lightning

lightning

Well-Known Member
Our first one. Instead of getting on the plane to a Greek lsland (nothing wrong with that) we plan to catch the ferry to Bilbao and basically drive back over the Pyranees and through France stopping at various places on route.
Now l have never done anything like this before (although me and my dad hitch hiked the same route when l was 11)
And neither has my missus.
l assume there's nothing particularly difficult about the trip, nothing we need to know?
If it goes well we'll try something more adventurous next year, but we need to start somewhere.
We'll take the 110 as it's got more room than our 90 and maybe stay somewhere in Spain for a few days then hopefully campsites/B&B on the way back.
Anybody got any useful advice for us?
 
Another +1 on the European breakdown cover. Locked the Mondeo keys in the boot a few years ago in Carcassonne. Was glad we had it then! :oops:
Haven't done that ferry, are you doing the 24hr crossing? I take it you are keen to relive the journey you did with your dad. How much time do you have?
 
No not really doing it to relive the journey with my dad.
Still can't believe we did it back then! I was only 11.
In the day l'd go to play on the beach just over a hill from the campsite in Spain. One afternoon l was late back and when l got to our tent it was dusk. I saw all these lights on the hillside and wondered what they were.
Turned out my dad had recruited pretty much everybody on the campsite to look for me.
Another night we were near Paris and had not found anywhere to stay the night. I slept on a park bench and my dad sat there awake all night to make sure l was OK.
And we got a lift with a French guy who took us back to his chateau. Turned out he was a musician, he let us into the house then just went out.
The house was full of recording equipment. We must have looked trustworthy! And of course we were. My dad stayed in touch with him for years and went back to see him a few years later.
We couldn't get any lifts in Spain and got a coach to the Pyranees where a group of hippies gave us a lift in a VW Camper over to France.
l remember sitting in the back with these guys and girls as they played music and chatted.
And once we camped in a field and a snake appeared at the tent door. My dad poured salt on it! He said it was all he could think of to do. The snake went away though.
After that l made my dad sleep next to the tent door.
l think my dad having a child (me) with him made people welcome us more readily.
 
Ha, ha. I think you are reliving it cos I asked 3 questions and you only answered the one ;)
 
Yep, l guess!

But l don't have any idea the route we took. I think the ferry was a day and two nights?

There were three student nurses in the tent next to ours in Spain (we stayed a week there before travelling back)
They were very friendly.

I remember they called me a "chirp" they said to my dad is it just you and the chirp on holiday. Maybe they were French and that's their nickname for a kid.

Strange the things you remember.
 
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lightning said:
Yep, l guess!

But l don't have any idea the route we took. I think the ferry was a day and two nights?
Click to expand...
Don't blame you! It's great to relive old, memorable events. :)
I've looked at that ferry before, but not done it. IIRC there's an overnight (about 24hr) crossing and a longer one.
I've driven (from Northumberland) to Southern Spain and other routes through Spain a number of times. Not in the Landy though!
There's a nice little mountain railway at that end of the Pyrenees. I'll have it written down somewhere,
 
Have fun! However long you think it'll take, +50%.
Chances are, you'll do the trip with no help needed, but, there's no better feeling in your mind than you and ride are covered for the way home!
 
lightning said:
Our first one. Instead of getting on the plane to a Greek lsland (nothing wrong with that) we plan to catch the ferry to Bilbao and basically drive back over the Pyranees and through France stopping at various places on route.
Now l have never done anything like this before (although me and my dad hitch hiked the same route when l was 11)
And neither has my missus.
l assume there's nothing particularly difficult about the trip, nothing we need to know?
If it goes well we'll try something more adventurous next year, but we need to start somewhere.
We'll take the 110 as it's got more room than our 90 and maybe stay somewhere in Spain for a few days then hopefully campsites/B&B on the way back.
Anybody got any useful advice for us?
Click to expand...
I live in France, I don't think you will have any problems what so ever. The Pyrenees is beautiful, some spectacular views. Make sure you take your camera. If your 110 is fairly well together and you take it steady you should be fine. +1 for some sort of breakdown cover. You haven't mentioned what time of year you are going or if you will be camping or staying in hotels. Have you planned a rough route? There are so many lovely places here in France. I could never go back to the UK.
Don't know if you plan on going through Paris on your way back. If your coming after the 1st april remember you will need a https://www.crit-air.fr/en.html
Also http://www.puydufou.com/fr/spectacles is worth a visit.
 
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Thanks, we have not looked into it yet, plan to go in August/September.
The 110 is fine, it's a 2005 TD5 CSW and we'll definitely have breakdown/recovery.
There's always the option to go in my BMW Z3 3.0 if it's not sold. But l just fancy doing the trip in the Landy.
There will be no rush, l'll try to avoid the Autoroutes.
 
Like Mikescuba,I also live in France.
We have spent a lot of time in Northern Spain & the Pyrenees.
A few places definately worth a look,I would recomend.
Picos de Europa,about 1/2 hr south of Santander,If you take the 110 & fancy a bit of gentle greenlaning,there is a good track from Espinama to Sotres.
Then head up towards Andorra & the Pyrenees Via the old smugglers track which go's from Alins through Tor then across the border into Andorra.
Carcasson is worth a look,though a bit touristy.
Likewise Roccamador
I'm sure you'll enjoy yourselves.

Marc
 
Carcasson is stunning, went there four years back. Beautiful place, the castle is stunning and well worth a visit.
 
+1 on making detour to Picos de Europa, some spectacular scenery. Well worth parking up sometimes and taking a walk, e.g. Up cable car at Fuente de then walk back down track. After Pyrenees routes back through France are many and varied, none should disappoint.
 
+ 1 on assistance and recovery just for the peace of mind, what sort of things do you want to see through France?, if you have an interest in history I can suggest some great places to see on your route north.
 
Your 110 isn't as old as my 90, but I found AF to be the best as no-one else wanted to cover me for something so old.

We were planning on taking the same ferry and then driving around Portugal, but I'm starting a new job soon so I don't think I'll have enough time off
 
First thing is to get the boat booked.

Looking at the sailings, ferry goes from Portsmouth. Not sure where l got Liverpool from....seems you can only go to the IOM from there.
Cost is £5-600 Portsmouth-Bilbao.
 
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