OK, so now we are just a year behind! But the background is (and was) part of the fun. So here is what happened last February….
February 2011
You might not like it!
What makes you say that?
Don’t you stay in hotels a lot on business?
Well, yes….
So you are rather used to having the creature comforts then?
Well, yes….
Get upset when the hairdryer doesn’t work, or the shower is cold
Er…yes…
So, don’t just assume it’s for you until you have all the facts!
Mmmmm
So that was how the conversation began with our friends – The Enthusiasts.
But fortunately it didn’t stop there. Well, we said, let’s assume for now that we (for that read I) can deal with the above mentioned potential stumbling blocks and discuss what else we need to think about.
The Enthusiasts are “old hands” who have been motorhoming for years, having spent their retirement savings on a much loved Hymer which they take on the continent for weeks at a time, only returning when they feel they have to!
So it seems we should be prepared to “rough it” a bit. We have both camped in tents, although I have not done so for about 20 years now. As previously mentioned, B took off about 10 years ago on a motorbike with a tent. As a child I went caravanning several times a year with my family – and in those days caravans were pretty basic. As a modern day motorhome full of creature comforts is not in the same category, the term deserves the use of parentheses when used in the same sentence.
So, “roughing it” in this context means no hairdryer and having to use your own shower and loo rather than those in a site block. This minor sacrifice of convenience opens up a whole world of Aires and “wild camping” to which motorhomes are ideally suited. They are designed to be completely self contained and self supporting for days at a time. Eventually, of course, you need fresh water, power to charge the batteries, gas for the cooker and heating, and somewhere to dispose of waste water, loo contents and general rubbish, but these facilities are widely available, many of them in the Aires themselves, so it’s not what you might call a hardship.
Sounding good so far.
Next came the technical stuff like engine sizes, various makes and models and constructions. As B had researched all this once before – albeit many years ago – he had quite a few preconceptions. Having also read a pile of relevant magazines more recently, he was able to pick the brains of our friends such that we came away with a pretty good idea of what to look for.
We ended up with a rosy glow courtesy of some lovely red wine (brought back from France of course), a list of requirements, a list of possible models which could match these, a list of makes to avoid and some other interesting advice (in no particular order):
Purchase a gas powered hair styler (I did, but haven’t used it – so far)
Get a book called All the Aires France which is a bible to all the motorhome parking areas in that country. This is something we don’t have in the UK – places where you can park a motorhome, either free, or for a minimal charge, in return for the location and convenience and usually minimal facilities. (Good book, great system)
Go for a so called A Class motorhome – one which is purpose built rather than a van conversion (we did and we love it)
Join the Caravan Club and look in the book at CLs – Certified Locations – small campsites with only 5 pitches and limited facilities but often in great locations and quiet. (We did and love the CL option too).
Make sure you always have a bottle of wine available for the evening, and some spare glasses as motorhomers are apparently a friendly lot. (No problem there – but only one bottle?!)