Early 2010
We are now on our travels across Europe with the caravan, the plan being to stop at a few ski resorts en route back to Spain, and ski a bit here and there.
We had some problems the day before the start from our home in England with a mechanical failure of the toilet which created loads of stress. The problem was resolved at the very last moment; the very hour we were due to set off, the parts arrived. We then found, while camping at Folkston, that Arthur had not winterized the caravan and we had a burst hot water tank. So the next morning on the ferry to France, thanks to our new Dongle, we sent a frantic e-mail to the German dealer we’d bought it from, and when we arrived at his place on Friday morning, his staff were ready to leap into action. This is Europe’s largest centre for Hobby caravans and motor homes and is situated right by an exit off the A5 autobahn, dead easy to find. www.ernst-caravan.de if you are interested.
They just got the job completed before they shut for a two-hour lunch break and we were quickly on our way again down to Switzerland, where we stayed on a small campsite in a small ski resort. This enabled us to visit Peter and Sylvia and also had planned to ski here but the weather was poor so we didn’t.
On our way to Germany we had stopped at two camp sites in France, at Berny-Riviere and at Obernai. We have used the municipal site at Obernai before; it is excellent, nice heated sanitaires including an excellent washing up area, a decent electric hook-up, and just a short walk into a beautiful town. Not only that, but the toilets have seats on and there is toilet paper provided. You think that’s normal? No, not on French camp sites! Don’t forget the free included WI fi!!!
After leaving the Swiss village of Sattel, another day’s travelling got us down to the French Alps, and here we are on a very friendly little site just outside Morzine, nice and quiet until last night when we had an invasion of six British motor homes, full of families for some half term skiing. This place too is very good, with under floor heating in the showers and a warm room to leave skis and boots etc.
Having got the water system fixed, the extreme cold has knocked it out again and it is all frozen up! I have drained the parts that were not frozen and left all the taps open in the hope that our new hot water tank has not been dealt a death blow so soon after being fitted (less than a week!)
Yes, we can get by without hot and cold running water but it’s a real pain. We would not have wanted to try getting by without four wheel drive, it has been invaluable this trip.
We have had temperatures of minus 20 C here!!! Skiing this last week has been for the hardy with daytime temps of around minus 15C on the slopes here in Les Gets, within sight of Mont Blanc. We had poor visibility (and lots of snow fall) for three days which spoilt things a bit and we have changed plans a time or two during this trip and will possibly make another major change very soon. We have been glad of the thermal underwear, and yes, even the crash helmets, as they help to keep you warm. A bit of energetic skiing here and there has helped get the circulation going too.
We will stay here until Wednesday which is longer than our original plan, but then we may cut out our planned stop on the Italian border as bad weather is due there the same time as us. We may well push on to the Mediterranean coast then head for Andorra. Time will tell.
Tuesday 16th is Mardi Gras and we plan to go along to a firework display in the evening. We have been to several fireworks displays in France over the years, and have yet to attend one that starts less than an hour late, so we hope we won’t have to stand around in the cold too long this time. We shall see!
Tuesday
In the town of Morzine on the floodlit piste, there was a demonstration of old tyme skiing early in the evening, more accurately, the history of skiing through the years with different types of skis.
An entertaining 35 minutes at the end of which the commentators (one French, one English) said goodnight and the lights were turned out.
We wandered off to find the much hailed firework display by following the crowd who were obviously confused.
As we reached the town centre, the fireworks started on the ski slope that we had just left! You would believe that the French would do that wouldn’t you! The crowd all turned round and hurried back.
Wednesday February 17th and after a major change of plans, we are off to Narbonne on the Mediterranean coast. This is a day to tug our “house” 380 miles, of which 320 were on toll roads. The Brits hate paying 160 or so pounds per year road tax and the Americans hate the tolls they pay occasionally, but the French are in a class of their own with toll fees today of around 52 Euros for 320 miles, that’s 47 British pounds or 70 US dollars!
Now you know why we like to travel the Route Nationals. Today’s run was just too far to take the slower route and still arrive at the campground in daylight, hence our unusual use of the autoroutes.
We have moved to here because the weather was predicted to be rubbish in the ski resorts and so we are now a big chunk warmer (it’s 13°C plus instead of minus) and in a day or two will arrive in Andorra for a week to ski in glorious sun with a free lift pass for an old geezer like me. This will also get us back to Altea a bit earlier than expected.
The lasting impressions of Les Gets were the number of crash helmets being worn by all and sundry (but more notably the young and the retired) and also being given a demonstration of how to attack a steep slope by an eight year old who was truly awesome! Oh yes, and the whole experience was let down by the appalling state of the toilets. The French really need to learn how to look after the tourists if they want us to go back; we expect better than this.
Just one more small item that made me think in France. Propane gas is 26 Euros for 13 Kg and in Spain it is 12 Euros. On our caravan, we have one Spanish bottle and one French bottle. Perhaps we need to reconsider our strategy, but bearing in mind one can only buy Spanish bottles in Spain.
Saturday and after a break at Montpellier and the opportunity to discover that the water system wasn’t “mort”, it was time to push on across France and the Mediterranean coast before heading inland for the Pyrenean mountain range.
This was a lovely day to travel, bright sun and the snow on the mountains; we were soon set up in Andorra in our normal half hearted camp site but the best of a not very great bunch. Saturday is changeover day for hotels and so the roads into and out of Andorra were very busy with departing guests and arriving guests.
Andorra is a crazy country (principality to be accurate), you are either going uphill or downhill, there are NO level bits. Whenever these guys need more space for anything, they make level ground by hacking at the cliff face. I have predicted that they will soon cover over the river and build on the land. We had a little explore today (Sunday) as the cloud was covering the place. We were actually driving at over 8,000 feet altitude in several places. I cannot admire the scenery in Andorra, I find it a bit ugly but the skiing is superb.
We managed to get an internet connection at the Hotel Encamp and checked the weather forecast which proved to be a bit dismal. The only prospect we had was a good start to Monday and then deteriorating rapidly. We were up and on the pist early on Monday but by one o’clock it had all gone down the tubes and we retired.
Raining like crazy on the afternoon and we will be on the way home early on Tuesday, It’s quite a drive pulling our little house from here to Altea in Spain but we know that if we bash on relentlessly, we will be home by six (ish).
We have had fun on our tour but it was not a great holiday for skiing.
Must plan next years skiing a little better.
Cost 2500 miles at 25 mpg towing 100 gal at £5 m= £500 (this allows to return c/van to uk)
Camping 20 nights @ 20 = £400
Ferry crossings Folkstone/France £70
Ferry Roscoff/Plymouth £170
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