06/02/25
Is it slightly mad to embark on a new three month trip in the Alps in winter with a new van? Hopefully not. Something could go wrong, but that’s true at any time. We think we know the capabilities of the new van and the only way to be really confident that it will be up to the challenge is to actually take on the challenge.
Getting ready for our ski trip
After our Cardiff trip we booked our return crossings from Dover to Calais and planned a rough route around some of the ski resorts of France and Italy. We started to pack up the van, exhuming our ski kit from it’s storage boxes under our bed, and were ready to leave days before our actual travel date.
Clothes storage is the area where we probably have the most compromises to make with the new van. Packing cubes may be in order, but for now we’ve just made a few dividers for our cupboards and are practising the ‘stuff it all in’ method of packing. We have a small hanging area under the bed which may become shelves to allow more to be wedged in.
But we have enough clothes, we just don’t have all the ‘just in case’ clothes and shoes we may have taken on previous trips.
The fridge and freezer in our flat were steadily emptied on the run up to the trip so that we could turn it off, reducing our electricity bills. Even so, our small van fridge and freezer were only just capable of containing everything. We worked out that the freezer will take 9 of the takeaway plastic containers plus a tiny bit extra. It’s not bad for such a small space but there will definitely be more small shopping trips and fewer supermarket stock-ups with the new van. I’m hoping that this will mean we find more interesting and yummy treats along the way.
Driving the through the UK
As we had plenty of Tesco Clubcard vouchers we treated ourselves to an outward crossing on the tunnel early on Tuesday morning. We drove to the Black Horse Farm Caravan and Motorhome Club campsite where we stayed on one of their ferry pitches. Nothing much to report, we have been here before and it’s a practical option for a stay before a crossing but maybe getting a little expensive now at £29.90 for the night.
The drive was pretty good though, the roads were quiet and we made good time even with a couple of stops for me to have work meetings. I’ve decided I can’t work from the back of the van while driving like I used to with Bertie. We’ve travelling fast enough for me to feel a bit queasy every now and again.
Parked up at Black Horse Farm
Do we really need an air fryer?
That evening we tried out our new last minute purchase. An air fryer. That’s right. No more room for clothes but always more room for food related items. We have got the perfect spot for it. The near half of our bed lifts up to expose some storage (the other half of the bed is over the garage) which includes a shelf we have designated as ‘kitchen overflow’. We keep the electric kettle, air fryer, fruit bowl and other additional bits and pieces there.
This air fryer is 1300W so good for 6Amp electric. It was on sale in Curry’s so just met our criteria of being under £50 we weren’t sure we’d make much use of it so this is a bit of an experiment.
For our first experiment we just used it to warm up some mince pies Mum had donated from her freezer. Delicious with a drop of cream.
Warming up food in the new air fryer.
Driving through France
The following morning we were on the Chunnel train bright and early, we had our breakfast during the crossing and were ready for a long drive south using the toll roads. This was a considered decision. February is a busy ski month with the both French and British school holidays contributing to crowded slopes. We wanted to get to a resort before the floodgates opened. That cost us £107.45 in tolls, we’ll probably pootle back on non toll roads to make up for it.
We were impressed with the drive. The new van is capable of higher speeds than Bertie ever was and much less rattling and banging could be heard. Although we did notice an annoying noise from the window in the dinette area. One to be investigated.
With such a smooth drive we made it much further than we ever had before. As always the toll roads were quiet, almost too quiet, and I got to experience this first had when I took over the driving while Paul had a power nap. Each time a vehicle passed us it was a bit of a shock. This was my first ever drive on foreign soil but not very challenging as I simply went from one motorway service area to another.
Overnight in Châbons
We made it as far as the village of Châbons that evening, turning up in the dark to some parking next to a cemetery where, according to P4N, overnighting is tolerated. We didn’t check.
Misty morning in Châbons
Having arrived we realised that our floor mat was soaking wet. Oh no! Paul set out with his headtorch to investigate while I mopped up and put the diesel heater on dry things out.
It turns out that the water tank filler cap which we had purchased, on recommendation from a few people on a Facebook forum, was leaking. It had a push fit adapter integrated into the cap, the benefit being that we could just attach our hose and fill up without removing the cap from the water tank. It seemed like a good idea at the time.
What we hadn’t thought about was that this is a pressurised system (rather than using microswitches on the taps to trigger the pump) and it appears that the pressure was pushing the water from our over-full water tank back out through the oh-so-convenient filling point. This was then spilling over into the floor of the van and leaking out from under the bench seat where the water tank is housed. Paul made an emergency repair, using a blanked off push fit adapter from our hose collection (there are advantages to taking everything but the kitchen sink with us). This should ensure that water cannot get out of the tank. Hopefully that’s that sorted.
Arriving in Le Monêtiers les Bains
The following morning we were up and out into the rush hour traffic between Lyon and Grenoble. It was a bit stop-start but once we left the autoroute and joined the D1091 road to the Col du Lauterets the amount of traffic dropped and we were able to pootle our way through the mountains, only having to pull over a couple of times to let faster cars past us.
We passed by the ski resorts of Les Deux Alpes and signposts to the various Alpes d’Huez resorts. We quite fancied Les Deux Alpes but couldn’t get onto the campsite, and we’ve skied the Alpes d’Huez before, staying in the Vaujany aire.
We were snagged up in a tunnel closure for half an hour, waiting for work to be carried out before being waved through the short Tunnel de Besseroche. Then we were up, past the freeride area of La Grave and over the Col du Lauteret at 2058m. We didn’t stop to admire the views, but could both feel the thrill of seeing the alpine landscape again.
Waiting for maintenance to be completed.
Starting to get those alpine views
From the col we commenced our descent into the valley. We could see a lot of cars parked up on the side of the road. People out for a day walking or ski touring maybe. The number of parked cars increased and we crossed our fingers that there would be space for us in one of the aires serving the Serre Chevalier ski area. We had at least four lined up just in case.
In the end there was no need to worry, we arrived at the aire in Le Monêtiers les Bains and could see there were plenty of spaces. The terminal said 9 were available. We paid up for five nights (the maximum we could purchase in advance) and got ourselves settled in. The sun was shining and we were ready for some skiing!
Ready for some skiing in the Monêtiers aire