A light hearted and (I hope) amusing record of some of our Campervan Trips.
It is mainly intended to inform friends and family where we are, plus, to keep our children updated on what is happening to their inheritance.
I do try to include details of Camp Sites and Aires, we visit. Checkout the "labels" listed in the right margin,
Please comment if you feel inclined, at least then I know I am not talking to myself (again).
Friday, 17 March 2017 Sunny, blue sky, a warm 20C. Kathleen is up early, to carry out the "pre-hairdresser" routine. Fortunately, Anca turns out to be a great success, Larry does not appreciate how lucky he has been, I shall have to tell him. As it turns out, Kathleen has a mornings entertainment, as well as a hair-cut. Anca (we are assuming that is the name of the young Romanian lady), does not operate on appointments, you turn up and wait if necessary. Kathleen plans to arrive for doors opening (09:00, she does not do waiting), but, she is delayed and when she arrives, there is one man having his hair cut and two men waiting. Anca operates at top speed, each hair-cut is despatched in less than ten minutes, including wielding a cut-throat razor. Kathleen is dealt with at top speed, perhaps 15 minutes, but, an excellent job done, even Kathleen, who is fanatical about her hair is pleased with the outcome, and all for just 12Euro. Kathleen is so pleased with the outcome she treats me to beer and tapas at Casa Vicente.
Mid afternoon, we cycle along the coast to an Argentinian Restaurant, "Baires by Divino", which I had noticed on previous visits to Benicassim, but, not got around to trying. This turns out to be a huge success. We have the "Argentinian set meal for two", three courses for 19Euro each, and, of course, a bottle of house red wine. For the first course we get Empanadas, (sort of pasty), filled with ham and cheese and tomato and cheese. then, Argentinian Potato bread, in melted cheese.
This is followed by a second course consisting of an enormous amount of meat (steak, beef, pork, sausage, black pudding), all cooked just as we asked for it, and roast potatoes. Finally we have a chocolate filled crepe with icecream. Kathleen is a star and has a go at everything! To round off, the good news, it turns out, in the "small print" on the menu, the wine is included! Excellent! Saturday, 18th March 2017 Blue sky, sunshine, 25C. A ride into Castellon, on the scooter, to visit the large Carrefour Hypermarket. Afternoon of Gin and Tonic in the sun, and reading. A stroll in the evening. Our activity level has fallen this week, only 65 miles or walking and cycling against 80 miles last week, must try harder! Sunday, 19th March 2017 Blue sky, sunshine, 23C. Kathleen does church, first thing (09:00).
Next, a cycle ride. We have been meticulously recording our walking/cycling activity on "Runkeeper", the week before last, we did approximately 90 miles, last week, we achieved only 65 miles. Kathleen is a "counter", although she denies being obsessed with numbers, she is! The 15 mile "shortfall" last week has not gone un-noticed! The "recording week" begins on a Sunday, and, today, we get in a head start on a "good" weekly figure, 19 miles along the coast, taking in the Cycle track to Orpesa, and then beyond through the partly finished and partly abandoned resort development to the north of there. A not very successful stop for lunch, Kathleen orders what she expects to be a ham toastie, but, it turns out to be Parma type ham, which is in the long list of things Kathleen does not like. My Choritso Bocadillo is perfectly edible however, which only serves to annoy Kathleen even more. As is usual, in Spain, we are given a small snack (free) when our drinks arrive, and before our sandwiches. You are never sure what you will get, this time, it is two slices of bread, spread with mayonnaise, and topped with "something". The something look like small grey and white worms (Kathleen's description). Needless to say, Kathleen is not up for "having a go", so, I try one. Even after eating the "worms", I am not sure if it is animal or vegetable and/or seafood, so, I eat the other one. The texture of the "worms", is, I would say, like mushrooms, but, I don't see how it would be possible to slice mushrooms into this shape? Monday, 20th March 2017 Blue sky and sunshine with a very pleasant 21C, until mid afternoon that is, when a fog bank rolled in from the sea! No more sunshine and 15C. A day to catch up on the chores, clothes washing, food (and alcohol) shopping, followed by a little cycling. Incidentally, Sunday's "problem" of the grey and white "worms" is solved, we spot them for sale, in the Supermarket, still do not know what they are, but, they are some form of sea food. Tuesday, 21st March 2017 Don't know what is happening to the weather. The forecast says, blue sky, sunshine 22C, but, the reality is cloudy start and a cool 16C, by 10:30, blue sky, sunny, 20C, by 14:30, back comes the sea fret from yesterday! This is not good enough! Kathleen does church, it is Lent.
