The Race to Escape France During the Pandemic
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- čas přidán 6. 09. 2024
- Plans Change, and that's OK!!! What starts off as a normal Roaming Radford morning soon turns in to a sprint to Calais. Join us as we track north to escape the rapidly increasing Covid-19 numbers and rush to return our boys to school on time! Also - look out for TWO France travel hacks - they will save you time and money!
Chateau Le Grange Fort: www.lagrangefo...
What3Words link: w3w.co/grained...
Aire at Nouvion, Somme, Hauts-de-France, France, 80860
What3Words link: w3w.co/competi...
Our family have been roaming around the UK, Europe and US since 2007. We set off on each trip with only a rough destination in mind, allowing the roads we take and places we stop to evolve as we meet new friends along the way.
If you have found us and enjoy our stories or have tips and recommendations then please get in touch as we'd love to hear from you.
Products we use to create our CZcams vlogs
Our main camera we use for our vlogging is the Sony Vlog Camera ZV-1 amzn.to/3igc4tG
The handgrip/tripod we use is on our camera is the Sony GP-VPT2BT Handgrip amzn.to/33Lt7Qn
We also use an external microphone for audio Rode VideoMic NTG amzn.to/3fxwi03
For our action and the under water shots we use a GoPro Hero 8 Black amzn.to/3kf5ghL
We have a drone we use for our aerial shots, the DJI Mavic Mini Combo amzn.to/3ihCR8L
We also edit our videos using Final Cut Pro on a Macbook Pro 16" amzn.to/3a1IxAK
Products & Gadgets we have in our Motorhome
Our lightweight portable chairs are the Coleman Swing Chairs Khaki amzn.to/3i7xWY2
Our large folding dining table is similar to this Lifetime 6ft Adjustable Table amzn.to/3idnI8w
The benches we have are similar to these Lifetime 6ft Folding Bench amzn.to/3iioYYa
Our portable gas cooker is a Cadac 2 Cook 2 Delux Pro 2 burner hob
One of our sets of tables we have is the Coleman 6 in 1 Camping Table amzn.to/3fyDtVK
We have a small portable hose for filling up called the Hozelock Pico Reel amzn.to/3kmVtGb
We have 2 TV's in our motorhome they are the Sharp 24" LED Smart TV's amzn.to/3ie3s6D
Did you know we have installed a Ring Video Doorbell 2 on our motorhome too amzn.to/2XAS8JZ
Hi
Thanks for letting us into your adventure .
I am so glad you made it back in time , The virus made your trip a experience of a life time that was a big challenge but one that kept me viewing your channel , Thanks so much for keeping us entertained .
I wish you all the luck and hope you can do it again when safe to do so
THANKS AGAIN
Corey, that's such a wonderful comment, Thank You! Its only the sunshine thats changing, we still have many adventures and favourites to share from here in the UK 😊
The reason for the lack of sliced bread is that the French don't eat sliced bread.
The bake French bread 5 times a day.
Buy the deli meat not prepacked.
Hey I just found your channel and have to say that I am hooked ☺️
I love campervans
And travelled most of Europe as a kid in our camper and seeing your kids along for the ride brings back memories ❤️
We hope to have a camper geared up for this summer 🤞
Ahhh welcome along!! Sounds like you have some great plans!
WE use to sail to Bilbao with our touring van heading for the Costa Del Sol just one toll at Burgos , then fantastic roads and scenery ,I would recommend Spain over France any day we have done both ,three months long stay full amenity low season site 16 euro per night all in short walk to Cabopino Beach, Great videos , you are a lovely family your sons are a credit to you . Have spent some time in France and there is not much sliced bread as French eat Baguettes , fresh front the local baker in the morning and evening with regard to Cheddar cheese we stayed at a Gite a few times and Alan and Jan would bring back loads of strong cheddar from the uk as her French friends loved it particully for cooking ,
Aww thank you for your lovely comment. x
Fun fact about the Euro Tunnel. When they dug the tunnel they had to divert it to the east in order to avoid the plunge pool created when the English Channel was formed by a massive flood at the end of a previous Ice Age. Think Niagra Falls, but now underwater.
Wow zeros!
