Our trip - France and Spain (1 Viewer)

[Hel999]

Well as most of you will know, we began our first trip abroad in a MH on 5th April, returning home on the 30th April. Not a long trip by any means but we seemed to pack a lot into it, including some mishaps, but mostly enjoying seeing places that we would never have seen doing a standard package holiday. We are hooked and whilst not wanting to wish life away too quickly, we are looking forward to retirement!

Here is a log of the best bits (and worst) of our trip. Sorry if it is too long but i took a lot of pics and will struggle to narrow it down to the best.

We used the channel tunnel on the 5th April and it was so so easy. We were allowed to select an earlier crossing with no surcharge and less than an hour from checking in, we had cleared all checks and were in France. Let the holiday commence.........

 

[Zains Pops]

And then.......? What happened next??

 

[Hel999]

6th April. We stayed the night on an Aire in Northerm France called Le Crotoy 2. We arrived after dark and it was our first time ever using an aire so we werent sure what to expect. Nice surprise the following morning to wake to find we were in the sand dunes, lovely sandy beach and the weather although dull was dry.

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[Hel999]

And then.......? What happened next??

gimme chance

This might take a while!

 

[Emmit]

Glad you enjoyed your trip.

 

[Jo662]

gimme chance

This might take a while!

Come on were waiting!

Love reading about other peoples travels!

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[Emmit]

Seems like the Independent Kingdom of Uddersfield(sic) has pulled the plug on this new fangled wifi thingy.
The pigeon will be along shortly with the news.
The pigeon is struggling because he has to fly backwards to keep the soot out of his eyes.

 

[Hel999]

We were planning on heading straight to the Benidorm area then after a week in Spain, heading slowly back up the west coast of France (best laid plans and all that!), so with just another quick stopover at an aire near Bordeaux we reached Benidorm on the thursday afternoon. Misrreading the map slightly (was using the map in the front of the aires books and the aire that i picked looked closer to Beni than it actually was), we turned into an aire called San Antonio camperpark in Altea. We asked if we could stay for 1 night, planning to move onto a Beni campsite the day after. This aire was so good we ended up staying 8 nights.

The Aire at Altea

Buses outside the aire into Benidorm every 20 mins and only 1.50e.

Altea old town absolutely blew us away.

 

[Emmit]

View attachment 104021 6th April. We stayed the night on an Aire in Northerm France called Le Crotoy 2. We arrived after dark and it was our first time ever using an aire so we werent sure what to expect. Nice surprise the following morning to wake to find we were in the sand dunes, lovely sandy beach and the weather although dull was dry.

By the look of that parking, you all arrived in the dark, (with the lights off!!!)

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[Hel999]

Instead of moving to a campsite in Beni, we used the buses and took a couple of trips in there. I had never been before and although not a great lover of high rise buildings, I have to admit that it had a beauty all of its own.

 

[Jo662]

Thats the best part about motorhoming.
We always set of with a plan and end up being enticed in different directions!

 

[Jo662]

Loving the pics btw,I hope you have more!

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[Hel999]

By Saturday, after 8 nights in Altea, we felt it was time to move on. We did a short hop to Oliva where we stayed on a site 100m from the beach. Richard was keen to move on so we didnt explore much here and carried on to Peniscola. We stayed at Eden and were very impressed. We were using ACSI but were given the chance to choose any sized pitch for our 19e. It was windy, but hot and sunny and it was great to have a swimming pool.

Once again the old town was spectacular.

It was at Eden where we met another UK couple who, when we told them we were heading to Roses, advised us to visit Empuriabrava. We had never heard of it before but would have missed a treat (more about this place later) had it not been for that couple. We realised that the only way to find all these places was by asking everyone we met where they had been and what they recommended. I also regularly posted on here asking advice on where to go next.

 

[Hel999]

We stayed at Peniscola for 3 nights before deciding to move on. We had been advised to visit Sitges so we headed to El Garrofer campsite. It was here where we had our first mishap. In a woodland setting, Richard couldnt quite decide which pitch to choose and was reversing slowly backwards whilst checking the options out. It was a tree that stopped us . Fortunately not too much damage done - a small crack on the rear drivers side corner and Richard kicking himself. Lovely campsite though.

We did head into Sitges via the bus from outside the campsite but maybe we had been spoiled by the beautiful old towns in Peniscola and Altea but we both felt that Sitges didnt really do it for us.

 

[Jo662]

We had a weeks package holiday in Peniscola when we found out we were expecting for the first time.Lovely place,and we thought be the last time we could afford a holiday for quite some time!

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[Lenny HB]

View attachment 104021 6th April. We stayed the night on an Aire in Northerm France called Le Crotoy 2. We arrived after dark and it was our first time ever using an aire so we werent sure what to expect. Nice surprise the following morning to wake to find we were in the sand dunes, lovely sandy beach and the weather although dull was dry.

You found the nice Aire at Le Crotoy most people head for the one by the harbour convenient for the town but just a horrible great big rough car park, the one in the dunes is much nicer even if it is a bit of a walk into town. Hope you tried at least one of the excellent fish restaurants while you were there.
The Altea Aire looks posh.

Now you have made your first trip you will realise why most of us don't bother with the UK anymore, hope you enjoy many more trips.

