France from Start to Now and Beyond

[Lenny HB]

I decided to head south to Pamploma and an Aire on the outskirts of the city called Camperplaats, Berriozar cc19155.

I arrived there to a glorious sunny day and another fellow travellers from the UK Pauline and Bill If I remember, they had the exact MH as I did, I had a really pleasant conversation with them and we separated for lunch.

Lookes like life is getting better, that's great Aire stayed there in April. Not much near it and when you first drive in it looks like a road. I assume it was going to be the start of a housing estate and got cancelled they have now made good use of it. A bit confusing the payment notice until it clicked, you only have to pay for a couple of weeks in July when the bull running is on.

There is a nice walk up the hill behind the leisure centre with wood carvings along the side of the path.

 

[john lillie]

good to hear things are looking up for you, some of those views are amazing, really envy you!

 

[namwaldog]

Tony, this is a list ( or rather a searchable google map) of outlets that carry ACSI.
I don't think it includes campsites but some of them do so. The ones I know of are at Caceres and the one where we collected ours two weeks ago, up the road from us, Camping Didota, Orpresa.

 

[Parrot Face]

Tony, the campsite at Zarautz is well worth visiting, at the top of the cliffs overlooking the town below. Nice walk along the front and fishing port just along the coast. San Sebastián is a particularly pleasant town and as you will be so close it would be a shame to miss it. Mike

Stayed at the Zarautz site a few times, great views and really nice town. Steep cliff walk into town that would put a lot of people off but well worth it

 

[Brakers]

Happy New Year to all who follow this and all that don’t hope your year is full of joy and happiness

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[davanne]

Happy new year to you ...enjoying following your travels

 

[rich g]

Happy New Year,good luck with your travels makes enjoyable reading.
rich

 

[Janine]

Happy new year- hope your travels are stress-free from now on.

 

[WESTY66]

Happy new year Tony, as a newbie following your thread with interest, better days ahead for you hopefully

 

[Lenny HB]

Happy new year Tony

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[Brakers]

2nd 2019
Hi Everyone
Having stayed the night like I said I might and seeing the new year in with a wonderful couple Bill and Pauline in their MH I was for want of better words the worst for wear in the morning so I could not decide if I should move on or stay another night, but I got itchy feet and decided to move but only around 35 kilometres from my present position.
I picked an Aire called Area de Aoiz, Aoiz cc58452 which has a rating of 9.2 in the cc app.
It’s a free Aire and has water, black waste and grey waste.
The only problem I found that there was only one water tap which had good pressure but I noticed others using it to flush their loose.
The Aire itself is situated on one side a children’s park and the other for want of a better word scrubland.

As you will notice from the picture above the black waste disposal point is that small red flap in the middle of the concrete.

Anyway That's all folks have now to decide where to go next.
Best wishes Tony

 

[Just smiffy]

Nice blue sky.... bet that cheers you up...

 

[Grianan]

Just read your thread all in one go ..... what a journey from a rookie to a seasoned traveller. Your stops in Spain look idyllic ... looking forward to keeping up with your posts.

 

[mitzimad]

Thanks everyone. I have gone back on the paracetamol and ibroprofen. Being careful not to take too much of course, I have taken night nurse last night and cold and flu tablets this morning. I cannot tell if they are having much effect though as still feel rotten and swinging between cold shivers and hot sweats. Luckily I had just bought 6 boxes balsam tissues but my nose feels like it’s been rasped with sandpaper!
Husband pretty much in same state now

try my flue cure beechams powder night nurse mug of hot milk with a double scotch in it, wrap a duvet round you and go to bed sweat it out

 

[Brakers]

Zaragoza
Hi Everyone Having left my last port of call I decided to get some miles under my belt, so. I picked an Aire at Zaragoza which looked ok and had a great review from a uk speaking person. The Area Caravanas cc73799 was the Aire approximately 100 miles from the last stop.

When I arrived there was lots of workers around, it looks like they are refurbishing this area and will be a good clean safe place to stop for the night.

Behind it is a sports centre and in front I think it’s a university or something like that, between the Aire and the university is a tram route, the trams which went by were very modern and looked a treat to ride on.

I don’t think there are any shops near but then again I did not need anything, so if you do then this might not be the stop for you.

