Days 1 & 2 – Home to Norfolk to Bessines-sur-Gartempe

5th and 6th September

Drove south on a Sunday which meant lighter traffic on the A66 to Scotch Corner, but once off the the motorway at Newark it was pretty slow with weekend trippers. Having said that, I was 10 minutes later than predicted, arriving mid afternoon to my brothers’ to enjoy a walk with the dogs, and some drinks on the veranda with the highly reputed ‘fish pie’.

A minor panic at the van sockets not working was soon calmed after its maker advised the alternator switch was most likely off, from a one-bar signal in the Highlands. I have had, and continue to have, excellent service from him.

I managed to get on the road at 8, and a brief wrangle with the Dartford Crossing system, the vehicle plate was still showing as it’s previous owner, the journey was a smooth one, arriving into Folkestone to collect the dog certificate just after 11, then taking a walk up Castle Hill on the southern edge of the Downs, before checking in at the Tunnel.

Following Brexit, the dog passport which cost £50 annually, has now been replaced by a ‘Certificate’ for each trip, and for which my vet quoted £180. They subsequently directed me to the online service, with collection at Folkestone, for £98.

Last time I crossed with Eurotunnel, early September last year on the way to the Pyrenees and Picos, it was almost completely empty, but today seemed almost back to normal.

It was to be a long day of driving. Last year I went stage by stage steadily down through the French mountains, so they were of less interest this year.

Thanks to Test Match Special, though we were defeated, and the quick and efficient French motorways, the hours passed without much concern, and I stopped for the night at a roadside Auberge, just off the motorway, and just north of Limoges, just before they closed at 9 pm. A couple of beers, and the day’s menu, pate, meatballs and mash, was much appreciated, and cheap. Along with one other campervan, I stayed in their shaded car park.