A little nervous...

LindsayH

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I've found myself doing some goat sitting in Luton, but in two weeks time when I'm done I should really bite the bullet and find my way to the other side of the channel. I'm a little nervous. I'm trying to ignore all the scaremongers and ridiculous stories but apart from anything else, I've done very little driving abroad. I've also just spoken to a couple whose cab was broken into twice in Spain while they were sleeping in the back. They did add that they still had a fantastic time and it wouldn't stop them going again but I'm still a little worried. I'm sure I'll be fine after a while when I've got my confidence up, but does anyone have any advice for the first few days/weeks? Especially if I'm on my own? Does it help to have a plan/itinerary to start with? How far should I plan to go on the first day do you think? I am vaguely heading for a friend's house near Langres so I'll have a breather there and find my feet.
I have bought the usual gubbins (bulbs,triangle etc.) and just found out my Euro rating so I can buy a Critair sticker. Do I need a sticker for other countries too? Do I need headlight deflectors? I think I'll try and seek out other van peeps as much as possible to start with so I can learn some stuff. Any thoughts appreciated!
I'll do another thread for my specific gas questions I think...
Thanks - Lindsay x
 
No right way, do what you feel happiest. Theres certainly no harm in having a plan/itinery, you either stick to it or you don't.
Same with how far to drive, some people like to do a few hours each day, all depends. I prefer to get the long drive out the way as soon as possible, thats not for everyone though. Depends how long you've got for holidays.

Apart from crit air, the only other one needed at moment is for Germany. Again many people don't bother. I have the sticker, still in glovebox though.

The only thing I worry about is, have I got enough tea bags. :)

I'd get a high viz and beam deflectors, again many don't bother with them, they are only a few quid, and one thing less to stress about.
 
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I've found myself doing some goat sitting in Luton, but in two weeks time when I'm done I should really bite the bullet and find my way to the other side of the channel. I'm a little nervous. I'm trying to ignore all the scaremongers and ridiculous stories but apart from anything else, I've done very little driving abroad. I've also just spoken to a couple whose cab was broken into twice in Spain while they were sleeping in the back. They did add that they still had a fantastic time and it wouldn't stop them going again but I'm still a little worried. I'm sure I'll be fine after a while when I've got my confidence up, but does anyone have any advice for the first few days/weeks? Especially if I'm on my own? Does it help to have a plan/itinerary to start with? How far should I plan to go on the first day do you think? I am vaguely heading for a friend's house near Langres so I'll have a breather there and find my feet.
I have bought the usual gubbins (bulbs,triangle etc.) and just found out my Euro rating so I can buy a Critair sticker. Do I need a sticker for other countries too? Do I need headlight deflectors? I think I'll try and seek out other van peeps as much as possible to start with so I can learn some stuff. Any thoughts appreciated!
I'll do another thread for my specific gas questions I think...
Thanks - Lindsay x

Been going to France and Spain for several years never had a problem with break ins . People you are referring to have been incredibly unlucky .
When I first started I was fairly nervous but experience brings confidence and awareness .
Stay in your comfort zone initially and you can broaden your horizons gradually , when you feel safe to do so .
I still feel , every time I set off , that its a big adventure . Enjoy .
 
Thanks for the reply Mark!
The tea issue is actually very important to me :D I'll stock up!
Regarding how far to drive, I'm more thinking that the places to park within a short distance of Calais are likely to be quite busy?
I know the answer to most of this is to get on and do it, but you read so much about you must have this credit card and not park near motorways and aires are often full and you'll get gassed ( :raofl: ) and you'll get parking tickets if you don't know local bylaws as there aren't always signs etc etc. It's just a little intimidating to someone who is new to van life and it's hard to sort the wheat from the chaff so to speak. I'm sure a week in a lot of these worries will have dissipated. I think I'll look for a nice looking aire somewhere not too far from Reims and go from there x
 
Thanks Alcam! It's reassuring to hear you were also quite nervous but grew in confidence. I'm sure the more people like you I hear from the better I'll feel. I do wish I still had my dog by my side, I feel so much less brave now she's not around.
 
Have a look at the POI's, plenty within an hour of Calais, if one is full, you are never far from the next. I know people don't recomend parking at motorway services, I find them very handy on a long trip, and so do thousands of others, some times of year they are full with MH's, cars and motrobikes with tents too sometimes.
 
Hi, just go for it, we've never met anyone who has been broken into so it's not that common, just do what feels comfortable for you, if somewhere you pull into doesn't feel right move on to somewhere that feels ok to you. We've moved on several times from aires or stelleplatz that we didn't feel comfortable with.

Graham
 
Maybe you should stay at a campsite initially but have a look in at an aire on route that would give you an idea what to expect and a campsite would give that feeling of security whilst you get your feet under the table.
 
Maybe you should stay at a campsite initially but have a look in at an aire on route that would give you an idea what to expect and a campsite would give that feeling of security whilst you get your feet under the table.

