St Tropez to Paris

Day 18 Camping Prairies de la mer to Avignon

We left the campsite early and headed north to an Aire at Avignon, We didn’t stop all the way as it was bucketing down. The countryside was very scenic little country lanes all the way and miles of vineyards.

 

 

 

 

Day 19 Avignon to Beausemblant

Left Avignon early and stopped at the supermarket to stock up, when we arrived at the Aire at Beausemblant we had some lunch then went for a walk into the village we stopped at a restaurant for a glass of vin rouge when we went to pay they said they were on the house. Went back to the van for a nap then sat outside in the sun and watched 2 small planes loop the loop.

 

 

 

 

Day 20 Beausemblant to St  Pourcain sur Sioule  (Our Wedding Anniversary)

Again left the Aire early for a 3 hour drive north to Aire St Pourcain sur sioule, this Aire was right alongside the river Sioule lovely location and the sun was shining so we got our chairs out and sat by the river. Went for a walk into town and booked a  table at little bistro for our Anniversary meal. Had plat du jour and met three Australian people who had been touring Europe.

 

Day 21 St Pourcain sur Sioule to Aire Briare 2

Set off early as we had been experiencing some of the Aires being full . We arrived at the Aire at 12.30 to find it was full so we headed for the next one which was only 2 minutes away. This Aire was Briare 3. Had a walk into the town stopped for coffee, this town was by a canal so there were lots of house boats. When we got back to the Aire it was full so a good job we got there early.

 

 

 

Day 22 Aire Briare 3 to camping International Paris.

We had a bit of a lie in this morning, then a slow drive to the campsite at Paris. When we arrived the heavens opened. Our Pitch was right by the River Seine.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Barcelona to St Tropez

Day 8 Barcelona to Aire Saint Andre France

We left camping Barcelona about 3.00pm after having a last look round Mataro Centre. we headed north to cross the French border. We were heading for an Aire called Le Boulou when we arrived the aire was full so we headed for the nearest alternative which was called Aire Saint andre. When we stopped we discovered we had lost a loft light in the shower room which had not been closed properly and the wind had taken it off, so we got the Hymer book out to look for the nearest dealer.

 

 

Day 9 Aire Saint Andre to Aire Port La Nouvelle 2

Left the Aire early and headed for the Hymer dealer which was on the way to our next stop, when we arrived we went in to see if they could repair the loft light however they could not repair it until October so we carried on to the next Aire, when we got there it was a sunny day so we got the chairs out and had a lazy few hours. About 4ish we went for a bike ride to the beach, on our way back to the van we stopped at a super u store to see if they had anything we could use to repair the roof light. We bought a plastic box with a lid and Derek bodged it up so it didn’t leak !!!! (funny cos the sun was shining).

 

 

Day 10 Aire Port La Nouvelle to Aire Nabonne 2

We carried on our journey to Nabonne Plage. On the way we found a camping car accessory shop so we stopped to have a look for a loft light. Hurray they had one in stock so we arranged to have it fitted on Monday. We then decided to stop at an Aire at Nabonne 2 which was not as far from Nabonne as the Aire at Nabonne plage also we were going to stay for 3 nights until we had the camper repaired. In the afternoon we caught the bus in to the centre of Nabonne and had a look round we stopped for a couple of vin rouge on the way back.

 

 

Day 11 Nabonne 2

Today we had a bike ride into the centre of Nabonne to take in a bit of culture, Lots to see  round the hotel de ville and the cathedral then we went for a coffee by the river.

 

 

 

Day 12 Nabonne 2

As per usual everything is shut on Sundays in  France so we went for a walk and for a coffee in the Mc cafe (Posh Mcdonalds ) then back to the van for a lazy day.Weather a bit drizzly but still mild. Just waiting here for tomorrow when van should be repaired.

 

 

Day 13 Nabonne to Cap `d agde

Today we went to the accessory shop to get the  roof light in the shower room fixed then set off for the Aire at Cap` d  aged, when we arrived the Aire was full so we had to move to the next Aire which was at Sete. Before we got to Sete we came across about 40 motorhomes all parked up on a beach at a place called Masellerains sur plage so we decided to join them for the night. At 4.00am i was woke up with a light inside the motorhome only to realise there was more than Derek and me inside. I jumped up quick and shouted get out of my camper and the burglar sped off without stealing anything from us.

