Week 4 – Back to France…
Day 22 Monday 13th October – Logrono to Pamplona (55 miles)
First thing (well for us) we went to the Fiat dealer to see if they could help. A bit of Google translate and an excellent young man in their service department who could speak some English I managed to explain my predicament. They were just amazing and took Bertie in straight away to do a diagnostic test. Less than an hour later they had re-programmed the ECU and all was right again. Cost £80 but probably less than at home and all in less than an hour from when I went in.
We then went back to the parking area and walked back into town for another stroll around what is a really nice town. Found somewhere to have a coffee and pastry and then up to the modern area where Sarah bought something else (a jacket) from Zara 🙄
Found a local supermarket which had local Rioja wines in it for ridiculously cheap prices to buy some to take home as wine from the region. Back to the van and on the road to Pamplona. Arrived late afternoon to a slightly strange but free and quiet parking area which had about another 20 Vans already parked up. Scary moment with the gas locker as it would not unlock, finally managed it and then spent an hour or so dismantling it to try and see what the problem was. It appears the barrel itself is not working correctly so I jammed it into an unlocked position until I can get a new barrel when we are home. Just another job to add to the list!
Day 22 expenses
- Site fees £0 (£170.31)
- Coffee £6.95 (£121.86)
- Fuel £0 (£356.72)
- LPG £0 (£21.40)
- Groceries £15.34 (£258.17)
- Eating out £0 (£84.04)
- Fixing Bertie £83.43
- Total £105.72 (£1147.11 – £52.14 ave)
Day 23 Tuesday 14th October – Pamplona to Biaritz (62 miles)
Walked into Pamplona which was about a 45 minutes walk but very nice on a lovely sunny and warm morning. The old town was full of narrow streets, small shops and loads of cafe / bakeries and an indoor market, overall very impressive and very worthwhile a visit. Naturally we stopped for coffee and pastries which were excellent before wandering around some more. Pamplona is famous for its bull run through the streets and to have a small memento I bought a T-shirt with a bull on it… Like you do!
We also had a quick look around the modern area which was also very nice and I would say that Pamplona feels like a prosperous town.
Walked back and had some lunch and then on the road to France and our stop in Biaritz. Easy and spectacular road up through the lower parts of the Pyranees before crossing into France right by the Atlantic and just up from San Sebastian. From there it is a short distance to Biaritz where we were staying in a much sought after camping car park. But of a squeeze into the spot but all good and quite nice.
Once sorted we walked down to the beach which was just 10 minutes away and then walked along it all the way to Biaritz and back again along the top.
Back for a beer and tea.
Day 23 expenses
- Site fees £14.52 (£184.83)
- Coffee £7.60 (£129.46)
- Fuel £76.28 – €1.32 per litre! (£432.80)
- LPG £0 (£21.40)
- Groceries £0 (£258.17)
- Eating out £0 (£84.04)
- Total £98.36 (£1245.47 – £54.15 ave)
Day 24 Wednesday 15th October – Biaritz to Villeneuve-de-Marsan (81 miles)
Into Biaritz after breakfast which was about a 30 minute walk. Had coffee and a pastry at a cafe overlooking the bay which was the most expensive yet but very nice and an excellent location.
Had a good walk around the town which is full of expensive boutique shops and restaurants but all very nice if you have the cash! Lovely big and very clean sandy beach.
Finished off with a Croque Monsieur from a bakery and sat overlooking the sea on a very warm sunny spot.
Back to Bertie and after a quick service plus a call to CCP to let us out we were on our way for just over 2hrs to Villeneuve-de-Marsan for our overnight stop. It was a purpose built area with free services. Bought a couple of chocolate eclairs to have with our tea and had a long chat with the only other Englishman on the site who spends several months away each year working his way slowly through France, Spain and into Morocco for Xmas and the winter months.
Day 24 expenses.
- Site fees £0 (£184.83)
- Coffee, cakes etc £14.22 (£144.08)
- Fuel £0 (£432.80)
- LPG £0 (£21.40)
- Groceries £0 (£258.17)
- Eating out £6.60 (£90.64)
- Total £20.82 (£1266.29 – £52.76)
Day 25 Thursday 16th October – Villeneuve-de-Marsan to Mazamet (163 miles)
On our way just after 10am we set off for our proposed overnight stop at Durfort about 2:45hrs drive hoping for a coffee and bread stop on the way. It didn’t really work out and although I found somewhere just off the route it turned out to be something of nothing but by a Macdonald’s so we decided to just have coffee and cinnamon buns there. Coffee was okay but the buns were dry although if you dipped them in the coffee they were fine!
