Lessons Learned? – into the Picos de Europa via N621 to Camping La Viorna at Potes
This time, I looked at my maps more carefully and selected what looked like the best route, to get round Leon and then onto Potes, using the N625, and then the N621. Following a river – check, main road – check. Not the Pyrenees or Alps – check. Off we go. What a glorious drive.. →
Breakdowns R Us
I want to record this ‘meeting’ with John and Sharon from Cardiff, to remind myself of their hilarious stories of breakdowns that they dealt with in their initial days of motorhoming. Indeed tribute must be paid to their ability to deal with all the uncertainty and stress of such situations,.. →
Leaving Portugal, EasyTolls and into Spain – Lago de Sanabria
Despite the weather forecast looking as though my next main destination could be in rainfall and drizzle for my intended time there, I decided to continue nevertheless with my plan to leave Portugal and head for the Picos de Europa and then San Sebastian, breaking the journey at the recommended Lago.. →
John & Donna
Enjoyed their company in the wine-tasting and after, hearing about their 2-year travelling break started in January, to eventually go east all the way to China via the ‘Silk Road’.
Their home is Gertie, a converted Landrover Defender which they bought from the army with only.. →
Throw them wide – Douro Vineyard Stay
Due to the temperature forecast moving into the 30s, I had wavered in my plan to do the unusual (for me) and go and stay at the Park4Night recommended vineyard only a few miles up in the hills from Regua, versus driving north into Spain to my target destination of Lago de Sanabria.
But threw.. →
The ones that got away this time
To record the places I wanted but didn’t manage to visit – for the future:
Spain Picos – Caras Gorge Walk, and Fuente De Cable CarBarcelona – Parc Guell Las Medulas – recommended by DonnaToledo, Avila, Segovia, Salamanca, Madrid, Santiago de Campostela and GaliciaPortugal.. →
Forwards or Backwards facing – Douro Valley train journey
As I contemplated today’s activity, I realised that I was actually sitting outside the van watching the sun go down around 9pm, comfortably still in tee-shirt and shorts for the first time I think since last September, and how pleasant that was. It tops a day which demands the most lyrical.. →
Douro Valley N222 to Aire at Peso da Regua
Had a four-hour leisurely drive on the road N222, which I had read was one of Portugal’s great drives, for many miles from Porto up the Douro river valley. The road was perfectly fine, pretty empty, and the scenery was indeed stunning, so I recommend it. 28 degrees now, so rather hot. Had.. →
Lance & Lorraine – Gibraltar
Briefly met these guys from Gibraltar, who’d just bought a Ford van 2nd-hand from the UK and had driven it all the way through France, Spain, into Porto and heading back to Gibraltar within a few days. They’re going to customize it exactly how they want.
They have given me a.. →
Ans & Piet
Amazingly ended up on our selected Porto visit campsite and indeed the only pitch remaining, next to a Dutch couple I had met a month earlier standing at a campsite bus stop to travel into Granada. This coincidence was further compounded when we found them also occupying the table adjacent to the.. →