Giving the cycling a rest today, we take advantage of the few hours of sunshine to walk along the coast, five miles. As you can see, the place is deserted, at 11:00 in the morning. It is a holiday here, so, do not know where everyone is, perhaps they partied too much last night? Wednesday, 22nd March 2017 Sun, a little light cloud, 20C. A cycle ride along the coast to Grau Castellon (Castellon Port), the plan is 15-16 miles, but, Kathleen is foolish enough to allow me to be in the lead, so, I work it up to 20 miles. Beer and chips at Pinguin, on the way back, followed by more beer when we get back to the van, ensures we fall asleep in the sun. We round the day off with an evening stroll along the promenade. Thursday, 23rd March 2017
A very doubtful start to the day, a chill wind and lots of cloud, but, by 09:00, all gone, blue sky and sunshine back, 23C.
Passing the time of day with our English neighbours again shows that even the very elderly and those with various health problems, still make the journey here to enjoy the sun and relaxation. There are a fair sprinkling of mobility scooters and electric bicycles here! Thursday is market day in Benicassim. For the last two weeks, Kathleen has been buying up all of the available sports socks, this week, she has switched to slippers, two pairs she has bought now at 5Euro a pair. After the market, a stroll along the coast, to check out possible eating places.
We have an excellent, mid afternoon, long lunch at Villa Del Mar, followed by lazing in the sun.
We go cycling, such an excellent cycle track, Kathleen forgets to be tired, and, we end up at Castellon de la Plana. To the coast for a little lunch and then, back along the coast to do 20 miles. This makes our total for the week, walking and cycling, 78 miles. I do suggest we go for the round 100 miles, but, Kathleen declines. We manage a Facetime call to Gary, Susana, Gabriel and Salma and are able to witness Salma's latest achievement of climbing the stairs. Gabriel has started playing Rugby at school, and, Gary is shortly to jet off to Korea for six weeks. Saturday 11th March 2017 A very strange day, today, weather-wise. At the van, we are bathed in sunshine, and it is a very pleasant 21C, but, a bank of fog/mist has rolled in from the sea and is lying all along the coast, and, has covering the inland hills. Since it was our "resting day", after all of our walking and cycling, it makes little difference, and we simply lie around in our little patch of sunshine! Sunday 12th March 2017 A sunny 23C today. Kathleen is up early and off to church for 09:00, leaving me to sit in the sun. After a (very) late breakfast, we ride to Castellon de la Plana on the scooter, and mingle with the many people who all seem to be sitting in the sun eating and drinking, it is clearly a hard life, being a Spaniard. There is clearly some "special" event going on, there are hundreds of women of all ages, wearing yellow T-Shirts, with some logo emblazoned on the the front. My Spanish is not excellent, but, it appears to translate as "The Curse of Women Day"? The older ones are behaving sensibly and eating/drinking cake and coffee, whilst the younger ones (ie under 30) are drinking large amounts of beer and wine. All very good natured however, no unpleasantness. Monday 13th March 2017 The weather forecast said rain overnight, and all day today. It is totally accurate, pouring rain through the night which continues until lunchtime, with temperatures struggling up to 12C.
Kathleen finds it difficult/impossible to just sit still and read her book, so, insists on cleaning and tidying, and generally upsetting the peace and quiet. I escape outside, during a lull in the rain, and manage to snap our friendly Robin visitor, as he hangs around, waiting for the crumbs from our lunch.
We manage a short walk (4 miles) in the afternoon. Kathleen rustles up a very good Sweet and Sour Pork, with vegetable rice, for our evening meal. This comes as a bit of a surprise, not because of any lack of culinary skills on Kathleen's part, but, because of the absence of potatoes. Kathleen's Irish Heritage usually shows through and almost all meals include potatoes. I am just beginning to think the vegetable rice is a little treat for me (I prefer rice), when Kathleen explains, she simply "could not be bothered to cook potatoes and vegetables. Which, somewhat takes the edge of "my little treat". Tuesday 14th March 2017 After a slow start, the weather forecast proves to be correct, full sunshine and a comfortable 20C. Our friends, John and Carol leave today, heading North, for Girona, and then home. They have been here since early December, so, time to move on.
After waving them off, we cycle along the coastal cycle track to Oropesa. The cycle track follows the route of an old railway line, so, is reasonably easy going, with cuttings or tunnels though the hills, rather than having to go up and over the top.
