Tam, Jade and Franky's European Adventure

[Northernraider]

So is there anyone on here near paignton?

I could do with someone checking out a cheap toad for me.

 

[Val 3 dogs]

Sorry to hear of your Mum's loss Tam and her fall, I hope she's not too bruised,battered and shook up.
Also sorry I can be of no help to you re a toad (not that I know the first thing about them). Also desperately hoping that you don't have to fly home early, as if you do, I will be unable to honour my promise of looking after Jade as I'm still stuck here in Scotland (lovely tho'it
I'm still stuck here in Scotland (lovely tho it is) waiting for the renewal of my driving licence, Grrr.
So hope your Mum makes a rapid and good recovery and copes with the loss of her dog. Also hope you are on the road to recovery, young thing like you should be fit a well (your age may be catching up with you hee hee ).

 

[Mikey RV]

So is there anyone on here near paignton?

I could do with someone checking out a cheap toad for me.

What a shame Tam, I was in Paignton yesterday, and would have gladly gone and looked for you.

 

[Northernraider]

Sorry to hear of your Mum's loss Tam and her fall, I hope she's not too bruised,battered and shook up.
Also sorry I can be of no help to you re a toad (not that I know the first thing about them). Also desperately hoping that you don't have to fly home early, as if you do, I will be unable to honour my promise of looking after Jade as I'm still stuck here in Scotland (lovely tho'it
I'm still stuck here in Scotland (lovely tho it is) waiting for the renewal of my driving licence, Grrr.
So hope your Mum makes a rapid and good recovery and copes with the loss of her dog. Also hope you are on the road to recovery, young thing like you should be fit a well (your age may be catching up with you hee hee ).

She has a few cracking bruises Val....no one likes to see there mum in that states ...drives me nuts
But she is coping ( I think ) she's insistent she doesn't want me going back early. Which to be honest it's not worth me flying home and back again when I'll be home in just over a month.

Because I'm going to be looking for some work to tide me over till I'm off travelling again ...a cheap toad would be handy as it gives me flexibility in where I go to work and I can stick it on the back of the van to move between place. There's a cheap one in paignton for under a grand which is a good price but wouldn't like to pay for it without someone giving it a quick once over ....it jist needs to drive ok and pass another mot cheap enough but if it's gone before in back then it's no probs ...

 

[Northernraider]

What a shame Tam, I was in Paignton yesterday, and would have gladly gone and looked for you.

Ah that's a sod but thanks for the offer

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[intokenny]

Hi Tam, nice to have you back, lovely pics there. Sorry your still feeling like crap, hope your on the mend good & proper soon. Sorry to hear your mums had another fall, hope she is on the mend soon. These animals we do get attached to them, it does hurt so much when they go. Enjoy the rest of your time abroad, but bet it will be good to see your mum again.

 

[Val 3 dogs]

When you do get home Tam I bet your Mum will take great pleasure and comfort from having You around for a while but also Jade, mind she doesn't get dognapped!

 

[Northernraider]

So once I'd left Portugal and back in to Spain I headed up to baiona where I'd arranged to meet up with Dave and marsha ( you might remember them from back in February match they are the couple i met in Valencia with the old vw gypsy) they have been in north Spain since June and now heading down through portugal and on to Morocco for a bit.
Had a nice couple of days with them and a nice meal out in the old town. Lovely wee parking spot here just behind the heritage of Santa Maria ...which was apparently attacked and burned to the ground by captain drake under the authorisation of queen Elizabeth the 1st in 1300 and summit ....it was then rebuilt in the 16th century. .So we coukd park our motorhomes behind it ....very considerate really.

 

[Northernraider]

Next morning I set off to pontevedra.
There was an aire there but it was mobbed and I like my space so I parked up the road a bit next to the river and then jade and I had a cycle around the town in the morning.

We then drove up to o grove ...where we stopped for a walk on the beach and some lunch ...places here to stop overnight if you wished but wasnt much to the town so we weren't here more than a few hours

We then drove up to cambados where we parked up for the night on a lovely quiet wee marina.....jade met this big fluffy bear like dog called Bruno

And then we headed up to Santiago this morning got here just before lunchtime.
Haven't visited the city yet we are going to cycle in there tommorrow as I plan to stay here till Sunday or Monday ....its a loveky soot near the sport centre with a large outdoor pool and lots of nice walks around for jade.

