Biscarrosse to benidorm

Day 39 13/5 Mayotte Vacances sunny

After breakfast we went on a bike ride in to Bicarosse which was about 8 mile then back to the site and had a lazy afternoon round the pool went in the jaccuzi. We put the bike back on the trailer ready for leaving the followi ng morning.

Day 40 14/5 Mayotte Vacances to Vieux Boucau les bains Aire Sunny

Took us 2 hours to drive to Vieux Boucau les Bains Aire which was near a lovely lake. Went for a walk and coffee then back to the van to watch Rick Steins Spain.

Day 41 15/5 Vieux Boucau les Bains Aire to Lourdes aire sunny

Set off for the Aire at Lourdes with a lovely drive , when we reached Orthez we had our first glimpses of the Pyrenees, snow was on the tops stunning. When we arrived at Lourdes we went to see the Basilica of the immaculate conception.Collected holy water then watched the 9.00pm Torchlight Marian Procession. Then back to the van as it got cold.

Day 42 16/5 Lourdes to Peyrehorade sunny but cool.

We left Lourdes early en route for the Aire at Peyrehorade to stock up on provisions before crossing the border in to spain.

 Day 43 17/5 Peyrehorade to  Hendaye Aire Sunny

Took us 1 hour to drive to the Aire at Hendaye Plage, when we arrived the aire was more or less full with 15 motorhomes. We had a little rest then went for a walk to the sea front which lead us to a lovely little marina, as we walked along we noticed a water taxi which took you across the bay so we hopped on .when we arrived on the other side of the bay we realised we were not in France anymore but in Spain our camper and all our belongings were in France.

Day 44 18/5 Hendaye to San Sebastian Rain

Left the Aire at Hendaye about 11.00am, five minutes down the road and we were in northern Spain, No border control so we could just drive on. When we arrived at San Sebastian we went looking for gas because we needed to change from the French bottle as it was about to run out. Did not manage to get the gas so  we went for a walk down the sea front. San Sebastian is a big town.

Day 45 19/5 San Sebastian Thunder Storms and Rain

Another day sat in the van watching the rain, we decided enough was enough and rather than go across northern Spain and in to Portugal we would head south to the med coast. In the evening we went to the pub to watch the champions league final.

Day 46 20/5 San Sebastian to Peniscola Aire. Rain

We left San Sebastian and headed south to the med coast just north of Valencia. The drive down took about 8 hours, We went through the Spanish countryside raining most of the way  passing an old Spanish town of Morrella to get there we had an up  hill climb with lots of hairpin bends which is not much fun in a motorhome when towing Harley. Then as they say what goes up must come down !!! So lots of hairpin bends all the way down. Finally we arrived at Peniscola Aire. Went to a small Spanish Restaurant for tea.

Day 47 21/5 Peniscola Aire to Armanello Camp Site Benidorm Sunny

Arrived at the site about lunch time and set up camp. We decided to stay for at least 3 nights. There was a lot of Brits on this site, first time we had seen so many since we left the UK. Opposite our pitch was a couple from Shaw in a little camper called alan and Bren, they had sold up in the UK and were looking for somewhere to live, they had been on the road since Oct 2011. Later in the evening we sat out with them having a few drinks. They were moving on the following day.

Day 48 22/5 Armanello Camp Site Benidorm Sunny.

Today we went for a bike ride in to benidorm town along the promenade and in to the old town too. Lots of people were on the beach. What an eye opener you have never seen so many tattoos and beer bellys in all your life haha. When we got back to camp we went to the Quiz in the bar met Nana and her daughter. While we were doing the pub Quiz Denis our neighbour invited us out for a Chinese meal so after the quiz off we went, there was about 10 of us all together.

Day 49 23/5 Armanello Camp site Benidorm sunny.

Went for another bike ride then sat round the pool till 2.30pm. We had been invited to a birthday party so off we went again, Everyone who went to the party took a plate of something . We took egg mayonnaise buttys, what a good way to have a buffet. Few drinks then back to the van for our 2^nd BBQ.