Hi Steve didn’t quite hear what you said at the toll booth do you just have to say ( camping class 2 ! ) cheers Derek
Oui! Class Deux (2).
Glad your all home safe have really enjoyed watching your hoilday trip
Thank you Michael! UK trips are the future 🤣🤣
When I was a kid, I used to think you’d be able to see the water from inside the Chunnel as well 😆 glad you made it back ok! Look forward to seeing you next week
Ha ha, I have a lovely image of you wearing goggles peering through the windows 😊 Yes! See you next week.
I worked on the Channel Tunnel when it was being constructed, quite often you could literally taste the sea water, drips from above 😏
After all it was only 45m above
Glad your back safe enjoyed following your travel's hope to see you in Stratford chris &sheila
I think I've just packaged stickers for you two! They are going in the post this morning!
Great bit of driving sorry you had to come back so soon but great that you are all safe 🥂
Thank you Anne x
Glad you got home safely. We did the same in Paris with the caravanning headed fir the centre of Paris with the caravan not allowed what a nightmare.
Yikes! It’s awful when you don’t know how to fix the problem!
I didnt realise how expensive those tolls were, it didn't even cross my mind!
I don't think I could afford that !!
There are plenty of free routes if you have the time! Don’t let that put you off travelling to Europe!
Phew!!!!!!! that was close! Glad you made it...but sad its over! So pleased I stumbled across you in my search for a camping trip to france fix! Look forward to seeing where you go next. Maybe even meet up if you venture down to cornwall one day xx
Sally thank you, that sounds lovely!
Hi
Been watching all your vlogs, lovely people!
Can you please tell us where chateaux de fort is? And also when you went through the peage travelling north through France , you pressed the button on the pay station said something to the operator and your toll charge was reduced? Can you explain that please. We couldn’t quite catch it!
Love your travels and we very much hope to meet you all one day,, maybe in France where we’ll buy Steve a beer and some wine for Lynsey.
Regards
P, K and Bentley ( old English sheepdog)
This is the link to the chateau: www.lagrangefort.eu/
If you state that you are a “Class deux”, or Class 2 quite often your toll cost will be reduced.
@@RoamingRadfords Thanks for the information. Look forward to the next vlog
Just found your channel and subscribed, not sure how I missed it before. Ah yes, we've done the Paris thing too and almost got caught out by the 2-metre height restrictions, had to quickly change direction, not ideal towing an 8-metre caravan :-) Thanks for sharing..
Welcome Along! Yikes, I'm not sure it's a good thing to be relieved that's we aren't the only people in the "wrong way" club 🤦🏻♀️
We'll miss your vlogs on this trip as we've learnt loads. Thanks.
Ah Kim thats such a lovely comment! We won't be stopping the vlogs, they will just be a little less "sun kissed".
@@RoamingRadfords well they forecast some good weather so hopefully you've brought it back with you.
Fingers crossed, but we are used to travelling in the UK weather 😊
Carefoure does a lot of English stuff, but, very expensive, found the English supermarket in Antibes is the best we found.
Ohh good tip!
Awesome traveling with your great family. Thanks for sharing your trip.
Stay safe.
Thank you so much! You stay safe too x
So Steve me again on catch up, can I ask what card you had to reduce your toll charges also does it apply to all tolls
Thanks again your advice will be invaluable when we go in may. Oh and buy the way your vlog was not to bad again LOL . Absolutely vital to us newbie’s 👍👍 ta mate
Hey Peter, it’s not a card, it’s just a cheeky hack. If your large like us and class 3, just press the button and tell them your class 2 and you’ll often get away with paying a lot less
Hi to the Radford family. I commented a few weeks ago when the French quarantine came into force. Great to see you made it home but at a cost of missing out in the Chateau de Fort which looks fantastic and will go on my list to visit, along with the toll charges you had to pay to get north asap. All the best and hope next year we can all plan for normality-stability on where we can travel.
Stephen, thank you so much for your lovely comments - again! We are all good, and the Chateau will be there waiting for us next time!
So sorry your adventure got cut short, I have really enjoyed watching your travels hope you are all safe and well.
Ah, thank you. We are all good! We managed to pack a lot in to our 4 weeks!
Thanks guys for great video never watched your family before but really enjoyed it looking forward to seeing you guys soon. 😉 not sure about the card or cheaper rates on the tolls 🤔
Welcome Along Steve!
