The Verdict

Once again we’ve had a fantastic time and have a lot of memories. The biggest benefit of course, and the main reason for going away, was the weather which, apart from the odd occasion, was warm (hot?) and dry.

We’ve renewed a lot a friendships, as well as making many new ones, not least that with Colin and Tina Rice, our travelling companions for over half of the holiday, which we think made the break for us. Bertie performed impeccably, although he is beginning to need some attention. But after 6891 miles, and with the odometer now over 60,000, it’s not unexpected. But there’s nothing serious.

We haven’t kept a record this year of our expenses, but our feeling is that it actually cost us less than before, probably helped by the extraordinarily good euro exchange rate. We’ve not stinted on our spending, eating out more often being a little extravagance.

Towards the end, though, we were beginning to be ready to come home, and if we hadn’t had the various visits already planned perhaps we would have. The fact that Easter was late this year contributed of course, but we may look a little carefully next time – and there’ll certainly be a next time!

Monday 20 April 2015

Well, that’s it – last day and we’re on our way home. After goodbyes and making arrangements for next time, we headed up the road for lunch with Mum for a couple of hours. Then the long slog back up the A1, making good time and we were home just after 7.00pm.

We’ll leave most of the unpacking until tomorrow, then put Bertie back into storage until we’ve got time to deal properly with the running repairs, cleaning etc. Being away for almost 4 months (112 nights) means there’s a bit to do, including a pile of post over 3 feet high!

But at least it’s still sunny!

P.S. Sorry not many photos towards the end. We've covered this ground a number of times before so haven't bothered. Don't forget, you can see all our photies by following the link alongside here >>>.

Thursday/Sunday 16/19 April 2015

Peterborough Motorhome Show

Billed as the season opener, we’ve been here the last few years but our main reason is to join up with the Funsters for the first big rally of the year. With over 150 Funster units expected, the organisers allocated us our own area and provided a marquee too. Volunteers directed everybody to pitches, satisfying the legal requirements; we noted that the space they left between us and Colin would have been filled by two French vans elsewhere!

Although it was only half an hour on the road, with a quick refuel stop, it was at least another 45mins whilst we drove completely round the outside of the showground, got our tickets (which we’d had sent to the gate) then drove again completely round the site to our pitch, which was actually only 50 yards from the gate! Bureaucracy!

Never mind, old friends greeted, new friends made and we settled down to the show. We won’t get into much detail; suffice it to say we spent quite a lot of time (not to mention money!) going round the show over the few days, trying to fill out a shopping list we’d developed. We also helped out on the MotorhomeFun stall, explaining what we’re all about and encouraging people to join up. Oh yes, we got the satellite dish fixed too.

There is featured (paid) entertainment laid on by the organisers, but Jim Davison is not really our cup of tea and we’re not inclined to pay to see him. However there are other free shows put on in the evenings and we chose to go to the last, on Sunday night, featuring a Frankie Vallee tribute group, who were very good then the original Union Gap. We did wonder who the OAPs on stage were but in fact they were excellent and nicely rounded out the show for us all.

Once again an enjoyable weekend which nicely brought our trip to a close.

Tuesday/Wednesday 14/15 April 2015

Up early because we’ve got a 0950 booking on the Chunnel, taking us back to the UK. Nice and sunny again, little to do so we got away promptly but then had to hang around for our booked train; obviously no room on the earlier one we were actually in time for. Never mind.

Usual smooth efficient crossing and emerged to a continuance of the nice weather, which is a bit unusual for us. We’re travelling up to St Neots for a couple of days, to meet Colin & Tina then go on to the Peterborough show, so first call was at Tesco in Ashford. It’s so nice to be able to fully understand the labels…..

Then onto the mad house that is the British motorway system, but at least there were no holdups although they haven’t got the Dartford crossing sorted yet. We’ve booked into the Caravan & Camping Club site at St Neots so using the coordinates Colin gave us we sallied forth – only to be a little surprised when TomTom directed us up the M11; would have thought the A1 was better. But we decided something was definitely not right when we started heading towards Newmarket so a quick stop and check revealed the obvious of course – input the cords wrong. Got that sorted, then the site wasn’t there when we got to our “destination” – it was 100 yards away, but unfortunately there was a wood and a river in the way….. A slight backtrack and “let’s follow that caravan” got us there finally.

