Sunday 22 May 2011
23rd May 2011
A day for catching up on jobs before hitting the pool! Managed to get wifi outside the van so spent an hour or so catching up with the blog! Looking to move on tomorrow to Frejus, near Nice, where we hope to use an Aire for a couple of nights. Not long now until Chris and Carol come out, which will be great. We’re all really looking forward to seeing them.
22nd May 2011
Have had a great weekend for Lynns birthday, really hot, high 80’s each day. Friday morning we cycled into the nearest town, to get there you had to cross the Rhone which looked really good for cruising. The town was very industrial and busy, so we just bought some supplies and returned to the camp. The afternoon was spent around the pool cooling off.
Saturday, we had a cooked breakfast as requested by the birthday girl before starting her birthday lucky dip and presents. A huge thank you to Nina and Steve for the books, they are just what we (I mean Lynn!) needed. You’re so organised it’s scary! We managed to skype home and speak to the guys, which was great. Again we spent the afternoon around the pool, this time the flume was open, which was great fun, but whilst the girls shot down I kept getting stuck, I blamed my swimming shorts!
In the evening we had some bottles of wine and a special meal, which was nice but very filling!
Saturday, we had a cooked breakfast as requested by the birthday girl before starting her birthday lucky dip and presents. A huge thank you to Nina and Steve for the books, they are just what we (I mean Lynn!) needed. You’re so organised it’s scary! We managed to skype home and speak to the guys, which was great. Again we spent the afternoon around the pool, this time the flume was open, which was great fun, but whilst the girls shot down I kept getting stuck, I blamed my swimming shorts!
In the evening we had some bottles of wine and a special meal, which was nice but very filling!
19th May 2011
Had breakfast outside admiring the view before squeezing out the exit, this took up the whole road and I was concentrating so hard, once I was out, I pulled forward to pick up the girls and pulled onto the left hand side of the road, totally confusing the French guy coming towards me! OOPS!
We topped up the gas and left for Sainte Marie de la Mar, a sea side town with an Aire not that far away, only about 30k. We had a good journey through the vineyards, rice fields and horse riding centres. The Camargue is a great place for cycling, lots of cycle lanes and very flat! As we drove into the town we spotted a large gravel car park right by the sea wall with a few motorhomes in it, so we popped in for a look. Didn’t get a great feel, there were a couple of gypsy caravans, white vans, loads of kids, washing lines everywhere etc! So we continued into the town which looked very nice, lots of restaurants and cafés, shops etc all very bright and clean BUT it was literally full of gypsy’s, everywhere you looked there were white vans, caravans etc, all along the sea front, in every carpark and in any spot big enough to park on. As we edged our way through the town towards the Aire all you saw were travellers staring at you, I felt like a stray gazelle wandering through a pride of lions! We reached the Aire which was fairly full, and decided to make a run for it and headed as quickly as possible out of town. We stopped at the car park again and looked at the maps and books again, settling on a campsite about 20k away. Just as we were leaving we saw three Police vehicles including two riot vans leave a campsite just up the road!
It turns out that the name of the town means the three Maries, and was named after Mary Magdalene and her two relatives named Mary who after the resurrection left the Holy land and are supposed to have landed here. They had with them a servant called Sara, who the gypsies have taken as their patron saint, as she was dark skinned and each May on the 24th they all meet here! Hundreds of they come from all over, mostly France, Spain and Italy but also as far as Hungary. They hold a procession carrying the statue of Sara into the Mediterranean before holding a massive celebration. You couldn’t make it up if you tried!
Anyway we found the camp easily enough, and as we parked by the reception the owner came out and explained they were having lunch so we could go in, choose a pitch and come back after 2pm. So we did, found a great pitch, large enough to put Bella in across it! After lunch we booked in and found the pools were open so spent the afternoon in and around the pools. They were a little chilly but it was so hot it was nice and refreshing!
Intending to go out on the bikes tomorrow and explore the area, then it’s Lynns birthday on Saturday! Should be fun!!