Wednesday, 15th March 2017 Looks as if we are back to the blue sky and sunshine, Temperatures climbing over the 20's C. Kathleen does her Lent duty and goes to church. The afternoon is spent cycling and walking, 14 miles and three miles respectively. There is a major problem looming. Regular readers may have noticed, there has been little of no mention of the dreaded "hair washing days". This is because they have not been funny, they have been totally unbearable! It has been decided that a hairdresser must be found to administer a suitable haircut. We seek the advice of "Larry", he is an amiable American(?) chap, living in the UK, who has been at Bonterra Park every time we have been here, like James Garner, in "The Great Escape", Larry knows where most things can be obtained. He points us to a Hairdressing Salon, which his partner uses, it is called "Anca", and, this being Spain, it is run by a young Romanian woman. Clearly the trend for the East Europeans to succeed, where locals fail to even try, is not confined to the UK! We take an evening walk and find Pelequaria Anca. Thursday, 16th March 2017 Blue sky, sunshine and 20C. Kathleen is not happy with how level (or unlevel, if that is a word) the van is, we cannot get it high enough at the front using our existing collection of levelling blocks. I have put Amazon to the test, and ordered some extreme Millenco Quattro 2 leveling blocks, from Amazon UK, for delivery to the campsite. Sure enough, they turn up today, exactly as promised. Where would we be without that army of courier drivers in their Ford Transits / Mercedes Sprinters, driving flat out, while using their mobile phone, in their rush to deliver our Amazon Parcels? First, some chores have to be done, clothes washing. Today is market day, Kathleen goes on a quest to corner the market in "Sports Socks", the are selling on the Market for 9 pairs for 5Euro, I think she now has 18 pairs! Cycling in the afternoon. Kathleen does church again in the evening. It is decided that Pelequaria Anca is to be put to the test tomorrow..... watch this space!
Monday, 6th March 2017 So far, it has been warm, today, it is positively HOT, by the time we return from our ten mile bicycle ride, it is 27C!.
On our previous visit here, the cycle track to the next town was only partly usable, but, it is all now completed, and, very pleasant.
Tuesday, 7th March 2017 Blue skies, sunny and hot. One problem we have, or, to be more precise, Kathleen has, she reckons the van is not quite level. Checking it with the spirit level, she is right (of course), but, I have it as high as it will go on the levelling blocks. Google to the rescue and I am abe ti find the location of a local Caravan/Motorhome Accessories shop, so, we combine our morning walk with a visit to the Accessory shop. We cannot get a higher set of levelling blocks, buy, we are able to get another set, the plan being to use two sets, one on top of the other. Instead of leaving me to it, Kathleen recruits "helpers", it definitely a case of more hands do NOT make light work, and, at the end of two hours of messing about, I think the level is worse, although, everyone else appears to believe it is "slightly better".
The brightspot of the day, the evening is warm enough to eat our evening meal outside, one of Kathleen's favourite activities. Wednesday, 8th March 2017 Blue sky and sunshine, although, Kathleen does have a complaint, it is "only" 20C today. It is even hot enough to eat breakfast outside! Cycling (16 miles) today. Thursday, 9th March 2017 Blue sky, sunshine and hot 25C. Thursday is Market Day in Benicassim. The town centre car parking area is taken over by dozens of market stalls, with the usual array of fruit, vegetables, shoes, clothing, handbags and various other things you never knew you needed or wanted. As usual the crowds descend, Kathleen does her bit to boost to the Spanish economy, by spending 20Euro on slippers, trainers and sports socks, we then retire to "Casa Vincente" (bar/cafe) for beer and free tapas, along with most of the campsite it appears. We have a rest from cycling, and, instead go walking along the coast, approximately five miles. Kathleen must be feeling particularly affluent, because in the evening, I am treated to a meal.
