We were finally off on our delayed trip to Spain. Revised to August probably, not the best time for a Spanish trip.
We had opted to use the Western route through France via Bordeux crossing into Spain at Urrugne, with a one night stop at Zaragoza. We had allowed 3 days for the journey through France and had booked all the camp stops before we left, as it was August!
The trip from St Malo to our first stop at St Jean D'Angley was fairly uneventful, except took a lot longer than anticipated. The site Val de Boutonne is on the outskirts of the town and easy to get into, we have stayed there quite a few times. As mentioned, I had pre-booked, the site was not completely full, but very busy.
A slight drama at the entrance however and Pebble got her first war wound! A tiny scratch. As we were about to go through the barrier, an Italian managed to jump in front of us and then reversed. Den managed to avoid him but collided with a STOP sign! Fortunately minimal damage, but not a happy start. Crazy really because there was loads of room.
We had a very convenient grass pitch and spent a good first night. We had managed to stock up on provisions and fuel just outside the town, so we were well set up.
A nice site this one and well worth another slightly longer visit, perhaps next year. The town is an easy walk with bars and restaurants. As it was high season the snack bar on site was open for drinks and pizzas, free wi-fi. Mainly populated by French families with a few other nationalities passing through.
The next morning we were off for the long drive South. Urrugne and Camping Larouletta on the border. We have stayed there many times before. Again, checking in was no trouble as we had pre-booked. This was another very long haul and we would definitely be looking for shorter drives on the way home. The Bordeaux Rocade was busy and generally there was more traffic everywhere as it was a Friday and high season.
It was also very hot, well into the top 30's. Luckily we got a nice shady pitch.
The site was pretty packed mainly with French holiday makers. We actually found the lake which was rammed with families.
Everything was open which added to the family atmosphere. Usually when we come here it's end or the beginning of the season so much quieter. We had a cold beer in the bar and booked an evening table. Sadly, the meal was awful and the steak like cardboard, we made the best of it. With hind site the pizza looked more appealing, still they were friendly.
The next morning, Day 3, we were off to Spain and Zaragoza. As we drove away through France the mercury was rising 39C by the time we got to the campsite in Zaragoza. The municipal in Zaragoza is on the outskirts of the town. We have stayed on the Aire in the centre by the tram line but the campsite felt safer. Full of Spanish families enjoying the pool and the sun it was busy.
Not much shade on our pitch but we were only there for one night. We had a very pleasant meal in the restaurant and a comfortable though hot night's sleep. We were up early, ready for the final drive to the coast and the Bonterra Resort in Benicassim.
Three weeks later and time to go home again. This time we decided to take longer to drive through France.
We had discovered ChatGP!!
What a nifty little tool for planning, it saved me hours of work. Thanks for the suggestion from someone on Motorhome Fun, it works brilliantly.
Our new route back to St Malo. We planned to only drive a maximum of 3 hours a day Zaragoza, through the Somport Tunnel, Navarrenx, Bordeaux, Ingrandes, St Malo.
We asked for sites with good facilities and a restaurant, not too far from the route we were following. The Bots came up with the goods, giving us loads of sensible suggestions which we then checked out on Camper Contact and SearchforSites.
The first site was back to Ciuadad Zaragoza, much quieter now but a good stop.
The next morning a lovely drive through the mountains and Somport Tunnel to Navarranx and Camping Beau Rivage. A great little site on the edge of an interesting village. The site had been owned by Brits but had been bought by a friendly new French owner. There was a small bar and pizza was available on certain days. Lots of Brits on site some in permanent pitches but all very friendly with tidy clean facilities.
The bar. Very well attended and pizza shack.
We walked into the town and spent some time strolling around the ramparts and looking in the museum.
We had a quiet drink in the town square, watching the world go by!
Definitely a place we would go back to when we have more time.
The next morning we were up fairly early and making for Bordeaux Lac. A site I had on my list to visit for a while. A large site next to the arena on the edge of the rocade, so quite simple to find. The approach looked interesting. We hadn't booked this one so we kept our fingers crossed that there were no "events" planned there.
We checked in with another van, a huge German expedition van. Pebble was obviously over awed!!
Quality not quantity we thought.
Just the thought of driving something that size made us feel queasy.
We were soon set up on the site and sat in the bar by the lake.
I think "lake" was a slight exaggeration, more like a collection of large ponds but nicely set up. Sadly the restaurant was closed for a private function, so that night we had to make do with store cupboard staples. We did however enjoy a few drinks in the very pleasant bar.
We enjoyed a comfortable night on a fully serviced pitch. Slightly noisy, as there was a "rapper" event in the arena, but it finished early and didn't keep us awake. Bordeaux Lac is another site which we would be happy to try again and great for an easy stop over. A bus ride into Bordeaux would be well worth the journey....next time perhaps!
Our next stop, Le Petit Trianon at Ingrandes. ChatGP had come up with the goods again. Another 3 hour drive and we had arrived at another quiet but well set up friendly campsite. In the grounds of a small chateaux, clean tidy site with a restaurant that was open.
Beautiful campsite in a lovely setting, we were practically on our own in a large flat well mown field.
This is a very well kept site with an outdoor unheated pool, fabulous on a hot day.
We had dinner in the chateau which was lovely, with friendly staff and good service. Another place to return to I think.
Our final stop the next day was Domaine Du Logis at La Chapelle aux Fitzmeens around an hours drive from St Malo. Another good find.
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