Armytwowheels & Sid James - Grand Tour 2016/17

[lorger]

Glad you are both being positive and I'm sure all will be fine but better to be safe than sorry.

As for the boasting about the sun shining that is the point you lost all my symphony as its hissing down here.

 

[Armytwowheels]

Had another peaceful and quiet night and a lovely small aire near Alençon. We were the only ones there and couldn't have wished for a prettier spot, surrounded by trees in their Autumn glory. Handbrake on followed by a nice walk in the forest, then beef casserole cooked in the pressure cooker and roast potatoes and parsnips done in the double skillet.

We woke to a misty start that soon turned into a perfect sunny autumn day. Still on our quest to visit El de Rè we are heading for an overnight stop in North, in between Poitiers and La Rochdale.

 

[jumartoo]

Hope you kicked some leafs (leaves?).

 

[bigtree]

Had another peaceful and quiet night and a lovely small aire near Alençon. We were the only ones there and couldn't have wished for a prettier spot, surrounded by trees in their Autumn glory. Handbrake on followed by a nice walk in the forest, then beef casserole cooked in the pressure cooker and roast potatoes and parsnips done in the double skillet.
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We woke to a misty start that soon turned into a perfect sunny autumn day. Still on our quest to visit El de Rè we are heading for an overnight stop in North, in between Poitiers and La Rochdale.

Bit South for Rochdale lass.

 

[Armytwowheels]

Hope you kicked some leafs (leaves?).

We sure did and the dog had a mad half hour running through them, just what you need after a long drive.

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[cliffanger]

Lovely photos Sandra. When you get onto the Ile de Rey, the best place (as far as we and the @Mousy s are concerned was Le Bois Plage en Re. The campsite Les Amis Le Bois Plage en Re was right on the coast, but closed on 30th September - there is an Aires right next door, but I think it's connected to the campsite, so not sure if it's open, but if it is it will be perfect for you and the urban terrorist!

The whole island is lovely but the further West you go the better it is. Brilliant for cycling - hopefully the sun will shine for you.

 

[Armytwowheels]

Thanks for the advice Ger. Unfortunately the weather is damp grey and cold, with more of the same predicted. We have decided to save the delights of Il de Rè for another time and are pressing on towards Spain. The only trouble is then - do we go left or right? Spain or Portugal?

We had a good two nights in the lovely town of Niort. The aire was fab with marked out pitches plenty of room, water, waste and electric for €7.70 a night. The aire is besides a beautiful park and river with the town just 5 minutes walk away.

 

[cliffanger]

Photos look lovely. Have marked it in the All the Aires book for when we are next down that way. Keep 'em coming Sandra, you can be our unpaid Aires researcher!

 

[Ambilkate]

Just catched up on thread Sandra sorry to hear about Collin hope all goes well with that X loving your pics and stop overs . Looking forward to more xxx love from us three

 

[Armytwowheels]

Photos look lovely. Have marked it in the All the Aires book for when we are next down that way. Keep 'em coming Sandra, you can be our unpaid Aires researcher!

@Mousy would love this aire as the shopping opportunities are fabulous! Lots of little unique boutiques and shops. Lots of eateries to choose from too.

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[cliffanger]

@Mousy would love this aire as the shopping opportunities are fabulous! Lots of little unique boutiques and shops. Lots of eateries to choose from too.

So lots of Pashmina shops and eateries that sell almond croissants and raspberry tarts then.... ?

 

[Armytwowheels]

So lots of Pashmina shops and eateries that sell almond croissants and raspberry tarts then.... ?

Yes, quite a few handbag shops too!

 

[Mousy]

Girls, are you suggesting I've got a reputation? Sounds like my kind of place, I'm sure we've either been or driven round It.

 

[bigtree]

Thanks for the advice Ger. Unfortunately the weather is damp grey and cold, with more of the same predicted. We have decided to save the delights of Il de Rè for another time and are pressing on towards Spain. The only trouble is then - do we go left or right? Spain or Portugal?

We had a good two nights in the lovely town of Niort. The aire was fab with marked out pitches plenty of room, water, waste and electric for €7.70 a night. The aire is besides a beautiful park and river with the town just 5 minutes walk away.

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I had my first disaster trying to get to that aire,caught my sill on the low wall just after going through the arch. In my defence it was my first week driving an 8m van.

 

[Baycott]

@Armytwowheels @Riverbankannie @gus-lopez
I have been there too. Had the digital examination
Then the biopsy
It all turned out ok. Just a benign enlarged prostrate controlled with two tablets daily.
I hope you are as lucky

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[JJ]

Whoops

 

[Armytwowheels]

I had my first disaster trying to get to that aire,caught my sill on the low wall just after going through the arch. In my defence it was my first week driving an 8m van.

I must admit I was holding my breath as Colin manoeuvred our 8.3m van in there, but with the help of my expert guidance (waving my arms around a lot) he managed it well.