We topped up the gas and left for Sainte Marie de la Mar, a sea side town with an Aire not that far away, only about 30k. We had a good journey through the vineyards, rice fields and horse riding centres. The Camargue is a great place for cycling, lots of cycle lanes and very flat! As we drove into the town we spotted a large gravel car park right by the sea wall with a few motorhomes in it, so we popped in for a look. Didn’t get a great feel, there were a couple of gypsy caravans, white vans, loads of kids, washing lines everywhere etc! So we continued into the town which looked very nice, lots of restaurants and cafés, shops etc all very bright and clean BUT it was literally full of gypsy’s, everywhere you looked there were white vans, caravans etc, all along the sea front, in every carpark and in any spot big enough to park on. As we edged our way through the town towards the Aire all you saw were travellers staring at you, I felt like a stray gazelle wandering through a pride of lions! We reached the Aire which was fairly full, and decided to make a run for it and headed as quickly as possible out of town. We stopped at the car park again and looked at the maps and books again, settling on a campsite about 20k away. Just as we were leaving we saw three Police vehicles including two riot vans leave a campsite just up the road!
It turns out that the name of the town means the three Maries, and was named after Mary Magdalene and her two relatives named Mary who after the resurrection left the Holy land and are supposed to have landed here. They had with them a servant called Sara, who the gypsies have taken as their patron saint, as she was dark skinned and each May on the 24th they all meet here! Hundreds of they come from all over, mostly France, Spain and Italy but also as far as Hungary. They hold a procession carrying the statue of Sara into the Mediterranean before holding a massive celebration. You couldn’t make it up if you tried!
Anyway we found the camp easily enough, and as we parked by the reception the owner came out and explained they were having lunch so we could go in, choose a pitch and come back after 2pm. So we did, found a great pitch, large enough to put Bella in across it! After lunch we booked in and found the pools were open so spent the afternoon in and around the pools. They were a little chilly but it was so hot it was nice and refreshing!
Intending to go out on the bikes tomorrow and explore the area, then it’s Lynns birthday on Saturday! Should be fun!!
18th May 2011
Left Gruissan and headed for Sete beach which according to the Aire book is 13k in length and has a stretch of 3.5k where motorhomes can park right by the beach and best of all it’s free! Found our way around Narbonne (despite diversions due to road roads) and then the ring road around Beziers, down to Agde and along the small strip of land running all the way to Sete. We then realised we’d been directed onto a new road running parallel to the old one, so at a roundabout we took the bumpy road towards the beach and the old road, only to find the entrance to the parking strip closed and the old road narrowed drastically by wooden fencing! After a tight squeeze and a little “Coming through people!” we managed to get back onto the main road. Headed out of town and stopped at a large supermarket for a spot of lunch and a rethink!
We then decided to head further east and make for Aigues-Mortes where we had intended to stop later on. Used the motorway to get to and around Montpellier (much less hassle!) and along the coast to Aigues-Mortes, entering the Camargue.
Due to our weight we had to go around the town and enter from the other side, no real problems as it’s a tourist attraction and this is the coach route in! Came over the canal and ahead of us was the old walled town, very impressive! After a little driving around trying to find the Aire we eventually found it right at the side of the walled town, set in amongst some vines. A little tight getting in and the pitches were far too small, marked by wooden beams layed onto the ground, so we found a smallish section at the back just big enough for Bella to fit into. The Aire was very quiet, so it didn’t seem a problem taking over one whole section.
After setting up and having a drink, we had a stroll around the walled town, it’s quiet large and full of very narrow streets. It’s still fully inhabited, parking must be a night mare! Still they have plenty of great looking restaurants to choose from as well as a number of art galleries. These had a really wide spectrum of styles, but all very expensive! One was full of oil paintings that looked just like 3D photographs, they were really impressive.
We then decided to head further east and make for Aigues-Mortes where we had intended to stop later on. Used the motorway to get to and around Montpellier (much less hassle!) and along the coast to Aigues-Mortes, entering the Camargue.
