Day 20 Mon 28.02.2011

Location:  Peniche Praia Camping

Long / Lat N39º22.1/’ W009º23.31’

Just a short hop today, 4.5km to the Campsite on the cliffs at the end of the peninsular, we have a pitch looking directly out to sea, it’s a bit windy but the view of the Atlantic is awesome.

The sea is very rough today due to the strong winds and Paul says he feels sea sick when he looks out of the front window. We have foam from the breaking waves blowing around the van.
This morning we saw a large pack of dogs(at least 12) running up the middle of the road stopping occasionally to bark at cars, like a gang of unruly teenagers.

Entrance to campsite 

Cliffs outside campsite

View from cab window from our pitch 

 

Day 19 Sun 27.02.2011

Location  2^nd day Parque de Campismo Municipal, Peniche

We have decided to stay in this area for a bit so that Paul can rest his ankle. However he has insisted that he is ok to cycle today.

We woke this morning to brilliant sunshine and after breakfast we set off on our bikes to check out a campsite at the far end of Peniche. The sat nav said it was about 4km to the site.

Neither of us have ridden a bike for years, think I was 8 the last time. We set of with some trepidation.

We road along by the coast, mostly on cycle paths and dirt tracks, stopping occasionally to take in the views of the magnificent coast line. We spotted some motorhomes wild camping on the cliff tops just off the coastal road.

 I was a bit wobbly tat the start and Paul had to stop and wait for me to catch up a few times but to my surprise I soon got the hang of it.

As I have no road sense I have decided that I will not ride on roads until I have fully mastered the bike riding thing and then only very quiet roads (so boys and Mum don’t worry too much). I did get off and push a few times.

The camp site is right next to the beach and looks nicer than where we are now so we will be moving there tomorrow.

On our way back we came across a large car park near the centre of Peniche opposite the fire station. There we about at least 30 motorhomes parked there, no sign of a service point and no charge for parking. It looks like most of them had been over nighting there.

Sat Nave co-ordinates taken from the car park entrance N39º21.436’ W009º22.615’

Carpark/Aire Peniche Centre

Motorhomes in Car Park

Peniche Coastline

Wild camping on Peniche Coast

Peniche Coastline

Day 18 Sat 26.02.2011

Location: Parque de Campismo Municipal, Peniche

Long / Lat N39º21.229’  W009º21.658’

Today we intended to move about 60km to the municipal campsite in Peniche. After breakfast we were getting the van ready to move, Paul was chatting to the Dutchman on the pitch next to us and he tripped, twisted his ankle and cut open his knee.  I administered first aid (stuck a plaster on his knee and put ibruprofen gel on his ankle). I suggested that we stay another night as his ankle was already swelling up but his but he said he was ok to drive.

We pulled out of the campsite very carefully as the exit route was narrow and steep with lots of bends, as we were pulling out of the site onto the road we heard a bang followed by a horrible scraping noise, we stopped a few hundred meters down the road to check for damage, our towing frame has bottomed out due to the slopping ground, no serious damage done we just scraped the powder coating off the frame.

We stopped to do a bit of shopping, Paul bought a bottle of whiskey for 6€ (medicinal purposes), the shop smelt horrible due the piles of frozen fish, huge fillets probably of cod. They also had a good selection of chicken’s feet and frozen tripe.

We set off again heading for Peniche. We had checked the route as we are too big to travel on some of the Portuguese road and it looked fine, in fact it would have been fine if we hadn’t come across a diversion (we couldn’t turn around or reverse so we had to go on).

 The road was narrow, just wide enough for two cars to pass and the edge dropped away. We were doing ok until we came towards the end of the diversion and we were directed to turn right down a road between two buildings that looked like an ally. It was just wide enough for us to pass through, we had about 1 inch  clearance either side of our mirrors. We were so relieved to have made it but when we turned onto the main road we heard the horrible scraping noise again. We had scraped the towing frame again, Paul stopped down the road a bit and had to walk back and retrieve the end cap that had been ripped off.  No damage to the van but more of the powder coating scarped of the frame.

The rest of the journey was uneventful until we were almost at the campsite, we took the first exit off a roundabout as instructed by the sat nav, should have taken the second. We ended up at the end of a farm track in front of some locked gates and had to reverse about 100m back onto the proper road.

When we arrived at the campsite entrance shortly after 12.00 reception was shut. We were greeted by a man Paul now refers to as the gate keeper, he took our passports and made a note of our names and registration number and measured the length and width of the van and gave us a piece of paper to take to reception at 2.00.

We struggled to find a suitable pitch because we didn’t understand that he had told us to go to the top right had corner of the site. It’s a massive site with lots of permanent pitches. We are now parked on a spot that’s more like an aire, no marked pitches, water and electricity (4 amp) close by.