 

[Hel999]

After 1 night in Sitges we headed to Roses. We stayed on an excellent campsite called Salata, close to the beach. It was a little cooler here - down to about 20 degrees compared to the high 20's we were used to. Although there was a swimming pool it was a bit too cold to brave this one.

Lovely bay and plenty of shops and restaurants.

It was here that we had our 2nd mishap.

After 3 days, we decided it was time to move on and head to France. Richard was impatient to set off and started to reverse off the levelling ramps, until i shouted at him to stop as he hadnt put the legs down. 30 mins later, he had managed to remove said legs which are now bent like a banana. Good job i'd searched this forum for advice on what tools to take. Oh well, we wont do that again. He is starting a list of fixing jobs to do when we get back.

 

[Jo662]

I put a like on that one,not for your mishap but for the photo`s!

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[Hel999]

As we had been advised to visit Empuriabrava which is next to Roses, we headed there that Saturday morning before crossing the border. What a place! Known as Spain's little Venice and well deserved.

On lots of canals, the easiest way to see it is by boat, so we hired a boat for 35e and started to explore. No photos can do this place justice. The main canal goes round in a loop, with residential side canals off it. The houses are spectacular as are the private boats. At the top of the loop it opens out into a small lake.

my knees were getting sunburnt whilst we were on the boat. 5 mins after we returned to dry land the heavens opened. Timing is everything lol. Those still out at the top of the loop would have got a good soaking!

 

[Hel999]

We then crossed into France. I will post the France section of the trip shortly as i need to go out for an hour or so. To be continued....................

 

[The Dudess]

Fabulous photos - got another couple of places on our list to visit now. Thanks.

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[bellabee]

Looks like you had a lovely time. Thanks for sharing. It's given us some new ideas too.

 

[MitchandJenny]

Very nice, succinct, and with great pics. We can't wait to get back again !!!
When you retire, you will wonder how you ever found time to work !!!
Glad you had a ball, no looking back for you now !!
Mitch.

 

[Kool Kroozer]

GREAT LITTLE BLOG AND SOME SUPER PICS (excuse the caps)

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[Just smiffy]

Great stuff... Can you please give some idea on the costs of the parking up in the places that you stay at while on your travels please, that would be a great help... Keep it up.....

 

[Lynne Steele]

Empuriabrava looks amazing, where did you stop and was it close enough to walk in?
Thanks in advance, you look like you are having an amazing time

 

[MillieMoocher]

Looking forward to the French instalments .


Looks like you had a great time, and some smashing photos too

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[Hel999]

Great stuff... Can you please give some idea on the costs of the parking up in the places that you stay at while on your travels please, that would be a great help... Keep it up.....

Ok so far then:

Le Crotoy 2 - aire in dunes. Free aire. (it did have a pay meter and i think it may have been 6e but at that point we had only just got off the train and only had notes and no coins so we couldnt pay). nobody checked and we arrived about 9.30pm and left at 0730 having used no facilities other than the parking spot so dont feel too guilty.

Bordeaux - aire on the new part of the toll road. looked like a new aire. was an aire de service but felt safe. Free to use.

ALTEA the aire at Altea was 15e per night. we didnt bother with hook-up for the 8 nights we stayed. The showers which are free were superb and everywhere was spotlessly clean. This aire is only open from end sept to end april though. awnings and tables, chairs and bbq's are allowed as are dogs but it is an adults only aire. There is a laundry room and an area for washing your MH complete with brush and ladder. water, waste etc are all free. Free wifi in reception.

As we bussed it into benidorm we didnt pay anything there except the bus fare of 1.50e each way.

From the aire in Altea, the old town was in easy walking distance.

Oliva - ACSI so 19e for pitch including elec

PENISCOLA using ACSI at Eden camping we paid 19e per night including hook up. old town was in walking distance.

Sitges - camping el garrofer in the woods. ACSI site, 19e plus 0.50e per person in tourist tax so 20e total inc elec. Bus from outside the campsite into Sitges centre. 2.15e for the bus.

Roses - camping Salata. 19e per night using ACSI inc elec. a few hundred yards from the beach and promenade with shops and restaurants.

Empuriabrava - There is a campsite in empuriabrava that we were told about but it isnt ACSI it is campingcheques. there are buses from roses to empuriabrava but we didnt use them as we just called there after we left the campsite before moving on to France. Huge market along the seafront (sat) and as it was early season all parking was free with loads of parking spaces. Had no problem parking MH at all.

 

[Lynne Steele]

Thanks, I fancy visiting all of those. I hope you enjoy France, pictures and info please x

 

[Hel999]

After enjoying Empuriabrava we crossed into France and first stop was a campsite called la Nautique at Narbonne Plage. A little cooler here at 17/18 degrees. This campsite had private shower and toilet facilities on each pitch according to the ACSI book and I wasnt expecting too much tbh. I was pleasantly surprised to find that we were given a key to 'our' shower shed and it was spotless. Our very own toilet and shower in a small brick shed with tiled roof (wish i'd taken pics but i forgot) Elec on pitch was free. Walk to the bottom of the campsite and you have a waterside view. It was very windy though.

We went into Narbonne city the following morning and once again hit it on market day. Neverthless parking was easy and free right on the canal bank.

Parking:

Narbonne:

The indoor marketplace in Narbonne was a real eye opener. Having not been to one in France before it was unexpected. All fresh food stalls of all descriptions and small bar areas to eat and drink the produce provided. Loved it.

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}