Hotel Du Parc Hardelot

... way to Boulogne. After parking the car and getting settled in at the hotel, we went for a bit of exploring.

Boulogne (which is pronounced 'ba - loin'...at least to us English speaking folk) is an old town which has been settled for around 2000 years. Like many towns around Europe, there is an old walled part of the town, with subsequent urban sprawl around the outside. Inside the walled off part of the town, we found a 'car park' (it's official ...

... the first Meeker arriving in the New World in 1648, participants in the War of Independence on both my father and mother’s sides of the family and so on.

I was surprised to realize that it had been a year and half or so since my last visit. My travels are so frequent and I’m almost constantly on the go, yet there is so much to do that in spite of my best efforts my visits to particular areas or people are few and far between. At 2:30 we said goodbye, so that ...

... all our technology and man made world. They had created somewhat of a car park and garden. It is much easier if you look at the pictures then if I explain but I found it to be a fun art piece that was both thought provoking and easy to understand at the same time.

A nice little French town like all the rest. I'm starting to forget which town was which. Thank God for pictures and blogging or I would never remember!

... ribs) where there was a rather amusing urinal (see picture).

We left Calais and headed for a campsite which wasn’t the greatest and didn’t have very nice bathroom facilities but at least it was a gorgeous night. We spent an hour or so with our heads sticking out of the van and enjoying the stars. Love those nights! The next day we made our way to Boulogne to see the sights (see next ...

... Dan and Charles. It's a beautiful little town and one I was keen to show Kim. It is has high walls that runs 3km around it (perfect for our run morning run the next day!) and is situated atop a hill, so very picturesque.

PS. Le Coq Hardi is the local brand of beer

... the motorway at the first opportunity, and retraced our steps, along with the Landyprikkers, but we lost them shortly afterwards, as they sailed off missing the turning again.
We then followed the roadbook ok, but missed most of the things we should have seen along the route.
The Landyprikkers caught us up later, and we travelled together for a while.

18th September

Staples 2 Naples – Day 1 – Calais to Sarnen.

Last night I was well fuelled up on continental 6% European blond beer! Real lethal stuff, it was served in 3 litre tubes, we had 3 of these between 4 of us!!

Not a good mix after just 1 hour sleep in 2 days!

After drinking this and signing up for the rally, with a few more beers, i was told we are heading for a ...

We set off to France today for a new period in our life in Europe.
Work still chugs on, but with only 12 shifts in 42, we have plenty of time to ourselves.
We decided those "spare" 30 days should be spent in Europe.

I'll skip over the months of research and prep work and bring us up to today where we are now on the 4pm ferry instead of the 2pm ...

We soon climbed out of the tunnel and raced towards the train's first stop at Lille. The land was flat, bathed in sunshine and looking decidedly and strangely 'foreign' !!!

We were served with a late lunch during this section of the ride. Well cooked and well served! Also with a nice glass of champagne!!!

... had time to park and eat a burger before we had to jump into the car and make it through ticket and border checks for our 12:40 train. We were a touch concerned when we were directed down a lane just before the train and left to sit there, feeling forgotten, until the last moment. Once on the train it was all very quick and simple - just as we had been told it was supposed to be. Thirty-five minutes later we were back in the UK and on our way back to Worcester.