Autumn trip to France and northern Spain 2026

[MichaelT]

Forgot yesterday's building photos , its because I was so excited about cerveza and tapas.
Anyhoo, courtesy of Philip, photos of Jaca
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The castle is worth a visit before you leave.

 

[royandsharont]

I absolutely love the black pudding tapas . In Albarracin last year I discovered black pudding with rice in it, it was served as a starter with scrambled egg & was fantastic flavours. I discovered you can easily buy it in Mercadona so had a go at making the starter myself in Haro. My Irish neighbours loved it and thanked me with some beers

 

[Mr porky]

I absolutely love the black pudding tapas . In Albarracin last year I discovered black pudding with rice in it, it was served as a starter with scrambled egg & was fantastic flavours. I discovered you can easily buy it in Mercadona so had a go at making the starter myself in Haro. My Irish neighbours loved it and thanked me with some beers

I think the most highly regarded is from Burgos, but I do love spanish black pudding.

 

[Mr porky]

We have had a lovely day in Pamplona, very happy.
We paid €5 each for entry to the Cathedral and its well worth it.
Just a general walk about and then booze and tapas.
Back at the camper, dont think we will go in to the city later so its the last of the chilli con carne from the freezer for tea.

We also picked up some wine to go with the duck we are having tommorow

Anyhoo, photos of Pamplona courtesy of Phil.

 

[Peregrinator]

We went through the somport tunnel, its actually a nice journey and not too taxing.
Very quiet with hardly any traffic.
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Nice photos, wow they have done that station up, the last time I saw that it was a total wreck, You could wander all around the place, mined you that was many years ago.

 

[Mr porky]

Just had some very sad news, a very good friend of ours, Mike Ainsley who we met years ago in a bar in Jomtien Thailand with his partner Jeff, has just died whilst on holiday in Portugal.
We dont have many great friends but he was one of them, they both came to our civil partnership (known them both over 20 years) and we have had many great times with them both over the years.

It was the feeling of great loss that hit us both, we didn't expect that.

If we can, we will go to his funeral, however at the very least, if his partner is still going we shall see Jeff in Thailand at Christmas.
Sorry to bring a different aspect to our thread, it just shows that we should appreciate your friends and care for your loved ones.
Back to normal service soon.

We have both raised a glass to our friend and hope to hug his partner soon.

 

[scousebird]

Sorry to hear your sad news.

 

[lorger]

Sorry to hear about your close friend.

 

[Shandyman]

Sorry to hear the sad news

 

[Peavy]

I think the most highly regarded is from Burgos

You are right! Most famous morcilla de arroz is the one in Burgos, just wonderful. Now I want one!

 

[Peavy]

Oh no, so sorry for your loss.

 

[Mr porky]

Jusr chilling with Mexican music, hot chocolate with a cheap brandy added.
In our defence we did just have chilli con carne.

We have no idea where to go tomorrow, we would like to head west in readiness to be in santander for the 11th October, we have a Duck breast we picked up in France for luncheon tommorow, just need somewhere that's not a sardine car park (dont get me wrong this aire is spot on for visiting Pamplona).

Ideas anyone

We may do Haro on the way to santander but not yet.
Thank you.

 

[Mr porky]

You are right! Most famous morcilla de arroz is the one in Burgos, just wonderful. Now I want one!

So do I, oh so close as well.

 

[Broadway]

Jusr chilling with Mexican music, hot chocolate with a cheap brandy added.
In our defence we did just have chilli con carne.
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We have no idea where to go tomorrow, we would like to head west in readiness to be in santander for the 11th October, we have a Duck breast we picked up in France for luncheon tommorow, just need somewhere that's not a sardine car park (dont get me wrong this aire is spot on for visiting Pamplona).

Ideas anyone

We may do Haro on the way to santander but not yet.
Thank you.

Logrono is worth a visit and it’s on the way to Haro. We parked at Parking Las Norias near the sports centre, it’s free but no services. Easy walk into the centre. Excellent wine tour at Bodegas Franco Espanolas just near the bridge where you cross the river into town.

 

[Peavy]

Ideas anyone

I guess you have been in Logroño before? It's a fantastic place for tapas (Laurel Street), a very lively city.

