France/Spain 2009

[monmar]

Just put this in the general chat, but it should be here, appologies.
Hope some of you find it interesting.

Sat 4th July
After taking things easy for the past few days, thinking there’s plenty of time to get ready, panic now sets in to get everything packed. We manage to get away by 6pm for the short drive to Folkestone, stopping at Tesco’s, at junc 10 on the M20 for last minute fresh produce, then catch the 7:50pm shuttle for an uneventful crossing to France.  We make reasonable progress down the A16 and A28 to Rouen, although there does seem to be more traffic about than usual, but we don’t normally travel on a Saturday evening. Onwards to Dreux, Evreux, Chartres and Orleans where we decide to take the N20 rather than the toll A71 to Vierzon.  We stop at La Ferte sur Aubin by the river, where there are a few motor homes already parked up, to try and get a bit of sleep.

Sun 5th July
Not getting much sleep we decide to carry on down the N20 till we reach the toll free A20 and then its straight down to Limoges, where we join the N141 to Suris, stopping at a McDonalds on the way for breakfast, arriving at La Blanchie about 10:30am having travelled 500 miles since we left home.  The van is on a pitch ready for us.  Being rather tired we just have a chat with some of the other campers, then an early night is called for.  Our home for the next 7+ weeks is a 2004 Hobby 540, we like it and it suits us.





Mon 6th July
A lazy day today, just go and do a bit of shopping and getting acclimatised to the heat.

Tue 7th July
The van is booked in for a service at the Hobby dealer at Angouleme at 2pm, so we leave La Blanchie at 10:30 to get there before they shut for lunch at midday.  After dropping the van off we have a bit of lunch, then go for a drive in the country side and find a pleasant spot by a river to pass a couple of hours, and also have a walk rpund the village.  Its soon time to pick the van up at 6pm, then a short drive to a municipal campsite at Baignes-Sainte Radegonde.  It was a basic site with about 50 level pitches and a clean toilet block, it was nice to be greeted by an English girl who looked after the campsite from 5pm to 8:30pm.  At just €9 a night with EHU it was ideal for a night halt.  It really felt that our holiday had begun.


Wed 8th July
Today we travel down the N10 to Bordeaux, and join the very busy by-pass, just keep your nerve and don’t let the frogs intimidate you.  Once round there we rejoin the N10 to Castets where we take the Dax road, then onto Orthez.  It is not much further to Navarrenx and Camping Beau Rivage, a total of 180miles for the day.  A very warm welcome from Richard and Wendy, the English owners.  A clean looking site with a mixture of grass and hard standing pitches, two toilet blocks and a pool.  We soon get settled in, and have a chat with other campers.
 



Thu 9th July
A quiet day today, just a stroll round the village (200yds away) in the morning, then a dip in the pool during the afternoon.  Try to plan our trips over the next few days.  During the evening a dozen or more micro lights come over, with some Fokker trying to shoot them down.  These were soon followed by a hot air balloon, so low we could almost touch it.



Fri 10th July
A 100mile round trip up into the mountains is planned for today, trying to keep to the uncrowned country roads.  We stop at the small village of Tardets where we sit by the river for a picnic lunch, then have a quick walk round the village.  All the villages round here have a church, even if there’s only six houses.  We then continue on very windy lanes up to a height of 5000ft, where all we have for company is mountain sheep and wild horses.  A very pleasant day into nature.





Sat 11th July
Today we’re off to Salies-de-Bearn, a picturesque town in the area that is known for its salt water.  We have a map with a guided tour marked on it that we try to follow.  We do one part of the town in the morning, then drive out to another picnic spot by a river for lunch, before returning to finish the tour off in the afternoon.





Sun 12th July
Bit or a loose end today so we just went and sat by the side of the road!!!

We must have picked a lucky spot, though, as the Tour de France came thundering by, I took so many pictures here that I will add a selection hope you don’t find them boring.








We then came back via Lourdes, but due to the heavy traffic we didn’t get into the town centre, but we did see the chateau perched on top of a hill.

On the way back we went through the town of Mourenx, which had a very colourful flower bed.

Well, that was a very good day, and I would recommend any one to watch the Tour de France if they have the chance. Tha Caravane (as it is called) that precedes it is well worth seeing.

Mon13th July
This is to be our last day at Beau Rivage, so the camera is taken into the walled town of  Navarrenx, for a few shots to look back on during the winter months.  We walk round the ramparts and go into the church for a few lasting memories.