We are close to the rear pedestrian gate to the site, just across the small road are the sand dunes then the ocean. The site looked so unpromising when we pulled in but it’s lovely where we are parked up.

Paul’s ankle is getting worse but he’s being very brave, I have just tripped the electricity with our 1kw kettle (which is now put away in a locker) so Paul had to hobble through the sand dunes to reset it.

Entrance to Parque de Campismo Municipal

Our Pitch in the motorehome parking area

The Beach at Peniche

Beach at Peniche

Day 17 Fri 25.02.2011

Location   Vale Paraiso Campsite, Costa de Pratta, Nazare

Long / Lat : N39º37.14’ W009º3.23’

On the way to this campsite we filled up with diesel at a Shell garage that also sold LPG, the garage was on the N242 Avenida Rairha Santa Isabel Martinganca GPS co-ordinates N39º41.952’ W008º58.092’

The campsite wasn’t far from the Aire we stopped at yesterday, we arrived here at about 10.00am, Paul cleaned the motorhome and I caught up with the washing.

We have been taking to a nice Dutch couple who have a dog that they rescued from Spain two years, the dog undid Pauls shoelace, apparently it’s a trick it does.

The campsite is set on a steep hill, the pitches are terraced amongst pine trees that provide welcome shade (it’s been hot again today after a foggy start). There are more permanent pitches than touring pitches, we are parked at the top of the site on a service pitch 15€ a night with the ACSI card.

The facilities are very good, it would be nice here in the summer.

Entrance to Vale Paraiso Campsite

Our Pitch

Vale Paraiso Campsite

Day 16 Thurs 24.02.2011

Location:  Aire Batalha

Long / Lat N39º39.685’ W008º49.516’

39.66134ºN 8.82500ºW

It’s been an strange day today we left the S. Jacinto Campsite at 9.00am,  we knew we were going to have to back track a bit as we need to find LPG and a supermarket.

We filled up with diesel and headed towards the A25 to fill up with LPG , we came across a police check point and were pulled over, there was no problem we were just asked where we were heading (we said we didn’t know and they laughed) as they spoke good English Paul asked about the new electronic toll roads. They said that they were not currently enforcing them and he told us that he has not paid when he has travelled on them (the situation could change at any time).

We found an LPG station between junctions 4 and 6  of the A25 (LPG available on both sides of the carriageway) filled up with gas no problem.

We then proceeded to the supermarket and came across another toll station which we thought was one of the new electronic ones as it didn’t have any barriers….big mistake, we were only on the road for one junction, less than 5km. When we left the motorway we were stopped and asked for our ticket (we didn’t have one) the booth operator said we have to pay 105€ as we had no ticket.

Paul got out of the van and told the man that he was not paying it and that we had only been on the road for one junction. The man said you have to pay it , and Paul said “I’m not paying you have to arrest me”. The man made a note of our registration number and waived us through without taking any money. We will have to wait and see if a fine arrives when we get back to the UK.

We found the supermarket and did our shopping then headed to the Aire at Batalha. It was quiet a long drive and we did travel on some electronic toll roads but we don’t bother about them anymore.

The Aire is in a car park next to a sports centre a short walk from the town which has a good selection of shops and the impressive 13^th century monastery that is a Unesco

World Heritage site. The Aire is free, there is water and electricity.

It has been so hot and sunny today that we had to have the air con on in the van, when we stopped the temperature was 26º.

We also went into the tourist information centre and asked the girl about the new electronic toll roads and she just laughed . She said no one knew what was happing with them it’s a complete joke and it would cost her a extra 300€ a month . She was not a big fan of the new electronic toll roads , she also said the Spanish were also complaining about them .
                                                                      Aire At Batalha

Aire At Batalha

Monastery

Our Route So Far

Day 15 Weds 23.02.2011

Location:  2^nd day. S. Jacinto, Aveiro Campsite

We woke as it was getting light and walked to the entrance of the camp site to watch the sun appear to rise from  the water.

We are camping on a sand bank with an almost land locked harbor to the east and the Atlantic to the west. The town of Aveiro (Venice of Portugal) is just across the water.

The campsite is about 30km from Aveiro by road but it’s open all year and well worth a visit if you don’t mind the detour.

This morning we decided we would walk to the town of S. Jacinto, it’s only 4km (said Paul…only!!! That’s an 8km round trip!!) So we set off, very pleasant  walk, the sun was shining, we were walking next to the water and there was a slight breeze.

After about 2km I suggested that we turn round and walk back to the van, no said Paul if we take that attitude will never see anything , so on we went.

I checked on autoroute and I think that by the time we got back to the van we had walked about 10km (I haven’t walked that far for years), Paul has a dodgy knee and wined a bit  for the last 1km (was worried that I might have to borrow the campsite cleaners hand cart and go back and fetch him) I have a huge blister on the ball of my foot (the kind of blister that I have only ever seen on a young boys foot after her has played 90 minutes of football in new boots against the best advice of his mother).

