Spain Jan 2014

Spain Jan 2014
Tue 14th
We were up at 4am and got away by 5.15, I stopped to post a letter and Rich realised he hadn't put the number plate on the car so had to go back for it. It was very cold with frost patches on the fields and banks, there was a lot of flood water on fields, when the sun came up it was a lovely, bright day. There were a lot of road works and the M5 was very busy so we thought we may not make the ferry at 11.00, we arrived in Dover at 11.15, the ferry was a bit late so we are ok. It was very quiet, there seemed to be only about a couple of dozen people on board. When we landed we went to Auchan for fuel and set off for Le Touquet, arriving at The Aire was on the coast by a marina, there was a pay meter which seemed to want €11 but we couldn't work out how to use it so left it and hoped for the best. We took Crackers a walk then had an early tea and an early night. 
Miles travelled 255 England 52 France
Fuel. €69

Wed 15th
Rain overnight, we were up and away by 0830, pitch black. It rained all day with low, grey skies hanging down on us and buffering winds, in places where there was a lot of traffic there was lots of spray. There was a diversion round Rouen and as we usually have trouble there were a bit worried but the diversion took us a quicker route. In one place Rich saw two wild boar. I usually like to look at the scenery and towns we pass through but the weather was so awful I read for quite a while, especially on the dual carriageways. We arrived at Neuille Pont Pierre at about 3 pm, went to the wrong place first but found the Aire quite quickly. We filled up with water before parking up, it had actually stopped raining. Tea and another early night, it rained all night, and it was very loud dripping off the trees so it was not very restful.
Miles travelled 273
Fuel £51.50

Thurs 16th
Still raining this morning, we got away by 0850, it rained heavily all morning and there was a lot of spray on the motorways. After we passed Limoges, about 1 o'clock, it started to brighten, still heavy clouds but higher and starting to break, by the time we arrived in Soulliac at 1.45 the sun started to break through and it was very pleasant when we got out of the van. We took a short walk into the town before tea.
Miles travelled 235
Fuel €55

Fri 17th A quiet night until the early hours when there was a shower of rain. We set off at 0815 and were surprised that it was a lot lighter than 2days ago at 0830. The sun was rising over the mountains and as we climbed we could see peak after peak rising above the morning mist, it was beautiful and quite eerie, when we were in the mountains we were in bright sunlight but when we went down into the vallies it was quite foggy. When we went to get fuel in Cahors there were a lot of roadworks and we ended up in two dead ends where we had to unhitched the car to get out again. It also took ages to get through Toulouse. Once past Toulouse the scenery changed and the weather was milder, the ground was not as sodden looking as all the rest of the journey. It was sunshine all the way and when we arrived at Le Boulou we sat outside for ten minutes with a drink. When we went to park up we had to unhitch the car and the battery was flat so Rich had to jump start it, he realised that the heater had been left on so we hope that that was the problem.
Miles travelled 259
Fuel €63.50

Sat 18th
A noisy site as well as traffic it was very windy and lots of trees around, but it stayed dry. Not such a nice morning, cloudy and dull. All the coast roads seem to have been made toll so our route took us inland and over the mountains it was not long before it started raining and didn't stop for hours, it was a good road, very little traffic and mostly new, lots of tunnels and viaducts, the first part was mountainous and covered in conifers which were full of processional caterpillars. Once in Spain it was very different still mountainous but rocky and not many towns, lots of dilapidated house and farms. As we drove through the mountains there were a lot of olive groves and fruit trees, there must have been a lot of rain because the ground beneath the olives was saturated and full of standing water, never seen olives other than in dry, dusty fields before. It stopped raining eventually and as we approached the coast the sun came out, we passed through lots of orange groves. As we went through Tolosa the road dipped down under a bridge and there were 3 or 4 police cars with police directing the traffic as there was lots of wet, slushy snow causing a hazard. We were on edge all the time in case we were stopped by the police for towing on an A frame but were lucky and got away with it. We were greeted by the rally stewards, Gill & ? Who welcomed us with a cup of tea, we put our names down for a cheese and wine lunch on Monday, we chose our pitch and parked up.
Miles travelled 318
Fuel €50.50 €66.00
Total miles 1392
Total fuel €355.5 + £55

Sun 19th
Cool and grey this morning set up the pitch, a few very brief showers. Had a walk round the site after lunch then we drove into town to find a restaurant for tonight, found a Chinese. A bit of a rest them we went for a swim and jacuzzi before getting ready to go out. The Chinese was very good, waitress very friendly.


