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I'm now in a launderette 
Summer in Spain (again)
- Thread starter jumartoo
- Start date
MichaelT
LIFE MEMBER
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A laundrette in the Basque region turned out to be quite entertaining. It was raining so we didn't have anywhere better to be. The location on P4N turned out to be the wrong place, but I found the right place eventually.
The plan was I'd go and put the clothes in a machine, nip to the nearby Dia for some bread for toast, transfer the clothes to the dryer and then head back to the motorhome and Martin would walk down to take the dry clothes out.
I decided I'd stay for the whole lot. It just wasn't worth two of us getting wet.
I picked up a cooked chicken and some cooked spuds in Dia, and that was today's lunch (with chicken left over for another meal).
Anyway, my machine was one minute behind another one, so the race for one of two dryers was crucial. The other machine finished, and the owner wasn't there, soooo, I got the dryer. He came back 5 minutes later and had to wait.
We are now over the hills (heavy rain prevented my proposed tourist stops) at a motorhome area between (loosely) Pamplona and Vitoria and the scene, last year of my ribs accident.
It's directly alongside a via Verde, so when the rain clears we can at least ride on a decent surface.
There is only one other van here. A Swiss PVC who has parked on the very place Martin really wanted. Sending evil thoughts isn't working
but if he leaves, we'll be moving straight over there.
Bl@@dy rain. Had enough now
The plan was I'd go and put the clothes in a machine, nip to the nearby Dia for some bread for toast, transfer the clothes to the dryer and then head back to the motorhome and Martin would walk down to take the dry clothes out.
I decided I'd stay for the whole lot. It just wasn't worth two of us getting wet.
I picked up a cooked chicken and some cooked spuds in Dia, and that was today's lunch (with chicken left over for another meal).
Anyway, my machine was one minute behind another one, so the race for one of two dryers was crucial. The other machine finished, and the owner wasn't there, soooo, I got the dryer. He came back 5 minutes later and had to wait.
We are now over the hills (heavy rain prevented my proposed tourist stops) at a motorhome area between (loosely) Pamplona and Vitoria and the scene, last year of my ribs accident.
It's directly alongside a via Verde, so when the rain clears we can at least ride on a decent surface.
There is only one other van here. A Swiss PVC who has parked on the very place Martin really wanted. Sending evil thoughts isn't working
but if he leaves, we'll be moving straight over there.Bl@@dy rain. Had enough now
MichaelT
LIFE MEMBER
I know you're now north but when we were south in winter all rivers were dry and reservoirs depleted so I'd say it's desperately needed.Bl@@dy rain. Had enough now
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We are here. The yellow highlighted area in the centre.
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The sun's back out already. Just need the puddles to dry (and the Swiss van to leave) and we'll be happy
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We are now parked between Brit vans. Now that's a novelty. We've spoken to the ones on one side, and they're intending to be here for a few days so we may stay put. They recognised me from my Facebook posts on a motorhoming in Spain site. I'm rather surprised
We've not met the others yet, but no doubt we'll at least say hello.
It's warm and the ground is drying. There's a good chance of getting out on the bikes tomorrow.
We've not met the others yet, but no doubt we'll at least say hello.
It's warm and the ground is drying. There's a good chance of getting out on the bikes tomorrow.
I love the Basque region but absolutely hate reading the language and signs, especially whilst driving 
Enjoy
Enjoy
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We had some steady rain all yesterday evening and into the early night. This morning was blue, fading to more grey. We still decided on a ride.
The ride was perfectly doable. The via verde we began on was dry and the tracks we then turned onto were OK also, just a few small puddles. As we got nearer the end we did have some large puddles we had to ride through, but one of us managed to keep dry feet
Today, as last year, we saw fields of ferns. Asparagus that had grown tall. Is there a reason for this? Or, like in Murcia, a glut in the market.
One of the old station buildings on the early part of our ride.
Overgrown asparagus
The ride was perfectly doable. The via verde we began on was dry and the tracks we then turned onto were OK also, just a few small puddles. As we got nearer the end we did have some large puddles we had to ride through, but one of us managed to keep dry feet
Today, as last year, we saw fields of ferns. Asparagus that had grown tall. Is there a reason for this? Or, like in Murcia, a glut in the market.
