Tag: Spain

After leaving Zaragoza another boring journey across open landscape, rocky hilly and sandy terrain

Little traffic most of the way on this new motorway.

As we approached the south coast the population and traffic became denser.

I began to have a feeling we were not going in the right direction, but I had no cause to doubt the Sat Nav that had not previously taken us to the door of our destinations.

Until that is, we were at our destination( Ref Sat Nav)in the middle of an unmade road in the middle of a wine field.

Absolutely no one around, absolutely barren.

Lost In A strange country.

Decision time, I had already spent more time driving that anticipated.

Retracing our steps back onto the motorway in the direction we had already come I came off at a service station to refill and also ask directions to the address I had.

Several points of reference was made, it was approximately 50 miles back in the direction I had already came.

Oh! Blow and Frustration.

Following the directions we eventually came within the region that was listed on our destination address.

Stopped reset the Sat Nav and continued.

This is where our holiday becomes interesting.

A strong smell began to permeate the car, burning,

The meters were all as normal; suddenly the ABS light came on.

Decision time, the hard shoulder was very narrow, as was the motorway.

If I pulled over there was a good chance the caravan or myself would be involved in an accident with the heavy lorries that were rushing by.

The running gear seemed to ok, so I proceeded with caution.

As we neared our destination the Sat Nav us took off the now ‘A” type road and along some lanes.

Time was progressing dusk was appearing in the sky and I felt a need for urgency.

More lanes and getting more narrow, I turned a bend to see an elderly couple walking leisurely in the middle of the road and were startled when I came into view.

He frantically waved his hands, and I stopped.

He spoke no English but indicated I could go no farther there was no exit.

Typically a car squeezed by after I had moved over as far as I could.

Some more hand waving and sign language, I tried to reverse my Caravan.

Impossible, so I unhitched and with some struggling and help from the Spaniard I turn the caravan around on the slope re-hooked, bade our farewells and retraced my steps.

Reset the Sat Nav and continued my journey bearing in mind I did not know where I was in this foreign land and could not speak a word of their language.

More narrow lanes and traffic that was amazed to see a caravan as they squeezed by with furtive glances.

Came to a junction of a wider road, waited for traffic to clear and progressed from this narrow Lane.

BANG! Oh no what have I hit; I opened the door thinking I had hit a post, or something, NO, and then I saw the reason.

The Drivers side wheel of the caravan had ridden over a cover on the gully and collapsed, the wheel was in the gully.

My car was projecting into the road and stopping what little traffic there was.

Don’t panic, I put the car into 4-wheel drive, success I pulled the caravan out and proceeded on my journey.

Back onto the main road, turn Right it said, down to the end of the road and out onto the beach, it was now really dusk, I was tired and wanted to park up but Sandra wanted to carry on.

Turn right again on next turning, I then decided to Phone the site owner.

He spoke some English gave me Sat Nave details and also a description of where the site was.

After several stops showing the address to pedestrians (They all stank of Garlic)

I eventually got to site, It was now dark I nearly cried with relief, I had been on the road since 10.30am it was now 18.30pm.

As I was in reception cars started blowing their horns.

Locals wanted a drink in the Taverna.

He said go and park your caravan and come back to register.

Remember it was dark; it was also a wooded site with little light penetrating the trees.

I continued in a straight line and came to a halt, could not go and farther, it was dark and very difficult to reverse.

Stood outside my car considering the alternatives when suddenly two guys appeared offing to help.

Great, caravan unhooked and moving into a tight spot.

Where had these guys come from? Were they genuine or would they be in my Car or Caravan.

It resolved that they were genuine.

Wow, what a day, all I wanted was to relax and have an English Beer, fortunately I had brought some for occasions like this.

Sandra was not happy about the car, the ABS had gone off when we were in the Lane with the Spaniard but she was not confident it would last for the rest of our Holiday so I approached the site owner and he suggested a garage 2 miles away.

He was expecting us when we arrived; the following day,I was to take it back the following day for inspection and comments.

