Saturday afternoon and a drive across the Peak District and down the M1 to great overnight pub stop, The Fancott. Large car park, kids play area, mini train and EHU hookups for motor homes.
Next morning skirted around London and down the M20 to Folkestone. Arriving early afternoon left time to explore the local area and an overnight stay at Blackhorse site, just outside the town.
Next morning we awoke early to drive to the tunnel to catch Le Shuttle to Calais. After the short train journey under the sea we arrived in Calais. Connecting directly onto the autoroute we drove across northern France and into Belgium. Travelling with an empty fridge we stopped at Aldi, Ypres to stock up on local produce.
Mid afternoon we arrived in Ypres.
Witnessing the Last Post at the Menin Gate proved incredibly moving. After the ceremony we enjoyed a local beer before walking into the town centre for a lovely meal at De Kollebloeme.
After a relaxing day in Ypres we packed up and drove across Belgium and into The Netherlands.
Camping de Cauberg is just 10 minutes walk from Valkenburg, a lovely spa town full of cafés and restaurants. On the edge of the town are the castle ruins.
The walk back to the campsite was the hill, a local cycling challenge and popular part of local cycle races.
The campsite had a small cafe, where we enjoyed a beverage and a pizza.
The following day was the day of the concert, Andre Rieu at the Vrijthof in Maastricht. We utilised the local bus service from just outside the campsite to travel into Maastricht, leaving Dora safely parked at the campsite. After a lovely afternoon and dinner in the Vrijthof square the concert commenced. An absolutely fabulous evening.
The following day spent relaxing included an afternoon at the local spa, Therme 2000.
After a lovely three nights we set off on our journey home, stopping first on the outskirts of Brussels. Our stanav struggled to find the site but using all devices available we eventually found the site, 3CBrussels.
The next day onwards to a site on the Belgium border at Kemmel. The journey incorporated a stop at Tyne Cot.
The area around Kemmel is full of historic sites and memorials. A short walk from the site are the Lettenberg bunkers, built in the remains of an old mill.
The following morning we drove across the border into France and into the Somme to visit Thiepval memorial.
From Thiepval we drove towards Calais and our overnight stop at Sangatte. The weather was fabulous so I had to have a paddle in the sea.
The following morning we took Le Shuttle back to England.
The final leg of the journey home incorporated a stop at the Oxford club site.
Exploringwithdaveanddora 