The Joys of Benidorm!

Ukbandit said:
Yes trying looking at it with your eyes if your up the Rincon a mile from the seafront facing down the road to the sea, the mountains or hills are on your left side (east) and the sun does not get over the tops until 08:30 ish in the winter.
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Don't understand.

In winter the sun arcs above the horizon rising in the south east and setting in the south west 🤔

Therefore:
Screenshot_20211107-172106_Maps.jpg


And the camera confirms :

20211107_173921.jpg


So facing down towards the beach the sun rises on the left. ie in about the 10 o'clock direction.
 
If you are in sites along the bottom of the valley in Benidorm ,IE Torretta ,Raco,villasol arena Blanca etc .facing down to the sea front, the sun rises on the left side but due to the valley sides takes a while to peek over the tops hence the "late" sunrise and when it sets to the right it drops behind the mountains earlier (than being on the other side of the valley) putting most of the campsites in the shade and the subsequent temperature drop. Being relatively cloud free the temperature change can be quite dramatic .
The closer the campsites are to the sides of the valley makes a big difference in sunshine minutes at "sunrise" and sunset"
 
Ukbandit Jimbohorlicks - thanks for helping me out! I have no idea where the sun rises, but all I know is that the van is freezing until approx 9am - just in time for me to get up and spend half an hour with handsome Julio - that’s enough to warm anyone up, eh quickweh Pauline? :wink:
 
Jimbohorlicks said:
9am and warming up with Julio? Bit too early for most Ger. Your supposed to be on your holibobs. :rofl:
Click to expand...
Julio is non negotiable - tapas/ coffee and baileys/ice cream/fish and chips/Chinese/Sunday roasts/chips and aioli ….. need I say more…? :rofl:

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cliffandger said:
Ukbandit Jimbohorlicks - thanks for helping me out! I have no idea where the sun rises, but all I know is that the van is freezing until approx 9am - just in time for me to get up and spend half an hour with handsome Julio - that’s enough to warm anyone up, eh quickweh Pauline? :wink:
Click to expand...

I hope one day Julio has a day off and surreptitiously substitutes Cliff as his body double. (y)
 
Richard n Ann said:
It's on but Ann doesn't want it "running away with our gas" 😆 she made me switch the thermostat down last night when it fired up. Then I wake up with her stuck to me, and "freezing" 😆
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Don't have that problem,,got a diesel heater,,😉😉 Still when it's cold you do get shall I say friendlier..BUSBY.
 
Ukbandit said:
Hi Phil, you have to know which roads are tolls, just to give you an idea, I used to use a paper map, and jot down the road numbers on a pad, the pad went in my tank bags clear pocket so I could read it while riding, the notes would be like “follow M1 to jnc 29” etc.
since Garmin came out, I do the same using the map on the computer ( basecamp). I use a combination of looking at the map and reading other articles for eg. How to avoid tolls to Spain. On my map I will follow the routes I know or read about adding waypoints on the map, so for instance leaving the tunnel, add a waypoint from the tunnel down the motorway then add another waypoint at the junction for Bolougne, then following the toll free route down to Abbeville adding more waypoints on the map Follow this idea to your first overnight stop adding your last waypoint at your chosen Aire. When you load your route into your Garmin, it will then direct you exactly on your chosen route to its end.
These routes or legs to your final destination will be saved on your computer and can be used over and over. The main routes avoiding the tolls are all on my computer which can be emailed to you and imported into your Basecamp and loaded onto your Garmin, this would save you programming them in. I can send these to you if you get Basecamp (free program). Just PM me if it’s something your interested in.
Click to expand...
Thanks' for this kind offer but not neseccerry. I have been using the partial toll route that I have recommended to other Funsters for many years now (copied below once again) and consider myself a bit of a veteran when it comes to navigating through Europe. I only asked the question about the Garmin Base Map as its on my Lap-Top and I never use it and consequently unsure of how it works. I use a combination of Google Maps and Van Michelin maps to confirm my Sat Nav route is correct and use a combination of saved trips and favourites on my Garmin SN to get me to my destination vis my preferred route. Thanks again for you Kind offer. Below is my travel recommendation which I also put in the resources section many years ago.

