Wednesday 7 January 2015

Despite our concerns, the market did not affect the aire, although the service point was locked off. 

After breakfast we had a quick explore but it was the usual, cheap clothes, shoes, jewellery etc. with only a couple of fruit and vegetable stalls. So with nothing further to delay us we headed off again into the mist and fog.

As we’re in no rush we've agreed with Colin and Tina not to drive too far in one day so our target today was about 50km short of Madrid, about 3hrs driving. A fuel stop and then sticking to the autovia (non-toll) and N1 we by-passed Burgos before heading south and gradually climbing up to the Sierra Guadarama. As we climbed so the temperature dropped and we found ourselves driving through freezing fog, with the verges and bushes frosted over.

Brrrrrrrr!!!

Interior Spain is a plateau at a height of around 2000ft above sea level but we actually saw 4750ft over the Guadarama. Then the fog cleared, obviously trapped by the mountains, and we descended into bright sunshine with clear blue skies. At last! 

Our destination was an ACSI campsite at Cabrera, which was deserted when we arrived and only one other, Brit, arrived after us. So we picked out a nice spot in full sunshine and got some rays, before lovely hot showers.

But it’s going to be cold tonight.

Tuesday 6 January 2015

Another cold grey start with occasional showers that didn’t really improve all day. Again avoiding the motorway we negotiated our way through Bayonne, Biarritz and St Jean de Luc before crossing into Spain at Irun. We've looked at this before and come to the conclusion that it would be overall more economical to just use the peage so that’s what we’ll do in future.

Fortunately the roads in Spain are much better, well in that they are dualled and often motorway standard without ever having to use the autopistas, which are toll. Mind you they are considerably cheaper than France, but it’s the principle of the thing!

Pulled off once to see about a comfort stop, but it was only a fuel station so we took the decision to just keep going to our planned destination which was Vitoria, also known as Gastieze , which is the Basque capital. We stopped here last year and it’s a good overnighter, although the water was off. There is a market on Wednesday morning which the aires book warned us about, although it did not forbid use of the aire. We’ll see if we’re trapped tomorrow!

Monday 5 January 2015

A damp start as it’s gone a bit foggy and it’s a bit chill too. Some nice person turned the water on overnight so Colin & I serviced the vans whilst the girls went shopping. The point here is that these aires are provided, often free, by the local community to attract people so it seems only fair that we support them by using the shops, restaurants etc.

A quick chat with another Brit parked round the corner then headed off to find some fuel. First attempt was at a service area for trucks and none of our cards were acceptable. The satnav showed a Super U about 4 km away so we headed there and filled up at €1.07 per litre before rejoining the N10 towards Anguoleme.

It remained foggy for most of the day, the sun breaking through a couple of times but the roads were good and fast; we even did a little non-toll motorway cruising around Bordeaux which all helped to save time. A quick lunch in a service area, as we had lost an hour messing around with fuel, then eventually when it became toll we turned cross-country heading for Mugron where there was a free aire with electric. Unfortunately the water was off but we had refilled at Chaunay so no problem. A little waiting around whilst cars were removed so we could park up properly - this happens occasionally in town aires; you just accept it.

Then relax and do a little planning – we’ll be crossing into Spain tomorrow so decisions about our route were made, although we may have to make adjustments to cope with toll roads again.

Sunday 4 January 2015

Dry cool morning and another earlyish start after dumping the waste water. As is normal at this time of year there is no water switched on so we’ll have to be careful until we get further south.

Today we've let Colin take the lead so he can take the wrong turnings, which of course he didn’t! It rained a little occasionally but generally the roads were quiet and we followed the same route as last year, reminiscing.

Saw this last year

No motorways today, just the usual good fast N10 mixed in with towns and villages. Stopped off at a boulangerie for baguettes and lunch was taken at a picnic area along the way.

Our target tonight was Chaunay, a small typically French town with a free aire set just off the large main square – empty when we arrived but joined later by another Brit who was heading home from Spain. Free electric but alas the water was again turned off so no shower tonight. But Colin has promised us tomorrow night’s stop WILL have water….

The time difference, and being well south, means it doesn't get dark until around 5.30 and our earlier stop today has left us more relaxed. Took the opportunity of updating the blog as it’s the first time we've had the time and a decent internet connection.

First call tomorrow will be to refuel as both drivers have been eyeing fuel gauges for the last hour and Colin has a low fuel warning up. Fortunately there is an Auchan just along the road so we’ll do a bit of shopping as well.

Bren has just noticed the Christmas lights have come on in the square - time for a piccie!

Happy New Year

Saturday 3 January 2015

The heavens opened overnight and the day generally remained cold and wet until well after lunch.

We had agreed to an earlyish start with a view to getting a good lump of the trip out of the way whilst the weather was iffy, so departed just after 10.00. Although we don’t usually use toll roads Colin convinced us that the time we’d save was worth the cost so we gave it a go, especially as it was far easier driving in the rain on the autoroute. Anyway it was only as far as Abbeville, after which it was toll free.

Our target was Chateaudun, where we’d stopped last year, so we just got on with it, staying together and communicating by walkie talkie. The bridge at Rouen, which has been closed for a couple of years, was now open and of course the different road layout confused me, resulting in a convulated trip round Rouen to get back onto our route. Eventually sorted and we lunched at the aire at Pont de l’Arche. 

Managed to miss a turn again as we left there but Bren and the satnav sorted us out with little time lost. The roads were generally quiet as expected but it was a long drive and we were relieved to arrive at the free aire at Chateaudun just as it was getting dark. At least the rain had stopped and it was quite mild too.

Settle in, get updated on the web forum and deal with bits and pieces from the group before tea, another catch-up and planning session then a reasonably early night. We’ll not drive so far tomorrow, it’s tiring and we’re not in any rush.

Friday 2 January 2015

After a pleasant few days, during which we saw the snow melt and I managed to clean Bertie after a filthy trip down on Monday, we’re now off to Folkestone crossing late this afternoon. 

A much nicer day and pretty well trouble free journey, stopping off at Thurrock for lunch before using the new Dartford Toll system for the first time. They are still working on the changeover so it’s not yet up to full speed but still quicker than before.

Booked onto the 1820 train, we decided we’d take the first available even if it meant a surcharge but we took the offer of 1720 – at no extra charge – but eventually got the 1705 which helped although it was dark when we arrived at Calais. First stop to refuel then on to the Wissant aire where we had arranged to meet one of the group we've formed with a view to travelling together.

Mission accomplished and a good chat with Colin and Tina, who we’d met last year, ended an excellent start to our trip.

Monday 29 December 2014

Well, that’s it. Bertie has been serviced and fully checked over by Diamond Dave Newell. We've spent the weekend loading up and as usual wondering (a) why do we take so much and (b) where am I going to put it! Eventually found holes for everything, except for the spare gas bottle which is going to have to travel in the loo – suitably tied down of course.

So close the house down then off down to Navenby to spend New Year with Mum.

Happy New Year everybody.