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Caves & Castles

oktober – december 2024
  • Misadventures Of Wanda
This is our journey back to France, Spain & Portugal to visit some of the things we’ve overlooked in the past. Läs mer
  • Misadventures Of Wanda

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  • Portugal Portugal
  • Spanien Spanien
  • England England
  • Frankrike Frankrike
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Cykel, Kamping, Familj, Vandring, Natur, Fotgrafering, Sightseeing, Vildmark
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  • 99fotavtryck
  • 70dagar
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  • Misadventures Of WandaMisadventures Of WandaCaves & Castles

    Back to France

    3 december 2024, Frankrike ⋅ ☁️ 10 °C

    We were up at 8am but in no particular hurry as today was our last day in Spain. That would mean no-more heat, although we haven’t had that much, no more pistachio filled eclairs or croissants, and no more practising speaking Spanish. We will miss Spain.
    We left Alquezar at 10am and it would be a 4 hour journey into the Pyrenees, criss-crossing Aragón and Catalonia all the way to the Vielha tunnel with beautiful Mountain View’s all the way. It was a spectacular drive and a road through the mountains we hadn’t taken before.
    Passing through the Vielha tunnel we were still in Catalonia for the next 20 miles but these were the most French, Spanish towns we had ever been through. Everything looked French but the signs were in Spanish and sometimes Catalan. It was bizarre.
    We finally reached our parking spot in the town of Montrejeau at 2:30pm and the first thing we did was make lunch and have a cup if tea.
    Our parking spot for the night is just a random car park but it’s in a beautiful area right next to the lac de Montrejeau and a golf course.
    Around 3:30pm we headed out to stretch our legs and did a lap of the lake and park and then it was back to Wanda for the rest of the day.    Läs mer

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  • Misadventures Of WandaMisadventures Of WandaCaves & Castles

    Carcasonne & the Christmas Markets

    4 december 2024, Frankrike ⋅ ⛅ 6 °C

    We had a rough nights sleep in the car park. We were joined by the local boy racers at 9:30pm doing handbrake turns and beeping there horns which was intimidating and annoying, and despite every review we had read stating that the trains stopped at 10pm they didn’t. And to make it worse from 10:30pm every train that passed beeped it’s horn until 1:30am.
    We decided to take the toll roads to Carcasonne as it was 2 hours quicker but only 7 miles shorter as we were both knackered.
    Our first option for parking was a vineyard farm stay but the ground was unbelievably sloping and they had a dog in a kennel barking it’s head off and there were no services so after lunch I decided to move and we parked in our usual spot at Le Cite Aire du camping car, this cost us an extra €14 but that’s because Ellie said we had a 3rd person with us accidentally but here we have water, it’s flat and there’s no barking dogs.
    We chilled out in the afternoon and grabbed a quick nap, then after dinner we walked into the new town to see the Christmas lights and the market which opened today.
    As we walked into the park we could see the stalls and all the Christmas stuff was out but nothing was lit up. I thought I had completely screwed up and just as we were about to leave the park suddenly all the Christmas lights came on.
    It was amazing. It actually looked and felt like Christmas was coming. The lights looked spectacular and all the animatronics were moving. From the park we walked up to La Bastade, the centre of town and then Christmas really hit us.
    Here there were loads of market stalls in a huge square, an inner square where the craft items were sold and an outer square around that where food and drink was sold. Then at the centre of it all was a huge ice rink. We had mold wine and it was super good.
    Once we were done with the markets we took a long walk back to Wanda via the medieval city which was open but there were no people and I really wished I had taken my proper camera.
    Walking the deserted streets was eerie and strange as it felt like we shouldn’t have been there and in the past we had to fight our way through the crowds.
    After a lap of the medieval city we took the route back along the river path in the dark which was creepy and we were glad to get back to Wanda as the temperature was dropping fast. We had just walked 7.5km.    Läs mer

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  • Misadventures Of WandaMisadventures Of WandaCaves & Castles