Mon 20th
Sun shining when we woke this morning but still quite cool,10c. Rich washed the car and then we went to a cheese & wine lunch, it was in the function room and was most enjoyable. It was windy on and off throughout the day, the sun was nice when it was not windy, we walked Crackers on the beach before and after tea.

Tue 21st
Cool again this morning but sun came out so we decided to go for a walk after lunch, the beach by the site was shingle all the way except just across the road and it was hard going so we walked into town, 2miles, it was quote pleasant going but then sun went in and the wind got up and it was quite cold, we had a drink in the only cafe that was open and walked back, sore feet all round! I had a shower then a session in the jacuzzi and a short swim, not very relaxing as there were 3 Germans just standing in the pool and talking at the top of their voices, difficult to swim round..

Wed 22nd
A couple of light showers early this morning and grey and quite cold, quiet morning in the van then after lunch we took a drive out, in the next town, Torrenostra, we saw a crowd so went to have a look what they were looking at and there was a block of flats being demolished, we stood and watched for quite a while, the front had been ripped off and the rooms were exposed and some had furniture still in them. We carried on along small tracks through farm land, mostly artichokes and oranges, we ended up in Benicassim where we walked along the front, very pleasant and clean but no cafés open and hardly anyone about. Back to the site and after tea I bought a week's Internet, 15€, but didn't get a good signal. Thurs 23rd Bright and breezy again this morning, very cool in the wind. We did a load of washing and it dried beautifully, otherwise quiet day, I found a sheltered spot on pool terrace and sat in the sun for a while, that was very nice.

Fri 24th
A degree warmer this morning, 12c, still breezy. I went to aqua fit in the pool and enjoyed it, quite a good work out, it was warm enough to sit in the awning with the sun on my face for a while. We went to the rally dinner in the Tropicana restaurant and it was really good, great food, hot and tasty, and as much wine as you wanted. We sat by some nice people, Brian & Barbara, and had enjoyable chats with them. When we went back to van we decided to take Crackers for a walk, a sew went along we met up with a couple, David & Hilda, who are on the rally but staying in an apartment, we walked with them and chatted and ended up at San Antonio, a cafe/ restaurant, so went in for a coffee, Vicente, the owner was very friendly and let us take Crackers in, we had cake with our coffee, the others had brandy but he brought me a Baileys as I said I didn't like brandy. We walked back then sat outside our van for a drink and chat till it started to cool off. It had been a lovely, warm afternoon.

Sat 26th
A dreadful night, very windy, we both had trouble sleeping getting a cuppa at 1.30ish and then being woken very early by the very strong wind buffeting. We got up about 7am and spent an hour or so until it got light holding onto the awning to stop it blowing away, luckily it was not cold, there was a beautiful dramatic sunrise but we couldn't appreciate it. When it got light we managed to get the awning down. I was so tired that after breakfast I slept for a couple of hours. Didn't do a lot except take a walk. Watched a film in the evening.


Sun 27th
A beautiful morning, warm and calm, cleaned the van and Rich put the awning up again. Had lunch outside as it was so nice then sat outside in the sun. Harry & Loraine came in the afternoon and in the evening we all went it the Chinese restaurant, most enjoyable.

Mon 28th
Another sunny morning but a cool breeze. We went to rally coffee morning then after lunch Rich & Harry walked Crackers to San Antonio while Loraine & I did some craft work, she was showing me how to make a lace collage. In the evening we went to a restaurant for fish & chips, it  was run by an Englishman and was a very good meal.

Tue 28th
A quite chilly day today, H&L moved their pitch then after lunch we did the same as yesterday. In the evening we went to the quiz, it was a good evening, we shared with Hilda & David.