Friday 3rd March 2017 The weather forecast is for rain, but, we actually get overcaste with a little sun, and a cool 16C, but, no rain. There is an alternative ACSI Campsite in Benicassim (Camping Tauro), which is a couple of Euro per night, cheaper than Bonterra Park. Kathleen is determined to check it out. We know approximately where it is. We combine checking it out, with our daily exercise, and walk along the coast, then into the area of "new" development where the site is located. It is smart enough, and, although not full, it is busy. We decide to stay where we are, Bonterra Park is much better located for all of the things on our list. Just over 6 miles walking today, should justify a bar of chocolate this evening. In the end, the weather forecast proves to be correct, overnight torrential rain! Saturday, 4th March 2017 Blue sky and sunshine, to start, but, cloudy and breezy later, cool. A traumatic day for Kathleen, it is hair-care day, best to stay out of the way. A day for chores, clothes washing, cleaning outside of van. The usual Saturday evening Pizza, and a very nice bottle of vino tinto, Rioja, my favourite. Sunday, 5th March 2017 Blue sky, sunshine, until mid afternoon, then, cloudy, but warm. Bicycle riding, eventually, when I dragged Kathleen out of bed. We find a very pleasant circuit of cycle track, approximately 12 miles.
Wednesday 1st March 2017 A bright and sunny day, 19C. Key tasks are completed in the morning:
A little shopping for essentials (wine and beer)
The inevitable visit to the "bargain" Chinese Bazaar, new Crocks purchased, at only 4.50Euro for two pairs, I suspect they are not genuine Crocks
A visit to the Catholic Church so Kathleen can determine if there are any services/celebrations for Ash Wednesday. No is the answer.
The afternoon is spent lying in the sun, recovering from the journey. Thursday 2nd March 2017 Bright and sunny, 20C
We cycle along the coast, just over 15 miles. We meet an elderly Frenchman, Alain, he tells us he is 77, and is pedalling along the coast on his "birthday present" a folding electric bicycle. When we return, we both check our blood pressure readings, both are significantly reduced. I wonder if we can get our Campervan trips on prescription? (if not the whole cost, perhaps, the ferry crossing, or perhaps tokens for free diesel). Later in the day, we meet old friends from previous visits to Bonterra Park, John, Carol, John and Adrian. Inevitably, we spend the rest of the afternoon drinking Red Wine in their company.
Monday, 27th February 2017. A dull and cool morning. When we come to pay (it is all automated, ticket on the way in, present ticket to machine, pay on exit), we find the charging structure is not quite as we had been led to believe. We thought it was 7Euro for twenty four hours, but, it is 7Euro for the twenty four hours 08:30 - 08:30. We arrived at about 16:30 (part way through a twenty four hour period) and, we are leaving at 09:00, which is in the NEXT twenty four hour period, so, we have to pay 14Euro! For that price, we could have stayed on a site, with full facilities! I doubt we will be back.
So we leave Poitiers Futurscope (N46 39.813' : E0 22.094'), 14Euro lighter, and head for Mont de Marsan (N43 54.146' : W0 31.186'), an Aire, supposedly with EHU and Toilets. Well, we find the Aire, but, no EHU, no Toilets and no water. Since it is "only" 14:00, we decide to head nearer to the Somport Tunnel and set the Sat-Nav for Oloron Sainte Marie (N43 11.032' : W0 36.511'). Approximately 280miles later, we arrive at Oloron Sainte Marie. Fortunately, the Aire at Oloron Sainte Marie is exactly as described. Marked spaces for 7 Vans, (with a maximum stay of 48 hours) but, eventually with 11 present! Surprisingly. most of them are Brits. The Aire is virtually in the town, Kathleen has a break from cooking, and we find a little bar serving food. Despite the fact the Aire is just off the road, and, is in town, it is surprisingly quiet.
Tuesday 28th February, 2017 A mild but dull morning.
We are away early, 08:00, the thought being to get along the much hyped approach to the Somport Tunnel, before the traffic builds up, with the intention of making Benicassim, today (approximately 340 miles). What an anti-climax, true, the road is twisty and narrow, and, you have to be alert for the occasional articulated truck hurtling down the gradient from Spain, but, there are no difficult bits and no significant gradients. The road on the Spanish side of the tunnel is even better, almost motorway standard dual carriageway for most of the journey, and, very light traffic. Plus, the road is almost empty, in both directions. The Somport Tunnel is fairly new (built around 2003), and it shows, well lit, and well signed. According to Google, it is the longest road tunnel in the Pyrenees at 5.3 miles long. It cost 251Million Euro to build, which seems pretty reasonable to me, as these things go!
Eventually, we arrive at Bonterra Park, Benicassim, at about 17:00, a long day, but, the sky is blue, the sun is shining!
This is not going to be a very exciting post, for the next few days we are going to be travelling almost continually. Our last day in the UK, for a couple of months starts with a wet morning but, eventually "improves" to be bloody freezing, with only occasional rain.
