The LongRoadSouth

Del you are a bit of a worrier at times lol. All I used to do was get currency, a few spare tee shirts, a pair of jeans, the tent along with plate, dish cup spoon etc then fill tank and go.

There was no sat nav and no google translate, remember you want boeuf steak or you will be served chevalier. It’s a feckin adventure so check you have 9 months left on your passport and just go. Doesn’t matter really if you end up in Italy instead does it?

I did add a French road map the second trip as I found a lot didn’t understand French place names ha ha

Oh yes, francs are no longer any use to you matey better using Rizlas :)
 
Do you really want to drive all the way through cold France.. ?
Consider ferry to Caen, .. Don't forget your Hi via best !
Hadn’t thought of Caen, scared of meeting the mother in law’s family perhaps. I’ll check ferry prices.
As for “ Hi via best “, I think I know what you mean. You’re having a touch of the Nabsim’s
 
We hope to go on 6th Feb, driving rapidly through France until we reach Spain. Done this for the last 3 years. The ‘back roads of Spain’ is a good book to add to the lovely beautiful library.

When are you leaving/returning?
 
Hadn’t thought of Caen, scared of meeting the mother in law’s family perhaps. I’ll check ferry prices.

We are considering Caen for the first time this year - works out about the same costs as going via Dover-Calais. Not booked yet though
 
Del you are a bit of a worrier at times lol. All I used to do was get currency, a few spare tee shirts, a pair of jeans, the tent along with plate, dish cup spoon etc then fill tank and go.

There was no sat nav and no google translate, remember you want boeuf steak or you will be served chevalier. It’s a feckin adventure so check you have 9 months left on your passport and just go. Doesn’t matter really if you end up in Italy instead does it?

I did add a French road map the second trip as I found a lot didn’t understand French place names ha ha

Oh yes, francs are no longer any use to you matey better using Rizlas :)
Cheers mate, knew you’d be here sooner or later.
Rizlas? Are they for dovetails? Whatever........?
 
We hope to go on 6th Feb, driving rapidly through France until we reach Spain. Done this for the last 3 years. The ‘back roads of Spain’ is a good book to add to the lovely beautiful library.

When are you leaving/returning?

Hi Lin
Da.
Leaving Very early 3rd March. 0100 - 0200 that kinda early. Return late May.
 
No
Rova viva.
Just googled that. Is it a dash cam? I’ve got one on my Garmin. Should be okay with that. I’ll have to work out how to save stuff to my iPad.
I’m sure someone will be alone soon to tell me how. Hint, hint.. You reading this Nabs?
(He’s blanking me atm, give him a little time, and he’ll not be able to resist the challenge, bless him) ?
This Rova Viva is an Alexa device for cars etc...

So you can call up music, change sat nave destinations, ask other stuff, while driving safe.
 
you have already received lots of sound advice and although i agree with the comments about enjoying france you have realistically in january got to get past tarragona to get in double figures temperature wise and valencia before you reach the teens , the region around burgos madrid zaragoza is prone to snow and a good weather app can help selecting a trouble free route, most seasoned travellers will recommend enjoying the north on the way home just get down to the south coast as early as possible and work your way back up, we are holding joys hand on her first trip down and we are down at cullera at the moment which is even more of a ghetto than usual prob 50% more vans that previous years and it’s always been busy, if you have any specific queries PM me and if i can i’ll help,
 
Have you looked at getting ferry to Santander or Bilbao to get in warmer part sooner Del then wander back up? Cost it against fuel, it may not be so bad for one person. Otherwise you are wanting to just get in to Southern Spain ASAP avoiding snow as much as possible. If going France look at ports on the West, St Mao isa good overnight crossing from Portsmouth, can get on and settled, have a meal and take in a movie then a couple of drinks before bed. They used to wake you with tea and biscuits, not sure if they still do. From St Malo shoot down the west and you would soon hit Spain
 
Have you looked at getting ferry to Santander or Bilbao to get in warmer part sooner Del then wander back up? Cost it against fuel, it may not be so bad for one person. Otherwise you are wanting to just get in to Southern Spain ASAP avoiding snow as much as possible. If going France look at ports on the West, St Mao isa good overnight crossing from Portsmouth, can get on and settled, have a meal and take in a movie then a couple of drinks before bed. They used to wake you with tea and biscuits, not sure if they still do. From St Malo shoot down the west and you would soon hit Spain
Niel, Have you ever done the Bay of Biscay in February? If one does take that route in Jan, Feb or even March do make sure that you eat stuff that will taste good on its way back, because it will almost certainly make the return trip
 
Rova viva.
Just googled that. Is it a dash cam? I’ve got one on my Garmin. Should be okay with that. I’ll have to work out how to save stuff to my iPad.
I’m sure someone will be alone soon to tell me how. Hint, hint.. You reading this Nabs?
(He’s blanking me atm, give him a little time, and he’ll not be able to resist the challenge, bless him) ?

Be very wary of dash cams in Portugal against the law, something about invasion of privacy!
 