Here is a picture of my friend Bill and Pauline whom I saw the New Year in.

Here is a few photos I took on my way too Zaragoza I thought you might like to see.

And here is the Aire at Zaragoza

Best Wishes Tony

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[Brakers]

Hi Everybody
3rd Another load of miles done, I must say that Aires are not as prolific in Spain like France and the ones which are about are like Zaragoza or the one I stayed at last night.
It was in the town of Teruel, Cuartel Guardia Civil cc25719 in a car park alongside a really nice park, it was well lit at night and opposite was the police station which made it feel very secure. There is also a Mercadona or in my language a supermarket right across from the car park.
Over night there was a frost it was bl**dy cold in the morning but as this place is over 1000 metres above sea level it was understandable.
Here is a couple of pics of that Aire

I’ve been on the A23 since Zaragoza it’s classed as a motorway and a very nice road it is, you can make a good time on a road like that, I can see why the paid for motorway is under utilised.
I heard that the Spanish government is taking over some of the failed paid for motorways on the 15th of January and reducing the prices or scrapping fees to encourage people to use these motorways more.
There’s more to it than that, but if you are interested google Spain to take over failing paid motorways.
4th Onward towards Valencia hoping to find a place in Valencia to buy the ACSI card.
First stop to dump the black waste and top up with water.
The first place I stopped to use the facilities was along the A23 and more like our services in the UK, De La Puebla De Valverde cc20304 unfortunately the Aire facilities we’re tapped up and out of action.
The next service stop was Parking Del Aire cc60873 which was located at a restaurant all Aire facilities were working and clean.

Onward towards Valencia but decided to stop at an Aire in Segorge, Area De Servicio Segorb cc65563 which is about 400 metres above sea level and I hope much warmer in the mornings.
Nice Aire parking along a road with railway track on one side and rural on the other, it’s nicer than it sounds, it’s about 50 odd kilometres from Valencia.

5th Hi All I looking on a list of places which might be able to provide me with a 2019 ACSI card provided by a MH Funster. There is quite a few in Valencia so did a search on google earth to get the lay of the land. I phoned Luxi Caravanning but unfortunately there was no one there who spoke English, so I decided to take a chance and head for them. Luckily they had on although it is in Spanish, no real problem I’ve still got the 2018 ACSI guide.

Now I’m happy and don’t need to look for anything else apart from food shops and campsites should I wish to use one.
Headed for an Aire which faces the sea, not really an Aire just some gravel parking areas where the elusive MH brood congregate, lovely spot looking out to the sea I’ll probably stay here for a few days.
That’s all folks. Best Wishes Tony

 

[Mikey RV]

Tony,check out Valencia RV park. You can catch the metro from there into Valencia, so your motorhome is safe on site. They also do a great piella there. Valencia is a great city, a bit of everything, old buildings, Art Deco buildings, modern stuff. The bull ring and station are fantastic buildings. Happy travels.

 

[Riverbankannie]

Tony,check out Valencia RV park. You can catch the metro from there into Valencia, so your motorhome is safe on site. They also do a great piella there. Valencia is a great city, a bit of everything, old buildings, Art Deco buildings, modern stuff. The bull ring and station are fantastic buildings. Happy travels.

Yes we enjoed Valencia too and it’s worth a walk to the new buildings.
The bull ring is impressive but was in the middle of a three day festival when we took a look and they had just backed in the lorry with the next group of bulls

 

[Xabia]

There is a private aire type place in Gandia run by Juan who owns Expo Caravanas Gandia, a Hymer agent. Not visited it myself but I understand that it is quite good. His place is good for spares, service etc.

 

[bobandjanie]

Many campsites that except ACSI sell the books some are in English.
If you get down below Valencia and still no luck you can get one at El Verger
https://www.parkingsantaana.com

Or we got ours at Camping El Naranjal Javea in English. Bob.

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[Figaro]

Great to see some blue skies, cold, dull and cloudy in UK (mostly)
Enjoying your travels, keep the posts coming

 

[Wildbill]

looks like it bean a amazing journey
bill

 

[Carol]

Hi Tony, just had a catch up, love the photos, looks like you have really got the hang of your travels, keep enjoying

 

[Brakers]

Valencia RV park

Hi Mike RV can you be a bit more specific as to where this RV Park is, I’ve googled it an come up with nothing.
Many thanks Tony

 

[Treeeev]

Hi Tony

I think you'll find the one @Mikey RV was referring to is Valencia Camper Park, Betera (Camper contact site code 22540).

