Sun sun sun here we come

[Norrimac]

18 Jan 25 Amboise France.
At last we managed to get away on our jaunt to Spain's med coast. Nothing booked just winging it so as long as we can service the van we will be fine.
Both ill from Christmas eve with colds (sure mine was man flu) unable to shake it off so delayed the ferry by a week.
Uneventful journey down to Newhaven but don't recommend the M25 on a Friday afternoon. Ever time I travel on the M25 I vow never to again but unless we go for a western channel crossing (in the winter?) there is no realistic alternative.
After reading recommendations for the Newhaven crossing decided to give it a go. Good price and the 'superior' cabin was as good as most hotels we've stayed in.
Managed a few hours sleep but we misunderstood the docking times so the staff were hammering on our door telling us we were holding up half the lower deck from disembarking as we were up against the ramp. (If you were behind us - sorry).
0°C when we got off with freezing mist then it went down to -1°C as we headed South. Missed the snow falling but a light sprinkling across the fields as we got further on. It was warmer at home than in north central France.
5am is a good time to traverse Rouen, I don't know where Google maps actually took us but we made it without seeing a low bridge.
Miserable cold damp/wet journey south to Amboise but the redeeming feature is a free municipal motorhome parking area (no services) within easy walking distance to town. Just us and another van on a space for at least 20.
You may have read that the heater in a ducato is poor and I can confirm that it is abysmal. Cranked right up and blower on full it just about kept the worst of the cold off. Can understand why some peeps have a thick curtain blocking off the cab area but ours is only a pvc. It was so cold in the back i was worried the dump valve would empty our fresh water.
Amboise is a major tourist attraction with it's massive chateau built by Charles (the something or other) but in the cold and damp it looses some of its charm. Since it's our first day we decided to treat ourselves to lunch and whilst it was good €70 for 2 courses and a half carafe it certainly was not cheap. The days of a plate du jour seem long gone but then the kids keep telling me I'm living in the past.
Onwards and downward tomorrow but the weather forecast looks no better for a few days

I have NEVER had a good meal in France.

They generally dump any old crap on a plate and serve it with a flourish.

"It's French so it's great!!!"

Last time we drove through we didn't even stop for a coffee. (Which they also can't make...)

You'll get your 'Plat du Jour' almost anywhere in Spain (AKA 'Menu del Día') for about 10€ a head.

(Then you'll never want to eat ANYTHING in France ever again.)

Hot Tip: the best 'Menu del Día' you'll get in Spain is in little bars and restaurants in industrial estates.

On the map look for directions to 'Poligono Industrial'.

Most towns have them and the food is plentiful and bloody good. (Wine included!)

Norm.

(Registered Hispanophile and equally registered France-ophobe.)

 

[Figaro]

As is ours when Andy cranks it up I’m toastie in my wheelchair except for the draught coming through the skylight. Even though it’s shut it is awful when travelling- always wear my hat !!

Sounds like the skylight has permanent ventilation, there are motorhome specific skylights that seal properly.

 

[Jay L]

What a wonderful thread! Thank you berni109, have great travels.

 

[Deepingvet]

I can’t understand why people who go to the East coast of Spain and live north of Watford gap don’t use Harwich to the Hook…overall the journey is probably 1 hour longer, a million times easier, no London, no M25 and no Paris…and in the end probably works out quicker…

 

[berni109]

Deepingvet probably right but from sw midlands it's a broad as it is long.

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[berni109]

Wed 12 Feb 2mls
Moved from where we initially parked yesterday.With hindsight should have stayed where we were. There were tow away notices everywhere as they are setting up the annual fiesta site over a huge area. Asked (good old Google translate) an official looking bloke who said fine to stay for a night and a few other vans were there.
Headed just down the river a touch to stockauto site which does seem very secure. €15 for not very much ambiance water dump and a not too clean shower. At least crocks shield you from verrucas or what ever else was lurking in there.
Seville - what can one say it's a big city for sure. Did the main sights and had a spot of lunch in the old market. 17000 steps.
Fancied a cake as we were walking back and what I thought should be an apple pastry turned out to be ham and cheese.

The external wall of the Alcazar morrish fortress. Fortunately the queue to get in was so long we gave that a miss.

Half of the Plaza de Espana. Very impressive monumental building that was only built in 1929.

Metropol parasol in the shopping area.
On the way back to the van we passed last night's spot and those that we there with us had been joined by another 20 vans.

 

[cyberyacht]

I thought the Plaza de España was quite interesting for what is primarily a big square. We spent quite a while there before going on to the Alcazar (no queue )

 

[berni109]

Thur 13th Feb 100mls eastwards to Antequera. 2010mls total.
We're on our way home just about a month to go.
Started off chilly @10°C high thin cloud but that soon burnt off. About 18° this afternoon.

Easy day today just strolling around this nice town (it's probably a small city) only 11000 steps. Steep climb up to the Alcazaba and their audio guide was very informative. They had a bit of a job dislodging the moors from this stronghold back in the day.
On the way up we passed a small hole in the wall cafe that did us a good menu del dia for €11.50.