    Hiking des canalettes

    5 december 2024, Frankrike ⋅ ☁️ 7 °C

    We were up at 7:30am and we had a big drive ahead of us today so after coffee it was time to roll out of Carcasonne.
    Our first stop was Decathlon in Carcasonne to Christmas presents for people and some shorts for us both for our upcoming Africa trip. Then it was 2 miles down the road to Lidl to do food shopping. After that it was another 1 mile trip to Lê, Clercs to fill up with fuel and then get 2 litres of oil to top Wanda up.
    All of this took a couple of hours and by the time we actually left the vicinity of Carcasonne it had gone 11 o clock. Far later than I wanted and we still had a 2 1/2 hour drive ahead of us.
    We decided to take the toll roads to our next stop as the mileage was the same but it was 50 mins quicker and we arrived at the parking area of Site des canalettes just after 1pm.
    This marks a significant milestone in our trip as this is our final planned excursion, we have completed our list and after this our stops will be whatever else we find on the way home. For this final hike we needed it not to be raining which is why I really wanted to get here while the weather was good.
    After a quick cup of tea we left Wanda at 2pm and headed down a gravel track following signs that said Les Cañoles. We now know that means canyons.
    I knew that this was a gorge walk but Ellie didn’t and I wanted to keep it a surprise until we got there but I did get a little lost and we had to backtrack and start the hike again.
    We marched through woods until the large rocks started appearing either side of us and then the ground started sloping down. Then the rocks formed walls and we realised we were in a canyon and it got tighter and narrower until we couldn’t walk any further. At this point we could have shimmied up the wall and into the next section but Ellie didn’t want to do that so we turned around and headed to the next canyon.
    The next canyon was much deeper and longer and this one came to an abrupt end in total darkness. Then we had to turn around and head back to Wanda.
    Thanks to me getting lost I’d added an extra 4km to our hike and an extra hour and by the time we got back to Wanda it was 4:45pm, the sun was staring to set and we still had to find a sleeping spot. Luckily l had marked one off first thing this morning and it was 20 miles and 35 minutes away and we arrived in Alzon at 5:20pm just as the sun was setting.
    Alzon has a free Motorhome area with a dump station and there were already 2 motorhomes here and we parked in between them. This looks like a beautiful little village but I don’t think we’re going to get a chance to explore.    Läs mer

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  • Misadventures Of WandaMisadventures Of WandaCaves & Castles

    Issoire

    6 december 2024, Frankrike ⋅ ☁️ 8 °C

    We were up at 8am and had, had a pretty good nights sleep. The forecast has said rain overnight but we didn’t get that but now the wind had picked up and there were some very strong gusts.
    We left the aire just after 9am having tipped off our grey water and emptied the toilet. We still had half our fresh water left from Carcasonne and we didn’t want to buy more.
    We had a 150 mile drive ahead of us today and we left the aire with 3/4 of a tank of diesel. I had already decided to use the toll roads as we were in hilly terrain and I didn’t fancy decending all the way down into Millau and back up so we crossed over the Millau viaduct and it was unbelievably windy and we were down to 40mph and getting buffeted around.
    After Millau we were onto the Hors Autoroute and as in the cycling world Hors means all category when it comes to climbing mountains and this road was just like that. We climbed up to 800meters then 1100 meters then 1500meters getting buffeted around by big gusts every time we summited.
    We stopped at one of the aires on the motorway and refilled our LPG tanks and one we got to the city of Issoire the first thing we did was fill up the diesel tanks.
    This is a lovely free aire right on the edge of the city with a tarmac drive and compact gravel to park on. It has free water and dump station and it opposite à carrefour supermarket with laundrette.
    On arrival the first thing we did was go to the supermarket and get fresh bread and some soup and then we came back and had lunch. After lunch we did the washing which will be our last laundrette visit and in the morning we will refill the water after both showering then Wanda will be completely topped up and we’ll be clean.
    At 6:30pm we headed in to the city to watch the switch on of the Christmas lights and there was a big display of fireworks. Lots of the historical buildings had light projections displayed on them and we saw Father Christmas. In the centre of town the historic church was open and we went inside and it was one of the most beautiful town churches we had been in. All of the pillars were decorated, the ceiling was painted and the altar area was also beautifully painted but not to Gordy and there wasn’t a lot of gold like most churches.
    Also because the Christmas light display was happening the crypt was open to the public which was also amazing to see.
    At 8pm we got back to Wanda and it was now just 5°c outside and feeling Christmassy although it is meant to get cloudy overnight and actually warm up.    Läs mer

