We're off at last!

February 17, 2012

I can’t think of a worse way to start a holiday than a jaunt round the rush-hour M25. But with last-minute panic packing taking longer than anticipated it was mid-afternoon before we set off for Dover, waved off by our friend Fi, who photographed our departing rear end and then chased us up the road to hand over the camera.

At the port we followed the online advice of seasoned motorhomers and parked up in Marine Parade, two minutes from the ferry terminal, ready for an early start.

At last, we were really on our way. It was time to unwind over a drink, listening to the sounds of the rain pattering on the roof, the dog gnawing contentedly on a bone – and the sudden, shocking shrieking of the fire alarm as my husband fried some onions to add to our instant pasta sauce. Clearly, it would have to be disconnected every time we cooked.

Drama over, we drew the blinds and curtains, cutting off the outside world, and it was like closing a door on an old life. In this little studio flat on wheels I felt as though we were in a time capsule, and I wouldn’t have been amazed to wake up next morning, peer outside and find that aliens had taken over while we slept.

We still managed to miss our ferry, because I’d failed to realise we had to check in 35 minutes ahead of departure. But there was another one along 40 minutes later, and buoyed up by a full English breakfast on board, it seemed like no time before we were setting off from Calais for the Dordogne.

Our first overnight stop in France was at a municipal aire in the little town of Marboue, just off the motorway below Chartres. It had everything we needed – a grassy riverside walk for the dog, a bakery on the street corner, facilities for emptying dirty water  – and it didn’t cost a bean. What a brilliant system! We tucked into spag bol and drank a toast to absent colleagues who had kindly sent us on our way with a great bottle of red and two glasses. There was just room for a slab of our friend Julie’s home-made fruit cake – another thoughtful farewell present. A time to count our blessings.