Category: News & General

Speed Limits Are Changing on 400,000km of French Roads

Published on by Paul Hickman

From 1st July 2018 Speed limits are changing from 90Km/h(56mp/h) to 80Km/h(50mp/h)

Needless to say, The French don’t seem too impressed.
Here is an article in the Guardian with more details
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/jan/10/france-cuts-speed-limit-rise-deaths

And More from the RAC
https://www.rac.co.uk/drive/travel/driving-abroad/speed-limits-in-france/

 

The change applies only to the French version of our A & B roads it does not apply to Motorways which have a higher limit of either 110 or 130 Km/h and roads in towns which have a lower limit.

This even though it’s only a 6mph difference will will significantly increase travel times over the vast distances of French countryside.
The change is being introduced to improve road safety and you can bet that the French Police will revel in the chance to hand out a few more fines. Remember speeding fines are an on the spot fine for foreign motorists and could see a return to the days when us foreign truckers used to have to carry as much cash as you could, to pay the fines that at one time you were guaranteed to receive.

So watch your speed in France this summer. If your car has cruise control and or a speed limiter use it! It only takes a small lapse and it could well get expensive!

It’s not going to stop us heading to our favourite campsite in the far South.

Snowdonia Ultimate 3 in 1 Coat Product Review

Published on by Paul Hickman

Being campers in the UK means 2 things. You WILL GET WET! You WILL GET COLD!

These are 2 inescapable facts, so to combat this we campers go in search of things to combat these facts. Namely warm and dry clothing, also heat and alcohol work too but this is a review of a coat!

In the summer I needed a lightweight waterproof coat as yes it does rain in summer, especially in the Both West, so I spent the amazing sum of £120 of my very own pounds on a Helly Hansen Vancouver jacket, and I was very impressed. It did exactly what it said in the label.

So along comes winter and I realise that my old 3 in 1 Coat is looking a bit shabby and could do with reproofing. I washed itinerary the required technical washing solutions but it still didn’t look too great it was however waterproof again.

Time for a new winter coat.

Now I am not exactly small in stature or in girth so off I went to Jacamo website where I found some coats in my size all claiming to be warm and waterproof.

I ordered 2 to try a Helly Hansen and a Colombia at almost £200 each!

They both got sent back. The Helly Hanson was too short and the Columbia was too big but it was promising. However no smaller size was available.

Enter the Snowdonia Ultimate 3 in 1. Most of these jackets have a waterproof outer and a fleece zipped inside. This has a down type padded jacket zipped inside and was only £100. What had I to loose. I knew the coats were ok as my old 3 in 1 was a Snowdonia too.

It arrived and I tried it on in the kitchen over a t shirt. In 2 minutes I had to take it off I was boiling!

The inner and outer come down long enough at the back to keep my bum warm and the outer material feels good quality. I decided this was the keeper.

It’s billed as waterproof, windproof, breathable and warm. Windproof, waterproof and warm I can concur as that very night was blowing a gale and lashing it down so I wore it to go to my gig. I never even noticed the wind and the rain didn’t bother it at all. The inner jacket collar comes all the way up inside the outer jacket collar and is padded all the way to keep your neck nice and cosy.

This is a fab coat available in sizes up to 5xl so an average family of 4 could probably camp in it quite comfortably.

Saying Goodbye

Published on by Paul Hickman

I know I’ve been very quiet for some time and I’s sorry for that.

I have had quite a lot going on in the latter part of 2017 which concluded on Christmas Day when I lost my Mum.
Mum was diagnosed with Lung Cancer in March. She decided to have treatment even though she had been told it would only prolong the inevitable.

So today we say goodbye to Mum. Today is her funeral. My brother and I have been caught in the red tape that surrounds  these things. Mum had to have an Autopsy which delayed things, so it’s been a whole month since she passed away until we can finally lay her to rest.

So there has not been any camping and to rectify this and to enable us to get a break away from everything that has been going on and to enable us to reconnect.

It also gives us an opportunity to try out our first Caravan and Motorhome Club site so look out for our review of Chester Fairoaks Club Site

Caravan Withdrawal

Published on by Paul Hickman

Yep I’m convinced I’m suffering withdrawal. Not because we decided to put the van to bed for the winter, we conciously decided not to do that. We will use the van all year! Well it seems that my have been a little optimistic.

Continue reading “Caravan Withdrawal” →

Smithills Open Farm Day Out

Published on by Paul Hickman

It’s a Farm. A bit like Old McDonald’s Farm but with Meerkats! Smithills Open Farm is or was on a large estate in Bolton dominated by Smithills Hall. A well known hotel Smithills Coaching House was part of the estate but sadly this seems to be a housing estate now. The management has visited with a class from the school where she works and found it enjoyable and so persuaded me we should go. Continue reading “Smithills Open Farm Day Out” →

Squeezing in a cheeky weekend

Published on by Paul Hickman

Some friends, Rose & Derek suggested we get together on a campsite soon. We agreed it was a great idea! And said we will make a plan and get back to them.

Well it was not looking hopeful! Upon consulting our diary it was looking very bleak for getting away in the van this side of Christmas, with my Trumpet playing commitments and kids moving out, and life in general. I identified the weekend of November 11th. Rememberance weekend. I’m usually busy playing the Last Post somewhere and it’s an honour to do it but I’ve not been booked yet so I could miss one year right? No the booking came it so that weekend is out.

Continue reading “Squeezing in a cheeky weekend” →

Summer Eurotunnel Crossing Video

Published on by Paul Hickman

Here is the video of our night time Eurotunnel Crossing

Easy. Follow us from the car park all the way to the French Autoroute.

Exiting the Eurotunnel From the Caravan’s View

Solving Air Locked Water System

Published on by Paul Hickman

So this weekend we had terrible problems getting water running in the van.

I tried everything. Thought we had a leak.

Continue reading “Solving Air Locked Water System” →

The Last Bank Holiday 2017

Published on by Paul Hickman

Apart from the 2 at Christmas of course.

We had an eventful trip to the south of France as I hope you have read, if not you can find it here. So with the last bank holiday I really wanted to make the most of it and get away.

I’ve been reading for weeks on social media of people being disappointed to not get a pitch as sites are full. With this in mind I turned to the C&CC website to find somewhere. It didn’t need to be far, it didn’t need to be glamorous or have lots of facilities, so after finding the local club sites full I started looking at CS sites. Continue reading “The Last Bank Holiday 2017” →