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Post by Carper on May 31, 2018 15:13:17 GMT
We left on Sunday for our annual jaunt to France. When we arrived at Folkestone one train had been cancelled and ours had been put back from 17.36 to 18.50. The car park was packed and we had to park in the Coach lanes. We were told to make our way down at about 1710, we went straight through onto the train and left at 17.30, which was brilliant. We arrived at the Aire de Baie Somme at about 20.30 and got settled down. There is a lot of work going on in the service area with scaffolding up. The next day we left and headed South towards Rouen great trip until we arrived there. The tunnel was closed overnight for work, but for some reason it wasn't open at about 9.30 when we got there we were held up for 11/2 hours. Then we had a lovely trip down to Poitiers, about 30 miles South of Poitiers bang we had a puncture in the Caravan. I rang the RAC they said we weren't covered for the Caravan and we would have to pay for it wheel change ourselves, that was €124.45. I wasn't very happy to say the least and will be speaking to them. We eventually arrived at Bois Soleil at 18.30. We set the van up had a meal a beer or two and relaxed. This has been our worst trip in over 30 years. Now we have settled down to enjo the rest of the trip.
Les
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Post by Deleted on Jun 3, 2018 11:25:26 GMT
Glad you are now settled in and enjoying France after a horrible drive down ,we have been to France with caravan and MH several times and we always thought it was a bit iffy to stay on french service aires or have all the problems with them now been sorted (hopefully) did you change tyre yourself or pay ? lets know how you get on with them (RAC) when you get home
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Post by Trooper on Jun 3, 2018 11:43:12 GMT
Sorry to hear of your troubles Les, we hope the rest of your trip goes OK.
Doolz, the Aire Les is on about has a special section for Caravans and Motorhomes which I believe is patroled at night, I would not advise anyone to stay in an ordinary service aires.
Mike...... currently at Vannes heading for Abbeye Saint-Guenole de Landevennec tomorrow.
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Post by Craig on Jun 3, 2018 14:10:27 GMT
..... The next day we left and headed South towards Rouen great trip until we arrived there. The tunnel was closed overnight for work, but for some reason it wasn't open at about 9.30 when we got there we were held up for 11/2 hours....... Les Sorry to hear about that, we had the same problem a few years ago when we first went quite a bit of a diversion around it when we were heading that way as it was shut due to the fire damage but it was even worse when we came back that way as we were diverted around the River for what should have been a 5 minutes in & out the tunnel to over an hour to get round , absolute chaos, people nudging each others cars to squeeze past and we just made to the ferry within about half an hour of doors shutting!
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Post by Dickers on Jun 3, 2018 14:22:09 GMT
We left on Sunday for our annual jaunt to France. When we arrived at Folkestone one train had been cancelled and ours had been put back from 17.36 to 18.50. The car park was packed and we had to park in the Coach lanes. We were told to make our way down at about 1710, we went straight through onto the train and left at 17.30, which was brilliant. We arrived at the Aire de Baie Somme at about 20.30 and got settled down. There is a lot of work going on in the service area with scaffolding up. The next day we left and headed South towards Rouen great trip until we arrived there. The tunnel was closed overnight for work, but for some reason it wasn't open at about 9.30 when we got there we were held up for 11/2 hours. Then we had a lovely trip down to Poitiers, about 30 miles South of Poitiers bang we had a puncture in the Caravan. I rang the RAC they said we weren't covered for the Caravan and we would have to pay for it wheel change ourselves, that was €124.45. I wasn't very happy to say the least and will be speaking to them. We eventually arrived at Bois Soleil at 18.30. We set the van up had a meal a beer or two and relaxed. This has been our worst trip in over 30 years. Now we have settled down to enjo the rest of the trip. Les
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Post by Dickers on Jun 3, 2018 14:25:40 GMT
Hi Les,
Sorry to hear about your problems.
I've heard this about RAC before. They are not interested in covering caravans. That's the reason we avoided using them and went for Green Flag.
Hope the rest of your holiday goes well after a bad start.
Roy.............(Dickers)
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Post by Deleted on Jun 3, 2018 15:41:15 GMT
Sorry to hear of your troubles Les, we hope the rest of your trip goes OK. Doolz, the Aire Les is on about has a special section for Caravans and Motorhomes which I believe is patroled at night, I would not advise anyone to stay in an ordinary service aires. Mike...... currently at Vannes heading for Abbeye Saint-Guenole de Landevennec tomorrow. "" Doolz, the Aire Les is on about has a special section for Caravans and Motorhomes which I believe is patroled at night, I would not advise anyone to stay in an ordinary service aires.""" Thanks for that Mike so nothing changed with aires
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Post by Carper on Jun 5, 2018 6:21:28 GMT
I been having problems with the internet and when I have tried posting it all goes up the spout. The Aire we stayed on is safer than some Campsites. one morning I went to the car and there was a man about 6 ft 6 near a picnic table when he turned his back to me he was security he was emptying the bin. Then the Gendarmarie came round they both patrol all night long. At the moment they have a lot of work going on which is a pity as it is a lovely place to stay. Doolz have a look at the link of the Aire. Here
When we return at the end of the month, are going to Caen so won't be going through Rouen. We will have to keep our eyes open there as they have apparently been having problems with immigrants there's someone on site told me. I did have to pay to have the tyre changed as I did consider it safe to do it myself as there were roadworks on that bit of motorway and hardly any hard shoulder. I did pay for the wheel to be changed. Dickers I remember the that time the bridge was closed it caused chaos and even the French had problems getting through. Apart from the weather, we have had some thunderstorms in the mornings but it has been very nice in the afternoons and evenings. We have put our mishaps behind us and are now thoroughly enjoying the holiday. I will let you know what happens with the RAC when we get home, I have already made enquiries with the CMC. Les
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