Hi I know this is an old video but what happened at the toll booth? I didn’t understand how you got the cost reduced. Can you kindly explain? Thank you
Just press the button and say Class 2. More often than not they will reduce the charge for you
Really enjoyed watching your holiday gave us some great ideas for when we can travel to Spain again soon . Looking forward to your next vlog x
Thank you! Fingers Crossed you get to Spain soon!
Belatedly following your escape through France! ANy find the comment where you told us where you stopped last night before Calais? We do the trip a lot and usually stay at Bay De Somme aire but like to have alternatives....did trip back last May ourselves. Wasn't quite the relaxed stroll we had planned but Covid took over! Great vlog.
Thank you for your lovely comments, we are really missing the sunshine!! Here are the details for the really quiet aire : Aire at Nouvion, Somme, Hauts-de-France, France, 80860
What3Words link: w3w.co/competitive.flexes.motivational
Thank you for all your vids of your holidays iv enjoyed them looking forward to your next vids stay safe take care
Oh Patricia! Thank you so much!!!
well done guys happy camping!
Thanks Chrissey! You too!
Wot a great holiday video you guys have made for all to see . A lovely family thanks you more please 🙏👍🍾🍺B/G .stoke
Big G, Thank You!
Guys, do yourselves a favour and get an ATMB toll tag, it saves all that hassle at the toll booths, you just sail through and the barrier opens, you get the bill about a month later and you can check it for over-charging
We are too big and heavy! We had one in our old van which was under 3m tall, but the Kontiki (and roof accessories😊) make us a fraction too tall and too heavy for a standard ATMB tag.
Nice one at the tollbooth guys, a huge saving for you and very accommodating staff as me thinks there is no doubt you are over 3m high and 3500kg. Just goes to show its always worth a shot. 👏
We use the tag but you will know already that it only does up to class 2.
Enjoyed following your trip through France and Spain.
Always worth a try ;-) and THANK YOU for your lovely comments!
Your Motorhome is Class 4 as it has 3 axles.Class 3 is 2 axle vehicle over 3m high or 3.5T.
Hey Stuart! Yes it is 😊
While we were in France every other toll booth we went through automatically classified us as class 2. But we remembered this great tip and were able to save €40. Phew!
Cheeky cheeky but love the hack
😊
Aldi's is open now Steve, that should make you happy . Ha,Ha,Ha.
Ha ha
I've stumbled across your channel whilst searching for motor home content. Enjoyed following your trip through Europe, you're both very engaging with a super relaxed attitude to travel. However I've now discovered the prices of motor homes! 😳 Let's hope your next adventure is covid free👍
Ha ha, best to focus on the "long term investment" rather than the upfront cost! But, thank you so much for your lovely comments, they have made our day!
Great series of video’s guys, a must for all to watch who plan to visit France and/or Spain, we went last year and were going this year but postponed due to Covid. We have rebooked already for 2021! Ps gonna buy the roof mounted air con as discussed!
Thank you so much for your lovely comments 😊 You will love the aircon in the height of summer!!!
What wasthe toll hack? Can you explain please in more detail.
Watch the video, it’s all in there at around 8 minutes in when we hit the tolls, Lyndsay pushes the buzzer to talk to the lady, then I explain what she did to get class 2 by just saying ‘Camping Car Class Deux’ and it got reduced
@@RoamingRadfords thanks.
Awesome back home safe and sound no delays 👌🏻
We timed it to perfection - phew!
welcome 🏡
I luv the views and scenery
as usual, I wish this virus would go and never come back. Will you be travelling
around, when you get home .
thank you for sharing
stay safe.
Hey Moira! Thank you again for the lovely comment!! Yes! We have so much of the UK still to show the boys!
I enjoyed the vlogs 👍👏
Hey Paul! Thank You!! Don't worry, we aren't done yet! We just exploring the UK instead!
Hi just started watching your video,really good and loads of information,I live in france how much does it cost to subscribe to your channel
Hi Simon, welcome along, we’re pleased your enjoying the videos. It doesn’t cost you anything to subscribe to the channel, so please go ahead and subscribe, and whilst your at it, hit the notifications bell so you’ll be informed when we upload new videos.
