Please keep posting. We’re newbies and haven’t had much to say but I always read the weekly roundup and dip in at least twice a week. The more info for us novices the better
"A Year in Spain" My "last gasp" attempt at posting (informative info).
- Thread starter jumartoo
- Start date
That looks amazing
OP
OP
We've arrived at our first overnight parking. A new area at Amposta, with all facilities, even leccy when it's up and running. It doesn't appear to be available now, but after Martin has spent so much time, money, and research into making our van self sufficient, we don't need a hook up anyway.
This summer will be our first with our new charging/lithium battery system. I'll be reporting back on how it's performing.
A corner of the parking. Most vans are parked at the end for shade (A Spanish fetish).
We're far left, just outside the shady bit
The sun is still shining here, and all looks dry. We did drive through a drizzly shower for 10 minutes, but, so far that's the total of rain today.
We may get a storm later, if our recent evenings are anything to go by, but if we do we're quite sheltered here
I hope that's not remembered as "famous last words"
.
This summer will be our first with our new charging/lithium battery system. I'll be reporting back on how it's performing.
A corner of the parking. Most vans are parked at the end for shade (A Spanish fetish).
We're far left, just outside the shady bit
The sun is still shining here, and all looks dry. We did drive through a drizzly shower for 10 minutes, but, so far that's the total of rain today.
We may get a storm later, if our recent evenings are anything to go by, but if we do we're quite sheltered here
I hope that's not remembered as "famous last words"
.
OP
OP
And can I take this time to thank everyone who has liked etc. or commented so far. It is heartening to hear from so many.
This thread will be long running, 'cos I called it a Year in Spain. I'm happy to run with it, if the interest stays there.
There are some motorhomers who want summer venues, but many more who come to Spain for winter sun. I have a huge amount of information about our local area that I'm willing to share.
But that's in the future, this summer trip has started
This thread will be long running, 'cos I called it a Year in Spain. I'm happy to run with it, if the interest stays there.
There are some motorhomers who want summer venues, but many more who come to Spain for winter sun. I have a huge amount of information about our local area that I'm willing to share.
But that's in the future, this summer trip has started
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Enjoy your trip, I am looking forward to reading about your adventure. Jane
Yes pleaseAnd can I take this time to thank everyone who has liked etc. or commented so far. It is heartening to hear from so many.
This thread will be long running, 'cos I called it a Year in Spain. I'm happy to run with it, if the interest stays there.
There are some motorhomers who want summer venues, but many more who come to Spain for winter sun. I have a huge amount of information about our local area that I'm willing to share.
But that's in the future, this summer trip has started
Yes please
That’s a great aire in Amposta. Stayed there before, unlike the Spanish we love the sunshine lol and park accordingly to grab as much as we can 
OP
OP
That’s a great aire in Amposta. Stayed there before, unlike the Spanish we love the sunshine lol and park accordingly to grab as much as we can
Well we had a very quiet night here last night. We like the shade as much as the Spanish nowadays though. We'll be moving on today. Where to hasn't been decided.
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bobandjanie
LIFE MEMBER
Good luck with the weather Judith, we have had two thunderstorms at night but everyday in nearly 6 weeks has been dry and sometimes 30°c , yes we look for shade we have been parking near cycle routes or walking so it's been easy on our own, stayed on a few free Aires with no shade but can't complain about the weather 
27 28 and 29° for the next 3 days, last night parked here with a cycle route behind us. 
Bob.
27 28 and 29° for the next 3 days, last night parked here with a cycle route behind us. Bob. 
No wild flowers in our part of Spain this year due to the drought. We have had a little but nowhere near enough rain so far, and since moving to Spain, we have become shade seekers as well. The Amposta Aire, another winner, thank you.
OP
OP
Before I move onto France, where we are now, I'll just say that Amposta is a big rice growing area.
The parking area is next to a fenced dog exercise area. A kids park and a small lake.
A couple of dogs are in there enjoying a run.
There are cheap fuel stations nearby (we paid €1.27 litre yesterday) and an Aldi 1 km away. All in all a good overnighter.
The parking area is next to a fenced dog exercise area. A kids park and a small lake.
A couple of dogs are in there enjoying a run.
There are cheap fuel stations nearby (we paid €1.27 litre yesterday) and an Aldi 1 km away. All in all a good overnighter.
Keep going, I’m hooked!
We've arrived at our first overnight parking. A new area at Amposta, with all facilities, even leccy when it's up and running. It doesn't appear to be available now, but after Martin has spent so much time, money, and research into making our van self sufficient, we don't need a hook up anyway.
This summer will be our first with our new charging/lithium battery system. I'll be reporting back on how it's performing.
A corner of the parking. Most vans are parked at the end for shade (A Spanish fetish).
View attachment 763896
We're far left, just outside the shady bit
The sun is still shining here, and all looks dry. We did drive through a drizzly shower for 10 minutes, but, so far that's the total of rain today.
We may get a storm later, if our recent evenings are anything to go by, but if we do we're quite sheltered here
I hope that's not remembered as "famous last words"
You probably came past me, I’m going the other way to where you came from….
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OP
OP
You probably came past me, I’m going the other way to where you came from….
Did you wave?
OP
OP
We're now in France, near Perpignan. Monday night we spent on a Camping Carpark aire at the village of Laroque de Albères. A scrappy aire but a nice village under the mountains.
Yesterday morning I stupidly locked myself out of my phone when I couldn't remember the SIM card pin (different to my normal pin number which was my first, sleepy attempt). I've not turned my phone off for months, just been putting on silent, so I've not had to use that pin number.
