A wet and windy night, awoke to find our insulating screens detached although the sides, being trapped in the doors, were still there. The main screen was behind the van; we don't know if someone decided they would like a set of screens so chose ours, but we've never had the wind rip them off before......
Never mind, got ourselves organised and for a change were more or less ready to depart at 10.00. We've decided that to avoid getting too tired we'll try and be on the road by 10.00, drive for a couple of hours or so then break for lunch. A further couple of hours drive then be parked up by 4.00pm would mean it was still daylight whilst looking for an overnight stop and the drivers (and Jamie!) wouldn't get too tired – we are getting on a bit you know!
Although we normally eschew the tolled autoroutes, as the weather was poor it was probably worthwhile using one this morning. It was only toll as far as Abbeville so not too expensive and allowed us to keep up a good average speed. The roads through Northern France are good and quite scenic but we've travelled them before.
So another steady run using the cruise control until taking our lunch break just before Rouen, knowing there would be little opportunity for a while once we'd negotiated the city. Signs also told us of extensive roadworks ahead so we paused sooner rather than later.
Once on our way again we found the roadworks not to be a problem; heavy traffic was forced to take the diversions but we were okay (well technically we are over 3.5t but nobody was asking). Rouen can be difficult but we've found if you don't deviate from the through road and watch for the correct exit it's fine. But we know some have been caught out by low underpasses.......... Managed to become separated from Colin and Tina due to traffic lights for a while but we knew where we were heading so just taking it easy for a while allowed them to catch up.
Once clear there were no more autoroutes for us although the roads were good and fast. A couple of years ago France introduced a blanket 80kph speed limit on 2-lane roads but then modified it to allow 90kph under certain conditions – which weren't all that clear! Then they allowed each Departement to decide their own limits which, coupled with a certain lassitude in putting up signs, is quite confusing. TomTom, despite being an excellent guide, is definitely undecided about what these limits should be so a degree of concentration was required to avoid problems. Of course, at the same time, France banned the use of vehicle mounted speed camera warnings so it's important to keep your eyes open! Finally the French authorities don't have any qualms about hiding speed cameras behind trees, bushes, bridges etc!
But we think we managed to stay legal (won't find out, of course, until we get home) and proceeded through another dull and showery afternoon towards our selected overnight stop at Chateaudun, a place we've visited many times in the past. If you arrive early enough it's a pleasant enough town but a steep climb up several hundred steps to the imposing castle from the Aire, which still had a few parking places left.
Cuppa and a chat to plan the next leg then a quiet evening and early night as Terry still feeling the effects of his cold.
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