Germany, Luxembourg then home

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We are definitely on our way home now! We are in Germany about half way between Basle in Switzerland and Strasbourg in France, just off the A5 motorway. Judging by the number of NL plates around the site this is a popular route south and stop off for dutch caravaners. The van is creaking under the load of Italian wine and Swiss chocolate (and we still have Belgium and France to shop yet). I will have a day off driving tomorrow while Rosemary does some washing, then it will be off to Luxembourg for a couple of nights before hopefully finally reaching Calais on Wednesday evening for the ferry on Thursday.

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Home again

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After breakfast we had a quick look at the remains of Lydford castle (actually a prison) which was right beside the Britstop car park. Then we called in to see cousin Barbara and John on our way home and as we left her about 12:00 there was time left to fill. But the weather was overcast and quite murky all the way into Somerset and we decided to carry on without looking for another overnight stop. The weather did brighten up later on, after we had called at Gloucester services so we left the motorway and drove back up the A46 through the Cotswolds. We stopped at the garden centre near Lutterworth and picked up some tomato plants and potting compost. The compost is to pot on the vine plants that we have been nurturing all the way from St Emillion. They are not looking too healthy but hopefully can be saved with a bit of TLC and John Inness No3.
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Basque Epiblog

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This was our first GRJ holiday but it was to an area that we already knew from our motor homing days. It was very well organised and had an excellent tour manager. We enjoyed the combination of free days and organised trips. Hondarribia is a lovely town on the France/Spanish border, or as the locals would prefer, in the middle of the Basque country. Its mix of old medieval town, a seaside location and foodie vibe, close to San Sebastian and Biaritz makes it an ideal sightseeing  holiday location.  The Jauregui hotel was perfectly placed between the pedestrianised street of tapas/pinchos bars and the old harbour, where the regular ferry goes to Hendaya in France. It did not have a pool, spa or lounge but the tables and chairs outside were ideal for people watching and taking a drink out from from the bar. The group dinners provided plentiful food and wine and an opportunity to make friends. The food was not gourmet, except the panacota, but varied and adequate given that 38 peo...
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Bilbao and Guggenheim

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