Dieppe to Newhaven UK

Travelled: 41km by road, 4hrs ferry Dieppe to Newhaven England (£76)
Stay: Beachy Head Pub- free parking (drinks & meals £32) N50.74018 E0.25044
Visited: Dieppe, Birling Gap (£1.50/hr parking)

We ventured into Dieppe just before 9am and managed to get a free street parking spot. We were surprised to see both Aires basically full.  









Due to Dieppe’s giant harbour, it has a distinctive maritime character having been home to Vikings, explorers and pirates. It was also France’s first beach resort. We had a stroll along the Grande Rue to the gothic church of St.Jaques, built in the 15th and 16th century it reflects the city’s shipowners wealth, although it is now in much need of restoration.











 At 11am we went through border control at the harbour and waited to board our ferry to Newhaven.







French provisions...

 The crossing went smoothly and Mark took to driving on the gutter side of the road very well! (Bluey is LH drive). We stopped to have a look at the white cliffs at Birling Gap. All parking areas along this road is payable.











 After trudging along the beach which is covered in rocks and admiring the beautiful views, we drove a little further on to Bleachy Heads Pub. We promptly asked if we could stop overnight in the car park. They said yes but that we needed to let the Chaplaincy know, however we couldn’t find anyone. I suppose we will just have to wait until they find us?! Anyway we had a drink and a meal before retreating back to Bluey and hopefully an undisturbed night.

Saint Nicolas d’Aliermont, France

Travelled:21km

Stay/visit: Saint Nicolas d’Aliermont - aire, free parking, service point, N49.8804 E1.22122

We awoke to a drizzly morning and drove up the road to St.Nicolas. We stopped to have some breakfast and decided to stay the rest of the day. 

We walked up and down the main thoroughfare, admiring some of the houses along the way.

The town is renowned for its clockmaking which started in 1725, however manufacturing stopped in the late 1800’s. It is possible to visit the clock museum on most afternoons. 

Mark took the opportunity to fix the tap on one of the grey water tanks while I cooked turkey paupiettes for lunch. 

We then spent a bit of time planning for tomorrow before we went to have look at the 13th century Roman style church. 

Mesnieres en Bray

Stay: Mesnieres en Bray - Aire free parking and services, 49.76599, 1.38076

Travelled: 126km

Visited: Forges les Eaux, Val Ygot V1 rocket site, Mesnieres en Bray

Our first stop for the day was at the Intermarché supermarket in Beauvais where we bought up on some favourite supplies to take with us into the UK and filled up the LPG bottle.

We then headed along the road towards Dieppe and stopped for a brief walk around Forges les Eaux. During the 17th C it was a fashionable spa town and well renowned for its waters, which was reflected in the buildings. 

Further along towards Dieppe we drove to Val Ygot to visit one of the 120 V1 rocket sites built in the region by the Germans during WWII.

 As the rockets could not be controlled, launch ramps had to point directly at the targets. This one was heading to London! Luckily the site was destroyed before it became operational. Although other sites did manage to send about 3000 rockets to bomb London. 

Still feeling under the weather we decided to venture only another 10km to an aire in Mesnieres en Bray (previously visited 2014). We settled in and then went for a walk through the small but quaint village.

 The main attraction is the Chateau built in the 15th century but it can only be visited during July and August as it is used as a school. We did manage to sneak into the grounds and have a little look around.

 The church dates back to the 11th century. 

Just outside the castle gates is an old railway line now a popular bike path. Someone very artistic in the town made a great effort with some ceramic signage.