Quit my job - Off to France - Need advice

Hi .You can easily get French Gas bottles and regulators at Fuel stations at Supermarkets in France, have you thought on getting refillable bottles as once you have the Motorhome travel bug France won't be your only destination, all Countries have different gas bottles and regulators ,so the problem is still there, Refillables are so easy, have a look at GASIT great company to deal with.

Leaving your van on Aires whilst you explore is not a problem, just take reasonable precautions, invest in a small safe for things like cash and credit cards.passports etc. ALWAYS lock your van doors when you are away from it even if only for a few minutes , better safe than sorry and set alarms when sleeping in the van, assuming you have one of course.Simple ones that stick on and work by magnets are better than nothing about a pound each from the pound shops and great for doors and windows.

Stay off Toll Roads, very easy to get around on ordinary roads unless time is of the essence.swings and roundabouts, toll costs against fuel used.

Washing your body is easy have a daily strip wash.lots of Spanish villages still have public showers an are usually free, use a local swimming pool. always showers there. I would say use the shower in your van if you have one of course, much the easiest way.

Clothes washing is also easy, do a bit of washing each day so it does not build up, you will probably be in shorts and Tee shirts most of the time anyway, the biggest items for washing are usually your bedding,you can use Laundrettes for these or do as we do, carry a domestic spin drier, 150 watts and it works well from our 600 watt inverter, we also have a small washing machine again low wattage 100watts.be carefullabout stringing up washing lines, watch and see what others are doing.

Vicarious books have all the Aires books you will need, all in English too.lots of downloads for Aires available on the net too.many other publications available.

ACSI books and cards can get you discounts if you use campsites SPIT out of season.
 
suffolkboi said:
Hi everyone,

on Thursday i handed my notice in, and will be heading off to France early March with my other half. For about 3-4 months.

We have work/accommodation sorted for 3 months via this great website Workaway.info the site for free work exchange. Gap year volunteer for food and accommodation whilst travelling abroad.

However - this isnt really making any use of my camper van, so i would like to explore France a for a month afterwards using Aires, cheap campsites and Wilding of course ;)

I just have a few questions on my mind, if someone would be so kind as to help me out -

*Whats best way to wash clothes/ourselves whilst at Aires/Wilding?

*What do we do with van during the day/ Just leave it at Aires and go walking into town, or park it up in town? I feel like i dont want to leave it out my sight!

*Whats the best book for Aires?

*Do i need an adapter or special regulator for french gas bottles?

*Any advice regarding Calais vs Dunkirk? We are heading to Poitiers first, is it worth trying to avoiding toll roads?

Feel like ive got a load more questions in my head, but that will do for now :)

Any other advice would be great.

Thanks guys!

Cant believe ive quit my job..
Click to expand...

For washing I use a bucket with a lid.
Put washing in bucket (with room fir it to move around)
Place bucket in shower
Drive
Rinse in clean water
Dry
Job done

Not so good with bedding though
 
vindiboy said:
Hi .You can easily get French Gas bottles and regulators at Fuel stations at Supermarkets in France, have you thought on getting refillable bottles as once you have the Motorhome travel bug France won't be your only destination, all Countries have different gas bottles and regulators ,so the problem is still there, Refillables are so easy, have a look at GASIT great company to deal with.

Leaving your van on Aires whilst you explore is not a problem, just take reasonable precautions, invest in a small safe for things like cash and credit cards.passports etc. ALWAYS lock your van doors when you are away from it even if only for a few minutes , better safe than sorry and set alarms when sleeping in the van, assuming you have one of course.Simple ones that stick on and work by magnets are better than nothing about a pound each from the pound shops and great for doors and windows.

Stay off Toll Roads, very easy to get around on ordinary roads unless time is of the essence.swings and roundabouts, toll costs against fuel used.

Washing your body is easy have a daily strip wash.lots of Spanish villages still have public showers an are usually free, use a local swimming pool. always showers there. I would say use the shower in your van if you have one of course, much the easiest way.

Clothes washing is also easy, do a bit of washing each day so it does not build up, you will probably be in shorts and Tee shirts most of the time anyway, the biggest items for washing are usually your bedding,you can use Laundrettes for these or do as we do, carry a domestic spin drier, 150 watts and it works well from our 600 watt inverter, we also have a small washing machine again low wattage 100watts.be carefullabout stringing up washing lines, watch and see what others are doing.

Vicarious books have all the Aires books you will need, all in English too.lots of downloads for Aires available on the net too.many other publications available.

ACSI books and cards can get you discounts if you use campsites SPIT out of season.
Click to expand...


You forgot to say its a longer drive to Spain for the shower whilst touring France
That said. An informative post
 
I picked up "Le Guide national des AIRES DE SERVICES camping cars" at a E Leclerc supermarket - best Aires book I've come across (and believe me, I've had them all) - it is in French, but don't let that put you off, its - cost me less than a tenner, but may cost about £12 for the 2014 one. Worth its weight in gold.
I do have a sat nav, but find there is nothing like a map & a picture of where you are going relative to where you are - and sat nav for more detail. I don't like just following "sat nav woman who must be obeyed".
Use an Eco Egg for washing clothes - rub any prominent stains with soap and slosh away - they don't need nearly as much water for rinsing as conventional soap powders. http://www.amazon.co.uk/s/?ie=UTF8&...vptwo=&hvqmt=e&hvdev=c&ref=pd_sl_291gk98g9d_e
They may seem expensive, but they last for loads and loads of washes & don't take up much room.
Decide how many clothes you are taking, and then take half out - you will not need as many as you think.
 
