Roady's Roamings

The latest model of personal luxury transport for the aspiring Bulnes executive: Open topped Cabriolet. 4 wheel drive. Power steering. Fully air conditioned. Sporty roll cage. Spacious boot. Stylish "go anywhere" tyres on iron alloy wheels. High performance exhaust system married to an air cooled 2 cylinder side valve diesel engine for that throaty rattle. A steering wheel. Faux leather interior trim. Occasional brakes. Can be converted into a mobile residence with the "tent" option. Ex Audi drivers will love the lack of any indicators. Price on application. No time wasters, this a once in a lifetime offer.

The Funicular de Bulnes is a railway that runs in a tunnel from Poncebos and seems to be the only access to Bulnes. There is a single tunnel with a passing place half way to allow the 2 carriages to pass, one going up and the other down, joined by cables. The passing point is small and not visible in the dim light of the tunnel, so the oncomming lights of the other carriage give the sense of an impending collision. The trip up took about 20 minutes and cost €17.44 per person one way, a little expensive but worth it. The locals use the train and the first carriage of the day, which we took, carries the workers and large quantites of bread, milk and olive oil amongst other item. Arriving at the top station there is just a dirt track, one way signposed Bulnes and the other back to Poncebos. We headed for Bulnes followed, and soon overtaken, by quadbikes and small tractors laden with goods brought up by the train. After about 5 minutes walk we arrived at Bulnes, a few houses outnumber...

After leaving Camping La Paz we did some shopping at a Lupo supermarket and got another half tank of diesel on board. And headed into the Picos de Europa. We booked in, had lunch and then headed off to do the Funicular de Bulnes. One big problem, not a single parking place to be found. Obviously a very popular place. Change of plan, get up early and go to Bulnes on the railway and walk down. We will leave the Ruta de Cares until after Fuente De, and walk it from the Cain end. Good campste, a little expensive, no doubt due to the location.

Before heading into the Picos de Europa we decided to head to the coast for a couple of nights at Camping La Paz. An interesting place, camping on tarraces overlooking the sea. Beautiful views of the waves and sandy beaches, unfortunately day 2 was misty, cloudy weather and not so inviting. More planning for the next few days was a usefull use of the time as well as a bit more guitar practice. I can nearly play cords in time AND sing at the same time. Jeannette did wonder if I'd cleared the campsite. There was no way I could keep in time with the cowbell accomplement in the next field. The plan for the next few days, camping Naranjo de Bulnes for the Ruta del Cares, an 11 km walk one way and 11 back and visit Bulnes on the funicular railway. Then Fuete De cablecar and walks.

We parked up at the carpark for the Salto Nervion which is a 222 metre waterfall into a canyon. This is the largest waterfall on the Iberian peninsular. Unfortunately there was no water, but the spectacular views of the canyon from the viewing point made it well worth it. We then walked close to the edge of the canoyon to a viewpoint Mirador del Ruben, offering fantastic views over Orduña. Total walk of 6 km and back at the van for lunch. Then off to get some shopping in Reinosa and Aguilar de Campoo.

We left the van in the carpark just before entering the town of Mave. The walk is quite an experience walking allond the edge of the canyon with magnificent views of the caves and rock formations, with vultures soaring allong the valley. The only downside was the swarms of flies that followed us. Back to the van for a cup of tea in the carpark and then off to Puente San Miguel

This was just an overnight stop in the carpark of a school. Good quiet night and off to walk the Cañon de Horidada.

We stopped in the aire to fill with water and empty the waste tank in preparation for showers in the evening and after a quick lunch and headed off on a bike ride allong the Via Verde del Besaya to Suances, a lovely, almost level trip with a beach and the sea at the end. Back to the van of a quiet afternoon in the shade and a botyle of cold white wine. Showers later and the last episode of Poldark on Netflix download.

