Euro Tour Day 13

Another long driving day today and tonight we're camped by the sea again, this time a short ferry ride across from Venice.

We spent this morning poking around the streets of Assisi and looking through the basilica where Saint Francis is buried. Assisi is a really lovely place, mostly traffic free and still looking for the most part like it must have in the 13th century when the saint lived there.

The basilica is a striking building on two levels with frescos drawn on every available surface. Quite the picture.

Assisi is a hill town and the views are breath taking. Personally, I'd live there.

Tomorrow is Venice. Should be ace.

Euro Tour Day 12

What an awesome thunderstorm last night. The sort you only get in southern Europe. Massive flashes of lightning lighting the sky and thunder so loud it shook the van as we slept. Or tried to. Quite a night.

No sight seeing today, just driving. We're heading north up the east coast towards Venice. Half way up we've detoured in land to the small town of Assisi where Saint Francis (he of brown cassocks and animal friends) was born and lived.

Saint Francis was the patron saint of my first school, my church when I was a kid and of my rugby club so I was keen to drop by on the way north. We'll see the little hill town of Assisi tomorrow when I'll have more to report.

The van is really doing a great job so far. Just over 2000 miles in 12 days and its been purring along. We've abandoned the bed extension as its too much hassle to put up and get down in the night when Mrs B. needs to go. Sleeping up there is a little cramped and the matress a little hard but we're getting used to it.

The kitchen pod and electrical hook up are getting used every day. The whole set up is working a treat to be honest. Really pleased.

We did get talking to a California owner a couple of days ago and got a tour of his van. Very sweet. Now wondering about whether to upgrade to a Cali or continue to add little bits to this one. Something that needs some serious thought and research. No rush yet.

Now its time for curry and red wine, sat in the sunshine before it sets.

Euro Tour Day 11

Half way time wise and today we turned back north for the first time.

Today has been a driving day - and what a day. We started off near Serrento on the west coast and drove down the Amalfi coast to Salerno. That was an experience. Lonely Planet describes it as a white knuckle ride for the driver and as picturesque a coastline as you will find. Both are right. It was mad to drive with thin roads hair-pining back and forth across the coast with cliff drops off into the deep blue sea. And Italian bus drivers using both lanes and car drivers overtaking on blind corners. Another "interesting" drive!

Then we crossed Italy to the east coast on the Adriatic. The drive across was mostly quick and flat. Again on these roads cruise control is awesome.

Then we hit the Adriatic. How does no one know about this place? Okay so its late September but it is dead here. The sea is a gorgeous green colour - limestone rock on this coast - and the cliffs are beautiful. The sun is out, the temperature is fine. The sea temp is good and there is hardly a soul around. Perfection. Oh, and the cliff top road is a joy to drive. Fun, winding and with fabulous views across white cliffs and green seas. And the Italians here drive normally!

We're now camped in a little site with its own private beach about 20m from our pitch. Sun's setting and its time to make some dinner.

We'll see what the weather is like tomorrow but if it's good we'll certainly stay a day. Failing that I think the vague plan is to head north to Assisi.

Hopefully it'll be sunny...

Euro Tour Day 10

A day of Roman ruins today. We spent the day exploring Pompei and Herculaneum which were both covered in pyroclastic flow when Versuvius erupted in 72 AD.

Pompei is immense. Its a whole city and covers 55 hectares. They have done an incredible job of digging out the city and you can walk pretty much everywhere.

Herculaneum is much smaller but extremely well preserved. Many of the buildings are almost entirely intact and the wall paintings still remain. Incredible to see how life was 2000 years ago.

Tonight we're back at the coast near Sorrento and tomorrow we're going to leave the Med and cross Italy to the Adriatic. Nothing particular there, we just want to see another part of Italy.

Naples has been "interesting". The city is run down and dirty with bags of litter strewn everywhere. There are mangy stray dogs all over. It's really not a great place.

And I'm not even going to mention the Napolese driving...

Euro Tour Day 9

I'm simply loving this tour.

We woke this morning in Rome and are now camped right be the sea in a little village near Sorento down by Naples. The village has a gorgeous little harbour which looks back across the bay of Naples onto the city and Mount Vesuvius in the background. Quality views from here and a little bar on the harbour front some 50 meters from where we're camped.

Today has been a driving day but we still managed to fit in a quick climb of Vesuvius along the way. We drove up a thin single track lane to the car park near the top and walked the rest of the way up to the cauldera. Huge views from the top across the Bay of Naples and of course of the volcano crater too.

We were once again today reminded of how versatile the T5 is compared to say a motor home. Sure our little van is not as palacious as some of the houses on wheels we see along side us in the campsites but it sure is easier to drive. We've had it in an underground carpark in Monaco - just - and have been up more switchback mountain roads than you can shake a stick at over the last week with no more trouble than a car would have. Brilliant.