Montagne Sur Gironde to Biscarosse

Day 34 8/5 Mortagne sur Gironde Wet start again

This Aire is so pretty  although it was raining it gave a good opportunity to put the photos in some kind of order, we could think of worse places to be!!!! In the afternoon the sun came out so we went for a ride on Harley round local little villages then sat out in the sun for the evening.

Day35 9/5 Mortagne sur Gironde sunny day

We decided to stay another night on this Aire as it was such a lovely spot and move south the next day, After lunch we went on a 8 and half mile bike ride to another fishing village called Port Maubert.

Day 36 10/5 Mortagne sur Gironde to St Christophy de Blaye sunny

Today we headed i bit more south, It took us an hour to arrive at the next Aire at St Christophy de Blaye, which was in a small town, though we haven’t decided yet the difference between a village and a town as they all are alike in France. This Aire overlooked a stadium!!!

Day 3711/5 St Christophy de Blaye to Mayotte Vacances 5 star Camp site sunny

We left the Aire early so we could get to the site before 12.oo so they would not be shut for lunch and we would have to wait outside the gates. We arrived at the site which is the best camp site we have stayed on so far and its only 16 euro a night includes swimming pool, Jaccuzi, steam room, water slides, health spa ,laundry supermarket everything you could think of and located at the side of Biccarrosse Lake.We spent the afternoon round the pool area just what we needed. Later in the evening Trevor and Lil from Scotland who were in a monster of a motorhome opposite ours, sat out all evening with us having  a few glasses of wine and a chat.

Day 38 12/5 Mayotte Vacances camp site sunny

After Lil and Trevor inviting me to have a look at there Motorhome (which was fab) ours felt like a wendy  house. We said goodbye to them as Lil was flying back to Scotland from Bordeaux and Trevor was dropping her at the Airport so she could  go back to work while Trevor was on his way up to Le Mans to watch the bike racing. In 2 weeks time Lil will be back to join him for a months holiday. After lunch we got the Harley out and went for a ride to see the Dunes du Pyla, the largest sand dunes in Europe. The view from the top was amazing. Got back to the campsite and chilled for the rest of the day.

Batz sur Mer to Montagne sur Gironde

Day 28 2/5 Batz-sur-mer  sun shining

Had a bit of a lazy morning after being up most of the night being ill !!!!! We decided to do the laundry and stay around the site for the day. We did go out on the Harley for a ride and to get provisions we could not get at the last local supermarket. Had our first BBQ on our new Son of Hibachi ,then had an early night.

Day29  3/5 Batz-sur-mer Lovely sunny day

Lazy morning round the site then after lunch went for a ride on Harley to the seaside town of Le Baule we sat on the beach for an hour or so having coffee and little French cakes before going back to the site. Had chicken vindaloo for tea before watching Tinker,Taylor,Soldier,Spy.

Day30 4/5 Batz-sur-mer to Noirmoutier-en-l”ile  raining slightly today

Left the site at about 10.30am en route for our next Aire at Noirmoutier-en-l”ile which is a little island on the west coast of France just south of Le baule in the Vendee. Went for our usual walk round the village and later for a bicycle ride. After tea we went to a local bar where we found the French version of “Frank Gallagher” !!!! what a laugh.

Day31 5/5 Noirmoutier-en-l”ile to Maillezais  sunny morning

Left the Aire at about 10.00am for Maillezais on the way surprise surprise it started raining. Maillezais is a little village outside Niort .We  sat reading in the van for a couple of hours as a thunder storm came over. About 4ish we went for our daily walk sat in a restaurant overlooking the local abbey.

Day32 6/5 Maillezais Dull morning

Had a lazy morning round the van then in the afternoon we went on a tour of the Abbey (Saint-Pierre of Maillezais Abbey).