Firstly, routes and route maps for France and Spain. This first link is an award winning database about France. It has a host of information on best routes to many locations. I have selected the famous N10 route from Calais to Irun which is used by many motorhomes when travelling to Spain. It’s almost Toll free (more on that a little later) and almost all duel carriageway from start to finish with the exception of about 100 K. This route is great for motorhomes small, medium and large. Note: (HGV’s are not allowed on French roads, Sunday’s, so plan your journey over a weekend if possible).

https://about-france.com/tourism/no-tolls-routes.htm

Fuel & Toll costs. For a class 2 Motorhome. Calais – Irun. Toll = €153.80 Fuel €158.11 Based on 1083 K @10K per Ltr. @€1.46 per ltr. 3.5T motor-home). N10 Calais - Irun. Using partial Toll = €11.50. Fuel €154.17 Based on 1056 K @10K per Ltr. @€1.46 per ltr

Tolls: Avoid the toll road from Calais to Abbeville and save 13.20 Euros. The non-toll route is quite scenic and fairly straight forward, between Boulogne-sur-Mer and Abbeville.

At Abbeville, join the A28 and cross the river Sein at Rouen. We take the second exit immediately after crossing the bridge (about 50 m past the first exit at the end of the bridge), swing down and under the bridge you have just crossed and continue on this road and join the A13 motorway until the N154 which takes you down to Evreux. (Note: there are a number of different options for getting through Rouen and no doubt other members will have their own preferences. We find this very straight forward on both outward and return legs). Approaching Tours on the D910 join the A10 toll road at Jct. 19 and exit at Jct. 23. This will take you through the city via the toll road, (€1.80). At Jct. 23 take the exit lane for Montbazon which returns you to the D910. (Reverse for the return leg). That’s the last toll to pay until you hit the bottom of the A63 after Bordeaux.

To save toll fares on the A63 south of Bordeaux please read the route recommendations in the above link. Do not come off the A63 near the bottom as all roads will be heavily congested and it’s worth paying the last few tolls. (From Jct 6 €8.90 in total). This route is also recommended during winter, due to its proximity to the Atlantic ocean, which means little to no problems with ice and or snow, unlike using the A75 to cross the Massif Central. Although the A75 is quickly cleared, it is advisable to have winter tyres fitted and there may be some small delays due to snow ploughs clearing this route.

If heading to the Mediterranean side of Spain, it’s worth taking the N121-A to Pamplona after crossing the Spanish boarder on the A63 at Irun. It’s clearly sign posted (Large white sign) about 300 m after passing through the last toll booth and crossing the river. Also near here, cheap fuel with easy access (https://www.fuelflash.eu/en/alcampo...rcial-txingudi-zona-araso_b_-ventas-80-33301/) and shopping opportunities. You will find more details in this link for the N121-A and how to navigate Spain toll free.

https://about-spain.net/travel/no-tolls.htm
If you decide to pay Tolls in order to save time getting to Spain, your best route options are in this link.

https://about-france.com/tourism/routes-to-spain.htm

Should you choose to plan your own routes anywhere in Europe and also establish Toll costs, (or toll free costs) use this link. Under route options, select caravan then select toll roads. Toll costs for a class 2 motorhome will be calculated for the whole journey. You can also choose Non toll routes and other options. This is currently one of the best online free route planers.

https://www.viamichelin.co.uk/

As for stop overs on routes, you can’t go wrong using the App below which is free but I would recommend getting the paid version for about £6.00 which you can then use off line. You will find numerous places to stop along the above route and I have deliberately not made any recommendations so drivers can make their own choices. This app is also brilliant for finding other places too and highly rated by many users.


https://www.campercontact.com/en/content/app



A popular app/website. Used by many and worth taking out the small subscription. Loads of up to date reviews here too.

https://www.searchforsites.co.uk/


There is another popular app/website that is used which you may also find useful if you’re doing a lot of wilding and looking for free overnight stops. It too is used by many motor homers in Europe. Get the paid version to use off line for around £9.00

https://www.park4night.com/

One of the best off line MAP ‘App’ and used by many. It also includes a sat-nav function which is quite good and can also be used off line. Again, many motor homers use this, especially in Morocco.

