On the road

Sitting in a McDonalds in a smalltown in the North of france, between Armiens and Arras on our way to Calais.
We finally got the campervan yesterday early afternoon,spent the next 2 hours stocking up at Carrefour with groceries and pillows, tea-towels etc. We hit the road about 4pm I guess, it was hot. 30C  and being Good Friday, though not an observed holiday in France, the beginning of a long weekend. Traffic was jammed in various places, particularly around access roads or off ramps and so a complicated journey cicumnavigating Paris became a really complicated job. The roads have about 3 numbers depending on whether it is the local, French or European numbering which is being used just to confuse the already confused, further.
Anyway about7.30 we stopped at an Aire de .... which is basically a truck stop which has toilets (of dubious cleanliness),water and some power. So we parked amongst dozens of large French/Spanish/Portuguese trucks and some equally large drivers, and set up camp. We have put everything away tidily, there is quite a bit of storage, not as much as at home, but adequate at this stage. The only thing is we can't get the electrics working. The lights go, but we can't get the fridge going or the hot water. The manuals that came with the truck are not all in English so there is a little guess work involved ,but the fridge is set the way it should be, I'm just not sure about how the cold part works. The light works but that doesn't keep the cidre, jambon, fromage, lait or legumes cold.
We need to find a friendly English speaking campervanner who can help before everything goes off (including us from lack of appropriate showering).
The drive north east from our sleeping place has been beautiful, through many small picturesque villages, some of which look as if they have suffered the effects of a Canterbury earthquake, bombing or else old age, we are in La Somme so either of the latter are possible. The buildings are predominantly stone, with wooden beams, old, twisted, and well worn, I don't think Di managed any photos as we were going too fast too close. The roads are narrow,especially when the van is involved becuase it is significantly wider than a car. It is really easy to drive though and you geta fantastic view from the front and back because of the height.
I have got some photos to share, but left the camera in the truck, so will have to wait until the next WiFi opportunity arises, hopefully Calais this afternoon. Hoping tosee some of the battle-fields of the Somme and cemetries this afternoon but not exactly sure of locations.
Write again when I can