Time for a bit of a spead out in a campsite and get the batteries fully recharged on mains hookup and zero the Coulomb meter. A Coulomb meter measures the current in and out of the habitation batteries so i know the state of charge, as time goes on the errors build up and hence it needs resetting on a full battery, about every fortnight is good enough. We had a meal out at the on site resteraunt on the first of the 2 night stay and on the following day did some planning for the forthcomming week and whent for a swim in the enclosed pool, we had it all to ourselves. All the washing that had accumulated over the past fortnight was washed in the machines on site and dried ready for the next couple of weeks.

We were goin to cycle the Via Verde del Oja. A green way from Ezcaray to Casalarreina a 27 km rise on an old railway bed. We intended to stop at the aire in Casalarreina and cycle up to Ezcaray, but the aire had an encampment of old pickups and caravans and no campervans, we didn't fancy leaving the van there so we decided on the Ezcaray aire. The aire was in a very nice shaded situation by a municipal park and playground next to a resteraunt, the only difficulty we had was that the main bridge in the town was closed and the detour was not well signposted. A quick Google map search found another bridge. My Tomtom Go satnav in the van has the ability to update the map information, I notified the app that the bridge was closed and the next day the map was update. Quite impressed. The cycle to Casalarreina was now downhill, for almost the whole 27 km, which means it is up hill on the way back, not easy when the temperature is 31°C in the shade and there was no shade. A quick visi...

This is a valley full of salt pans as the river here comes through an ancient lake bed that dried out and buried in the Jurassic period. The river is much more salty than the oceans so extracting the salt is much quicker and more efficient. Salt has been extracted here since before  the Romans. The compex aqueducts and flow control is quite ingenious, bringing the salt water, first into holding tanks to settle out dirt etc,  and then onto the salt floors for evaporation. The whole stucture is made out of wood. Wooden aqueducts, wooden platforms, wooden walkways, all held together with wooden pegs.  Any iron or steel would, of course rust very quickly in the salt laden atmosphere. There is so much salt arrount it looks as if has been snowing. The holding tanks have brine shrimp living in them. We went on a guided tour in French as the English language tour was not until 13.00. I manage to get he gist of what she was saying, so better than a Spanish language tour. Off to Ca...

Elciego was meant as a one night stopover in the aire and a look around the towns many Bodegas, unfortunately they are only open at weekends and during high season. The town more than made up for this slight disappointment. Many bars and resteraunts and nice small cobbled streets. The aire was very good, free water and waste with electricity on all sites for €2 for 4 hours, tokens from certain shops in the town, instructions in English.

We arrived at lunchtime in Arnedillo and drove straight to the aire. Very good level site with motorhome service point 2 toilets and free wifi. Electricity is extra. We had a quick look around town after lunch. Several bars and restaurants a supermarket and a wine and vegetable shop. The are is famous for the vultures soaring above the jagged peaks. Day 2 We decided ona walk along the Via Verde and up in the hills to a sanctuary. Not a very nice walk, hard going up a small river valley to the sanctuary and then on an indistinguishable track on the side of the hill. Not our sort of walking so we backtracked to the VV. A bit of urgent shopping and back to the van to find shade for the afternoon.  Day 3 We decided on a cycle trip today allong the Via Verde that goes from Arnedillo to Callahora. We did not intend to do the whole 33 km especialy as it has a slight slope down towards Callahora, nice to get there but up hill all the way back. The stard ofmthe VV is a 1.4 km tunnel under...

Just a quick visit on the way to  Arnedillo to a 6th Century Roban bridge. One of the best examples in Spain. It is little bit difficult to park in the town, but coaches park on the end of the bridge away from town.

We arrived at the Aire in Pamplona early afternoon, so after the usual emptying and filling of various tanks involving various substances, we headed off for a quick reckie around town. The Aire is situated next to the fire station about 1.5 km from the town centre. We headied off in the direction of the footpath that goes along the side of a river untill we realized that the town was way above us. Fortunately there is a passenger lift. The town is like any other in Spain,  but I think a little cleaner and better kept than most. The wide central pedestrian way has the usual mix of well known names and local shops and even though I don't like shopping centres I found the lack of traffic and the open feel very pleasant. Good first impressions. Back to the van for the day and plan better for our next excursion. Day 2. Mirador del Caballo Blanco, good view over to the Pyrenees and a good vantage point to see the fortifications, again designed by Vauban. The view is spoit somewhat by the...

