Le grand tour

European adventure 2025 Read more

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Trip start
September 8, 2025
Le grand tour
Day 1 Ludlow
September 8, 2025 in England ⋅ ☁️ 17 °C
Starting mileage 17,500. Off we go. Get our expensive £250 AHC from the vets, then headed down to Ludlow North Farm for the night. Walked down the hill, then up into town and enjoyed a Jamming session at the Rose and crown pub, then back to the van for a reasonably early nightRead more
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Le grand tour
Day 2 Cardiff
September 9, 2025 in England ⋅ ☁️ 15 °C
Overslept a bit after such a hectic few days and didn't get to Mums until near midday. She was out so, wandered into the village where Helen got some bargain trainers and we had a wine in the Plough. Back to see Mum for a few hours, then out to meet Andrew for a pint. Weather is rubbishRead more
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Day 3 down to Devon
September 10, 2025 in England ⋅ 🌧 15 °C
Put £95 diesel in, then set off for Paignton, stopping near Exeter, then onto the Beverley campsite by 2pm. Weather rubbish again. Lovely site with all the facilities. Had a pint in the bar, then walked down to the beach. Had a wine, then back up the steep hill and watched some tv before bed. Mark had curry and chips from the chippy 🍟Read more
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Day 4 Brixham
September 11, 2025 in France ⋅ 🌧 14 °C
Mark had a brief video meeting, so Helen headed to the outdoor swimming pool for an hour. Walked down the hill to get the bus to Brixham (15 minutes), where we had a nibble in the pub after seeing the roving Brixham pirate. Walked up to the beach and saw a giant seal, then back to town for a pint and the bus himeRead more
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Le grand tour
Day 5 Bon voyage
September 12, 2025 in France ⋅ ☀️ 13 °C
Time for a cuppa and a cleanup, then a minor panic as our UK sign is magnetic, so it won't stick to our plastic van. No luck at the Range, so a quick stop at Aldis then on the road to Plymouth, an hour away. After a comical security search, we get the front of the queue and have an hour or so wait. Confined to the embarkment area we can't do a long walk, so need to remember this for next time. We leave Charlie in the van crying and the video camera doesn't really work, but when we collect him later he seens fine. A nice journey is heightened by us coming 2nd in the quiz and having some table magic! 🪄 Passport control is a bit of a drag, but we then headed off to find our 1st campsite, 15 minutes away, Baie de saint pol. A lovely little place overlooking the sea with a cool little bohemian bar where we enjoy a lovely Belgian style 🍺 before retiring for the nightRead more
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Day 6 pink granite coast
September 13, 2025 in France ⋅ 🌬 14 °C
Had a quick walk at the lovely local beach, where there was a little mx5 rally going on. Note local camping place on the front @ 12 euros. Drive to Perros guirec via the Intermarchè when it emptied down, but when we arrived at le ranolien, the sun came out, and we set up and had lunch outside. Walked the coastal path to Ploumanac'h amongst the amazing pink granite formations. Stopped in the creperie I remembered from many years ago and had a nice pint. Popped to the bar in the evening, wine @ 16 eurosRead more
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Day 7 coastal walk
September 14, 2025 in France ⋅ ☁️ 15 °C
Late lie in, then set off east on the coastal path. Got to Trestraou in 25 minutes and had a beer on the front, weather a bit rainy. A steep walk out of Trestraou them onto perros guirec and the viewpoint looking over Trestignel beach. Headed back and stopped in Trestraou again for some wine and a snack of Croque Madame and spicy sausage. Back to base knackered after walking 7.5 miles. Showered and went to the bar to take part in a really good bilingual quiz but we were rubbish, only getting 10 out of 40. Time for bed 🛌Read more
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Day 8 southern Brittany
September 15, 2025 in France ⋅ ☁️ 16 °C
Had a quick walk down to the front, then on our way. Satnav was sending us up tiny country lanes to start with, but eventually got on track. Very rural for a while, then lots of straight, quiet D roads. Stopped for Marks PSL meeting then onto Vannes. Arrived at around 2.30. Campsite ok, if not a little cramped. Walked into Vannes (45 minutes) and had a beer over looking the port, then a wander into the lovely old town, very nice. Had a drink in a lovely bistro, then walked home. Walked 7.5 miles againRead more
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Day 9 wandering locally
September 16, 2025 in France ⋅ ☁️ 19 °C
Had a lazy morning then walked over to the local peninsula and plage de conleau, where it's probably very buzzy in the summer with boat activity. A little bit cold and rainy but had a beer in the local snack bar. Back to base for an hour or 2, before heading back into Vannes for the evening. 10 miles walkedRead more
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Day 10 onto La Rochelle
September 17, 2025 in France ⋅ ⛅ 14 °C
Drove for 2 hours and stopped on the edge of a non-descript town for a break and to stretch our legs. Topped up the fuel by £50, then another 90 minutes or so of delightful driving to La Rochelle. We'd managed to book on for a night at the Municipal campsite without hookup for £20. A short 15-minute walk into the beautiful port and town. Really bustling, lively cafe culture.Read more
