Where are all the UK vans

I don`t altogether think this is a "new" feature, Back in the 90`s we used to leave after the Schools went back, as the Ferry prices went down and head for Spain, as did most of our compatriots. The French peak holiday period is I think August, prices are up and roads tend to be more than just busy too.

The other thing is that, the UK itself is worth visiting and the "Summer" period has more attractions open, eg the National Trust mothball a lot of their sites from end of October, until Easter at the earliest.
 
Through the tunnel late Tuesday, night at Cite Europe then off we go cannot wait. By the time we get to the West coast most of the ankle snappers will be back at school.
 
Just booked a trip on Brittany Ferrries to Santander for a month!
Looking forward to visiting Portugal for the first time!
 
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We were in northern France a couple of weeks ago and there was loads of space.
The roads weren’t rammed, the Aires weren’t rammed, although it was a little busier than early or late in the year.
We were at La Mailleraye for several days and there was always room for more vans.
What did surprise us was the behaviour of children on the aire.
Several families arrived with small children, one with teenagers, something we don’t often encounter on aires.
All of them were beautifully behaved, no screaming and shouting, and were a pleasure to see playing together. Even the teenagers, who were British, rode their bikes and there was no noise or loud music.
We always groan when families with children park close by but this time they were great.
So, choose your area, away from holiday hot spots, and still go across the water in August. It really isn’t as bad as some make out.

:france: :france: :france:

Richard
 
On the last leg of this little tour .
No plod jumping out at me with speed guns or any gun .
Enjoyed the drive the places I've stayed, and the people I've met of all nationalities.
Probably see more Brits nearer the port .
Screenshot_20190825-104617_Polarsteps.jpg
 
We sail from Harwich for 6 weeks, wending our way to Rome and back, avoiding Switzerland this time as wife wants to see the Eagles Nest.
 
BusyBuilder said:
We sail from Harwich for 6 weeks, wending our way to Rome and back, avoiding Switzerland this time as wife wants to see the Eagles Nest.
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Not on Friday night by any chance??
 
We are at Dole in great sunshine at the moment four Brit vans here today and seen lots over here last two weeks.
Can’t see where all this negativity comes from about August I’d rather see busy places than places shutting up till start of season.
And we have just come from Annacy which was great and lovely busy.
Ray

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Drove down today from just north of Lisbon to the Algarve. Never mind UK vans saw very few vans of any nationality. Booked in to a nice little aire in Guia which is full but only a few UK vans.
 
Got 11.00 train thro tunnel today, only ONE other MH on it, great drive down the toll roads (ok it costs but it's so easy) now at a campsite just off J6 A31 not a lot of people on the site. Hope the drive down to Agde is as easy tomorrow.
 
Why would anyone want to leave our wonderful UK weather. I stayed in Essex over this holiday weekend, the place was humming with Dutch German and French motorhomes all appearing to be having a great visit. The beaches were full of visitors from over the water.
Using all that expensive fuel to travel all those miles south was the last thing on their minds. :cool:(y)
 
Raybreck said:
We are at Dole in great sunshine at the moment four Brit vans here today and seen lots over here last two weeks.
Can’t see where all this negativity comes from about August I’d rather see busy places than places shutting up till start of season.
And we have just come from Annacy which was great and lovely busy.
Ray
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Busy busy ! Not for me too many people , too many vans Horrendous

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We filled up with diesel in Spain €1.14 and exchanged our large Spanish Cepsa propano €11.24 so thought I would splash out on some ;) exclusivo Portuguese Tinto wine €5.90 for 3 Lts , and the wonderful weather you do get used to after a while. :rofl:
The last couple of days we have seen groups of 4 or 5 French motorhomes with trailers heading south in Portugal, so summer has ended and snowbirds are moving, seen two English today. :D2 Bob.
 
See you in the algarve on 15th September, booked into a site near Tavira for 6 weeks and there will be plenty of brits there. No one moves until the early part of September. Took eurotunnel on 29th August on late train and filled up at Auchan on industrial zone at Boulogne , stayed the night on the supermarket car park (safe as security on at night) and then moved on next morning. As we are heading south plenty of people coming north, presumably because children back at school on Monday. Great when you are retired let them all go the other way. Enjoy your travels silver birds , life is for living while we can !!!
 
Ianj55 said:
See you in the algarve on 15th September, booked into a site near Tavira for 6 weeks and there will be plenty of brits there. No one moves until the early part of September. Took eurotunnel on 29th August on late train and filled up at Auchan on industrial zone at Boulogne , stayed the night on the supermarket car park (safe as security on at night) and then moved on next morning. As we are heading south plenty of people coming north, presumably because children back at school on Monday. Great when you are retired let them all go the other way. Enjoy your travels silver birds , life is for living while we can !!!
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What site you on at tavira
 
We saw loads of Brits on the A 28 from Calais to Tours area first week in August.
Moho’s caravans and cars.
 
We were in France, Germany, Austria about 6weeks ago for 3 weeks and only saw 2 uk vans in all that time, off again soon, hopefully not so hot, looking forward to it.

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We have just but a few days left of our trip the road havent bean that bad the airs haven't come across to many that have been full plenty of room on sites plenty of ignorant Brits around fund plenty of helpful french Germans Italians when i blew a oil seal and damaged oil filter housing but not one Brit stooped to offer me a hand.
Had one come out with a comment it's a wonder it mad it this far that was in roses.
A french guy drove me thirty kms in his mh to get the part i needed to fix my van
at a barkers yard.
apart from that it has bean a fairly uneventful trip
bill
PS or Edit i have helped other motorhomers one with a puncture to change his wheal
one with a leaking injector pipe.
and sumeone with a overheating engine when his fan would not come on i weird a switch to get him over the Pyrenees when temp were in the mid 30s
 
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Presently on a CCC Rally in Spain, have it on good authority European Rally Bookings with the club are down 30% this season. They are blaming the B word and accompanying uncertainty and the poor exchange rate.
 
Waiting for Brexit and what paperwork we need and will we be allowed into europe anymore.
 
Stewart J said:
Presently on a CCC Rally in Spain, have it on good authority European Rally Bookings with the club are down 30% this season. They are blaming the B word and accompanying uncertainty and the poor exchange rate.
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What ? Bollocks ??? ?

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