To the End of the World 2006

This year we crossed the Bay of Biscay to Santander and made our way thru central Spain and Portugal to 'the end of the world' as Cape San Vincent was known. At least it was until the explorers left this most SW point in Europe to discover South America - and I have the T-shirt to prove it.

We then hurried past the Algarve to re-enter Spain in order to visit the beautiful city of Seville. Don't miss the weird mix of pilgrimage and wild west town of Almonte, if you are ever down that way. But boy was it hot, so time to start back North but not before visiting Gibraltar, that bizarre bit of England with its own M&S and Safeways.

We spent some time relaxing on the Costa del Sol, bypassed Costa Blanca by following part of Don Quixote trail inland and on to Benicassim on the Costa Alzehria which was one of our favourite stops. Our first ever trip abroad in 1969 was with a caravan to Camping Cala Gogo on the Costa Brava so was an obvious destination for old times sake. However we did not stop there as it was too windy and steep for a couple of old Twurps.

After 8 weeks away it was time to return home so we took the direct route north over the spectacular new Millau bridge, with a short stopover in the Gorge du Tarn, before finally reaching the English channel at Fecamp. A final drive up the coast and over the Somme to Calais and we were nearly back home in Leicester.

Dover

We crossed back to England from Calais to Dover with white cliffs in the sunshine.

Amiens and the Somme

We parked up in Amiens to see the cathedral and take in a little of the Somme. We stopped in a nice new aire overnight.

Channel Coast at Fecamp

We headed for the nearest coast to get away from the oppressive heat and arrived at a motorhome aire at Fecamp.

Loire Valley

It was getting very hot inland so we just stopped for two nights at an English owned site by an old mill on the Loire. Very well organised like a CC site with a wine tasting eveing.

We saw the biggest stag beetle ever and I caught a perch in the river. We had a drive around the wine growing area and spent a while at a local river festival.

Woodpeckers in Massif Central

We stopped at a site in the mountains just of the main road and pitched under a tree. Much to my surprise there was a woodpeckers nest high up in the tree and we saw the young ones being fed and fly the nest.

Gorges du Tarn

It was a nice drive up the A45 autoroute and over the spectacular Millau bridge which spans the Tarn. We left the A45 to stop at a site in gorges. We had a great pitch by the river and saw some otters for the first time ever. We drove up the gorge to see the scenery before doubling back to view the bridge from below and continue on our way north.

France - Llanquedoc coast

We stopped for a night on the coast in France before starting the drive home over the Massif Central. It was a smart site in a smart yachty resort.

Port Lligat - Dahli's house

We diverted to Cadaques and then Port Lligat to see Salvador Dahli's house in the picturesque little harbour. Unfortunately it only opened for half a day and we were too late but resolved to go again when we have the chance.

San Pere de Pescador

Our last site in Spain was on the L'Amforma site near San Pere de Pescador and was another large well-equipped site with plenty to see around including large roman settlement of Emporium. Went there with friends from 'across the road' and introduced them to some new activities (for them) like walking, shopping for Spanish food (they are still eating food they brought from England) and getting into the museum for free as we are European pensioners.

From the newspaper it looks like it is hotter in England than Costa Brava at the moment - in fact it has clouded over today and is quite cool at only 70deg.  The World cup started today and Germany did well in their first game as we could tell by the cheering from all over the site.

We walked into San Pere and back down the river and beach, an unscheduled 5-mile hike as it turned out. It was quite windy and amazing to see so many surfers doing acrobatics over the water. We then watched England’s first match in the bar – it was rubbish - so we took lot of stick from the Germans on site.  Many of the English, Dutch and German football fans had decorated their pitches with national flags and football tack but it was all very friendly rivalry.

A day on the Costa Brava

I took the road to Callella but could not find anywhere to park and it all seemed a bit touristy and busy so went on Lafranca and Tamariu - 'an ideal place for a quite holiday' according to the travel guide. Both places were actually bursting with Spanish and Germans and we found the reason was it was a holiday in Catalunya so all the locals were on the beach. Its also a two week school holiday in Germany so they were here to swell the numbers of Neverlanders We Brits were well outnumbered.

Between the two villages is a lighthouse and mirador (viewpoint) which gives a view of the whole of the Costa Brava. It was at the top of one of the steepest hills/cliffs the Twurp has had to contend with - 1st gear for the last 100yds. Right at the top a German decided to reverse out of the parking area across the road. Either he moved quick or I was going to have to try a hill start on a 1 in 5 - fortunately he moved. Certainly was a superb if rather hazy view point - lots more photos to sort out.

Went on to find the camping cheque site near the pretty village of Pals, took a wrong turn and ended up literally driving thru a beach side restaurant, also packed, and another hair raising hill out of the little cove. Same weekenders at Pals so we just lay on the beach till the crowds had dispersed before finding the site. It was a big friendly site with lots of facilities and the right one this time, so we found a pitch near some young Germans (in IT) who were celebrating a 'big' birthday. Spent a pleasant couple of days there and one day walked back via the cliff path and nudist beach to the same restaurant we had 'driven thru' earlier. This time the beach was quiet again and we passed a large English family group trying to make a picnic lunch without a knife. We were able to save the day by lending them one that we had with us for our picnic.

Palamos

Bit further north now at Palamos for two nights to see a bit of the old Costa Brava. Quiet site (but wrong one again) with a lot of youngsters on PGL adventure holidays. Good 5 mile round trip walk to La Fosca beach and the old port in Palamos where we had a very nice Sunday lunch at a fish restaurant on the harbour.

Toasted sandwiches for supper on 'George' and off tomorrow to find another (cheaper) site.

Costa Brava

I circumnavigated Barcelona on the AP7 peage (it cost about €10 but well worth it) and we soon started to see mountains again, this time Pyrenean foothills that make up much of the Costa Brava district. Hit the typical rocky coast coast at Blanes and made our way up the coast thru the once popular resorts of Tossa del Mar and Lloret del Mar to Playa d'Aro. We were here to find Camping Cala GoGo where we came with Rita and Reg 35 years ago. Seemed much the same but decided not to stay there as its a steep terraced site and happened to be very windy.

Went off to find the €10 a night CC site we had identified earlier as it was getting a bit late and soon settled in. But it was not the site were expecting and had to pay €20 a night and wear a security wrist band. However it was nice site on the beach by the marina and handy to walk into Playa d'Aro for shopping. We had a Chinese lunch on the promenade for €6 each, made a pleasant change even if it was a bit touristy.