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Day 11 pulling mussels la rochelle
September 18, 2025 in France ⋅ ☀️ 15 °C
Lazy morning then wandered into town and visited the lovely market. Had a wine in the market square, then back to the front for a beer when a demonstration a la france appeared - "this is what we do". Back to base for a refresh and to top up the powerbank, then back out for the evening. Stopped to watch a gospel choir while chatting to a mad French woman, then got a bit hangry and hunted for food before it was too late. Determined to have moules frites we had some and they were the smallest mussels ever!Read more
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Day 12 south to Landes region
September 19, 2025 in France ⋅ ☀️ 18 °C
Decide to head for Royan and get the ferry over the Gironde, to avoid Bordeaux. All going wee until we stop for some supplies and lose our satnav connection. We follow our noses and make the ferry just in time. A 25 minute crossing @ £50+. Using our maps we managed to get to a site I'd remembered from the acsi site, on the Arcachon basin. Took an age to check in, but a decent site. Got settled in, then wandered into Ares, the closest village - 20 minutes. Went to the beach to catch a nice sunset, then had a lovely meal in the L'incontournable Brasserie. A gorgeous fresh green salad and a ham and mushroom pizza, plus cocktails. Back to bed, very hot night, Charlie was strugglingRead more
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Day 13 Huitres shacks
September 20, 2025 in France ⋅ ☁️ 22 °C
Walked from the site via the beach and discovered a little wetland area of birds and wildlife. Half an hour later we get to andernos port. No ferry as the tide is so low. Look for a place to have a bottle of wine, but all of the huitre shacks/bars seem to have a policy of no food, no wine. Cool places with some interesting sculptures. Eventually find a place where we succumb to having lunch - moules and a salade de crevettes. Spot a stork on the way back. Plan to go out, but end up having a cheap wine by the pool. Thunderstorm overnightRead more
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Day 14 Arcachon
September 21, 2025 in France ⋅ 🌧 16 °C
Decided to head for Arcachon, for a visit but maybe get a site slightly further south. Went to site close to the town centre in case they had a space but no luck. Parked next door and walked 20 minutes into town. Very pretty with some lovely residences on the way down. When we got there the rain was starting sonjumped into a cafe. But then the heavens opened. Everyone was sheltering. We stayed for a wine and a lovely fish soup. Walked to the front when the rain stopped and had a wander, then finished back at the same place. Absolutely no luck in booking a site, so ended up free camping where we were, and Helen cooked a lovely prawn pasta and we settled in for the nightRead more
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Day 15 Biarritz & beyond
September 22, 2025 in France ⋅ 🌧 14 °C
Set off early before 8 as we had a long trip ahead. Stopped at a little boulanger for a cuppa, then carried, was getting knackered withe motorway, then the satnav took us off to avoid the toll, and it became less stressful. Stopped for fuel, having had both cards refused at LeClerc, and then the weather started getting nasty with lots of rain. Arrived in Biarritz and eventually found a parking space and walked down overlooking the blustery beach. Watched 2 silly surfers 🏄‍♂️ get called back from the sea. Had a beer, then walked up into town and found a cheaper bar and had some grub before heading tou our campsite. 20 minutes away, we settled in and had a wander to the coast before a quick bite to eat in the quiet site bar.Read more
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Day 16 St Jean de Luz
September 23, 2025 in France ⋅ ☀️ 11 °C
Had a bit of a lie in, then went to the bus stop to see if they allow dogs. The driver reluctantly let us on, and we were in St Jean de luz in 15 minutes . Lovely market buzz where there were some nice samples. Had a beer nearby, then had a wander around the lovely town. The weather was okay, but a bit nippy. When we went for the bus, the driver said no dog unless they are in a bag! We had to walk back, at times in the bike lane, which I'm sure was illegal, but we had no choice. Had a shower, then had a nice beer in the bar, but too late for food. Knackered after 7.5 miles walkingRead more
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Day 17 onto Espagne
September 24, 2025 in Spain ⋅ ☀️ 9 °C
Travelled across the border from southern France, no border checks, but the roads and the tunnels took a while to get used to. Stopped in Pamplona for a few hours, having had a friendly policeman 👮‍♂️ help us with our parking app. Short walk into town to feel the video of the famous bull run. Stopped for a tapas and then set off half an hour south to our next stop in Eloite. Basic, but fine, another acsi reduction. Watched tv and crashedRead more
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Day 18 Albarracin
September 25, 2025 in Spain ⋅ ⛅ 6 °C
Visited lovely Olite, just a 5 minute drive away. What a delight with its fairytale castle. Set off on our long drive south, en route we spotted several griffon vultures, massive birds, above the windfarms. Got down past Zaragoza and stopped for a refresher in a wine town called Caranena. Bit of a cufuffle as we had to pay with cash, and the machine was a pain. Got some supplies and headed to Albarracin in the hills. 200 miles driven - 3.5 hours. A gorgeous town built into the hills with connected fortified walls. Settled in, then walked into town (20 minutes) for the evening. Having been told by a couple from Swansea that nowhere took dogs, we found a lovely restaurant that said yes. Just had some drinks and croquettes and booked for the next evening.Read more
