2026
Our stop in Urt was meant to be a relaxing poolside break near Bayonne — until a 36‑degree heatwave turned the campervan into a metal oven, cut our bike ride short, and left us living in the swimming pool while plotting an escape to an air‑conditioned cabin.
2026
Our dash across France took us through the quiet medieval village of Rieux‑Volvestre and the historic town of Morlaàs — with one unexpected highlight: getting trapped in a shower block and escaping with a heroic 70s cop‑movie door kick.
2026
Our Carcassonne stopover took us from a riverside walk into the medieval walled city — a maze of ancient towers, restaurants and tourist tat — before wandering into the newer part of town for a glimpse of real local life.
2026
Our Agde stopover had everything: beachfront camping with our own private facilities, a lively bank‑holiday atmosphere, a walk to the harbour, memorial and lighthouse, a surprise black‑sand beach, and a pétanque tournament with a dozen courts in action.
2026
Our Arles stopover had everything: Roman ruins, Van Gogh’s colourful courtyard, tacos and a strawberry milkshake worth writing home about, and Dutch neighbours at the campsite who painted the sights better than our cameras ever could.
2026
Our two‑day hop across France had everything: fast toll‑road miles, a down‑day in La Voulte‑sur‑Rhône interrupted by a dramatic warning siren, a sunny wander around Aramon with a beer at Pub 16, and the unexpected discovery of a French‑style bull ring.
2026
Our Annecy adventure had everything: a nerve‑jangling mountain pass, a sat‑nav that sent us down a dead‑end beside a cycle track, peloton cyclists overtaking us at warp speed, medieval canals, lakeside cycling, and a surprisingly fascinating visit to the Paccard Bell Museum.
2026
Our stop in Dijon delivered lakeside calm, grand architecture, botanical gardens, and a dinner with a twist, with a chaotic cycling tour of three campervan dealerships in search of a water dump valve that apparently doesn’t exist in France.
2026
A peaceful stop in Chouilly turned into a Champagne‑region adventure featuring vineyards, wetlands, beautiful gardens — and a three‑hour battle to free a stuck Thetford toilet cassette using a long‑handled screwdriver and sheer determination.
2026
Our stop in Arras delivered everything: a peaceful riverside Aire, jaw‑dropping Flemish squares, beer with the locals, and a crash course in the city’s surprisingly dramatic history.
2026
The world was peaceful. The van was packed. We were ready. Then the alarm went off at 03:30. There’s something uniquely disorienting about waking up at that hour. Your body is awake, but your brain is still loading.
2026
Or: Three Nights, A Fold of Highland Cows, and a Van Full of Optimism There's a school of thought that says the best way to prepare for a big trip abroad is careful planning, meticulous checklists, and thorough testing well in advance. There's another school of