Don Madge Posted January 21, 2007 Posted January 21, 2007 This is a summary of our trip down to Conil de la Frontera, Spain in Jan 2007. Anybody considering a trip south for the winter might find this info useful.. We used the Dover/Calais crossing, as we have a 275 mile journey to Dover we have found in the past a Saturday is a quieter day to do the journey. Also you get a truck free day on Sunday, your first day in France. Sat. 13th Jan. We had a very uneventful trip to Dover where on arrival we found the ferry was delayed for two hours. As we planned to spend the night on Calais docks it was not really a problem except we arrived at midnight instead of 22.00hrs. We stayed the night on the “unbooked crossing” car park. There were about 6 other vans there. It was fairly quiet night as not too many trucks are on the move Sat night Sun morning. FRANCE Sun. 14th Jan. A very good refuelling place at Calais is the Elf filling station just off Junc 3 as you are leaving the port complex. Take the last exit of the roundabout and the Elf station is on the right. We paid €1.02 for a litre of diesel. We travelled 363 miles and stayed on the aire at St Maure which is about 20 miles south of Tours on the N10. We used the Peage (motorway) from Calais to Tours. A16, A28 to Rouen, Le Mans and Tours. Totals tolls were €49.90. We have been using the aire at St Maure for many years and it is usually very quiet at night, if you don’t want an early call park well away from the “bottle bank”. Mon 15th Jan. Today we had a 320 mile trip to St Jean de Luz were we stayed at Camping Larrouleta (€15.50 per night) for two nights, we like to have a day off after three days of driving. The site has wifi connection €5 for 30 min. A very good refuelling point is the Champion hypermarket which is 14 miles south of St Maure on the N10, we paid €0.97 for a litre of diesel. The N10 is now nearly all dual carriageway to Bordeaux. We did use the Peage from Chatellerault north to Poitiers south at a cost of €5.70 we think it’s well worthwhile it to avoid the hassle of going through the towns. When you reach the Bordeaux ring road follow the signs for Bassin D’Arcachon and Bayonne A 63. I would suggest you stay on the A63 to the Spanish boarder as the N10 gets very congested going through Bayonne, Biarritz and St Jean de Luz. At the Leclerc hypermarket at St Jean de Luz diesel was Euro 0.99 per litre. In France diesel prices varied from €1.16 on the “Peage” to €0.97 at the super/hypermarkets. Extreme caution should be exercised when refuelling at Super/Hypermarkets as some of them have a very restricted manoeuvring area. In France the Autoroutes (Motorways) are signed in Blue the N routes are signed in green. The Autoroute is mainly a toll road and the toll sections are clearly signed “PEAGE”. Tolls can be paid by cash (€) or the “Plastic”. The tolls can work out very expensive over long distances. Many people use the word “PEAGE” when referring to toll roads throughout Europe. SPAIN Wed 17th Jan. We travelled 270 miles to La Cabrera, which is 60 km north of Madrid. We travelled via the A63 peage (€2.20) into Spain, AP8 San Sebastian (€1.45) then A1,Vitoria, AP1 Burgos (€9.15) and A1 La Cabrera. We stayed at Camping Pico de la Miel (€18.50 per night) the site is not suitable for ARV’s and the touring pitches are restricted in height by metal overhead frames. Thurs 18th Jan. Today we had a 300 mile trip to Camping Cubillas (€14.50 per night) a lake side site 9 km north of Granada. Fri 19th Jan. Today we had a 205 mile trip to Camping La Rosaleda at Conil de la Frontera which is about 30 miles east of Cadiz in a non “touristy” area. The site has excellent facilities, well designated pitches of a good size. There are only a few pitches suitable for ARV’s. Suitable for long stays with very good discounts (€255 for 30 nights) there’s also a very good on site restaurant. Free wifi connection is also available. MADRID RING ROAD. With the completion of the Madrid ring road transiting the city is now very easy. It’s a very well engineered “Spaghetti” junction, I set the cruise control at 60 mph and maintained that speed for most of the trip round the ring road. For rapid entry/exit to the city there are the R (rapid) routes they are clearly marked "Peaje/Toll" We used R4 to exit the city and it cost us €7.05 for the 56 km journey well worth the expense to avoid the very heavy traffic leaving the city. If you are transiting the city from the north (E5/A1) to the south (E5/A4) just follow this route. From E5/A1 Take M50, Head towards E90 A2 Zaragoza M45 A3 A4 Head towards R3 Valencia E901 A3 Valencia A4 R4 A42 R5 E5 A4 Cordoba Exit 46. Or for rapid route follow signs R4. These instructions might seem complicated but they are easy to follow. If by any chance you do get lost just follow any A4/R4 Cordoba sign. In Spain the motorways are called Autovia and Autopista, normally the Autovia is free and the Autopista is a toll road. The Autovia is signed A, while the Autopista is signed AP. There could be some exceptions. In Spain we found the diesel varied from €0.87 to €0.91 per litre. Safe travelling. Don
Hymer C 9. Posted January 21, 2007 Posted January 21, 2007 Hi Don, pleased your trip is going well, really useful information that we will be printing off ready for our trip March, good to have a guide on Diesel prices as well, happy travelling, Carol *-)
watsoa Posted January 22, 2007 Posted January 22, 2007 Thanks Don, we are travelling to Spain in early February so your comments are really useful. How is the weather over there? Alan W
tonanti Posted January 22, 2007 Posted January 22, 2007 Same as above, first trip to France with Motorhome in March, (travelling to Cap de Ferret ) thanks for detailed information.