 

[Mr Ed]

Just catching up with this thread and we hope everything goes o/k for Colin.Re left or right looking at the forecast it looks like the cold weather predicted for the U/K is also going to touch northwest Spain and maybe Portugal.Ar you thinking of Morocco this winter or have you had enough like some others?
Safe and happy travels.
Martin

 

[Armytwowheels]

Just catching up with this thread and we hope everything goes o/k for Colin.Re left or right looking at the forecast it looks like the cold weather predicted for the U/K is also going to touch northwest Spain and maybe Portugal.Ar you thinking of Morocco this winter or have you had enough like some others?
Safe and happy travels.
Martin

Thanks Martin.
No, we are not going to Morocco this year. We always intended to give it a miss this year but got the paperwork ready just in case. However, with Colin potentially having to fly back for tests we are going to stay in Europe. Are you going?

 

[Armytwowheels]

Last nights aire of choice, even better than the shopping opportunities of the last one, is here http://www.saintahon.com/en/

No facilities other than a nice place to park on a gravelled area and the joy of looking out over the vines, which are in their Autumn colours, also watching horses being exercised around the grounds. Just €3 a night which includeds a wine tasting!! You can walk around the vines and the beautiful gardens as long as you keep your dog on the lead.

We went for a little 2 mile run around the grounds then had a night in front of the telly. Up early this morning to see the sunrise and now heading for a place called Dax, just before Bayonne and a little aire we know from last year. Only a shortish drive today as we know own there is some nice walking to be had straight from this aire.

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[BreweryDave]

Hey guys, if you find yourself this far south (near Malaga) would be good to meet up at last ( after a few failed attempts at my rally's!!!) - and I have a car available for airport runs if required

 

[Taran_Las]

Dax is a lovely Roman Spa town. Spent many a happy hour there. Aire can be busy though. Safe travels.

 

[Mr Ed]

Loving reading your thread,yes we are hoping to go over to Moroc this year,but you know who laughs at plans, sooooo" God willing"

 

[Armytwowheels]

Now on plan F, which stands for No *ucking Plan!!

Despite coming away with the consultants blessings, we have received letters yesterday (via my brilliant friend who scans and sends anything important) he wants Colin back in the UK for an ultra sound scan and a biopsy, following another highish PSA result, although lower than the previous one. An appointment has been made for next Thursday.

Following long discussions yesterday - should we turn round and go back, should we carry on and fly back, conversations with folks back home, he decided he wants to carry on and fly back.

After enjoying a couple of nights at the Dax aire, some nice walks and getting the laundry done at one of those supermarket carpark launderettes, we are now beelining it to Murcia and to an aire right next to the San Javier airport. He is hoping to have a phone conversation with the consultant on Monday to query the change of mind on the biopsy so soon, especially as the PSA has come down.

Anyway that's it for now, no nice pictures of Dax as we forgot to take any, but the aire is free with water and waste facilities, very quiet, lovely flatish walks and only a few minutes drive from the town. There was some motorhomes parked on some waste ground near the Intermarche and plenty of room to park a 8.3m van to get to the supermarket and the Netto opposite that had the washing machines.

No a thread is no good without photos so here's one of the dog enjoying her new sheepskin rug bought from Aldi a couple of days ago.

 

[Armytwowheels]

Hey guys, if you find yourself this far south (near Malaga) would be good to meet up at last ( after a few failed attempts at my rally's!!!) - and I have a car available for airport runs if required

Thanks Dave, that offer is really appreciated and we would have stopped by on our way through from Portugal. We may still find ourselves over your way, who knows at the moment? We certainly don't.

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[cliffanger]

Sorry to hear this Sandra - what a bloody nightmare - hope everything goes OK for Colin flying back, but at least you will be sitting in a beautiful part of Spain awaiting his return - hope it all goes well for him, and that he is back and you are on your travels very soon xx

 

[Taran_Las]

Good luck Colin hope all goes well.​

 

[Armytwowheels]

Sorry to hear this Sandra - what a bloody nightmare - hope everything goes OK for Colin flying back, but at least you will be sitting in a beautiful part of Spain awaiting his return - hope it all goes well for him, and that he is back and you are on your travels very soon xx

It is a nightmare Ger and I am refusing to think about the fact that I might have to drive the van home if they keep him in for treatment.

On the plus side, the rain has cleared, the sun is out and we are having an absolutely stunning drive through the Pyrenees heading towards the Somport Tunnel.

 

[cliffanger]

Don't think about it until you have to and then stay on the motorways and A roads - and all will be well.

At least you have a plus side, ie the sun being out and you are heading towards Spain!

 

[jumartoo]

Sandra keep us informed. We're not far from San Javier as you know. You know you can come here and stay alone safely.

Hope things go OK for Colin. We're flying to the UK on Friday until the following Tuesday and bringing mum here for two weeks so will be around and about during that time.

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