During the afternoon Terry and Shirley, who we met at Twinlakes two years ago, and Villa de Viver last year.  It was nice to meet up with them again, as they do a similar tour to us, and we should see them again near Valencia in a few weeks time.
Our six nights at Beau Rivage cost €132, which isn’t to bad, and we would happily come again as there is still more to see in the area.  But tomorrow we’re off to Spain.

More to follow shortly

Pete

[monmar]

Here's the next instalment:-

Tue 14th July
Today we leave France for an 80mile drive to Spain, ready to leave by 10, but then everybody and his dog wants to come and talk.  Finally get through the gate of Beau Rivage at 11:45, then its uphill all the way to the Spanish border and the 6 mile tunel de somport.  The mountains got ever closer and the views are spectacular.

You can tell the difference between France, with its lush green fields, and Spain which is brown, dry and barren, over a short distance of a few miles.
We soon arrive at camping Vall de Tena, near the town of Biescas.  it’s a beautiful setting with mountains on three sides.  It is 80% statics and permanently pitched tourers.  It has a sparsely stocked shop, bar/restaurant and a pool.  We came here last year so we new what to expect.




Wed 15th July
Lazy morning, just went out to do a bit of shopping and generally messed around.  After lunch we decided to go up to the Col de Somport, after coming through the tunnel yesterday we thought it would be scenic to drive over the top, and we weren’t disappointed.
 

On the way back we went into Jaca, a town where the French come to save a few centimes.  It has a real touristy feel about it with numerous restaurants and souvenir shops.  We had a reasonable three course, fixed price meal, €11.75, including bread and wine which seemed good value.
 


Thu 16th July
Today was another 20 mile drive into the mountains, this time to the ski resort of Panticosa. The scenery is genuinely spectacular, and photo’s do not really do it justice, but I’ll put a few up just to give you a taste.  We had a picnic lunch before getting the €15 return cable car up to 6000ft, in winter there are chair lifts to go even further.  Although we were high up it was still very warm sunbathing weather.  After we came down we drove further up into the mountains, and saw numerous waterfalls cascading down the mountain sides.  At the end of the road we came across a lake, and the clarity of the water was unbelievable.  A very enjoyable day, which we will try and return to in the future.






Fri 17th July
A quiet day when we just went into the local town, Sabinanigo, a dirty and seedy place in appearance compared to Jaca that we visited a couple of days ago.  We went into an internet café to use the phones to catch up with those we left at home, they have reasonable charges and saves keep pumping money into the public phone boxes.  Also did a bit of shopping then had a quiet afternoon and early night ready for manana.

Sat 18th July
This would be the highlight of our visit to the area, we went into France to the “petit train d’artouste” it was only a 30 mile drive.  We went on a cloudy day last year and didn’t see anything, so if there was any cloud we wouldn’t go up, but thankfully there were clear blue skies.  The tickets cost €21.50 each, which includes a cable car up to the station where you catch the train for the hours mountain top ride to the lac de artouste at 7000ft.  When we bought the tickets they told us it was only 7deg, although it didn’t feel that cold.  That’s enough rambling, here’s the pictures plus one that I took on the way back.








Sun 19th July
This is our last day at Valle de Tena, so had a quiet day tinkering around with the van etc, and Barbara cooked a quick roast dinner while all around were eating Paella.  Had a final dip in the pool before packing things away ready to move off in the morning.  The cost for our six nights was €120, which seemed quite reasonable.  We would return but there are so many other places to see, that we’ll see if we have time in the future.

More to follow shortly as we head south.

Pete

[monmar]

To continue

Mon 20th July

Today we have a 170 mile drive down through Huesca, Zaragoza and Alcaniz, on good roads, about half of which is dual carriageway.  We are heading for camping La Fresneda, a dutch owned (Jet & Joost) campsite.  We are offered a welcoming drink by Jet, who also tells us a bit about the area.  She also gives you a folder, in English, with different walks, cycle rides and car trips, along with places of interest and a bit about each of the local villages. They take orders for bread which they bring to your pitch about 9am.
It is a small site with only 28 pitches, with only one other caravan besides ours, the rest being tents. It is a terraced site, with 90% of the occupants being dutch, which made us feel a bit uncomfortable as if we were being watched all the time. It had a small plunge pool and bar/restaurant, and the toilet blocks were spotless. We also had a nice view from the van windows. Unfortunately it was not really caravan friendly, we had to move some boulders when we came to leave, and is probably why we wouldn’t return. 




