I've had a surreal time today trying to find a safe and comfortable place for our first stop over. I thought that if I invested a couple of hours in just the first stop, I'd at least make Mrs.F feel a bit happier knowing that a lot of research had been dedicated to finding the best possible place for our first overnight experience. Looks like I might have to wait a bit longer before trying to install any such confidence, however.I decided to find a campsite with services for a M/H (or Camping Car as I've learned they say en France) sort of near the Troyes region. This will give us the requisite time to quaff and buy the liquid of fizzy dreams in Reims but still be able to arrive and settle in before it gets dark. I didn't
think our first night should be gambled on finding a suitable Aire. Clever me eh? I started with the Caravan club; they simply said all their sites are now closed and couldn't help me, but they still sold me a book containing details of all of those closed sites. Who's the clever one now eh? If I'm honest, I was disappointed with the help I got from the Caravan Club. First of all, the website would only show me sites AFTER I booked them and I could only book them if I also booked a ferry too. I've already booked the ferry and I don't have any idea what site is what or even where they are in relation to where I am going. I pointed all this out and was told that the 'web people' would look into it. No matter what I did or what they told me to do, I couldn't get any info on any site in France or Spain from the website. Not exactly sure why I joined now.
As the book of closed sites won't arrive for a few days, I decided to exploit the value of utility and went into a 
book shop. Isn't it kind of them to provide leather sofas for you to relax on and read their books free of charge so you can find out what you need then leave without paying? Unfortunately, however, after 30 minutes of sitting and flicking, I was reaching the piss-taking stage and getting severe evils from the cashiers. The only useful book they had there was 'Camping France' by Michelin and it was so complicated for the first 30 minutes of flicking that I had no choice but to buy it. Another 11 quid on top of the 10 lifted from me by the Caravan Club.
Back in my office, I phoned a couple of sites I found in the the Michelin guide
book but they were closed too (even though the book said they'd be open). So I rang the Tourist office in Troyes who didn't speak any English but gave me the number of a site they thought was open. I phoned the site but the guy didn't speak much Englise, certainly not enough for me to work out exactly where he is, but enough to know that he is open and he is now expecting me to turn up on the 18th Dec. Somehow I had to work out who I spoke to, whether they can provide the comfort level acceptable to Mrs.F, where the hell it is and whether it's convenient to our route, failing which I'd have to find another play to stay. I decided to ask for help and put up a post on the Motorhome facts website hoping someone might recognise the place.
I also surfed the net and looked up as much info as I could find about 'Aires'. Seems the best thing I can do is get me hands on a publication called 'Guide Officiel des Aires de Services Camping-car (MODEL107)' I did that from the same website making the recommendation and was immediately relieved of another 8 quid.
book shop. Isn't it kind of them to provide leather sofas for you to relax on and read their books free of charge so you can find out what you need then leave without paying? Unfortunately, however, after 30 minutes of sitting and flicking, I was reaching the piss-taking stage and getting severe evils from the cashiers. The only useful book they had there was 'Camping France' by Michelin and it was so complicated for the first 30 minutes of flicking that I had no choice but to buy it. Another 11 quid on top of the 10 lifted from me by the Caravan Club.Back in my office, I phoned a couple of sites I found in the the Michelin guide
book but they were closed too (even though the book said they'd be open). So I rang the Tourist office in Troyes who didn't speak any English but gave me the number of a site they thought was open. I phoned the site but the guy didn't speak much Englise, certainly not enough for me to work out exactly where he is, but enough to know that he is open and he is now expecting me to turn up on the 18th Dec. Somehow I had to work out who I spoke to, whether they can provide the comfort level acceptable to Mrs.F, where the hell it is and whether it's convenient to our route, failing which I'd have to find another play to stay. I decided to ask for help and put up a post on the Motorhome facts website hoping someone might recognise the place.
I also surfed the net and looked up as much info as I could find about 'Aires'. Seems the best thing I can do is get me hands on a publication called 'Guide Officiel des Aires de Services Camping-car (MODEL107)' I did that from the same website making the recommendation and was immediately relieved of another 8 quid.
At roughly the same time that I realised how brilliant I am at being sold books to, I had a reply to my request for help on the website and was sent a link to the site I had rung earlier. It looks like it could meet 'our' requirements, but I sent them an email to double check the details I jotted down during my woeful conversation earlier. I was pleased to see a reply when I got home wishing me 'good travels' and pointing me to their website. I didn't tell Mrs. F that the websites claims "It is a halt privileged for all the tourists of passage who increasingly many become accustomed", I just showed her the video from the site which shows the rooms and breakfast which she may call on if needs be. Presently, her only concerns seem to be to ensure the children survive and that there will always be a hairdryer on tap! She doesn't seem to see how difficult this really is and how I'd probably find it easier and more familiar to be teaching Russian to tortoises.
Anyway, today's progress to report is that I have booked our first ever stopover. Well, when I say 'booked', I don't actually mean booked. There's been no exchange of funds (in fact I haven't got a Danny how much it's gonna cost) and I haven't received anything resembling a receipt with check-in instructions. What I mean is that there is a place somewhere near where we think we are going that might be able to offer us what we think we we need. Being greener than green tomatoes at this motor touring lark, I've no idea if I will be satisfied with or chastised for the selection I've ending up making. Either way, step one is now on the plan so it's time to get on with all the other things still left to do.
The rest of this week looks like it is going to be just a difficult and time consuming, but at least I'm still learning stuff and enjoying the challenge which is what this all about. The biggest thing I need to do still is to actually commit my 'list' into list form. Currently it's still in my head and I can't help thinking that I might miss something if I don't have a checklist to physically tick off everyday.
The rest of this week looks like it is going to be just a difficult and time consuming, but at least I'm still learning stuff and enjoying the challenge which is what this all about. The biggest thing I need to do still is to actually commit my 'list' into list form. Currently it's still in my head and I can't help thinking that I might miss something if I don't have a checklist to physically tick off everyday.
PS If anyone hasn't shifted any books recently and thinks I'm a soft target, please let me know what other books I need...
