1st Trip to Europe in Leo

A 54-day adventure by LeoLove & Stephen Read more

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1st Trip to Europe in Leo
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Day 39
Wednesday, October 19, 2022 at 10:11 PM
☁️ 18 °C
Altitude: 438 m
Spain Navajas 39.873272, -0.51019439°52’24” N 0°30’37” W
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A change of scenery
October 19, 2022 in Spain ⋅ ☁️ 18 °C
After leaving Calpe we headed inland for a change of scenery, no more beaches just lush hilly landscapes, something we are more attune to. And it didn’t disappoint. We are at Camping Altamira near the town of Navajas. A bit of a hilly site but popular with the Brits it seems on the way home as we’ve been next to 4 others, more than we’ve encountered in 5 weeks previous. It’s worth a visit. Adjacent to the site is Via Verde Ojos Negros, a 160km cycle track which was the old railway line. We only managed 40 Kms and that was enough as it was another cracking day weather wise. All in all a good three days, good site, good food, good wine (£1.00 for a large vino blanco in the town of Jerica) , good weather, a good cycle ride, good neighbours, and great vistas.
La Vida es buenaRead more
Travelerlooks great Steve, you guys heading north via zaragoza?
10/20/22Reply
TravelerLeave a comment …
10/20/22Reply
TravelerHeading there today Bryn, what about yourselves?
10/20/22Reply
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Day 40
Thursday, October 20, 2022 at 11:07 PM
☁️ 21 °C
Altitude: 185 m
Spain Centro Politécnico Superior of the University of Zaragoza 41.682824, -0.89017741°40’58” N 0°53’25” W
Zaragoza
October 20, 2022 in Spain ⋅ ☁️ 21 °C
The trip up to Z was uninspiring to say the least. Flat lands devoid of crops as they had been harvested or any notable POIs .The road however was a joy - very quiet. We parked up on an aire out with and across from the tram into Z. Not sure what to expect but was amazed by its buildings and street vibe. The Cathedral Basilica was amazing inside and out. Topped Barcelona for us. In the center is a Roman amphitheatre which wasn’t discovered until 1972 - pretty amazing really. To finish off we had an hour or so at a bar / local micro brewery and boy was the ale good. All in all a good mini visit to Z .
Next is a trip over the Pyrenees through the Somport tunnel back into France
La Vida es buenaRead more
Travelersorry been flat out to reply but this seems a small pretty place weather still ok?
10/20/22Reply
TravelerBit wet Janette but warm. Didn’t take away from Zaragoza though- a lovely town!
10/21/22Reply
TravelerAnother lovely looking town 😍
10/26/22Reply
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Day 41
Friday, October 21, 2022 at 10:56 AM
☁️ 20 °C
Altitude: 177 m
Spain Actur 41.675553, -0.89826341°40’32” N 0°53’54” W
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Big Birthday!
October 21, 2022 in Spain ⋅ ☁️ 20 °C
As we left Zaragoza after an omelette brekkie we headed into the Pyrénées. As I drove out of the French side of the Somport Tunnel I quickly decided that Steve should jump into the drivers seat as the roads go narrower and windier! (As in winding not windy)
Onward we drive and the scenery was absolutely stunning! Not the severe peaks as the Dolomites but beautiful rounded topped high mountains with picturesque villages dotted along the route.
Arriving at our base for the next 2 nights was Camping Pyrénées Nature (lovely campsite) at the foot of the Pyrénées by Oloron Sainte Marie.
Set up our fabulous big pitch and headed out for a couple of local IPA’s.
Onwards to Lidl to pick up some essentials and back to Leo for the Birthday Tea!