Barbeque is on. Broadside ale is poured. And ... relax.

Euro Tour Day 8

Knackered. Absolutely knackered. So this will be brief.

We spent the day looking around the Vatican city. St. Peter's basilica is possibly the most amazing building I have ever been inside. Its simply breathtaking. It looks fairly impressive on the outside but is like walking into another world when you walk through the doors.

We explored the basilica itself then took the 320 steps up to the top of the cupola for extensive views across Rome. Nothing is allowed to be built higher than St. Peter's and Rome's skyscape is notable for its total lack of any skyscrapers at all.

Leaving the dizzy heights we explored the catacombs beneath the basilica where the popes are buried. Its a small
stroll and worth it. The tomb of Pope John Paul II is somehow emotional and people are still stood there weeping at his grave 5 years after his death.

If you've never been to the basilica, go.

The Sistine chapel was quite a sight too although we were so tired by then we were a little underwhelmed by it. The museums it sits in are very impressive with lots of fantastic sculptures and paintings through the ages. Not our cup of tea really but still fascinating.

We both rated the Vatican experience as 10/10.

As fairly experienced travellers (Mrs Blakey especially) we both rate Rome as the nicest city we have ever been to. Exceptional place.

Tomorrow we leave Rome and head further south to the coast and the resort of Sorrento. I so need a rest.

Euro Tour Day 7

Wow. One week gone already. Time has whizzed by and we've already seen loads.

Today was spent in Rome. The T5 had the day off and we took Shanks' van into the city. Well the train, metro and lots and lots of walking anyway.

We arrived in Flaminio not far from the rugby stadium and set out on foot for the Colosseo. Along the way we took in the Spanish steps, the Trevi fountain, the Pantheon, the Complesso del Vittoriano, MacDonalds, the Palatine and the Forum. The Coluseum was the highlight of the day without a doubt. "Impressive. Most impressive", as a certain Mr. D. Vader was heard to say. Was slightly disappointed not to see Russell Crow but he must have been busy in makeup or something.

We're now foot sore and weary but back at camp and fed. Watering is the next order of the day - only because we have to go into the bar to get on the Net to book tickets for the Vatican of course...

Euro Tour Day 6

Busy day today.

Last night we stuck our noses into Lonely Planet and read up on Tuscany and Florence specifically. It appears Florence isn't a particularly good looking city architecturally but is full of great museums and art galleries. Whereas by comparison the medieval town of Siena is a delight to explore without needing to enter a single building. Not being great art critics we made the choice and drove down to Siena.

Great choice. The town is beautiful with an old city wall, thin, winding, cobble stoned streets which are almost totally traffic free - apart from the ubiquitous scooters of course - and some stunning churches. A lot of them in fact. The cathedral was an absolute eye fest of white and green marble stretching into the azure skies. 11th century genius.

Some of the views across Tuscany from the town walls are amazing too. We wandered up to the university on the edge of the old city and were rewarded with a panoramic hillscape stretching off into the distance.

After spending a long afternoon in Siena we drove on down to the outskirts of Rome and are now camped up on the edge of the Tiber about 5 miles from the city. We'll stay here for a few days (no driving for a few days! Yay!) As we explore the city.

No driving tomorrow - I'm off to get a beer or three down my neck...

Euro Tour Day 5

Stupid helicopters flew all night.

Fantastic day today. We got up late (due to Heli-lag) and took a leisurely drive down to Pisa. The leaning tower is as impressive as you'd expect and more so is the Cathedral in whose walled grounds it stands. The traditional photos of us holding up the tower were snapped and a quick stroll through the grounds and we were off back to the van.

Deciding not to explore the town further we headed on to the medieval town of Lucca whose entire city walls still stand. We walked the 3km around the city walls and then dropped into the cobbled streets below. The town is picturesque with high 14th century buildings leaning over tiny shaded alleys.

We stopped for a glass of OJ in the central piazza where we got chatting to a couple from Argentina who were just finishing their lunch, had half a bottle of chilled Pinot going spare and had a cruise ship to catch. They rather generously offered us the remains of their wine as they rushed off. We accepted and the waitress brought us a large glass which we shared.

Then it was off to the top of the Torre Guinigi which rather bizarrely has a tree growing out of the top. From there the views across the town towards the hills of Tuscany are worth the hard climb.

Then it was back to the van and a short drive up into the hills to a peaceful site with great views of the Tuscany countryside and no helicopters.

Euro Tour Day 4

Mixed day today. We travelled some 200 miles through Italy on the coast road and stopped off at the famous Cinque Terre which is 5 small fishing and wine-growing villages clinging to the sides of the Alps as they drop into the Med.

