Inspiring Women SUMMER 2020

conflicting reports. People
were beginning to “make
a run for it” through Spain
and France. We heard
reports that single
motorhomes and
caravans had been
targeted by bandits in
Spain. What to do?
On March 23 we decided
to head home in a
convoy of four caravans,
three Dutch and ourselves
heading to Germany. A
caravan site was booked
in Spain, but at 8:00 p.m. we were told the Spanish borders were closed and not to travel. We
delayed; however, a German motorhome decided to leave and report back to us. As they got
through with no problem, we left with our convoy the next day. We called ourselves “The
Survivors“. At the border we were met by Spanish police with machine guns (encouraging), who
handed us a form giving us permission to travel. We stayed overnight outside the campsite in
Salamanca and heard from a British motorhomer that the campsite in Luz, where we had
previously stayed, had closed their doors and with two days notice, everyone was forced to
leave. The next day we were waved through the French border but stayed just north of Bordeaux
at a different motorway service station after hearing that the Germans, who had left before us,
had been broken into during the night and their money was gone.
On Day Three of our journey, The
Survivors split up. The Dutch
caravanners left early and got
home late that evening; we went a
different way and drove on
completely empty motorways,
staying again in France near Sens.
We didn’t feel quite so safe without
our convoy. The following morning
the gendamerie knocked on our
caravan, asked where we were
going and told us to move on
ASAP. Thankfully, on Day Four we
got through Luxembourg with no
checks and after showing our
German ID cards at the border
(they come in useful sometimes),
we finally arrived home.
Mission accomplished and all Survivors survived to hopefully tell another tale next year, when we
hope to meet up again.
Audrey Thomas grew up in and around London, UK and currently lives near Cologne, Germany.
Originally, she came to Germany for two years but now, 40 years plus later, she is still here. She is
a long time member of the AIWC of Cologne, serving as their Treasurer for many years, Secretary
and Activities Chair. She has now retired after doing the accounts for a company in the
aerospace field and has also given up her Club responsibilities in the hope of travelling more in
the near future. She also enjoys meeting up with Club members, reading and gardening.
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