Checked in, got parked up on a nice sunny pitch with an empty one alongside (for Colin & Tina) and had a late lunch. The rest of the day was a sort-out, clean-up and service Bertie before relaxing in the hot sunshine. Yes, in the UK! We’d sent it on ahead of us.

Wednesday saw us up surprisingly early, for no apparent reason, so we just bumbled about. At lunchtime the site started filling up, mostly with people doing the same as us (getting in place for the Peterborough show), and we had to chase a couple off the adjacent pitch before Colin & Tina turned up early afternoon. After lots of chatting we got tea from the visiting fish and chip van, then back to the chatting! We don’t need an early start tomorrow because it’s only half an hour to Peterborough.

Monday 13 April 2015

The site quietened down quite a lot yesterday afternoon and today saw many more leaving/left. Once sorted and cleared up we joined them, choosing not to wait in the queue of 8/9 vans waiting to use the service point – there’s plenty more.

Our plan today to simply head north to a suitable jumping off point ready for the Channel Tunnel tomorrow morning so we joined our old friend, the D940, for a quiet run up the coast. With the gauge clammering for attention, we realised that we wouldn't make Auchan in Calais so chose the first supermarket fuel station we came to to top off.

With now no need for any more shopping etc., we decided to stop at Wissant, a quiet free aire just 20mins from the Chunnel where we’d stopped on the way down. We had noticed a lot of motorhomes today, many of them Belgian, and arriving at Wissant at lunchtime were surprised to find it almost full. However we found a spot and had lunch before starting a walk into the town, which we had been told was very nice. However we hadn't reckoned with a cold wind and did not get very far before retreating to the warmth of Bertie.

So we stayed at “home” for the rest of the day, relaxing and finishing off logs and blogs ready for our crossing tomorrow.

And so endeth the France part of our trip.

Sunday 12 April 2015

A lovely, if cold, start to the day a bit earlier than usual as we’d learned yesterday that the narrow gauge steam train that travels round the Baie de Somme had a 11.00 departure and we fancied a trip to St Valery. So after our, now traditional, bacon and eggs we walked round in plenty of time. The usual, very well run, enthusiasts railway was enjoyable and the hour trip enabled us to view the bay properly, although you could actually see almost as much from the road of course. But it was fun.

St Valery sur Somme has had quite a history as a port, including being the last jump-off for William the Conqueror on his way to Hastings in 1066, although he was only here because his fleet actually went aground……..! It is now very much an up-market seaside holiday town with posh shops, hotels and dozens of restaurants. The Sunday morning market was on when we arrived but was nothing special so after a stroll round we stopped off for delicious crepes and coffee before ambling around to the old town then back along the quay to the train stop – you couldn't call it a station.

Another pleasant trip on a now much more full train – a couple of coach trips had joined – before a stroll back to the van for a cuppa and relax. After only a few minutes the couple from a British van alongside us came to call looking for information, having seen our Fun stickers, and the afternoon was spent chatting with them at quite some length.

Then after a late tea, we wandered over to our Morocco friends, Ken and Lynda (not forgetting Jess!), for drinks and a catch-up. Altogether an extremely enjoyable day to round off the French part of our tour. Up to Calais tomorrow, ready for an early crossing on Tuesday.

Saturday 11 April 2015

A little light rain overnight and a dull grey start when the framily came calling to say their goodbyes – they were going out for the day but we had to move on. Our usual pack up and service, with a quick call into the shop for bread, and we were on our way with the satnav set for Le Touquet, although it was really only to get us pointing in the right direction; Berny-Riviere is a bit in the back of beyond!

No tolls on this leg and we were soon travelling nice straight roads with very light traffic, although the weather deteriorated until it was raining. Eventually we decided that St Valery-sur-Somme might be a nice place to stopover so headed for the aire. Nice enough, though busy, we thought it too far out of town so headed instead for Le Crotoy, a large aire where we've stayed before. It was very busy and we had just decided to try elsewhere when a van pulled out, so we grabbed that spot and had lunch whilst waiting for the rain to stop.

The sun eventually reappeared  and whilst getting the ticket, Terry spotted a familiar van, some more friends from Morocco, but they had gone out. We spent a quiet afternoon watching dozens of vans driving round trying to find a space, amazed at how busy it was; perhaps it was because it was the end of the Easter break? Later Terry had a quick walk over to our friends, just to tell them we were here and we’d have a proper catch-up tomorrow.

