# Tag 10 'Lydia' knows the way - trust your navigation system

Departure from the Hautes France region - off to Normandy.

There are supposed to be plenty of delicacies to eat and drink in Normandy. Normandy is known for the production of cider, calvados, and camembert - the three C's.

The small town of Honfleur, located at the mouth of the Seine opposite Le Havre, is particularly recommended. The area has always been an attraction for artists and poets. The impressionist school of Claude Monet has left its mark here. While Le Havre emerged heavily damaged from World War II, Honfleur was spared from bombardment and has preserved a charming small town with narrow streets and old buildings.

We want to take a look at that and have chosen a campsite just 3 km outside. The Camping La Briquerie in Équemauville receives consistently good reviews on the internet, has various leisure facilities, and is located right next to a large supermarket Intermarché. That sounds great.

The route initially leads us through the countryside on Rue Departementale 940 and D 925. To see the sea and the coastal landscape, we occasionally take a detour to especially marked viewpoints. In fact, we also get to see the view of the cliffs and the high cliffs.

Along these small roads, we admire mansions that present themselves in park-like plots behind hedges and fences. It seems that some wealthy families have created themselves a nice summer residence. We wish them well, our summer residence is called LAIKA and it takes us further west.

Normandy immediately reveals itself with its typical stone houses and half-timbered walls, which can be found in every village and along the roads.

While we initially move in the department of Seine-Maritime, our destination is on the other side of the Seine and therefore in the department of Calvados (Rainer, from here on, the culinary search for the best calvados begins).

Crossing the Seine is not an easy matter. The easiest and probably most spectacular crossing is the Pont de Normandie near Le Havre near the mouth of the river.

This spectacular cable-stayed bridge claims to be the longest in Europe. But it is subject to tolls, which we have excluded in our navigation system. A little further south there is another bridge in Tancarville. From now on, we trust our navigation system, even if it sometimes chooses roads that are quite adventurous. As we approach the large river, the area becomes industrial with refineries and large plants.

Suddenly, we are told to turn left / right, here another detour, and then the navigation voice says: - …take the ferry!

We are already in line to drive onto the ferry, which is just docking and letting vehicles from the other side off.

Can this be right? A hectic examination of the map with our destination gives no reason to doubt. Then we will take the ferry, even if it costs nothing. The crossing is free.

Later I read that due to the few bridges, which are also all subject to tolls, the ferries fulfill an important function and can be used free of charge.

On the other bank, the department of Calvados begins and it is not far to the campsite. The route takes us directly through the town of Honfleur, which proves to be a bottleneck. Narrow streets, no passage for motorhomes, many people, and a lot of hustle and bustle. The camper parking space is full, as far as one can judge while passing by. Good thing we want to stay outside.

At the campsite, I initially have a little concern that it might be full due to the holidays. The man at the reception dispels my concerns, no problem without a reservation, they have plenty of space - and he praises my French - that feels good.

However, one thing puzzles me - payment must be made in cash. That is unusual because here everyone and everything pays with a card.

The realization comes when we have chosen our pitch and finished setting up.

The internet here is underground. Barely any reception, no stable performance, constant disruptions, so even the free mobile data card is of little use. As a result, the operators have reintroduced cash payment. Card readers also need a stable internet connection.

Otherwise, the campsite is great, large pitches, very well-maintained facility, superb sanitary facilities, and a restaurant included.

In the evening, we also pay a visit to the Intermarché 200 m away, and we have a fantastic dinner - a big compliment to the chef.