Due to our weight we had to go around the town and enter from the other side, no real problems as it’s a tourist attraction and this is the coach route in! Came over the canal and ahead of us was the old walled town, very impressive! After a little driving around trying to find the Aire we eventually found it right at the side of the walled town, set in amongst some vines. A little tight getting in and the pitches were far too small, marked by wooden beams layed onto the ground, so we found a smallish section at the back just big enough for Bella to fit into. The Aire was very quiet, so it didn’t seem a problem taking over one whole section.
After setting up and having a drink, we had a stroll around the walled town, it’s quiet large and full of very narrow streets. It’s still fully inhabited, parking must be a night mare! Still they have plenty of great looking restaurants to choose from as well as a number of art galleries. These had a really wide spectrum of styles, but all very expensive! One was full of oil paintings that looked just like 3D photographs, they were really impressive.
17th May 2011
Monday we left Narbonne, did a large shop at Carrefour and then headed to Gruissan, a small town on the coast. The Aire is right on the inlet from the Mediterranean, which is used by the marinas that surround Gruissan, each of them filled with wonderful yachts, mostly sailing. The area has some great cycle & walking routes, we did one around the lake today which was lovely, all off road and very scenic. You have the water in one direction, vines in the other and snow-capped mountains in the distance. This is a lovely place, one of our favourites and we look forward to returning.
15th May 2011
It was still very windy, so we checked the weather (courtesy of MacDonald’s free wifi) to find it was 22mph today then dropping down to 14 and below. So we decided to stay another day, plus Carrefour was closed as it’s Sunday, and we really need to do a big shop. Had a stroll into town to buy some bread and then after lunch went for a walk along the canal in the sunshine. The place is very quiet it seems Sundays are still days of R & R here!
13th & 14th May 2011
Spent the day around the van as Lynn is a little sore! Tried to get on the internet from a wifi café but no joy so after lunch tried MacDonald’s and it worked fine! Did a quick bit of shopping before it began to rain, although it’s still warm. Hoping to go for a bike ride tomorrow along the canal, but we’ll see how Lynn is.
14th May 2011
Very windy and cloudy day, so decided against the bike ride. Had a walk into the old town and then after lunch went round to the sports stadium which is across the sports field from us and watched a rugby match. The car parks near us had been filling up with supporters who got out BBQ’s and generally had loads to eat and drink. Coaches had been arriving all morning dropping supporters and youth teams off. The youth teams had a mini tournament in the morning.
Whilst shopping in the local carrefour we had picked up a couple of leaflets advertising the final in the afternoon and luckily giving us free entry! It saved us 39 euros and was a fun afternoon.
14th May 2011
Very windy and cloudy day, so decided against the bike ride. Had a walk into the old town and then after lunch went round to the sports stadium which is across the sports field from us and watched a rugby match. The car parks near us had been filling up with supporters who got out BBQ’s and generally had loads to eat and drink. Coaches had been arriving all morning dropping supporters and youth teams off. The youth teams had a mini tournament in the morning.
Whilst shopping in the local carrefour we had picked up a couple of leaflets advertising the final in the afternoon and luckily giving us free entry! It saved us 39 euros and was a fun afternoon.
12th May 2011
Fairly early we walked into the shops in the old part of the city and found the hairdresser Lynn had used last time we were here. The hairdresser was able to fit her in more or less straight away so Sarah and I went to a nearby café and sat in the sun whilst we waited for Lynn. Afterwards we wandered around the shops and Sarah bought a new bikini. As we came out of the main area we past a modern looking tattoo parlour, I asked Lynn if she wanted another one to remember the trip by and we were in the shop like a shot! They could fit her in after half an hour so we went and grabbed a drink and a bite to eat before returning. The guy did a smaller version of the one on her back, this time on her side. She was very excited!
Spent the rest of the day around the van, relaxing in the sun and planning where we are going over the next couple of weeks. In the evening we had a phone call from Matt, it was really great to chat to him as it had been a while and to hear how his job is going.
Spent the rest of the day around the van, relaxing in the sun and planning where we are going over the next couple of weeks. In the evening we had a phone call from Matt, it was really great to chat to him as it had been a while and to hear how his job is going.