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Day 19 Valencia
September 27, 2025 in Spain ⋅ ☀️ 19 °C
A bit of a trek to Valencia, but again the roads were pretty clear all the way down. Arrived at Coll verd campsite and all is fine. Walked to the bus stop to go into Valencia, bag prepared for Charlie transfer, but the driver said no. Onto Local beach, nudist spotted by Helen, swing low blah blah. Had a wine in the local restaurant then headed back for drinks and tv. Helen in bed by 10 😴Read more
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Day 20 Valencia trek
September 28, 2025 in Spain ⋅ ☁️ 24 °C
Set off for Valencia on foot. Charlie immediately struggling with the heat. Footpath and cycleway all the way, stopped for a beer with all of the spaniards, and then ploughed on. A bit too much for the little bear, I had to carry him for 10 minutes to give him a break. When we arrived at the southern end there were gobsmacking views of the stupendous architecture, the Oceangraphic building, the Science building etc. Had a well earned cold beer, then walked on another 20 minutes. Spotted a little restaurant and had a gorgous meal of ceasar salad and a fillet of steak. A government phone alert buzzed everyone about the incoming storm, obviously hyper sensitive after last year when over 200 lost their lives. Walked onto the historic centre and stopped at an Irish bar for happy hour and got chatting to an Irish girl and her dutch mate who'd settled there. Got a cab back for about £20, then had quite a scene where we were told we should leave as the storm was imminent. We played it by ear, and despite thunder and lightning, the deluge didn't arrive, amazingly. When we woke in the morning we could see that 90% of people had left! 10 miles walked today!Read more
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Day 21 storms
September 29, 2025 in Spain ⋅ 🌧 21 °C
Woke up still alive and not washed away! Most people deserted the campsite last night on being told to go. Headed west and enjoyed seeing the rice paddyfields, but realised what a flood plain we were on. Planned to pop into Gandia, but as we were reaching there the heavens opened and it became scary. Turned off and the roundabout and surrounding roads were flooding. Found a side street to sit in . The rains abated slightly so decided to venture in, the weather became calmer and we reached Calpe, where the weather was decent. Settled into the cramped camping park helped by our long stay Irish neighbours. Walked into town along the front (25 minutes) had a beer in the sun then tried to find the old town. Found a place with happy hour and had several beers and good G and T for next to nothing. Time for bed 🛌Read more
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Day 22 exploring Calpe
September 30, 2025 in Spain ⋅ ☁️ 20 °C
Mark had a meeting at 10, just for half an hour. After this we went to explore some more of the local area. Some nice beach bars further along and then we walked up the coast the find the Roja loft, a cubed red building nuilt by a famous local architect. Then, back in to see some more of the old town. Stopped in a little square for a bottle if wine, then onto find the 'spanish steps' which Helen very happy 😊 Home for a shower and a change then back out where we stopped at the Indian restaurant which was fine 9.5 miles walkedRead more
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Day 23 southbound again
October 1, 2025 in Spain ⋅ ☀️ 19 °C
We set off for a shortish trip to our next site but took a wrong turn and had to go 15 miles in the wrong direction and turn around En route Mark's tunnel phobia kicked in and we had to back though the same tunnel, 1.5 km long. Bit of a drama and then had several more tunnels as well. Arrived at El Pinet, and luckily, there was availability. Lovely site (and cheap 13 euros) with dutch owners. Walked 20 minutes to the beach, found the beach bar (8 euros for a bottle of wine), and had a swim in a lovely warm sea. Back to base for sleep 😴Read more
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Day 24 relaxation & reggae
October 2, 2025 in Spain ⋅ ☀️ 19 °C
Woken up by what we learned are daily fireworks (and a cockereland barking dog). Did some relaxing then wandered into town look at the local town. A bit non-descript but a few cheap bars, restaurants and a supermarket. Also signs that the fiesta was arriving. Got some supplies and had a small beer then got back to camp to get ready for the evening. Tried cooking for the first time as Helen turned the oven on by accident and amongst other things there was a paper bag in there, flames erupted but got it out of the van, slightly scorching the fake grass matting! In the evening we went back down to the beach bar and enjoyed a night of reggae. Good fun 😁Read more
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Day 25 more chilling
October 3, 2025 in Spain ⋅ ☀️ 19 °C
Had a very relaxing day, not doing much at all. Sat outside the van and read, eggs on toast/spinach for brunch, the ambled down the beach in the afternoon for a wine at the beach bar. Lovely sunset, then into La Marina for a drink and a takeaway kebab and chicken wings for 10 euros.Read more
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