To Portugal 2010

Sunday 22/8/10 we set off for a 43 day trip to the Algarve and back.

We took 10 days to get to the Algarve (Quarteria) arriving on Wed 1st Sept after driving a total of 1,972 miles which took a total of 49hrs actual driving (according to cab log).

Only stayed in 1 place for 2 nights and that was Lisbon, all other stops were just 1 night. Never spent to long on the road, averaging around 200m each day.  Great weather all the way down, getting hotter and hotter as we got further south.  So glad I installed a much needed aircon unit before we left.

On our way

Route to Algarve - click to enlarge

Canterbury

On our way at 12.40pm - after a late night celebrating Sams Army send off party. Lovely sunny day for driving. 

Went via A50 towards Derby to miss Birmingham and pick up M1, an excellent road, mainly duel carriageway all the way to the M1. Probably added a few miles to the journey but no hold ups until we hit M1, accident ahead and all traffic stopped so had lunch whilst 'parked up' in the middle lane. Then went A14/M11 to avoid most of the M25 but this was way to much out of our way.

Overnight in Canterbury at Council Coach Park next to Sainsburys. Normally £5 for 12hrs, but decided to wing it as it was late Sun and we would be away early. Walked along river into town, dinner was a decent Italian (Posillipo), great house Red.  Lovely evening and had a pleasant stroll around the old streets near the Catherdral.  But the weather soon changed, very heavy rain during the night and motorhomes coming and going meant for a restless night

Canterbury Aire

Amiens France

Monday 23rd August.  Day 2
Up early with the street cleaners and headed for Dover - caught the earlier 6am ferry (extra £30). crossing OK even though strong South Westerly wind blowing.

Headed for the WW1 Battlefield sites north of Amiens (Birdsong country for those who have read the book by Sebastian Falks). Took in the Canadian Memorial at Vimy Ridge and also a tour of actual trenches and tunnels. The hillside and area is still honeycomed with miles of tunnels. The area around Vimy Ridge has been given to the Canadians by the French in perpetuity and is pretty much as it was after the war, and my lasting impression of the area is that of a landscape that is completly covered with shell craters. 

Then went to see the huge British memorial at Thiepval which contains the names of the 73,357 British soldiers whose bodies were never recovered. All quite moving and a very sobering experience.

Camped by the river Somme at an ‘Aire’ in Amiens. Nothing more than a coach park really, lot of road noise. Pleasant walk into Amiens for drinks in a bar next to the Cathedral. Sue disappointed no ‘real’ French Stella.  163m today.

Canadian Memorial at Vimy Ridge

Thiepval British War Memorial

Vendome France

Tue 24/8/10 - day 3

Away at 7am heading for Rouen and then the regular (free) N roads. N29 from Amiens then onto free A28 motorway, through Rouen and onto N154 south toward Chartres
Took a while to get through Rouen, suggest use A13 (toll) next time.
But once on our way the N154 and N10 were a pleasure to drive on with very little traffic and the odd town we encountered was easy to get through.  Weather still great.

Stopped for lunch at an Aire on the N10 (Marboue) - a nice little spot next to river.

Eventual night stop was Vendome - Campsite Grands-Pre (€17.10). Excellent site on the river Loir, next to park and open air pool, only short and walk to lovely old town. 

Sue happy - found decent French Beer.

Amboise and Bernac (France)

Wed 25/8/11 - day 4

Flat cab battery this morning. Called Fiat Assist (Italy) who arrange for a local breakdown company to call. Jump start then 20k drive to Blois to get a new vehicle battery (€210).

Then onto Amboise on the river Loire and Chateaux country. Stayed at Camp Municipal L’lle d’Or, which is situated on an island in the middle of the Loire River overlooking town and Chataeux,  Took a pitch without elec near the tenters, just €10.50. Watched 2 hot air balloons take flight right next to us. Scooter into town for mooch. 

51m today

Battery problem in Vedome

Thur 26/8/10 - day 5

Drove to Chateaux Chenonceau, pretty Chateaux and gardens on the river but wouldn’t you know - full of scaffolding for refurb. Then onto Bernac to visit and overnight with Colin and Shelia (Aimee’s other Grandparents). Excellent night was had by all and we couldn’t have been made more welcome.
133m today.  Cheapest diesel yet in France in Berac at l'Clerc - €1.07

Chateaux Chenonceau

with Colin and Shelia at Bernac

St Jean De Luz - France

Fri 27/8/10 - day 6

To St Jean De Luz (just past Biarritz nr Spanish border).

Camping Plage Soubelet (€21.50 with elec).  

Great site high up overlooking wild Atlantic rollers comig in (big surfing area).

Trip into St Jean on the Scooter to mix with all the cool surf dudes.

Decent nights kip.  Small table nicked during night (Sue thinks by 3 French lads in a tent opposite)

232m today

Palentia - Spain

Saturday 28th August - day 7

Into Spain today and decided to head for Santillana del Mar for a midday stop, supposed to be the prettiest village in Spain. It was OK - small cobbled and compact. Bits of Barcelona are just as nice. Couldn't stay for long, not happy parking next to footie ground.

Onto Palencia in Northern Spain for our night stop driving along the fabulous A67 free motorway.  Over the mountains then onto a flat plain under clear blue skies - really great drive.

Palencia was a lovely town which we hit upon at festival time with all sorts going on: river sports, concert, street festival etc.  Took a walk into town to soak up the party atmosphere and have a couple of beers. Reminded me of a large summer version of the Manchester Christmas Continental Market. Stayed at free Aire, decent spot but oh so noisy due to festival, cars and people coming and going all night.

285m - longest drive yet but a pleasure to drive today

Aire at Palentia - we are 2nd from right

Salamanca & Caceres (Spain)

Sunday 29/8/10

Another really great drive through the high Spanish Sierra under a clear blue sky on vitually empty roads. Temp today is 37c+ and cab aircon in constant use.

Heading for Caceres but stopped en-route at the wonderful city of Salamanca for lunch and a mooch. 

Then onto Caceres,  pitching up at ‘Caceres Camping’ €22.22, excellent terraced site with individual toilet and shower blocks. Good Pool and bar area but very busy today (Sun) with locals. 

Took Sue into town on the Scooter looking for the old medieval centre and got hopelessly lost on way back - must remember to take SatNav with me, even on Scooter.  235m today

Salamanca

Caceres Campsite

to Lisbon

Mon 30/8/10 - day 9

Relaxing morning in Caceres, went for Swim in wonderfully cool pool which was nice and quiet today, caught up with emails and generally had a relaxing morning. 

Around 2pm headed for Lisbon, again great driving on unbelievably quiet roads, free in Spain but had to use the toll Motorway once in Portugal (cost €26).  Very hot today, noticed quite a few cars broken down that looked to have overheated.

Arrived ‘Camping Da Costa De Caparica’, just South of Lisbon across the river Tagus.late pm. Portugese time 1 hr behind Spain - same as UK.

Nice flat pitch, close to beach and local town and free WiFi

Still very hot - around 38c when we arrived and doesn’t really cool down till well after dark. Sleep difficult unless sozzled.

Campsite at Caparica, Lisbon