We stayed ther just over a year ago and found it great for traveling into Valencia (metro is 500m), tickets can be bought from the office and they'll buy unused ones back. Food was resonably priced and very tasty.

Enjoy your trip

Cheers

Trevor

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[ChrisL]

Hi Tony, just wondering how your trip is going, I hope you're enjoying yourself.

 

[Brakers]

Hi ChriL yes I’m really enjoying myself thanks for asking, here is an update of what I’ve been doing since the last post, although not as exciting as some of you intrepid traveler’s would be doing I’m enjoying it anyway.

6th The Aire I’m on is parking Playa Garrofera El Saler cc63225 I was woken up today to a clear sky and glorious sunshine, which I have for the last few days, the only difference is I’m at sea level and although it is still a bit chilly it is 9 degrees at 9am Spanish time and the forecast is 18 degrees which can’t be bad.
Now I’m no sun worshiper and can’t just lay in the sun all day and have to be careful because of what I’ve had but I do like being warm and this to me is really nice.
I took a walk down the beach today which is a really good sandy beach and looks like it would be good for safe swimming, not that I’m going to try it.
There are about 9 areas along the beach where you can park for the night, the one I’m in is the first one you come to so I assume that is why it’s so crowded.

I’m going to stay here for another 5 nights, as I’m a keen metal detectorist I can amuse myself and hopefully find some Spanish Doubloons for my troubles.
Just to let you know I’m coming to the end of my stay by the beach and I’m no richer than when I got here, but I had a good time searching.
I’ve just booked my return trip on Brittany Ferries, I have decided instead of going from St Malo to Portsmouth, I’ve booked from Santander to Portsmouth which will allow me to stay down south a bit longer.

Moving Day

11th
Hi Everyone At this moment in time I’ve decided to give Valencia a miss, I might go back and spend 11 days there as you get it 20 percent cheaper for 11 days and 30 percent cheaper for 31 days if I do I’ll time it when my data is low and use their WiFi.

Anyway I needed some supplies so headed for a Lidl which was approx 12 kilometres away after stocking up on supplies I headed fo a fuel station purported to have LPG but no luck but gas seemed to be holding up well so I wasn’t too bothered.
I headed for an Aire called Parking En Riba-Roia Del Túria cc47891
When I arrived here the place did not look all that inviting although the park alongside looked ok the Aire itself could of done with some TLC but I’m sure in the summer it will be maintained better but don hold your breath. No one else was around apart from a caravan parked near to the bridge and by the looks of the weeds underneath it had been here for some time.

I decided to spend the weekend here.
The Aire itself has very little facilities just water which is hidden in two concrete towers. It says in cc to get the key from the tourist office but where the heck is it and it’s probably not open this time of year, I opened the one I used easily with long nosed pliers, the tap itself had a hoselock connector already on so it was just a matter of clipping my hose onto it.

As mentioned there is a park alongside of the Aire which is frequently used by the locals and does get busy a the weekend even at this time of year, in the park is toilets where the metal doors had been vandalised which I can only describe as a shallow concrete funnel on the floor I think it’s called a squat toilet, I would think if someone missed the hole in the centre of the funnel the jet from the rear of the toilet which is meant to flush the excrement away would just push it forward towards the door yuk.

There is also a river running alongside of the park which has nice walks and orange groves further on which I liked.

14th Tomorrow and I’m off to find some LPG.
Bye for now Best Wishes Tony

 

[Lenny HB]

We spent a couple of nights at Playa Garrofera El Saler last March. there is a big wild spot just down the road at Cullera on the south side of town. Loverly beaches & @PhilandMena can tell you where the one Euro bars are. You will probably find some funsters there, we found a gang of them.

 

[hilldweller]

There are treats ahead now:

1. Benidorm.
2. Granada and the Alhambra.

Both need to be visited for the full MH experience.

 

[ChrisL]

Glad to hear things are going well. I'm enjoying your travels

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