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  • Misadventures Of WandaMisadventures Of WandaCaves & Castles

    Saint-Léopardin-d'Augy

    7 december 2024, Frankrike ⋅ 🌬 10 °C

    We left our little aire at 9:30am and refilled our fresh water and tipped the gray and toilet, all for free. We had a 120 mile drive ahead of us today and it was raining and very windy.
    We had decided to take the toll roads again as it would get us to our destination 50 mins faster and I desperately needed to get on the bike.
    It took us 3 hours to get to our free aire in the quaint little hamlet of Saint-Léopardin-d'Augy. There are around 5 houses here. A town hall and a church and nothing else and they have put on a free to stay aire with 3 Motorhome bays on compact gravel and a free grey and black waste station but if you want fresh water you can buy a token at the town hall between 8:30am and 12:30pm. There are also beautifully clean toilets and a wet room with a shower next to the church and it has hot water.
    After a quick lunch and waiting for the rain to stop I went out in my bike and it was seriously wet and windy and half way through it pissed down again.
    The ride took me just over an hour and it felt good to stretch my legs although I was soaked to the skin when I got back but I took full advantage of the hot showers and once I was back in Wanda the rain came down again and the wind got up again.
    By 7pm it was lashing it down and the forecast was for rain for the rest of the night and all day tomorrow which will make for a long day of driving. Especially if it stays windy.    Läs mer

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  • Misadventures Of WandaMisadventures Of WandaCaves & Castles

    Fontainebleau

    8 december 2024, Frankrike ⋅ 🌧 8 °C

    We were up at 7:30am and it was still raining and still windy.
    We were in no particular hurry today as it was set to rain all day so we didn’t leave our aire until 10am.
    We had another 120 mile drive and today we didn’t take the toll roads and it was a 3 hour drive and we stopped on route at a Leclercs supermarket for breakfast and diesel.
    We finally arrived at our park up in the town of Fontainebleau and our sleep spot is at the entrance to the Chateau de Fontainebleau. It’s 50 miles south of Paris, and it’s not really an aire but a 24hr parking area but it’s free and for us it’s perfect as it’s still on route.
    After a quick lunch we headed out for a walk in the rain and managed to walk the entire grounds of the chateau. It is a massive place, with gardens, fountains and huge water gardens. In it’s day riding up to this place must have been amazing.
    The Château de Fontainebleau, is one of the largest and most historically significant royal residences in the country. It is renowned for its stunning architecture, elaborate interiors, and rich history, spanning over eight centuries of use by French monarchs.

    Historical Overview
    1. Medieval Beginnings: The site was originally a royal hunting lodge in the 12th century under King Louis VII.
    2. Renaissance Expansion: King Francis I transformed the château in the 16th century, heavily influenced by Italian Renaissance styles. He invited Italian artists like Rosso Fiorentino and Primaticcio, who introduced the Mannerist style to France. This led to the creation of the School of Fontainebleau, a major artistic movement.
    3. Baroque Period: Subsequent kings, including Henry IV and Louis XIII, expanded and embellished the château, adding new wings, gardens, and decorative elements.
    4. Napoleonic Era: Napoleon Bonaparte considered Fontainebleau his “true home” and renovated it extensively. It was here that he signed his first abdication in 1814.
    The Chateau is now a UNESCO world heritage site and it has served as a residence to over 30 monarchs from medieval kings to Napoleon 3rd.
    Our walk of the grounds covered 7km and we got back to Wanda at 4pm and we weee both soaked through but it did feel good to stretch our legs. We spent the rest of the afternoon drying out and sheltering from the rain.    Läs mer

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  • Misadventures Of WandaMisadventures Of WandaCaves & Castles

    Nearly there!!

