Spain for winter

[MyrtleGuru]

When we take the van to Spain/Portugal in the winter (always December and the first week of Jan) we can only stay for a max. five weeks due to work, so we get the ferry to Bilbao to make the most of the time.

While there we tour, covering about 3,000 miles, including mountains and coast. So the temperatures we have experienced have ranged from a min of -20C in the mountains to a max of about +25C on the southeast coast.

The main difference for us, though, is the sunshine. Even on a cold day, it always seems to be sunnier in Iberia, whereas the UK appears to be permanently under a cloud! It is definitely a boost to the system.

 

[gus-lopez]

I never want to spend another cold miserable winter in the UK again.

You get enough of that in the summer !

 

[Badknee]

You get enough of that in the summer !

Your not wrong there Richard gus-lopez. See you later in the year my friend

 

[Minxy]

Having spent part of the last 2 winters in France/Spain the thought of not going again this winter fills me with horror ... it really does, I don't 'deal' with cold weather well anyway due to health issues and this gets worse each year ... these last few days it's been cold and wet here and it's really made me dread the thought of winter in the UK.

 

[138go]

Having spent part of the last 2 winters in France/Spain the thought of not going again this winter fills me with horror ... it really does, I don't 'deal' with cold weather well anyway due to health issues and this gets worse each year ... these last few days it's been cold and wet here and it's really made me dread the thought of winter in the UK.

I totally get that. We should have been driving to the ferry today but have decided this year, to stay in the UK. We had our heating on last night and we sat thinking about Spain and all that lovely sunshine!🏖

Hopefully, we’re all going to go next year!

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[jumartoo]

Spain's a big country. We live in the south, where it's still hot 30+ degrees, but we're at present still in the north and, at the moment, we have the heating on. 10 degrees outside this morning.

The south is browner, and dustier (after the summer) because of those 30+ degree temperatures, but up north, it's as green as the UK.

 

[bobandjanie]

We left the UK on Tuesday, P&O put us up the top again, I think probably saving the lower decks for trucks, enjoyed our visit we was a bit surprised visiting a large Asda store having to ask where the hand sanitiser was hidden away and only one bottle and them saying they have used 15 litres that week, people must be taking it home.
Apart from that and P&O staff having to walk round telling people to put their masks on, and they still insist on removing them as soon as they announced to go to the car deck, surely they could have waited another few minutes.

Had a pleasant trip though France using free Aires, we had a day in Zaragoza yesterday parked on the new free Aire not very busy in the city and 25c a tram runs opposite the aire, but we cycled in having a dog its easier.

Quite a few people in the bars and restaurants, everyone had masks a pretty good at social distancing lots of hand sanitiser and some places had disinfected mats at the doorways.
Tomorrow our guests will be leaving, so the big clean and sanitised until the next one's arrival, hopefully they won't come as they have had 4 flights cancelled but seem pretty determined. Bob.

 

[EuroTrotters]

We was in France before quarantine, still filled in the forms but no one asked if we had or to see them. Bob.

so nobody tried to track and trace you ?

 

[bobandjanie]

so nobody tried to track and trace you ?

Just looking through Google photos it looks like the paparazzi were following me round Zaragoza.

No track or trace no one asked to any forms. Bob.

 

[Gaston aires]

I get why some people overwinter in Spain/Algarve and although it’s not for us I wonder what will happen after Brexit with the long stayers?
Will they have to come home because of of insurance etc?
Phil

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[Purple2]

Our concern is whilst the FCO says we shouldn’t go to France or Portugal, that gives the insurance companies a lot of wriggle room for things like breakdown, repatriation for non COVID illness, robbery, vehicle theft etc. Clearly an individual call for everybody but I couldn’t live with myself if we got into bother and got stuck out there and our family were pretty helpless over here trying to sort things. Tunnel is booked which we can keep pushing back till the ‘all clear’ and site deposit is only 50 euros which we’ll write off if it doesn’t work out.

 

[gus-lopez]

we had a day in that plague hotspot known as Zaragoza yesterday parked on the new free Aire not very busy in the city and 25c a tram runs opposite the aire, but we cycled in having a dog its easier.

I've corrected that for you Bob.

Will they have to come home because of of insurance etc?

If there is no ehic & private medical has to be taken out then I can't see a problem ?

 

[slowdriver]

Travel insurance will not be problem, I doubt, although many policies default to a 90 day continuous visit limit. Separate medical cove might be required depending on who your travel insurance covers, and most importantly it is probable that the normal Schengen Visa will be required which will limit trips to 90 days in a rolling 180 day window. A calculator is here https://www.schengenvisainfo.com/visa-calculator/

 

[Ian C]

We live in the Costa Blanca and COVID is much less serious here than in the UK, just big bad Boris wants everyone to stay in the UK so you spend your money there. We have to wear masks at all times and the beaches have monitors to keep the 2m rule. We feel very safe here and the only problem is the Brits come and disobey the rules.

 

[Ian C]

We are on our 19 night tour of the UK, we leave on Tuesday, it's been great catching up with family and friends, but coming from Spain we are finding it a bit stressful just walking around towns, not that many people wearing masks or social distancing.
Most of our parking has been friends drives / gardens, the Cl / Cs sites we have used have been very good, the first one took your temperature, but no sanitiser, the next was very hot on sanitiser and cleaning, then tomorrow we move onto one for 3 nights, but how ever safe they make it we don't drop our guard.
But to be honest we can't wait to get home, waking up to blue sky morning walk and swim and moaning about it being too hot.
We have the awning out again today so we can have the door open in the rain. Bob.
View attachment 417003

Hi We live in the Costa Blanca you will be happy to know the temperature has just dropped to nice condition

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[Just smiffy]

Just looking through Google photos it looks like the paparazzi were following me round Zaragoza.
View attachment 420453
No track or trace no one asked to any forms. Bob.