Thanks for the advice. It actually wouldn't be a bad idea to have campsites as an option, staying at one to start with might help. I know this is a bit of a stupid question, but how do I find one?? I only know how to find wild camping spots :lol-049:
 
Go on the trip you’ll love it. Main advice is park up in the daylight and if you don’t feel comfortable move on. France is generally quite safe. I’ve never used headlamps deflectors, camper contact app is worth every penny for seeking out parking spots.
 
Hi, we are booked on ferry end of September, I bought the aires book, I looked at Roamin Rog's and it gives all the aires, I purchased the two for North and South of France and we also have the POI's from here so I think we will be well covered, it is our first long trip to France so I wanted to be covered for places to stay. The aires books were £25.50 for the two and that included postage, I am well happy with them. all I want now is a map book (I need a map book - large scale) and I will be happy. :drive::camper::)
 
Hello

Everybody is nervous first time France is so campers friendly you will soon find out. Drive away from Calais with a ribbon tied to your right hand ( it is a visual reminder you need to be right side of the road) someone always speaks English if you need help especially the youngsters. The rest of Europe is equally camper friendly. Parking before dark is the best you can get a good grip of facilities. The internet is brilliant for resources but if you read all the horror stories you would never venture out. The thing that struck me the most was thinking I was the first explorer lol MH have been driving Europe for years.
We use ********** and ************** to look for our stops there are loads of other options. Once we have made a choice we google map it maybe google earth it just to check it out. Sometimes map images are old but we get an idea and of the roads leading to it.
Mostly relax and enjoy you will meet others who will know good stops quiet stops ect ect
 
Have a brilliant adventure.. Keep us posted.
Let us know if you see any vans with the colored Crit-air discs on their windscreens.
We've just done 700 miles in a week... And not consciously seen one.
 
Let us know if you see any vans with the colored Crit-air discs on their windscreens.
We've just done 700 miles in a week... And not consciously seen one.
You should have seen mine at Henley !!!!!!:D

We have had attempted break ins twice but each time our fault, first time was La Jonquera Spain, just over the border and Maggy wanted to park out of the way for shopping, second time was on a motorway service area close to Barcelona, we have been doing this for over 30 years and should have known better but after so long without problems you do get a bit blasé, we feel safer in France/Spain and Germany than the UK


edit to Paul:
I had my silver screens on so you are excused
 
Have a brilliant adventure.. Keep us posted.
Let us know if you see any vans with the colored Crit-air discs on their windscreens.
We've just done 700 miles in a week... And not consciously seen one.

Thanks guys, I will :)
 
You should have seen mine at Henley !!!!!!:D

We have had attempted break ins twice but each time our fault, first time was La Jonquera Spain, just over the border and Maggy wanted to park out of the way for shopping, second time was on a motorway service area close to Barcelona, we have been doing this for over 30 years and should have known better but after so long without problems you do get a bit blasé, we feel safer in France/Spain and Germany than the UK


edit to Paul:
I had my silver screens on so you are excused

Thank you, it's good to hear you've had so little trouble in such a long time. I have had one or two slightly uncomfortable nights in the UK but nothing bad enough to really put me off. I'm sure the same will apply to the continent.
 
just post on here good morning and let us know you ok dont say where you are just morning till you settle down and are happy as this might give you confidence that some well there will be a lot looking out for you just checking that you are fine
 
Over the last 4 years we have spent about 5/6 months in France, Spain & Portugal stopping mainly on Aires with an occasional night at a campsite (for laundry and hot showers) without any problems. So worry not, just a modicum of common sense and getting to your overnight stop by mid afternoon should see you safe and secure. There are scroats everywhere but much less so away from major cities and larger towns
 
traveled europe for many years,selling on markets and doing building type work , never with a dog but usually with kids. used my common sense all the time and followed my instincts and never had a serious problem. you'll be fine
park near lights and other people. question everything and everybody
 
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Richebourg

Is a nice quiet aire
Just over 1 hour from Calais
Google Maps
This route avoids tolls
The last 5 miles is a bit fiddly on local roads so SATNAV essential

The aire is by a sports centre
EHU is available but only from the borne
The pitches are nicely separated by low hedges
Not much in the village (walkable)
Need to go to the town hall for Wi-fi password

Depends which direction you are headed
It is a regular for us..
This year 2 nights going out and 3 coming back

In general we think about 100 miles a day and stop for 2 nights
an outline route planned but seek out aires as we go.

Our fuel gauge is dodgy (very over optimistic) so we fill up with fuel at about 350 miles and look to do this every 6 7 or 8 days but if we are moving more maybe after 4 days...Just our way of managing the fuel cost.
With regard to aires we aim to do something like
" Free Free Pay Pay Free " but see our rules below

Rule 1 Do not rush..... but the odd long day is OK
Rule 2 No more rules
Rule 3 See rule 2
 

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