Wed 29th
Overcast and cool again today. We drove to a place called Morrella, a walled town on top of a mountain, the roads were very good with very little traffic, we stopped at a restaurant in the middle of nowhere for a coffee, I went to sit down but couldn't as there was a huge cat on the chair, it looked like an overstuffed cushion and completely covered the seat, it gave us a look that said, "I'm not moving find somewhere else", so we did. After this the road started to wind up the mountain towards the town in great zip zags, we saw a snow plough beside the road and had a laugh as the sun was out. We saw a couple of eagles soaring between the mountains. The town was most interesting the streets winding up the peak to the castle and Franciscan monastery. The streets were cobbled and there were arcades where the upper stories overhung them, a few little shops selling woollens and various tourist items mostly very reasonably priced Rich & Harry both bought a hat for €5. We walked the length of the main street and it was getting cold and starting to rain so went into a cafe for lunch which was very good for about €7.50 each. Harry & I walked up to the castle while the other two went back to the car. It was interesting with some 15c wall paintings in the church, as we walked on up to the castle it started to rain really heavily so we didn't go to the top but made our way back down, getting absolutely drenched. It had gone very cold, only about1.5c, and as we drove away it started to snow, wet sleety stuff but enough to lie on the ground, we met the snow plough hurrying up the mountain, obviously expecting the worst. As we got back to sea level it was dry and quite a bit warmer. Back at site I had a swim and jacuzzi.

Thurs 30th
We did the washing this morning, also did some for Loriane. After lunch popped to the big supermarket in town for a few things, got some meat which they don't have much of in the site shop. Harry called a drove us to San Antonio for a coffee then after tea we went to theirs to play triominoes. Got told off for taking Crackers up the site.

Fri 31st
I went to aqua fit in the morning and sat in the sun for a while before we went to the rally dinner at the Tropicana restaurant, it was very good again. In the afternoon I went and did some sewing with Loraine, Harry went a bike ride and Rich slept.

Sat 1st Feb
Grey again this morning and cool. Harry called and took us into Alcossebre, had a coffee and look round town, not much to see, then went to supermarket, there were some people giving pony rides by the supermarket. After lunch R&R walked to San Antonio and Loraine and I sewed. In the evening we went to the social evening, it was a good night, a couple of very good singers, some sequence dancing, barn dancing & a couple of line dances.

Sun 2nd
Sunny but cool wind again. In the morning Rich did the water etc while I cleaned the van then we sat out of the wind for a while. After lunch we walked on the beach for a while with H & L then had a coffee in Tropicana before tea, I had a swim then we had an early night.

Mon 3rd
It was cold this morning, only 5c, clear skies though and cold wind again. After breakfast I put the finishing touches to my collage. We drove to Peniscola and were lucky enough to be able to park right by the town walls. We had a coffee before climbing up into the old town. It is on a small peninsular and very hilly, walled all around with a castle on the seaward side. It was similar architecture to Morella though smaller, the houses all seemed to be built on top of each other, steep 3 and 4 storey buildings all up the sheer rock face, there were quite a few gaps where houses had gone showing worryingly fragile looking construction methods, the balconies had the same tiles on the undersides as in Morella. We made it to the castle but didn't go in, it had been the Papal See of Papa Luna. We made our way back down, Loraine managed the walking very well. We stopped for tapas in the cafe where we'd had coffee then went to look at the fish loading bays but there was nothing to see and it started raining. We looked for the market but it was all packing up so carried on back to Alcossebre. When we got there we decided to drive to the church perched on the hill above, it was a very narrow, twisty road, when we got to the top there was a couple from the site there as well. The views were fantastic it's just a shame it wasn't very clear, although it wasn't raining. It had been sunny most of the day but cool with a very sharp wind. We drove back down and round the marina then went out to San Antonio's for coffee. In the evening H & L came round for triominoes.

Tue 4th
Another cold morning,6c. We went to Alcossebre for the market but there wasn't one, found a wifi hotspot by Tourist Info office and downloaded emails then had a coffee and did a bit of shopping before going to San Antonio's for tapas, it was very nice and tasty, a few things I didn't like, octopus, black pudding but on the whole very good. In the afternoon Loraine and I did some sewing, I started another piece of work. It was sunny and no wind but still cool out of the sun. In the evening we went to the quiz, H & L and Hilda & David on our team again, didn't win but a good evening, a light shower while we were out.

