Fallen in love with our Cali....

[BigPritch]

I know this is an invaluable Forum for help, questions and moans, but just wanted to share what I hope is a very positive post, now we're home from our French journey.

We have a 2007 T5 with 77k on the clock, yes we have had our 'issues' with her, but have managed to get fixed, with a lot of help on here (no doubt we'll ask for more as well).....

After 2500 odd miles, over a month driving to various destinations & stop offs in France, we are home, in one piece, and even more in love with our Cali (we really ought to give her a name now).

From day 1, it was clear that she just loved the French roads (lets be honest, anyone who has been on them knows that).
After 2250 miles, she has averaged 39.8 mpg, 51mph (French travelling), I know thats not overly scientific,9on board readings) but happy with what it said (and I was getting over 600 miles from a tank). Not bad for an 18 year old.
EVERYTHING worked....some stuff that didn't before, started working, water tank gauge as an example - bonus.
We had to replace the windscreen whilst over there. Carglass were brilliant, AutoGlass hmmm not so sharp, thats a story for another day.
Parking in Towns and Cities is another bonus, we can park in majority of car parks no problem. Not so some of our MH owners.
Camping CarPark - what a find, used them a number of times, and their sites are superb, AND cheap. (Happy to share experience with anyone thinking of using them)
So as I say, an absolute blast, and cemented our love for these beauties.
If you'd asked me at the start, would we have coped, I would have been hesitant....now, its onwwards and upwards, and planning our next European trip.

Oh, and EVERY campsite we stayed on, we didn't need the Euro adapter, all same as here !

I only wish the UK roads were half as good, as we are having our pants pulled down as motorists, and something needs to be done. We are NOT getting our moneys worth.

But this trip and our baby has been nothing short of a genuine pleasure to do in her.

 

[calibusje]

Nice!
Glad you had such a good time. They are indeed the perfect campervans for the -French- cities and villages. We already parked where larger MH didn't even get. The roads in France are indeed mostly in good condition: both the péages and the national roads. Camping-Car Park then, well: It is an almost perfect system and hopefully it will not be a victim of its own success. I don't advertise it too much. Just kidding of course.
Happy travels!
Greetings

 

[Princess Doris]

We got home from France last week, 15 nights and 2,200 miles. Highlight was the tramway up Mont Blanc. Roads were superb, but toll roads mostly. Haven't heard of Camping Car Park until now. Is it an app.

 

[calibusje]

We got home from France last week, 15 nights and 2,200 miles. Highlight was the tramway up Mont Blanc. Roads were superb, but toll roads mostly. Haven't heard of Camping Car Park until now. Is it an app.

If I may: It is indeed an app, just look it up on the internet and see if you like it. You become a member of this group (only 5 euro). It’s cheap and the most of the campsites are former camping municipales that are bought and renovated or how do I say it, simplified and reanised but above all neatly made. Although there is cooperation between CCPark and the municipality. Some have all the amenities and others have nothing. Some sites -but all unmanned- are located in beautiful places, others not but just via the app (similar to others known) you can already find out a lot such as the location but also how many places are still free, the facilities and you can already make reservations with many.
So, you put some money on that card and the card also ensures that the barriers open. You can come right away, even at night. The amount for the overnight stay goes from your card. There is also an appliance at the entrance where you can become a member (clumsy) but where you can also load your card. The prices are different but between 13 and start 20 euros.
I have been using it for several years and am very satisfied with it but have also seen some evolve and not always for the better. Let me put it this way: make sure you have a toilet with you at those sites where there is no toilet building; you must be a self-sufficient campers (vehicles with sanitary facilities) as they call it. There can be control: such as by the municipal council that maintains the sites or simply empty the garbage cans. Already experienced; I made this and place this on the window so they don't have to disturb me to ask if there are 'facilities' available in the van

For the rest: super system.

 

[Princess Doris]

Thanks for the information. We used the Caravan and Motorhome Club app for our recent trip. We have porta potti in the van, but we much prefer a site with shower and toilet facilities. I will download the app and check it out.
Regards
Sam

 

[Roger Boeken]

I know this is an invaluable Forum for help, questions and moans, but just wanted to share what I hope is a very positive post, now we're home from our French journey.

We have a 2007 T5 with 77k on the clock, yes we have had our 'issues' with her, but have managed to get fixed, with a lot of help on here (no doubt we'll ask for more as well).....

After 2500 odd miles, over a month driving to various destinations & stop offs in France, we are home, in one piece, and even more in love with our Cali (we really ought to give her a name now).

From day 1, it was clear that she just loved the French roads (lets be honest, anyone who has been on them knows that).
After 2250 miles, she has averaged 39.8 mpg, 51mph (French travelling), I know thats not overly scientific,9on board readings) but happy with what it said (and I was getting over 600 miles from a tank). Not bad for an 18 year old.
EVERYTHING worked....some stuff that didn't before, started working, water tank gauge as an example - bonus.
We had to replace the windscreen whilst over there. Carglass were brilliant, AutoGlass hmmm not so sharp, thats a story for another day.
Parking in Towns and Cities is another bonus, we can park in majority of car parks no problem. Not so some of our MH owners.
Camping CarPark - what a find, used them a number of times, and their sites are superb, AND cheap. (Happy to share experience with anyone thinking of using them)
So as I say, an absolute blast, and cemented our love for these beauties.
If you'd asked me at the start, would we have coped, I would have been hesitant....now, its onwwards and upwards, and planning our next European trip.

Oh, and EVERY campsite we stayed on, we didn't need the Euro adapter, all same as here !

I only wish the UK roads were half as good, as we are having our pants pulled down as motorists, and something needs to be done. We are NOT getting our moneys worth.

But this trip and our baby has been nothing short of a genuine pleasure to do in her.

FALLEN IN LOVE WITH OUR CALI....
We are sorry but no cure has been found for this yet..​