On arriving back at site Dave Seaward had arrived.
I must admit it was nice seeing their smiling faces and warm words of comfort after I explained our predicaments of the last 24 Hours.

We decide for a walk along the beach and then into a Taverna for some refreshment

 A long walk back exploring other parts.

In the evening we had a meal in the local restaurant that was quite nice, relaxing and also very inexpensive.

A Nightcap in Dave’s Motorhome and so to bed.

David decided to come with me to the garage.

It was decide the garage would inspect the damage, order the spares.

We walked into La Verger, very lonely; David considered everyone was at work.

Couple cups of coffee catch up on Wi Fi; walk around town and back to the garage.

He would order spares, we would move onto our next site (85 Miles away) and return the car when the spares arrived. Simple enough (Oh no)!

In the evening we decided to walk to the local currently fashionable Japanese Sushi restaurant, all you can eat for 12 Euros.

The young waitress was efficient in her knowledge of the food but got little irritated with me when I did not understand her Japanese / Spanish / English explanations of the various dishes.

Anyway we proceeded. Somewhat unusual to what I normally eat, but we were on Holiday.

Various types of fish, lots wrapped in paper type of Seaweed, some rice, sauce etc. all eaten with my fingers.

Did not want to use chopsticks, I think I would have made more of a mess than I did.

Dave and Maggs were moving on to their next destination and so left site late morning and we were to follow later moving onto our site for the next two weeks.

I have missed some part of our adventure out due to circumstances, but I will try to complete that at a later stage.

I wish to carry onwards and upwards at the moment.

This is the end of our two week Stay at Marjal, a campsite of approx. 1400 sites, superb Shower blocks with under floor heating, (here in Spain).

An internal road system and sited various styles and sizes Motor Homes you can Imagine.

There were also bungalows of all shapes and sizes that are available to purchase and rent.

The owners can then modify them as they feel only limited by the amount of money one has.

We had spent the last night at the club, getting there for happy hour at 6 o’clock, the prices are normally good but now they were ridiculously cheap.

But who was moaning.

The entertainer for the night was “Dutch Jonny” he certainly new how to manipulate the crowd.
We all (Sandra, Audrey, Tom and I) had a good evening with plenty of laughs.

Tom and Audrey had supported us well through our problems with my car, giving us moral help and also mobile help. (That’s another story)

Evening over, we said our good byes with hugs and kisses and promises to meet again soon.

We went our separate ways back to our caravans and so to bed.

Awake early to see the sun arise over the horizon, great a nice day to travel.

Breakfast, packed up said our goodbyes to our neighbor, an Englishman from up North, who now lives if France but come south for the winter to his Bungalow he Purchased for 45,000 euros when the site opened 4 years ago.

Also said our goodbyes to a couple that are Assistant Caravan Club Stewards on the clubs sites. They camped with the CCC Rally not wanting to be bothered by the CCC members.

They were also very helpful when we arrived.

Going back in March to Steward a site in Suffolk until November.

Tom and Audrey arrived said our goodbyes again, and we drove off into the sunrise.

Sat Nav set to the GPS fastest time for a site along the coast 180 miles away, had good reports about it and was in the right direction.

Bonterra Park on the way to Barcelona.

The road numbering system is quite complicated, with some roads having the two numbers, I never got to the bottom of that one but I suppose some one knows.

The problems with travelling in a country you do not know constantly thinking does the Sat Nav know where it is going, In my mind we were not going in the right direction, E-17, A31, numbers I had not been used to having travelled several times between Denia and some where near Torrvieja.

(These were the times I had my unfortunate experiences with my car)

Eventually I pulled into a filling station and checked, with the detailed map.

Yes we were on the right road but not necessarily in the direction I thought we might go.

I thought we would go along the coast road, on of several that ran in the same direction but of different quality and some road tolls, with road numbers E-15, N-332, A-7, AP-7.

We were going north, it was busy with loads of lorries so we were going in the right direct, but was it the direction I wanted.

