Weekend to the south (ish) of France

[Count Steer]

I think my main objection is the 4:30 arrival time.... it's just not a civilised time of day.

I had no idea such a time existed. It sounds most uncivilzed.

<deep gruff voice> It was a time of myth and legend, it was 4.30am </dgv>

[mangocrazy]

What dates are you planning this trip for? I'm going to be at the gaff in the SofF from mid-April to mid-May...

[mangocrazy]

I think my main objection is the 4:30 arrival time.... it's just not a civilised time of day.

I had no idea such a time existed. It sounds most uncivilzed.

I've seen it quite often from the North, but very rarely from the South

[dern]

What dates are you planning this trip for? I'm going to be at the gaff in the SofF from mid-April to mid-May...

Mid May. Hopefully it’ll be warm.

[dern]

I’ve checked a few ferries and I think I’d rather ride and camp half way. I still like camping a lot so am happy doing that and riding is preferable to sitting on a boat full of people.

[mangocrazy]

What dates are you planning this trip for? I'm going to be at the gaff in the SofF from mid-April to mid-May...

Mid May. Hopefully it’ll be warm.

In most years, mid-May is the perfect time/temperature. Not stupid hot, but sunny day in English summer warm. However I did encounter snow one year in early May on the Massif Central...

I think we go back around May 10/11 so will probably miss you by a few days.

[Dodgy69]

I’ve checked a few ferries and I think I’d rather ride and camp half way. I still like camping a lot so am happy doing that and riding is preferable to sitting on a boat full of people.

I'm doing some camping this year and have been making some purchases. Tent and sleeping bag aside.

Micro fibre towel...small, light, quick dry.

Self inflating mat...packs small, no pump.

Water boiling mugs...Kelly's kitchen twin pack...no need for kettle,

Gas cannisters... Colemans screw on from Halfords, cheapest at mo.

I know you're pretty sorted in the camping department, but those top 3 I've never bothered with before and could possibly make life easier, for me anyway.

[dern]

Nice. I've got most things now, I just need a decent air pad. I have self inflating mats and they're pretty good but this year I'm going to invest in something that'll work when it's cooler.

Bought a new tent this year and love it. It's a Helm Compact 1 and packs up extremely small and light to go on the bike.

[Yorick]

We always travelled light

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[dern]

There's no way I'd attempt bike camping with my wife. She nearly passed out carrying her stuff across a field at Glastonbury a few years back. To be fair it was hot but still.

[Noggin]

I think my main objection is the 4:30 arrival time.... it's just not a civilised time of day.

I agree I'm starting work tomorrow at 5.15 so getting up at 4.30 latest Just totally not civilised!!

[dern]

All booked. Staying here Thursday night and Sunday night... https://europe.huttopia.com/en/site/les-chateaux/. I've stayed at these places before and they're always clean, have a bar, usually have a pool and somewhere to eat.

It's about 2.5 hours to Folkstone, an hour over the channel and 5 and a bit hours to the campsite leaving me with 4 hours in the morning to be there Friday lunchtime. Leave after sunday lunch, camp and the Monday travelling back to the uk. Can't wait.

[Scootabout]

If you have the time, there are good D roads between the A10 and A20 that would make a change from the motorway. I used them a few years ago and can't remember exactly which roads I took, but the D675 looks from the map as if it might have been one of them.

[Demannu]

Christ, that's 3 hours south of my gaffe!
Best anyone has done to my place is 6hrs from Caen, double shift driving with just 2 pee stops.
If you use the peage, remember they check your time in/out of the booths, so if give it some, expect to get waved in for a €130 chat. No idea of the range of your bike, but guessing you'll need at least 4 stops, leg stretch, coffee etc so realistically a min 10 HR slog each way.
Then back again

[Yorick]

Christ, that's 3 hours south of my gaffe!
Best anyone has done to my place is 6hrs from Caen, double shift driving with just 2 pee stops.
If you use the peage, remember they check your time in/out of the booths, so if give it some, expect to get waved in for a €130 chat. No idea of the range of your bike, but guessing you'll need at least 4 stops, leg stretch, coffee etc so realistically a min 10 HR slog each way.
Then back again

I thought was old wife's tales.
Coz you could swap drivers half way.

[Demannu]

Christ, that's 3 hours south of my gaffe!
Best anyone has done to my place is 6hrs from Caen, double shift driving with just 2 pee stops.
If you use the peage, remember they check your time in/out of the booths, so if give it some, expect to get waved in for a €130 chat. No idea of the range of your bike, but guessing you'll need at least 4 stops, leg stretch, coffee etc so realistically a min 10 HR slog each way.
Then back again

I thought was old wife's tales.
Coz you could swap drivers half way.

In France, the owner of the vehicle is always liable!

[dern]

I got a 90E fine for not slowing down fast enough at the toll booth a few years ago. There were signs counting down on the approach.

[Scootabout]

And this where I remind folk that the speeding margin is 5 kph for fixed speed cameras and 10 kph for mobile ones. Or at least it was when I last checked.