Running out of Gaz in Europe

Yesterday morning, we found out our gaz aka LPG aka GPL is no more, after 28 days of use in cooking, heating water for bath, cooling the very small refrigerator and about 3 mornings use of heater, gaz is out.

We tried a lot of gasoline stations to replace our propane tank but they refuse to.  This experience was made even more difficult by us not speaking French and them, French people not speaking English.

The first time we ran out of gaz was in Austria.  We have a propane tank from Italy and we can't swap it to buy a propane tank in Austria.  We found a gaz supplier willing to refill our tank but he can't because of a "fitting" discrepancy.  We were referred to a camper supplier store who sold us a propane tank filled with gaz and the correct "fitting".  This became our propane tank number 2.  Price was Euros 76.00.

Just like in Austria where our Italian propane tank is not an acceptable replacement, here in France, our Italian propane tank and our Austrian propane tank are also not an acceptable replacement.  We accepted the fact that we would have to buy a propane tank in France.  This we did, after much difficulty for the last two days.  This became our propane tank number 3.  Price is Euros 48.  The good thing is the "fitting" we bought from Austria is a good fitting for this French propane tank.

A French guy helped my husband made this purchase.  He brought us to a station where we could buy a propane tank and he did the talking for us.

We now have gaz and the first thing we cooked was Japanese instant ramen.

It's funny how we have a very small home and we have 3 propane tanks.

C'est la vie.



Wikipedia: Liquefied petroleum gas (also called LPG, GPL, LP Gas, autogas, or liquid propane gas) is a flammable mixture of hydrocarbon gases used as a fuel in heating appliances and vehicles. It is increasingly used as an aerosol propellant and a refrigerant, replacing chlorofluorocarbons in an effort to reduce damage to the ozone layer.

Flea Market in Villeurbanne, France aka Flea Market in Lyon, France

Villeurbanne is only 5 kms from Lyon and according to wiki its Arrondissement is Lyon, France which probably means Villeurbanne is a commune of Lyon.  When researching flea markets in France, this flea market is referred to as biggest flea market in Lyon but it is actually located in Villeurbanne.

Lyon, France is not RV or camper friendly . there is no municipal camping for campers in or even surrounding Lyon.  Parking is non existent.  It is good we were set to go to Villeurbanne to spend the night in preparation for my much anticipated day flea marketing.

We also had a hard time finding a parking in Villeurbanne, we wanted to leave and drive at the motorway and sleep in an aire even it was already 12 mn.  We opted to stay and we were rewarded with a vacant parking spot in a neighborhood parking lot.  In the morning, my husband discovered our parking is only 5 minutes walk to the beginning (or end) of the flea market.  So we went and walked and looked and bought cherries euros 2.50 per kg, fresh green beans, a lot for euros 2.50 and peaches euros 1.5 per kg.

This flea market is a big disappointment for me. But what did I expect, quality products for cheap prices?  Clothing, shoes and everything else is low quality.  Food, fruits and vegetables are fresh and good prices.  Big flea market day is every Sunday. 

C'est la vie.

Flea Market in Chalon Sur Saone

Friday is flea market day in the city of Chalon Sur Saone.  The night before, we parked in a municipal camping site near Saone River.  It turned out, this municipal camping is just a block away from the flea market.

We found that fruits and vegetables here in Europe is a lot cheaper than in Canada or even USA.

Cherries here cost Euros2.50 per kg. = $3.50 per kg
In Canada, cherries cost $4 per lb or $8.80 per kg.

We bought, cherries, grapes and tomatoes.

It's Been a Month RVing in Europe

My husband and I had been to a lot of communes, towns, cities and countries in Europe this past month which began April 25, 2011.

I thought it would be nice to do a recap of our one month experience rving in Europe 2011.  (In 2007, we did our very first RVing ever - also in Europe).

So, we referred to our list and counted 39 communes/towns/cites and 6 countries we visited namely:
Italy
Switzerland
Liechtenstein
Austria
Germany
France

We travelled 2149 kms and spent Euros 337 in diesel.  Our diesel usage is 9.2 kms per liter.

We spent Euros 340 on food including laundry, dish, bath soaps, shampoo, toilet paper, paper towel.

We only ate at a restaurant once and the occassional hamburger cost Euro 66.

We did not spend money on campsites because we all we did was free camping - meaning we slept on municipal camping all free of charge, mcdonals parking lot, mall parking lot, street parking,  and once in an aire. (aire is rest stop used by trucks and all motor vehicles to rest or pass the night usually located in highways).

Our cellphone usage is very limited to texting so we spent very little like Euros 5.

Our internet usage is always free - free wifi usually from mcdonalds.  It is useful information to mention that we enjoy free wifi almost everyday the past month.

We probably have used half of the LPG which cost Euro 30 full tank.

We have not paid on hooking up with electricity because our batteries are charged by solar panel.

We spent some money on rv wax and cleaning supplies, floor covers, plates, pots and pans which are one time expenses so I decided are not included in this summary because they are not regular monthly expenses.

We love driving on secondary roads and the country side so we spent little on toll fees.  Euros 19.

Entrance fee to attractions and parking fees is Euros 50.

Total spent for the past month Euros 840.

C'est la vie!

Apologies and Bonjour from Acheres-la-Foret, Ile de France

I have been uninspired and sort of busy - my lousy excuse for not updating my blog with my travels, cooking and life in Canada.

I also thought I would be motivated with a new blog.  I created one with another free-blogging site but still uninspired, I did not follow through with posts even if a lot of new and wonderful events are happening in my life.

In April 1, 2011, we started our 2nd RVing in Europe.  I hope to update this blog with pictures of wonderful and beautiful places we have been to hopefully with lovely stories to go with it.

We are now in Aire d Acheres la Foret in France.  We arrived here last night.  Parking lot was huge, well lighted and as in most "aires" in highways in Europe, there is a gasoline station and a convenience store with washroom and bath.  To park here is free of charge and this is what is called "free camping" or "wild camping."  Bath is Euro1.50.

We have been wild camping since April 25, 2011 and tomorrow is exactly one month since we started our RVing in Europe 2011.  Above is our 2002 model Fiat Ducato camper we bought in Italy.

Au revoir et merci.