poor Leonard went to war at the second battle of the Somme and was never seen again. He is remembered by a simple inscription among the many thousand other poor souls who gave all to protect us.
Back to Iepers for Belgian chips and frikandelle special. Delight. Then to Dunkirk port to buy a ticket at the port. If you buy a ticket for today it is cheaper by telephone or internet. Strangely, if you buy a ticket for tomorrow, or later, the price is the same as on the internet or phone.
Finally a visit to Auchan in Grand Synth for a few goodies and some cheap diesel. Back to the port to bed down, ready for the 1000 sailing tomorrow.
Thursday 27 September 2012
Raining again. While waiting for embarkation the UK Border Agency man wanted a peep into Betty. He was very welcome. After all he has a difficult and important job.
Loading the ship went a lot quicker and slicker than our last ferry in Italy and we left only 10 minutes late. The crossing was very smooth and we had time for a real breakfast. As we approached England the weather cleared up and we had excellent views of Dover, the castle and the cliffs.
The run to St Albans was uneventful. Nice to be back, but we have a lot of paperwork to catch up on.
TO BE CONTINUED....
Loading the ship went a lot quicker and slicker than our last ferry in Italy and we left only 10 minutes late. The crossing was very smooth and we had time for a real breakfast. As we approached England the weather cleared up and we had excellent views of Dover, the castle and the cliffs.
The run to St Albans was uneventful. Nice to be back, but we have a lot of paperwork to catch up on.
TO BE CONTINUED....
