Awaycation Summer Sun 2023 #1

This is the trip we have planned for June. We decided to go earlier this year so that the end of the holiday should be over before the French school holidays begin.  It's not that I have anything against the French per se, it's just that once they get to a holiday campsite, the inner problem child escapes.

Last year we had a quietish holiday until the last longer stay at a campsite near a beach on the Atlantic coast.  Once the families arrived, and I mean families, it was bedlam.  Everyone from Grandad to tiny kids seemed to think that despite being allocated their own pitch to put their tent or their caravan, that walking across my little piece of holiday heaven was okay. Once they had fallen over the bright orange guy ropes to our wind-break a few times it was becoming a joke.

We use the wind-break to of course break the wind that comes off the sea or perhaps from the other direction, but also to save Reggie having to see passing mutts and bark at them.  Having neighbouring kids ignoring it and walking right past our windows and door was a PITA!  

So that's why we are going early. I am currently scouring France Passion, Camping-Car Parks and ACSI campsites to find a couple of nights on the way down to the Lyon/St Etienne area.

Maybe my idea to go to Annecy was somewhat knackered by an "animation" festival on when we would be there and maybe a little fanciful to get up to see the Gorges du Verdon again. I have been twice and weather was against me each time. Third time lucky might be another time!

Then I had thought of passing through the lavender fields in Provence before hopping across the border to Italy and up through Switzerland. That looks like it will be another time now.

Then we have the visit to Claire's friend near St Etienne. This actually takes us further west than I had planned. But we have to do it if we are nearby.  So somewhere to overnight in that area?

Claire has suggested that we head off northwards from there through the Auvergne. We crossed through it last summer as he went from the vineyards of Burgundy across to the Dordogne. Given that we have ten days to get back from there to Calais for the train hone. It needs a lot of thinking about.

One thing I'd like to do is to get a Pet Passport for Reggie. It would save all the hassle with getting an AHC each time. I have found a vet in Mons (Belgium) that can do it but need to get more information if I am to build it into this trip and make the next one simpler.

To be continued.....