Wed 5th
A bit warmer this morning, 13c, but not so sunny. We did some washing, and some for L & H, it was quite warm. After lunch we all had a game of boules then the men walked the dog, to San Antonio's whole we sewed. I had my hair cut at camp salon, not a bad at all? Watched a film.

Thurs 6th
Warm this morning, we went to Benicassim with H&L, looked round the market and had fish & chips at Bonterra Park which was very nice. It was a lovely day, warm and sunny, called at San Antonio's on way back. H&L came for triominoes in the evening.

Fri 7th

Another nice, warm morning. We packed the van and site up in the morning. In the afternoon the men went to San Antonio's and we sewed. In the evening we went to the Chinese restaurant and had another very nice meal.

Sat 8th

Up early and away for 0800. Not a bad trip good roads but very windy making driving difficult. We found the site easily thanks to Gloria and arrived at 1200. We booked in and set up then took the dog a walk and called to see Gill & Colin. Had tea and an early night. First impressions we think the site is too big and too open but it is very new.
Miles travelled 208
Fuel €70

Sun 9th
Very quiet overnight, no sea or wind, quite warm this morning but clouded up. We went to the rally coffee morning then walked round the site to orientate ourselves, we were amazed at the size of the site and the number of huge rigs about, also every other person seems to have at least one dog, there is a large, undeveloped area to walk them. After lunch we went to try and find a supermarket but failed. Gill & Colin asked us to dinner and had cooked roast lamb which was very nice.

Mon10th
Cool this morning and wind getting up. Colin took us to the Chinese shop, an English butcher and Carrefour, called for a coffee at Cafe Uno, English run, it was very busy and noisy as there was a wake going on. We had a quiet afternoon and watched some TV in the evening,me got a cable at Chinese shop and there is a link on the pitch, able to get BBC and ITV.

Tue 11th

Richie's birthday and he woke up feeling very poorly. We went for English breakfast at Cafe Uno and then abandoned other plans for day - drive out and BBQ at ours - and Rich spent the day in bed.

Wed 12th

Rich still pretty rough this morning but got up and we did the washing, plus some for Gill & Colin. It was a clear sunny day but still a cool breeze. In the afternoon Gill & I went swimming, a super spa/pool complex.

Thurs 13th
A bit warmer this morning, Rich still poorly so decided to get him to a doctor, Nelson, the steward, told me how to get there and Colin drove us to Crevellent Medical centre. A bit difficult getting understood but saw a very nice, very young doctor, called for prescription then back to van. A quiet afternoon, very hot, even the wind was hot, so sat out for a while, then Gill & Colin came round and we had the steak we'd got for Richie's birthday, Colin cooked it.

Fri 14th
Warm again this morning, Rich not better so stayed in bed. Gill & I took a walk, in glorious sunshine, saw lots of egrets on field just outside site. In the afternoon they took me to Gaudamar, a town on the coast, we walked along the front then stopped for a drink before going back to site. When we got back Rich was up and had had a shower and walked the dog, it had shattered him but at least he seems on the mend. Another lovely , hot day.

Sat15th
Warm again this morning, I went to line dancing which was very good really enjoyed it. After a bit of lunch we went to Almaradi, Rich felt better and drove. There was a market packing up when we got there, we walked through the square and admired the trees shaped like huge doughnuts then after a look round Chinese shop sat at a cafe. There was an ambulance in the street attending someone in an apartment. We then drove to Mercadona for a few things and back to the site and sat in the sun for a while. The temperature had been in the 20s

Sun 16th
Cloudy this morning, quiet morning then we went to Cafe Uno in Catral for Sunday lunch, after we drove to try and find lakes with flamingos, we found a nature reserve but it was too chilly to walk far so went back and had a drink with G & C before going back to ours, it was very chilly and cloudy.

Mon 17th
Cloudy and raining a bit this morning, quite cool. We drove to Santa Pola on the coast, there was a market when we got there so had a look round, got a couple of scarves for 1€ each. Had a a very good Chinese meal and a walk round the marina before heading back.

Tue 18th
Overcast again today. We drove over the hills to a small town in the valley, very dramatic scenery. Called for a drink before heading back. Called in Mercadona in Crevillente on way back.

Wed 19th
Sunny this morning. Got a load of washing done then in the afternoon went to Cafe Uno to a Line Dancing session, very basic but it suited Gill and she enjoyed it. I am beginning to feel a sore throat coming on.