Have you looked at getting ferry to Santander or Bilbao to get in warmer part sooner Del then wander back up? Cost it against fuel, it may not be so bad for one person. Otherwise you are wanting to just get in to Southern Spain ASAP avoiding snow as much as possible. If going France look at ports on the West, St Mao isa good overnight crossing from Portsmouth, can get on and settled, have a meal and take in a movie then a couple of drinks before bed. They used to wake you with tea and biscuits, not sure if they still do. From St Malo shoot down the west and you would soon hit Spain

Tbh Neil, rather drive than sail. If I was meant to go on water I’d have webbed feet. Looking at Newhaven Dieppe as an alternative.
 
you have already received lots of sound advice and although i agree with the comments about enjoying france you have realistically in january got to get past tarragona to get in double figures temperature wise and valencia before you reach the teens , the region around burgos madrid zaragoza is prone to snow and a good weather app can help selecting a trouble free route, most seasoned travellers will recommend enjoying the north on the way home just get down to the south coast as early as possible and work your way back up, we are holding joys hand on her first trip down and we are down at cullera at the moment which is even more of a ghetto than usual prob 50% more vans that previous years and it’s always been busy, if you have any specific queries PM me and if i can i’ll help,
PM you if I have queries? You may live to regret that offer.?
Not leaving until 2/3 March, so most of the snow will be gone or at least made safe.
 
I’ve no wish to sound flash, but l’ll have in excess of £30. 20 franc and more pesatas than I’ll ever spend, can’t remember what the Portuguese currency was. .
Euro Zone all the way you can save the outward trip thru France by going direct ferry to Spain
 
we were planning to do the tunnel this year with tesco vouchers but when they arrived small print had to be booked 14days in advance , so we booked portsmouth st malo overnight dog & cabin £280 this for us gave a saving of 320 miles drive & fuel tolls time etc made it worthwhile if you do go newhaven dieppe remember there is 20% discount only available by phone ,
 
not leaving till march 2/3 most of the snow will have gone by then , these photos were early april northern france from Rennes to Calais lol

54F3FE58-A793-4B88-9F76-093DFFF9B210.jpeg4410B8FB-4893-4F1F-87AC-BE7F126E8DAF.jpeg
 
not leaving till march 2/3 most of the snow will have gone by then , these photos were early april northern france from Rennes to Calais lol
Not in the slightest bit funny. Lol. I don’t do the white stuff, at all, no way, will hibernate , hide,throw toys out of pram .
Have I made my point now?
It’s going to be wall to wall sunshine all the way,everyday without exception.
 
I always go over on the Tunnel using our TESCO vouchers of which we now have enough of them to manage 2 x return trips per annum. The advantage with the Tunnel is that it is very fast and of course it is never affected by rough weather and most importantly for us at least being that you are always with your four legged friends.

When we first moved over there in mid January 2004, the daytime temperature in Northern France was a balmy 15C. But with regards to the temperatures what often catches so many Brits out is that they don't expect the depths of the freezing cold temperatures that can be reached when a long way from the coast, however @Trotter your journey across France en-route to Spain shouldn't see you venturing too far away from the coast.

Just like so many others I/we always avoid toll roads with the exception of the first blat down from Calais to Abbeville that is a right royal boring stretch of countryside unless you hog the narrow coast roads.

I don't think I have seen it suggested yet, but I honestly do believe the Vicarious Publishing books "All the Aires Of France", both North and South editions and also their similar publication for both Spain & Portugal, they are all must have publications for your trip, https://www.vicarious-shop.com/?gclid=EAIaIQobChMI_fPPmtP-3wIVRLDtCh217AWnEAAYASAAEgL_UfD_BwE
Whenever we are over in Europe I always spend some time the night before planning exactly where we might be stopping the following night using the above guides, always having a 2nd choice for just in case!
I strongly suggest that you NEVER EVER stop on any of the major Aires that you will find alongside the main autoroutes or 'N' roads as they can be a bit risky as has been well reported on numerous sites, but always stop if you can in larger commune villages where you will almost always find a good Aire as well as bread shops and cafes that are still the social hub of French rural life.

It has already been mentioned about the use of a dash cam, they are frowned upon in Portugal, but what I can't recall seeing written yet is that if you use a Sat-Nav, when in France make certain that you disable the radar warning facility as dear old Johnnie Gendarme doesn't take kindly to that facility and if you do get stopped and the Gendarme who stops you is one of the snotty types then you will more than likely end up having both a hefty fine as well as having your sat-nav confiscated. Believe me, I used to live over there and I know of several people that had this happen to them!!

You are one lucky 'B' @Trotter for going on such a fantastic tour, make sure you enjoy yourself.
 
True, camera alerts are illegal in France but, this is lifted from the TOMTOM site regarding camera alerts. http://uk.support.tomtom.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/5560/~/tomtom-speed-camera-service-and-the-law

'FRANCE
TomTom’s service in France is certified to be 100% legal. Instead of warning for exact locations of cameras, TomTom warns for Danger Zones around any potential danger, including cameras.'

Sidesteps the law that was introduced at the same time as the breathalizer legislation by Sarkozy as a voted catcher.
 

Users who viewed this discussion (Total:0)

Back
Top