Candles were a complete damp squib but hey ho the thought was there! Ha haRead more
TravelerHappy birthday to Steve we will catch you up soon , with a nice bottle of something 😘
10/21/22Reply
TravelerThanx Mandy 🥂
10/22/22Reply
TravelerHappy birthday young man
10/21/22Reply
TravelerCheers buddy
10/22/22Reply
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Day 43
Sunday, October 23, 2022 at 9:29 AM
☁️ 21 °C
Altitude: 246 m
France Bidos 43.179066, -0.62284743°10’45” N 0°37’22” W
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Onwards North
October 23, 2022 in France ⋅ ☁️ 21 °C
Two nights at Camping Pyrenees Nature now over and we leave for a France Passion site. The weather has been unseasonably warm I’m informed. Last night a warm front blew in and it was uncomfortably warm - but dry. Definitely worth a stopover if this way againRead more
TravelerLovely pics look like a great site, enjoy xx
10/23/22Reply
Traveler Love your set up, van looks fabulous. are you wanting to get home or still loving the van
10/23/22Reply
TravelerStill loving it J xx
10/23/22Reply
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Day 43
Sunday, October 23, 2022 at 5:30 PM
☁️ 25 °C
Altitude: 157 m
France Le Lau 43.889622, 0.74702343°53’23” N 0°44’49” E
A bit of piece and quiet
October 23, 2022 in France ⋅ ☁️ 25 °C
Tonight we are on a France Passion site - Maison de l’Ail, it’s a garlic growing farm . In a small town called St Clar Gers There’s only us, and the owner welcomed us with open arms and said we could stay for even three nights if we wanted. It really is so peaceful. Tomorrow the shop opens at 10 and lets see what Onion Johnny (me 😉) comes away with. The France Passion membership gives you many alternative sites to stop at.
La vie est belleRead more
TravelerWhat a wonderful site, have a great time xx
10/23/22Reply
TravelerLooks peaceful what a nice owner to let you stay. stock up 😂😂
10/23/22Reply
TravelerThat’s the plan! 🧄🧄🧄
10/23/22Reply
Travelerlooks fabulous!
10/23/22Reply
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Day 44
Monday, October 24, 2022 at 4:08 PM
⛅ 22 °C
Altitude: 99 m
France Escoire 45.219858, 0.86542145°13’11” N 0°51’56” E
Hold your breath 😉
October 24, 2022 in France ⋅ ⛅ 22 °C
A great little park up yesterday and a fantastic host. Suzans ‘school’ French coming in very handy.
And yes we bought some garlic 🥴
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Day 45
Tuesday, October 25, 2022 at 11:08 AM
☁️ 16 °C
Altitude: 102 m
France Escoire 45.219733, 0.86536345°13’11” N 0°51’55” E
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Heading North
October 25, 2022 in France ⋅ ☁️ 16 °C
With 5 nights to go before we go through the tunnel and a few miles to go yet our stops are undecided - major towns or village aires - either way it’s one nighters. And the temperatures are getting cooler. So to catch up. After leaving the Garlic Farm we stopped off at Camping Le Bois Du Coderc somewhere in the Dordogne. Loads of room, good pitches right on the river. We had a great bicycle ride through some amazing little villages - if I was fluent in French I would have certainly considered living here. It’s beautiful.
After a hearty, not so French breakfast we headed to Oradour Sur Glane. It’s one of the places I’ve wanted to visit because of my interest in WWll. Check it out on YouTube. And here we are Wednesday morning wondering where next .
La vie est belleRead more
TravelerYour photos are very autumnal now but still lovely. Stu would love your breakfast 😜. the WWII place is somewhere I would like to visit it looks amazing
10/26/22Reply
TravelerDefinitely worth a visit Gillian albeit quite upsetting
10/26/22Reply
TravelerYou have both had quite an adventure, making memories superb.
