I'm talking about the tens of thousands of British caravans, motorcaravans and trailer tents that were until just a few years ago such a common sight on French motorways, not just visiting France, but en-route for Spain and Italy also.
Ok, I can see that the exchange rate, coupled with escalating fuel and ferry costs have made crossing the channel less attractive, but when you consider the small fortune that many motorcaravans cost to buy, then the cost of fuel and ferry fares, pale into insignificance.
Anyway I would be interested to hear the reasons from folk who no longer visit the continent with their own accommodation. Perhaps some of you on here still do?
Well the interesting thing I found on a motorhome tour of the Costa Brava were the number of holidaymakers who store their caravans locally for about 200 Euros a year, then they either call the contractor to put the van on the pitch and site of their choice, fly and rent-a-car, or they speed drive the motorway and either go to the booked site or pick up the van for local touring. Seems a great idea to me if one doesn't like rainy UK.
That may be part of your answer.
Hello Musketeer,
You could be right, I think the final straw for many people may have been when P&O pulled out of Cherbourg; there was quite a noticeable drop in numbers after that. A few people in France offer caravan storage, but it never seemed to catch on.
cost of ferry etc
we just happy to stay in the uk for most of the time and we get away every 2 or three weeks
With the rising costs of everything and the endless hours stuck in traffic jams or road works we sold ours and bought a boat on East coast.
A sea capable 34ft motor cruiser with all the mod cons on board, bit like a floating caravan but without the traffic.
It's totally relaxing cruising along the river or out at sea with no one to disturb you, or just moored on the river bank enjoying a bottle or two of your favourite tipple.
We still have friends who have tourers, when we meet they use some of the quiet riverside sites.
xxx
Well I also have a boat and have moved her to Spain, mainly a weather related decision. But actually in its own way it's quite limited as a touring option. Travelling at 8 mph max. I'm thinking a motorhome and possibly a trailed little sailing dinghy might offer the compromise I seek. But then its never perfik.
Well I also have a boat and have moved her to Spain, mainly a weather related decision. But actually in its own way it's quite limited as a touring option. Travelling at 8 mph max. I'm thinking a motorhome and possibly a trailed little sailing dinghy might offer the compromise I seek. But then its never perfik.
Yes we must stay "on topic"
Last night I was chatting to a Brit who lives in Spain, and he reckoned that all those British caravans we used to see over here, weren't Brits on holiday, but retired Brits who either had property in Spain, or lived in their caravans on Spanish sites off-season. He said many of them were back n forth all the time, for dental appointments, eye tests etc, and of course stocking up on their HP sauce and teabags! Seems the exchange rate and rising cost of living over here, mean that the travelling pensioners can no longer afford to travel!
