2. Sep, 2022

2. Sep, 2022

2. Sep, 2022

FRIDAY 02-09-22

It was a very restful night at our supermarket car park, though The Chef didn't sleep so well because I woke her whilst closing the bedroom window which had been left open to cool the interior downduring the evening, the only trouble was, it got rather cold during the night.

We only had about 150 miles to travel today on this 'Big Tarts Journey to Switzerland'. So once we'd enjoyed a lovely hot shower, were fed and watered, we made our way in to the supermarket for some bits and pieces.

As we left the complex we refilled with diesel. This time it worked in our favour as overnight the pump price had dropped two cents to €179.9 per litre, so clearly over here in FroggieLand prices are dropping pretty swiftly. I believe it is because Macron has just increased the government subsidy to thirty cents a litre.

With only 150 miles to cover and all day to do it in, we decided we would look for another picnic area to relax in en-route. And so it was, just about thirty minutes in to our journey we came across an ideal spot and parked up. Out came the folding chairs and we sat there enjoying the sunshine and people watching. Ours was a nice peaceful spot further round the complex, enabling us to look down on the car and HGV parking areas.

What a nice way to spend a journey to Switzerland, though of course it is increasing the time we are in the road to reach our destination, but in some strange way it doesn't seem to matter. It's the first time we've travelled this way, and I'm sure it will be the last, but in the meantime we're just enjoying it.

With so many trees and bushes nearby struggling to find water during this dry period I felt that I really should share our waste grey water with them, and so out came the folding silicone bucket and in no time they we enjoying our shower water.

Lunch was a lovely crusty filled baguette, crisps (a real treat - it's about the only time we eat them) and a glass of nice cold orange juice.

Whilst The Chef had a little nap to try and catch up on her sleep I amused myself doing a few crossword puzzles in a book. Fortunately it had the answers in the back of the book which was helpful as there were some answers I had never heard of.

At 15:30 we had a coffee and cake before hitting the road. The rest of the journey was fine until we hit Besancon at about 18:00 which must have been their rush hour, oh deep joy.

Our final destination was the 'Super U' supermarket northeast of Besancon (N47.208843° E6.102572°). Here we topped up the fuel tank, paying €1.89 a litre. Honestly, the prices here are all over the place at the moment, but it's not what I would call, too much to pay.

We were not sure if we would be allowed to stay here for the night, but having popped in to the store for a few bits and pieces, we sat outside and had our evening meal in the run-up to the store closing at 19:30.

Since nobody came out and chased us with ferocious guard dogs or tasers we have assumed that they're ok with us parking here. I have parked just outside the covered parking area so as not to appear to be taking the pee, though with rain and possible thunderstorms forecast for tonight I have the opportunity to start the engine and move forward under the canopy.

Tomorrow we intend to be up in good time so that we can get any more shopping we need before travelling to our campsite at Lauterbrunnen. Unless things have changed, there is only a Co-op shop there with food at silly prices, and so we plan to have enough food onboard to last us the week - our poor suspension. I anticipate we will weigh considerably less when we leave Switzerland.

See you tomorrow in Switzerland, home of the cuckoo clock makers.

1. Sep, 2022

1. Sep, 2022