We've planned for 2 nights here before moving on up to Calais for our train on Tuesday morning. 

Thursday/Friday 9/10 April 2015

Safely ensconced at Berny-Riviere we’re in no rush now for a couple of days, so this is going to be brief. A clear blue sky is of course lovely to wake up to, but until the sun climbs a bit, it is quite cool and both mornings we've needed the heating first thing. However thereafter it is very pleasant, not quite Morocco but still shirtsleeves and shorts warm.

Taking advantage, we turned Thursday into a washing and clean-up day, but it doesn't take long as the site has large machines and dryers so all done, aired and packed away before teatime. Terry had another go at the satellite dish but no joy so it’ll have to wait until we’re back in the UK. The rest of the time was spent with the framily and relaxing, Adam either off to one of the kids clubs or playing with new friends (the advantage of a large family site) and Molly content to potter around under a watchful eye or three.

Not the sort of place we’d normally stay at but ideal for this occasion. The café, bar and chip shop were all sampled though!

Wednesday 8 April 2015

Not really much to report today as it has just been a relocation day up to meet the framily at Berny-Riviere. A slightly earlier start to a cooler but bright sunny day saw us away a bit better than normal to join the main road round Chartres and to Paris.

That's not Blackpool Tower!

The roads got busier and busier, as expected of course, approaching Paris and we stopped briefly to refill the gas tanks. Then onto non-toll autoroutes into the city, getting slower and slower until joining the Boulevard Peripherique it stopped. It doesn't take much to stop the BP and this time it was an accident and a rather mangled-looking motorcycle – they do take chances and always come off worst.

But once clear, it was a reasonably fast ride round Paris then out towards the airport before swinging off towards Soissons and off the autoroute. And of course the roads became quieter once again, so we called in to a Carrefour for a baguette (plus as usual other “essentials”) for a latish lunch.

Le Croix du Vieux Pont is a holiday park at the tiny village of Berny-Riviere and caters mainly for British in chalets, mobile homes and lodges. It is a huge site with plenty of facilities including bars, restaurant, mini-market, swimming pool, kids clubs, in fact everything the discerning holidaymaker needs. They also accept touring caravans, motorhomes and tents, usually in separate areas but there is the odd pitch amongst the chalets and we were shown a lovely enclosed spot not far away from the facilities we needed so after negotiating rather a narrow entrance we set up in the sunshine.

The framily were staying in a lodge right at the far end of the site so a quick couple of phone calls established contact and we met up. We’re now just going to relax and enjoy their company. The weather forecast is good for at least a few days.

Tuesday 7 April 2015

No rush today so and it’s another bright and sunny day, albeit a little cool. So after a leisurely breakfast, servicing and a few odd jobs we thought we’d take a walk into town.

However as we’re now in the latitudes where we should get satellite reception gave it a go. Parked under the chateau walls we thought it was being a bit optimistic so retracted the dish. Oh dear, something went wrong and it wouldn't return to the parked position. Terry then spent an hour messing but couldn't get it right and eventually the dish stuck, on its back hanging over the side of the van. Not good. So the only thing is to take it off until we can find a way of fixing it, but how to get onto the roof? We needed a ladder and there's never one around when you need it.

So we took that walk but the town had no ladder shops, however the lady at the T.I. told us about a Bricomarche – like B&Q – on the edge of town so we went back to the van and drove round with the dish at a very odd angle. Mission accomplished, returned for lunch then onto the roof. Fortunately it was only four bolts and two plug-in cables but getting it off we managed a nasty scratch to the van side. Bugrit!

Being sure we could get a solution from the forum the internet now wouldn't play, so we just gave it up as a bad job and tried to work out where we’re going to store this thing. As well as a set of ladders (and the new shopping trolley we bought last week!) They’ll have to travel on the bed for now.

Problems, problems; we’ll not let them get to us so after tea we treated ourselves to hot showers.

Monday 6 April 2015

As expected, another very quiet night once the restaurant by the lakeside closed and we were left with just the converted horsebox for company. It was, however, quite cold as Terry found out shortly after getting up to put the heating on and the gas ran out! Never mind, once the sun was up properly it soon warmed us through and so started another bright sunny day.

