Recent content by LesleyRussell

We did the sailing into Santander a few years back (late May / early June) on the Pont Aven. Lovely smooth sailing. However the week before the front of the boat had been hit by a freak wave which knocked out the front windows! We then had a lovely 3 weeks travelling from Spain up the west...

We also stayed at this site a few years ago and did pay the extra for a premium pitch, having a twin axle. I think it was only a few euros more and definitely worth it knowing that you have a decent size pitch reserved for you. Even if some sites know the size of your van, if it is busy you...

Depending on what time of year you are travelling you can pull onto Bien Assise at Guines - 10 - 15 mins from the tunnell. You just pull onto any vacant pitch near reception area and check in the next morning.

I would aim for Camping Halliotis just off the motorway past Avranches. Very good clean site with large grassy pitches. Directly opposite is a Carrefour when you can stock up on shopping and fuel.

The crossing may be cheaper but when you take account of the extra time and fuel it takes to get to Dover and then from Calais to Normandy - you will not save much. Also, if you are only going for a week and spend 2 whole days travelling from and to Calais, it is cutting down your time on site...

As many have said it is just about streamlining and making things simple. We always look at the "getting there" as part of the holiday rather than wearing yourself out to get to the main destination. Because of the drive to Dover we usually aim to have a stop the night before in England or...

If you are looking to go to the west coast you may not save money by travelling Dover to Calais / Dunkerque once you add fuel / time. I do not know whether Condor Ferries will be offering similar deals next year but they had a good price this and last year travelling Portsmouth to Cherbourg on...

You asked about municipal and how to find them. I am sure there are other ways but I usually google the town and find the tourist information site. This then gives a list of campsites in that area. If you are looking to call at Le Touquet there is a municipal site by Etaples which has...

You will have to check which sites are open as a lot close by end September and shops on site start to empty. If you head towards Abbeville from Calais you will have Ferme des Aulnes which is open til later in the year and Val d'Authie. More towards the coast at St Valery sur Somme is Chateau...

We usually sail from Portsmoutn at least once a year and always sleep over on the docks. There are notices around the edge saying no parking without consent but when we have phoned them just to check they consent generally to parking providing you are scheduled to sail the following day. There...

Thanks for that info David. Your caravan travels are always a good source of info. Just so you know - we called at Petite Suisse in Belgium in Whitsun of this year after checking out your appraisal and were very pleased with it. Lovely location - did not think much of the Brussells ring road...

Thanks for your comments. It may be that we will do both - a few days at La Cite and a few days by the coast. The reason we looked at La Cite initially was it's proximity to the town i.e. within walking distance.

DJM - they have confirmed they will send me a brochure in the post - it looks well positioned for both Carcassonne and the med.

Thanks for the response DJM, I'll have a look at that one as we had intended travelling on to the med after Carcassonne so we could kill two birds with one stone.

Planning holidays for August next year - would like to visit Carcassonne for 3 - 5 nights. We have looked at Campoeole de la Cite but this seems to have mixed reviews. Does anyone have any personal experience of this site or are able to suggest a good alternative. We have twin axle caravan -...