One of the old station buildings on the early part of our ride.
Overgrown asparagus
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We then got into more arable areas and some of the tracks had larger puddles. Deep enough for the trailblazer to get wet feet. The follower on managed to keep their feet dry .
It's a lovely area, well worth a few more days to explore.
When we got back from our ride Martin's preferred space was still vacant. Guess where we are now parked???
.It's a lovely area, well worth a few more days to explore.
When we got back from our ride Martin's preferred space was still vacant. Guess where we are now parked???
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One of the motorhomes here (UK registered) turned out to be a lovely Portuguese couple, living in London. They're heading to Portugal to visit friends and family and check out the renovation of a house they've bought near Tomar.
We had quite a condensed discussion, about travelling in UK, Norway, Italy, living in Spain/Portugal/UK, walking/riding Camino de Santiago routes, the price and the logistics of producing Olive Oil, travelling with a dog, etc. etc. All this took place between us getting onto our new spot and them doing their services nearby
What a shame we'll never see them again. What a lovely couple.
We had quite a condensed discussion, about travelling in UK, Norway, Italy, living in Spain/Portugal/UK, walking/riding Camino de Santiago routes, the price and the logistics of producing Olive Oil, travelling with a dog, etc. etc. All this took place between us getting onto our new spot and them doing their services nearby
What a shame we'll never see them again. What a lovely couple.
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I bloomin' love motorhoming.
Some of the people we meet are gems
Some of the people we meet are gems
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I've since Googled asparagus growing and realise now that every three years it's left to grow to recoup its strength.
Who would have ever known that? Not me for certain.
Who would have ever known that? Not me for certain.
The sky is blue but the temperature is not in excess of 21°c...the Camperstop is steadily filling as the weekenders arrive...when full there is adequate linea parking along the approach road, which is a pleasant alternative..
An area that attracts all cycling types... road, MTB XC and Downhill, even a locally built BMX circuit...
With the promise of an interesting game of Euro bladder kicking later. I've got a prime seat reserved....going to plan tomorrow's ride now.....with fully charged eBikes, it's game on.
An area that attracts all cycling types... road, MTB XC and Downhill, even a locally built BMX circuit...
With the promise of an interesting game of Euro bladder kicking later. I've got a prime seat reserved....going to plan tomorrow's ride now.....with fully charged eBikes, it's game on.
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I find the Portuguese very social and nice people, at least most of I've met.
They love talking until very late in the evening
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I find the Portuguese very social and nice people, at least most of I've met.
They love talking until very late in the evening
I think these would have talked for ever also, but they left to head to the Portuguese border for tonight.
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I found an easy Wikiloc route (yes I know, I've posted that sentence before) so we set off on it today.
I've recorded it, and I'll post it, but I'll be saying that it's moderate. It was easy for the most part, but thick vegetation and some steep, short, rocky sections, make me call it moderate.
We climbed high into a forested, mountain terrain and rode through numerous small villages/hamlets. That was really nice. We found the local football pitch belonging to one of the villages.
We stopped to watch some Griffon Vultures, scavenging in a rubbish bin. We've never seen that before.
We're intending to ride again tomorrow. Martin's bike has a wheel problem and he's booked it into a bike shop in Logroño for Monday morning. It doesn't seem to be causing any problems, it's just not tracking well.
I've recorded it, and I'll post it, but I'll be saying that it's moderate. It was easy for the most part, but thick vegetation and some steep, short, rocky sections, make me call it moderate.
We climbed high into a forested, mountain terrain and rode through numerous small villages/hamlets. That was really nice. We found the local football pitch belonging to one of the villages.
We stopped to watch some Griffon Vultures, scavenging in a rubbish bin. We've never seen that before.
We're intending to ride again tomorrow. Martin's bike has a wheel problem and he's booked it into a bike shop in Logroño for Monday morning. It doesn't seem to be causing any problems, it's just not tracking well.