 

 

Day 14 Masellerains sur Plage to Arles

We woke up at about 9ish after not much sleep and set off for an Aire at Arles when we started the engine , the engine management light came on so we looked for the nearest Fiat Garage at Montpellier  to get it repaired .After lunch the garage fixed the problem and we were on our way. We decided to stay at the nearest Aire for the night which was called Palavas les Flots and had an early night.

 

 

Day 15 Palavas les Flots to St Tropez

We left the Aire at Palavas les Flots and headed straight to a campsite at St Tropez called Prairies de la mer. Derek decided after the last few days we needed a bit of cheering up so we could crash out for 3 nights  and relax.

 

 

 

Day 16 St Tropez

We got a taxi boat in to St Tropez harbour from Port Grimaud had a look round the harbour and the centre of town then sat having a couple of glasses of red wine watching the world go by, then got the taxi boat back to the campsite.

Day 17 Camping Prairies de la mer

Spent  all day on the beach and round the site total chill out, ready for heading north tomorrow.

 

La Florida to Barcelona

The Return Journey -12 Sept 2012

Day 1 La Florida to Valencia

We left our bungalow at about lunch time, had a 3 hour drive to Valencia, when we arrived dropped mum off at her hotel then carried on to the site Camping Coll vert. We spent the evening round the site which was very noisy.

 

 

Day 2 Valencia

Today we all caught the bus from the camp site into Valencia centre when we arrived we took a big bus tour which showed us round the city, one part was the old town and one part was the very modern part of the city. We had lunch in a little Spanish cafe vino tinto and small sandwiches, Later we had Valencian Paella which is a tradition in this part of Spain then back to the site.

 

 

Day 3 Valencia

We went back in to Valencia today and had a tour round the cathedral, walking round we saw two Goya paintings. My mum and me climbed to the top of the tower which was 206 steps to the top. The view from the top was incredible. We had Wok to Walk for Tea.

 

 

Day 4 Valencia to Barcelona

We set off for Barcelona at about 10.00am it was a 5 hour drive before we reached Mataro a little town just outside Barcelona where we were staying, again we dropped mum off at her hotel before heading to the site Camping Barcelona, spent the evening round the site overlooking the med.

 

 

Day 5 Barcelona

Today we had an early start 8.45am !!!! We caught the train in to the centre of Barcelona to Plaza de Catalunya, Here we bought our big bus tour tickets. Before we went on the tour we had a coffee in a little place on La Rambla. The tours of Barcelona are amazing with lots to see throughout the city. After we had finished the tours we had our evening meal on La Rambla watching the world go by before heading back to the Site.

 

 

Day 6 Barcelona

Went to see the Sagrada Familia  which is Gaudi`s Dream, this church is still under construction and has been for 100 years. This building is breath taking. Then back to the campsite for a BBQ on my mums last night.

 

 

Day 7 Barcelona

Saw my mum off at the airport today then back to the site  to do the washing and getting ready to move in to France.

 

 

Seville to La Florida

Day 77 Seville to the Olive groves

We left the site for a 2 hour drive up into the olive groves between Seville and Granada. We arrived at the Aire and decided to stop for a couple of hours, We went for a walk in to the village but as it was siesta everywhere was closed apart from a little bar so we stopped for a coffee, we also noticed a tapas menu so we decided to try a couple, we took a guess at what we were ordering as there was not a menu in English so we ordered”  Gambas pil pil” (Prawns in garlic oil) and “Patatas Bravas con Chorizo” (Potatoes with Chorizo sausage) each tapas was 1 euro. Then back to the van we decided to drive to Venta del Peral Aire which was another 2 hours, As we set off we drove through miles and miles of Olive groves up and down very bendy roads.When we arrived at the Aire we had to change the gas bottle however there was an issue with the new gas and we were not sure if it was the bottle or the regulator, luckily Derek managed to secure it for the night.

 

 

 

Day 78 Venta del Peral to Puntas del Calnegre

We set off back to Puntas del Calnegre  which was the beach we came across 3 weeks ago when we left the bungalow. When we arrived the beach was empty, Again we had to secure the regulator on the gas bottle as it seemed to be worse. After about an hour of messing about with it we managed to sort it out. Another Campervan joined us from Finland. Just the two of us stayed the night. About 7.00pm Derek lit the BBQ and we sat on the beach until the sun went down. We were going to stay for 2 nights.

 

 

Day 79 Puntas Del Negre to Home

The gas decided to play up again so we decided to just drive back to the bungalow and get it sorted when we got back home..This is where part one of 2 muppets in a motorhome stops until the 12^th September when we start the tour back.