And I've a date here tomorrow night

 

[Shrimp]

@Tam I liked your post but it wasn’t for your poor mum & her feet it was for the bubble wrap suit.
I hope mum picks up soon, it’s horrible when you loose an old friend!

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[Northernraider]

@Tam I liked your post but it wasn’t for your poor mum & her feet it was for the bubble wrap suit.
I hope mum picks up soon, it’s horrible when you loose an old friend!

Yes I can't help but worry about her ...she got the dogs not long after my dad passed away so she's not really been on her own since ...so this is the first time.
And i don't think another dog would be good for her now as she's not as able as she was.
It's not nice seeing her age and this last year that seems to be happening quicker

I'm hoping that she perks up

 

[Trixie]

Tam your mum could have a cat, my daughter has 2 cats that live outside unless they sneak in the house but they are soft as a brush, love to be held and cuddled. Your Mum would get the companionship without having to take it for a walk, just let it out and maybe a litter tray in the house.

 

[Northernraider]

Tam your mum could have a cat, my daughter has 2 cats that live outside unless they sneak in the house but they are soft as a brush, love to be held and cuddled. Your Mum would get the companionship without having to take it for a walk, just let it out and maybe a litter tray in the house.

Yeah I've been thinking that too ....she's had cats before ...will see how she is when I'm back might suggest it. But jade will be staying there for a few months so would have to wait as she's not that impressed with them these days

 

[Northernraider]

So we cycled in to Santiago city this morning, I'd heard it was really beautiful and there's pilgrims travel miles to visit it etc so I was expecting a lot .....bit dissapointed to be honest. Sure the cathedral is quite impressive but I've seen better and apart from that the city has very little old buildings or nice architecture ...at least not in comparison to other places I've been. I'd give it a 3 out of 10.
But here's the pics i did take ...starting with the place I'm parked up ....i had planned to stay till Monday but not sure now.
But I do have a food and drinks date later so I'll stay till tomorrow at least.

 

[2657]

Insert the word Pilgrim for tourist in 'tourist trap' and that probably sums it up, the market is good and the swinging of the Botafumeiro in the Cathedral is quite something but not sure how often this happens, we were lucky enough to see it.

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[bigtree]

We were a bit underwhelmed by Santiago too,there was a service in the cathedral and saw the big fumey thing swinging.

 

[nicholsong]

We need a pic of your 'date'....

......as long as it is not an under-age Cathedral choirboy

 

[DBK]

We like the coast in that part of Spain very much but you've missed out a lot going straight to Santiago - but then we've never been there so you have that over us.

If you have time try and spend a night at Cabo Fisterre or Cape Finisterre depending on which language you are using it is a magical place if you are blessed with good weather. It can be busy but the tourists leave in the evening. It is listed on Park4Night as "Fisterra, 11 Rúa Fonte Vella". Just head for the lighthouse but take the track off to the right before you reach the touristy bit. Cabo Fisterre is where traditionally pilgrims burned their old clothes before going on to Santiago and some still do come and burn a sock or two. You should see a few smouldering (and smelly ) fires.

This is the view from the aire looking towards the lighthouse.

The north coast of Galicia is also well worth exploring although some of the roads are narrow. This is Muxia.

 

[Northernraider]

We need a pic of your 'date'....

......as long as it is not an under-age Cathedral choirboy

Well he wasn't underage and definately not a choirboy lol.
But I don't have any pics I'm afraid

 

[Northernraider]

We like the coast in that part of Spain very much but you've missed out a lot going straight to Santiago - but then we've never been there so you have that over us.

If you have time try and spend a night at Cabo Fisterre or Cape Finisterre depending on which language you are using it is a magical place if you are blessed with good weather. It can be busy but the tourists leave in the evening. It is listed on Park4Night as "Fisterra, 11 Rúa Fonte Vella". Just head for the lighthouse but take the track off to the right before you reach the touristy bit. Cabo Fisterre is where traditionally pilgrims burned their old clothes before going on to Santiago and some still do come and burn a sock or two. You should see a few smouldering (and smelly ) fires.

This is the view from the aire looking towards the lighthouse.

View attachment 252626

The north coast of Galicia is also well worth exploring although some of the roads are narrow. This is Muxia.

View attachment 252627

I left Santiago this morning and headed over to o coruña I know I've missed a chunk of the East coast but I don't like moving every day and I'm conscious of how many miles I have ahead of me to get up to Calais in 4 weeks.

