Camp site: Aire on the river, Rue des Jardins, 52300 Joinville

4am start for the long ass trip to Joinville, France, pretty much on autopilot after an awful nights “sleep”. Ferry crossing was 6am and we arrived at the port around 4:45am.

The motorhome at the port before dawn Sunrise from the ferry window

Crossing was fine after about 4 cappuccinos and a macha latte.

Sunrise over the sea on deck The white cliffs receding as we crossed Bright morning approaching France

Arrived in Dunkirk around 9am and put in the Joinville address in the TomTom (avoiding tolls). This turned into the longest, most tedious, boiling hot, experience on earth. No air con and the outside temp above 40 degree, it really wasn’t a pleasant trip. Mel nearly passed out at one point.

38.2 degrees inside the van - no air con

We had planned to visit the Avenue De Champagne and spend a pleasant couples of hours sampling a buying some of rhe regions finest. Of course, the reality was nothing like that. We couldnt find anywhere to park, Mel was nearly collapsing with heat exhaustion and had to lie down and all the roads were shut so I was completely stuck in Epernay, hangry, knackered and seemingly no way out. Eventually escaped and gave it up as a bad job. This was 7 hours into the journey. Joinville added another 2 hours. I was losing the will to live. Mel already had.

Arrived at the lovely aire in Joinville by the river at about 17:30. About 6 other vans here, all French. Sweating isn’t the word.

Settled at the aire, French vans all around The houseboat moored beside the aire

Had a beer by the river,

A well-earned beer by the river

nipped to Lidl for water

Mel back from the Lidl run

and had a cold shower in the van, much needed and headed for a couple of bars. Beautiful place and very relaxed, temperature dropping to mid 30’s so much more reasonable.

The canal running through the centre of Joinville Danny crossing the bridge into town Joinville’s church, hillside and rooftops A quiet cobbled street in the old town A beautifully preserved timber-framed building The church up close - rose window and spire First bar of the evening Mel with a beer at the second bar Together for a drink A third bar, right on the river Danny with a pint, bridge and town behind Mel taking in the view, riverside Warm evening light on the river as we headed back

Back to the van for lovely ham salad bap and another beer by the river.

Ham salad bap by the river at sunset

Total miles today around 300 miles. Diesel costing around 2.21 euros. Ouch.