I guess you have probably been in Logroño before? Calle Laurel 
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I guess you have probably been in Logroño before? Calle Laurel
We cycled through Logroño many years ago when we did the Camino Frances. We've never been with the motorhome. It appears that there's a lot of parking near the bike shop.
There's even a laundrette. Just when we don't need one
What's on Calle Laurel???
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We cycled through Logroño many years ago when we did the Camino Frances. We've never been with the motorhome. It appears that there's a lot of parking near the bike shop.
There's even a laundrette. Just when we don't need one
What's on Calle Laurel???
Ahhh, OK just Googled it. Possibly a bit too early for us as 10.00 am!
Tapas paradiseWe cycled through Logroño many years ago when we did the Camino Frances. We've never been with the motorhome. It appears that there's a lot of parking near the bike shop.
There's even a laundrette. Just when we don't need one
What's on Calle Laurel???
Of course there are, as you know, many tapas areas around different cities but Logroño is definitely one of the best.
You ask for the drink which normally can be a "corto" (small beer) or a "tinto" or "blanco" (for wine) and then you ask for the tapa's bar (each has it's own special tapa, often is only one kind).
My wife was partially raised in Logroño and recommends El Soriano (mushroom tapa) and Juvera (patatas bravas).
You can sleep in parking Las Norias, all MH sleep there. It's a short walk to Calle Laurel.
We've been there with the van many times
Aparcamiento "Las Norias" · Logroño, La Rioja
Calle del Laurel · Logroño, La Rioja
Ok, recommendation was if you're spending one night in the city
We made a special trip to Logrono, just for the tapas, and were not disappointed. A red Rioja we had in one of the bars was superb and their regular tinto too. I photographed the bottle & one day will visit the vineyard near Haro.
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Today we went to ride another easy Wikiloc route. It was a bit mizzly (Peavy very light rain) when we started. We rode through areas that had just had a heavy shower, we could tell that by the very wet roads.
Martin didn't find a dog to befriend, but he found a pony instead.
We rode on wide tracks, concrete roads and slightly bigger roads between numerous lovely villages.
The final part was proper mountain bike track riding, but still easy.
And ... I got the jumar information treatment today. Twice!
The second time was the two women, our new neighbours, who asked me about the drinking water whilst I was draining the pasta, the job Martin normally does whilst I get the sauce ready. But Martin had been busy preparing his bike wheel for delivery to the mechanic tomorrow.
I really don't want the "Information" job
Martin didn't find a dog to befriend, but he found a pony instead.
We rode on wide tracks, concrete roads and slightly bigger roads between numerous lovely villages.
The final part was proper mountain bike track riding, but still easy.
And ... I got the jumar information treatment today. Twice!
The second time was the two women, our new neighbours, who asked me about the drinking water whilst I was draining the pasta, the job Martin normally does whilst I get the sauce ready. But Martin had been busy preparing his bike wheel for delivery to the mechanic tomorrow.
I really don't want the "Information" job
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Providing information is knowledge based, however being able to Spin a yarn or revert to believable bulls**t is an art.....,,Today we went to ride another easy Wikiloc route. It was a bit mizzly (Peavy very light rain) when we started. We rode through areas that had just had a heavy shower, we could tell that by the very wet roads.
Martin didn't find a dog to befriend, but he found a pony instead.
We rode on wide tracks, concrete roads and slightly bigger roads between numerous lovely villages.
The final part was proper mountain bike track riding, but still easy.
View attachment 913687View attachment 913688View attachment 913689View attachment 913690View attachment 913691View attachment 913692View attachment 913693View attachment 913694View attachment 913695
And ... I got the jumar information treatment today. Twice!
The second time was the two women, our new neighbours, who asked me about the drinking water whilst I was draining the pasta, the job Martin normally does whilst I get the sauce ready. But Martin had been busy preparing his bike wheel for delivery to the mechanic tomorrow.
I really don't want the "Information" job
That's a really beautiful area, is that around La Guàrdia?
What would that mean?
(thanks for the mizzly explanation)
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It's between Pamplona and Logroño, on a smaller road system.
We are here.
The blue dot in the centre.
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What would that mean?
Haha Martin to answer that question.
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