Tue 21st July

The reason we came to La Fresneda was to visit the hilltop town of Morella, it is very picturesque, with a touristy feel without being tacky.  It was about 40 miles away along twisty and hilly roads, we will not be towing the van this way. Along the way there are scores of wind turbines, and pleasant scenery. The shops in the narrow streets sell woollens, honey, cheese and a speciality pastry called “flaons”. A few hours were spent walking round the streets, and visiting the large Basilica, but we declined the steep climb to the castle ruins at the top.  Well worth a day of anybody’s time.








Wed 22nd July

A quiet day with a trip into the local village for a bit of shopping and photo‘s. Then in the afternoon we went to a lake about 10 miles away, the road round it being a dirt track.  We were able to have a refreshing swim as it had been 40 deg + for our stay here, and the heat was becoming unbearable. We will not be sorry to be heading for the coast tomorrow, with hopefully a cooling breeze.





Be back soon with more.

Pete

[muzz]

How many nights are you clocking up?

[monmar]

Thu 23rd July

We have to move some large rocks as we try to leave La Fresneda and head towards Alcaniz. There is quite a few clouds about, which we soon realize are smoke clouds from the numerous forest fires.  One small village we go through has about 30 fire engines lining the streets and as we emerge out the other side the hills are all blackened and still smouldering.  We stop at a quiet layby for lunch, and are soon on our way to Tortosa, then on towards the coast and the AP7(autopista del Mediterraneano).  We stay on the AP7 till we get to the Moncofa exit.  Soon find ourselves at Camping Monmar, a site we have stayed at a few times in the past.  It is a fairly small site, by Spanish standards, with about 180 gravel pitches.  The pitches are a bit cramped but we have room for the van, awning and car.  It has 3 small, clean, toilet blocks, a bar/restaurant, a sparsely stocked shop and a pool.  It is still over 40deg with a searingly hot breeze, but are assured it will be cooler tomorrow.  It is just too hot to do more than we have to, then a quick jump in the pool.  Another 180miles were added today, but at least we’re only 100 yds from the beach.
 



Fri 24th July
Fortunately a bit cooler today, only 35deg. As we are going to stay here for 2/3 weeks, up goes the awning and try to get ourselves sorted out, but in this heat it is hard work, but we manage with a few trips to the pool. It now feels like home. I will only be adding things that may be of interest to people.

Sat 25th July
Today is market day, it is quite a large well supported market for the residents rather than tourists.


In the early evening we have the spectacle of the Bull in the village square, which all the locals turn out for. We have only seen this in the province of Castellon, and all the villages do it during their festival week.  Worth seeing if you haven’t seen it before.



That completes our first 3 weeks, and only had 30mins of drizzle, and two short thunderstorms but no rain.

Sun 26th July
Today our daughter, Nicola, flies out to join us for 8 days.  So its off to meet her at Valencia airport at lunchtime.  It is also the day of the battle of the flowers parade in Valencia, so we leave the car in at the airport, and get the tube into town.  We have some time to spare, so a look at the city sights is in order. There is also a fair in the old Turia river bed. Then at 8pm its time for the parade, preceded by skydivers.
Sorry for all the pictures, but its only a selection of the ones I took, honest, starting with the bullring.














That’s it for now, back with more later.

Pete

[monmar]

How many nights are you clocking up?

Only 51  ;D, wish I was still out there

Pete

[monmar]

How many nights are you clocking up?

Only 51 in the van, 54 total ;D, wish I was still out there

Pete

[muzz]

Sorry I meant how many did you clock up on this trip?

[monmar]

Sorry I meant how many did you clock up on this trip?

Sorry, still 51 in the van - 4th July to 27th Aug

Have I taken the lead  :D

Promise I won't use it any more this year  :(

Pete

[muzz]

Sorry I meant how many did you clock up on this trip?

Sorry, still 51 in the van - 4th July to 27th Aug

Have I taken the lead  :D

Promise I won't use it any more this year  :(

Pete

 :o :o :o :o :o :o :o ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D

[monmar]

Mon 27th July

Today was to be our first day at the beach, after being away for 3 weeks.  We went to the wide sandy mass or Burriana which is about 8 miles north of where we’re staying.  I’ll put a few pictures up to show you the conditions we have to put up with.



In the evening we walk into the local town to sample the nightlife.




