4-Xtremes – part 56: Ready for another island – and driving on the left!

From pandemic-related restrictions to rejected visas, we have encountered no small number of proverbial obstacles on our tours. And now, before we continue from the Pyrenees nation of Andorra to France, we are slowed down by a yellow sticker, which all vehicles over 3.5 tonnes in France have been required to display by law since 2021. The intention is to draw road users’ attention to the dangers posed by the blind spot, which is definitely a good thing.

The only problem is: we can't find anyone who sells the sticker! Not in Andorra, where we ask at every filling station we can find, or at the border crossing, or in France. But it's no surprise really: it’s Sunday and lots of stores are closed. We ask in every village we pass through – until we finally manage to get our hands on the precious sticker!

We pass through France at rapid speed– but we can't miss out on Le Mans!

Even though France does have so much to offer, we only want to spend a few days in the Grande Nation this time and instead hotfoot it straight up North. We do ambitious full days of driving along minor roads and in the evenings, we always head for an aire de camping car, which are rest stops for motorhomes.

From time to time, we go on a bike ride so as not to miss out on our fix of French village flair. But we also make another stop: in Le Mans. Sadly, we weren't allowed to do a lap on the historic race track with the Axor, but it’s still worth the visit –the grin on Mike’s face says it all.

Welcome to Great Britain!

Around 270 kilometres further north – just four days after sticking on the yellow sticker – we roll onto the ferry in Dieppe. After four hours on the English Channel, we arrive. Welcome to Great Britain! The customs officials take a quick look at our accommodation box and before we know it, we find ourselves at the first crossing in the small town of Newhaven. On the left side of the road, of course!

Now we have to be extra careful when driving, go around roundabouts clockwise and change lanes when turning off. As a passenger, I, Andrea, also have to keep a close eye on the traffic, like at crossings where Mike can't see to the right very clearly or when overtaking. It’s all just a case of getting used to it.

Through the centuries in Avebury Manor.

We stay on country roads. Our first stop is Avebury in the south of England. The megalithic stone circle there is not as well-known as Stonehenge, but no less impressive. Originally, there were over 150 stones, with 36 still remaining today. The smallest are a good two metres high, the largest is around 5.5 metres, and the heaviest weighs around 40 tonnes. It's mind-boggling to think how people moved these monster-stones back in the distant past.

Another major attraction at Avebury is a 16th century manor house. In 2011, the BBC used the property as a film site for a television programme and had it reconstructed and decorated in the style of various eras. Walking from room to room takes you on a journey through time from the 16th to the 20th century. As a bonus, you're allowed to touch everything and even try on clothes.

An emotional rollercoaster on the Irish Sea.

In Fairbourne on the Irish Sea, we admire a steam-powered railway. We hitch a ride and visit a whole host of other coastal villages. As we're walking along the beach with a windbreaker and headband, we have to laugh as we come across people in swimming trunks braving the sea. It would appear that high summer here starts at much lower temperatures than in Central Europe!

And then the mood changes very suddenly: our dog Aimée is very happy on the cool coastline and in the green meadows behind it, and wants to go for walks several times a day. However, a few days later, everything changes, and we have to say goodbye. She was by our side for more than 14 years, and we got to enjoy countless adventures together. She will always be in our hearts on all our future adventures. Feeling very sad and overwhelmed, we make our way to our next campsite, where we'll take some time out for a few days to come to terms with it all.

Photos: 4-Xtremes