Thurs 20th
Another nice morning. Throat really painful and not feeling too good, got what Rich has I guess! We drove down to Los Alcazares, stopped at Lo Pagan for a coffee then went on and had a Chinese meal, a lovely day weather perfect.

Fri 21st
I had a bad night and feel really rough today so went to pharmacy to get some cough medicine then did nothing for the rest of the day. Sunny but breezy dozed on and off.

Sat 22nd
I had an awful night and the day passed in a haze, I stayed in bed. We had planned on a day out with Gill & Colin then a meal out.

Sun 23rd
Another bad night but very slightly better, stayed in bed again. By evening beginning to feel a bit more human again.

Mon 24th
Still no better but did get up and sat out for a while. Gill & Colin did a meal in the evening which I managed to eat. It was their last night.

Tue 25th
Got up quite late and sat out for a while. Late afternoon we went to Cafe Uno and Rich had a big breakfast and I had a chilli baked spud which I managed quite a lot of.

Wed 26th
Got up and had a shower, which exhausted me! We got some washing done then went to English butcher and Mercadona. Definitely feeling better but everything an effort still.

Thurs 27th
Overcast today, and cool, seem to feel no better so lazy day in van, just went to Catral to Chinese shop and a coffee.

Fri 28th
Clear and sunny skies, packed up and in the evening went for fish & chips at cafe Uno, which was very good, it had been a warm day but got very windy in the evening.

Sat Mar 1st
Up early and away by 0800, a long but uneventful journey, grey and overcast all day. Arrived at Vilanova at 2.25. It was very busy at check in, some sort of local festival going on. We were greeted by Harry & Loraine who made me a cup of tea and Harry helped Rich while I sat and chatted. Very cool and shady pitches. We decided to go out for a meal but drove round town and couldn't find anywhere open, there were lots of people dressed up and shawls hanging off balconies; we finally got back to site and the cafe there was open so had a meal and then bed.
Miles travelled 321
Fuel €66

Sun Mar 2nd

Clear and sunny skies this morning but still cool, Rich woke up feeling full of cold again and I'm still coughing well but actually feel better. We set up tent etc over the course of the day, stopping for drinks and natters a few times, it was sunny and almost warm for a while but soon dropped down cool again.

Mon Mar 3rd
Sunny but windy again, didn't do much, meeting with stewards then men went to play boules, L & I had drink in cafe, Rich felt poorly again and gave up.

Tue Mar 4th
Up early this morning and Loraine, Harry and I got the 08.30 bus to Barcelona, there was a very cold wind. We made our way on the underground to the Sagrada Familia where Harry hoped he had booked tickets on the Internet, the transaction hadn't gone through though so we had to queue. Harry waited with us and we fetched a drink and sandwich while queuing, we waited 45 mins altogether so not too bad. Loraine and I went in and had a good look round, the light pouring in through the intense coloured stained glass windows was fantastic, we looked round the exhibition and museum as well then met Harry again. We went back on the underground and had a Snack, tapas, before a walk down the rambla and into the market then caught the bus back. It was a good day out but tiring and quite cold. We went to the site cafe for a meal.

Wed Mar 5th
Didn't do a lot today both of us still feeling quite poorly, we went to the supermarket to stock up and in the evening played triominoes with H&L. It was quite overcast and cool.

Thurs Mar 6th
A bit milder today, we went to Montblanc, a walled, medieval town about 59 miles away. It was very interesting, the town seemed not to have changed in hundreds of years with narrow streets radiating off the main square. We had a good look round the shops seemed in a time warp with lovely old shopfronts and fittings, we went in a couple of haberdasheries, one was having a quilting class, lots of lovely fabrics and notions. We went to the main church where I thought you had to pay to go in but once I'd paid I was escorted to a tower with a very steep, narrow spiral staircase up the the roof, magnificent views from up there, it was getting hot as well. We stopped for tapas in a cafe in the square and it was super, very tasty. Back to the site and in the evening had a game of triominoes.

Fri Mar 7th
Sunny again this morning. We drove to Sitges, Loraine & I looked round shops, I got a top. Then we went back to a beach at Vilanova and looked for shells. The men played boules and we chatted and did a bit of craft. In the evening we went to the rally meal, which was nice.

