innocents abroad

[Grahamh]

copied from newbies forum

arrived in Santander Tuesday 1st. Journey great as only 70 miles to ferry. Ferry good and cabin really nice. Plain sailing with good weather and disembarked with trepidation on Wed 12:00. Travelled to a nice little site just East of Bilbao. Beautiful site but didn't realise that the Avondale Dart would be the largest on site. Felt really hemmed in as pitches were small but everyone really helpful and friendly and site owner couldn't do more.Quids in with the ACSI card (thanks).

Stayed two nights ( weather 25 degrees and scenery stupendous) before striking south. We planned to stop in Ainsa for two days and then go on to the Med west of Barcelona. Journey great, steaming along the motorways(non Toll). The last 50 miles was an experience though through a winding mountain road( I had thought 'A road no prob, but it was one long switchback up over the mountains. Stupendous scenery though and the look on the wife's face when we met a timber lorry on a hairpin! Stayed in Ainsa two nights and another great site (in the forest) with a pool and 28 degrees. Left in the middle of huge thunder storm.Fairly short hop to a site 70km West of Barcelona. Awful site more like a refugee camp really. We were going to stay 3 nights here but asked for a refund and moved on this morning. Had a nightmare trying to find that site and even more worries getting away from the place. I seem to have shaved to roof coming out from the trees - just squashed the awning channel a bit. we are now about 30 km East of Barcelona on the coast in a lovely small, quiet site for the next 2 nights. We are moving up the coast nearer to France and may stay a wek if its nice.

Lessons learned to date:-

Don't drive into a site before you've checked the pitches!

Don'tforget you have a roof box on when looking for a place to park - I have a LOT of new fans in San Sebastian after changing my mind half way down the ramp of an underground car park at 11 am. To be honest they were alot more tolerant than Brits in London.

Listen to the navigator (u turns are different with a Van on aren't they?)

Have to go and sort out the awning channel now. Train to Barcelona tomorrow so should be safe!

ttfn

 

[Grahamh]

had a great day in Barcelona(by train fro Canet de mar).

Time for a dip, bbq and then get ready to decamp tomorrow for Bay of Roses to stay for a week or so if the site is good. Have to make a couple of minor repairs to the awning channel after my confrontation with the trees! Weather here is beautiful(25 & sun, light breeze). Def come to this site again.

ttfn

 

[Mel]

sounds lovely. so envious.

mel

 

[Grahamh]

Hi, the adventure goes on,

now between Gerona and Perpignon at a camp site called Aquarius. rained today but now sunny and hot. As you can see we have set up the internet. wifi campsite wide (2Euro an hour whilst logged on, so in haste). Yesterday we had the battle of the Awning but went really well. Woke up this morning to find the whole awning covered in Snails! Looked about and noone else has snails?? Asked at reception what should I do to deter them- reply 'no idea but you do realise that you can eat them?' Washed down the lower 12" with strong salt solution and will see if that works. Also set up the satellite TV ( to watch question time). Watched the BBC one news but wished I hadn't! Lit the bbq and bought 1 ltre of Rose from the supermarket(1.7 Euro!)

Lessons today

Don't leave the folder with all the instructions for the sat box on the kitchen table!

Don't assume all other campers can understand some English.

Family showers can be fun!

ttfn