Strange monument up at the top of the town. Looks a bit masonic but then what do I know.

 

[cyberyacht]

Priego de Cordoba is a nice little place. About forty miles north of you. Freebie aire with services as well.

 

[berni109]

Decided against heading in cordoba direction the p4n reviews were not the best.

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[berni109]

14th Feb 90mls mountainous miles to Granada via El Torcal reserve. 2100mls total.
Last night's free stop by the stadium was fine and a short stroll into town.
1st stop of the day was high in the mountains at the pancake rocks nature reserve which is claimed to be the only place to observe these strange rock formations in Europe.

Who does that middle formation remind you of?
We saw similar rocks in South island NZ years ago but not as dramatic as these
How about this for a wilding spot

OK in theory but a bit too remote for us!
Parked up at el cortijo camper stop Granada €15. All services ,showers included which is fine for a couple of nights but a bit far out to walk easily. Will try to sus out the
bus stop later when it cools down a bit. 6° early on must be at least 20° now in blazing sun. That's what it's all about.

 

[MichaelT]

Decided against heading in cordoba direction the p4n reviews were not the best.

Cordoba was one of the best places we've been to in Spain. Stayed on the aire next to the zoo and botanical garden.

 

[Apacheman]

Because if you have a serious crash the gas could leak out of the damaged vehicle and make matters much worse by igniting.
So the correct rule is to have the gas turned off at the bottle and run the fridge off the 12v whilst the engine is running.
Perhaps newer vans than ours may have gas regulators which shut off if they are involved in big impact.
My opening sentence has two levels of " if" about it but that's what I was told was the correct procedure.
Mike

I think newer vans allow you to travel without shutting off the gas with built in crash protection systems. Going even further, my brother bought a new Swift last year. According to him he has a switch on the dash that allows him to travel with the gas heating on??

 

[berni109]

MichaelT something for next time maybe.

 

[MichaelT]

MichaelT something for next time maybe.

Yes better than alhambra for us.

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[Peavy]

Great pictures

 

[berni109]

Sat 15 Feb just 13600 steps today.
Cool start today at 10° but soon warmed up. Not as hot as forecast due to hazy cloud but about 18°.
15 minutes walk to the bus stop for town except there was no indication that a bus stop existed. ( On the way back we saw some people waiting on the corner opposite the petrol station and they just put their arm out to flag the bus down) We walked a further 10 mins and found the stop for the S2 city bus with a much more frequent service.
Set off to scale the heights up to a view point and what a trek that was although worth it in the end. We tried to avoid the herds of tourist groups by sticking to the cobbled allyways but that took its toll on our feet. If you lived here as a kid you might have some idea where you were in the maze.

Bit of the intact moorish wall.

An interesting little corner and a door for all you door fans that I don't think has been opened since they kicked the moors out.

Had a good lunch here for very little money. The bean stew (Saturday only - that was a bit of luck then) was a wholesome meal in it's self.

 

[berni109]

Found a photo of the NZ pancake rocks.

 

[berni109]

Sun 16 Feb 145 miles across to Lorca to the camping card €1 aire. 2250mls total.
Was initially intending to stay in Baza and called in for a look. Sunday morning rural Spain dead as a dead thing probably all in church and not a shop open. Perhaps we didn't look hard enough.
Scenic drive all along the autovia with spectacular view of snowy Sierra Nevada leaving granada. The run into Granada the other day was endless olive trees (probably millions of them) while today we had almond trees mostly in blossom.
Cool start with high wispy cloud but by the time we arrived it was brilliant sunshine and 22° for the rest of the day.
Went out for an evening stroll and found that Lorca has the nearest thing to a high street that we have seen (no not boarded up shops like the uk) thankfully it's Sunday evening.

 

[berni109]

Mon 17 160mls to Murcia 2410 total.
Slow start today brilliant sunshine but only 10°. Decided to fill the gas as I don't trust the gauge but only managed 8lts then spotted a self service laundry at the filling station and we needed some washing done and whilst that was being done there was a high bay car wash and they loaned me a ladder. See that happening in the UK (yeh right!). Next stop was the supermarket to replenish supplies and most importantly to get some fresh milk for a cuppa. Whatever anybody tells you almond milk in tea tastes like ****.
So having willed away a couple of hours decided to stop sooner than intended in Murcia at a camper stop couple of miles from town. Google maps had a meltdown and then so did I. There were some seriously major roadworks and a road closed which is why we travelled 20 miles further than we should have done. All adds to the rich tapestry life. Or words to that effect!
Lunch and a couple of beers under my ever tighting belt sitting in 22° sun so all is well with the world again.

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[berni109]

Murcia Rio camper stop makes it sound rather grand but it's got everything we need and it's clean and tidy.
Caught the local bus into town with the great unwashed of Murcia. Packed in like sardines but cheap enough for the experience. Considered getting a taxi back but thought it can't be so packed on the way back - how wrong can one be!.

