My final two nights in France took me north to the shuttle at Calais. I had wanted to revisit Arras, about 1 and a half hours from Calais for many years as we stopped there briefly on the way to Disneyland with the children about 25 years ago. Arras is where the green flag is at the bottom of this map.

I remembered that it was a very beautiful city, full of Flemish influences, as it is near the border with Belgium, and there was a lot of trade between the two countries in the medieval era. Arras was actually briefly part of the County of Flanders in the 1400s, and was also at one time part of the Spanish Netherlands, until it became part of France again in 1640. Much of the town was sadly destroyed during Word War 1 so has been rebuilt, and there are a series of medieval tunnels under it that were used to help defend the city.

It did not disappoint, and neither did the lovely aire that I found in advance, more on that later. I arrived just before lunch and then it was just a short walk though to the Place de Heros. This, and the neighbouring square, La Grand Place, show European architecture and culture at its best. The beautiful buildings, all the little shops and bars looked so lovely in the afternoon sun.

There was even a fab patisserie, sadly I was so full from lunch I didn’t have any room for the delicious cakes they had there.

At the end of the second square, there is the stunning town hall and belfry, topped with a golden lion, which is a UNESCO World Heritage site. It was originally built starting in 1463, but had to be repaired after war damage. It is such a gorgeous building, resembling a cathedral, and you can go up the tower of the belfry if you want to.

It was a wonderful afternoon, and I’m so glad I got to visit again and have a wander. I had noticed that it was on my route back to Calais when planning, and when I saw it had a very nice aire thought it would be a perfect stop.

The aire was within a short walk of the town, just off the ring road and although it was in a busy location, the place itself was beautiful and peaceful, bordered one side by some small holdings, I could see turkeys and geese from my park up, and on the other by the River Scarpe.

On the banks of the river path there was a small herd of goats, fenced in between the aire and the path, who were having great fun talking to visitors. The aire had lots of space, toilet and shower, and was only 13 euros without electricity. It really was a wonderful stopping point and I would recommend it if you are in the area.

The following day it was just a short drive to Calais, I was aiming for an aire in Calais itself, but it was closed for renovation, so found myself back at the one I originally stayed in last October, the very first stop of the trip, at Wissant, just 20 mins drive from Calais. This aire is still free at the moment, although they are installing electricity and other services. It is quite large and backs onto a small area of woodland so is very sheltered.

It was a bit damp at that point, so after having a nice chat with my neighbour, from Belgium, who was on her way to where I had been near Barcelona, I had a quiet afternoon in the van. I was sorting my visits for when I got back to the UK, and while looking at the map book realised just what an epic adventure this had been.

You don’t sometimes realise what you are doing, until you have done it, but looking at the map I have travelled so many wonderful miles and seen so many amazing things. I have drawn my route in on the photo below, starting in October last year with the French coast part, and coming back via the Spanish one.

Thank you Katy, who is now fully rested and has had a good service, for being the best little vanlife van. I love her to bits, and can’t wait to be reunited with her soon.

Looking at the map as well, I think I’ll go for Belgium and Northern Germany for the next Europe trip, look how tiny Belgium is compared to how far I have driven in the last 6 months! Might even be able to pop into Luxembourg as well 😉

Then it was an early night, and an early start for my last sunny drive on French roads, onto the shuttle and voila England! Here is the now obligatory shuttle selfie!

The journey back in the UK started with the M25 with roadworks, which was a bit of a shock after all those lovely empty French motorways. However I had a brilliant week visiting family, and going to some of the areas we used to travel to when I was a child living in the Cotswolds. I will tell you more about that next time.

We have had some very unseasonal weather here, high winds and torrential rain, which have caused serious floods, so I have been mainly in getting house admin, and lots of knitting done. I have also added to my wool stash, with persuasion, and for a good cause, as the knitting group had a large donation from the husband of a knitter who had died, so I am putting that to good use with more charity hats.

Until next time, have fun, take care, stay safe and thanks for visiting, over 1800 people last month, so a huge thanks to you all, it means a lot.