An early start as we've decided to have a long day driving to get us into position for Paris, but then take a day off so our target is Chateaudun, where we stopped on the way down. Having cleared up and refilled the water tank we firstly found our way back to the main N10 road through some delightfully pretty villages, then headed north. The N10, or it’s derivative D910, was our companion all day.

Around Angouleme and into Poitiers, we spotted an Auchan hypermarket which , to our surprise it being Easter Monday, was open. Needing fuel we also took advantage of their cheap diesel but the LPG was cash only and the “caisse” was closed – not to worry the second bottle should last us at least a week. As we’re probably going to be “static” for a few days we also popped into the store and topped up the provisions before returning to Bertie for lunch.

They also have "squareabouts" in France!

Our protracted stop meant that the afternoon was a long, long haul and to save time we avoided the centre of Tours by using a toll motorway. A a cost of only €6 it saved us half an hour, which as we were now well behind schedule was very useful. And just as well because when we arrived at the aire at Chateaudun there was only one space left, so we grabbed it!

We’ll stop here for two nights to relax and maybe have a walk up to the town and chateau tomorrow. Have managed to connect to Fon WiFi here too.

Sunday 5 April 2015

Rain showers during the night but Easter Sunday started dry and sunny for us. For no apparent reason it took us ages to get going but as there was a queue for the service point we just emptied the loo and waste tank manually. We are carrying 20 extra litres of water in plastic bottles so not too bothered. 

With initially a rough target north of Bordeaux, we set the satnav to get us round San Sebastion and into Spain – the roads around here can be very confusing and on more than one occasion we found we were turning back on ourselves but we managed.

We've found that the border area is always busy but today it was worse than ever and despite us saying we’ll use the toll road, we never actually do so a slow traverse until we cleared Bayonne. The new motorway has been completed up to Bordeaux which has swallowed up the old N10 making it almost impractical now to avoid tolls so we gave in and set the cruise control for a nice steady run. It turned out not to be too expensive though.

Lunch at a motorway service area whilst we planned our night stop. There are quite a few aires north of Bordeaux but as it is still a public holiday in France tomorrow we looked for something a little out of the way and decided on a nice looking spot at St Christoly de Blaye, just off the Gironde. TomTom did his bit again and we arrived at a very pleasant woodland lakeside picnic area that is obviously popular with the locals. Two marked motorhome bays were empty so after checking round to make sure we were in the right spot (the coordinates put us a couple of hundred yards away in a restaurant carpark) we settled down in the warm late afternoon sun.

Lac du Moulin Blanc

Saturday 4 April 2015

A standard start, i.e. not early. However again we’re in no rush so after saying goodbye to Alan and Karen we cleared up then got on the road, pausing in the village to photograph the unusual houses and shops in the main street. Some of the columns are wood and others stone.

Ampudia main street

Castle

 Our target today is San Sebastion, close to the French border, and will be mostly autovia or good main roads. With nothing to stop for now we let the satnav take us the fastest non-toll route, noticing quite an increase in traffic and more trucks than we've seen in a while. The weather started fine, although with a cold wind, but as we approached Burgos it clouded over and, after having needed the air-conditioning two days ago, we had to put the heating on!

Just south of Vittoria we spotted an Eroski supermarket, with fuel station, and as it was well into lunchtime we thought we’d stop off and get a baguette, have lunch and refuel. It turned out we had stopped here on the way south 2 years ago. As is now typical of us, our baguette “cost” us over €100, after picking up other “essentials” such as a tyre compressor, shopping trolley, loads of craft materials, fuel injector cleaner, Diet Coke and more stuff for the freezer!

The fuel price however was incredible – taking into account the current euro exchange rate it worked out at 77p a litre, nearly as cheap as Morocco!

So onward and the threatened rain started as we threaded our way through the mountains, not heavy but enough to clean the screen of dead flies etc. Our target was the main aire in San Sebastion but it being Easter weekend we were not hopeful and had a couple of alternatives in mind. But as luck would have it, though very busy there were a couple of spaces left so we squeezed in and settled down for our last night in Spain. With a drive today of 215 miles, it is the furthest we've travelled in a day since we were just south of here on our way down in January.

Friday 3 April 2015

Putting the clocks forward twice in a short period has put our body clocks right out and we were very late to bed and subsequently late getting up. However the local Guardia Civil obliged us by landing their helicopter right next to us to pick up a couple of the local cops, who they brought back an hour later.

