Rob and Val
Free Member
- Oct 17, 2010
- 1,906
- 2,677
- Funster No
- 14,142
- MH
- Talbot Compass Calypso
- Exp
- Since July 2010
We are fairly new to motorhoming. We bought a 1994 Compass Calypso/Talbot Express 2.5 diesel in July this year. Have had a few mechanical problems – mainly due to a lack of knowledge as to where to source spare parts – but now we believe that the Calypso is in fairly good condition (fingers crossed).
This will be the first Christmas that we shall have no family commitments and so we are seriously considering spending a couple of weeks travelling in the motorhome either to Southern Spain or the Portuguese Algarve. We have driven from the U.K. to Southern Spain before but that was in a car and was in mid-April 2007 and we had accommodation en route pre-booked. This time we are thinking of leaving around 17th December and returning early in the New Year.
What we would like to know is this: -
This will be the first Christmas that we shall have no family commitments and so we are seriously considering spending a couple of weeks travelling in the motorhome either to Southern Spain or the Portuguese Algarve. We have driven from the U.K. to Southern Spain before but that was in a car and was in mid-April 2007 and we had accommodation en route pre-booked. This time we are thinking of leaving around 17th December and returning early in the New Year.
What we would like to know is this: -
- Is Dover to Calais the best crossing with a motorhome during winter? We would be very happy travelling through France if the weather is reasonable. Would the ferry from Portsmouth to Bilbao work out less hazardous and cheaper? The Calypso does about 27 m.p.g. and we are on a fixed income now (don't like the term 'pensioner' - seems much too old!).
- As we’ve already drained the water system should we leave it dry and carry water in containers until we reach warmer climes? This will mean heating water from the containers on the gas stove for washing, shaving etc. and, we assume, pouring water down the loo to flush it – things we’d prefer not to have to do.
- Will aires be open at this time of year to enable us to fill up with fresh water? Not having any water at all would be a nightmare!
- How easy is it to find stopovers during the holiday period? We are hoping not to have to pre-book as that puts pressure on us to get to a certain place at a certain time.