Broken Link Removed.
 
Richard n Ann said:
Don't understand.

In winter the sun arcs above the horizon rising in the south east and setting in the south west 🤔

Therefore:
View attachment 555062

And the camera confirms :

View attachment 555064

So facing down towards the beach the sun rises on the left. ie in about the 10 o'clock direction.
Click to expand...
Just for the record..
Levante is East and Poniente is West...
I'm sure all the Benidorm Snowbirds know this..you do now...
 
PhilandMena said:
www.bbc.co.uk

BBC Archive 1964 Spanish breakfast connoisseur

Tonight's Julian Pettifer isn't impressed by Spanish people's rather un-British attitude towards breakfast, and for that matter, the rest of their daily food schedule.
www.bbc.co.uk
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hi philandmena . me & hubby send you big thankyou for the LERY PHARMACIE antigen test 24 euros we had in September it went sweet as a nut . we went the day before to book an appointment ( good job it was packed ) so we just walked straight in & out . there was 2 camperconntact Aire nearby the first was just a car park 27100 code & no room for us so we when to 27690 code which was great sorry to highjack the thread . val

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599 said:
hi philandmena . me & hubby send you big thankyou for the LERY PHARMACIE antigen test 24 euros we had in September it went sweet as a nut . we went the day before to book an appointment ( good job it was packed ) so we just walked straight in & out . there was 2 camperconntact Aire nearby the first was just a car park 27100 code & no room for us so we when to 27690 code which was great sorry to highjack the thread . val
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Glad it went well. They do provide a good service, providing you can avoid the busy days ! Hopefully, we never have to use them again ! Keep Safe.
 
  • Nice One!
Reactions: f6c
busby said:
Don't have that problem,,got a diesel heater,,😉😉 Still when it's cold you do get shall I say friendlier..BUSBY.
Click to expand...
www.motorhomefun.co.uk

busby

www.motorhomefun.co.uk www.motorhomefun.co.uk
Busby
Tried to message you but don't think it's worked... 🤔
Although it's probably down to me being practically computer illiterate 🙃
 
Last edited:
Crazylegs said:
View attachment 554757
Bold statement Phil, this is us hunkered down in Calais in January 2010, the weather was so bad that year both here at home, and all the way through France. Somewhere around Tours the temperature was -17, it took ten days to get through France on the bikes. Some days we simply couldn’t ride, on others it was so cold two hours on the bike was all we could safely achieve. It was of course an exceptional year, but it definitely snows in France.
Click to expand...
I also remember that year.
We woke up in Calais and after watching a Cleo do a beautiful pirouette in the middle lane of the motorway between Calais and Boulogne we turned off and made our way via the N Roads.

That night we got down to the Loire and awoke to temps of -8C. The site owner had to pour boiling water on the lock to the barrier to let us out.
 
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Reactions: f6c
PhilandMena said:
Thanks' for this kind offer but not neseccerry. I have been using the partial toll route that I have recommended to other Funsters for many years now (copied below once again) and consider myself a bit of a veteran when it comes to navigating through Europe. I only asked the question about the Garmin Base Map as its on my Lap-Top and I never use it and consequently unsure of how it works. I use a combination of Google Maps and Van Michelin maps to confirm my Sat Nav route is correct and use a combination of saved trips and favourites on my Garmin SN to get me to my destination vis my preferred route. Thanks again for you Kind offer. Below is my travel recommendation which I also put in the resources section many years ago.

Firstly, routes and route maps for France and Spain. This first link is an award winning database about France. It has a host of information on best routes to many locations. I have selected the famous N10 route from Calais to Irun which is used by many motorhomes when travelling to Spain. It’s almost Toll free (more on that a little later) and almost all duel carriageway from start to finish with the exception of about 100 K. This route is great for motorhomes small, medium and large. Note: (HGV’s are not allowed on French roads, Sunday’s, so plan your journey over a weekend if possible).

https://about-france.com/tourism/no-tolls-routes.htm

Fuel & Toll costs. For a class 2 Motorhome. Calais – Irun. Toll = €153.80 Fuel €158.11 Based on 1083 K @10K per Ltr. @€1.46 per ltr. 3.5T motor-home). N10 Calais - Irun. Using partial Toll = €11.50. Fuel €154.17 Based on 1056 K @10K per Ltr. @€1.46 per ltr

Tolls: Avoid the toll road from Calais to Abbeville and save 13.20 Euros. The non-toll route is quite scenic and fairly straight forward, between Boulogne-sur-Mer and Abbeville.

