Author: ngow

Up relatively early, the Fish burps, Asparagus wee and Peppery Pork Puffs had all moved thankfully.

Emptied but did not fill, a goodish journey with no tolls. We took the Avenue Camino de Santiago, there were alot of people doing the walk all with rucksacks of varying size some day some a day bag. All ages and sexes, saw only one cyclist who was having a fairly hard time of it.

Stopped for a tart and cream with a coffee, it’s what life is about sometimes. Can never easily decide where top so we agreed on Villadolid Aire another city Aire 5€ but good facilities water waste etc..

The town is very pleasant obviously more prosperous not sure why though. Lots of cafes and comfortably stylish people, and us 2?

When crossing the bridge into town we passed a swimming race going on the river below, safety boats etc.. they all at different speeds swam round a buoy and back to a pir tag a partner who set off on a cross between a body board, paddle board and a kayak powering along with their arms either lying down or kneeling. Very odd. Did some shopping bread etc…and then headed back to van for a rest and tea.

Nit sure where to head for next but a non city ideally, we would like a pool and a bar for a couple of nights to get bike out.

So Portugal tomorrow.

Misty morning, up early as got bitten last night, chilly 10c although starting to warm as sun burns off the mist.

Got an early for us start left by 10:00, decided to head for a town recommend a by a couple of people Olite not exactly a direct route but we are supposed to be taking it slow.

The temperature gradually rose so that by the time we hit the Spanish plains it was around 24c at midday, Olite was 28c when we stopped lovely.

Our journey was only remarkable in that for the first time ever the toll booth assistant refused to change us to class 2. We had to ask 3 time sat the first booth, at the 2nd we asked repeatedly lost count I think she eventually just hung up on us. The problem was a specific operator who kept claiming it was not possible, a French lady, we just kept ringing and repeating the usual phrase, adding to with pourquoi and autres peage classes 2. Eventually some body else answered and changed it straightaway. The 3rd time we did not even have to ask just pressed the button and the class changed.

Took a 40km detour by making one wrong turn onto the AP15 also cost us another 7€.

The Autocaravanes stop is basically a large car park but very central and therefore handy. The facilities are amongst the worst one working tap so no water for us Ugh!

We took at trip into the town and paid for access to the castle. 3.50€ each but very good great views. Found CasaZenito but have had 2 people recommend La Marabelle not as attractive but apparently better value and good food. So we shall see which one has space this evening.

Also used the inverter to charge the laptop whilst driving, I think this was a real success and disappointed that could not handle the bikes.

Left the Aire quite late it is our 28th Anniversary, Jacqui has done very well to survive. I think we are both very forgiving people.

Took a walk to the beach in the morning, through the woods, across scrubland, up and down dunes to a terrific beach. Big waves, past a sandbar with some odd wave formations.

Headed off via the HyperU we past the evening before. By the time we finished it was 13.30, I was of a mind to just head back to last night’s stop and enjoy the afternoon. Jacqui felt we should press on, I was surprised but pleased as I think I was being a pussy.

We debated where to stop and headed for Dax, sort of on the way but not so far as to take us beyond 16:00 our newly declared stop time, we were parked up at 15:29 and happy ?

Arrived at stop for the night at Vivier camping car park in Biscarosse.

A lovely stop amongst a wood 8€ incl water, in theory lots of spaces so a good spot to remember.

It was tedious drive and one we should of planned, tried 2 others stops all full, serves us right for not stopping earlier or planning it.

Learning the correct method is Leave Early, Park Early, Enjoy Late or LEPEEL.

Set off for the La Poste office to send the remote back to EP,. Very easy as had a helpful cashier, cost €6.20.Bit drizzly, so raincoats there and back, once back packed up and emptied and filled so all good for the next few days, all free. Excellent Aire.Fairly dull journey stopping off for coffee in Chateaudun aire, free? but water costs ☹️.Arrived Oradour lively and sunny so caught a few rays and then wandered in the town to scout out the layout, times etc… All very easy old village and memory centre linked open at 9am, maybe free not entirely sure as admission was advertised at 7.80€, but will find out tomorrow.Nice church lovely colours from the windows and the setting sun.

After a good night’s sleep we decided to leave a calm, sunny Mailleraye to travel a few hours down the road on the way to Oradour Sur Glane. We stopped at a Chartres Leclerc for fuel and decided to have a look at Bonneval, if no good would head to the next one.

Bonneval is a free Aire with water and waste in a largish carpark in the town centre. It is perfect example, river, shops, church, old walls, tower cycle routes top stop.

We took a mostly non toll route using if possible avoid, where necessary I deployed camping car si vous plait and classe 2. Saved about 3€, but it all counts. Damaged me glasses when they flew off my face out of the van window.

Stopped at the Aire and took out the ep remote to have a play, seems to work even less now, just green level light flashing. Spoke to ep and they said send it back and we shall check it and send a new one. So all packed up and ready to go.

Finally, came back from our walk round the town to discover 3 Frankia’s in a row.

Parking Place De La Grève
28 Rue de la Grève, 28800 Bonneval, France
https://maps.app.goo.gl/98hBEput1jr7JxNL8

Awoke at 02:30, and left Moulton just before 03:00. Good journey, took the M1, QE2 bridge crossing at about 4:30 so avoided any Dart charges. Tunnel was quiet although we were squeezed into the back of the 6:50.Upon reaching France we trundled off to Auchan at Grand Synth

Left Hemingby at midday arrived Moulton about 14:30, amazingly the site was busy very busy, one pitch available.13 pounds paid and settled in, Jacqui got the bike out and we set off for Morag’s, stopping at Tesco’s for a 9v battery for the E&P remote.Katie & Chad turned up and caught up on news they seem very settled. Decided to to go out for tea so we cycled back, packed up the bikes away and then headed off to the Spinney for tea, which was ok, we headed back to the van and said our goodbyes.The bikes have performed well it will take time to get used to the auto gear selection but everything else is good.The E&P have gone into flashy mode again so a call to E&P and presumably a new remote required.