Tue 28th July

Today was another beach day, but this time we went to the next village south of us, going by the name of Chilches.



In the evening was the end of the fiesta week in honour of Santa Maria Magdalena, so we went to the village square at midnight for the Toro Embolado (bull with fire).




Wed 29th & Thu 30th July
Lazy days just spent at the beach and the pool.

Fri 31st Jul

This was another beach day but this time we went to Castellon, about 20 miles north of where we’re staying.  After which we had a drive round Benicassim, and the shopping centre at Castellon where we had a Chinese meal.



That’s another week gone by so fast, and still no rain in sight.

Sat 1st Aug

A new month with the sun still shinning, the morning was spent wandering round the market again, dip in the pool during the afternoon to keep my cool.
There was to be a medieval evening market being held at the inland town of Onda, about 30 miles away.  We had trouble finding the market, in the old part of the town, until we found a guardia that we could ask.  It was quite interesting, as they do really put some effort into these kind of things.
 





Hope people enjoy reading these kind of reports, but I really must get down to finishing it off, although it does seem a bit of a chore now that we are home.

More to follow

Pete

[muzz]

I enjoy reading your reports ;D There fantastic.

I know the effort it takes to do them. This year I let myself down by not taking plenty of piccys and not keeping my diary up to date. I will make a better effort next year.

Do you have the website for camping Monmar I have been looking but it aint easy to find

[monmar]

I enjoy reading your reports ;D There fantastic.

I know the effort it takes to do them. This year I let myself down by not taking plenty of piccys and not keeping my diary up to date. I will make a better effort next year.

Do you have the website for camping Monmar I have been looking but it aint easy to find

Hi Muzz, I don't think Monmar has its own website, but you should be able to find it via this link http://en.comunitatvalenciana.com/ws/campings/camping-monmar/CV+C00071CS/22?p=69723&k=
It is the comunitatvalenciana website that lists all the sites in the area, but it is not always up to date.

Pete

[monmar]

Decided its about time I finished this off!!!

Sun 2nd Aug
Today is Nicola’s last full day so she wanted to go and lay on the beach, we took a picnic lunch out and had under the trees.  There was quite a stiff breeze today, and after 30 mins on the sand decided that it wasn’t really pleasant, so decided to go back and spend the rest of the day by the sheltered pool.

Mon 3rd Aug
Pool in the morning, then off to the airport for Nicola to get her early flight home.



Tue 4th Aug
Now its just the two of us, we will now have time to just relax and take things easy,  just a dip in the pool or go to the beach, and a stroll into town in the evening.

Wed 5th Aug
Decide to go and have a drive into the hills today, on the very quiet country lanes and sleepy villages.  There are some rivers and lakes to visit, we do know the area reasonably well having been coming here for the last 12 years.  But we still find new places, and villages that we haven’t found before.





Thur 6th Aug
A quiet day in today to do some washing and catching up on a few jobs, just pottering around and cooling off in the pool now and again.  Had a walk along the seafront in the evening in the moonlight.


Fri 7th Aug
Another quiet day, popped up to the beach at Burriana in the afternoon.

Sat 8th Aug
Wander around the market in the morning, but not much else.  The highlight of the day was a thunderstorm in the evening, only the second bit of rain in over a month, but it soon dries up.

Sun 9th Aug
Bit of a grey day, after yesterday’s storm. Didn’t see the sun all day, rather pleasant in the cooler air but you know its not going to last.

Mon 10th Aug
Went to see my cousin today who lives south of Valencia in a nice villa with a pool.  He is on his own after his wife died a couple of years ago, but he comes home to his mum’s for the winter.  Is always pleased to see people.


Tue 11 th Aug
Another quiet day just lounging around, Terry and Shirley arrived during the afternoon.  They do a bit more travelling than us on their summer trip, had a drink with them in the evening to catch up on their news.

Wed 12th Aug
Another quiet day just having a dip in the pool, and a drink with Terry and Shirley in the evening.

Thur 13th Aug
Went for a drive to the picturesque inland village of Vilafames, which is built on top of a hill.  We do like walking round these old sleepy villages.





We then went on to the spanish resort of Oropesa, for a quick dip in the welcoming blue med.



Then it was back to camp for a last drink with Terry and Shirley as they were leaving in the morning after their short stay.

