Our First Experience of Driving onto The Channel Tunnel
Zagan the motorhome has headed south to avoid the wrath of Storm Angus. He’s now sitting in a free aire in Montville in France (N49.54730, E1.07189), just north of Rouen.
Last night in the Canterbury aire it was like Zagan was in a dishwasher. He was bumped around by the wind from Storm Angus, but it was the noise from the rain that kept me awake. Think of frozen peas being thrown at a metal sheet, which is inches from your head. When our alarm went off at 7am this morning I was very bleary-eyed. But, in minutes we were up and at ’em. While Jay emptied the loo, I was blown over to the pay machine to cough up our £4 for the night – we’ll certainly be stopping there again. Canterbury town council deserve an award for being so welcoming to motorhomers, they put my own local council of Nottingham to shame. Recently there was a report in our local paper about a motorhoming couple from Germany who tried to visit our city. They couldn’t find anywhere to park their van because all the car parks have height barriers. Leaving it near a park and ride tram stop, it was stolen by the time they returned. Shame on Nottingham council for not providing anywhere for us to park, but an even bigger shame on the scumbags who stole their motorhome.
Anyway, back to today. Leaving Canterbury we were just half an hour from a new experience – The Channel Tunnel, Le Shuttle, or as I like to call it the Chunnel.
Normally we get the ferry when crossing La Manche, but I have always wanted to try the chunnel especially because it is guaranteed to be sea-sickness free. Because we took a long (for us) crossing home last month, from the Hook of Holland to Harwich, I decided to treat us to the chunnel for our trip back out. Sure it was a bit more expensive than the ferries at £105, including one dog, but boy was it worth it. With Storm Angus doing his worst to the south east of England, we couldn’t have timed it better.
When we arrived the ticket machine told us we could board the earlier ferry for no extra charge so, before 9am, we had driven into our compartment and were settling in with Charlie. As the gas had to be off we couldn’t go so far as making a brew (we’ll remember to take a flask next time), but we got a few jobs done in the van while we were whisked under the sea to France. We arrived bang on time and while there was some sort of comical convoy to get out of the station, which I don’t think is normal as we lost quite a few of the cars behind us, it was a breeze. I’m sold, I just need to convince Jay that it’s worth the extra.
Once our tyres hit French tarmac we headed south as fast as we could. Which in the end wasn’t very fast with the wind gusting around us. Descending a long 6% hill Jay still had to accelerate because we were going into the wind. However, as it’s Sunday, the roads were lorry free and quiet, so we made good progress.
Pulling into the aire I was surprised to see several motorhomes already parked up. Maybe I’ve spent too long being in quiet Scandinavia, but I was pretty sure the aires were empty when we’ve toured France in past winters. After a spot of lunch and a quick nap, for me, it was time to get back into our training. We’ve signed up to run the Marrakesh half marathon at the end of January, which was ages away when we agreed to it, but is worryingly close now. We’ve let things slip, a lot, over the past few months, but there can be no excuses. So, despite not wanting to go, I dragged myself out for 5km while Jay did just over 7km. Not quite race distance yet, but we’ll get there.
Our route took us around the small lake next to the aire, which was busy with families on a Sunday stroll with children feeding the geese and ducks. We then headed out around some back streets before coming back into the town centre where the aire is perfectly located. There’s one good thing about jogging, it does speed up sightseeing and helps you to get to know somewhere.
After many years of our goals being financially based, which has got us to the amazing place we are in, we’ve now changed our focus to our health and fitness. So there will be more runs, less chocolate and more fruit – arrrgh! It doesn’t sound great right now, but it will be worth it come the end of January, and beyond – bring it on!
Ju x
Glad you enjoyed the chunnel – I’m sure Charlie was happy too!
We always have a brew using our inverter and a travel kettle?
Enjoy guys, been following you a while now. Actually copying you, just not quite there yet. So big thanks for the inspiration and look forward to seeing what little adventures you get up to this time round.
Cheers Simon, glad we could help in any way. Cheers, Jay
Have fun! Wish you lots of courage with your new life style 😇
Montville is a great stop. Free WiFi and swimming pool next door. Recommend a visit to the Pompier Museum
Rocking & rolling down here in Millau last night too & still going! Any morning when I set off I fill a flask with hot water ready for a coffee stop without turning on gas – if not needed water can still be used for washing up later (oops, nasty blast, should have said will set off if still upright!) Have a safe journey!
Great to see you back on the road again. I am looking forward to living vicariously through you for the next 10 weeks, and then we’re off on our own adventure. Very much inspired by you both.
Cheers Tim!
Hi you two, glad to see your on the road and looking forward to spending the long Winter evenings following your adventures.
Is Zagan missing his wheel covers (Canterbury photo) or is it an illusion ?
Also, does Zegan have a door up front as per most Hymer A Class ? photos seem to suggest not, just wondered if there was a reason, hope you don`t mind me asking.
Eagle-eyed Chris! We lost a wheel trim in Italy, then I managed to order 16″ ones while back home when we need 15″. We’ll get a set on the road. The van was made with no front door, so we only have the habitation door. Thankfully the hinges on this van are much stronger than those on our old Dave! Cheers, Jay
We always use the Chunnel, so much better for Jack the Russell and us, just wonder why they charge £18 for the outward trip. Nice new check in on your return, just follow the paw prints on the road.
Have fun, you are a real inspiration to us ( we only manage 4 weeks away at a time )
Thanks for the kind words Richard, 4 weeks is still an impressive stint, more than most folks are able to do, take it easy, cheers, Jay
Hi
Good to see you two on the road again. I did a few years going back and forward on the Chunnel using Tesco points…..for free. You can bulk up the points from insurance, banking as well as food and petrol. Worth a look, all the best
Phil
Good info! Thanks Phil.
It’s nice to see you on your travels again. I would like to know if you have any fears etc about the changed conditions, with the emigration of thousands of people invading Europe. I know you have mentioned about Morocco, but what about the rest of France, and maybe, by now you are in Spain. I loved the freedom travelling and using Aires etc in Europe, but have become a bit apprehensive about my future use in France, and Spain. One hears so many stories about gassing etc, but have you found any such happenings. Being, an elderly motor home owner, with a likewise wife to take care of, I would like to know if my fears are correct. Take Care and have a safe journey.
Hi Brian. These kinds of fear are easy to understand. We were nervous about travelling to many of the countries we’ve visited after hearing on the news about high unemployment (this was just after the world financial crisis). The reality for us has been very different. I’ve heard of a few break ins, and road accidents, but have never come across anyone gassed or physically assaulted. I’m sure it happens (not the gas, which I am certain is a myth) but my suspicion is Europe is as safe as it has ever been. The most dangerous thing we do, statistically, is getting behind the wheel. Cheers, Jay
Lurve The Chunnel. Yes, it is a bit more expensive than the ferries.
However, the shorter journey means that we don’t spend money on eating on the ferry and we our expenditure in France comes sooner and is better quality and / or better surroundings.