life on the road

Sunday 13th September 2026 – a visit to Lucerne….

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Still heading south, we briefly crossed into Germany for a short distance and using the wonderful Swiss motorway network, soon made our way into Lucerne. Finding parking near the station on the lakeside, we made our way on foot into the beautiful (and busy) city….

We were totally captivated by Chapel Bridge, built in 1333 it is the oldest wooden covered bridge in Europe and the interior roof features original 17th C paintings by local artist Wagmann. Approx two thirds of the original bridge was destroyed by fire in 1993 which was quickly restored and re-opened….

After crossing the bridge we enjoyed a leisurely stroll around the city before taking a break to enjoy the beauty of the lakeside views…

It was soon time for us to move on and continue up into the mountains to our campsite at Innertkirschen for a few days…

Daily stats:

  • Miles driven – 136
  • Miles walked – 5
  • C/P – £4.20
  • O/N – £28.95

Saturday 12th September 2026 – a visit to Colmar….

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After an uneventful driving day and overnight stop in the CCP in Amneville yesterday we continued on for a few miles to Colmar. After finding free parking behind a large supermarket on the outskirts we wandered into the old city centre…

The main hub was very crowded but as is generally the case it was possible to wander the smaller back alleys unhindered. The day was very hot so it was a relief to find the narrow lanes providing plenty of shade….

Meandering the streets we made our way to the Little Venice area of Colmar and enjoyed the colourful canals and beautiful architecture of the surrounding streets before heading back to the van….

A short drive took us to the Ils du Rhin, a long thin strip of land literally on the french / german border, sandwiched between the Rhine and the Canal d’Alsace and our CCP for the night.

We enjoyed a nice evening stroll along the pretty deserted island taking in the fine profile of Stephanmunster, an imposing building on the opposite side of the Rhine in Breisach, Germany before settling in for the evening….

Friday 11th Stats:

  • Miles driven – 198
  • Miles walked – 4
  • Fuel – £98.98
  • O/N – £13.78

Saturday 12th Stats:

  • Miles driven – 152
  • Miles walked – 7
  • Groceries – £14.52
  • O/N – £11.96

Thursday 10th September 2026 – Dover to Calais and then onto Ath in Belgium….

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An early start to our day paid off as we got to Dover in really good time and got put onto the 8.15 crossing ahead of the booked 9.45 one. Absolutely no delays going through customs at Dover and we drove straight off the ferry and straight onto the road network system without seeing a soul! So much so that we pulled up at a the first service area outside Calais to get our bearings, set the Sat Nav and change the van settings to Kilometres.

We made good headway using the toll free route via Dunkirk and Lille and after one aborted mission to access an Aire in Lessines, where the access road was being dug up with no obvious alternative route we bobbed a few miles back down the road to an Aire in Ath. It was an unusual Aire (CCP) having started life as a recycling plant, where you reversed into the slots that would have sited the skips but the concrete walls had all been painted with murals – sorry forgot to take a photo.

Once settled we wandered along the banks of La Dendre Canal and into the town of Ath….

A vibrant university town with a buzzing Grand Place, alive with people enjoying the afternoon sun and a drink or two….

Some weird sort of totems in a courtyard caught our eye but no clue as to what or why….

And of course a fine church – St Juliens and a medieval Tower – Burbant….

A pleasant walk after a longish day.

Today’s stats:

  • Miles driven – 139
  • Miles walked – 4
  • O/N – £11.18

Sunday 6th September 2026 – a stunnng day out to Durdle Door and Lulworth Cove….

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Heading a little further along the coast and a couple of nights spent at Moreton CCC we took advantage of the nearby railway station and causght the train one stop to Wool Station where we were able to pick up the Breezer bus to Durdle Door – oh my what a treat…

Firstly Man ‘O War Cove and then the stunning natural arch – Durdle Door and it’s beautiful sandy cove. Though the weather was pretty hot we decided to walk up and over to Lulworth Cove, stopping in a little shade at the top to admire Swyre Head and cool down a bit with a drink before pressing on….

Approaching Lulworth Cove we stopped awhile to watch some mad souls jumping off a smaller arch into the rather inviting turquoise blue sea….

Before heading down to the cove (most of the beach now lost to the tide) we walked over the headland for a better view of the cove….

We found a little patch of stony beach to sit and chill before making our way back to the bus and train and back to site. Would totally recommend this journey as the parking looked pretty frantic and the cheapest I saw was £9 for 3 hours.

Moreton Stats:

  • Miles driven – 106
  • Miles walked – 8
  • Beaches – 3
  • O/N – £27.47 (2 nights)
  • Groceries – £29.38
  • Bus & Train – £9.90

Another few days staying at Chichester and Canterbury getting pre-trip stuff done including getting Tilly’s Animal Health Certificate and we were ready for the off on the 10th September.

Stats:

  • Miles driven – 210
  • Miles walked – 9
  • O/N – £46.31 (3 nights)

1st – 4th September 2026 – on the road again visiting Torcross…

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Well the summer at home has just flown by, punctuating time spent with friends and family, time on the beach enjoying this glorious weather, with adminny type things such as van service, hab checks and MOT’s for me and Tilly – all is good! So, as planned we are off early on the 1st of September, having planned a few days to get ourselves ‘settled’ back into our home on wheels on the CCC site at Slapton Sands – the van is not just my ‘happy place’….

Enjoying the late afternoon sunshine we took a stroll down to the sea and a walk along Slapton Sands beach….

Passing the devastation caused by January 26 storms (Goretti, Ingrid and Chandra) affecting the sea defences and destroying part of the main road at Torcross as well as causing major damage to several properties and business’s….

We then enjoyed a glass of wine overlooking Torcross Beach in the last of the days sunshine….

The weather was pretty awful for the next few days, with us mostly being shrouded in mist – wet mist!. Though we did get out for a few walks along Strete Sands, around part of Slapton Ley and into nearby Stokenham….

A successful few days getting back into vanlife mode and preparing for our next adventure.

Stats for first few days…

  • Miles driven – 158
  • Miles walked – 19
  • Beaches – 3
  • O/N – £41.12 (4)
  • Food – £52.68