Saturday:
Our usual early start saw us pick up the ‘van and head South. The route to the tunnel would be a little different this year as we would be using Wetherby services, our new preferred option for first stop, following by Grantham North, the same old dump and then a new stop, namely Baldock Services on the A1. Yes, instead of using the M11 and Birchanger, we would continue all the way to the M25 on the A1 and use Baldock. This we did, and although the A1 is harder work South of the A14, Baldock services is much better then Birchanger, numerous places to park and good access to fuel and not busy at all! Our future new route has now been set. We made it to the tunnel in good time and chose an earlier train, although this didn’t leave much time for toilet and coffee, so next time we will resist and opt for the booked train. On wards through France, A16, A26 and we soon concluded the first leg and arrive at our Aire for the night. The Aire was quiet this year and we had a good nights sleep.
Sunday:
The second leg went well with no incidents and we arrived at the campsite only 10 minutes off schedule (due to one extra Aire stop). We were warmly greeted and booked in, allocated the biggest pitch on the site and we left to set-up. The pitch is big but access is a little tight, we had to reverse the caravan in and then use the Mamut to position the ‘van as required. The views are simply stunning and the pitch is very private, unlike some of the others. The only downside was that the EHU and water were on a bollard located on the next adjacent pitch, but access was awkward via an undulating section. We hooked the electric up but sought water from another water point.
The awning went up and finally we were set. We finished the evening off with some more sandwiches and a drink and watched the sun set over the horizon. This looks like a nice site and we’re looking forward to exploring it and the surrounding area.
Monday:
We awoke rather early and headed for the showers to refresh after the weekends road trip here. The shower block is fairly small with three showers, 3 female toilets, 1 male toilet and some sinks. There is a washing-up area with sinks and a dish washer, I kid you not! Upon arrival we were given some tokens for said machine, not sure if we’ll use it though! Outside urinals and a CDP complete the set-up. Oh, the toilets have seats 🙂
Then off to the supermarket, a Super U just further along the N79. We got there and filled our bags with the usual, it’s quite amusing that we now know the layout of all Super U’s, each and everyone is the same. Bags packed we headed back to base. The temperature now reaching the mid 30’s, we took things a little slower and relaxed as the sun shone. I did find time to set the satellite up though for a fix of TV when shelter from the sun is required! The water situation was also rectified as I hooked up the water via the Ultraflow Waterline pipe, so we had a direct mains water supply to the caravan now.
We managed a little walk around the site once the sun’s intensity had relaxed. The layout of the site is good, with most pitches offering good privacy. A nice blend of pitches and statics, with most facilities being offered by the entrance behind reception. Although I did spot a ping-pong table near to our pitch, we will be visiting that on the odd occasion! Up by reception there is the swimming pool, bar/restaurant and also a little farm, that’s a first for us! Outside of the site across the road are playing fields for football/basketball/tennis etc. The town of Dompierre-les-Ormes is literally just a short walk down this road, so you have access to some shops and cafes by foot, we’ll be checking this out another day.
Tuesday:
Following a very hot night, we awoke not so early and enjoyed breakfast alfresco and pretty much relaxed in the glorious sunshine for the rest of the afternoon. Deciding to push my luck, I deployed Frodo in the awning to chill the beers, not sure on the amperage of the supply, it would either take it or trip it, can’t remember if it’s 10A or 16A. Pleased to say however that it is a 16A supply, so chilled beers it is, along with fan, computer & phone chargers etc.
A lot of pitches have been vacated today, one thing to note, the site is very quick to cut the grass on pitches departed, which is a good thing. I have to say, the site is looking top notch in our opinion so far.
Wednesday:
Weather still glorious, we stayed on site all day and just relaxed. Although I did wash the front of the ‘van, the rest will have to wait – far too hot!
Thursday:
Time to venture into the town of Macon – we haven’t been anywhere so far during this trip, so today we must make an effort, despite the heat (36 degrees!). We set off following a light breakfast, I’d chosen to park in the Supermarket Intermache, as I thought we’d do the sights and then return for some shopping. Well, how wrong could things go? Well, without doing too much planning, we set off and headed toward what I though would be the river. Alas, this turned out to be an industrial estate with no through access to the river. With the heat beating down on us, I returned to fetch the car and picked Cath up and then we headed further into town to eliminate any further walking. This we did but still Cath was beaten, so I headed on further solo and found the spot I was looking for, namely the bridge over the Saone, took some photos and then returned to find Cath in the bus shelter! Following which we did some shopping in said supermarket and then returned back to base. Needless to say we relaxed for the rest of the day in the 36 degrees heat.
Friday:
We took a small walk into the village of Dompierre-les-Ormes in the afternoon, nothing much to see really: cafe, bakery, pharmacist, tabac and a small groceries store along with the church of course. We soon headed back to camp, as everything was shut anyhow, it was midday after all! There are a few walks of differing lengths that can be undertaken from the site, so we might just tackle the small one sometime.
Saturday:
Relaxed all day, as Cath didn’t want to walk too far following the last couple of days. Weather still glorious, washed another side of the ‘van before retiring to the awning to watch some DVD’s, internet etc. We did install the awning strip protector however, so we’ll see if that helps reduce any black streaks or moss infestation within the awning rail.
Sunday:
Washed the rear of the ‘van and then .. relaxed!
Monday:
Another trip to the ‘Super U’ to restock on some essentials and fill the car. Got stuck behind an incoming caravan at 1.00pm at the site, when reception doesn’t open until 2.00pm, muppets! Cath did some washing and then we relaxed yet again. Weather a little cooler today with more of a cloud base, making a welcome change. And indeed it rained this evening, yeah!
Tuesday:
Another day in paradise, yes everything is dry following the rain yesterday and we’re back up in the 30’s. We headed into the village again to get the thimble and some paracetamol. Following which we did some cleaning and then relaxed for the rest of the day again.
Wednesday:
We went for a walk into the village for a couple of food items, but again the weather wasn’t great and upon our return, we were caught in one almighty downpour, drenched to the skin!
Thursday:
Time to take the awning down, again weather not good, so we waited for a break in the rain clouds and then proceeded. We did our best to displace the earwigs and ants and then packed everything away ready for tomorrow’s departure.
Friday:
The journey back North began, nothing untoward, weather still poor but we eventually arrived at our Aire for the night. We had quite a it of time to kill and with the poor weather, made for a first where we wouldn’t be sitting outside watching the day descend. We got through it however and set to sleep for the night.
Saturday:
Early start and chewed the the A26 until we reached the tunnel. Again, major security disruptions, this time police checking for explosives. The queues backed up and we ran short of time, after battling with some queue dodging coaches. We managed the quickest toilet stop ever and then boarded the train. The weather in England was actually very good, much better than the dark and dingy skies of Northern France! We did the same three rest break stops, again all good and will be our three of choice from now on. After a long day, we got the ‘van back in storage and headed home for a shower and a curry.
The site was an excellent choice. Very good facilities: Bar, restaurant, games room, swimming pool, golf, tennis, ping pong, playground, farm, library and fishing pond. Toilet blocks are always clean. Pitches, mixed bag here, some very big, some quite small and awkward, even some of the premium pitches. EHU was 16A along with water point, although on our pitch 63, it was very awkward to access. Staff very friendly and the village within walking distance is a nice bonus. Easy access to the Autoroutes: Macon, Cluny, Taize just on the doorstep. Well worth a visit.
- Date: 17th June 2017
- Nights: 12
- Pitch #: 63
- GPS: 46.363711, 4.474622
- M20 > Eurotunnel
- N79 > D41 > Les Meuniers
- A16 > Eurotunnel