11Th may 2011
After more of Marco’s croissants, we used the Aire’s facilities to dump the waste and refill with fresh water before heading to Narbonne. We’d pre-set the road leading to the Aire into the satnav and this time it was a great help going just far enough into the city to get onto the road we wanted without going too far in.
In the afternoon we had a walk into the city via the canal and had an ice cream overlooking the old part. It’s still as nice as we remembered, planning on spending a couple of days here.
In the afternoon we had a walk into the city via the canal and had an ice cream overlooking the old part. It’s still as nice as we remembered, planning on spending a couple of days here.
10th May 2011
Woken up at 8am by “Marco” the bread man, we’d really missed the French chocolate croissants! After breakfast we set off on the bikes along a cycle route that took us all the way to a large, fairly new housing development set on the coast with at least two large marinas, loads of apartments, shops, cafes etc. Great location for the water sports and a nice feel to the place. Had lunch at a café overlooking one of the marinas and didn’t realise how hot it was, by the time we got back to the van we were all a little red! The coast is very windy so it doesn’t feel as hot, well that’s our excuse. On our return we saw just how windy it was, watching a kite surfer try to get his kite close enough to the waters edge and his board so he could go surfing. The wind was so strong it just kept dragging him across the beach, he’d then spend ages edging back to his board only to be dragged away again 50m up the beach. After about an hour he looked exhausted and we were getting a little concerned , but he’d had enough and dumped the kite in the sand and gave up!
9th May 2011
Left the camp at 10am and had a good run back into France, mostly by “A” roads but we did join the toll road to go round Perpignan, where we encountered the shortest toll road in the world! Came up to the ticket machines and took our ticket, drove round a slip road (500m) and arrived at the toll booths, 70 cents paid and we were on a toll free stretch!
Came off the toll road asap and then headed for the coast, where we drove along with the Med on our right and a huge inland sea on our left, which is where they breed the oysters the area is known for. Came into Leucate Plage and drove through the edge of the town to the beach where we found the Aire. Managed to find a spot overlooking the beach and the Med, fantastic views!
After lunch we had a stroll along the beach into the town, which is fairly small and expensive!
Came off the toll road asap and then headed for the coast, where we drove along with the Med on our right and a huge inland sea on our left, which is where they breed the oysters the area is known for. Came into Leucate Plage and drove through the edge of the town to the beach where we found the Aire. Managed to find a spot overlooking the beach and the Med, fantastic views!
After lunch we had a stroll along the beach into the town, which is fairly small and expensive!
8th May 2011
Sunny day, made some phone calls home and in the afternoon went up to the bar to watch the motor racing, the locals were routing for Masa & Alonso whilst we were going for Button, Masa & Kobiashi! We have a lucky dip for this season and due to our son’s sense of humour Kobiashi is included, luckily Lynn drew him! It was interesting watching the race not having a clue what the presenters were saying!
In the evening we returned to the bar for a meal and to watch the Barcelona match outside on a big screen TV. It was a great atmosphere as the place was packed with locals, plus Barcelona played really well and won easily, lots of goals and chances.
In the evening we returned to the bar for a meal and to watch the Barcelona match outside on a big screen TV. It was a great atmosphere as the place was packed with locals, plus Barcelona played really well and won easily, lots of goals and chances.
7th May 2011
We had a good run to Zaragoza and then to St Antoni De C, about 35k north of Barcelona. Most of the time we were on good dual carriageways, so cruise control on, sit back and enjoy the views! Really great scenery and changes to the landscape, from plains to mountains. Zaragoza is very industrial and the roads around it are just full of a lorries. The campsite we stayed on was fine, a new modern municipal site, but as it’s the only one around it was expensive at 31 euros! As we left Zaragoza we joined the convoy of lorries heading east. The road seemed to drive through miles and miles of industrial estates and then, once we had left these, the towns we came to were very industrial, sitting in the middle of nowhere.