chas Posted January 22, 2007 Posted January 22, 2007 Brilliant reportage, a wealth of information. chas
mansell Posted January 22, 2007 Posted January 22, 2007 Brilliant yes, but one would not expect any less from Don. Have a good trip.
Wingpete Posted January 24, 2007 Posted January 24, 2007 Just back from similar trip, expect went via France, due east, to Narbonne, then south via the autoroutes and Autopista calling in at various sites along the way, ending up in the hills above Algeciras, so as to visit Gibraltar in our microcar. I found the roads mostly quiet and esy to use, with plenty of rest areas, some with full facilities, including waste water disposal and fresh drinking water. Others consisted of just a place to park and not always on tarmac. The views of the med are badly affected by coastal developments for many miles, and the lower reaches finds you driving alongside, with nice cliff top views to cause concerns about the oncoming trucks around hairpin bends. Many wild campers along the beaches, but not for me. Had gas problems with France, where butane would not gas in sub-zero temps, but did have resource of propane and hook up sometimes. Could't say what costs were, as having embarked on the trip knowing it would incurr expenses, only kept receipts for check later for credit cards translations. You have to pay if venturing abroad anywhere.
Stuart Posted January 24, 2007 Posted January 24, 2007 Excellent report. We're going to same site via Bilboa, 8th Feb fm Portsmouth. Wealth of information, printed and filed!! Many thanks
Don Madge Posted January 24, 2007 Author Posted January 24, 2007 Stuart - 2007-01-24 8:10 PM Excellent report. We're going to same site via Bilboa, 8th Feb fm Portsmouth. Wealth of information, printed and filed!! Many thanks Stuart, I hope you are not using AT Ferries see http://tinyurl.com/2nre4a If your staying at Camping La Rosaleda we're there until 18th Feb on pitch 133, look us up. Don
Stuart Posted January 24, 2007 Posted January 24, 2007 Don Spent 4 days trying to book AT through CCC without success, now booked P&O. We hope to arrive about 12th so will try to see you before you leave, we do have a mutual acquaintance, more later. Stuart
Nobby Posted January 27, 2007 Posted January 27, 2007 Hi Don, May be passing that way within the next few weeks unless the Algarve can manage to hold on to us. I've never been to La Rosaleda. What is the situation there regarding space? Are there usually pitches available or is it generally full? Thanks, Nobby
Roy Posted January 27, 2007 Posted January 27, 2007 Hi Don & Madge,Pleased to hear that you trip has gone well. How is the weather down there? We had a cold snap during the last week but the temp. is lifting again and the signs of any early spring are there!!??Best wishes, Roy.