The aire at Ampudia

A slightly hazy day today though still hot so we did a bit of cleaning after servicing the van then just lazed about. It’s Good Friday and obviously everywhere is closed. The other vans had left early so apart from a couple that stopped to see the castle we were on our own until a Brit van turned up who looked familiar. A little later we got chatting and found that they were Funsters – Skipper64 – and we’d met them somewhere in Morocco last year.

The chat turned into a beer-o-clock as the sun slowly went down until a late teatime. Very pleasant and it’s one of the things about motor-homing that these things happen quite spontaneously. Later we heard the drums as Ampudia had its own Good Friday procession round the town, though we didn’t actually see it, as well as a band and choir obviously near the church.

We've had no internet today although last night the Portuguese sim worked for a while but then probably ran out of credit. Not going to buy any more in Spain so it may take a day or two to update the blog.

Thursday 2 April 2015

It wasn't half quiet – not a sound all night until the birds started walking on the roof pecking off all the squashed insects!

We’re leaving Portugal today and after having checked the maps decided we’d route via Valladolid as we’d have a few choices of stopping places going that way without having to wander far off route. So initially staying off the motorway we headed into Braganca to stock up – it’s Easter weekend and we’re expecting most places to be shut. However no luck so we found ourselves for the first, and last, time on an A road, though it wasn't actually toll, which took us across the border into Spain.

From the wooded hills of Portugal we rapidly climbed up onto the Spanish plateau and found miles and miles of wide open space, quite intensively farmed. It was nice to be using good fast roads again and we enjoyed the run, eventually joining a motorway; there being no really suitable alternative we stuck with it (no toll – cheapskates!). At the town of Zamora we pulled off to find a supermarket and after a circuit of the centre came back to a Dia, which is similar to Aldi – and just as well we didn’t leave it any later as everything was closing at 3.00pmquiet - not  and of course we’d forgotten to put our clocks forward an hour…….

Lunch just outside the car park (we didn’t want to get locked in) we realised that Valladolid and our alternative Palencia, were both city centre aires and both cities had big celebrations today and tomorrow (thankyou Rough Guide!). Luckily there was a small town in between the two, albeit a bit off track, that looked interesting so we reprogrammed TomTom and headed to Ampudia. Leaving the motorway for again good cross country roads we noted many castles and fortified buildings. The sign Ruta di Castello should have perhaps given us a clue!

Ampudia is a lovely little village (with castle!) and the small aire had room aplenty for us. As we've got a time in hand before we need to get to France we've decided to let Spain get Holy Week out of its system and stay here a day or two. (It helps that the Portuguese internet works here too!)

Wednesday 1 April 2015

The dog eventually shut up and the noise from the nearby motorway, which we hadn't noticed until we went to bed, quietened down so a peaceful night and another lovely morning. Usual preliminaries then a phone call to Eurotunnel to get our homeward crossing put back a couple of days. Just as well we did because our preferred day was completely sold out and our next choice cost us an extra £21.

Setting an aire at Braganca as our destination, we once again programmed the satnav to avoid toll roads and it selected for us a lovely run through mixed countryside and into the hills – this is truly a fine part of Portugal although we've read that it has very cold winters, so perhaps not in January! 

The road winds through valleys

And if you're brakes fail help is at hand!

Guarda was a bit of a trial, it seemed that the only way out was on a toll road but we eventually trusted to TomTom and wound our way round some very minor roads before popping back out on the IP2, a fast non toll road heading north.

With the fuel gauge indicating that we really ought to get a refill we followed signs off the main road into a town to an Intermarche where they only took cash – but it was very cheap! A little later we turned off again and found a lay-by for a late lunch.

The Douro river

Realising by now that Braganca was again a bit of a stretch we consulted the books and found a barragem that allowed overnight parking at just about the right distance so reprogrammed the satnav. All we’ll say is that it was “interesting”, taking us round and through a fairly modern town, along the side of a motorway and then off into the hills. But eventually we came upon the reservoir at Azibo with a couple of car parks overlooking it and all but deserted. It felt quite safe so we settled in for the evening and enjoyed the view.

Spain tomorrow and with it being the Easter weekend we’ll have to be careful to avoid the more popular spots for overnighting.

Out of the windscreen at sunset