Campspace Roadtrip - week 2
DAY 7: 180 km - Saint Martin des Besaces
Normandy, France
Campspace : Sous les Etoiles, by Dawn and Steve
By far, the best and most complete campsite we've been on this trip. Plots of different sizes depending your wishes, different amperage strengths, perfect wifi on the entire camping. On top of it, during the high season, a bar and restaurant which also serves vegetarian dishes. All this combined with tranquility in a 5 hectares rural park.
When cycling and camping around Europe, you get used to shower cabins with only one hook to hang your clothes and no place to keep your shoes dry when showering.
It seems Dawn and Steve have had the same experiences as they have managed to think about nearly everything to make it perfect.
Congratulations.
Neighbourhood activities
Not too far away from the campsite, there is an activity center at the Viaduct de la Souleuvre where you can do bungee jumping, giant swing and other crazy things. Luckily for us, it was all closed so we even did not have to contemplate what to do or not to do.
After this first week of touring, we enjoyed staying on the campsite and even had the luck of a private demonstration horsemanship by a staff member of the restaurant.
Day 9: 180 km - Pommeret
Brittany, France
Campspace : Key to the fields, by Karine and Bruno
Our most favourite Campspace from this trip. May look strange as it comes standard without toilet, without shower, without drinking water and without electricity.
Karine is an absolute adorable person. We first did not find the place and she came to pick us up somewhere down the road. Upon arrival, she made us immediately feel very welcome. She provided extra beach chairs, suggested that we picked cherries from their cherry tree, rolled out an electricity extension cable so we could keep the fridge running, provided info on where to get the best pastries, where to have dinner, where to have nice walks, etc...
Bruno and Karine are obviously doing this for fun and are enjoying the company of people.
As we mentioned in our 2021 Challenge blog, it's our intention to replace our family car over time with a light commercial vehicle and convert it to a campervan.
On the Dusseldorf Caravan fair, we discovered the Trelino dry toilet which is the perfect alternative for chemical portable toilets. We decided to buy one and use it when on holiday with the big tent.
As the Lume Traveler LT360 also does not have a toilet, this was the perfect occasion to give it a first try.
Oh yes, there was nobody around.
Neighbourhood activities
Drive or cycle to Les Rosaires and hike part of the GR 34. We did the part to the Pointe Du Rosieres which further continues to Saint-Brieuc (12km). On the other side, you are walking the GR34 up to Port de Binic (9.5km)
Day 11: 75 km - Plouguernevel
Brittany, France
Campspace : Mellon Farm, by Silke and Joerg
The Mellon farm is not a place where they grow Mellons, it's a lot more mythical. Mellon means "Friend"in the Sindarin language, which was invented by JRR Tolkin in his "Lord of the Rings" trilogy. It is also the password to open the West-gate of the halls of the Dwarf-city Khazad-dum.
With an introduction like this, it is probably also not a surprise that Silke and Joerg live an alternative lifestyle.
They belong to a local Druid circle and they have been practicing and teaching Reiki for years.
In their little shop, you can buy precious and healing stones or bracelets. You can also go for a treatment in Silke's massageroom.
They live with the seasons and Joerg usually will walk with you around their grounds, explaining all about nature and Druid rituals.
Vegetables and herbs are grown according to the guidelines of organic production. Sheep, pigs and poultry are raised for their own meat consumption and is also for sale in their little shop.
While you can go camping at Mellon farm, different other types of accommodation are also available.
Neighbourhood activities
Just 1 km from Mellon farm, you'll find La Petite Filature Bretonne. It's an artisan spinning factory where local farmers bring their raw wool and pick up the finished knitting wool one year later.
Still, Emilie and Nicolas freed up their time to explain and show the entire process to us. Many thanks.
Day 13: 100 km - Saint Nolff
Brittany, France
Campspace : The city in the countryside, by Stephane
Stephane's garden is just a few km's away from Vannes. The area around the bay of Morbihan was previously unknown to us and we will for sure visit again. This campground comes with electricity and water only. If Stephane is at home, you can use the toilet and bathroom. As such, the place is best suited for campers with their own bathroom.
Neighbourhood activities
Vannes is a walled town, characterised by narrow cobbled streets, medieval gates and half-timber houses.
From the harbour, you can go on a day cruise in the Gulf of Morbihan.
We enjoyed lunch at "Le Petit Refuge" which is in the old city and seems to be visited a lot by locals.
We've only spend 1 night at the country shack clamping so we did not do any sightseeing in the neighbourhood.