10/26/22Reply
TravelerIt’s been some trip mate
10/26/22Reply
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Day 47
Thursday, October 27, 2022 at 2:06 PM
⛅ 23 °C
Altitude: 67 m
France Dissay-sous-Courcillon 47.642333, 0.48867447°38’32” N 0°29’19” E
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CAMPING-CAR park
October 27, 2022 in France ⋅ ⛅ 23 °C
Joined C-C park as we ended up at one of their sites last night in Vatan travelling North. 5 Euro to join and 10 Euro for the night with all facilities and EHU - a bargain. A peaceful night 😴😴😴😴
TravelerSo nice the parks you stay at
10/27/22Reply
Travelerwhere to next or you staying a few nights there
10/27/22Reply
TravelerFrance is fantastic. Most Cities, towns and villages cater for Motorhomes , different story altogether in the UK
10/27/22Reply
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Day 48
Friday, October 28, 2022 at 1:48 PM
☁️ 21 °C
Altitude: 87 m
France Les Maillets 48.010042, 0.19839548°0’36” N 0°11’54” E
Le Mans
October 28, 2022 in France ⋅ ☁️ 21 °C
So into Le Mans in daylight today after a night time soireé yesterday. Beautiful weather today so sleeveless tops and shorts!
Headed straight for Plantagenet Cité - it did not disappoint! So so pretty!
The houses of ‘Green’ ‘Red’ and ‘White’ pillars along with the House of Clefs!
Ronnie basked in the Fontaine du Jet d'Eau as we coiffed a couple of vin rouge. So wonderful to sit out on an autumn afternoon enjoying the wonders that this country has to show us.
Back to base at Camping Le Pont Romain for our second night and bbq’d burgers are on tonight’s dinner menu.
Northwards tomorrow but who knows where……Read more
Travelerget your rain gear ready.....
10/30/22Reply
Travelerlooks s very old city bit like ancient style by some photos betty pretty to
10/30/22Reply
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Day 49
Saturday, October 29, 2022 at 5:30 PM
⛅ 19 °C
Altitude: 11 m
France Quend-Plage 50.323362, 1.54585350°19’24” N 1°32’45” E
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Are we there yet
October 29, 2022 in France ⋅ ⛅ 19 °C
Not quite 😉, but the channel is in view . Pushed on today and ended up at Camping Les Vertes Feuilles not far from Plage Quend . Last two nights before the tunnel beckons . The end is very near 😢, on the mainland anyway. Then the long trek up to Scotland
Life is GoodRead more
TravelerDrive safely Leo x
10/30/22Reply
TravelerWe certainly will, see you soon x
10/30/22Reply
Traveler what a beautiful photo
10/30/22Reply
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Day 50
Sunday, October 30, 2022 at 9:24 PM
⛅ 13 °C
Altitude: 6 m
France Monchaux 50.319045, 1.60727750°19’9” N 1°36’26” E
The last supper
October 30, 2022 in France ⋅ ⛅ 13 °C
Well today was a day for reflecting on our trip - ie it was pouring rain!
We chilled, read and planned tomorrow’s getaway before heading up to the campsite restaurant for a our last supper!
We both decided it had to be Moules! Steves were marnière and mine were à la crème. Both delicious but not a patch on the ones we had at the Mussel Farm! Rounded off with a Chivas and a Baileys, this trip has been extra special in so many ways. And hey, a bonus that there hasn’t been a murder! Ha ha I think the fact that we’ve been married for 37 years has something to do with this!
Anyway Eurotunnel tomorrow and onwards to see friends in York.Read more
Travelersafe travels uou two. catch up soon.
10/30/22Reply
TravelerHave a safe journey xx
10/30/22Reply
TravelerCheers guys x
10/30/22Reply
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Day 51
Monday, October 31, 2022 at 11:05 AM
⛅ 14 °C
Altitude: 111 m
England Sandway 51.225882, 0.69433551°13’33” N 0°41’40” E
Welcome Home
October 31, 2022 in England ⋅ ⛅ 14 °C
Belgium, France, Italy, France, Spain, France - no bother and then the UK. And then this 10 minutes from the tunnel.
90 minutes to do 7 miles. 5 miles to go. I wish I’d stayed in France 😤😡 And not a workman in sightRead more
Traveleramazing how the road works hold you up work no-one around eeerrrr
10/31/22Reply
TravelerOh no 😯
10/31/22Reply
TravelerAnd it gets worse……now got a 2hr 19min delay on the M25 - complete standstill 🤦🏼‍♀️
10/31/22Reply
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Day 52
Tuesday, November 1, 2022 at 9:57 PM
☁️ 9 °C
Altitude: 8 m
England River Foss 53.951094, -1.08013353°57’4” N 1°4’48” W
York
November 1, 2022 in England ⋅ ☁️ 9 °C
Couple of nights in York at Rowntree Park Caravan site. Lovely team who’d reserved us a nice big pitch. Very quiet and lovely facilities. Perfect location for visiting the centre of York.
