2018 European Tour in Alan

Under the English Channel

Under the English Channel

Tuesday, 9th October 2018 Our first European adventure in Alan began with a crossing under the English Channel on Le Shuttle. The Channel Tunnel is the longest undersea tunnel in the world – the section which is actually under the sea is 38km long – and it reaches 250 feet below sea level at its lowest point. […]

In Brugge…

In Brugge…

Wednesday, 10th October 2018 We are slowly learning the tricks of motorhoming abroad. And we believe there may be many. Robert chose to buy a British motorhome version of a vehicle designed and built in Italy, which has the leisure/habitation door on the left/pavement side in the UK. Most continental models have this door on the […]

Four campsites, then it’s raining acorns…

Four campsites, then it’s raining acorns…

Thursday, 11th October 2018 Having carefully selected a campsite, based largely on Matilda’s requirement for a pool in which she could swim for exercise, we set off from Brugge heading towards Bladel at 10:00. We were due to arrive at 12:50: this was a longer journey than Robert usually plans to undertake but in the interests […]

First wash, then two days at KonigsPad

First wash, then two days at KonigsPad

Friday, 12th October to Saturday, 13th 2018 Robert was very pleased with the new domain he had created the day before and if Ralf’s concern when it was being packed up is any kind of indicator, he was also happy to have his territory clearly marked out. Matilda used her DryRobe for the walk to and […]

Maastricht Marina

Maastricht Marina

Sunday, 14th October 2018 On arrival at Maastricht Marina a sign told us to phone a number to gain entry. The gates swung open and we were told to pick our spot in this very peaceful and civilised aire. Having visited the harbour office to pay and get instructions for using the facilities we decided to […]

Back to Belgium…

Back to Belgium…

Monday, 15th October 2018 – Tuesday, 16th October 2018 Richard and Mandie Königs recommended Bastogne as a place of character and historical interest and so when we left Maastricht we agreed we would return to Belgium, to visit a town which is now synonymous with the Battle of the Bulge – the last offensive by the German […]

Battle of the Bulge

Battle of the Bulge

Wednesday, 17th October 2018 As you pull out of the campsite in Bastogne you are faced with Ardennes Boissons – a drive-in off-license with plenty of parking for a vehicle the size of Alan. How could we drive past? The selection of bottled beer was extensive and we wanted to buy some bottles of “Airborne” […]

Cheap Diesel on the way to Metz

Cheap Diesel on the way to Metz

Thursday, 18th October 2018 The guide books say that petrol is cheap in Luxembourg. This explained why, when we first entered the country from Belgium, the road was lined with petrol stations. Slightly belatedly, we remembered this as we were driving out of Luxembourg so we were very pleased to see that an enterprising fuel […]

The Nancy UNESCO Square

The Nancy UNESCO Square

Friday, 19th October 2018 We had been undecided about our next stop but when Matilda looked it up, Nancy boasts a UNESCO world heritage square and this swayed the decision. As we were leaving, the pleasant Dutch couple in the motorhome next to us at the aire in Metz recommended only buying fuel from supermarket […]

Sojourn in Saverne

Sojourn in Saverne

Saturday, 20th October & Sunday, 21st October 2018 About five minutes away from the campsite, Robert heard a noise and suddenly stopped, saying “Something has happened. I’ve hit something.” Looking back Matilda could see a flat black and white shape on the road and feared we had run over someone’s cat. Robert went back to […]

Too scenic a route to Saarbrücken

Too scenic a route to Saarbrücken

 Monday, 22nd October 2018 When we embarked on this trip we knew that we had a maximum of eight weeks in which to travel before we needed to return home for our long-awaited trip to Iceland in search of the Northern Lights. We were also aware of a couple of things which might make us […]

Last beer of 2018 in Trier

Last beer of 2018 in Trier

Tuesday, 23rd October 2018 Trier lays claim to being the oldest city in Germany having been capital of the Western Roman Empire in the third century. Several of its buildings have been designated as UNESCO World Heritage Sites and it is also the birthplace of Karl Marx. We left our aire on the banks of the […]

After Matilda’s cycle, we went to Aachen

After Matilda’s cycle, we went to Aachen

 Wednesday, 24th October 2018 As the aire was spacious and flat Robert demanded that Matilda try out the e-bike, which she has been studiously avoiding ever since he bought it. She is, as you can see, not a confident cyclist and is particularly concerned about her safety on the “wrong side of the road.” The […]

Lier – a town of sheep heads

Lier – a town of sheep heads

Saturday, 27th October 2018 In the fifteenth century, apparently Duke John II wanted to thank the people of Lier for their support during his struggle against the people of Mechelen. They were allowed to choose their own reward and he offered them two options. The people of Lier were tasked with choosing between a university […]

Königspad Revisited…

Königspad Revisited…

 Thursday, 25th – Friday 26th October 2018 Our heartfelt thanks to Richard and Mandie who kindly welcomed the Travelling Herd back to Königspad for two nights on our journey homewards. Even though Richard had work the next day and Mandie had a serious dental appointment, they took us to their local and joined us in […]

Brugge again…

Brugge again…

Sunday, 28th October 2018 Our journey to Brugge was marked by a number of events. The first of these was a very stressful moment when we thought we might run out of fuel but thankfully managed to fill up by diverting off the main road. Secondly, having previously been directed down some very rural lanes […]

Back to Blightey

Back to Blightey

Monday, 29th October 2018 Robert enjoyed testing Alan’s levelling system to empty the tanks before we left Brugge to reduce the weight and maximise fuel economy. We had planned to go to a beer warehouse in Poperinge which Robert has visited several times before but we found it was closed on Mondays so a google […]