At Abbeville, join the A28 and cross the river Sein at Rouen. We take the second exit immediately after crossing the bridge (about 50 m past the first exit at the end of the bridge), swing down and under the bridge you have just crossed and continue on this road and join the A13 motorway until the N154 which takes you down to Evreux. (Note: there are a number of different options for getting through Rouen and no doubt other members will have their own preferences. We find this very straight forward on both outward and return legs). Approaching Tours on the D910 join the A10 toll road at Jct. 19 and exit at Jct. 23. This will take you through the city via the toll road, (€1.80). At Jct. 23 take the exit lane for Montbazon which returns you to the D910. (Reverse for the return leg). That’s the last toll to pay until you hit the bottom of the A63 after Bordeaux.

To save toll fares on the A63 south of Bordeaux please read the route recommendations in the above link. Do not come off the A63 near the bottom as all roads will be heavily congested and it’s worth paying the last few tolls. (From Jct 6 €8.90 in total). This route is also recommended during winter, due to its proximity to the Atlantic ocean, which means little to no problems with ice and or snow, unlike using the A75 to cross the Massif Central. Although the A75 is quickly cleared, it is advisable to have winter tyres fitted and there may be some small delays due to snow ploughs clearing this route.

If heading to the Mediterranean side of Spain, it’s worth taking the N121-A to Pamplona after crossing the Spanish boarder on the A63 at Irun. It’s clearly sign posted (Large white sign) about 300 m after passing through the last toll booth and crossing the river. Also near here, cheap fuel with easy access (https://www.fuelflash.eu/en/alcampo...rcial-txingudi-zona-araso_b_-ventas-80-33301/) and shopping opportunities. You will find more details in this link for the N121-A and how to navigate Spain toll free.

https://about-spain.net/travel/no-tolls.htm
If you decide to pay Tolls in order to save time getting to Spain, your best route options are in this link.

https://about-france.com/tourism/routes-to-spain.htm

Should you choose to plan your own routes anywhere in Europe and also establish Toll costs, (or toll free costs) use this link. Under route options, select caravan then select toll roads. Toll costs for a class 2 motorhome will be calculated for the whole journey. You can also choose Non toll routes and other options. This is currently one of the best online free route planers.

https://www.viamichelin.co.uk/

As for stop overs on routes, you can’t go wrong using the App below which is free but I would recommend getting the paid version for about £6.00 which you can then use off line. You will find numerous places to stop along the above route and I have deliberately not made any recommendations so drivers can make their own choices. This app is also brilliant for finding other places too and highly rated by many users.


https://www.campercontact.com/en/content/app



A popular app/website. Used by many and worth taking out the small subscription. Loads of up to date reviews here too.

https://www.searchforsites.co.uk/


There is another popular app/website that is used which you may also find useful if you’re doing a lot of wilding and looking for free overnight stops. It too is used by many motor homers in Europe. Get the paid version to use off line for around £9.00

https://www.park4night.com/

One of the best off line MAP ‘App’ and used by many. It also includes a sat-nav function which is quite good and can also be used off line. Again, many motor homers use this, especially in Morocco.

Broken Link Removed.
Click to expand...
Always used PhilandMena routes and driving tips and never went wrong yet, and saved a good few quid at the same time 👍😂
 
hi guys . exception to the rule only ever had snow problems twice . the first was way back in 2012 taking the n10 route stopped overnight at nersac south of Angouleme in January a free Aire with electric well it was then not now got up about 6 o'clock deep snow everywhere we was stuck there a week ( no snow chains ) nothing coming in or out of the village . the other time left benidorm 21 deg 2 hours later on the motorway in march 2017 heading for Zaragoza but not bad in 20 years .val

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