We visited some friends who live here and as Patsy is ‘The Rhino Lady’ we thought it only right that Ronnie had his photo taken with her and her husband Jim today.
Weather was a bit grim so after a quick look in Cycle Heaven we headed back to Leo for an evening of Rummikub and Yahtzee.
Onwards to Durham tomorrow for our last night of the trip.Read more
TravelerWhat a joy to see you both - and to get my dripping tap fixed! Best friends ever x
11/2/22Reply
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Day 53
Wednesday, November 2, 2022 at 8:25 PM
🌬 10 °C
Altitude: 78 m
England Belmont 54.795987, -1.53165854°47’46” N 1°31’54” W
Last night……
November 2, 2022 in England ⋅ 🌬 10 °C
Sad that it’s come to an end but we’ve just had the best adventure!
Spent our last night with fellow motorhomes Gillian & Stu who kindly picked us up and dropped us off from Durham Grange Caravan Park. Drinks at their house and on for a lovely meal with a red wine shower included! Pretty unique! Ha ha Love you guys and hope to catch up again soon xxRead more
TravelerAw it was brilliant to see you both. Great to share our European travel stories together. Sorry about the red wine, something to remember us by 😂 , I really hope the stains come out of all our clothes. Safe journey home, looking forward to seeing you at some point soon xxx
11/2/22Reply
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Day 54
Thursday, November 3, 2022 at 9:20 PM
⛅ 6 °C
Altitude: 18 m
Scotland Elgin 57.633125, -3.30060757°37’59” N 3°18’2” W
And thats a wrap!
November 3, 2022 in Scotland ⋅ ⛅ 6 °C
So it’s the end of the road for now! Thank you to everyone who has followed us on this trip and for your comments and likes. It has also been a journey of discovery for us being our first big trip and we are so glad we decided to use the FindPenguins App to record it. 54 days on the road and we loved every minute of it! 5184 miles! Met some great people who have now become forever friends who we will definitely keep in touch with. Lovely to be home though of course. Ronnie is ready to start saving his pennies again! Steve finally got his Birthday present - an El Camino wrist strap with a loop with each country we visited on this trip.
Now it’s on to planning the next one……….Read more
TravelerWhat a fabulous adventure for your first road trip, so many lovely places you have visited, been great following you with Find Penguins. Lots of great memories made. Pleased to hear you are home safe and sound and already planning the next one. Hope to see you on the road sometime, best wishes xx
11/4/22Reply
TravelerWell done to you both 👏👏
11/4/22Reply
TravelerIt’s been great following your trip, and I’m looking forward to your next one! 🌎 xx
11/4/22Reply
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Day 269
Tuesday, June 6, 2023 at 9:13 AM
🌧 20 °C
Altitude: Sea level
Croatia Jesenice 43.460999, 16.59775743°27’40” N 16°35’52” E
We tried……
June 6, 2023 in Croatia ⋅ 🌧 20 °C
So after battling through raging thunder storms with rain drops the size of golf balls and the East coast of Croatia seemingly no more than looking very run down with little in the way of promenades, restaurants or even a bar to while away the hours…….oh and the odd hundred games of Rummikub, we’ve decided to speed up our journey North. Lack of any cycle routes/paths and a very scary looking coastal road meant we couldn’t even get soaked on our bikes (again!)
Onwards to Krk to take stock of the weather forecast for next 10 days before making a decision on what comes next.Read more
TravelerOh no 🙈
6/6/23Reply
TravelerOh very sorry to hear this, it reminds me of our last year's trip, I thought the sun would never come out. Fingers crossed you get some great sunshine soon. If it's any consolation it's freezing here at least you have some heat. Safe travels as always xxx
6/6/23Reply
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Trip end
November 3, 2022