Left the site after a restless night apparently the sound of wave crashing can be sleep disturbing.Filled up with water and emptied before leaving 23€ for the 2 no guts, EHU was very good 16amp I think. Showers were uninviting but very good.We set decided to head to Foz de Arelho, which had been recommended by so many people. We stopped off at an InterMarche and Bricomarche to get some essentials. At the entrance they had an offer on 5l box red wine 13% at 5.99€ sorted! As we wandered round I started to think maybe it will be rubbish like the stuff in Spain. Then I came across the aisle selling boxed wine not sure what the cheapest was but 4.99 for 5l was very visible so we splashed out and kept the 5.99 box, what can go wrongCracked on stopped for lunch at a free spot next to a cafe overlooking a bay, we both though ooohh, this looks nice really attractive. So we stopped had a coffee and some lunch. The apps suggested we could stop but we felt a bit uncomfortable as it was just a parking layby other vans there but did not feel quite right and it was too early to stop for the night. So we headed off thinking not going to find anywhere that nice, missed opportunity etc…Passed another spot near some dunes but 5€ for parking up seemed expensive and we were heading for 4€. When we finally arrived it looked awful like a van storage yard but a bit run down and bleached. Paid our monies one night only and drive past the electric area to reach a larger parking area drove down the front rows and space appeared but blocked with chaos so carried on and found one more near the end reversed in. Teh view is stunning right across and down the estuary and next to a lovely beach with anchored small fishing boats.Met a French neighbour a photographer who took some stunning a pics. Just a lovely spot, makes traveling worthwhile.
Praia de Mira
W
oke late, the only sounds all night were the crashing waves no dogs, cars or anything else. I think we got up at about 10:00.Bit overcast and only 17c but by 11:00 it was 18c so heading Inthe right direction. We decide bike ride not sure where. Whilst get sorted Jacqui slipped on the bottom step and fell over hurting her foot, bottom and arm. After a vigorous interrogation we decide a bike ride was just what she needed.The bikes proved easy to get out and setup, really pleased with them. Set off and found a cycled oath around the lake right on our campsite entrance so headed off away from town thinking we would head back and stop later.The lake was great, by now no clouds sunny and warm so just shorts, t-shirt and sandles. Scooted round the lake and then around the town stopping for a coffee and beer at a beach side cafe we had spotted the day before.Then headed off thinking to find somewhere open to eat, lots of places open but none appealed either no idea what the menu was or a bit too shabby or shadey or empty. Decide to head back to van for lunch, but passed Cannes III bar, looked inviting so stopped to make our day had a lateish lunch. The waiter described the weather as typical of Portugal, Autumn in the morning, Summer in the afternoon and Winter at night, it didn’t drop below 17 last night ?, this was prompted by us ordering a Green Wine , Vinho Verde with our lunch which is a summer drink ? dontcha know!!
Quinta das Cegonhas to Praia de Mira
Left the Dutch site on a cloudy morning we had a nice 2 night stop and felt a bit recharged. The dinner we ordered was ok, but having to provide a pan for them to supply it in if having a takeaway was a new one for us.
We headed to Lidl, for some supplies and then towards an Aire, which was an easy trip, it was empty and seemed brand new all free, but only 14:00 and alolthiygh great access to town there was no views at all, we moved on, decided to make for the coast.
Headed for Mira, specifically Praia de Mira, as 3 campsites and a few free options. Picked the Municipal Site at we think 11.50€pn inc EHU. About 500m from the beach which is fantastic, cold cold water no swimming without a wetsuit and even then brrrr!
A lively day sat in the shade and rested again.
Valladolid to Quinta das Cegonhas
Left the Aire around 10:30, we used the hidden water taps to fill up risking the slightly chlorinated water. Made reasonable time and had a good journey the land was on the whole dull.
Filled up in Spain at 1.275 as we believe Portugal maybe higher prices, crossed the border bit wiggly but straight through as discovered fuel at 1.455, although it did come down to 1.389.
When we passed border there were lots of signs for toll so we stopped Leomil services and googled Portugal Toll. Ended up using EasyToll linked to Nationwide CC, Revolut would not work, very annoying.
We have finally stopped at a campsite 17.50 no EHU per night will probably do 2 nights. The guy at the reception when asked about the pool said, we no longer clean it, so a bit green, or fill so a bit low, and it is very cold but you can use it if you want to?
It does have WiFi and clean facilities,mostly D and NL vans one other Brit.
Olite to Villadolid
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.
Dax to Olite
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.
Biscarosse to Dax
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 ?
Oradour to Biscarosse
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.
Bonneval to Oradour Sur Glane
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.
Mailleraye to Bonneval
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.