Fri 14th Aug
Nearing the end of our stay here now, need to make the most of our last few days.  Pool in the afternoon, early dinner, then into town for the evening.  They have closed the road along the front and put up a stage. The entertainment starts at 11pm, with comedians, dancers and singers.  Unfortunately couldn’t understand a word of it.



Sat 15th Aug
Pool in the morning, then up to the beach at Burriana in the afternoon.  Then get the awning down, don’t want to leave everything for tomorrow.  Another walk into town in the evening, where they’ve closed another road and put another stage up for tonights concert.




Sun 16th Aug
Our last day here, so a bit of clearing up in the morning, amazing how much stuff you get out over 4 weeks.  Last visit to Burriana in the afternoon.  Into town in the evening for chicken and chips takeaway from Rusti Pollo, which we go and eat along the prom.  it’s the best chicken we’ve had anywhere.
They heard that we were leaving in the morning, so they put a firework display on for us.  Normally they have them on the beach, but tonight they were on some waste ground behind the buildings so everyone was in the wrong place.
 


Mon 17th Aug
Leave camping Mon-Mar at 9-30am with a 280 mile drive in front of us, the roads are fairly quiet as we head away from the coast.  Its uphill all the way to Teruel, where I set the cruise control to 60, and that’s where it stays for 100 miles.  it’s a pleasure driving on these roads.  Most of it is toll free motorways, and we get to camping Olite by 3pm. 
We often overnight here as its just off the motorway, but the tourers are getting pushed further and further away from the amenities as most pitches are taken over by statics. It has a pool(hats must be worn), bar/cafeteria.  It could be a nice site but seems to be going downhill for the travelling fraternity.  At least they have got mains bollards this year as last time we came it just had extension leads tied to the trees.




As we arrived fairly early we went for a quick dip in the pool, but wanted to go into the local town as there is a fairytale castle that we wanted to visit, never had time in the past.
They give you a leaflet (in english) explaining what the various rooms etc are, and you are free to walk round in your own time.  Could see our van from the battlements.  Then had a drink in the traffic free town square, which is quite picturesque in its own right.





Tue 18th Aug
Back into France today with a 170 mile journey to Lesperon and the english owned campsite of Parc de Couchoy which we arrive at about lunchtime.  We are greeted by “What do you want” (that’s what it sounded like).  He told us to go on a pitch and then go to reception to check in.  There were quite a few empty pitches to choose from so we picked one near the clean toilet block.  Went to check in, but he was not particularly helpful with local info, seemed to be more interested in reading his paper. I don’t know what we did to upset him, even on our last morning he rode past on his bike with not so much as a hello and went to the next pitch and was hugging them and wishing them a safe journey etc.  Perhaps he was jealous of my tan.
It was a nice level site, with large pitches a pool and a bar (didn’t feel welcome).  You could order bread for the next day and collect from the bar about 9am.
Had a swim in the pool before going and having a look at the local village and get some provisions.




Wed 19th Aug
Went for a drive round the local area today, and visited the lakes at Sousons and Leon. On our way back we came across an evening market in one of the villages.




Thur 20th Aug
A quiet day today, did a bit of shopping in the morning and spent the afternoon at the pool.

Fri 21st Aug
Our last day today so we went for one last look at the sea, and then back to do the packing up.



Sat 22nd Aug
200 miles back to La Blanchie in front of us today, as we pull out of Parc de Couchoy at 9am. Get back to the N10 then we stop, start, stop, and so it continues for the 50 miles to Bordeaux, took about 3 hours. Note to myself, don’t travel on Saturdays again.  After Bordeaux we have a good run stopping for lunch on the way.

Sun 23rd Aug
Today we start the big clean up, having spent 7 weeks in the van there’s a lot to do.  Order a roast dinner for the evening, which is very nice.

Mon 24th Aug
Continue tidying up and give the van a good wash.

Tue 25th Aug
Last minute packing and then put the cover on the van, and say our goodbye’s.  Then its off to spend the night in a hotel in Limoges.

Wed 26th Aug
Uneventful drive back to Calais and last minute shopping, before catching the shuttle back to Folkestone, and arriving home around midnight.
 
Summary

Mileage              4459
Tolls         €56-20
Diesel         €627
No of sites      9
Cost of sites      €1265
Cost per night   (51)   €24-82

If anyone’s thinking of doing a trip like this, go for it its worth it.


Pete

[muzz]

Fantastic pics and report Pete. You really know how to holiday in style ;D ;D

I really enjoy reading your reports and I hope we can see a few more this year.

Good luck with your travels