We leave Chertsey C&CC site and make our way along the southern M25 to Canterbury, New Dover Road Park and Ride. Being the dutiful husband, I have checked out the Mass times in Canterbury, so, that is Kathleen occupied for the evening. If there is anything in this Religion "game", and or course, assuming the Catholics are the "chosen ones", then I should be sitting pretty, having ensured Kathleen can always attended Mass. The route from Canterbury to the Channel Tunnel check-in is, shall we say, "interesting", a real cross country route. But, as usual the check-in is slick, and, we are soon on the 11:30, heading for Calais. Out of the tunnel and 65 miles to the Aire at Baie de Somme. The Aire is on the Toll section, so, we have to pay the toll (6Euro) for that section to stay there. For once, the place is deserted, we are the only ones there. We are too tired to care about that, (well I am), and I at least have a sound few hours sleep. Sunday morning, drizzle, dry after Rouen, then, a little sunshine, followed by more drizzle, but, a mild 12C
300 miles to Poitiers Futurscope (N46 39.813' : E0 22.094'), not exactly palatial, water, electricity are extra (by the hour and litre, 2euro/hour for Electric and 2Euro/100Litre for the water), at least it is secure I suppose, and, not far off the main road. A pretty exhausting day for me, driving almost none stop from 8:00 until 16:30, but, Kathleen does the dutiful wife act and produces a Chicken Curry, a can of beer and a bottle of wine!
Not a good start to our trip, doubtful weather and "Storm Doris" means gale force winds, but, reasonably mild, and not too much rain. There is plenty of evidence of small branches blown down from the trees, and, overnight, the noise of the wind blowing through the trees on the campsite is quite loud, enough to keep Kathleen awake, although, I cannot say I noticed it, until Kathleen woke me up to tell me about it! I am not sure about this new fangled naming of storms, before, we just used to have the odd windy day, now, we have storms, and News Presenters staggering about Blackpool seafront in the wind and rain.
These few days are spent visiting Gary, Susana, Gabriel and Salma, for "Grandchildren bonding" time. Gabriel of course is at school, but, we see him in the evening and take him to his Karate Class. Salma, is coming along wonderfully, hair has grown, some teeth are there with more coming, and she is mobile (a combination of crawling and shuffling along on her bottom).
We get to check out the (soon to be, we hope) new house, and, meet new neighbours to be. Plenty of work to do, but, I am sure it will be beautiful when it is all finished! Finally Kathleen and Salma have a joint, slightly delayed birthday party, a 1st birthday and a 70th birthday.
Saturday, 11th February 2017 We exchanged our "Tesco Vouchers" for a Tunnel voucher, some weeks ago, ready to book a crossing. Then, the dreaded "medication review" for Kathleen threw a spanner in the works. Changes of medication, blood pressure monitoring, blood samples combine to mean, no booking can be made. But, today, we bite the bullet and book, given the minimum 14 day notice period, we are on for 25th February 2017, Spain, and sunshine (we hope), here we come. Previously, we have always been light on planning, ie, we did not really do any, but, this trip, with only one driver, I feel a bit more "pressured" and therefore inclined to have at least a vague plan. First, a four day stop-over to see grandchildren Gabriel and Salma, and their parents (Gary and Susana) of course. We cannot get into our "usual" stop over (Queens Acre, Oakley Green, Windsor), so, we will be staying at Chertsey Camping and Caravan Club site.
We are booked on the tunnel, 12:30am Saturday, ie, just after midnight, so the plan is, after exiting tunnel, drive to Baie-de-Somme Aire on the A16, about 60 miles, then sleep. So, if all goes as planned, the map on the right is the first leg of our journey, with a stop-over to visit Gary and Susana and do some grandchildren bonding of course. Next, head for the Somport Tunnel (weather permitting), hopefully two overnight stops should do it, before the tunnel. Somport Tunnel Route, perhaps, I will not show this to Kathleen in advance?
We have the obligatory "Garden Photograph" to give Claire something to aspire to in her "looking after the garden" role, during our absence. Tuesday, 21st February 2017.
We get away pretty much on time, ie 9:40, so far, nothing of significance appears to have been left behind. So far the only thing we are aware of leaving behind is a loaf of bread, it's absence was discovered at our lunch stop. For once, an easy drive south to Chertsey, not one traffic hold up, well, not until we reach the M3 junction on the M25, so, 290 easy miles, to arrive at Chertsey, Camping and Caravan Club Site at approximately 17:00.