The villages are really pretty and quaint but were spoilt by simply too many people even at this time of year. Monaco seemed quieter.

There are two coast paths that wend their way from village to village. One is an easy low level 12km stroll and one a really tough 38km climb across the ridge tops. Given we were pushed for time we opted for the lower path. Along with everyone else.

It was carnage out there. Hundreds of people and a really hot day did not a happy Blakey make. Add to that we were overcharged for tickets (yes you have to pay) and then found the path was shut after 2 villages meaning we couldn't even walk the whole route.

No doubt it would have been a nice place if it was quieter. The views as we walked down from the van to the sea were simply stunning.

Anyway. We moved on a little and found a lovely campsite with great facilities, gorgeous shaded pitches by a big river. With a heliport as busy as Gatwick nextdoor. Let's just hope they don't fly all night...

Sat Nav - got to love it

This is where our TomTom says we are. Pretty much right!

Camping Card ACSI

Another thing we have to thank Mrs Blakey's parents for is our Camping Card ACSI. This little beauty cost us £11 back in Blighty. It gives you access to a massive number of campsites across Europe, mostly in low season like we are now. These campsites cost exactly €11, €13 or €15 with this card regardless of their base price. You get a book with about 2000 campsites in it and a map of Europe with their locations. The book tells you the cost and facilities in each one. Its basically what we're using to stay in this tour.

Take tonight for example. This campsite (which is stunning) would normally be €30 a night is costing us just €15. That means we've paid for the card in one night alone. And we've used it every night so far - and plan to continue doing so.

Can't recommend it enough!

Euro Tour Day 3

What a cracking day. Today we spent looking around the quiet and peaceful village of Monte Carlo in the little known Principality of Monaco. Oh. My. God. This must be where half the Aston Martins in the world are based.

We walked the F1 track (after a slight detour where I got lost at Casino - all those years of playing GP4 let me down!). Very cool and somewhat bizarre walking around the streets I know from the TV and driving sims on my PC.

Monaco isn't quite as expensive as we'd imagined. €20 for a starter even on the harbour front in a nice enough restaurant - we stopped and looked at the menu whilst chomping on cheese and ham sarnies in a fresh baguette from the campsite this morning. Of course you can spend more if you want.

The Casino is wonderful. We went in but as we're on a budget we didn't pay the €10 to get into the rooms where the tables were. Amazing building though. And Ferraris and Rolls galore parked outside.

The harbour was disappointing. Not as nice as Cannes. They were ramping up for a yachting show though so loads of stuff being put up. A bit of a building site.

Driving around the Riviera was interesting. Its not Sussex! Crazy foreigners. Its the mopeds that are the worst. Still the views probably didn't help the concentration! The alps really do just drop off into the sea here and its amazing.

This evening we've driven a few miles out of Monaco and into Italy and stopped in a campsite by the sea in San Remo. I think we hit a lucky spot judging from our pitch - see the photo.

Tomorrow the plan is explore Cinque Terre on the Italian Riviera and then see where life takes us from there.

Time to light the barbie and open a bottle of merlot...

Reverse Polarity

As you might be aware when camping on the continent they do things a bit weirdly.

Because they use 2 pin plugs sometimes they wire them back to front. And sometimes they use traditional camping plugs and sometimes they use continental 2 pin sockets like you get in a house. This means you need 4 plugs! A normal and a reversed polarity 3 pin and 2 pin option.

Fortunately for us Mrs Blakey's father is a keen motor home owner, Mr Practical and very generous to boot. He made us up all the plug options you could possibly need and supplied us with a little socket tester that you simply plug into the 240v socket in the van and it tells you when you have your polarity right. Clever stuff!

This is only our second night and we've already used two of the plugs he made us up!

Thanks Mr. P!

Euro Tour Day 2

We're in Cannes some 420 miles south of where we started this morning. Toll roads were busier today but still has to be better than the back roads.

The approach to the riviera is stunning. First time I've been down this part of France and I'm impressed.

Cannes was much as expected. Beautiful town with a gorgeous marina full of multi million pound yaughts.

We've just parked up, set up camp and are hitting our first beer. A quiet one at the campsite tonight I think. Cheers!

Euro Tour, Day 1

We're now camped up in a little riverside campsite in Auxonne, near Dijon in France. Caught the chunnel across which is so easy and quick - highly recommended.

About 350 miles driven today on the French toll roads. They are so good! Quiet, fast and well maintained. England take note. Well worth the €40 for the day as we got here 3 hours faster (according to TomTom) and it was so relaxing. Cruise control is also worth its weight in gold on those roads.

We're off into town now to hunt down a restaurant as today is our 1st wedding anniversary! Great way to spend it!

Tomorrow - Cannes/Nice/Monaco!