Lenny's Winter Treck to Portugal (1 Viewer)

[Lenny HB]

Started the week with a nice sunny day & very smooth crossing on Sunday, one hour after arriving at Dieppe gale force north westerly winds and that wet stuff arrived. Braved the weather to visit our favourite restaurant, no photo’s no way can we compete with Robert …… @Robert Clark

For the first time at Dieppe we saw some illegals just by the entrance to the Aire up on a bank on the cliff side sheltering under a tarpaulin strung between the trees a fire going and a couple of small tents, about 4-5 young males almost felt sorry for them, but then thought they should be in their own country trying to sort out the mess.

Monday headed south by the time we got to Rouen weather had cleared to a nice sunshine, carried on to Sainte-Maure-Touraine in the Lorie dept, a few interesting buildings all with multi lingual plaques outside and the Aire was free.

Tuesday made it down to Biarritz, bank of Lenny now broke, €12 a night did at least include EHU & free service. Had a bracing walk along the beach.

Beach at Biarritz.

 

[Lenny HB]

Wednesday took to the motorways in Spain does get a move on, but so boring, made it to Salamanca parked down by the river. About 10pm loud knock on van door there was a fairly smartly dressed coloured guy about 50 standing there, asked if we spoke English as no one understood him as no one spoke English, we couldn’t understand him either, he was going on on about having to get the autobus to meet his friend etc., in the end I said what do you want, he said “€4 for the autobus” I gave him €2 and off he went very happy.

Had a wander around the town on Thursday morning then headed off to Merida to see the Roman ruins, then on to Zafra for the night.

Salamanca

And for Eddie @Judge Mental some old rocks at Merida.

 

[Lenny HB]

Dho!

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[sedge]

Any notices up to say when they think that place will be finished, Lenny?

 

[funflair]

Wednesday took to the motorways in Spain does get a move on, but so boring, made it to Salamanca parked down by the river. About 10pm loud knock on van door there was a fairly smartly dressed coloured guy about 50 standing there, asked if we spoke English as no one understood him as no one spoke English, we couldn’t understand him either, he was going on on about having to get the autobus to meet his friend etc., in the end I said what do you want, he said “€4 for the autobus” I gave him €2 and off he went very happy.

Had a wander around the town on Thursday morning then headed off to Merida to see the Roman ruins, then on to Zafra for the night.

Salamanca

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And for Eddie @Judge Mental some old rocks at Merida.

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He comes around the vans every night, but if you stay two nights he leaves you alone as his story would not hold water, he was trying to catch the same bus because his friend couldn't pick him 2 weeks ago when we were there.

Merida looks good, missed it on the way down.

Martin

 

[Judge Mental]

Have fun Lenny glad it's going well. Two serious inquiry regards van...looking good

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[Robert Clark]

Enjoy your trip, we'll be following behind you in a couple of weeks.

 

[Lenny HB]

Not much at Zafra a pleasant town an old castle that is now a hotel and some fat ducks in the park.

 

[pjay]

Hi Lenny, what did you reckon to the Zafra aire?

Stayed there a few years ago and found it a bit grim, loads there though, we could only get on the front bit by the service point, loads of traffic noise. It is free though, so shouldn't really moan.

Pete

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[Chockswahay]

Ere! Lenny! Go into the convent (they have a little museum) and buy some of the 'Nun' biscuits........... it's an entertaining 'buying' experience.............and the biscuits are heavenly

 

[Chockswahay]

@Lenny HB Are you going South or West from Zafra?

 

[Lenny HB]

The plan was to go across country to Portugal from Zafra, but as we were over a day ahead of schedule we decided to head down to Sevilla, going to be broke at this rate another €12 a night.

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[Lenny HB]

Hi Lenny, what did you reckon to the Zafra aire?

Stayed there a few years ago and found it a bit grim, loads there though, we could only get on the front bit by the service point, loads of traffic noise. It is free though, so shouldn't really moan.

Pete

Like you say a bit grim just a car park OK for a night, there are only 5 marked Motorhome spaces by the the service point, it's free with free servicing so no complaints.

 

[Lenny HB]

Not a very good night at Sevilla, the kids gather in a car park down the road from the stopover, kept awake until 3:00 am by loud music.
Crossed into Portugal on Saturday, missed the area you are supposed to pull into and register a credit card, lucky no electronic sensors until after the 1st exit.
Headed for the Aire at Manta Rota, thought we were on it until we went for a walk in the morning and found we were in the car park, the Aire was a similar layout, but crammed full, car park much nicer, apparently police do move you on occassionaly.
Right by the sand dunes & beach with a boardwalk over the dunes.

 

[Lenny HB]

Been in a prison camp (camp site) for the last 3 weeks, first couple of days we weren't sure we could handle it but managed to settle in, been using bikes & trains to get about.
Can't believe how cheap it is to live down here, hardly worth cooking with low cost of eating out, local restaurant does a meal of bread & olives followed by a meat or fish dish, so far we have had a whole sea bass, 2 mackerel & 2 sea bream in the fish dishes with chips and a large salad, followed by delicious desserts a litre of wine and coffees for €8.50 each.