 

[Mr porky]

Logrono is fantastic for a great tapas time, we gmhave done it a few times.
Thank you

 

[scotzsue]

Condolences to you both, on the loss of your dear friend.
Realise from this and other threads, that we have missed out on some lovely places

 

[jumartoo]

We were in Logroño this morning. It was heaving, we couldn't wait to get out.

Mr porky so sorry to hear about your friend. Condolences x

 

[MrPG]

Jusr chilling with Mexican music, hot chocolate with a cheap brandy added.
In our defence we did just have chilli con carne.
View attachment 1269404
We have no idea where to go tomorrow, we would like to head west in readiness to be in santander for the 11th October, we have a Duck breast we picked up in France for luncheon tommorow, just need somewhere that's not a sardine car park (dont get me wrong this aire is spot on for visiting Pamplona).

Ideas anyone

We may do Haro on the way to santander but not yet.
Thank you.

We are heading to Laguardia. Looks like lots of space.

 

[Grianan]

So sorry to read about your friend; his poor partner .

 

[Carpmart]

Condolences from Rene and I…

 

[Nanniemate]

What a lovely time having a chat with yodeli , what a lovely lady.
Thank you for calling in.
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How lovely to put a face to a name that has helped so many

What did make me smile was Frankie's question post 783 'if you have something to drink'

I'm just catching up with your travels with a cuppa and a slice of toast

Total cost including leccy the burn the bread and boil the kettle 20p

 

[Mr porky]

Coffee is being drunk and we are getting ready for the road, we have decided upon an sleepy spot at Ayegui, near to a monastery and 3k from Esteele-Lizarra. We may go for a walk or we may just vegetate.

 

[Nanniemate]

Do they do any Pope fridge magnets? Asking for a friend!

They deffo do St Bernadette ones

I wonder would it work like a fat picture on the fridge that's said to stop you eating

Would it stop you sinning

 

[Nanniemate]

Sad news about your friend. He will always be in your heart x

 

[Mr porky]

We parked up near the monastery on the official aire €6 at Ayegui.
After a mooch round the monastery we walked to the next village of Estella, a few churchs, its a town set up for the pilgrims doing the camino, we found a square and imbibed a refreshing beer.
Walked back and discovered that the local shop was open, so fresh bread was acquired.
Nibbles of dried sausage and olives, fresh bread and olive oil.
The main event though was the French duck breast, ratatouille (from the freezer) and buttered new pototes.
Desert of meringue cream and fresh mango.
Very happy, plus we have a goodly amount of duck fat for roast potatoes next week
Anyhoo,
photos courtesy of Philip (sunday name).

 

[Debs]

Sorry to bring a different aspect to our thread, it just shows that we should appreciate your friends and care for your loved ones.

Very true and make the most of your time, you never know what's around the corner.
Sorry for your loss.

 

[Mr porky]

We had decided on Laguardia, so duly set the sat nav and after a full service off we went.
I realised the way the sat nav was taking us was past Logroño, well it took us right past the parking we use for this town so change of plan, pulled in and parked up .
Wondered into the town and luckily the cathedral was open.
Its stunning, after coming to Logroño many times this is the first time in the cathedral, definitely put it on your list.
Spotted a barbers shop with immediate availability, im now sorted with a short back and sides and only €10.
Phil needed new underwear so Tezenis was located and sorted 6 new trolleys/shreddies for €30.
We did walk through the tapas streets but we have done it many times and we still fancied visiting Laguardia.

 

[Mr porky]

We arrived at Laguardia and parked up at the parking for motorhomes over 5m.
We walked in and it's lovely. Think "narrow alleys and old buildings".
We explored, we had a beer and are now resting back at base. I think I'm cooking tonight oh well.

 

[Mr porky]

As i was cooking, we got a knock on the door. Oh no (we have the levelling system lowered).
Panic over, it's another funster. (I think, MrPG ). I would ask him his funster name, but he's about to do an online spanish lesson. Very admirable.
Our evening meal was centred around using up the French cream I had left over from yesterday's dessert.
Dauphine pototes (sort off) - I add cheese and butter plus some dried ham. Well, you have to meddle in recipes to make them better.
I served with steamed broccoli (that's the only healthy bit tonight) and a panko breaded, flattened chicken breast.
Bloody lovely. Even phil said he was impressed with the pototo dish.
We washed it down with a fine Chenin Blanc we had picked up in the Loire valley.