Arrived and now?

Whether with the R4 panel van converted into a mini motorhome, with the unfortunately leaking igloo tent, with the rented one or later with our own caravan, with the temporary motorhome or currently with our own CamperVan - camping holidays are truly not new territory for us.

One thing, however, is always exciting: arriving at a new place. We usually have a rough travel plan in mind and also an idea of which campsites we are heading for. We used to rummage through the ADAC camping guide, scoured the icons in the description, whether there were swimming facilities on or near the site, whether a reservation was recommended, whether the desired spot was suitable for children... We were particularly interested in evaluating the sanitary facilities.

ADAC camping guide in book form sounds kind of like an extinct dinosaur. Internet searches, parking space finder apps and even our own criteria have long since replaced him. And since we are no longer dependent on school holidays, mostly heading for small places far away from major tourist destinations, reservations are also unnecessary.

‍

‍

An overnight stay on the road

‍

It is mid-September and we have almost three free weeks ahead of us. We think it's the best time to travel to the south of France and opt for a place at the foot of Mont Ventoux. We divide the 900 km into two stages because we only get home in the afternoon. At dusk, we find a beautiful spot between the forest and the field where we don't disturb anyone. Conveniently, there is a bench for walkers just a short distance away and we watch the sunset over a small village with baguette, cheese and a beer. It is simply wonderful. Chairs and table stay in the car and all other signs that we're camping here. Because that is not allowed, but we can restore our ability to drive overnight. We don't need electricity for one night, the battery alone can do that and we don't unpack the levelling wedges either. When parking, we made sure the ground was level so that blood wouldn't flow into our heads while sleeping, one of us would roll out of bed - it's not me, because I'm lying in the back of the transverse bed :-) - or the coffee water for breakfast sloshes out of the pot.

Before continuing our journey the next morning, we will check again to see if we have accidentally left rubbish somewhere. No, we haven't forgotten anything, but I throw the empty wine gum bag that's on the way and for which I didn't want to bend over last night into our trash bin. Now we can start the second half of the route.

‍

‍

Arriving in front of a locked door

‍

It's 1:30 p.m., we've arrived! We park in front of the barrier in the parking lot provided for this purpose and I can already see the reception house. I literally hop outside from the passenger seat and get a small temperature shock out of the air-conditioned van into the shimmering, dry midday heat of the southern French sun. First, stretch out and inhale deeply the familiar scent mix of resinous woods paired with a shade of lavender and tart rosemary. How nice it is here!

‍

With our wallet and identity card in hand, we trudge to the reception building and stand in front of a locked door. We arrived exactly during lunch break, we didn't even pay attention to that. Hmm, what now? Simply walking across the square is not appropriate, because after all, this is private land. So it's time for a siesta for us too. It could get worse, because after all, we have everything we need with us, put the camper away from the parking space reserved for arrivals to set up our chairs a few meters away under a shady gnarled oak tree and fork our potato salad.

‍

‍

Bienvenue!

‍

At 3 p.m., we repeat what we had planned an hour and a half ago and enter the reception. We can choose whether we want to be welcomed in French, English, Dutch or German. Yes, there are free places, do we need electricity and how long do we want to stay? We don't really know, but we're thinking of five to seven days. The receptionist picks up a map and marks where we are currently, where the sanitary buildings are, the small bistro, the pool and the vacant seats. I say I'm interested, but in reality I've given the plans read - and understand - to Guido and in the meantime I'm leafing through the flyers with information about hikes, bike trails and sights. By the way, I notice that we don't need any coins for the hot showers. If you are in the shower completely undressed with the shampoo in your hand and then check that you need a chip for hot water, you will never forget to ask this question at the front desk again. Oh, and there is bakery service? It's wonderful. If we subscribe to a roll list by 19:00 we can pick up our order the next morning from 8:30 a.m.

I notice a collection of at least 50 small lavender seedlings in the background. I'm wondering, but I'm not thinking about it anymore.

‍

‍

Our criteria for choosing a parking space

‍

With the plan in hand, we set off to explore the vacant parking spaces. Some fall through the cracks quickly. Too close to the sanitary building, which sometimes makes for many passing fellow campers, nocturnal conversations at sinks or beating toilet doors, or for our 6 m camper van only very tricky areas to reach, or even the view and view of the neighborhood for the next few days. Quickly take a look at the sanitary building. Toilet paper is there and saves us the hassle of carrying out clear projects that are visible to everyone. Everything is super clean and I'm thinking of our joint camping beginnings, when the standards were much lower than usual today and I only entered the French standing or squatting toilets with high platform plastic shoes.

Since we want to stay here for some time, we also check the ground to see if we can make pegs to secure the awning and the course of the sun. Sun and therefore a pleasant temperature for outdoor breakfast are more important to me than sun in the early evening. The position of the sun is then Guido's job again, I don't recognize East and West right away.

We have found the ideal parking space for the near future. Sometimes it is different and you get assigned a seat at the reception. It's supposedly easier, but I don't like it at all and prefer to search for myself. If we don't like the space reserved for us and we see other free units, we ask about the options. After all, we want a nice temporary home. It is also advisable not to ask for parking spaces for just one night, because then you might get a well, I'll call it parking space.

We will let you know our selection at reception and receive the code for the barrier. There is a rest at night from 10:00 PM to 7:00 AM, so you avoid annoying car traffic on the campsite. However, we can leave or enter the square at any time on foot or by bike.

‍

‍

Finally arrived: The installation

‍

We pick up the camper and drive across the terrain at walking speed - that's 6 km/h - and manoeuvre the car as we worked it out before. Of course, we don't want to annoy our neighbors with the smell of diesel or by keeping too close a distance and have therefore taken enough time for the inspection beforehand. What comes next is a tried and tested routine for us. We need wedges, we could tell by looking at the tiny little spirit level and I stick to Guido's recommendation when it comes to positioning. Because they are the first tool we need, they are also placed at the front of the car, right next to the box for the cable drum and connection cable.

‍

‍

Like most campsites in the Netherlands, Germany, Belgium and France, this is also equipped with a CEE socket. You can recognize them by their blue color. You don't have to worry about the excitement when camping within Europe. It is 220 to 230 volts. The CEE camping plug, also blue and 3-pin, is always on board. This is the cable that connects the camper's CEE socket to the cable drum. The second cable I need connects the cable drum to the power connection on the square. I place the cable drum under the motorhome in case it rains. We forgot that and shut down the entire power supply in a large area years ago. By the way, this can also happen if you think you can't do without a kettle or hair dryer in a camper. Better not try it out.

‍

‍

So I'm looking at the cable location and Guido unlocks the awning cartridge in the meantime. While he is installing our roof, I place the table and chairs and then: feet up and enjoy the first cold drink in the new seat. Two muffins are also needed. The vacation can begin.

As I write this sentence, I realize that the wording doesn't fit at all. The vacation has already started when you start at home. Or even earlier when I cleaned out the fridge and freshly put on the bed linen.

‍

Oh yes, do you remember the many lavender pots in the reception? As a farewell, they give us one of them and it continues to travel with us until it gets a sunny spot in the front garden at home.

‍

‍