As we got closer to Barcelona we could see the mountains in the distance and joined the toll roads around the city, it only cost 8 euros and was much easier than going through the city like last time. The campsite is on the edge of a small town near the beach with a Lidle and cash machine right by the entrance/exit. The past few days have been nice and sunny, so yesterday we cleaned the van as the cab was covered in dead bugs, did some shopping (6 bottles of wine for 9 euros!) and spent the afternoon sunbathing around the pool.
Today is cloudy and occasionally drizzly, so we made spinach soup for lunch and booked another night so we can see the F1 grand prix in the bar tomorrow, followed by a Barcelona game.
As we got closer to Barcelona we could see the mountains in the distance and joined the toll roads around the city, it only cost 8 euros and was much easier than going through the city like last time. The campsite is on the edge of a small town near the beach with a Lidle and cash machine right by the entrance/exit. The past few days have been nice and sunny, so yesterday we cleaned the van as the cab was covered in dead bugs, did some shopping (6 bottles of wine for 9 euros!) and spent the afternoon sunbathing around the pool.
Today is cloudy and occasionally drizzly, so we made spinach soup for lunch and booked another night so we can see the F1 grand prix in the bar tomorrow, followed by a Barcelona game.
Tuesday 3 May 2011
3rd May 2011
We left Caceres on the 29th April and drove north east to a town 35k south of Madrid, called Aranjuez , a royal town, where we have spent the past few days. The royal historic part of Aranjuez is beautiful, with a lovely Palace, gardens and courtyards. The campsite is just the other side of the river Tagus, on which the royal household used to be rowed in their gold covered barges. To get into town we could cut through the royal gardens which are laid out with tree lined avenues and fountains. The Palace itself is right on the rivers edge and has magnificent fountains both in front of it and to the side. We had some great walks around the Palace and gardens.
On Monday we caught the train into Madrid (6 euro return!) and spent the day admiring the city. It has so many magnificent old buildings it was a pleasant surprise. Every way you walked you found more wonderful buildings still be used, as well as promenades with fountains as well as parks and gardens. The Royal Palace reminds you of Buckingham Palace but you can walk right up to it. It is set high up overlooking a park and has a large cathedral at its rear. To the side is a garden filled with statues of Spain’s monarchs, fountains and places to walk or sit and relax. The city is easy to walk around and the tube costs a euro! The city hall built hundreds of years ago is still used as a city hall, the Plaza Mayor built in 1617 is still a vibrant plaza with shops and cafes underneath the arches and apartments above, although it no longer hold bull fights!
We all agreed it was difficult to choose our favourite city as they all have something different, but Madrid is certainly up there with Paris and probably ahead of Barcelona.
Tomorrow we’re off to Zaragoza and then to a site north of Barcelona before heading back into France.
On Monday we caught the train into Madrid (6 euro return!) and spent the day admiring the city. It has so many magnificent old buildings it was a pleasant surprise. Every way you walked you found more wonderful buildings still be used, as well as promenades with fountains as well as parks and gardens. The Royal Palace reminds you of Buckingham Palace but you can walk right up to it. It is set high up overlooking a park and has a large cathedral at its rear. To the side is a garden filled with statues of Spain’s monarchs, fountains and places to walk or sit and relax. The city is easy to walk around and the tube costs a euro! The city hall built hundreds of years ago is still used as a city hall, the Plaza Mayor built in 1617 is still a vibrant plaza with shops and cafes underneath the arches and apartments above, although it no longer hold bull fights!
We all agreed it was difficult to choose our favourite city as they all have something different, but Madrid is certainly up there with Paris and probably ahead of Barcelona.
Tomorrow we’re off to Zaragoza and then to a site north of Barcelona before heading back into France.
28th April 2011
We left Portugal on a sunny morning and had a good drive to Seville, it was nice to be on decent roads again! As it was early afternoon we decided to head straight for the motorhome dealership, which we found easily enough just off the motorway. They were very helpful but couldn’t fix the door lock so we left for the campsite just south of the city. This time it was packed and we only just managed to find a pitch we could squeeze into, and it was a squeeze!
