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3. Oct, 2022

Photo

3. Oct, 2022

Photo

3. Oct, 2022

Photo

3. Oct, 2022

Text

3. Oct, 2022

MONDAY 3-10-22

Yesterday evening was spent watching a DVD performance of The Mavericks at the Royal Albert Hall. The added bonus being we could play it through the soundbar as there were no neighbours to annoy.

It was a peaceful night spent on the Super U car park, though I wish the company would employ its shelf stackers to work all night rather than come in at 04:00, most inconsiderate. We didn't need many items from the shop once it was open and we were ready to go in. I doubt they would have welcomed the sight of me walking around the isles in my dressing gown.

We had about 160 miles to cover today and it was pretty much all on toll roads, which made the journey safer and more relaxing.

I was keen to get to our next destination, AY in good time because having decided to cross the Channel home on Friday, it could have made things tight to see what needed to be seen. As we approached the village I said to The Chef that having crossed over a railway line, I wonder if they have trains or buses in to Reims from there. If so it would make our lives so much easier.

I knew the Camperstop/Aire (N49.045343° E4.034570°) in the village was only small and I was hoping we could get on to it as I didn't have a Plan B. We were in luck, there were only two other vehicles there. I was so relieved. Not only that but there was a bus stop right outside, it was the end of the route, and at the other end was the railway station at Epernay which is not far away. Epernay is a popular Mecca for Champagne lovers where tours of the vast wine cellars located in tunnels carved out of the chalk rocks were available. The guide books made it sound a bit Disneyworld and so I thought we'd come here instead.

So now we have a change of plan as we will no longer have to drive to the small Camperstop in Reims (N49.25000° E4.02160°) in the hope of getting a space so that The Chef can visit Reims Cathedral. She's fancied having a look at it for a long while, and as are passing by, it seems as good an opportunity to take a look.

This afternoon we had a little walk round passing a few of the Champagne houses as we did so. There are a couple of well known names a bit further down the road so maybe we'll take a look at them on Wednesday. Maybe they also do tours.

Tomorrow we'll be up in good time so that we can catch the bus outside to Epernay railway station then jump on a train in to Reims.

What could possibly go wrong?