NORTHERN SPAIN PICOS DE EUROPA TOUR 2011

[axeman]

Our thoughts are going much the same way, We would like to enjoy a leisurely trip through France and hopefully will use the van again for next year, by boat to Santandar in October could be a bit rough as well, and I am not a good sailor

eye eye captin, looking like a drive down then, thats my thoughts, the pool crossing looks like a fairly convienient crossing for most of us. has any one got any outher thoughts?

neil

[jebiga41]

Would be with syncropaddy on the time scale will pencil it in but can't plan that far ahead to many variables.

To drive from Cherbourg/Roscoff/Le Harve/Calais to Santandar is only covering a distance of 1125kms (1300kms Calais), €80 in tolls max and €150 in fuel (30 mpg / current prices) and 11 hours driving (12hrs Calais).

Why would you want to spend £600 on a boat trip and see nothing?

You won't see much on a motorway and would imagine Tols are more than that as cost us over 100 euros from switzerland to calais also fuel on the motorways is more expensive. Would prefer to back road it might be worth looking at the wine tour book where you pay 20 sterling and can say free at vineyards around france although might take a little longer to get to spain

[rogerg-wagon]

Glad to see you got the right idea in the end Paul

[Mudlark]

Titus A Duxass
Sonic23
Axeman
Jed The Spread
Rogerg-wagon
Syncrodoug
KarlT
Essex Nige
HarryMann
pmrad4d
t3rrism
Futbus
Oettinger Dave & Bev
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Syncropatrick
Dai and Debs
Mudlark Mark

Likewise; too far ahead to say for certain but I will pencil it in as a possible; a lot can happen between now and then !

I love the driving and would happily do the road trip; but whats the thoughts on trying to get a one way deal back from Santander for a block booking that is'nt the same price as a return. Might be worth asking as its out of season ? and for those of us with kids to get back to school it would give us a shorter on time option ?

[rogerg-wagon]

Good idea that man!

[HarryMann]

The good news is that this doesn't mean they cannot be used, it just means that the relevant licences will have to be sought.

This is how I've always said the UK powers that be should handle some of the contentious Green Lanes here... licensing to an organised club for a given date - rather than banning them to everyone due to Ramblers' lobby.

[axeman]

we are in southern spain at the moment, and there sceams to be a lot of fun to be had, just driving along the rambler(s) (dryed up river beds) and there are lots of them down here. the poor hire car is getting a bit of a thrashing.there is even a local 4x4 play area that we will pop in to and have a look at, but it confirms that oct would be the right time to do it as it is just too hot at the moment to do any thing with out a/c.

have been talking to a few brits they mainly sceam to recon that the drive is the way to get here.

neil

[HarryMann]

If it's 3m wide and a track, in Spain, I think you are allowed to drive it...

just driving along the rambler(s) (dryed up river beds) and there are lots of them down here.

Ah!, then is the Rambla in Barcelona a dried up river bed... probably, as it heads for down to the port...

Enjoy your hire car... We used to get our money's worth from hire cars off-road, in Cyprus particularly (necessary to get some places) and in the Canaries (mountain-bike downhill runs) Just watch they don't do an underside inspection when you return it

Enjoy your hols and pray for a cooling wind

[syncropatrick]

Autumn half-term 2011 dates for a school in Brizzle have been published. Week starting 23rd Oct 2011. I could leave Brizzle Thursday 20th arvo and have to be back by Mon 31st arvo.

[Cheers...Steve]

Just over in Santiago now having got the ferry on Sunday from Plymouth to Santander. Lovely smooth crossing & a cheesey disco with Hells Angels dancing to Sweet Dreams Are Made Of This to boot

Can recommend a great relaxed camp site in Gijon called Gijon Camping right on the coast & this one in Santiago but it sounds as if you may not be coming over this way

All going well but van´s developed an annoying rumble which seems to come from NSR. One minute it´s heart stoppingly loud the next it´s gone. Seems to be once were on the smaller twistier roads. Oh well fingers crossed

Gonna head into Picos soon especially to see the OSOs (lil´black Bears)

[terryvanman]

Well I too an off to the north of Spain on Wednesday 8th for a tour around. Taking the ferry from Portsmouth to Santander and staying in a small hotel in Pamplona for the first night, then it’s off west to Santiago de Compostela via sight seeing stops and Parador and small hotels in Logrono, Burgos, Leon, and Lugo. Then it’s off up to the coast to Oviedo and all along the top of Spain stopping at a couple of seaside campsites and paying a visit to the syncro heaven Picos De Europa mountain range { I will leave a message carved in a tree for you to take a photo of] then Bilbao for a night or two.
We then head into France via Biarritz and on to the river Garonne to follow it down to Carcassonne and then back to friend place just outside Toulouse for a few nights, then its up thought France staying wherever we like whenever we like heading up to St Malo for the ferry back to Portsmouth, a 3500 mile 25 day trip, It could all change day by day but this is the rough outline.
I have dreamed of doing this ever since I bought the van nearly 4 years ago,, Nada has worked really hard on organising this trip with hotel bookings etc, me I just had to get the van ready, new front tyres, full service and loading the necessary tools, replacement parts, triangle, hi-viz jackets and organising the paperwork..to say I’m nervous is an understatement but looking forward to it. now I have to wash and polish the van [cant turn up in Spain with a dirty van]
Any tips and advice would be appreciated for a Spain/Euro virgin.

[GoldSyncro]

Hi Terry

Glad to hear you're looking forward to your trip through Spain. I've been busy researching what you can and can't do in the Picos. I plan to respond to everyone very shortly but in the meantime please be aware that you will need a license to 'legally' explore the Picos in a four wheel drive. There are only two shortish routes you can do without one. A license can only be obtained through an authorised adventure tour operator (most are based in Potes) and, unfortunately, they need at least six weeks notice to obtain it.

On a more positive note I've driven the allowed routes and there're well worth doing. I'll be more than happy to join you for the day and show you around.

Your trip will also take you right past my house. I live near Santillana del Mar in Cantabria so please feel free to pop in and say hallo. I also have three apartments so if you're looking for a place to stay please keep me in mind.

Please feel free to give me a ring on 0034 605675176 or e-mail me on williamsinspain@hotmail.com.

Cheers

Robert

[jed the spread]

I drove to Lekeitio in the Syncro a couple of weeks ago Rob. I had forgotten you lived so close Nice the North coast of Spain isnt it?

jed

[GoldSyncro]

Hi Jed

I don't believe it, we were in Lekeito only last week!!! We spent a few days driving the coast road between San Sebastián and Bilbao. We probably used the same camp sites!!!

Glad you liked my neck of the woods. Come on the trip next year and you'll really see how good the North of Spain is.

Cheers

Rob

[jed the spread]

Hi Jed

I don't believe it, we were in Lekeito only last week!!! We spent a few days driving the coast road between San Sebastián and Bilbao. We probably used the same camp sites!!!

Glad you liked my neck of the woods. Come on the trip next year and you'll really see how good the North of Spain is.

Cheers

Rob

Did you use the campsite in Lekeito on the coast road with the small bar and step terrace up the mountain over looking the sea?

jed