Don Madge Posted January 27, 2007 Author Posted January 27, 2007 Nobby - 2007-01-27 12:50 PM Hi Don, May be passing that way within the next few weeks unless the Algarve can manage to hold on to us. I've never been to La Rosaleda. What is the situation there regarding space? Are there usually pitches available or is it generally full? Thanks, Nobby Nobby Plenty of pitches available, you might have to get a caravanner to shift his car but what's new. Don
Don Madge Posted January 27, 2007 Author Posted January 27, 2007 Roy - 2007-01-27 1:11 PMHi Don & Madge,Pleased to hear that you trip has gone well. How is the weather down there? We had a cold snap during the last week but the temp. is lifting again and the signs of any early spring are there!!??Best wishes, Roy.Roy,Weather so so at present. Unlike the UK when the sun is shining here you can sit outside.We will survive for another sven weeks, I think.Don
Nobby Posted January 27, 2007 Posted January 27, 2007 Thanks Don - we pencilled it in for the future after some friends told us about it after they stayed there last winter. May take a look towards end February going on March, so if you are still there, may bump into you. Regards, Nobby
Don Madge Posted January 27, 2007 Author Posted January 27, 2007 Nobby - 2007-01-27 3:56 PM Thanks Don - we pencilled it in for the future after some friends told us about it after they stayed there last winter. May take a look towards end February going on March, so if you are still there, may bump into you. Regards, Nobby Nobby, We leave about the 19th Feb destination Portugal. I think. Don
chris Posted January 27, 2007 Posted January 27, 2007 Thanks for your report Don. Will copy it and take note of where you travelled Chris
enodreven Posted February 25, 2007 Posted February 25, 2007 Hi, Don Hope you are both OK and enjoying the warm weather, we are looking to take a similar route to the one you have taken but can you elaborate on Camping Pico de la Miel, (extract below) only our MH is 7.5 m long and 3 m high would we get on to this site OK or should we look for another near Madrid Thanks Brian Wed 17th Jan. We travelled 270 miles to La Cabrera, which is 60 km north of Madrid. We travelled via the A63 peage (€2.20) into Spain, AP8 San Sebastian (€1.45) then A1,Vitoria, AP1 Burgos (€9.15) and A1 La Cabrera. We stayed at Camping Pico de la Miel (€18.50 per night) the site is not suitable for ARV’s and the touring pitches are restricted in height by metal overhead frames
derek500 Posted February 25, 2007 Posted February 25, 2007 I've had a look at their website and they quote a price for 'autobus' which is a coach. On the booking form it doesn't mention size and your MH isn't larger than normal. I should think you'd be alright. http://www.picodelamiel.com/index.php If you like I could contact them for you and ask.
NickandChris Posted February 26, 2007 Posted February 26, 2007 Just an observation from us about an earlier comment in this thread reference Acciona Trasmediterrania. I've sailed with them half a dozen times both ways out of Bilbao. I hope they do come back in April as they were BY FAR the best and cheapest option when booking with them direct. Don't book through the clubs or other booking agents. I found both P&O and Brittany were ripping people off with prices.
chris Posted February 26, 2007 Posted February 26, 2007 Hi Nickchris AT are back end of April and I booked through CCC club and saved 10% rather than book direct from them. This worked out the cheapest so have a check when you book again Chris
enodreven Posted March 8, 2007 Posted March 8, 2007 Hi, Derek I have looked at the link but i can't read Spanish, but as you say if it quotes a price for an "Autobus" then i don't suppose we should have any problems, We have a ferry booked for next Wednesday 14th, and we intend to make our way down to Chipinonia first as we have relations there and then back to Calahonda to meet up with friends we were supposed to have over wintered with and then along a bit further to Villaricos and then our times our own as the return ferry is booked for early June, Do you know what the weather is like in the middle of Spain do you think we will have any problems with Snow ? and have you any suggestions on places to stop on route any help and advice would be welcome Brian derek500 - 2007-02-25 9:28 AM I've had a look at their website and they quote a price for 'autobus' which is a coach. On the booking form it doesn't mention size and your MH isn't larger than normal. I should think you'd be alright. http://www.picodelamiel.com/index.php If you like I could contact them for you and ask.
derek500 Posted March 8, 2007 Posted March 8, 2007 Do you know what the weather is like in the middle of Spain do you think we will have any problems with Snow? As far as the weather goes, have a look at http://www.wunderground.com/global/SP.html As well as forecasts etc., once you've selected a town city you can scroll down the left hand side and click on 'History & Almanac'. From there you can find the weather conditions on any date and time of day in recent years. You should then get an idea of what to expect.
enodreven Posted March 8, 2007 Posted March 8, 2007 Hi, Derek Thanks for the link, from last years data it seems it should be OK, but i will check the site later next week before we leave just to get an idea of what we may have to expect. I will try to follow the route Don has posted above as it seems like a good route, has anyone used the Aire at St Maure and has it any electric ? Thanks Brian
derek500 Posted March 8, 2007 Posted March 8, 2007 enodreven - 2007-03-08 10:09 PM Hi, Derek Thanks for the link, from last years data it seems it should be OK, but i will check the site later next week before we leave just to get an idea of what we may have to expect. I will try to follow the route Don has posted above as it seems like a good route, has anyone used the Aire at St Maure and has it any electric ? Thanks Brian Used it in December going to UK. No electric. Easy to find. We were planning to use it coming back, but the fog was so bad we didn't travel as far and used the Aire at Marboué. There was a 'borne' there, I think it was 2€ for a few minutes of water and about an hour of electricity.
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