France & Spain Mar 2024

 Start: Thursday 7^th March 

We’re on the road at last: we had planned to leave two weeks ago but were waiting for the results of a medical examination that, fortunately, proved to be benign. 

Our route so far this year has taken us down the western side of France. Our first stop was Abbeville, where we stayed an extra day to stock up with goods we cannot take since Brexit. 

We also needed to settle a medical bill from last year. This was shown as payable via the internet, but wasn’t recognised. It was also shown as payable at any public finance office, so here we are at the public finance office in Abbeville. The cashier is shaking her head. “Non, monsieur, you must pay this at Tour where you received the treatment”. But, I point out, it says on the bill “any public finance office.” You must stand your ground with officialdom, politely of course. The cashier now needs to consult the next management level up, and after 10 minutes she returns with management level up who scrutinises us as to whether we are deemed worthy of squaring the account. She nods to the cashier, so we have passed muster. Payment is made, and we leave with a receipt as evidence against being criminally excluded from France in the future. 

However, the journey is going well and today, Monday, we are camped on the Spanish border. Don’t assume it’s now all shorts and sunshine weather because we’re in the rain shadow of the Pyrenees, but are happy campers nonetheless and heading to Burgos in Spain tomorrow.