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05/3/2021 at 11:26am
Location: East Sussex
Outfit: Burstner Belcanto 525 TL + Santa Fe
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Joined: 15/10/2009 Platinum Member 
Forum Posts: 889
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Reluctantly we have had to give up caravan travel, after 11 years and 22 countries. The reasons are mainly health related, although during our last trip, to France in 2019, we found we weren't enjoying it as much as we used to. Then came Covid, and we didn't feel travel was worth the risk, so we have sold our caravan. But we have a huge store of good memories to look back on.
I realise that we were in a minority on UK Campsite, as we weren't particularly Francophiles or sun-seekers, had a German caravan, and preferred travelling for long periods. In fact we started off in 2008 by selling our house and travelled round Europe for a whole year with no home to return to if disaster struck. Luckily everything was fine, and later we bought a house in a different part of England.
Caravanning is a wonderful way to see Europe and get a feel for all the different countries, their history and people. It's true what they say, there's more that unites us than divides us. It might not be quite as easy in the future to do the kind of long-term, multi-country travelling that we enjoyed, but if anyone has the time and inclination, I can strongly recommend it. Every country has a wide range of camp sites to choose from, some good, some not so good, but really awful ones are very few and far between. But they're all part of the experience and we can look back on them now and laugh! For the record, the best toilet blocks we found were in Austria, but there was also a below-par one there so it's impossible to generalise. Likewise with pitch size - the biggest we ever had was in Luxembourg, the smallest in France, but again that isn't the norm in either country. For many reasons our favourite countries were Spain and Croatia. It wasn't always idyllic and we had our share of problems - a broken motor mover, some terrible road surfaces, getting lost, crazy drivers, language problems, and every kind of weather from heat wave to gales to snow and even a small earthquake! But the caravan survived intact and so did we.
We've also enjoyed travelling in the UK which has such a vast range of stunning scenery and places of interest. We found CMC sites maintained a reliably high standard, and never had a problem with the van door being on the "wrong" side (of course, it was always on the "right" side abroad!) Some non-club sites were outstanding, in fact out of only 4 sites I've ever given 10 stars to, 2 were in England.
I've enjoyed following the forums on here and found the reviews a very useful resource, which is why I tried to do an objective review for each site we visited, although there were at least 20 more that I forgot to do.
I hope everyone manages to get away this year and have a well-deserved holiday. Good luck and good travelling to you all.
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Il vaut mieux vivre ses reves que rever sa vie
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Don't forget to leave a review of the French and other European campsites you have visited!
05/3/2021 at 1:35pm
Location: Turriff Aberdeenshi
Outfit: Romahome R30 Dimens
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Joined: 17/8/2006 Diamond Member 
Forum Posts: 2376
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Best wishes for the future iwalani. We're not Francophiles or sun-seekers either, preferring Germany, Belgium, Netherlands etc..
We probably won't be travelling as much to Europe as we used to, not for health of financial reasons, but location! When we lived in Hampshire, getting to Europe was easy, but having retired to Scotland, it's a long way away! Most foreign trips are now City breaks by air and staying in hotels. Given the cost to getting to a port and an overnight crossing, flying is a viable alternative. Maybe you could try that.
In the meantime, we're looking forward to some UK travel in the camper, and maybe - just maybe, we'll get to Germany for a Christmas market.
Glad you've had a great holidays in your van and have loads of memories to remind you of the good times.
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Two drifters off to see the world.
I'm tired of reality, so I'm off to look for a good fantasy.
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Don't forget to leave a review of the French and other European campsites you have visited!
05/3/2021 at 3:08pm
Location: Devizes Wiltshire
Outfit: MWB VW Crafter PVC
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Joined: 19/6/2009 Diamond Member
Forum Posts: 9596
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| Site Reviews Total: | 56 |
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Good luck to the OP, whatever you have planned!
I have only been a tenter so far, and am about to switch to a custom-converted tin tent, so that I could continue to enjoy camping for a few more years.
I have always wanted to go camping in Mainland Europe. However, due to a life changing event back in 2008 followed by other changes in circumstances, I have yet to cross the Channel to go camping.
I hope I would be able to do that soon in my van. Not entirely certain how far I would travel, however, France, Germany, and The Netherlands are definitely on the card.
Can't wait to go out and about again with the dog as I have not camped for over 2 years since the last trip in 2018!
DK 
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* Apple The Campervan - A Van For Work, Rest And Play! *
- 2025 - inc. FR & DE
- 2024 - 10/56 inc. FR & NL
- 2023 - 48 inc. FR
- 2022 - 49
- 2021 - 34
* Ex-tenter & solo female camper *
* Treat life events like a dog: If you can't eat it, play with it, or hump it, p1$$ on it and walk away! *
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Don't forget to leave a review of the French and other European campsites you have visited!
Don't forget to leave a review of the French and other European campsites you have visited!
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Topic: End of the road
via mobile 05/3/2021 at 3:59pm
