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Still at Camping Solmar in Blanes 5 weeks later but unfortunately we must soon start moving as we have several things to attend to back in Birmingham during mid June, there is first communion for one of the grandsons, a retirement party for a former work mate, and tickets to see War of the Worlds live at the NIA
Local Spanish peasants pursuing traditional rural tasks, eg installing
WI Fi.
We Took a trip on the motor scooter to visit LLoret de Mar to see church and visit second hand English bookshop to replenish reading material. This is a very popular and lively resort full of discos and pubs
The church at LLoret is very colourful and has fantastic brightly coloured tiles covering the domes and spires
traffic islands abroad can be interesting we have collected quite a few
Its now time to move. Have checked batteries regularly and run engine once a week,but on the day of departure surprise surprise a flat battery.Two hours later battery charged and finally on our way. First stop Spanish French Border
There is a small town on the French Spanish border( Le Perthus )crossing that is always very busy with Spanish shops selling cheap goods to the French, and French shops selling cheap goods to the Spanish
Head from here to Beziers south of France found camp site in Rogers guide, but when we arrived it was closed, next 2 sites also closed, reluctant to wild camp as unsure of state of vehicle battery. Next camp was open so booked in and proceeded to find decent pitch, as we drove through site we realised this was a naturist camp as several of the campers were walking around with no clothes on. Very nice site with good facilities there is an adjacent nudist beach site has all facilities restaurant bar swimming pool shop.
Sorry no pictures of naked people, you would really not want to see them It seems the people most likely to shed their clothes would not win any beauty contests. Fortunately it was not compulsory to strip off.
There was a very interesting self build a tabbert caravan on a chassis cab, Huge scooter carrier on rear could carry an Harley. Did not ascertain if owners were nudists.
Left site next day heading north weather unsettled stopped at very basic campsite , but only 11 euros per night so cant complain, nice views though.
Only stopped 1 night weather unsettled and site muddy left next morning Still travelling north
Decided as it was lunch time we should sample the highly acclaimed French cuisine so we went to McDonalds! no surprises here.
This painted cooling tower is quite a landmark and can be viewed from the motorway
The roads of middle France are lined with dead men to remind us of the appalling driving skills of the average French car owner.
Actually did stop for lunch on the 45 degree meridian
Stopped in nature reserve (not Naturist ) forest camp site just below Lyon very nice well kept site with very clean facilities met a Dutchman who was on the way to Devon he had lots of questions about driving on what to him was the wrong side of the road. I answered his questions as best I could , and gave him an English camp sites guide. The proprietress wanted to know about Birmingham as she was going to exhibit at the caravan show at the NEC
http://www.camping-belepoque.fr/
Very pleasant and clean toilet facilities
Set off again next day heading for Beaunne to stop at the camping municipal for a couple of nights. This is a pleasant site, but facilities are a bit old and tired, but are clean and usable, . Site is very popular as an overnight stop as in easy reach of Motorway. Beaunne is a beautiful town with striking architecture,and well worth a couple of nights stop just to stroll around. Town centre is within walking distance of camp site. 116 individual pitches of good size, separated from each other by neat beech hedges high enough to keep a fair amount of privacy. Over half of the pitches are on grass, ostensibly for tents, the remainder on hardstandings with electricity for caravans. A popular site, within walking distance of the town centre, Les Cent Vignes becomes full mid June to early September but with many short-stay campers there are departures each day and reservations can be made. The Côte de Beaune, situated southeast of the Côte d’Or, produces some of the very best French wines.
pleasant reception English spoken good size pitches
the picturesque town of Beaunne
The town of Beaunne the main tourist attraction is the Hotel-Dieu des Hospices de Beaune - a charity hospital founded in 1443 and much venerated by architectural buffs. Today the Hotel-Dieu houses the Musee du Vin de Bourgogne with all sorts of insights into Beaune's prestigious trade. To the north of the town lies the Collegiale Notre-Dame, a Romanesque church with noteworthy woollen and silk tapestries inside.
Big thunderstorm first night lots of thunder and lightning, but next day nice and sunny hence the sightseeing 
This is a major champagne producing area , and very popular with organised tours of the grande houses and vinyards 
Next morning packed away and headed for Troyes camping municipal again this is a very popular site as it is in easy reach of Calais and handy for the motorway network as I have said before we dont do motorways or toll roads unless really necessary, But the sites in major towns are accessible by any route.
Stopped for lunch dropped kettle and broke handle off so used electric kettle on inverter but as freezer and fridge both running off inverter kettle boiled, but blew 50 amp fuse. This was the only problem we had with inverter whole trip.
We arrived at camping Troyes, a couple touring on a trike come over to inspect van they showed great interest in the club so gave them guided tour of the van and details of club. Several american army vehicles arrived on site returning from D day celebrations at Arromanche very well looked after and preserved.
Leave camping municipal Troyes after a wet night and head for the ferry at Calais
Final day, ferry to Dover then M20 M25 M1 M6 home all these dreary motorways and road works we havent used motorways on the continent