Has Janie not weaned you off that bottle yet....

 

[miklin]

Our concern is whilst the FCO says we shouldn’t go to France or Portugal, that gives the insurance companies a lot of wriggle room for things like breakdown, repatriation for non COVID illness, robbery, vehicle theft etc. Clearly an individual call for everybody but I couldn’t live with myself if we got into bother and got stuck out there and our family were pretty helpless over here trying to sort things. Tunnel is booked which we can keep pushing back till the ‘all clear’ and site deposit is only 50 euros which we’ll write off if it doesn’t work out.

Do you mean Spain? FCO are allowing travel to Portugal. restrictions were lifted a week or so ago.

 

[Purple2]

Was dreaming, well spotted. I have no idea why I put that! Never even been there in the van. I hate getting old!!

 

[Yorick]

The coldest winter days here are around 20c days and 16c overnight.

 

[busby]

The coldest winter days here are around 20c days and 16c overnight.

Yes but its not proper Spain BUSBY,,

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[63720]

Our domestic heating came on this morning and it's only 30th August

 

[Minxy]

I totally get that. We should have been driving to the ferry today but have decided this year, to stay in the UK. We had our heating on last night and we sat thinking about Spain and all that lovely sunshine!☀🏖

Hopefully, we’re all going to go next year!

I started putting my electric blanket on to warm the bed up last week, and a couple of days ago hubby put the central heating on ... oh and the lounge flame effect gas fire has been taking a bashing too!

 

[Yorick]

Yes but its not proper Spain BUSBY,,

That's a good thing, in many ways

28c today

 

[busby]

That's a good thing, in many ways

28c today

Not for me I am afraid..Good job we are all different, BUSBY.

 

[billym]

I can't believe the

We live in the Costa Blanca and COVID is much less serious here than in the UK, just big bad Boris wants everyone to stay in the UK so you spend your money there. We have to wear masks at all times and the beaches have monitors to keep the 2m rule. We feel very safe here and the only problem is the Brits come and disobey the rules.

Spain breaks pandemic record with over 9,700 new cases

Death toll rises past 29,000, over 950 more people hospitalized in past day - Anadolu Ajansı

www.aa.com.tr

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[jumar]

Having happily spent 70 years wintering in U.K. I honestly can't understand the urge to winter in Spain where many sites seem to be just barren brown parking places. I enjoy the green (yes, often wet and cold) U.K. winters, crispy Downland walks, tingling fingers and toes, log fires and roast dinners.

Don't know much about Spain then...the North is as green as the UK or Scandinavia, the coastline is as wild and rugged as you could never imagine, the mountains are big, Valleys lush, how do we know these facts, we have lived here for 22 years, just completed a two month trip to Galicia...a WOW round every corner....our home lies in the South East...our environment there is green too, we get a balance of 300 days a year sunshine and enough rain to maintain the natural beauty of this wonderful country. Its a shame you haven't enjoyed green Spain like many have, driven by your inaccurate thoughts.

 

[busby]

Don't know much about Spain then...the North is as green as the UK or Scandinavia, the coastline is as wild and rugged as you could never imagine, the mountains are big, Valleys lush, how do we know these facts, we have lived here for 22 years, just completed a two month trip to Galicia...a WOW round every corner....our home lies in the South East...our environment there is green too, we get a balance of 300 days a year sunshine and enough rain to maintain the natural beauty of this wonderful country. Its a shame you haven't enjoyed green Spain like many have, driven by your inaccurate thoughts.

So true,,,,still my favourite European destination...You forgot to mention the cuisine and the people...BUSBY.

 

[Lenny HB]

I started putting my electric blanket on to warm the bed up last week, and a couple of days ago hubby put the central heating on ... oh and the lounge flame effect gas fire has been taking a bashing too!

And you have the nerve to call us softie southerers, we are still in short sleeves.

 

[Minxy]

And you have the nerve to call us softie southerers, we are still in short sleeves.

Unfortunately when it comes to temperature I am a northern softie as my CFS means I feel the cold very badly ... even now its lovely and sunny here and my hands are very, very cold ... I'd love to live somewhere warm.

 

[Spriddler]

Don't know much about Spain then... Its a shame you haven't enjoyed green Spain like many have, driven by your inaccurate thoughts.

My ambivalence with regard to wintering in Spain is down to enjoying the seasonal changes in my lifestyle preferences throughout the U.K. year.
I'm comfortable with British winter weather even grey wet days when I can indulge in 'indoor' hobbies and interests: Writing, modelmaking, restoring and riding vintage motorbikes, DIY, plus socialising with friends and family dispersed around Europe, rural walks with my dog harvesting seasonal nuts and berries, observing/conserving wildlife, maintaining stiles and footpaths, but I'm uncomfortable in temps greater than 25 deg. Sitting in the sun, swimming, cycling, cheap living or booze doesn't interest me.
Most years for the past 15 or 20 I've camped throughout France and Spain by motorbike in early and late seasons for two or three weeks, away from the coast and tourist areas and enjoyed the scenery, eating out, the architecture and the people.
Just sayin' like,......It's not my intention to criticise those who winter in Spain or to expect everyone (anyone) to make the same choices.

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