Tomorrow we are setting off again, have to find a supermarket and somewhere to buy GPL and get diesel, I’m not walking tomorrow, Paul will have to carry me lol.   

Today we found out today that our good friend Amanda is getting married to Matt (aka Rug) congratulations to both of you, wish you all the best. (Amanda, Paul said don’t forget to send ‘Runs with barley’ an invitation!)

Sunrise at S. Jacinto

Picture taken looking towards the Atlantic

Day 14 Tues 22.02.2011

Location  ACSI S. Jacinto Orbitur Campsite, Aveiro, Portugal

We both work early this morning and decided to leave as soon as we were ready, set off just before 7.00 am. The snooper sat nav decided to take us on a 200km detour, not sure why. We ignored it and followed our planned route on autoroute on the laptop.

We filled up with diesel before we crossed the border as fuel prices are higher in Portugal. When we crossed the border into Portugal and we noticed the landscape changed so much, Portugal looks greener, cleaner and well looked after. We were both glad to have left Spain behind us.

We entered Portugal on the A62, drove over the mountains, another ear popping journey. As we approached junction 6 of the A62 we notice the new electronic toll signs, we ignored them and stayed on the road until out planned exit junction.

The approach road to the campsite runs along by the water for about 10km, we arrived in glorious sunshine, a very pleasant end to our journey.

We arrived at the campsite at 11.30am (Portugal are 1 hour behind Spain, same time as the UK).

We were greeted by the owner of the site, a very nice man who spoke a little English and gave us maps and a guide book for the local area. We walked around the site to look for a suitable pitch, all pitches are on grass set amongst the pine trees.

Road to the Campsite

Campsite Entrance

Pitch amongst the pine trees

We parked up put the table and chairs out and changed into t shirts and shorts as it’s so hot. From out pitch we can hear the Atlantic on one side and on the other side of the road we can just see the Ria de Aveiro.

Day 13 Mon 21.02.2011

Location: ACSI Regio Campsite, Sta Marta de Tormes, Salamanca

Long / Lat N40º56.53’ W005º36.53’

N40.94819, W5.61459

We left Haro before 8.00 am, it had rained during the night and we churned up the grass a bit before the van finally moved.

Headed for Salamanca to the Regio campsite, we had several stops and the journey took about five hours. It was an easy drive dual carriageway most of the way once we had cleared Burgos.

The campsite is located behind the Hotel Regio, out of season the campsite reception is closed so you check in at the hotel, helpful English speaking receptionist.  The location is ideal for a stop over if you are entering Portugal on the A62. Once again we avoided toll roads.

The site has seen better days but is ok for a stopover. The pitches are surrounded by small trees, some with low branches so we had to careful where we parked. The site wouldn’t be suitable for RV’s.

You can use the hotels Wi-Fi free of charge in the reception area or the restaurant. Campsite residents are offered a discount of 10% in the restaurant, not sure if we will eat there as they don’t start serving until 8.00pm and we are both very tired (we have also lost the sat signal so no TV tonight) we will probably be asleep by 7.30If Paul is very good I might let him watch a DVD.

                                                                    Regio Campsite

Regio Campsite

Our route so far

Entrance to campsite

Camping Regio's Big Bird Next To Our Pitch

 

Day 12 Sun 20.02.2011

Location  ACSI Camping de Haro

After breakfast we walked into the town along a footpath next to the river, the town has plenty of shops, restaurants and tapas bars. It was a bit overcast and chilly so we just bought some bread and walked back to the campsite. Paul spoke to the lady in the bakers in French which confused her a little.

By midday the sun had broken through and the cloud had lifted so we could see the tops of the mountains that surround the campsite.

The ground we are parked on is still quiet wet after the rain yesterday so we moved the van nearer to the access road to make it easier to get out tomorrow.

We have been invited for drinks by an English couple who we lent our Spain & Portugal Aires book to, we are going to refuse anything alcoholic as we have a long drive tomorrow.
We are heading for a campsite in Salamanca and are hoping to set off at about 8.30am.


                                                                       Haro 

Haro

View From Campsite

 

Day 11 Sat 19.02.2011

Location:  ACSI Camping de Haro

Long / Lat

We left Biarritz at 8.00am and crossed into Spain about half an hour later heading for an ACSI campsite in Haro. We had decided that we would stay off the toll roads again but we both agreed that if we were travelling later in the day when the roads are busier we would use the toll road to cross into Spain.

The weather wasn’t very good, rain most of the way so visibility was poor which was a pity because the views as we crossed the Pyrenees we breath taking. Would love to do it again sometime on a clear sunny day.

