Coquelles

It was the day before we were due to catch the ferry from Calais to Dover, so we chose a stopover close to the port. In fact, it was the car park of Cité Europe, a commercial centre adjacent to the Eurotunnel. After ignoring the sat nav directions that tried to lead us into the tunnel, we managed to find the motorhome area. We needed van services but these were over the other side of the complex, so after lunch we drove Martha Motorhome to the petrol station that hosted a service area. We didn't fit under the station's roof so had to reverse a little way along the exit road to get to the emptying point. Tokens were required so Vicky went over to the pay booth, only to find it shut - humph! Returning to the car park, we went for a browse around Carrefour supermarket and managed to get a token from their service desk. After a cuppa, we returned and finally managed to fill up with water before settling in for the night next to the 12ft high razor wire double fence that surrounded the Chunnel entrance. It was a surprisingly peaceful night.

N.B. We'll be back in the UK for just under 3 weeks. Whilst there we'll be making the most of our time with some of our family and friends and therefore won't be doing a daily blog. See you back here in 3 weeks' time for the beginning of our drive accross the continent to Lithuania!Read more