Christmas in Spain (or Portugal?)

[Paulypaul]

Paul it's a nightmare with the dog they say dog friendly and take your money but they really don't want dogs the night watchman used to follow us up to the rear gate on a morning just to make sure no accidents we intended staying a couple of weeks but only stayed one couldn't be bothered with the hassle.

Dave, that sounds a right nightmare. It just spoils it cause you must feel as though you're being watched all the time. I get it that the few spoil it for the rest, but most dog owners are responsible.

We wouldn't stop at Cap Blanch because of their attitude to dogs....allegedly

 

[JockandRita]

Soon be able to have a MHF Rally at Bonterra in January at the rate we're going....

Pre pandemic, we near enough did over winter at Villasol, with others joining us from La Torreta, El Raco, and Arena Blanca.

Whats the weather like in Bonterra December time?

Pleasant during the day maybe 20 degrees... as soon as darkness falls.... cold. Mainly sunny days. We have had 1 big storm, Gloria, in our time there. 3 days long with 24 hours of solid heavy rain and plenty of wind. Better than the UK by a country mile though in general

Definitely shorts and T shirts weather daytime. But after maybe 4.30pm fleeces required if sitting outside and after 6pm.... too bloody cold to be sitting out unless well oiled either enjoying happy hour or socialising.

Paulypaul. I'll go along with those answers Paul. You need to be aware that almost everywhere in town is closed by about 16.00hrs, if not before. That's why we prefer Benidorm, ie, always open. We stayed at Camping Tauro, slightly further out of town.

We didn’t take her on that trip, so we thought we would stay there, it was noisy dirty , the pool looked amazing and then it was downhill from there.

Sorry to hear that Roy, but having been several times, and going again in January, we have found Villasol to be spotless every time, and only noisy down by the roadside pitches. The toilets are cleaned by the site staff 2-3 times a day.

Cheers,

Jock.

 

[DandG5515]

Can anyone recommend sites or areas further along west after the mar menor? spent plenty of time in Costa del sol but never spent any time in the bit in between.

 

[peterc10]

OK I thought I ought to update this thread as to how our trip is going.

We were through the tunnel at lunchtime on 8 December and on our way. First night stop was at one of our favourite Aires at La Mailleraye. We were the only people using it so had our choice.

Frosty night and foggy conditions slowed down our journey, as well as a long stop at L'eclerck at Chartres to pick up fuel and French supplies, and stopped on another favourite Aire at Azay La Rideaux in the Loire Valley. Again frosty and foggy all the way down to Blaye near Bordeaux. Stopped at the municipal Aire, but not impressed. They had limited it to 25 vans even though it has space for 90. And the barrier was playing up and had to phone for the maintenance man to come let us in and out again the next morning.

Next stop was on the outskirts of Pamplona and then on to Tuerel. Weather was getting a bit warmer. And now we are at Calpe and enjoying the warm Med weather. We are using the camperstop opposite Aldi, and even Lenny HB can't complain for paying as he has stayed here before. We have decided to stay here for a week because we like Calpe.

Got on t'internet this afternoon and have booked two campsites in Benidorm, so that will definitely annoy Lenny. 21st to 30th we will be at Arena Blanco and then 30th to 8th Jan we will be down the road at Villasol. Love to meet up with any Funsters who are in the area. Look out for a grey Hymer with a Funster sticker on the windscreen and come and say hello.

 

[Wingingit#1]

Details of those stops you used please Peterc as we're following you down

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[peterc10]

Details of those stops you used please Peterc as we're following you down

Coordinates
La Mailleraye N49.48444 E0.77333
Azay-le-Rideau N47.25872 E0.46885
Blaye N45.13567 W0.66440
Pamplona N42.84070 W1.66606
Teruel N40.33342 W1.08611

All except for Azay le Rideau are in the CamperContact App

Only nos 2 and 3 had EHU. The first two had no water. The third had water when we arrived but was frozen up in the morning. The last 2 had water. All had facilities to dump grey and black waste.

 

[JockandRita]

Details of those stops you used please Peterc as we're following you down

Probably on tonka's Western Route, available in Resources.

peterc10. We shan't be over Villasol way Peter until 10th January. Will you both still be about then?

Cheers,

Jock.

 

[peterc10]

Probably on tonka's Western Route, available in Resources.

peterc10. We shan't be over Villasol way Peter until 10th January. Will you both still be about then?

Cheers,

Jock.

Not sure Jock. We leave Villasol on 8th but got no plans as to where to go. We never usually plan or book anything on our travels and just follow our noses. But it became obvious that we would to need to book over the Christmas and the 3 Kings period or we would not find anywhere to stay in the area we wanted.

 

[JockandRita]

Not sure Jock. We leave Villasol on 8th but got no plans as to where to go. We never usually plan or book anything on our travels and just follow our noses. But it became obvious that we would to need to book over the Christmas and the 3 Kings period or we would not find anywhere to stay in the area we wanted.

There is usually an excellent number of FUNSTERS in and around Benidorm, over the period after New Year, from Villasol, Villamar, El Raco, Arena Blanca, and La Toretta, so there is always some of us around. Check out the Benidorm Snowbirds forum on here.

Cheers,

Jock.

 

[peterc10]

Check out the Benidorm Snowbirds forum on here.

Cheers,

Jock.

Can't find that forum Jock. Have you got a link please?

Edit. found it

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[Lenny HB]

M

favourite

Aire at Azay La Rideaux

Intesting about 3 years ago they said it was closed as the council wanted the area for additional car parking and it was delisted in the apps.
Just looking on Google satellite view looks like it's been rebuilt with hard standings. We stopped there 4/5 years ago it was just grass.

Restaurant les Grottes on the mini roundabout where the road goes down to the Aire is good only downside is it relieved Mr Wallet of €100.

 

[peterc10]

M



Intesting about 3 years ago they said it was closed as the council wanted the area for additional car parking and it was delisted in the apps.
Just looking on Google satellite view looks like it's been rebuilt with hard standings. We stopped there 4/5 years ago it was just grass.

Restaurant les Grottes on the mini roundabout where the road goes down to the Aire is good only downside is it relieved Mr Wallet of €100.

It is now run by interparking. Easy and quick in and out.

 

[Emmit]

Don't know the restaurant but umpteen years ago, me and Mrs Emmit were in an eating place at Azay.
We were occupying a table for four and a family came in and there was only a table for two left. I looked at Mrs and, without so much a word, we picked up our stuff and debunked to the smaller table leaving the French family to the bigger table. They were grateful as was La madame waiting on. She brought out a pair of wine glasses for us 'sur La maison'!

 

[Lenny HB]

It is now run by interparking. Easy and quick in and out.

Was Camping Car Parks.
Are vans still parking in the car park before the Aire where there are "no Motorhome" signs?

 

[peterc10]

Was Camping Car Parks.
Are vans still parking in the car park before the Aire where there are "no Motorhome" signs?

The car park is now a paying one. There is a pay barrier on exit. We have never seen motorhomes in it.

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