Two Go Back to France

[DBK]

We've been dawdling down through France for the last couple of weeks so today we put a spurt on and did a few hours driving to bring us a bit further south, ending up a little short of Toulouse.

We are beside the Garonne river. The river joining the Garonne from the top right in the screenshot below is the Tarn.

Most of the driving today was on the péage motorway but before we reached Bordeaux we drove through the Medoc wine region. There were extensive vineyards and numerous châteaux offering tastings and sales. The vines themselves were heavy with grapes.

As we approached Bordeaux we hit some queues which slowed us to a crawl for a while. Even this had its highlight - an excellent view of a hobby, a juvenile I think as it was a bit brown, sitting in a low tree by the side of the road. From a distance I thought it was a kestrel but as we got closer I could see the moustache and the white patches on the underside of the tail.

This is looking across the Garonne, hard to spot the Tarn enters a bit left of centre.

We are at the CCP aire at Saint Nicolas de la Grave which is almost full tonight.

Tomorrow we plan to visit Carcassonne.

 

[chaser]

We , all being well , will overtake you today in our mad rush for sea and sand , heading for argeles sur mur , approx 4 hours from here so see how we feel about doing it in one.

 

[chaser]

We , all being well , will overtake you today in our mad rush for sea and sand , heading for argeles sur mur , approx 4 hours from here so see how we feel about doing it in one.

Well all not well we have broken down outside Carcassonne, police supposed to be coming but that was an hour ago, not arrived yet.

 

[DBK]

Well all not well we have broken down outside Carcassonne, police supposed to be coming but that was an hour ago, not arrived yet.

Commiserations I hope it's easily fixable.

The same happened to us this morning. We've been recovered to a campsite on the north of Toulouse where we will wait until Monday when we should get an update on when a garage can look at it. Alternator is not charging.

I'll post details here in a short while - after I've downed a couple of beers.

 

[scousebird]

Commiserations I hope it's easily fixable.

The same happened to us this morning. We've been recovered to a campsite on the north of Toulouse where we will wait until Monday when we should get an update on when a garage can look at it. Alternator is not charging.

I'll post details here in a short while - after I've downed a couple of beers.

Oh dear, I hope it gets sorted out soon

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[Figaro]

Well all not well we have broken down outside Carcassonne, police supposed to be coming but that was an hour ago, not arrived yet.

What's the problem chaser I hope you get fixed easily

 

[Millcourt]

Oh dear, DBK and chaser …….sorry to hear of your problems…… Friday 13th!!! I am not usually superstitious, but when we used to sail I preferred to stay in port if possible on Friday 13th.

Hope you both get sorted speedily and soon able to resume your travels.

 

[Ingwe]

Commiserations I hope it's easily fixable.

The same happened to us this morning. We've been recovered to a campsite on the north of Toulouse where we will wait until Monday when we should get an update on when a garage can look at it. Alternator is not charging.

I'll post details here in a short while - after I've downed a couple of beers.

Hope it’s not too serious and that you get it sorted soon. At least having a couple of beers shows you’ve kept the mishap in perspective.

 

[DBK]

We headed off to Carcassonne this morning, using the péage for convenience. All went well until just short of Toulouse when a red light came on shaped like a battery. Fortunately, there was a turnoff a kilometre away and as we approached it I could see an industrial estate which I hoped would offer some parking.

The engine was running fine but I found somewhere safe to pull over.

We have the CMC Red Pennant travel insurance so I was straight onto East Grindstead. After the usual "prove who you are" questions and a warning that they may ask for servicing records and if the vehicle had not been serviced according to the schedule they may ask for repayment they said they would contact their French partners and call back.

We were subsequently told the recovery truck would arrive in an hour but it took two, apparently due to a number of traffic accidents which had to be cleared first.

I had been warned that this being a Friday with garages closing at 1400 nothing was going to happen until at least Monday. So while we were waiting I had a look at the options for where we could spend the weekend. I had been told the recovery truck would either take us to a garage or a "depot" none of which sounded an attractive place to spend the weekend.