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[DBK]

I left Santiago this morning and headed over to o coruña I know I've missed a chunk of the East coast but I don't like moving every day and I'm conscious of how many miles I have ahead of me to get up to Calais in 4 weeks.

It'll still be there when you return. But it isn't a place for the winter so making the best of the current weather window would be ideal - but as time is pressing move on, you still have a way to go. Enjoy the drive along the north coast of Spain, no toll roads until you get near Bilbao and the engineering is impressive. The toll roads are not too expensive so I would use them. The alternative is very slow.

 

[Northernraider]

Had a cycle round "Hercules tower" yesterday in coruña ....its an old lighthouse from Roman times ....its lasted well it looks like new.

Also found Spanish Stonehenge lol ...
Jade was running along beside the bike when she spotted a rather large woman sat on a bench eating an apple ...before I knew what was happening shed jumped up on the bench and was trying to get the Apple. ..i was so embarrassed lol and the woman was going mental in Spanish. ...
Needless to say she was thoroughly reprimanded the naughty girl.
And I told jade off too.

Going to explore the rest of the town today.

 

[Northernraider]

Old fella from Nottingham parked up next to me so we got chatting decided to go out for lunch which ended up accompanied by several beers so I'm now very slight pissed at 6.30 in the evening lol

But it was nice ....ensallidas for started
Followed by spicy meatballs and real chips for seconds. ...skipped the cake 3rd course lol

 

[Northernraider]

The rest of A coruña ....not a lot to see really
But it's a nice place to stop for a day or two with nice views and walks around and s few small sandy beaches.
Several parking places but I stayed here which was quiet and a nice view

 

[Northernraider]

Funny thing happened last night there's a young German couple parked on this spot and the girl is doggy daft and keeps coming over to visit jade. So last night she had came over and was playing outside with jade and then her boyfriend came over aswell ...they both can juggle and had these soft juggle balls that jade was fascinated by and kept trying to catch. ..having a right old time ..so they ended up sat there having a few beers with me when the old fella from Nottingham I'd had lunch with came over too and we were all sat outside having a blether. ( he constantly kept mentioning the war lol few awkward moments )
So after a while this pvc drives in and proceeds to start parking up next to the old fellas van ....he practically threw his beer over the German lad and stomped over to where the van was parking and started going all John mcinroe shouting " you're going to park there? You can't be bloody serious move over a bit etc .....myself and the German couple didn't know where to look lol he was ranting and flapping his arms about the Spanish couple in the van were out pointing at the space between and ranting lol
I thought there was gonna be a punch up.

He came stomping back over still shouting at the couple telling them they were being ridiculous etc ........and eventually they moved lol.

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[Northernraider]

So folks I'm after opinions

Ferry or chunnel?

I've never been in the chunnel ....had a look the other day ferry is around £96 which has doubled since the last time I did Calais to Dover 4 years ago.

Chunnel £139

Is there benefits?

I plan to go West then north once back in Blighty as I came down the east and prefer a change of scenery ...ive also a couple of interested parties wanting to view van on the west side and a dealer in Manchester I want to see if he would buy mine if I'm buying a cheaper one from him.


So anyway what's the best way back ferry or train

 

[Stonemags76]

Tunnel every time with Jade! You can stay in the van with her, and half an hour later you’re there! Well worth the money to us not to have to leave Molly on her own on the ferry.

 

[Northernraider]

Tunnel every time with Jade! You can stay in the van with her, and half an hour later you’re there! Well worth the money to us not to have to leave Molly on her own on the ferry.

I take it your not allowed to take the dog on deck I'm the ferry then? I've never done it before so never knew that

Strange too bevause it does ask when booking if any animals and I'm sure they charge for them which is a cheek if you've to leave them in the van

 

[Podney]

Tunnel. Quick,easy,convenient,not affected by weather.

 

[Four of us]

Tunnel everytime with a dog. The ferries don't allow them out of the van and I know some calm dogs are fine being left, just settling down to sleep, but. I wouldn't risk them getting scared. Mine hate unexpected loud noises and bangs so the car deck would be a nightmare for them. The exception is the Brittany Ferries 24 hour crossing to Spain where there are some pet-friendly cabins and a dog walk area. But these get booked up well in advance and its an expensive crossing, as well as potentially rough across the Bay of Biscay.

I'm sure you haven't forgotten the required worming check for her pet passport 24-120 hours before crossing, whichever way you come.

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