My stop confirmed I should have had confidence in my Sat Nav; we were travelling along a road that was cutting across a sort of peninsula.

This road was constantly going up hill; there was industry on sides, some population, and some times greenery.

200 yards after our stop we took a road sharply to the right after 6 miles then took another turning to the right, sharply is probably the wrong word, all roads blended into each other via filter lanes, in effect these were quite a good way of joining the flow on busy roads.

This last on took us onto the A35, A7 road that took us back towards Valencia.

The scenery began to change, the landscape also changed giving it a more cared for appearance.

Industry was strewn around, fields of various types fruit, either gathered or starting their their cycle again, Oranges and lemons were very popular. Lorries with crates of them were moving them around the countryside to different locations.

Recently constructed houses were plentiful, an obvious higher economic area of Spain not reliant on the tourist industry.

All the roads again were recently built within the last 10 years, not to the same standards as the UK, road width seem to differ, the hard shoulders were definitely death traps if you stopped, not being wide enough for the vehicle, let alone offer some repairs

Miles rolled by; we were travelling at approximately 55- 60 miles an hour, giving lorries the opportunity to pass us by and also for me to relax and enjoy the scenery, time was on my side.

The area around Valencia was nice and I wished I would have had time to spend and explore more; it appeared to be clean tidy and well organize,

It was not to be.

The population became denser and Sat Nav said turn off, we nearing our destination as “Benicassim” appeared on the road signs.

We were now on local roads, turn sharp right, blimey that looks a bit steep, it was, for longer caravans that had bottomed out by the scars in the road.

Turn left; I had to turn the wing mirrors in to get through the rows of cars on either side.

Turn left and left again, there was a roundabout, and the left turning had gone.

I made the right choice.

We turned into a well-organized campsite, told to find our pitch and report back after leaving our passports with him.

10amp electricity was available, water on pitch suitable for washing etc., potable water available from a central source that I was not keen on due to my recent past experience.

England Vs. Italy available in the clubhouse tomorrow so I am sorted.

Out for a walk into Benicassim, Sandra’s compulsory visit to the local “Sell Everything Chinese shop, purchased a local large cauliflower for 1 euro, into Lidle’s for some bread and made our way back to the van knackered again but happy the Sat Nav brought right to the door without the previous hassles I’ve had.

Awake at 6.30, decided to go back to sleep, no rush today only 185 miles to go.

On reflection of our tours these last few days and taking into account the bad weather we have encountered,

At the moment all these lovey profound names, ideas and dreams these places might conjure up, be very relaxed about it all, we in the UK have all and more to offer to the tourists of the world, easily compared to anything we have set our eyes upon so far. We only lack the weather.

So far Sandra and I have encountered that as well.

But we have chosen this time to tour.

Zaragoza is our target, for 2 days.

I eventually get up and decided to get some fuel locally, on the motorway they can charge what they like.

Secured a fill up for €1.04, back home for breakfast pack up and away.

Negotiating a left turn via Sat Nav where the road system was being changed into a round a bout, was successful. Continue quite happily, but around here was quite a few changes that confused Sat Nav and I.

Took a turning that caused Sat Nav to renegotiate the route, you know, you have all been there.

Ended with me taking a right turning that was wrong, down the hill that got narrower and narrower, turned left into a type of lane, like the one at the bottom of your garden. Continue (there was no where else to go). Turned left up the hill again, great made it 45 degree slope, only to get to the top, guess what the road was blocked off with huge white painted stones.

Reverse down the hill again, turn left and followed my nose to the top again. Only this time I stopped for while for Sat Nav to regain her composure.

100% away we go (all this time I remained in control without panicking, Sandra was not so confident).

We were on the road again, lots of turnings etc.,

Then Sat Nav says bare right in 97 miles, time to relax again.

But we did not take into account the number of Pay age or Autopistas what ever they are called into Spain.

We spent lots of money going through these Toll roads.

Anyway on we go and suddenly we start going up wards, this was not a short upward but a long one.