    9 december 2024, Frankrike ⋅ 🌬 6 °C

    We were woken up early at 6am by forklifts moving around in a unit nearby but Ellie hadn’t felt well most of the night and hadn’t got much sleep atall.
    After coffees we decided to leave at 8:30am as we had a long drive of 130 miles. I initially decided to not take the toll roads but the traffic was horrendous and the French just can’t drive at the best of times let alone first thing on a Monday morning and after seeing 2 accidents and numerous close calls we decided to get off of the single lanes and get on the motorway and toll roads.
    I had found us a nice aire next to a canal and it took us 3 hours and slightly more mileage if 150 miles to reach Bellicourt.
    Our aire is just off of the main road and has space for 4 motorhomes. There is paid services here and it’s €3 for 4 minutes of water.
    After a quick lunch, just after 1pm I set off on my bike for what I thought would be a road ride, but within 2 miles of leaving Wanda I was on a grass farm track and it was seriously muddy. I had totally the wrong tyres in the bike and slipped off and ended up laying in the mud. Luckily I wasn’t going any speed and it was so wet and muddy it was a very soft landing. The rest of the ride was pretty much the same terrain with some woods thrown in for good measure. It was like riding on ice the entire time, but because it was so demanding it was actually quite enjoyable.
    I got back to Wanda at 2:30pm and Ellie had, had a Power Nap and put the hot water on so after a coffee I had a hot shower and then as the rain started to come down again we put the fire on and took shelter for the rest if the day.    Läs mer

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  • Misadventures Of WandaMisadventures Of WandaCaves & Castles

    Back to where we started

    10 december 2024, Frankrike ⋅ 🌬 7 °C

    We were up at 7am and had, had a good nights sleep. After coffee Ellie showered and when we were ready to go we refilled the water and tipped off all of the dirty stuff and set off just after 9am.
    It was freezing outside with a top temperature of 5°c but a bitingly cold wind making it feel like it’s in the minus numbers.
    Our first stop today was our usual last stop of LeClercs at Lumbres to Wash Wanda. It was an 85 mile drive using the toll roads and we got there just before 11am and it took 30 minutes to wash Wanda and when we finished we were completely numb with cold.
    Our second stop of the day was our final food shop and last minute sweet treats in Lidl, where they didn’t gave everything we wanted but it’s to late now. Then we programmed the sat nav for the final 20 mile push and we got to Gravelines at 1pm.
    Once we had refilled with diesel we drove 2 miles out to the coast and back to the Motorhome stop where we started the trip in France.
    It was unbelievably windy and as we sat there eating our French soup and dipping our French bread, Wanda was rocking side to side. We decided not to go for a walk and spent the rest of the afternoon chilling and keeping warm in front of the fire.    Läs mer

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  • Misadventures Of WandaMisadventures Of WandaCaves & Castles

    The last Drive

    11 december 2024, Frankrike ⋅ ☁️ 6 °C

    We were up at 7am and on the road at 8:30am. Our first stop of the day was Lidl in Gravelines to get the bits we couldn’t get yesterday. Then it was the last 20 miles in France to Calais and we got there at 9:30am.
    We were second in the queue and had to wait until 11:15am to board which was the actual time we were meant to sail so we were already running late.
    The journey took 90 minutes and we got off the other end and then it was the final push for home.
    The 200 miles took us the best part of 4 hours thanks to the heavy traffic but finally at 4pm we arrived back at home.
    We’ve had a great trip. Yes the first 2 weeks was really rough weather wise but we were lucky to miss the majority of the heavy rain and the floods. We have seen more than was planned and the extra bits always made a nice unexpected highlight. We’ve also seen 2 Christmas lights switch on in France finally after 3 years of trying. Driving wise we have covered 5100 miles in Wanda and once again she has done well getting us everywhere we needed to be and keeping us safe at night and through the bad weather. Now it’s time to unload her and get her cleaned up ready for our next adventure.    Läs mer

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