A check on CamperContact suggested Camping le Rupé was less than 15 minutes away. Some of the reviews were grim but it would do.

To cut a longish story short that is where we are now. There is a MH area which is indeed a bit bleak I think but we are in the campsite which isn't bad at all and the loo block is very clean. Cost is €22 per night with electric, which we will need as we are under trees. We are fully stocked for the weekend but there is a little shop here which has all the basic including wine by the half case if things drag out too long. There are lots of paths accessible from the site entrance so we won't be short of exercise opportunities.

On the technical front there is no charge reaching the cab battery, it was reading 12 volts with the engine on or off. I don't think it's the drive belt as the engine temperature was normal and I am guessing the same belt drives the water pump. I've checked the engine earth strap and it is intact. I haven't yet tested the mega fuses attached to the battery but will look at them tomorrow. If it isn't a fuse then I suspect it may be an alternator failure. We have a Battery Master which should recharge the cab battery over the weekend.

To be continued...*


* With positive news on Monday I hope.

 

[Ingwe]

We headed off to Carcassonne this morning, using the péage for convenience. All went well until just short of Toulouse when a red light came on shaped like a battery. Fortunately, there was a turnoff a kilometre away and as we approached it I could see an industrial estate which I hoped would offer some parking.

The engine was running fine but I found somewhere safe to pull over.

View attachment 948905

We have the CMC Red Pennant travel insurance so I was straight onto East Grindstead. After the usual "prove who you are" questions and a warning that they may ask for servicing records and if the vehicle had not been serviced according to the schedule they may ask for repayment they said they would contact their French partners and call back.

We were subsequently told the recovery truck would arrive in an hour but it took two apparently due to a number of traffic accidents.

I had been warned that this being a Friday with garages closing at 1400 nothing was going to happen until at least Monday. So while we were waiting I had a look at the options for where we could spend the weekend. I had been told the recovery truck would either take us to a garage or a "depot" none of which sounded an attractive place to spend the weekend.

A check on CamperContact suggested Camping le Rupé was less than 15 minutes away. Some of the reviews were grim but it would do.

To cut a longish story short that is where we are now. There is a MH area which is indeed a bit bleak I think but we are in the campsite which isn't bad at all and the loo block is very clean. Cost is €22 per night with electric, which we will need as we are under trees. We are fully stocked for the weekend but there is a little shop here which has all the basic including wine by the half case if things drag out too long. There are lots of paths accessible from the site entrance so we won't be short of exercise opportunities.

On the technical front there is no charge reaching the cab battery, it was reading 12 volts with the engine on or off. I don't think it's the drive belt as the engine temperature was normal and I am guessing the same belt drives the water pump. I've checked the engine earth strap and it is intact. I haven't yet tested the mega fuses attached to the battery but will look at them tomorrow. If it isn't a fuse then I suspect it may be an alternator failure. No doubt all will be revealed in time...

Hope it’s something as simple as a fuse or connection. On a trip to Portugal, we had a stone go through the radiator and we needed to have the radiator replaced together with the water pump. All in about €1,300 but it was sorted and we went on our way. It’s only money………

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[DBK]

It’s only money………

Exactly my feelings. It's the delay to the trip which is frustrating. The cost of repair will just go on a bit of plastic.

I suspect we are fortunate breaking down outside Toulouse. They make bits for the Airbus here so I'm sure a Fiat is within their skills.

 

[Ingwe]

Exactly my feelings. It's the delay to the trip which is frustrating. The cost of repair will just go on a bit of plastic.

I suspect we are fortunate breaking down outside Toulouse. They make bits for the Airbus here so I'm sure a Fiat is within their skills.

It could always be worse. You could be near a Boeing plant.

 

[DBK]

I forgot to say above that the recovery truck took us to the campsite by the péage. He had a tag and as it beeped and the barrier opened Mrs DBK wondered what the tag on our windscreen was doing as we drove through. I bet I've been charged for the ride on the back of the recovery truck!

