Home to Calais, France Via Eurotunnel

We spend a lot of time sorting out the Hymer motorhome during the week, packing clothes, food etc and checking that all the small items that we know will be needed are still inside. It's a long job packing up the motorhome for a big trek, but it pays off when the trip goes smoothly. In the worst case we can purchase things we need on the way.

An early start as we drive south via the M6 to Stafford, where we are re-routed off the M6, through the town centre of Stafford that is a bit run down as it was in 2013 when Gill  taught a course there.

Back on the M6 at Wolverhampton and south over Spaghetti junction to Warwick Services on the M40 where we stop for lunch. Back on the road again through a series of Smart motorway upgrades, roadworks and various minor delays to the M25. Here we discover that the M26 link road from the M25 is closed with a delay of over one-hour.

This is getting serious as it means we would have used all three hours of our contingency time getting to Eurotunnel around the time of check-in closing! Fortunately, going the long way around the M25 will save us an hour.

We arrive at Folkestone at 5.30pm and park up at the lemon Leaf Nepalese restaurant, basic furniture and fittings, good prices and excellent food. We have two Nepalese mixed grill chef specials; we realise we are both very hungry.

To Eurotunnel departures, arriving in good time for check-in, no searching this time, it is very quiet and very little queueing. A good journey over in 30 mins arriving at Calais before 9.00pm local time. We are off the train very quickly and drive to Gravelot Camperplaats (Aire for motor homes only), there are at least 30 campers already there and the campsite next to it looks full.

We park up and realise we have driven 350 miles and are very tired, so go to bed fairly soon after arriving and sleep very well.