@@RoamingRadfords good thanks for the information I am a long distance lorry driver in france so away from home all week, and I started watching your channel yesterday and your content is very good and very informative keep it up and thank you for replying, cheers
Aww thanks Simon! Safe trucking to you x
Clad you all got back in time 👍🏻
Thanks Paul!
Enjoyed them all, shame it’s all over!
Its just the sunshine thats over! We are still exploring and sharing!
Great vid, very helpful 😎
That's great to read
Tag axle motorhomes are 4.5 ton, class 3, not class 2 as you claimed on the motorway, not very honest!!!
Hi, loved your vlogs, looking to buy a Moho like yours next year when I retire and plan on maybe touring 6 months of the year. Did you come across many difficulties due to the size? Take care and be safe x
Hey Mike! How exciting! Most campsites have pitches big enough for the big mohos, the only difficultly is in the height of summer when all the big mohos are after all the bog pitches!
Did it feel Strange being back in Blighty, How much of your Hols did you have to cut short?
Blightly felt different as masks had become compulsory while we had been away. But, its nice to be back in the UK, and we are still exploring!
Sorry this was the last vlog. Well done for a great roadtrip with some very useful itips/nfo and price details. Hope you enjoyed it as much as we did watching ;-) Whats your next plans?
Its not the last vlog - I promise! Its just the last sunshine blog - unless the promised mini-heatwave doesn't materialise! We still have plenty of plans to continue our travels in the UK, and have plenty of UK favourites to share.
Sorry meant this summers Euro trip. Looking forward to your further adventures.
Phew 🤣
France is expensive even the tolls
Yep! Couldn't agree more... except wine 🍷 😌
But you aren't class 2. 😀
If you take a ticket from the lower one its cheapest
We used to do that! But now the machines only offer 1 ticket at a time. Sometimes it comes out of bottom, sometimes out of the top! I think the inconsistency is down to the different road "owners".
Hi came through France a few days back my motorhome only 7.2 meters ..they charged me class 3..I was arguing with them for 10 mins they would not change it to class 2 they said if your higher than 3 meters its class 3 ..do you know if there is anything I can do about it now..? AND what was the name of the aire 1 hour south of the tunnel please ..thanks
Hey Rob!
First of all, welcome back! The name and link and what3words link are in the description.
I guess its luck of the draw. Every other toll role automatically classed us as Class 2. I did read somewhere that you can contact the road owner/operator and they will refund the difference. Maybe a Google search will help?
@@RoamingRadfords hi thanks for the help ..been looking for the aire that you stayed in before getting the tunnel I can't seem to find it on Google maps ..is it sign posted or is it just a big carport down a little side street...? With heges round..
Hi Rob, it's not sign posted, it’s just a small car park in the town. Here’s a link to it on Google Maps
goo.gl/maps/HC6j6bTo6yjiiPNFA
Hope this helps. Steve
@@RoamingRadfords hi steve thanks .. we had a nice quite night in the car park, brilliant, fuel and supermarket 2 mins away ,,got tunnel this morning and home now ,,for two weeks doing nothing ,,,thanks again ,,rob,,removed all the food from motor home first ,,
Lovely to read, and welcome home!
So what date did you arrive back in the UK 😉
Wednesday 12th 😊
It’s a lot easier to use your credit card on the toll booths
We did earlier in the trip, but it was so satisfying to get rid of all that loose change just before we left the country!
Hi Radford's, you do some very interesting videos. I wish you would stop discussing the price of fish etc. The tip at the toll was very helpful. I think you must shop at Aldi when you're in Wales . If you watch your videos back you'll see what I mean, just makes it a bit boring. Yes Steve we all love a bargain. Just have a chill pill when you go into a shop. €€€€€€£££££££✓ PS I still love your videos 👍
Ha ha! But 4 chicken breasts for €10, we can get a whole kilo of chicken thighs for £5 at Lidl 🤣
Thank you for your lovely comments!
Buy a tag end of problems
Makes me laugh when people complain about the cost of food and selection of British food in foreign countries when on holiday.. why not stay in the UK... 🙄🙄
Hey there! Is this your first visit to our channel? Welcome Along 😊
1st
#winnerwinner 🤣🤣🤣