 

 

Caldes de Monchique to Seville

Day 71  Caldes de Monchique to Orbitur Quartiera Camp Site

Left the picturesque Aire at about 11.ooam for a 1 hour drive to the campsite at Quartiera. The site was a large peaceful site so we found a level pitch and set up camp. Opposite our pitch were a lovely couple camping called Michael and Sharon.

Day 72 Orbitur Quartiera Camp site

Today we cycled to the beach which was about 10 mins from the site. Spent a couple of hours on the beach then cycled down the sea front to a beach side cafe for a cold drink then back to the camp site to watch England play Sweden.

Day 73 Orbitur Quarteira Camp site

Had a day round the van today, Michael and Sharon left today for there flights back home they were flying back from Lisbon so had a 3 hour drive. Before they left they gave us what provisions they had left and 2 little beach chairs which we were very grateful for as we could carry them on our bikes to the beach. So we said good bye and off they went.

Day 74 Orbitur Quarteira Camp site to Castro Marim

Left the camp site and had a steady drive to Castro Marim, Tried to go the scenic route through Olhau and Tavira which i thought would be along the coast but it turned out the road did not run along the coast. When we arrived at the Aire we went for a meal at a lovely little Portugese  restaurant called La Tasca Medievel. We had seen this place when we first arrived in Portugal and noticed Piri Piri chicken on the menu so thats what we both had to eat. Absolutely fab meal and plenty of drinks too. The bar area was also buzzing as Portugal were playing Holland, and they won !!!!!. total cost for a great meal beers, wine, coffee & water €25.10

Day 75 Castro Marim to Seville

We headed east today back in to Spain as we were on our way to Seville, the home of Tapas and Flamenco. We arrived at the site camping villasom early afternoon and set up camp, this was a good opportunity to do the washing. We went for a swim as the temperature here was 35 degrees, the hottest we had since we hit the road back in april. At 6.00pm we caught the bus in to the old town as we wanted to have Tapas and Fino (Spanish sherry). We walked round to the cathedral and past lots of old buildings typically Spanish. We ate in a lovely little tapas bar then caught the bus back to the camp site.

Day 76 Seville.

Had a lazy day today round the site and did a lot of research about our trip to Australia.

La Linea de Conception to Caldes Monchique Portugal

Day 66 9/6 La Linea de Conception Wild Camping

Left the wild camping spot overlooking Gibralter after spending the morning on the beach at La Linea de Conception. Heading for Camping Roche Site, Lovely site had a lazy afternoon round the van.

Day 67 10/6  Camping Roche to camping giralda

Had breakfast and decided to head as near to the border of Portugal as we could get which was about a 3 hour drive. However on the way a red engine light came on the dash board so we drove slowly to the site as the van was juddering. While we were driving along i was looking for the nearest Fiat dealer to our surprise there was one in Isla Cristina which is where we were heading, so we limped along and Derek nursed the van slowly to the site, unfortunately it was Sunday so we had to stay 2 nights. We took the bikes off the van and cycled to the garage so we could find it easily the next day.

Day 68 Camping Giralda – Isla Cristina.

Derek got up early and cycled to the garage to try and get an appointment . He made an appointment for 10.30am, so we got the van packed up and off we went leaving chairs and table on the pitch as we were coming back. To our surprise there was nothing major wrong with the engine just a blocked fuel injector which the mechanic cleaned for us within an hour we were back on the campsite and it had only cost us 15 euros (phew).

Day 69 Camping Giralda to Castro Marim Portugal

Left Camping Giralda at about 11 ish after getting packed up and washing the van for the first time since leaving the UK. Only 30 mins to the next Aire in Portugal, We crossed the border with no problem not even passport control. When we arrived at the Aire Castro Marim we had to put our clocks back so we were now on UK time. We went for a walk round as there was a medieval Castle which was not far and only 1 euro to go in.

Day 70 Castro Marim to Caldas de Monchique

We left the Aire for a 2 hour drive west to Caldas de Monchique on the way we stopped off at Praia de Oura near Albufiera to meet up with Rose and Sylvia. We had our lunch at there apartment overlooking a lovely beach we stayed chatting for about 2 hours then set off to find the Aire. When we arrived it was breathtaking the views were stunning this was a rural location but a lovely well maintained Aire with everything you need including Electric, Wifi, Pool, Washing Machines, Showers, Toilets and all for 12.50 Euros .During  the night it was really  windy i thought the camper was going to blow away.