2025 September: France and Germany – Truck Stop on A1 to Ambelteuse France

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We are en route to Le Shuttle, aka Channel Tunnel, travelling from Lancaster, having spent the night at the Bumblebee Truckstop on the A1. We are woken up by the heavy throb of a truck engine at 6.00am, as good as an alarm clock! We get up, have coffee, breakfast and are on the road again before 8.00 am. South on A1M and A14 past Cambridge and onto M25 where there is some minimal congestion. Over the Dartford bridge (£3.50 for motorhomes) and onto M20 to Folkestone. Arriving at just after midday we check to Le Shuttle, in (for our 13.36 crossing) and are offered an earlier train at 12.24. We line up in the holding lanes, but miss that train by a few vehicles so are first on 12.54 crossing. Arriving at Calais at 2.30pm (plus one hour) we drive straight to Calais Auchan and with no hoodies or immigrants in sight we spend €180 on meats, cheese, wine and needed supplies. Normally we avoid Auchan at Calais and head to Dunkirk, that’s in the opposite direction. 

On our way again about 5.00pm we take the A26 south towards Boulogne, to Ambleteuse on the coast overlooking the sand dunes and English Channel. Our stay is at a  horse stabling and farm, it is a lovely quiet setting on the field next to the horses, after 280km plus the crossing we are ready to stop. We watch huge white topped waves rolling relentlessly in (no wonder so many immigrants drown), it is an impressive sight. We open fizz (Crémant) and drink it with crevette from Auchan. Later as the night darkens, we finish the beef enchilada meat with rice.

There are about ten of us here overnight €8/each (no facilities) just a reasonably flat field, peace and quiet and wonderful views. Mid evening it begins to rain in earnest and pours torrential showers down on us most of the night. In the night I am woken regularly by heavy rain beating on the roof and the wind buffeting and rocking Hymer. In the morning Alan visits the farmhouse and pays, a good opportunity to practice French with the lady there.

Motorhome Trek Lancaster UK to A1 UK to Ambelteuse, France

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