Sunday 14 July 2013

We have found that the best way of dealing with the Channel crossing is to do it later in the day then stop on the French side so with a 1650 train booked, it was an easy start and a steady run to Folkestone, stopping for lunch at a very hot Thurrock.

We prefer the Channel Tunnel for a number of reasons; it is quicker than the ferry, Bren doesn't like boats and most importantly it doesn't cost us anything. OK, we have to spend to get the Tesco vouchers but we do anyway so as far as we are concerned it’s free.

Although they were quite busy, we were checked onto the train before our booking and the 35min crossing seemed to pass in no time. However the time difference meant arrival was after six p.m. so rather than push on we decided to overnight at the Calais Plage Aire, refuelling at Auchan on the way.

July 14 is, of course, Bastille Day, a fact which we had overlooked and the Plage Aire was closed, as we were later to learn, for the celebrations. Nevertheless we were directed to the Marina just around the corner where we joined some 100 other vans of all nations and settled down for the evening. Later, as it got dark and cooled off, we noticed crowds of people apparently heading for the beach-side. Then just around 11.00 p.m. we were treated to a superb firework display, right in front of us, that went on for a good half hour. What a nice welcome to France! (Sorry, the cameras couldn't manage so no photies.)

Once finished it very quickly quietened down and we retired to a peaceful night.