Whither Dither
38 replies
replied on 02/05/2022 12:59
Posted on 02/05/2022 12:27 byWTG
Re Red Pennant I remember your problems with them and followed you in taking up C&CC insurance even though it meant joining. The cover seemed better and cheaper but after a couple of years and having shelled out around £300 for trips that didnt take place I decided in light of thier behaviour over Covid to return to RP and cancelled C&CC membership as they dont have anything I need now.
allanandjean replied on 02/05/2022 14:27
Posted on 02/05/2022 09:45 byAD and allanandjean:
The “destination” is The Journey – a Road Trip if you like. That’s how we “get the best” out of a trip. We don’t aim at an end place and pitch up, but head for an area in which we tour. Don’t like somewhere? Drive on. We like making discoveries. Serendipity.
Posted on 02/05/2022 14:27
That's one approach, and will clearly work well with a MH, but when towing setting up makes moving on a little more demanding and holds no appeal on a frequent basis.
One advantage of the old V new is that the old is a known quantity and if your research is reasonable you shouldn't have too many stops that leave you wanting to-well, leave.
1 person likes this
allanandjean replied on 02/05/2022 14:40
Posted on 02/05/2022 09:45 by cyberyachtI'm a planner, usually with stopovers marked out. Finally heading for a much postponed trip to Annecy in a couple of weeks although, given the lack of differential in fuel price, a more direct route rather than via Luxembourg. Coming back is a bit fuzzier and will "see how it goes".
Planning is always fun even if you change it all.
Posted on 02/05/2022 14:40
Jean has been known to comment that I get as much enjoyment from the planning as the trip!
I have pointed out that much as I enjoy the planning, and what a boon the internet is for that, its really a necessity as she wants to know the 'where and whens' of any trip-saying "I am not sure lets see" is not an option!
We did consider a MH a few years ago, with the thought of off the cuff trips being easier, but even if we had neither of us are interested in the 'nomadic' move on, move on that others prefer and enjoy.
1 person likes this
Wherenext replied on 02/05/2022 15:31
Posted on 02/05/2022 15:31
I agree with much of what you have said Allan.
It is much more difficult to have to roam where one wants to with a caravan than a Motorhome, plus I don't want to waste quite a bit of my time waiting for sites to open so I can deposit a caravan. M/Hs can turn up at any time of night and also have the advantage of Aires.
We like to have some form of structure to the trip. A lot of our enjoyment comes from our hobbies which are mainly based around nature, walking and cycling. So we might have 2-3 areas that we definitely want to go to but will take a chance on new areas for the "inbetweens". If we intend to focus mainly on walking and mountain climbing then I'm going to be prepared with maps etc. I don't just want to head off to Europe and then wonder which mountain area I'll walk in. Similarly we like to do some birdwatching so will want to time our visits with optimal conditions for that hobby.
We're off this week but have booked some sites around the Pentecost and Ascension holiday breaks as we know the Dutch like to caravan and sites in the Netherlands will be full as these are public holidays over there. So we needed to plan our holiday for those times. Some of the trip is still undecided and we will decide when we are over there, knowing sites will be quieter.
A lot will also depend on length of time that one has. A 6-10 week break allows for exploration on new areas whereas a 2-3 week trip might not.
One way doesn't suit everyone. We always have some sort of plan but will, and have in the past, change plans very quickly if we don't like what we see or where we are.
1 person likes this
hitchglitch replied on 02/05/2022 15:39
Posted on 02/05/2022 12:50 byWe've been to the Lot a number of times since our first visit way back when our Dear Daughter, now in her late 30s, was a teenager. When we had the caravan we tended to stay at one base.
A few years ago, we did what we had always planned to do with a motorhome: started at the "top", at places ending d'Olt - we love those towns around Espalion and so on. We followed along the river, stopping for nights here and there on sites or aires. We took a few detours off the river - to Conques, to a site as St-Amans-des-Cots, and another to take in the Gorges de L'Aveyron.
That trip stands out as one of the most relaxing we've ever taken. Going back there is today's front runner. Tomorrow that may change again, as per my OP! I am fiddling with google maps and a road map wondering if I can combine the Lot trip with the area around Uzès and the Cèze.
Posted on 02/05/2022 15:39
If it’s any help, our regular route from Calais is Reims (first stop Guignicourt) then Lyon (stop at Chagny) then Bagnol-sur-cèze. Coming back we go south on the autoroute then up the A75 to Millau for a few days. From there it’s a comfortable day to a site we like at Entraygues-sur-truyère in the Lot region. Various routes back through Rouen to Calais with different stopping places.
Most sites we use are ACSI, not just the price but the fact that they are regularly inspected and usually have good information and several reviews on the app.
replied on 02/05/2022 16:13
replied on 02/05/2022 16:14
Posted on 02/05/2022 15:39 by hitchglitchIf it’s any help, our regular route from Calais is Reims (first stop Guignicourt) then Lyon (stop at Chagny) then Bagnol-sur-cèze. Coming back we go south on the autoroute then up the A75 to Millau for a few days. From there it’s a comfortable day to a site we like at Entraygues-sur-truyère in the Lot region. Various routes back through Rouen to Calais with different stopping places.
Most sites we use are ACSI, not just the price but the fact that they are regularly inspected and usually have good information and several reviews on the app.