I am a big fan of the whole European camping thing. Who needs the hassle of airports when you can simply drive to your destination! The simplicity of piling the family into a car, filling it to the brim with all the comforts of home - including more luggage than any airline would allow - and then heading off... What's not to like!
Camping in France is big with Irish families who want to get a break where the kids can be 'contained', kept occupied and, of course, where adults can relax. There is the added bonus of being able to bring back home as much essential shopping (i.e., wine) as the car's suspension will hold.
Of course, many people fly and drive a hire car to their chosen campsite, but they miss out on the cargo they can return with. This summer, the five Sheridans loaded up a seven-seat Ford Galaxy MPV and headed overland to France - possibly for the last time as our eldest has just turned 17.
While many seasoned campers book campsites directly in France, we prefer letting the experts sort out the logistics. Eurocamp, online and through its Cork office, arranged a multi-location holiday for us that would see us use three different campsites over two weeks. This year we wanted to go to Paris to see the sights but, more importantly, support Philip 'Goose' Doyle and the Irish Women's Rugby team in the World Cup.
Well over 10 years ago we took the original Ford Galaxy on our first trip and while it was pretty hi-tech at the time with an optional VHS multimedia system fitted, it remains a far cry from the current Galaxy.
The big Ford features the latest 2.0-litre TDCi, tax band 'B', 163hp turbocharged engine. It costs €47,611 - not cheap, but you get a lot of car for the money. With the back seats folded flush to the floor there is a massive amount of luggage space and even room for an electric cooler box. Large barrel bags and cases are fine on the way out, but to maximise cargo space on the way home pack clothes in bin liners - these find their own level in the boot and allow you carry more.
It's vital to pump the tyres to the recommended higher pressure for a loaded car - you'll find a metal plate mounted inside the door with a pressure guide written on it, or you can check in the car's manual.
Galaxy's middle three seats can slide separately, this helps keep potentially warring factions apart. As kids get older personal media players and, more importantly, headphones, let the mum and dad regain control of the stereo up front for their 'sooo-emmmbarrassing' music!
Our route avoided the expensive direct ferry to France and instead we used Irish Ferries to get us to Holyhead on the 'Jonathan Swift' fast ferry. In less than two hours we were in Holyhead. We headed across the Isle of Anglesey and Northern Wales towards Chester, cutting down onto the M6 and M6 Toll and on to the M1, M25 and then across Dartford Toll bridge (you use the tunnel on the return). We then took the M20 on to Folkestone where we caught the train to France through the tunnel. Allow six hours for this drive.
We love Eurotunnel as it is a service that directs you where to go and, when stopped, the bigger machinery does the hard work. It is amazing to think the 50.5km tunnel is 20-years-old. French passport control is in Folkestone too (and vice versa in Calais). The only slight delay might come from a random car security check, which in our case involved a few swabs being taken of our car and other vehicles by UK security staff. And then off you go.
Most tickets allow a certain amount of leeway in terms of departure time - so if you're a bit early or late don't panic. The tunnel train takes about a half-hour to complete the crossing. You sit in your car but there are loos on board the shuttle should anyone need to go. On arrival you simply drive off the train and you're in France at Calais.
In preparing your car for driving in France you should have your headlights adjusted for driving on the right hand side of the road - a simple stick-on patch does this and can be bought at most car accessories shops. If you haven't done this you can simply lower your lights 'aim' via the manual dial adjuster located near the light switch itself. The law only requires you not to dazzle oncoming traffic. France has relaxed the recent law requiring drivers to carry self-use breathalysers (you can buy them in most filling stations in France or at most ferry/border crossings).
If you are using a sat nav, update its software and/or switch off any speed detection display function. It must be compliant with the strict French law that bans speed trap detection. Speed detection comes in many forms, including unlikely unmarked police cars that are equipped with forward and rear speed detection cameras. A few kilometres above the speed limit on motorways is tolerated but better safe than sorry and stick to the limits, which can change depending on weather conditions e.g., 130km/h becomes 110km/h in rain on the motorway. In the car you must also carry a high visibility vest (for each occupant) in case of breakdown.
We've driven as far as Venice in the past to camp and it is a lot easier than you might think to do big journeys as you simply break the trip down into stages. In our case we stayed in Guines (the first and last night) just outside Calais, then we took a less-than-three-hour drive to Berny-Rivère, about 90 minutes drive outside Paris for an extended stay. We spent one night in the suburbs of Paris at the International Maisons-Laffitte campsite, where we could see the Women's Rugby World Cup 'Finals Day' plus do the Paris 'tourist thing' the following day.
Over 2,500 kilometres we used three tanks of diesel, which is impressive with the amount of higher speed motorway driving we did. A top tip is always fill up at the large supermarkets like Carrefour or E.Leclerc where fuel, especially diesel (Gazole), is about 12c cheaper per litre than anywhere on or near the motorway network.
Driving abroad is nothing to fear if you prepare. Study your route and anticipate junctions so you can be in the right lane early. If you don't have a sat nav get your co-driver to tell you about the next junction or turn you'll need to make as soon as possible, e.g., after you just made a turn or gone through an intersection or toll. Breaks every two hours work well for most people as they allow the blood circulate and, of course, remember the golden rule - never pass food or a toilet!
On our return bad weather kept the fast ferry in port. Via texts from Irish Ferries, we had to take an earlier ferry from Holyhead home. This meant a much earlier start in Calais, but the kids had their pillows and duvets. While the cabin slept as we drove up through England I listened to Shay Byrne on RTÉ Radio 1 on longwave and caught up with the news from home that we had blissfully zoned out of for two weeks! Thanks Eurocamp.
Michael Sheridan
