Ticks all the boxes as a Caravanning App.

Having tried quite a few Camping apps (iOS ) I have narrowed down the apps on my phone and iPad to a few tried and trusted.
But the one app that stands head and shoulders above the rest and little known in the UK at the present is Wikicamps.

I have used Wikicamps in Australia, were it originates from and if you take a look at the Aussie version you will see how well it works as an information and interactive campsite app.

The UK version has all the same features but is lacking in user information mainly because it is little known over here in the UK. 

Here are some of the features :-

1. Each site has loads of information including their address, phone number, website and even their individual features like toilets, showers, pet rules, etc
 

2. Users can also add comments, photos and prices to each site so you can check out real world reviews and photos by real people.

3. Get directions and navigate to sites within seconds by tapping the navigate button straight from the map or site page.

4. Add sites to your list of favourites to plan trips or just as you go so you'll never forget a great spot.

5. WikiCamps also comes with a very handy camping checklist so you'll never leave anything behind.

6. You can also chat with other travellers via our interactive chat forum.

Try it, the more UK caravanners that use this, the better it will become.

http://www.wikicamps.co.uk
 

Electric Bikes Are Fun

We decide to invest in a couple of electric bike’s last year, having seen and tested them out at the caravan show at the NEC.

Got to say, they are fun to ride and add to the enjoyment we get from caravanning in France and other places.

We bought them early last year and never really had the chance to use them properly up until this visit to France, but there was a reason for this which I may post about later.

Yes they are electric and if you really want to, you can just switch them onto full power and let the bike do the rest. But that's not how we use them, we still do the peddling and use them on assist for the return journey (plus steep inclines! why bust a gut when your out to enjoy yourself ) The joy of this, is that you can now ride for miles without worrying about the return journey because the bike will help you do this. Yes your right, it is cheating I suppose but neither of us are getting any younger.

I thought I had taken pictures of both of us on the bikes, but obviously not !

So here is Lesley on hers

We opted to buy Batribikes as they are folding bikes also. Both fold down and fit in the back of the Skoda Octavia with room to spare. Battery life is about 25miles but if your using them purely for assisted riding then you can get more out of them.

Lesley uses the Breeze – I use the Quartz. Give um a try they really are fun.

One of the local villages we visited on the bikes, taken just after we had left the bar on the right hand side of picture. Drunk in charge of a bike ! let um try

Parc de Montsabert–France June 2013

 

We decided to re visit the Loire Valley area again this June, as the last time we visited was about 5 years ago so needed a quick injection of the Loire area again.

Five years ago, when we were staying in this area, we did a few checks on sites for future stays, Le Camping Parc de Montsabert was one such site so we decided to give it a 12 day check out.

The site is in the grounds of the Château de Montsabert. Surrounded by tranquil countryside and vineyard's, in fact 3 were with in walking distance from the main gates of the site.

The site is part of the Yelloh Village group and takes ACSI members, so off season the price is about 16eur per night in a caravan/camper van. No ACSI card and the cost per night will be over 20eur’s (Get a Card)

Facilities on the site are excellent, Pool, bar and loads of stuff for families to do, during the months of July and August, in line with most French site all the facilities step up a few gears with children's entertainment and themed restaurant nights when they serve local dishes. The restaurant it should be said, is really only a snack bar which caters well for holiday makers with families. i.e. pizzas, chip (frites) burgers etc.

The pool is excellent, 25m covered in the cold weather open in the hot. Heated of course.

Lesley and I visited this a few times. Lesley did her usual 20 lengths and then I joined her or stayed at the poolside bar

I even had a go on the trampolines but the balance is not so good these days and fell on my arse a few times.

Poolside Bar

More Pictures of the site.

We really enjoyed our stay at this site and will return.

Conkers

Our first trip out in the van was to Conkers not far from Swadlincote weekend of 12th March.  The weather was some what chilly and the wind blew across the site.  We had brilliant fish and chips cooked to order on the Friday night from the mobile fish and chip van that visited the site.

Saturday morning/afternoon we took a walk round to Conkers to have a look – it looks brilliant from the outside and we will certainly be returning to take a look on the inside.

Out of the wind on Saturday it was really warm in the sun,but true to form the weather changed on the Sunday and it became over cast and damp

HAPPY NEW YEAR CARAVANNERS THE WORLD OVER

Lesley and Joe want to wish all campers and caravaners a very

Happy and Prosperous New Year

Coulon - Marais-Poitevin.

Coulon is in the Deux-Sevres department, west of Niort and at the centre of the Marais-Poitevin region.  The village - listed one of the most beautiful village’s in France is in an area the French call The Green Venice of France.  Lesley and myself cannot recommend this area enough,  its stunning and so peaceful you will just not want to leave. The campsite we use is on the edge of the village and is called Le Camping Venise Verte. Take your bikes because this area is full of cycle trails 2500 miles of them so they say.

A la Carte - Lesley Style …

Corned Beef Hash, Yummy. We really know how to live it up. lol

The New Shed

 

After 10 years with the Swift Azzura, which served us well, decided it was about time for a new shed.

Roll on France this year