When we arrived in Haro we had a bit of trouble finding the campsite and once again drove into the town. We eventually stumbled upon the yellow campsite signs and located the site.

The road leading to the site is narrow and the entrance involves a tight turn (well tight in our 28 foot van). The staff are friendly and very helpful and speak good English. There are lots of static caravans on the site and the touring pitches are a bit small so we have parked on the grass field which involved a bit of wheel spin and churning up mud as the ground is wet. Slip mats now in place.

The site has Wi-Fi, €9.00 for two days, a bit expensive but we can update the blog and catch up with our emails. We are going to stay here for 2 nights then head to Salamanca for one more stop before we cross into Portugal.The shower blocks are clean and the heating is on.

Tomorrow we plan to go for a walk into the town.

Camping de Haro




Entrance To Camping de Haro

Camping de Haro

Day 10 Fri 18.02.2011

Location   Biarritz Aire day 2

We woke early to more sunshine and decided to have some breakfast then walk along the sea front into Biarritz town centre.

The bread van arrived at 9.00am and the chicken that wandered through the aire yesterday was back.

The walk into town is about 2 miles, it’s a pleasant walk as most of the way we were walking within site of the sea so it didn’t seem too far. We walked as far as the Rocher de la Vierge, a rocky outcrop topped with a white statue of the Virgin Mary, the iron catwalk that joins it to the land was closed but Paul climbed to the top of a big rock and took some amazing photos.

We walked through the town, lots designer shops and surf shops many of which only seem to open during the high season. We bought some quiche for lunch and headed back to the aire. The walk back took a bit longer as we got a bit lost (Pauls fault…lets go that way to cut off the corner…).

After lunch we started planning where we’re heading for tomorrow, we want to travel into Spain but lots of the sites in the North don’t open until April and we don’t want to stay on an aire the first night. Finally found a site that should be open on the route we want to travel.

It’s 7.30pm and the local police have just started collecting the parking fees. We plan to leave at about 8.00am tomorrow if we wake up early enough.

Rocher de la Vierge

Why did the chicken cross the Aire?

Day 9 Thurs 17.02.2011

Location  Biarritz Aire

Long / Lat N43º38.143’ W001º26.809’

43.46645ºN 1.57197ºW

We left the Capbretton aire at 10am and headed for the aire in Biarritz, about a one hour drive away.

The Aires book advised approaching the aire on the D911 from the south but of course we came in from the north, drove through the middle of the town in some very heavy traffic, yet again narrow streets and parked cars made it an interesting journey.

We arrived at the aire in bright sunshine, the aire is €10 a night which includes water and electricity (collected by the local police at 8.00pm). It’s a two minute walk to the beach and there is a intermarche supermarket five minutes walk away.

It’s been very warm again, we can’t believe that we are walking around in t-shirts in the middle of February.

We walked to the beach just across the road from the aire, beautiful beach with white breakers crashing onto the sand, would imagine that it’s extremely busy in the summer.

We like it here so much that we’re going to stay for two nights, tomorrow we’re planning to walk into the town.

We’ve met an older Scottish couple who are on their way back to the UK after a couple of months in Portugal, they’ve recommended some campsite and aires and have told us that we should not worry about the new electronic toll roads.

Biarritz Aire

Biarritz Aire

Beach 5 mins Walk From Aire

Beach 5 mins Walk From Aire

 Beach 5 mins Walk From Aire

 
Beach 5 mins Walk From Aire

Our Route So Far

Day 8 Weds 16.02.2011

Location: Capbreton Aire

Long / Lat N43º38.143 W001º26.809

43.63647ºN 1.44682ºW

We left the campsite just after 9am, just used the last of the milk and we have no bread so first job today was to find a supermarket. After filing up with diesel and food at Carrefour we headed for the N10.

We also needed to fill up with LPG so we stopped at the first service station on the N10 selling GPL. No problem filling up but when it came to paying I had to stand in the naughty corner while the attendant went out onto the forecourt to replaced the filler hose correctly. (She did a little mime for me but I thought she was pretending to be a tea pot).

We headed to the Capbreton Aire, it was an easy journey but were surprised that there are so many lorries on the N10.

We arrived in sunshine, the aire is just behind the sand dunes, we walked over the dunes (about 1 minute from where we are parked) to one of the most beautiful beaches we have ever seen.

The aire is large with marked bays (long enough for our van but not very wide). The water and electricity are turned off but we filled out water tank before we  left the campsite . There is no charge to park here in the winter.

This is the busiest aire we have stopped at so far. We have spoken to two German couples, a German dog shook my hand.

We got chatting with an English couple Peter & Jenny and invited them over for a drink, both woke up the next morning with sore heads.A bread van came at 9am, Paul got some croissants and bread.

Capbreton Aire

Sand Dunes Capbreton Aire

Beach At Capbreton Aire

Beach At Capbreton Aire