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Quote: Originally posted by thegcuan on 09/8/2016

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Quote: Originally posted by jakehake on 09/8/2016

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Just had a quick cycle round. 35 is like you say close to lake though, touch wood, we haven't seen or felt a mossie since we've been here so whether we are that bit away from the lake but even in an evening near reception not seen any, but that is the smallest of the 3 pitches by far and also just opposite another toilet block. 118 isn't too bad actually, decent size pitch but as you say from map you probably could have someone on all sides. 182 looks biggest of the 3 and probably only downside are that people do use the sports field until sun goes down at 10pm but that's good for some, not good for others. We're in 185 so only a little away from there and had no bother as the kids have been out and about themselves.

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Great. Thanks for that jakehake. I think we'll go with 182 if it's still available so.
I presume it's reasonably sheltered, level etc?

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Quote: Originally posted by Claregirl70 on 11/8/2016

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PS Based on your stated arrival time in Cherbourg, I'm assuming you're travelling with Stenaline. Can I offer a little advice........ Based on bitter experience last year, we didn't eat on the boat this year - the food is truly awful! We're not fussy eaters and don't have overly high expectations of food on these ferries, but none of us could eat the food.
What we did this year was to arrive in Rosslare approx an hour before we needed to and had a lovely full meal in the Kilrane Inn pub (last pub before the ferry), and just brought some filled rolls, snacks etc for when we needed something later in the evening on the boat. Hope you don't mind me saying this

Safe journey!

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Quote: Originally posted by Claregirl70 on 11/8/2016

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I really admire your relaxed ability to just book somewhere within days of arriving. The control freak in me is having palpitations at the thought of it Have a great holiday.

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Quote: Originally posted by jakehake on 11/8/2016

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Apologies didn't get back to you, it's flat, not necessarily sheltered, the bushes/trees around most pitches aren't huge , the longer hedges backing on to the fields have some height though. I'd still say it's the best of the 3 pitches, 35 was very sheltered but looked to get little sun at any point.

As an aside we actually went on a quick look round of most of the other local sites mentioned, Pin Parasol when cycling past and then drove to La grangeroire and la guyonnaire. To be honest none of them appealed to us and the couple of kids we had with us(1 of ours and 1 of our friends).. They preferred the pool at La Guyonnaire because of the lazy river but the actual sites felt more like holiday parks than campsites. High hedges everywhere at La Garangeoire so you can't really see from one field to the next for example and then playgrounds/fields were over the main entrance road away from the pitches. La Garangeoire had been our preferred option originally but there was no space, in retrospect, personally, we think that has worked in our favour, sadly I don't think we'd consider any of those 3 sites in future now we've had a quick look in, might be harsh making such a snap decision but it was just the feel of the places from walking around, don't know if it's because they are too big maybe. But just my thoughts. Good luck with the choice

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Quote: Originally posted by Berriow on 04/8/2016

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You might well like Le Logis du Breuil near La Palmyre and Royan - it's not our cup of tea but with children the age yours are I think it might suit you very well.

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Quote: Originally posted by thegcuan on 25/9/2016

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Hi All,

A bit belatedly I just wanted to thank everyone very much for your recommendations on here.

We absolutely loved La Ferme. I think it just struck the balance for us between not being too big and yet having great facilities.

For something that was arranged a bit late in the day I don't think it could have gone much better.

We also did many of the day trips and enjoyed them all. Went sea fishing and saw some Dolphins, puy du fou, le grand defi, canoeing, passage du gois etc.

Re traveling down, we went straight down and got set up with plenty of time.

On the way back up we went back to Normandy the day before the return crossing and stayed near Bayeux. The day of the crossing we went to see the Bayeux tapestry, the tank museum and Utah beach museum.

If we go back I think we would travel straight down and stay in Normandy before the return crossing again as it worked well for us and was stress free. Although next year we might come back via Eurodisney which I'm slightly more open to with the arrival of Star Wars!

Have been having a right good look at folding campers and think they might be the job for us alright. With the potential to be setup for an overnight in 15 minutes I think we would do more short trips and we could easily go further down through France though we'd be torn between seeing more of France and going back to La Ferme.
With six of us we'd be looking at the pathfinder/crusader or the Pullman/cruiser types.

Not sure if the absence of a toilet leaves more space? Hard to know if we'd get more benefit from having the toilet or the potential extra space. Have never missed having a toilet in the tent.

I'm also thinking we'd have to choose between looking for an older version in decent condition for say 2-3k or an 09/10 in acrylic for probably more than double that. I'm thinking anything in between and we might as well spend the extra bit for the new technology and something that might last as if we took to it well I'd say we'd keep it for a good many years.

Thanks again thegcuan.

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Quote: Originally posted by jakehake on 26/9/2016

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Glad it all went well. Always a worry when someone follows your recomendation as they may not find it the same as you did!

Your story sounds like ours, we've bought a TT since coming back ready for next year, only issue is we can't find anything to tick the boxes we've now got after La Ferme. Looking at maybe going that bit further with being able to stop that bit easier but finding the sites is proving tricky though I've got a shortlist now, but possibly we could just go back to La Ferme and save the searching for another year!

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Quote: Originally posted by Silver Plated Spork on 26/9/2016

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Been looking at La Ferme now I've read the post. We much prefer smaller sites, although we're always tempted by facilities.

Can you swim in the lake at La Ferme? Or would you be able to take a stand up paddle board out?

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Quote: Originally posted by Silver Plated Spork on 26/9/2016

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Been looking at La Ferme now I've read the post. We much prefer smaller sites, although we're always tempted by facilities.

Can you swim in the lake at La Ferme? Or would you be able to take a stand up paddle board out?

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Quote: Originally posted by Claregirl70 on 30/9/2016

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Hi thegcuan!
Glad to hear that you enjoyed your trip to France and that you were happy with the campsite.

As I mentioned in a previous post, we went from a tent last year to a folding camper this year. We bought a 2006 Pathfinder and love it. We had never missed not having a toilet in the tent, but I have to say that now that we have one in the folding camper, it would be difficult to go without.........especially at 4am when it's pouring rain!!
It's quite likely you will have to go to the UK to get one (as we did). There are a few dealers that I've seen recommended on the Pennine Owners Club Facebook page.......Highbridge Caravans (where ours was bought by the previous owners); Camping International, Gillingham; and Pennine themselves.
Also have a look at the FB group: Folding Campers 4 Sale Pennine/Conway - there are a few nice looking campers currently listed.

Happy hunting.

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