Couldn't resist posing for you all.

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[2657]

Last picture......Lenny the Lion

 

[JJ]

I know where you are!

JJ

 

[Robert Clark]

Lenny on a campsite - and for 3 weeks

You are no longer my wild camping guru - honestly I'm shocked!!!

Whatever next ???? Joining the Caravan Club?

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[JockandRita]

@Lenny HB, Like @Robert Clark's blog, I am enjoying yours as well Lenny, along with the smashing photos.

Hopefully, Rita and I will be able to do a spot of winter sun touring, 2016 into 2017.

Cheers for now,

Jock.

 

[Lenny HB]

Lenny on a campsite - and for 3 weeks

You are no longer my wild camping guru - honestly I'm shocked!!!

You are not the only one, blame my mate talked me into it.

Whatever next ???? Joining the Caravan Club?

Wash your mouth out, comments like that could get you on my ignore list.

 

[laird of Dunstan]

Lenny if the 12euro a night fees are making you skint,i suggest donning your suit,using cherry blossom on the face and go round knocking on MH doors with a tail of woe and asking for 4 euros for the Autobus ,it works for some

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[Lenny HB]

Lenny if the 12euro a night fees are making you skint,i suggest donning your suit,using cherry blossom on the face and go round knocking on MH doors with a tail of woe and asking for 4 euros for the Autobus ,it works for some

Way above our normal budget, last time we did the Massiff Central only spent €21 on 22 nights camping, all that money could go towards a new van.

 

[laird of Dunstan]

Way above our normal budget, last time we did the Massiff Central only spent €21 on 22 nights camping, all that money could go towards a new van.

Thats better Lenny,i was starting to think that you had been infected by some southern spendthrift ailment

 

[JJ]

€12 per night site fees?

Cripes!

I am hurting with the €1.50 per night it is costing me here (water included) but the "Gang" are all gathering for a slap up lunch at Francesco's place tomorrow... the very best porco preto in Portugal...

Details to follow.

JJ

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[Lenny HB]

To our surprise we survived 4 weeks on a camp site although each time we went out and saw Motorhomes wilding or on Aires we got itchy feet.
We defiantly got lazy although we did a fair bit of walking and a few cycle rides we felt like we were turning into couch potatoes. Not helped by the fact I’ve done something to my left leg don’t remember twisting it or anything, I get pains in the keen and get pains down the leg when walking can only do 2 or 3 miles before I’m in real pain.

We were surprised when our friends who we spent the month with said to us “we have done a lot more and seen more places with you than we would have on our own”.

A few more pics from the Algarve.

 

[Lenny HB]

Spent the last night in Portugal at Castro Marim, the Aire was full so we joined 30 other vans in the car park, a short walk around the salt pans in the morning then last Friday (Good Friday) onwards to Spain.

First stop was to visit a friend I made on another forum helping him import a van from Belgium. After the shock of being met by a giant French Mastiff (Dougie he weighs in at 65 kg) they made us very welcome and we parked up in a field with their horses. Bit of a heavy night a couple of beers followed by 3 bottles of wine between us.
They live in the hills near a little village called Los Angeles about 20 miles north of Gibraltar a lovely area that soon unfolds to mountains. The next day we set of with them to a mountain village for a restaurant meal, found a nice wild spot on the edge of the village with just enough room for our two vans.

Next day we carried on to Ronda it was Easter Saturday and very busy with coach loads of Americans & Chinese but well worth the visit, then back to Tom’s for the night.

Dougie he is a big softy really.

That big stone seat attacked my van - don't ask.

 

[Lenny HB]

As we were in the area we had to do Gibraltar, apart from the history attached to the rock just a tourist rip off. Prices similar to the UK despite its tax free status a bit of a shock after Spanish prices.

The evening we arrived I got in the wrong lane and unintentionally ended up in Gibraltar (not allowed to overnight there) filled up with fuel at £0.58 /Lt about the only thing that is cheap there, then back to Spain.
Spent the night on the big car park Aire €3, met another Funster there @Bentleybill and his lovely wife there they had just come back from Morocco, next morning moved to the posh Aire on the Marina €12 ouch! Bill did the same.

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[Baldeagle7470]

Ah,loved your pictures but not the last one of your van,them bloody stone blocks just always jump out when youare least expecting them,sorry to see that!

 

[Anthea M]

Beautiful photos thanks for sharing! Can your bumper be repaired when you get home?

 

[Lenny HB]

Ah,loved your pictures but not the last one of your van,them bloody stone blocks just always jump out when youare least expecting them,sorry to see that!

Beautiful photos thanks for sharing! Can your bumper be repaired when you get home?

Bloody stupid forgot it was there couldn't see it from the drivers seat. Easy to repair it's only GRP.

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