From Saint Jean Pied de Port we headed over the Pyrenees on the N 135, a very interesting drive, it would be really god in somthing that handle a bit better than a 3 tonne motorhome. At the top of the pass is a fantastic viewpoint "Alto de Ibañeta". Loads of cyclists making the trip a little difficut in parts as it is difficult to overtake. Morning coffee in Roncesvalles and a quick look around, not a lot to see. Off to Pamplona.

Second impressions of the town are more favourable. Yesterday was late and the town was very busy with pilgrims searching for places to stay. Today was a lot quieter and lent itself to more sightseeing. The old town is very nice with narrow cobbled streets and interesting shops, although most are catering for the tourist / pilgrims. The town also has a fortifed citadel high on the hill that is well worth the climb to view and for the vantage point for the surrounding area. The local school occupies the buildings in the citadel. The fortifications were designed by Vauban. He must have got around a bit as we have seen his handywork all over Europe. Back to the campsite for the shade during the heat of the afternoon and for first wife to do some washing, good lass. Over the Pyrenees tomorrow on the N-135 which is supposed to be an interesting drive. I imagine their will be a few renditions of "The self preservation society" going round the hairpin bends.

Very nice trip down. Weather a bit cooler than yesterday. We arrived at the municipal aire at about 15.00 and had a quick reckie an a visit to the Supermarket for provisions and wine. Nice town if a little touristy, but that is to be expected considering it is a main route on the C de C. More tomorrow.

An example of a French motorway services. No penalty for parking too long. No overpriced mediocre coffee. No one selling one million watt torches, camping chairs or phone accessories. No toilets on the far side of the tacky shops with lift music assaulting you ears. No muck muck burgers or Krapily Fried Chicken. Just a nice quiet area to sit out and have a rest. Clean toilets and a play are for the kids. Of course this would never happen in the UK, why? Because nobody is making any money out of it.

A good trip down today with a lunch break at a small town called Brain sur Allonnes. Its realy getting warm now, 31°C. Were stitting in the shade of the van to keep cool. Free aiŕe for the night, with free water so we can have a shower. Off tomorrow for our first bit of sightseeing, Saint Jean Pied de Port. One of the starting places for the Camino de Santiago. The pligramage walk to Santiago de Compostela.

A good crossing from Dover to Dunkirk, it should have been Calais but a slight error in the on line booking process  and concentrating on the price and not the destination. Quite a trip from Dunkirk, a number of traffic jams that culminated in hitting Rouen at rush hour. Anyway that's all behind us and we are at a very nice Aire overlooking a small lake.  Mr D, our slow cooker has provided the evening meal again and now settling down for the night. Another 4 hour or so trip tomorrow.

Sat in lane 92 at the ferry terminal, we were here early as you never know what the traffic is going to be like,  but this time we haven't been put on an earlier ferry. So time to do this blog! No pictures here, there is nothing to see, just the sea, trucks and cars.

Not a bad trip down to the park and ride at Canterbury. Nice place with a pub on the corner. £3.50 per day but the day starts at 12 midnight, so an overnight stop is £7.00. Ferry in the morning so its an early night. The park and ride motorhome stop has basic facilities, drinking water, grey and black water disposal and general waste. Very quiet night apart from the wind, outside that is, not internaly generated!

Northern Spain 2018 Ready for the off. It's that time of the year again when the kids go back to school and the ferry prices fall, we are off on the continent again. This year it is a quick zip down through France to Saint Jean de Pied de Port, taking in a couple of overnights stops on the way through France and one night in the Canterbury park and ride to break the journey through the UK. Not a lot has changed this year, we have everything we need now. the only addition is a set of wheel trims to cover the rusty rims. I swapped all the tyres round to even wear and put the best on the front. The spare has spent 2 years under the rear of the van and the wheel was in a bit of a state.