Author: ngow

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Santander, Spain

Left home 1pm, filled with gas at Tiddington, 24lt then fuel at Asda.

Arrived Portsmouth no hold ups, waited 20 mins in queue then onto Ferry, Spanish workmen parked up their instructions are very brusque not entirely clear. Given card for cabin at check-in, so headed for that, inside 2 berth, compact but ok. Had a wander. Sat and watched whilst we left the harbour, then sort out something to eat, had a crap entrecote, not recommended. Sat in cabin reading there appeared to something rolling around in the wall behind the upper bunk, Jacqui decided she could not bear it. So we went to service desk and she complained, the 2 girls on the desk looked at each and apologised saying they had maintenance checking for it all the time but could not find it, so would move us no problems with an upgrade to a 4 berth.

Very calm crossing although beds not great, Wednesday had coffee and croissant for breakfast, more reading and lunch, more reading, all very calm.

Arrived 1800 Spanish time, van as inside was fine, so we waited our turn and headed off .

Planned to head for the Aire at the Uni Parkland, the route which we should of checked took us through the centre of Santander, narrow one way steep roads.

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Europe 2018 , 20

I5 rained over night and was windy learning not to parked th front under a a tree. But all cleared off and managed to leave at 10am.

Decided to head for Peruwelz, a much mentiined aire on the mosellle thread.

It was a crap journey the weather was appalling rain and wind lots of water, really treacherous got swamped by a massive puddle

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Europe 2018, 18 & 19

Long drive, bit tedious but no tolls arrived in Luxembourg, on the outskirts of Luxembourg City, at Camping Kockelscheur. A golf course, gym, with A large site, 36 euros 2 nights, plan is to visit the city by bus tomorrow.

Saturday the bus is free, rained a little but over night but nothing major. Quick bus trip to the Hamilus stop, had a brief wander around the streets when Jacqui checked and had an email, saying the alarm had gone off. We had brief debate checked van location and it had not moved, so decided to leave it, Jacqui mentioned the moths and that put my kind at rest as could not work out what had set off the alarm.

We had a coffee and then looked at the sites to visit info, the only one that stood out was the Maudan Gallery of Modern art, it was a 35 mi walk (hahhaha). We set off and the skies brightened and it got hotter, followed the Vauban itinerie. The museum cost 8e entry for that we got a on entry badge, magnetic very clever. Saw some interesting art work and some crap. Sometimes you do feel that the artist(?) with the best spiel get the exhibition. The wind artist Sunsuma shingo was v.good and some his pieces were exceĺlent.

Afetre the museum we needed physical, sustenance so found the Yumm festival they had some food wagons and a jazz orchestra. We queued a long time for for a truffle burger it was very good but I wish Jacqui had had the tagliatelle which self divine. Walked back and caught free bus , not much for tea.

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Europe 2018, 17

Let the flower site, and agreed to head towards Lyon, we actually aimed for a stop called Nantua, on the side of a lake, turns out to be packed by 18:00 but stunning lake and mountain scenery, so we headed to another site with more spaces called Jeurre. Turned out to be excellent little stop had most of what you could want other than any sort of shops.

But very peaceful and great scenery. Decided we will try Luxembourg.

[geolocation]

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Europe 2018 14, 15, 16

Vauvert, Flower campsite after 3 nights at holiday campsite decided to head up the coast and then start making our way home. Ended up at a site we had stayed at before and really enjoyed. It is just very relaxed no hassles chilled out site. Full of Dutch, no bad thing.

Stopped for one night and stayed 3, went to vauvert town on the Tuesday to pick up some vape stuff and 2 gel pads for our saddles. Next day went to the cave and then rode through the commune of Gallician to the Camargue, smelly marsh lands basically but lots of birds etc….

[geolocation]

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Europe 2018, 11,12 & 13

Left site dreading village but as no oncoming traffic or parked cars it was easy. I wanted see if we could get some better leg supports for our chairs having seen a chap at Auch using some. On Google I found that Narbonne Acessories where just around the corner and from their website seemed to stock everything. Although I the wrong direction it was only a small detour. It is a great shop, lots of stuff, we ended up buying 2 chairs, 2 leg supports and a folding brush 260 euros.

We then set out to the site I had found that looked ok with a pool, restaurant, voi verte nearby, and access to the sea. Camping Village Il Floride, ACSI so booked in for 3 nights.

Choice of pitches but all on top of each other, good hedges but it was all a bit cramped, once setup we enjoyed the pitch and the site.

Good shade and good morning sun, made great use of the lounger chairs etc…

Sat cycled down the voi verte and stopped off for a beer and coffee.

Sunday went to the market, bought take away tea, used the pool, ok, pad Thai, chicken curry and rice.

Monday left.

Pros, great for families

Cons, noisy till 2am night clubs, no motor home service point , they will argue this saying they have one but it is inaccessible to all but the campervan. Would not return, should have left on Sunday.

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Europe 2018, 10

Left Auch, after filling and emptying. Headed towards perpignan coast, reach Castelnaudry, stopped and bought meat, replacement milk bottle, a sodastream bottle with metal base and cap and food. Carried on but decided coat was too far so picked a Aire on the way, Peyriac-de-Mer, 5 euro, all automatic, with basically nothing, other than an approach through narrow streets in the village. To be fair it would have a nice place to stop lots around.

Omelette for tea, very windy, rugby club pitch.

Lots of vans.

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Europe 2018,9

Awoke about 8:30, Jacqui was not at her best so found Angela and had a coffee. Again loads of chat eventually left about 11:30 as Angela was going to pick up her youngest Josh from school. We left and decided to head for Such, not far only an hours and a half.

Pitched up at the Aire, 8.75 euros, for pitch, water and waste very easy all automatic. We blazed in the sun and then wandered into Such to eat, but way too early, the church had closed so had a coffee and beer and headed back for a tea of bread and cheese.

A good spot.

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Europe 2018, 8

Set off to Angela’s, popped into the intermarches for wine and beer.

Could not find Angelas so arranged to meet at Mairie and the Church. They live is a nicespot very rural nothing there beyond some nice houses, horses and cows. Tony was away,much to Angela’s irritation/enjoyment, had a lovely evening bbq and too much wine Madiran very nice. Dog was called Solice, also a cat and 2 horses and a lovely black lab cross called Joy, a black Geza.

They are still planning to Cornwall as their kids seem to be heading that way as well.

Bed by 12 so good people.

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Europe 2018, 7

Took awning in last night as it felt it was going to thunder,but no, so this am out it out again, supposed to be warmer today but on the whole felt the same. By 12 it was clear and blue skies so a wander in to the village centre nothing open.

We popped to the inetrmarche for some items, will pick up beer and wine tomorrow in the way out.

Back to van read for a bit then pool relaxing a catching up on social media.

Still undecided as to what to do after Weds, if now news then will carry on to Spain.

Prepare food for a chicken stir fry with rice and a lot of veg. Jacqui will be pleased as she can now buy some more.

We discovered that 3 tablespoons make enough coffee for 2 mugs.