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The beginning and the end. Gravelines, which is across the water is where I put down as our starting place but it was actually here, at Grand Fort Phillipe. Gravelines has introduced parking charges and most vans are now using this side.
I'm writing this on Monday morning, the 4th June, sat listening to the rain on our tin roof and to the howling wind. We've just got back from the Super U where we've stocked up on food, drink and diesel ready for our return to the UK tomorrow.
When we arrived we returned from a walk to find a GB van parked lengthwise along the quay side between us and another, older GB van. No problem to us but we did think it rather selfish as it was taking up a double space. Half an hour later it drove to the far end of the car park. We thought no more of it until I got out to see what the smiling white haired man bobbing about in front of our van wanted. He was from the older van and needed to tell me, at length and with the strongest of Welsh accents, about his altercation with the "f..... b....... " who had just driven away. It seems the proximity of the offenders van had robbed our Welshman of his RV signal and he had requested, hands clasped together in supplication, that the newcomer reverse a couple of feet to alleviate the problem - only to be met with a mouthful of abuse in which his birthplace and the fact that he was using a generator featured strongly. At this our 80 year old Welsh friend had responded that he would knock the others teeth out and puncture all his tyres. Ah well, such is life on a campsite.
We got the bikes out Saturday and after pumping up the tyres, set off for Gravelines. It was our first ride of this trip, my still being nervous of doing more damage to my hand which is still not fully recovered since my spill on - or should that be off? - my push scooter in Beverley last February. I didn't fall off but in Gravelines realized I didn't have my phone with me. Back we went, to be greeted by our French neighbors who had rescued my phone from where I had left it on the back of the van. Phew.
Sunday we thought we might have a last lunch in France and drove to Gravelines. Deciding that everywhere was too expensive we returned to base and walked to a small restaurant in GFP only to find they were full. Lunched in the van and enjoyed it as always.
Our last job here is to use the launderette on Monday. We will watch the last of Mad Men and be ready for the 9.50am ferry on Tuesday.
On the whole an enjoyable if uneventful three months. It will be good seeing the kids and friends in general, to have Internet access without having to find wifi (although the 3G Kindle has been a boon as always) to be able to buy online and make no cost phone calls.
À Bientôt.
(sent approaching the white cliffs of Dover from the P&O ferry)
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