We went for a nice bike ride that took us high above the valley and then into Angeles sur Mer to purchase a French SIM .
We then decided to move on to another scrappy CC aire at Alénya, chosen to give us a ride today around the Etang de Canet and along the coast.
I'm back with my normal provider now. Martin decided to spend some hours of his time attempting to contact Simyo yesterday afternoon. It was all done within 15 minutes! Well done to a phone company, for once.
We're heading to an Acsi site this afternoon. This is a very different holiday, so far, for us.
Yesterday morning I stupidly locked myself out of my phone when I couldn't remember the SIM card pin (different to my normal pin number which was my first, sleepy attempt). I've not turned my phone off for months, just been putting on silent, so I've not had to use that pin number.
We went for a nice bike ride that took us high above the valley and then into Angeles sur Mer to purchase a French SIM .
We then decided to move on to another scrappy CC aire at Alénya, chosen to give us a ride today around the Etang de Canet and along the coast.
I'm back with my normal provider now. Martin decided to spend some hours of his time attempting to contact Simyo yesterday afternoon. It was all done within 15 minutes! Well done to a phone company, for once.
We're heading to an Acsi site this afternoon. This is a very different holiday, so far, for us.
Probably not! Brits in Brit vans rarely seem to wave. We quite like the CC Aires, generally well maintained and good value. Arguably, there are less and less free Aires because of CC but at least security is better and water and leccy available.
Your weather looks lovely. Raining today down here near Mojacar.
Ever onward.
Your weather looks lovely. Raining today down here near Mojacar.
Ever onward.
Riverbankannie
LIFE MEMBER
Great to read that you are off on your travels again away from the hot weather where you live.
I am looking forward to being able to return to Spain in 2024 March time. It is so lovely to get a bit of warmth at that time of year even though this year it was not always so good. I wonder if I will be fit to play golf.
I am looking forward to being able to return to Spain in 2024 March time. It is so lovely to get a bit of warmth at that time of year even though this year it was not always so good. I wonder if I will be fit to play golf.
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OP
OP
Last night, I might skip. It was another CPP and again another scrappy area for the price. Just what is happening to French Aires???
We had a nice Wikiloc ride, early enough to leave and get back before our 1.07 pm cut off.
We found a "tortoise"? in a ploughed field and I took over its removal into some grassy area when Martin didn't like its waving legs.
We rode through some nice fruit growing areas, nectarines and apricots (a lot of them on the ground) before riding past the Etang and back to the van.
On the way we rode past these fishing cabins. It appears that they can be rented to fish in the Etang.
We had a nice Wikiloc ride, early enough to leave and get back before our 1.07 pm cut off.
We found a "tortoise"? in a ploughed field and I took over its removal into some grassy area when Martin didn't like its waving legs
.We rode through some nice fruit growing areas, nectarines and apricots (a lot of them on the ground) before riding past the Etang and back to the van.
On the way we rode past these fishing cabins. It appears that they can be rented to fish in the Etang.
We found a "tortoise"? in a ploughed field and I took over its removal into some grassy area when Martin didn't like its waving legs
Err, that's a (red-eared?) terrapin not a tortoise. Needs to be near water ... but hey, invasive species so ...
OP
OP
We weren't sure what it was, so we put it in a grassy area on the bank of a wide drainage ditch.
OP
OP
Yesterday my bike battery wasn't charging. We were almost going into panic mode cos we need our bikes for the next 4 months. Martin had conversations on the bike techy forum and tried charging the battery again this morning and it worked. We had an uneventful, very pleasant, coastal ride to Leucate and back, and the battery is recharging again. Relief! How long it will last you'll hear about
The ride was almost all on marked cycleways. We got as far as the pier at Leucate before heading back, against a very strong wind.
Cycle gear washed, lunch eaten, and onward planning to do later.
I'm making the most of the free site Internet whilst we're here. Video call to mum, now.
The ride was almost all on marked cycleways. We got as far as the pier at Leucate before heading back, against a very strong wind.
Cycle gear washed, lunch eaten, and onward planning to do later.
I'm making the most of the free site Internet whilst we're here. Video call to mum, now.
Last edited:
jollyrodger
LIFE MEMBER
Lovely part of the world
The area around the Lydia has grown a lot since I was last there by the look of it.
Great pics
The area around the Lydia has grown a lot since I was last there by the look of it.
Great pics
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OP
OP
Lovely part of the world
The area around the Lydia has grown a lot since I was last there by the look of it.
Great pics
That made me look it up. Thanks.
Le Lydia plus vieux paquebot du monde | Port Barcares
Sur la plage du Barcarès réside le seul paquebot ensablé. Ce bâtiment est une curiosité de la Méditerranée, à ne pas rater.
portbarcares.com
Why are you buying a French SIM? I was under the impression that there is no additional roaming charge for EU sims within the EU. (Total noob here, in need of enlightenment.
)
OP
OP
Why are you buying a French SIM? I was under the impression that there is no additional roaming charge for EU sims within the EU. (Total noob here, in need of enlightenment.
I'd locked myself out of my phone so buying a SIM in the town was the easy option until we had chance to contact my Spanish provider. We expected that to be a mare, but they answered the call quickly, gave us my PUK no and reminded me of my SIM pin.
Saying that it appears that we are still governed by "fair use".
Ah ok, thanks, I was wondering if I'd been told wrong. Good to hear that your original sim problem was sorted smoothly too.
So when do you charge the bike battery’s?
or do you have Two?
or do you have Two?
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