Over the Pyrenees and into Spain

Last night was spent on an Aire in Anglet, near Biarritz - we had travelled a further 566 miles.  We'd stopped here before and knew it took 60 motorhomes, so we figured we would easily get in.  We didn’t arrive until just turned 7pm and couldn’t believe how full it was.  As luck would have it we managed to find the last space. The day was finished off with a lovely stroll along the promenade and a glass of wine - it was 16° at 8pm – perfect!

Sunset over Anglet

The Aire is free in the winter months – hence why it was full. Just in case anyone may want to use it, the coordinates are: N43°30.427’ W001°32.059' (it’s just off the D405 adjacent to the beach).  Cost is 10€ in summer and 5€ spring and autumn.

Another early start and we were off again heading over the Pyrenees and into Spain.

The Pyrenees

As we began to climb the temperature dropped to -1 degrees brrrrr but it was a lovely sunny day.  There were plenty of tunnels to go through on this journey!

This tunnel was 4km long and when we came out the other side it was thick fog and the temperature was still dropping!

Fog over the Pyrenees

An hour or so later as we headed down off the mountains and headed further south the temperature went up and up and up - although we could still see snow on the mountains.

Snow topped mountains, just passed Salamanca

Destination Cáceres – last stop before Punta Umbria!

Sally x

First Stop Callengeville, France

We set off on our 2-year adventure from Darlington on 27 December 2016 at 9:15 to catch the 17:20 Euro shuttle train.  We were told that this was one of the busiest days to travel and they weren’t wrong!  The A1 wasn’t too bad but the M11 and M25 was gridlock.  A journey that would normally take about 5 ½ hours took nearly 7 ½ and it was touch and go if we would make it in time.  However, with Stirling Moss (aka Mel) behind the wheel for the last leg of the journey we made it - phew!

We’ve always used the ferry to get across the channel as I'm a bit claustrophobic and being in an underwater train has never filled me with confidence, so the Eurotunnel was going to be a whole new experience.  Once through passport control, and gas checks for the motorhome done we were surprised to just drive onto a train through a side door, down what can only be described as a long corridor and 5 minutes later we were on our way.

For those who haven't been on before, I have taken a little video:

Some 30 minutes later we were in France, straight off the train and on the road to our first overnight stop.  We had the coordinates (E1°30'51" N 49°50'01") in the sat nav to the Aire (parking stops for motorhomes) and got to the village about 20:30 only to find the coordinates taking us down a dirt track in pitch black to some French farmers field - don't you just love sat navs!!
Approx 2kms later we were able to turn around and go back to the village, spotted another motorhome parked up and figured that was the Aire.  Just over 11 hours and 415 miles of travelling we were exhausted.  So it was a quick bite to eat and an early night, as we had another long day ahead tomorrow.

Sonny, the motorhome parked up for the night at Callengeville Aire

We need to be in Punta Umbria, Spain for 31 December, ready for new year celebrations with our son, his girlfriend and her family.  We have allowed 4 days to travel approximately 1700 miles and will be using motorways nearly all the way, so unfortunately, we will miss all the scenic parts but needs must.

We are aiming for Biarritz tomorrow, so fingers crossed the roads are a lot quieter that the UK!

Sally x