Next morning we set off early and mad our way northwards to Caceres. The roads were mostly dual carriageway and the views great. We climbed and dropped over hills before driving across the plains which stretched between them, admiring the walled towns we past in the distance. It was much more arable farming with huge estates. We arrived at Carceres in the afternoon and to start with followed the directions easily enough into the city (more like a large town), but then the signs stopped so we reverted to the satnav! This was fine as the roads were large and wide and the directions made sense. Soon we could see the end of journey flag, but to get to it the satnav took us via the edge of the old quarter where before we knew it the roads got narrower and narrower, with no hope of turning round! It got very tight and steep but we made it and came out near the aire where we wanted to stay. It was really busy and we managed to grab one of the last places, much to the interest of a couple of French campers who clearly didn’t think we could get the van into that spot.
After sorting ourselves out we wandered up into the old town which was a nice surprise. It was full of narrow alleyways at the end of which were wonderful old churches and buildings. It was clearly an important religious town in its day with links to Saint George. It had been a hot afternoon so to cool off we sat at a café in the old square with a bottle of chilled wine and watched the world go by. A good way to spend the afternoon.
Next morning we set off early and mad our way northwards to Caceres. The roads were mostly dual carriageway and the views great. We climbed and dropped over hills before driving across the plains which stretched between them, admiring the walled towns we past in the distance. It was much more arable farming with huge estates. We arrived at Carceres in the afternoon and to start with followed the directions easily enough into the city (more like a large town), but then the signs stopped so we reverted to the satnav! This was fine as the roads were large and wide and the directions made sense. Soon we could see the end of journey flag, but to get to it the satnav took us via the edge of the old quarter where before we knew it the roads got narrower and narrower, with no hope of turning round! It got very tight and steep but we made it and came out near the aire where we wanted to stay. It was really busy and we managed to grab one of the last places, much to the interest of a couple of French campers who clearly didn’t think we could get the van into that spot.
After sorting ourselves out we wandered up into the old town which was a nice surprise. It was full of narrow alleyways at the end of which were wonderful old churches and buildings. It was clearly an important religious town in its day with links to Saint George. It had been a hot afternoon so to cool off we sat at a café in the old square with a bottle of chilled wine and watched the world go by. A good way to spend the afternoon.
Monday 25th April 2011
Well the past two weeks have gone quick! It was wonderful to see Emma & Nick and we had such a great time, but it made it very hard to see them go. Maybe it’s because we won’t see them or Matt until we get home now that it hit us all so much. They were lucky with the weather, being sunny and hot for most of their stay. We had breakfast outside and even went swimming in the Atlantic, which wasn’t that cold but very rough! The girls had lost another game of petanque and the forfeit was to go for a dip! We had a great time playing petanque but the boys managed to win 9 – 2! Chris you would have loved it!
When the weather wasn’t so sunny we went out in the car to Silves, which had a lovely historic quarter and Emma and I could get excited over it! We also had a drive to Vilamoura to admire the motor yachts in the marina (Carol you would have loved this) and also drove around Val de Lobo admiring all the millionaires houses! Decided that if we had over two million to spend on a holiday home we’d probably opt for Florida’s west coast and a house with a boat dock!
Gave the van a good spring clean inside and out today, ready for leaving tomorrow, when we head back into Spain. First stop outside Seville, where we hope to get the door lock fixed, then on northwards to Madrid and finally back towards Barcelona an France. Portugal has been great, we have all enjoyed it immensely and Quarteira in particular, I’m sure we will be back in the future!
When the weather wasn’t so sunny we went out in the car to Silves, which had a lovely historic quarter and Emma and I could get excited over it! We also had a drive to Vilamoura to admire the motor yachts in the marina (Carol you would have loved this) and also drove around Val de Lobo admiring all the millionaires houses! Decided that if we had over two million to spend on a holiday home we’d probably opt for Florida’s west coast and a house with a boat dock!
Gave the van a good spring clean inside and out today, ready for leaving tomorrow, when we head back into Spain. First stop outside Seville, where we hope to get the door lock fixed, then on northwards to Madrid and finally back towards Barcelona an France. Portugal has been great, we have all enjoyed it immensely and Quarteira in particular, I’m sure we will be back in the future!
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