Who is going away this year?

[Nick65]

Normally we spend 3 weeks in the South of France picking our way between special offers at hotels, on ferries etc etc etc. But this year there has been nothing, so we are spending 5 days in St Malo at a hotel in the centre of town.

But what are you up to this year?

Any plans for anything big?

[LoopyLoo]

Nothing big as such. We had initially planned to go to the Netherlands for two weeks touring, then that got a bit elaborate with us planning a route down to southern Germany/Bavaria.

Then we thought that two weeks might not be long enough to enjoy it, and didn't really want to spent two whole weeks driving (incl associated fuel costs ) So now we're back to a fortnight touring Holland. Plan to stay at campsites near to villages, park up and use the bikes. Staying at most sites for about 3 nights so making about 4/5 stops in total should enable us to see a bit, and its not really a big country

We know the Arnhem area relatively well having visited numerous times over the past few years but we've never been to the south or to the very north or the islands. We may go into Germany/Luxemburg/France if the opporunity arises though just to say we've been

Ferry already booked so I'm spending the winter evenings browsing for nice campsites

[DE-OGZ]

unfortunately no money for France this year

too much needs doin on the house, we are planning a 'diamond from dorset' tour though

heading from Poole to the broads,
up to the peak district,
down towards mid wales (possibly tivy pools area)
and then back to Poole

we will be taking bikes, boots and kayaks to keep entertainment as cheap as poss, and also as many vouchers as possible for any evenings out.

As always recommendations on sites and sights welcome

[Tony Hunt]

Nothing big as such. We had initially planned to go to the Netherlands for two weeks touring, then that got a bit elaborate with us planning a route down to southern Germany/Bavaria.

Then we thought that two weeks might not be long enough to enjoy it, and didn't really want to spent two whole weeks driving (incl associated fuel costs ) So now we're back to a fortnight touring Holland. Plan to stay at campsites near to villages, park up and use the bikes. Staying at most sites for about 3 nights so making about 4/5 stops in total should enable us to see a bit, and its not really a big country

We know the Arnhem area relatively well having visited numerous times over the past few years but we've never been to the south or to the very north or the islands. We may go into Germany/Luxemburg/France if the opporunity arises though just to say we've been

Ferry already booked so I'm spending the winter evenings browsing for nice campsites

You could do worse than cutting across from the Ghent area of Belgium into southern part of Holland (Zeeland) using the new tunnel under the river that has taken the place of the old Breskens ferry that went across to Vlissingen. Thats a beautiful part of Holland with lovely sandy beaches and some old and interesting cities like middleburg. From there follow the coast all the way upto Amsterdam and then head for the coast road again that takes you right out onto the road that travels over the north sea literally (cant remember the name) and then on and into northern Germany around Cuxhaven following the coast all the way. Your almost opposite southern Denmark there, take the ferry across the river Elbe and then down to Hamburg and back across germany to Arnhem and home. Loads of small campsites all the way. Stellplatzes to use in Germany, very cheap usually like the french aires.
For our first trip away of any length in the Bongo I am thinking of repeating a trip we once did in our self converted Ducato van. We crossed Holland and Germany rather quickly then across the River Elbe near cuxhaven and on into Denmark. From there we drove across the two new bridges that took us into Sweden and on up into Norway. Stayed there with friends for a couple of weeks then set out across norway to Bergen, viewing the huge Glacier on the way before travelling the coast road all the way back south to Oslo where we got the ferry back to Kiel in Germany. From there we travelled back across germany via the Mosel valley and on into Luxembourg and then home through France. If we go again this year I may well jump on the ferry to Oslo and miss out sweden so that we can get further up into the Fjords above Bergen. Only problem with Norway is the cost of everything. Theres a limit to how many tins of Fray bentos pies and beans we can carry in the Bongo not to mention cans of lager and coke for the missus. Will definitely be taking the fly fishing gear to help with a change of diet some days. lol. Cant wait.

[Alison01326]

Against my better judgement (group decision again) we are spending 8 nights at Barcares sur Mer (Mediterranean near Pyrenees) in August

We are travelling to/from Plymouth-Santander again and stopping one night in each direction. Hopefully I will get to re-visit Carcassonne, and get to see Lourdes, and go up the Pyrenees, or at least as far as Ax les Thermes.