Miles and the temperature dropped, the scenery changed, the house’s that we saw reminded me of Switzerland, the hills changed to mountains on wards and upwards, no one told me I would be going over the Alps.

The engine temperature was going up, I was getting anxious.

Not only that I was worried where my wallet was.

I tried to pay at a Pay age and did not have my wallet with me.

Trying to think when I had it last at the Petrol station, could not think I had left it in the caravan, worried with all the consequential losses I did not speak for quite a while.

Snow on the mountains, long tunnels to contend with we carried on.

10 klm a fuel stop great I will be able to confirm or not where my wallet and all my money both £ & €, you can imagine.

We pulled in and stopped to let Marley relieve himself and also to look for my Wallet.

Hooray it was left in my caravan what relief.

Onwards now long way to go.

Scenery began to change as we progressed.

Again mile after mile. Traffic was exceedingly light; the motorways were totally unused built from EU funds total waste of our money.

As I travel I and being more educated and convinced the UK has a soft Government and not utilizing the Taxpayers money for the use of the taxpayer.

How ever I am getting myself wound up so I will not proceed on that subject any more (YET).

I am sat currently in my comfortable caravan was totally relaxed enjoying a glass of very nice and cheap Vino.

To continue, as we passed small towns and villages, remember we are travelling across the center of Spain, various crops (yet inactive) of wine vines, olive trees and others I cannot identify. A long range of mountains to my left and hundreds, yes hundreds of wind generators, including huge fields of Solar panels made of 15’ x 15’ panels.

But rather boring plain course countryside, sandy Spanish type.

Zaragoza now begins to be more apparent as we get close, with industrial units appearing.

Eventually we get into the outer limits when again I get confused with Sat Nav and miss the turning, straight into town, a care full and slow negotiation, we eventually reach site.

On the button, right to the desk.

This geographical coordinates are really something.

Clock in site produced, you No 111, follow the road.

This site recommend buy the CCC, is a municipal run site.

The whole area is a development site an extension to existing town as probably fund3d by the EU, and our money.

Well fitted with all the amenities but the design should have been designed by some one with Mobile Home and Caravan knowledge.

Good indications it was municiple site, it was poorly maintained

The room to manoveure is already showing signs of accidents, we had unnecessary difficulties getting onto a large site because of inappropriate trees planted, waste bins and road side kerbs etc.

Others parking at the time had to stop and think how they would approach their site.

There were mainly English on site approx. 12 units in transit, going to or leaving the coast of Spain.

A Motor Home user from Torquay, he was an Estate agent on the way south to warmer climes.

Another Bailey Pageant owner (Poor old Guy) on his way home to New castle area with two grey hounds, his first trip and fed up of driving going home via Bilbao Ferry.

I thought on our way we are going south and the weather would be warmer, how wrong.

When I got out of the car to sign in, the wind was gale force, i.e. lean into type.

Signed in showing passport, on to site, that’s when I have some difficulties, but not a lot.

Set up donned winter wear, i.e. artic gear, and went in search of Super Market that was supposed to be across the road, across the yet to be developed waste land.

Reaching the other side and into newly created blocks of 8 story blocks of secure gate entry flats.

Nothing found, eventually Sandra enter a shop and asked where ‘Carrefour’ was, an immediate response and pointe us in the right direction of this rather large development area.

Shopping done including 2 bottles of Vino (That later proved to be good wine and good value) settled in for the night.

After our evening meal (I don’t want to be posh and say ‘Dinner’)

I began to update my Blog.

There is an airport here and during the day aircraft take off without too much disturbance to the locals.

2000 hrs. that changes for about an hour there was continuous noisy Jet aircraft taking off, and then silence no aircraft at all.

We both agree that this is a one night stop only for transit reasons, there is nothing here for us, a newly developing EU funded town, as agreed by other more experienced travellers on site.

We shall be leaving for higher temperatures (hopefully) a day early hoping that our pre booked site can accept us.

We will not be returnng to this site again

I think that’s about it for today, sorry it’s boring but that’s my life.