Discussion
One of the disappointing recent aspects of the annual trek to Le Mans (aside from les flics) has been the degrading of the N138 experience. With the advent of the terminally dull autoroute, the vast majority now seem to blat anonymously south whereas previously the N138 was awash with tasty exotica and amusing overtaking.
Can we not reclaim this experience somehow and suggest that people may find it adds far more to the experience than sitting at 130kmh for hour after hour and hardly seeing anyone else?
Can we not reclaim this experience somehow and suggest that people may find it adds far more to the experience than sitting at 130kmh for hour after hour and hardly seeing anyone else?
It depends very much when you are going.
For an early in the week arrival a jolly down the scenic route is nice.
But if you're getting a 8am Ferry Thursday morning so it's going to be 10.30am by the time you get off the boat (with the time change), unless you are on Houx you probably want to get down the main road ASAP to find yourself some campsite space. Even more so on Friday.
For an early in the week arrival a jolly down the scenic route is nice.
But if you're getting a 8am Ferry Thursday morning so it's going to be 10.30am by the time you get off the boat (with the time change), unless you are on Houx you probably want to get down the main road ASAP to find yourself some campsite space. Even more so on Friday.
For me it's always in the back of my mind that I have to get down there and blag a decent pitch near to a power hookup so we can get the fridge on.
However the new Autoroute was dull as ditchwater last year and still quite actively policed, nowhere near as fun as the N138.
This year I'm coming down Thursday evening so I'll probably just do the Autoroute again, stick the cruise control on and get some kip.
However the new Autoroute was dull as ditchwater last year and still quite actively policed, nowhere near as fun as the N138.
This year I'm coming down Thursday evening so I'll probably just do the Autoroute again, stick the cruise control on and get some kip.
djfish said:
stick the cruise control on and get some kip.
Wow, what kind of cruise control is that?!
First Year for me, and we have guaranteed spaces so no need to rush. Getting an 8am ferry on the wednesday.
Think we're going to take the N138, seems much more interesting than driving along a straight motorway.
May do the autoroute on the way home though on monday morning.
LoftyD said:
I took the autoroute last year, and it definately degraded the enjoyment of the journey.
I agree, new route was dull indeed, and wasnt exactly blessed with places to stop off either!
old route back in favour... Campspace is reserved so Thursday morning ferry doesn't have to mean a mad rush to find spaces.
The sheer numbers of motoring spectacle on the way down may not ever be the same though as now the routes are split.
Isn't the N138 now called a different name though?
A10ARF said:
LoftyD said:
I took the autoroute last year, and it definately degraded the enjoyment of the journey.
I agree, new route was dull indeed, and wasnt exactly blessed with places to stop off either!
Isn't the N138 now called a different name though?
Keep up at the back - see the 2nd post on this thread.
snotrag said:
djfish said:
stick the cruise control on and get some kip.
Wow, what kind of cruise control is that?!
First Year for me, and we have guaranteed spaces so no need to rush. Getting an 8am ferry on the wednesday.
Think we're going to take the N138, seems much more interesting than driving along a straight motorway.
May do the autoroute on the way home though on monday morning.
What ferry are you on? Were on a 7:55 P&O Wednesday Morning. I'll probably still go on the N138 as we're not rushing to get down and there are some nice places to stop!
My group used this in 2005 and the entertainment value was fantastic (that was us in the Green Range Rover on the wrong side of the road)! After going via Paris in 2006, we are keen to go back to our original route for 2007.
My question is, as with many people we will be travelling from Boulogne via Rouen - But with the new road layouts, where do we now join what was the N138, and what is it now called?
My question is, as with many people we will be travelling from Boulogne via Rouen - But with the new road layouts, where do we now join what was the N138, and what is it now called?
Dave200 said:
My question is, as with many people we will be travelling from Boulogne via Rouen - But with the new road layouts, where do we now join what was the N138, and what is it now called?
Apparently now called this ( from 2nd thread )
>>Even the road classification has been downgraded. D338 now.
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