Day33 7/5 Maillezais to Mortagne sur Gironde sunny.

Woke up this morning to find we were parked opposite a school and parents were dropping there kids off. The gas had ran out so we set off and stopped at a garage down the road – it was closed!!!! (you would think we would be used to it by now- everywhere is closed on Mondays). So we headed off to the next Aire. Managed to get Fuel and Gas en route. We arrived at the Aire Mortagne  sur Gironde at about 12ish. We arrived early as our Aire book said it was a popular site. When we arrived we could see why, breathtaking over looking a marine and only 7 euro 40 a night including electric and water to each pitch. Took Harley off the trailer and parked up. Had a lovely meal in a nice little restaurant overlooking the harbour.

Dieppe to Batz Sur Mer

Day 21 25/4 Dieppe Guess What Rain again!!!!!

Decided as the weather was so bad we would get the laundry done so off we went to the local laundry. In the afternoon we went for a walk round Dieppe and on to the sea front and along the promenade as it was sunny and bright. There were memorials to the Canadian forces who invaded Dieppe.

Day 22 26/4 Dieppe to Mailleraye  fine morning.

Up at 9.00am today and showered, then after breakfast we set off for our next Aire. We arrived at La Mailleraye sur Seine Aire at 1.00pm. This Aire was very picturesque as we were parked overlooking the river, the sun was shining and there were barges and river cruises going by. Went for a walk in the village and sat on a bench overlooking the river taking in the lovely views, then back to the van for tea.

Day 23 27/4 La Mailleraye sur Seine. Raining first thing

Went to the local supermarket for a few provisions then back to the van to take Harley out for a ride round. Went along the river bank through some little villages stopped for a coffee in a local Bar/bookies/paper shop. Later in the afternoon we got on our bicycles for a nice ride along the river and when we got back to the van two other British motorhomes had joined us. After tea we went for a last walk round the village before going to bed.

Day 24 28/4 La Mailleraye to Cambremer  still raining ( BAD DAY)

We left the Aire at about 10.00pm for a steady drive to Cambremer. When we arrived there was a village festival so was diverted out of the village. We programmed another Aire in the sat nav and it took us up a country lane which we had to turn round in !!!! (Not a great idea with a motorbike on a trailer) Then a kind local Frenchman came to help us, however it still took about an hour to turn round, so we then decided to head for Ouistrehem where we finally arrived at about 5.00pm.So went straight to the pub for a few well deserved drinks, Also Skyped mum from a hotel.

Day 25 29/4 Ouistrehem Still Raining.

Today we had a lie in till 11 ish,looked on the map and decided in the morning we would head south.  After lunch we had a walk in to Ouistrehem and on the way we came across the Grande Bunker Museum so we had a look round .Saw the landing craft used in the movie Saving Private Ryan. Had a coffee in a shop on the local high street.

Day 26 30/4 Ouistrehem to Marzan Sunny Heading south

Left Ouistrehem about 10.00am on Route South the weather was bright and sunny all the way. We stopped at the Mont St Micheal Aire for a coffee and a hot dog then pushed on south to Marzan. Went for a walk round the village and two glasses of vin Rouge in a local bar. Very quiet village typical for a Monday in France. Two other motorhomes joined us later on the Aire.

Day 27 1/5 Marzan to Batz- Sur-Mer Sun shining

Had an early start got up and walked to the local boulangerie for fresh croissants and baguette, then over to the local supermarket to stock up on provisions. Derek checked the levels on the Van before we left.We set off about 11.00am en route for Les Paludiers camp site at Batz-sur-mer near La Baule on the west coast of France. We arrived at the site about 12 ish and checked in then found a nice pitch. We got Harley off the trailer and went out for a ride found a little fishing village called Le Crosic very pretty. Derek fancied Moules Marienaire so we went in to a nice looking Brasserie, as you do when in France. Unfortunately 4 hours later we were both sick as dogs, not much fun in a Motorhome.