Gaslow Payback Calculator

This content has moved

Click Here

To be taken to the correct page for the Gaslow Payback Calculator

Sorry! :-)

Mont St. Michel

 

 

 

We decided after Paris that we wanted to see something worthwhile before
traveling home for Christmas so we made our way to Mont St. Michel on
the north coast.

When we arrived there were no clouds in the sky so we parked the camper
up at the aire which was separated off in the car park which fortunately
gave us an incredible view. We had a wander round in and out the little
streets which led up to the abbey on top before it got dark and we also
managed to take some quite nice shots of the sun setting.

This morning we walked up the steps to the top of the abbey, not much of
a view from the top just sand really but the best park about Mont St.
Michel is the outside and the history of construction which has been
carried out through the centuries to make it was it is today.

We are now on our way to Rouen to an aire right in the city centre, we
will explore Rouen tomorrow then maybe head for Amiens for our last full
day in France before returning.
Enjoy the photos!

Paris Day 2

 

 

 

 

Paris Day 1

 

 

 

Our first day in Paris started later then planned due to the bad weather. We made our way from the campsite to the bus stop, walking on the side of the road without a footpath at rush hour was... interesting! We got to our bus stop and on the the Metro. There was a huge que for the ticket machine, at least 30 or so people so we joined. We hoped to get a day pass like we have in other capitals, but no luck - we had to get tickets which were valid per journey. We got 20 of them!

Our first stop was the Notre Dam Cathedral - well it has to be doesn't it? We probably did our trip the wrong way around, this one should have been first! We then made our way into the shopping district and and some of the stores to keep out of the rain. We eventually took refuge in a Starbucks as we got our bearings and then had a wander around Luvre. Hopefully the weather will be a bit better tomorrow to take in more of the sites! The traffic in Paris is certainly interesting - and it's true what they say about the parking - it's pretty wild!

Strasbourg

 

  

Last night we crossed the border into France having followed the Rhine

down as far as we could. We wanted to stay at a French Passion site

again as we missed their hospitality and choose one in Cleebourg. When

we arrived we wern't sure if it was open but after pulling back a huge

oak wooden door we found a bar area and lots of locals sampling the

wines - who were we to argue? We sampled a few glasses and found a white

we both really liked and took it back to the camper where we spent the

night round the back of the building www.cave-cleebourg.com. In the

morning we decided we liked the wine so much we went back in and bought

a case to bring home!

Today we have visited Strasbourg which was lovely - so much history and
old buildings to see - something which Germany lacked a little. The
Christmas market was huge but a bit 'naff' compared to the hand made
crafts of Germany - although there were a few biscuit stalls. One thing
we have missed from France.... bread!!

We've just picked up some Wifi on our way to Metz so are posting a few
pics of Strasbourg - we'll be in Paris in a few days.

Rhine Valley

 

 

Quick update with some pics of the Rhine Valley... the pic with the
camper & castle is where we stayed last night.... watch out for a more
wordy post soon!

Cochem - Mosel Valley

 

 

Just a quick update of where we stayed last night near Cochem and part
of our journey today in the Mosel Valley on our way to Koblenz as we've
managed to pick up some Wifi where we've stopped for lunch! There are so
many aires in this area it is unreal - I can't imagine how busy it would
be in summer - I'd imagine it would rival the lake district!

Luxembourg

  

Just a few pictures of Luxembourg - we stayed there a couple of hours -
was just like any small European town - hard to believe it is a capital!

Brussels

We stayed the night at a free aire just outside Brussels in Grimbergen where behind us there was a great little bakery which was open at 8:30 when we left for Brussles - fresh Pan Aux Choc's for our breakfast and bread rolls for our lunch! We made our way to the Atomium as the sun was rising - see the above pictures. We then headed for the city centre - we had decided to try and get parked as close to the centre as possible as there were no camp sites or aires near to train or bus stations to use public transport. As luck would have it on our first lap round we pulled
into an on street space just 5 minutes walk from the Grand Palace - the main attraction! We were treated to blue skies for the first hour until it clouded over and grew cold.

We spent 3 hours walking round the sights - although unfortunately some  of them were a little further afield so we had to miss out the EU Parliament building and one or two others. We also happened upon a slightly more seedy area behind the train station while cutting through - I thought we was walking past an underwear shop when suddenly the manikin moved - it was hookers in a great big window - it was like being back in Amsterdam!

On the way out of Brussels en route to Luxembourg we filled up with LPG  (35c/L) and Diesel (82c/L), at the same service station we found something we haven't been able to find since England..... Bacon! Three rashers for 2euro! Brussels is pretty expensive for everything except fuel it seems - we've not done a food shop since Germany, except for bread and milk.

We're currently at a camp site just over the border in Steinfort 11miles from the capital and will be the last campsite we'll be on until Paris - so we've made use of the hot showers and did what we hope to be our last load of washing.

Hannover, Munster & Cologne

 

 

When we drove into Hannover it was throwing it down with rain so we had a quick ride round the city to see the main attractions as it was quite

early in the morning. We stopped outside the Rathaus, which we now know to mean 'town hall', and took a few photos.

The bad weather was persistent so we made our way to Munster where we the Christmas market had just started. When we arrived we discovered the Christmas market was the largest we have come across so far and it was heaving with coach parties. The market seemed to wind its way through all the little streets and squares near the Rathaus, lots of stalls were selling Christmas punch and Bratwursts (We are trying not to buy one at every Christmas market we go to!)

We had decided to drive down to Cologne before heading to the
Netherlands so we made our way in that direction. When we arrived at the Aire about 2km up the river from the centre of Cologne we were astounded by the number of UK registered campervans - at least 20 or so! We payed 8 Euro including electric and while setting up we got talking to a couple who told us about an Aire in Brugge which will come in handy inthe next week or so.

As it was so busy we decided the best way to get into Cologne would be to take the bikes down the cycle path that runs right next to the river from the Aire for about 2 miles. It was very cold but only took us about 20 minutes to bike into the centre. There I managed to find an new fitted coat from H&M!

Bruges

 

 

  

We woke up this morning to the sound of rain - and most of the other
campers here at the aire buggering off! It's a walking boots and big
coats day ....

We caught the bus into the centre which only took 5 minutes, there were
lots of English buses where we stayed the night and this was also
evident in the centre too. The houses and shop fronts were charming and
the canals meandered through the streets. However, it seemed quite
touristy with the cafe's showing off their Michelin stars in the windows
There was also speakers all over the place in the main square but also
down the little side streets with 'Proper Crimbo' playing which kind of
spoilt the mood and Bruge didn't need these things which we thought let
the city down.

Other than that the little Belgium chocolate shops were lovely and in
one you could see the truffles being made. There were lots of little
cafe's and lace shops too. It was very wet and rainy but we managed to
take a few good photos of the nicer aspects of Bruges.