Sat Mar 8th
Another sunny morning, still cool 9c. We did our washing and I cleaned the van then Harry took L & I into town to look round the market. We did a meal for them as it is their last night, and played triominoes.

Sun Mar 9th
A sunny morning again and 11c. Harry & Loraine left at 10am and we just had a quiet day, although sunny there was a cool breeze so we didn't sit out, we walked round the site in the afternoon. Mon Mar. 10th It was warmer again this morning and not breeze so it was quite pleasant. We sat out for a while then I made a small picnic and we drove to the small beach where we ate it and had a good mooch collecting shells, Crackers really enjoyed herself. We called at Mercadona on the way back and then sat out for the rest of the afternoon, it was very pleasant.

Tue Mar 11th
Overcast this morning. We went for a drive and found a castle which was very interesting, Olerdola, it was an ancient settlement on a mountain top, with Bronze Age, Roman and Medieval remains. It was nice and hot and we were allowed to take Crackers in so we had a good wander round which was very pleasant, there were lots of wild flowers about, mainly very small marigolds and alyssum which scented the whole area. We then found a restaurant, by a pony club, where we had the menu of the day, it was nice and tasty but my meat was undercooked so I took it back for the dog. Back to the site where it was still overcast, quiet afternoon.

Wed Mar 12th
Sunny but cool again. We took Crackers to the beach, she was so excited and really enjoyed herself and was very good, not bothering other people at all, the beach was mainly deserted and no other dogs came so it was relaxing, except for the fierce wind blowing off the sea. Back at site we did a bit of washing, it dried nicely in the breeze but it was too cold to sit outside.

Thurs Mar 13th
Quite sunny this morning, 10c. We started to pack up, we moved the kitchen tent and washed it down, it was covered with pollen from the pine trees as was everything else. We went to Mercadona then after lunch packed the tent up and sat in the sun for a while before showering and them getting a meal in the cafe. Early night. Warm in the sun but still that breeze.

Fri Mar 14th
Up early, it was the warmest it had been, 11c at 6.30. We finished packing up and were away by 0800. Quite a good run, lots of almond blossom still out, it was hazy but soon got very hot in the sun, 21c.we found the village where we wanted an Aire but couldn't find it so went on to the next one at Pezens, a very small Aire difficult to get onto, we grounded doing it, by a main road but we were tired so decided to stay. Took a walk along the adjacent river then sat out in the sun for a short while before getting tea. Not a very pleasant aire, close to main road so noisy and getting in and out very difficult.
Miles travelled 266
Fuel €71

Sat 15th Mar
Not a good night sleep, cooler this morning, Rich managed to get out of the Aire very easily in the end, setting off at 0800. It was quite hazy but sunny, we noticed that the fields that had been sodden when we came down were drying out quite well, the rape was starting to flower and we saw some daffodils in flower and cowslips on the roadside, there was quite a lot of blossom on fruit trees and blackthorn. As we passed Toulouse it clouded over and got cooler. Passing Cahors there were roadworks and we got mixed up with road priorities and us and another car almost hit each other, unluckily a police motorcyclist saw it happen and pulled us over, he just gave us a warning though. It brightened up in the afternoon, we saw some kites and buzzards. We noticed that fuel prices varied greatly, 10c more in some places, we chose a cheap supermarket. We arrived at Uzerche at 1.24 a nice Aire beside the river Vezere. We set up and took the dog a walk along the river then sat out for a while before walking into the town. It is a lovely town on a hilltop, it is very old with buildings from the 11th century, absolutely fascinating. We sat and had a coffee in the square and had a good look round the town. Back at the van we got tea then sat outside enjoying the surroundings for a while, what a difference to last night, so pleasant.
Miles travelled 207
Fuel €45

Sun 16th Mar
Very misty and cool this morning, as we had an electric hook up I managed to wash my hair and get it dried, very much in need of a hair cut. We set off at 0810, the route was on the A20 all the way except the first and last few miles, it was foggy but luckily there was not much traffic, the fog finally cleared about 10.30 and it was sunny with cloudless skies. There was lots of blossom again, brilliant yellow forsythia along the road verges, and cowslips, we noticed that the land was still holding water in some places, crops looking yellow in patches. We arrived at Lamotte Beauvron at 11.30, the aire was by a lake with fountains in it, we sat in the sun for a while then went for a walk before getting tea, it was so nice we ate outside, as with last night's Aire it was a public park area with lots of people walking, sitting, playing and fishing, after tea we walked up the town the other way, a small, neat town.
Miles travelled 172
Fuel. €30.50s

