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Adventures of Blu
  • Alexandra Hicken-Davidson
  • Alexandra Hicken-Davidson

Adventures of Blu

Alex, Carla and I are travelling from Lisbon (pt.) to Nottingham (U.K.) and back in our electric car!
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  • Alexandra Hicken-DavidsonAdventures of BluTraveler

    Freezing charge

    December 11, 2022 in England ⛅ 0 °C

    On the way back from Leeds we charged the car at a Gridserve charging point near Warrington.

    Either the cold temperatures or broken machine caused the charging to be verrrrrry slow.

  • Alexandra Hicken-DavidsonAdventures of BluTraveler

    Pride Park

    December 13, 2022 in England ☁️ 0 °C

    We had to take a little detour on our way back to Alex’s family in Derby.

    We wanted to tell Carla all about the history of these bricks, but she was too busy sniffing them #COYR

  • Alexandra Hicken-DavidsonAdventures of BluTraveler

    Back on the road!

    December 26, 2022 in England ☀️ 3 °C

    We’re back on the road(!) and starting our journey back to Lisbon today. The first day of driving takes us from Nottingham to Goodwick in Wales.

    Over the next few days whilst we are travelling we’ll add some of the footprints of places we’ve been in the U.K. over the past 20 days & write about our experience of the U.K’s EV charging network… but for now here’s a picture of some swans as we charge the car in Long Eaton.Read more

  • Alexandra Hicken-DavidsonAdventures of BluTraveler

    Slow progress

    December 26, 2022 in England ⛅ 7 °C

    We are getting there but my word, has it been slow progress today!

    An accident and consequential road closure followed by planned motorway closure AND bad Gridserve service on the motorways has resulted in us being approximately 3 hours behind schedule… But spirits have been high, fuelled by Christmas dinner left overs and an audiobook on the rivalry between Barcelona and Real Madrid 😅.

    Next stop, Wales 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿    Read more

  • Alexandra Hicken-DavidsonAdventures of BluTraveler

    Last charge of the day

    December 26, 2022 in Wales ⛅ 6 °C

    Yay for Instavolt. Their charging network at McDonalds has saved us today… although our health may have suffered.

    We’re about to start the final leg of our journey now to the Pembrokeshire coast. It’s sadly too late to enjoy the views but we will enjoy waking up to serenity in the morning 💕Read more

  • Alexandra Hicken-DavidsonAdventures of BluTraveler

    Ferry prep. in Goodwick

    December 27, 2022 in Wales 🌧 9 °C

    We won’t be driving much over the next 2 days, but we’re trying to get as much charge into the car as possible so that once we get to Spain we can continue south with ease.

    Our first ferry prep. charge is in Goodwick, about 400m from the Fishguard ferry terminal… we’re hoping to slowly get up to 80% so that once we’re off the ferry in Ireland we can get to Wexford (our base for the night!) and do another little charge.

    Slow charging = more time to enjoy local hospitality and walking routes, which we have done this morning despite the weather ☔️    Read more

  • Alexandra Hicken-DavidsonAdventures of BluTraveler

    Wexford

    December 27, 2022 in Ireland ⛅ 8 °C

    That ferry crossing was absolutely horrific, 1/3 of us were ill, but I’m not at liberty to divulge who.

    Car on charge, b&b checked into… now it’s time for a tiny Guinness and to stretch our legs before tomorrow morning’s early wake-up call!Read more

  • Alexandra Hicken-DavidsonAdventures of BluTraveler

    On our way to Bilbao

    December 28, 2022 in Ireland 🌬 11 °C

    After a short delay getting going, we’re on our way to Bilbao.

    The sea is already pretty rough, we’re predicting it might be another difficult crossing!

  • Alexandra Hicken-DavidsonAdventures of BluTraveler

    Two routes are better than one

    December 30, 2022 in Spain ☁️ 11 °C

    Originally, we had planned to drive from Palência to Castelo Branco (421km) in Portugal today however, we might use the one hour time difference to our advantage and make it all the way back home 🏠 (639km).

    We have an Airbnb waiting for us in Castelo Branco if we need it, let’s see if we have the heart to drive another 2 hours once we’ve been driving for 5!    Read more

  • Alexandra Hicken-DavidsonAdventures of BluTraveler

    Tosta con tomates

    December 30, 2022 in Spain ☁️ 10 °C

    Our first charge stop of the day and the perfect opportunity to get breakfast - dos tostas con tomates y zumo de naranja for €7.20.

    Naturally vegan, delicious, and good fuel for the long day ahead.

  • Alexandra Hicken-DavidsonAdventures of BluTraveler

    Lunch in Salamanca

    December 30, 2022 in Spain ☁️ 11 °C

    On approach to Salamanca we had to change the charger we were going to use as someone pipped us to it at the last minute!

    However… the new location was closer to the city and allowed us to come to Veggie Sue’s for a huge vegan lunch.

    Still feeling good and optimistic about our chances of making it to Lisbon today… only 4 drives and 3 full charge’s to go 😬    Read more

  • Alexandra Hicken-DavidsonAdventures of BluTraveler

    The final fronteira

    December 30, 2022 in Portugal ☁️ 12 °C

    We made it to Villar Formoso, a town that straddles the boarder between Spain and Portugal.

    Only 2 more charges to go and 4 hours of driving until home, we’re feeling quietly confident but still know that anything is possible to prevent us completing the journey today 🫣.Read more

  • Alexandra Hicken-DavidsonAdventures of BluTraveler

    One last charge

    December 30, 2022 in Portugal ⛅ 14 °C

    One last charge at McDonalds in Torres Novas and we’ll start our final 112km drive home.

    I can honestly say that today, driving 700ish km and charging 5 times has gone without any incident. In part due to our ability to navigate the Spanish and Portuguese charging infrastructure AND in part due to the infrastructure itself being ready for electric cars to make long journeys 👍.

    Next stop, a nossa casa 🏠 🌅    Read more

  • Trip end
    December 30, 2022