Continued until we arrived at the aire but there were a number of permanent vans there and it wasn’t very nice so although I filled up with water we decided to carry on to a CCP on the edge of Mazamet which also has a spectacular footbridge crossing nearby which looked like a great thing to do in the morning.
It should have been a straight forward journey but a road closure in the town meant a diversion along a road with a 3.5t limit so Garmin threw a wobbly and we went around in circles along very narrow and busy roads, We tried to see if Google maps would be better but even worse… Finally managed to figure out how to get to the right place and although a very tight entry we made it in and it feels all good!
Then spent a couple of hours trying to figure out our next stop before the campsite in Avignon. Sometimes it is easy and sometimes it isn’t! Have a plan now though 😁
Expenses day 25
- Site fees £13.76 (£198.59)
- Coffee etc £9.29 (£153.37)
- Fuel £0 (£432.80)
- LPG £0 (£21.40)
- Groceries £0 (£258.17)
- Eating out £0 (£90.64)
- Total £23.05 (£1289.34 – £51.57)
Day 26 Friday 17th October – Mazamet to Lamalou Les Bains (44 miles)
We started the day with a walk up into the hills behind where we were parked to find a bridge that spans a gorge and into a tiny hill top village. Steep rough paths which weren’t always very well posted eventually took us to the bridge which was quite spectacular.
We then followed a small quiet road back down into Mezamet to have a look around but it was lunchtime so most things were predictabley closed bar a couple of cafés which weren’t that appealing so popped into a supermarket to pick up some bread and a couple of pear tarts to have with a cup of tea later.
Then, after a quick service we were on our way to tonights stop which was a lovely drive along a D road through a valley for about 1.5hrs. Slightly tricky getting to the site (again!) as Garmin wanted us to go up a no through road which was no more than a track! Quick check on the map and we drove back into the local town and went in that way which was absolutely fine. No idea what Garmin thought it was doing!
Parked up and sat outside in the warm afternoon sunshine ☀️☀️
Day 26 expenses
- Site fees £13.54 (£212.13)
- Coffee etc £0 (£153.37)
- Fuel £0 (£432.80)
- LPG £0 (£21.40)
- Groceries £7.20 (£265.37)
- Eating out £0 (£90.64)
- Total £20.74 (£1310.08 – £50.39 ave)
Day 27 Saturday 18th October – Lamalou Les Bains to Camping du Pont D’Avignon (119 miles)
Left just after 10am after a peaceful but chilly night which needed the heating on before I got out of bed! First stop was to do the weekly shop in the local Lidl and then off for the three hour drive to Avignon for the next three nights.
Some of the journey was on nice scenic D roads but some on a boring dual carriageway and we seemed to drive through industrial areas of Montpellier and Nimes for ever. Managed to buy gas for a very reasonable 80 cents per litre and finally found a spot to pull over to have some lunch.
Arrived at the campsite which was set on an island where the Rhône splits next to the town of Avignon. A slightly dusty spot right next to the road but should get some decent sun during the day.
Also managed to get a large washing and drying load done. €4 for the wash and €4 for 40 minutes drying. Probably a couple more to do either tomorrow or Monday which is looking very wet!
Day 27 expenses
- Site fees £17.36 (£229.49)
- Coffee etc £0 (£153.37)
- Fuel £0 (£432.80)
- LPG £8.68 (£30.08)
- Groceries £96.80 (£362.17)
- Eating out £0 (£90.64)
- Laundry £6.94 (£18.18)
- Total £119.78 (£1436.86 – £52.77 ave)
Day 28 Sunday 19th October – Day 2 Camping du Pont D’Avignon – 0 miles.
Lazy start to the day as a bit chilly and a few showers about. Decided around 11am it was probably going to stay dry enough to go and explore Avignon which is about a 10 minute walk along a quiet road and over the bridge. Quite an amazing walled City (big town) where the popes were based prior to moving to the Vatican city. Very impressive walls and buildings throughout the old town and many places to eat and drink. Had a good wander around before stopping for some coffee and labonese/ Greek pastries which were lovely and very sweet!
Decided to walk the 35 ish minutes to a motorhome dealer that had a shop with toilet chemicals etc as it said on Google they were open…. Should have checked the website as they were very closed!
Back to Bertie and another load of washing to see us through to the end of the month when we have to be home and then a cup of tea like you do. 🙂
Day 28 expenses
- Site fees £17.36 (£246.85)
- Coffee’s etc £11.28 (£164.65)
- Fuel £0 (£432.80)
- LPG £0 (£30.08)
- Groceries £0 (£362.17)
- Eating out £0 (£90.64)
- Laundry £5.21 (£23.39)
- Total £33.85 (£1470.71 – £52.53 ave)
Hiking & Wild Camping 