New Friends

28th October 2009 - ongoing

Made decision to stay here until the New Year. Started to look at activities taking place within the campsite so its Line Dancing, swimming and keep fit for Sarah, and beer drinking for Rob. Met some new chums, Gary and Bren, they made a snap decision two months ago, sold their flat, bought a car and caravan and did exactly what we are doing, although it took us four years to get to the same place.

Cabo de Palos

1st November 2009

Cycled into Cabo and round the coast to check out the area. Cliffs are eroding badly. Lighthouse seems safe enough.

My Sixtieth Birthday

27th October 2009


Robs 60th Birthday, spent day on the beach. Had Champagne and steak for birthday tea.

La Manga & Calblanque Home for Winter

Saturday 24th October 2009

Tried our luck at camping Mayal where Liz and Terry stay but too expensive and they were not there, so we found a site at La Manga on the beach and decided to stay at least a week if not longer. Had enough of travelling for a while.
This looks like being home for the rest of the winter!!!!

Cap Prim Xabia

Wednesday 21st October 2009


Our next stop was Xabia, took a walk down to the old and new harbour on the first afternoon and saw a trawler bringing in his catch. Watched it unloaded and auctioned off by the quayside. The next day we walked to Cap Prim and then down to beach at Cala de la Barraca o del Portitxol. What a great setting a must for a revisit to the whole area. Campsite a little tight but manageable near front of site.

Peniscola

Tuesday 20th October 2009

Continued our journey to Peniscola to a Camper park in the town. Walked into town in which was the castle used in the film El Cid. Lovely old town.

Mont Roig

Friday 16th October 2009

Moved on down to below Narbonne to a site Mont Roig, on the beach, touch expensive but has Wi Fi and great facilities for a few days on the beach.

Les Casteillets

Wednesday 14th October 2009

Carried on south to a site we stayed at in 2005 at St Jean Plat de Cort near Perpignan.
Les Casteillets. Valerie and Jean Claude the Patrons. Had lazy day in hot sun. 27 degrees

Thursday 15th October 2009

Took scooter into Spain via mountain pass, very windy and so was I, it blew us all over the place. Cold in only a fleece. Sun still hot but wind made it seem very cold.
Moving further south tomorrow. Had news that in Fussen where we were a week ago in 27 degrees, they had snow and minus 9 degrees last night, how quickly it can change. Glad we are not still there.

St Pierre Plage Narbonne

Monday 12th October 2009


Carried on further down the coast wanting to stay at Leucante, but when we got there we found that the off road parking had been updated and height barriers put up so nowhere for us to stop. Ended up at an Aire St Pierre just outside of Narbonne, brilliant stop on the edge of a Sailing School next to the sea. 3 euros a night.

Aire at Greasque

Sunday 11th October 2009

Carried on down the coast but kept to Autoroute, will visit Monte Carlo another time, the coast road might be too small for us must check. Sarah found brilliant overnight stop for free! At an Aire Greasque at the mining museum. Very good motor service point.

Onward through Austria

Friday 9th October 2009

Carried on our journey south to La Spezia, weather a little rainy but the Ligurian hilltop villages look worthy of visiting. Found a campsite Camping Valdeiva just outside Deiva Marina south of La Spezia. Will return to do Cinque Terre walk at later date. Campsite not very special but had Wi Fi and free bus to village train station.

Tegleberg walk

Wednesday 7th October 2009

Cycled to the cable car to take us up to Tegelberg. Walked around the mountains and back down to Neuschwanstein, wonderful walk, with plenty of walking opportunities for walking in the future. The weather was wonderful and by the time we got back the day was so hot I went for a swim in the lake, Rob declined.

 

Revisiting Forggensee

Tuesday 5th October 2009


Cycled to Hohenswangau to visit Schwangau and Neuschwanstein castles. Schwangau the summer residence where Ludwig II grew up and Neuschwanstein a fantasy castle he was having built in honour of the composer Wagner.


Monday 4th October 2009


Bikes out for a trip round Forgannsee and a walk around the old part of Fussen, renown for its lute making. This is a wonderful area to stay in if you like cycling, walking in the mountains and castles.

Friday 2nd October 2009


Trip to Regensburg, Medieval Town which boasts the first stone bridge built across the Danube and a town full of house towers (a type of status symbol for the residents!).

Onwards into Germany

Tuesday 29th September 2009

Travelled out of France and into Germany, spent the night at Schwabisch Hall, the campsite was next to the sport grounds near Comburg Castle. Lovely walk into the centre along the river bank. Beautiful medieval town.

Friday 25th September - Sunday 27th September 2009

Travelled to Lac du Der Chantecoq, south of St. Dizier. A free Aire, great location



Moved below Nancy to Gerardmer. Found campsite from heaven, well at this time of year anyway.
We were the only people on the site. Sunday visited Gerardmer lake.

Tuesday 22nd September 2009 - Friday 25th September 2009


Journeyed down to Dover



















Caught the 10.30 am ferry to Calais had made our way to ‘Camping La Araucarius’ (an old arboretum-so beautiful and peaceful site)at Carlepont near Noyon.
















Visited Noyon and the Forest of Compeigne, a Royal Hunting Ground

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NEW START SEPTEMBER 2009

Well here we are with a New Van, a bit bigger and more mod cons. Ready for our long term touring. We have had it now for nearly two years and have had some great trips in her. She is officially "Bessie the Bus"
Did Italy last year for My son Lee's wedding to Hannah. They were married in Certaldo near Florence in August. We spent five weeks cruising down through France staying with our pals Nigel and Elizabeth near Lake Geneva and then in the Alps walking for a furthur week. Continued down to Italy and on to the wedding.
Will publish more of this a a later time to keep you all filled in.
Now we are off again. My son Lee has taken over the Family business and we are free at last.
We leave on the 23rd September on a one way ticket to France. We are travelling over to Germany to meet with the Carthago owners club and our German counterparts fo a five day Rally.
Then gently heading south to follow the sun hopefully down to Portugals Algarve by winter.
WATCH THIS SPACE.

Grandson Jack aged eighteen months

Here is my second Grandson called Jack George Bell. Born to my Daughter Eve and Tony Jan 3rd 2008.