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jennyp19 said:
I picked up "Le Guide national des AIRES DE SERVICES camping cars" at a E Leclerc supermarket - best Aires book I've come across (and believe me, I've had them all) - it is in French, but don't let that put you off, its - cost me less than a tenner, but may cost about £12 for the 2014 one. Worth its weight in gold.
Click to expand...

Vicarious Books have stopped stocking it claiming its not as good as their book....well they would say that wouldn't they!
https://www.vicarious-shop.com/Guide-National-Aires-Camping-Cars-2013.html
John
 
You forgot to say its a longer drive to Spain for the shower whilst touring France
That said. An informative post

I would have thought that it was obvious, meant as information if the O P or any other interested party found themselves in Spain and was looking for a shower facility?:confused::confused:
 
I used to screw a hook in the back corner of the van at mirror level and run a line to it from the mirror,use the broom to hold it away from the van for drying clothes
 
Laundry - Find a supermarket that has a launderette - wash while you shop.

Easiest solution to getting your washing sorted, use one of the new launderette cubicles that have started appearing in supermarket car parks. Look out for a cabin about the size of a bus stop, usually with a glass front. Look inside to find a variety of washing machine sizes and large dryers. About every two weeks I visit one, do two washes, one light and one dark, includes the bedding and towels then bung the whole lot in an extra large dryer, job done whilst you do your shopping. Costs me about 12 Euros in total, tried doing it by hand, it's hard work. Found that the Intermarche chain seem to be installing these most but others have them as well, normally only the bigger supermarkets, easy to find if you have a sat nav with POI's for them. Tip - if your not laundry savvy, remove items gradually from the dryer, lightweight material dries quicker, put shirts, tops and similar wearables straight on hangers, no ironing required. (So far I have not seen any ironing facilities in these places).
:have fun:
 
I told my sister to use the lavandarias in Portugal,so she took a big bag of clothes in and plonked it on the counter. in front of her and the other customers,the laundry guy went through it and pulled out all her dirty knickers and pushed them, in a little pile, back across the counter to her !
 
The last time I used an iron was back in 1975 when I was in the Navy. I have no intention of ever using one again. :)
 
travel to france

suffolkboy, I went through france 3 times for ther first year in 2013 french very very helpful.............I think phillips got a europe atlas out now showing all the toll roads in purple etc.......just avoid them..........I use the main tank in my van just for washing and washing clothes, dead easy heat up truma boiler, just after turn on van heating (if any), quick strip wash and clothes on, then go 10 miles to recharge the batteries..........free parking is no problem anywhere in france,theresall thge supermarkets, all the rail stations, I always try to find a view...........park as near as poss to town center, close all your curtains, and lock van right up take valuables, no fee and walk in to town center every time, to get fit..............as for dunkirk or calais go out via P&O to calais if poss sneak into the drivers shower room on the trip (follow someone in who presses the code (near top deck), on return use DFDS from dunfirf as they have free showers/toilets and huge car park to wait for ferry at loon plage........no probs..steve bristol
 
Thanks for all your replies - More useful info than i know what do to with!

Has anyone a suggestion for the following -
I have a small business (evenings and weekends) and a get a call or so a week for people needing me. If i take the phone with me, my customers are going to be charged for that call, which im sure they wont appreciate.
So i was thinking of leaving the phone at home with an answer phone message stating when i will be back - but i dont really want to leave my phone.

If i left it turned off in France, would anyone who calls me get charged when it goes to answer phone still?
 
When you are roaming (overseas) if you are on a UK number it is you that gets charged for the overseas part of the call not whoever calls you.

I don't know why people think it is otherwise.
 
suffolkboi said:
Not what Orange told me.. Both people get stung
Click to expand...

An orange that can talk out of it's bottom?

From Ofcom site Ofcom | Ask us - Telephone - Who pays when I receive a call abroad?

Unlike at home, consumers are charged for receiving a call when travelling abroad.
This is because the person making the call pays exactly the same as if you were in the UK, but the foreign mobile provider charges your mobile provider in the UK an additional charge for use of its network when both making and receiving calls.
 
suffolkboi said:
If i left it turned off in France, would anyone who calls me get charged when it goes to answer phone still?
Click to expand...

I've been in this situation many times and the way I got round it is as follows:


  • I take a spare phone with me and buy a local PAYG SIM card.
  • I then leave a message on my voicemail service saying that I'm out of the country and won't be back until (insert date). However, if you need to speak to me urgently you can get me on (insert above number).
  • Then when your phone rings you can answer it if you want to or ignore it. By answering you pay for the call, but if you let it go to voicemail, your customer then has the choice to decide if it really is urgent because they'll be paying for the call.

You will be amazed how many calls are not important after all. :)
 
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