 

[gus-lopez]

Well all not well we have broken down outside Carcassonne

Sorry to hear that .Do ypu know what the problem is?

Alternator is not charging.

sorry to hear that but surely if the sun is out the solar panels will keep the van battery charged via the split charge or b2b ?

 

[DBK]

sorry to hear that but surely if the sun is out the solar panels will keep the van battery charged via the split charge or b2b ?

The Battery Master should recharge the cab battery but it only puts out half an amp or so which won't be enough to run the engine. We have a B2B and I did think about putting the fuse back in which has isolated the split charge relay but if the alternator isn't charging the split charger won't close. I'm not sure how this works with a B2B but the vehicle was a bit odd when we drove it to the pitch in the campsite. It seemed as if the ABS was playing up. Possibly due to low voltage?

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[Russell's Dad]

Friday 13th. I ripped the grey pipe off the van again today in a lumpy car park ( in Spain near Girona, just over the Pyrenees to avoid the very annoying mistral in South West France). Luckily I still have some two-pack glue from the last time I ripped it off, so hopefully fixed. We'll see tomorrow. Hope you both get fixed soon.

 

[Just smiffy]

Could be the regulator on the alternator, they seem to go more then the alternator itself, it seems an easy fix if it’s just the regulator… no doubt it will cost though….

 

[Figaro]

questions and a warning that they may ask for servicing records and if the vehicle had not been serviced according to the schedule they may ask for repayment

Is this a standard clause on breakdown cover ?
How do people that do their own servicing go on I wonder ?

 

[DBK]

Is this a standard clause on breakdown cover ?
How do people that do their own servicing go on I wonder ?

I guess they would have to show receipts for the bits that need to be renewed. Like any sort of insurance they will find a way out if they can.

 

[Googlebot]

Hope it gets sorted quickly. It’s stressful enough breaking down, abroad is even worse. :-(

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[Shrimp]

Yay! An Oak apple. That’s what we called them as kids.

Do hope you get van sorted quickly on Monday.
Carcassonne obviously has something against UK vans!

 

[bellabee]

Hope you're soon able to get on your way, without too much expense.
On a positive note - I've seen your posts about your difficulty in finding fresh basil in France. Have you checked Lidl? I've seen it in all of their stores that we've visited over the past couple of weeks in France . It's delicious with the ripe, French tomatoes and olive oil.

 

[DBK]

Hope you're soon able to get on your way, without too much expense.
On a positive note - I've seen your posts about your difficulty in finding fresh basil in France. Have you checked Lidl? I've seen it in all of their stores that we've visited over the past couple of weeks in France . It's delicious with the ripe, French tomatoes and olive oil.

Thanks for the tip.

Today's lunch was exactly what you describe.

 

[DBK]

I should have mentioned the photo above was taken before sliced mozzarella was added. Eaten with crusty bread on which I drizzle extra olive oil it is delicious.

 

[Jane And Rog]

All the best to you both for speedy motorhome recoveries.

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[scousebird]

All the best to you both for speedy motorhome recoveries.

Ditto. I hope the MH gets sorted today.

 

[Figaro]

Ditto from me too
Hoping you have a good outcome today and can continue with your holiday

 

[Wanders from Glos]

Fingers crossed for today

 

[suavecarve]

Best of luck with today

 

[DBK]

Progress today as we have an appointment with a nearby garage first thing tomorrow. They have only said they will diagnose the problem and repair may be later but if it is the alternator that isn't a long job so we might get lucky and have it sorted the same day. It seems to be a place which specialises in MHs.

It's only a fifteen minute drive away and we should be able to drive there - if not we'll be asking for assistance again.

Late afternoon we went on a shopping trip to a Carrefour City which was a 30 minute walk away, all on pavements. On the way we crossed over the péage we were recovered down. I think there's nearly 30 pay booths on the right-hand side!

The walk there and back added to our walk this morning meant my steps count today was over 18,000 according to my Android Fit app. The MH may not be fit but we're improving our fitness.

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