Mon 17th Mar
Foggy again this morning, not a very interesting road, managed to get lost round Roun, again! Finally got to la Mailleraye at 1.10. There were a lot of road works but we were told we could get to the aire, when we got there we found that the water was not working so we had to take off A frame and look for a shop to buy some. We got Crackers in at the vet and she had her treatment, tea and bed.
Miles travelled183
Fuel €51.5

Tues 18th Mar
Hazy and quite cool this morning., got away by 09.30, went a bit wrong at the start, as Gloria wanted us to go on a small ferry, got sorted though. Grey and overcast, we saw a lot of fields with ruined crops and standing water, we also saw some mini daffodils in the hedgerows. We arrived at Fort Mahon Plage at 12.30. After a bit of lunch we walked through the dunes , thinking the sea would be the other side of them but it was just miles and miles of walks through dunes, we turned back then went to the nearest street and the beach was at the end of it, dogs not allowed. We went back and had a coffee at a cafe to get some change to pay for the Aire. There was a strong , cool wind although it was sunny at times. A nice big Aire with all facilities working, clean seaside town.
Miles travelled 115
Fuel €67
Aire fee €9

Wed Mar19th
A quiet night but a bit blustery. Away by 09.10, not a very interesting run, sunny, breezy and overcast, we did notice quite a lot of rain spoiled fields and all the way up through France we noticed that there is a lot of tree pruning going on, in woodlands and along roads. Arrived at Calais at 11. We went for a walk and let Crackers run on the beach but the wind was too strong to make it pleasant so didn't stay long. There were tipper lorries on the beach trying to put the beach back where it belonged, it was blown all over the place in great drifts.
Miles travelled 58

Thurs 20th Mar
A bright, sunny morning with just a breeze, 10c. We emptied waste etc and made out way to the docks and got on the 10.45 ferry. A calm crossing arriving in Dover 12.30,we rang a site and booked in, Keat Farm, it was less than 5 miles away and we got there at 1.00am,12.00 local time. We set up and had a shower then went to Morrisons for some supplies and to a pub for a meal. It was sunny but windy,13c.
Miles travelled 11
Site fee £36

Fri 21st Mar
It rained overnight and was overcast when we woke up but it cleared and the sun came out after breakfast. We drove out to St Margaret's bay, it was down a narrow, twisty road and nestled under white cliffs. We walked on the pebbly beach for a while then drove on to Deal, an interesting town with lovely architecture and narrow streets, we just took a short walk along Beach Rd. where they were doing a lot of work with giant machines on "beach reconstruction". Although it was bright and sunny the wind was very cold so we went back to the van and had a quiet afternoon just taking a short stroll into the village, Martins Mill. The site, Hawthorn Farm, was very nice and the facilities first class. Sat 22nd Mar It was sunny again this morning but cold wind again. We went to Dover castle, we were there before it opened and there was already a queue, as we waited to be admitted there was a sharp hail storm. We went on the underground tunnel tour, had to queue in the biting wind! It was very interesting explaining now the Dunkirk evacuation had been organised from there, then we went on the underground hospital 2.10 pm for the Surrey Oaks pub in Newdigate, arriving at 4pm, we parked up but then were asked to move when the staff arrived. We went in and had a really good meal. Miles travelled 89 Sun 23rd Mar Away by 0850 drove through very nice villages and countryside on narrow roads for the first part of the journey. We arrived at The Bell Inn, South Newton at 11.15, not long after Jen and Paul arrived, we went over to the pub to get a table and then Wyn, Carol and Bailey turned up, we got a table organised and drinks ordered but Paul decided he was feeling unwell and went to sit in the car. We had a good meal and chat then introduced Bailey to the dogs and had a bit more of a chat in the van before they left.
Miles travelled 97
Fuel £30

Mon 24th Mar Up and away by 09.30 for the long haul home.