France

France is a lovely country for travelling in a motorhome. Pleasant countryside. Easy parking. Quiet. We drifted across France without much effort as we settled back into living in Baloo.
Our normal routine is typically to drive a few hours a day. Mornings are for cleaning out the truck, fixing things, sorting out emails and occasionally baking bread. We also plan the route for the day. This is often a very superficial exercise and can sometimes be no more involved than choosing a direction.

  • Setting off in a clean, shiny truck
  • We don’t usually fit into a space in the supermarket car park
  • Fresh bread for breakfast

After a few hours driving, we arrive. Sometimes we just spot somewhere nice. Often we use Apps and guide books to try to identify a good parking spot. Sometimes we need to try a few places before the ideal pitch presents itself. Generally, we avoid campsites and commercial camper van stops. Baloo is remarkably self-sufficient: power, heating, water, cooking. We have a lovely bathroom with a shower and even if we use the washing machine, we still only need to take on water every few weeks. Our ideal site is quiet and possibly quite remote. Somewhere to walk the dog, enjoy the views and relax in the evening. My personal favourites have been on the top of mountains or cliffs.
Not far from Bordeaux we met up with Pete. I have known Pete since I was a teenager and we have had many adventures together on the cliffs, mountains and ski slopes of the world. He is pottering around France in his one-man camper van so we travelled together for a few days.

Pete suggested a visit to the Millau viaduct. Built in 2004 it is, at 336m, still one of the highest bridges in the world. A few years ago, I watched a fascinating documentary about its construction and had been interested in seeing it ever since. Diane and I hopped on the bike to have a look around both ends of the bridge and then eventually we drove Baloo over the main deck. Actually crossing the bridge is a bit of an anti-climax.  The carriageways are well away from the edge of the deck and there is a substantial fence. The view is limited and you do not really get a sense of the height.

We waved goodbye to Pete and continued to trek south.

6 thoughts on “France”

  1. Hi Simon and Diane. Excellent pictures as usual, the Millau viaduct is something I’ve wanted to see for some time, I think I saw the same documentary where they pushed the bridge deck out using hydraulic rams and it met with other side in the middle. Other Ian has settled in to Keepers cottage, his little boy George loves the place! Nothing else to say about Longdendale apart from it seems to have rained every day for the last six months. Safe travels, looking forward to your next update. Ian x

    1. Hi Ian and Ian. Hope you are both keeping well. Yep, must be the same documentary. I found the way they pushed the deck fascinating and vertiginous. It really is scarily high.
      Of course it rains a lot in Longdendale – that’s why they built a reservoir there (this was explained to me many many times when we were there). Really pleased the cottage is working out. All the best, Simon & Diane

    1. Hope all is well with you. Last night I was explaining to my sisters, via WhatsApp, where the Penguin cocktail shaker came from and we ended up toasting Dave.
      Take care S&D

  3. France is so nice, you may not get to Marocco for some time 😎. We are in Lanzerote at the moment. I’ve told Justine that if we come here next time I’ll be travelling down on the GS. Via Morocco if possible 😊

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