Bit late in the day for photos but here's a couple taken in the centre.
Think we need to be venturing into some smaller towns and villages because these cities are doing nothing for me now.

 

[berni109]

Tue 18 Feb 40mls easy motoring to Elche the area of 200K palm trees reputedly. 2450mls
12° and complete cloud cover as we set off but got up to about 18° later with plesent sunshine and scattered cloud.
Parked up in a p4n spot relatively near the palm groves but a across the other side of the gorge. Let down again by G Maps which did not show the path to the other side literally 100m from our position. We walked across the suspension bridge and climbed down a steep rubble path to get into the valley. Someone was not best pleased.

This is the way we should have gone.
Well worth having a wander through the gardens and came out by the old castle.

Stumbled across a good menu del dia for the princely sum of €23 including a couple of drinks.
Moved on to our overnight spot just a few Ks to the picnic site near the dam. Very quiet and surprisingly flat dry soil surface and not another motorhome to be seen. May wake in the morning and find ourselves surrounded.

This is not the view unfortunately.

 

[berni109]

One other van this morning but we saw why as we left. There were about 20 parked up at the other area on the lower road to the dam.

 

[berni109]

Wed 19 Feb 70mls to Carricola 2520mls total. Bright sun and 12° when we started 20° when we arrived with some high wispy cloud.
Lovely little village with the aire on a terrace of an old olive grove. Free services except for fresh water. The village is known for public artworks. Particularly liked this one.

Called in at a nearby town to get some bread and decided to try a Spanish breakfast. Half a toasted baguette (or whatever is the Spanish equivalent) with tomato and oil. It was alright but not spectacular just as soon have a bowl of cornflakes. See I'm not just a philistine when it comes to art.
11000 steps today. Such a nice rural area we decided that an afternoon walk was the order of the day. Loads of trails and tracks to choose from but being on the side of a minor mountain none of them are flat. With hindsight we should have opted for uphill to start. It was quite arduous walking on our return from the depths of the river valley although we did see a couple of ancient aqueducts from the 1300's that used to provide irrigation. Probably been rebuilt a few times since then but they looked authentic.

 

[Barriesimpson]

Wed 19 Feb 70mls to Carricola 2520mls total. Bright sun and 12° when we started 20° when we arrived with some high wispy cloud.
Lovely little village with the aire on a terrace of an old olive grove. Free services except for fresh water.
Called in at a nearby town to get some bread and decided to try a Spanish breakfast. Half a toasted baguette (or whatever is the Spanish equivalent) with tomato and oil. It was alright but not spectacular just as soon have a bowl of cornflakes. See I'm not just a philistine when it comes to art.
11000 steps today. Such a nice rural area we decided that an afternoon walk was the order of the day. Loads of trails and tracks to choose from but being on the side of a minor mountain none of them are flat. With hindsight we should have opted for uphill to start. It was quite arduous walking on our return from the depths of the river valley although we did see a couple of ancient aqueducts from the 1300's that used to provide irrigation. Probably been rebuilt a few times since then but they looked authentic.

Where are the photos?....... if there are no photos, it didn't happen

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[berni109]

Thur 20 Feb 90mls jaunt upto canet d'en berenguer just north of Sagunto after looking at a few o/n spots we didn't fancy. 2610mls total.
At one point I thought G maps had gone and done it again but this time it directed me away from a snarl up on the A7. Taking us along some very busy roads through the outskirts of Valencia.
Only 9000 steps today a walk along the prom back towards Sagunto port. Had to go that far just to find a bar open. Will we ever get a handle on the Spanish opening hours.

 

[berni109]

Q

 

[MichaelT]

Only 9000 steps today a walk along the prom back towards Sagunto port. Had to go that far just to find a bar open. Will we ever get a handle on the Spanish opening hours.

I know Zaragoza was shut today

 

[berni109]

Here's a photo the dead snake we saw on our walk the other day

Our camping spot on Wednesday

And the prom at berenguer yesterday

With some old fella staggering off.
Seems photos need to be taken on this phone to be able to insert into a post.

 

[berni109]

Fri 21 Feb easy 35mls to grau de castello. 2645 total.
Yesterday started out dull and overcast but was bright and sunny 18° by the afternoon. Today it's overcast and likely to be so for the rest of the day but still a pleseant 16°.
Pitched up at the free aire right on the seafront and in prime position

Our own picnic table and view across the dunes to the sea. Some inconsiderate person parked there car right in the middle of my photo but as i am typing they have gone.
Parked next to an English couple and they told us the market is on just up the road so off we went to look at the tat and buy some fruit and veg. They also tipped us off about the bakery/cafe where lunch was a corned beef and veg pie(I think) that was really good and a cheese and spinach tart that looked far to healthy.
To top off today's episode I've got a bl°°dy cold obviously to much vitamin C intake from the oranges we scrumped the other day.

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}