To the ferry, Dieppe France

After saying our goodbyes to Dean and Vic, we followed the river to Eu. Here we did our washing, filled up on booze and food, dumped our grey and black water and filled up with gas and fuel. We also managed to find some water a bit further on.

So now we could spend the rest of the day to meander our way to the ferry in Dieppe (checkin was 4:30pm for 6pm departure, cost us €200 with 20% seniors discount). 

We drove through Mers les  Bains with its mansions lining the streets, having been popular with the rich Parisiens back in the day.

Le Treport is a very busy tourist destination especially on a lovely sunning day. The market was in town which always brings in people too.

We continued on stopping at a couple of small pebble beaches that were dwarfed by the huge white cliffs. 

We have a quick drive through Dieppe. 

Then lined up at the dock. We get our passports checked and border security inspects Bluey’s shower, under the bed and the cupboards just to make sure we haven’t stowed anyone.

Then it’s a smooth sailing of 4 hours across to Newhaven. We don’t feel up to driving in the dark, so we make use of their free carpark for the night where we mange to get some sleep with our earplugs in. 

Naours France

We had a couple of things to do this morning before going to the Naours Underground tunnels.

We found a service point to use nearby at a paid aire. On our way to a motorhome dealer near Corbie to buy some toilet chemical, we stopped at the Australian 3rd Division Memorial. 

Next we went to Leroy Merlin to get some parts for the water pipe just in case it leaks again.  Eventually we arrived at the Naours tunnel, pay for our tickets (€11pp) and start the tour with the audio guides they provided. Essentially it used to be a chalk quarry that became shelter for the villagers during unrest/war. At its peak there were 28 galleries with 300 rooms. After falling into oblivion, it was rediscovered by Abbot Danicourt in 1887 and he opened it up again for tours. During WWI soldiers, many from Australia, came to visit and they graffitied their names on the soft walls. At the end of the tunnel there was an interpretation center about the graffiti and stories about some of these soldiers.

From here we drove for an 1hour or so to a parking beside a lake in Gamaches where we finally meet up with Dean and Vic, a couple of Australians enjoying the motorhome life in Europe. 

We spent many hours chatting over a few bottles of wine..

124km journey today