Earlier on today Steve and I discussed our writing styles and we decided mine is more diarised and his is more story telling.  As it takes longer to put fiction together than fact, I am the editor of our first blog.  My first blog is probably quite like my photographic skills – enthusiasm over technique.  Anyway, here goes my summary of our first day on what I am sure will be another exciting adventure .

It was an early start, probably a little short of getting up before we went to bed, but we managed to get out of bed at 4:10am following only two of the 5 alarms we had set between us, with the intention of waving au revoir to Salamanca for at least six weeks.  We’d packed yesterday (way more space in our new Caravan for food and clothes) and were hitched and on our way by 5:20am.  Did I mention we had a motor mover fixed to our caravan? It’s cranked into place against the caravan’s two wheels and then Steve (toys for boys) has a remote control which connects with the motor mover to move it into place.  In our case, this morning, to the back of the Discovery parked bang in the middle of Salamanca. Gone are the days of ‘over to me’, ‘over to you’,  I said ‘over to me’ and a lot of huffing and puffing. We didn’t think any of our neighbours would be up and need the road, but having never been up by 5am before was unaware of the Salamanca Speeding Milkman to our neighbours at no 7.  Despite the Milkman’s deft two wheel wheelie in his milk wagon to miss the Discovery and Caravan it all worked fine.

As I settled into my seat, it was amidst a spaghetti junction of wires with every cigarette lighter used to the full.  Steve had fitted a web cam to the front windscreen and also a wifi rear view mirror which worked from the back of the caravan with our phones on charger points from the rear seats. The cam has audio recording too and I’m happy to report that Team Wilph works so well, the audio recordings do not need censoring nor editing.  The rear view mirror is really clever.  It sees what’s behind the caravan, an incredible aid to wing mirrors and guess work.

Thankfully, despite threats of the M3 closed between J11 and J12, our trip to Poole was uneventful.  We had enough time to fill the tank with diesel before we checked into the port.  Looking at the queues of vehicles we were surprised that we were the only ones with a caravan, with others on their travels in Motor Homes and cars.

Having settled Stella in the caravan for the crossing, we boarded our new Brittany Ferry delighted that it was almost empty; meaning the queue for full English breakfast wasn’t too long.  However, the French waiter tried to help by suggesting those only wanting croissants could by-pass the queue for English breakfast.  But the queue was full of English, including us, and we weren’t going anywhere without our eggs, bacon, sausages, hash browns, eggs and toast.  OK Steve did have the full English but anyone who knows me, I don’t do breakfast until I wake up which is at least 11am. I did consider whilst waiting in the queue eyeing up the morning’s menu asking for the Kid’s one, more for the surprise gift than the food, but the fried eggs looked too good.  

Through breakfast, with the sun shining upon us, we looked at a £25 voucher I’d got off Brittany Ferries last year, only just discovering it had an expiry date of December 2017.  Bugger!  I visited Customer Services, who despite Steve’s ‘good luck with that’ warning, came up trumps and extended the life of my voucher so we could shop in duty free.  That was the good news.  The bad news is that the voucher couldn’t be used booze or perfume, and by the time you took out chocolate, sweets and trinkets, what was left must have been the most reduced duty free ever. After careful consideration I stocked up on Mascara (every girl’s essential) and Steve bought a Dordogne Guide Book.  Satisfied with our purchases we settled into very comfortable reclining seats to recover from our early start. 

It wasn’t long before we both nodded off and coming round we woke up to sunshine through the window.  How good does life get? After a few minutes chat I managed to persuade Steve to accompany me to the café to stock up on sugar.  I thought we could do with the energy for Steve to drive and me to co pilot the rest of the day’s drive.  We chose a coffee éclair to share.  It was delicious. Before you go ‘aw’ and think of Lady and the Tramp, it was more Steve looking at the price list and to quote he wanted gastronomic, not astronomic!  

The few passengers we could see were lorry drivers, a couple of young families and then the silver fox brigade.  I was trying to match up the clothes to the ages of the Motor Homes.  Not too difficult.  Anyway, being sociable and chatting to one or two, would you believe, everyone one was aiming for Spain.  Damn, it took that long for me to click we were one of the great retirees too.  Obviously much younger though.

The 4 ½ hour trip was totally pleasurable, and leaving the harbour we chose to ignore our sat nav, which gave an estimated 6 ½ hr drive time and follow the road signs.  I was lost as I didn’t have a map to follow but knew we were aiming for Caen, Le Mans and then Tours.  Driving through Cherbourg I noticed the architecture and stunning florists with amazing colourful displays outside their shops.  There was no doubt we were in France.

Leaving Cherbourg, we were on the N13 when I noticed there were several WW1 cemeteries.  They were English, German, Civilian and American – in particular Omaha Beach.  I could see the tours with their guides and coaches and took time to reflect how lucky we are today.  We did consider starting our adventure with a tour of the beaches but none of the campsites are open until at least March, so we’ll hopefully be able to tour them on our return journey.  Can you believe it? Next year is the 75 anniversary of the landings.

About an hour and a half into the drive, we pulled over to a service layby to give Stella a run and for us to rearrange the contents of the car.  Much easier in daylight when awake, then way too early in morning with eyes not focusing. Having the luxury of towing our mobile chalet behind us we were able to take comfort breaks and refresh before the final drive.  I settled back into the co-pilots seat with a sandwich, drink, mobile phone on charge, reading glasses, sun glasses and a map.  So simple to please. 

From my fully charged mobile, I called the campsite in Tours that we hoped to check into, to be told their Reception closes at 6pm but they would leave a key for our anticipated arrival around 7:30/8ish.  We drove through the sunshine, rain, heavier rain and darkness descending requiring both of us giving full attention to directions.

Around 7:45pm we arrived safely at Camping Tours Val de Loire, about a mile from the town centre.  The lovely Receptionist I spoke to had literally left our key card under the door mat and, with the site practically empty, we chose our own convenient spot.  Set up was quick.  Steve did everything outside in the rain, I did everything inside in the dry.

We celebrated Steve’s safe driving with Steve’s first beer and Team Wilph with a marvellous Sauvignon Blanc called Mussel Pot.