I'm sure I'll thoroughly enjoy the heat and the crowds. Will do a full report when we get back.


PS My husband says I can go on holiday for a week on my own next year. I really hope he wasn't joking

[briwy]

Alison.

If you are in Lourdes take a trip up to Cauterets and the Pont d'Espagne and really get into the mountains. Only about half and hour from Lourdes and well worth having a look. Get some Berlingots in Cauterets.

Make sure you get to see a mass in Lourdes. Two a day in summer, I'd recommend the evening one to take in the candlelight procession. I'm not religious at all but found it a very moving experience. Shame that the centre is messed up by such commercialism though.

[saracen]

Busy planning for four weeks in France - we intend to take the ferry to Santander and then wend our way north. Last year we didn't make it to the far south, so we'll have at least couple of weeks thereabouts Pyrennees, Carcassonne), take in some festivals (we're booked to play at Cordes sur Ciel!), and then a week or so further north. It'll be a mixture of campsites, at least a week self-catering, and maybe a bit of wild camping too
We had such fun last year that it seems a necessity to do it all again this year only even better...

[cabte]

ermm let me think.
Bongo bash Hopefully,
Cornwall for a week or two
And then the bigi
2 week cruise round the canarys.
Sadly leaving the bongo behind,

[fatcatlawyer]

In March we be off to disney Land Paris "for a day" curtesy of The Sun Newspaper! £17.50 Ferry included - But as Channel and Wifey do not mix have used my Tesco vouchers for a Chunnel crossing and that means in stead of driving from Calais to Disney place and back in one day, we are able to spread it over two days and stay at a Formule 1 (£25) some ten minutes from the home of Le Mickey Mouse!

Sandwiches and drinks and other necessities made up so we are not enriching the Disney Corporation any more than necessary, and the fuel will for the most part be recycled cooking oil as filtered - 50p per litre. Doing it on a shoestring. But the photos and memories should be priceless!

Later we hope to go back to France for " a few weeks" - it just depends on finance!
ian G

[feeblecat]

Making our way to the South of France for 3 weeks. For the first time it will be a "wing it" holiday cos we'll not make our mind up on the route or stopovers etc till we get off at Dunkerque - even then we'll take it as it comes!

[mister munkey]

Away at Easter to one of the Top Ten places I've never wanted to go to.


However, mrs M found an All Inclusive deal at some gaff in Turkey & its paid for now so I have to put a brave face on.


Should make an interesting Travelblog all the same . . . .

[Matt&JoyBongling]

Away at Easter to one of the Top Ten places I've never wanted to go to.


However, mrs M found an All Inclusive deal at some gaff in Turkey & its paid for now so I have to put a brave face on.


Should make an interesting Travelblog all the same . . . .

Turkey is amazing for archaeological ruins but it may be pretty cool if not cold during Easter.

[Nick65]

Desperation has hit me now. I have booked an extra 2 nights away, otherwise it will be a very short holiday

[dave_aber]

Last year was a 'grand' mini-tour of Europe, UK - France - Italy - Slovenia - Austria - Germany - Holland - Belgium - France - UK.

This year will be a week or so in Cornwall, on the instructions of Mrs Aber. No idea yet when or which bit of Cornwall. Last time I was there (25 years ago) I stayed in a wee campsite in Rock in an inflatable tent..

Any recommendations gratefully received.

[bongodonkey]

Hello,

Our plans this year (it's our first with our bongo) is a wee tour to the Porte du Soliel in southern France where we will be spending about 5 days before a 3 day trip back up to Calais. The leg from Calais is approx 550miles - however we are going to slowly meander down over 4 days with chill out stops in campsites so our girls can run themselves ragged and not getting threaders with all the traveling.

Looking at swinging through some vineyards along the way - well there is lots of room in the bongo and I want to attempt the world record in 'the most red wine carried in a bongo - EVER'!

Also we are looking at a week cutting about in Wales - meeting up with family.

Neither dates are fixed as our jobs don't really permit long term planning. We are lucky if we can plan a month ahead at the best of times.

Anyhow, Easter will be our first meet at Allithwaite with the North West bongoniers. We are really looking forward to it. I've nearly finished me thermal screens and a clip on awing to graft onto our touring tent.......sadly leaving the hound behind on this trip, but then we're moving up to Scotland and seeing the sights around Loch Lomond..