Sep – Oct 2024

Autumn 2024

Meandering along ancient pilgrimage routes in France and Northern Spain Read more

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Trip start
September 3, 2024
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Day 1–2
September 3, 2024 - September 4, 2024
1 night
🌬 20 °C
Altitude: 21 m
France Baie de Wissant 50.890536, 1.66302150°53’26” N 1°39’47” E
Wissant, Pas de Calais
Sep 3–4, 2024 in France ⋅ 🌬 20 °C
Our first night stop on another meandering through beautiful France.
We had to have a walk down to the beach, beautiful as ever, Niska had a great run around after sitting very quietly (mostly sleeping) on the journey.Read more
TravelerI am sitting here with a broken foot following your new adventure with great envy 🤕
9/13/24Reply
TravelerOh no a broken foot, is there a story of great daring attached to that or just something very ordinary 😉
9/13/24Reply
TravelerI dared to help out with some building work at my daughter's house renovation and fell over pushing sand on a wheel barrow, I wish I had stayed in France 😁
9/13/24Reply
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Day 2–3
September 4, 2024 - September 5, 2024
1 night
⛅ 21 °C
Altitude: 49 m
France Esquerdes 50.707891, 2.17611350°42’28” N 2°10’34” E
Esquerdes, Pas de Calais
Sep 4–5, 2024 in France ⋅ ⛅ 21 °C
After a couple of stops to get groceries and fresh water we found a very nice free stopover in Esquerdes by the Salle de Fetes which was formerly a Gunpowder Factory. It was next to a park with a lake and Niska couldn't resist darting into the lake for a swim on our walk .Read more
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Day 3–4
September 5, 2024 - September 6, 2024
1 night
☁️ 20 °C
Altitude: 51 m
France Museum of the Great War 49.929324, 2.93241849°55’46” N 2°55’57” E
Péronne, Somme
Sep 5–6, 2024 in France ⋅ ☁️ 20 °C
Heading south today's drive was through farmland and industrial areas so not terribly scenic but we did find another great free stopover in Péronne which has tons of history . Few towns in France have been so devastated by war over the centuries. Burned and pillaged in the time of the Normans, gravely damaged during the Spanish occupation, devastated by the Germans in 1870, totally destroyed in 1917, and bombed and burned in 1940.
Our stopover was opposite a beautiful park which leads into the town. It was a great find.Read more
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Day 4–5
September 6, 2024 - September 7, 2024
1 night
☁️ 20 °C
Altitude: 80 m
France Corbeny 49.465395, 3.82628449°27’55” N 3°49’35” E
Corbeny, Aisne
Sep 6–7, 2024 in France ⋅ ☁️ 20 °C
It was rainy this morning so we decided not to walk into town to the boulangerie. Instead we stopped en route at Holnon to get our bread and by the time we stopped at our park up we had beautiful warm sunshine.
We are staying in the village of Corbeny where Motorhomes have free spaces to stay by the river. Lovely walks and lovely views and the opportunity to sit outside just relaxing in the sunshine (to be honest just relaxing is our usual vibe on holiday!!).
Great boulangerie in the village too!Read more
TravelerLooks like a great stop, another one for us to try!
9/13/24Reply
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Day 5–6
September 7, 2024 - September 8, 2024
1 night
⛅ 25 °C
Altitude: 136 m
France Sainte-Marie-du-Lac-Nuisement 48.605401, 4.77348248°36’19” N 4°46’25” E
Saint Marie-du-lac-Nuisement, Marne
Sep 7–8, 2024 in France ⋅ ⛅ 25 °C
Beautiful weather again today and we found a great spot to stay in another tiny village through which the River Blaise runs. Great, long riverside walks although we had to divert into the village when it became too hot alongside the river where there was no shade . This place is popular with cyclists and walkers, very beautiful.Read more
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Day 6–7
September 8, 2024 - September 9, 2024
1 night
⛅ 21 °C
Altitude: 135 m
France La Ville-aux-Bois 48.405176, 4.69151648°24’19” N 4°41’29” E
La Ville aux Bois, Aube
Sep 8–9, 2024 in France ⋅ ⛅ 21 °C
We had intended to travel further than we did today but we found a really charming place where we stopped for lunch and decided to stay overnight. Ville aux Bois is the smallest commune in the Aube region., with just 33 inhabitants, we think we met most of them on our walk. As usual everyone very friendly and inviting and generously providing free stopovers and free services for motorhomes, we shared our spot with travellers from Belgium.
Our parkup is opposite the church where there is a memorial to 2 young British airmen who died when theur aircraft crashed in the village in May 1944. (Of the remaining crew, 2 escaped and 5 were held prisoner).Read more
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Day 7–8
September 9, 2024 - September 10, 2024
1 night
☁️ 18 °C
Altitude: 221 m
France Châteauvillain 48.037367, 4.91679948°2’15” N 4°55’0” E
Chateauvillain, Haute Marne
Sep 9–10, 2024 in France ⋅ ☁️ 18 °C
We stocked up on groceries at Brienne le Chateau and filled our tank with diesel then headed south to Chateauvillain. Another free park up in a very interesting historic town for us to explore .
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Day 8–9
September 10, 2024 - September 11, 2024
1 night
☁️ 18 °C
Altitude: 199 m
France Mirebeau-sur-Bèze 47.398872, 5.31843947°23’56” N 5°19’6” E
Mirébeau sur Bèze, Côte d'Or
Sep 10–11, 2024 in France ⋅ ☁️ 18 °C
Our drive today took us largely through forests to another village stopover at Mirébeau sur Bèze. Our park up is in a quiet corner of this pretty town with some very nice walks. We have a good nose for finding lovely free places to stay (and some good apps too!)Read more
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Day 10–11
September 12, 2024 - September 13, 2024
1 night
☁️ 13 °C
Altitude: 448 m
France Château-Chalon 46.753869, 5.62495546°45’14” N 5°37’30” E
Chateau-Chalon, Jura
Sep 12–13, 2024 in France ⋅ ☁️ 13 °C
We had a stop in Dole this morning to get LPG and top up on cheap diesel then a lunch stop at Domblans. Not far away up a winding hill road we stopped at the Beau Village of Chateau-Chalon , torrential and persistent rain prevented us from exploring the village that afternoon but we woke up to sunshine and spent the following morning enjoying the sights in the village. Being perched on a hill meant panoramic views of the vineyards and villages below and lots to explore in the village itself, very old and very well preserved and not at all commercial which is very appealing to us.Read more
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Day 10–11
September 12, 2024 - September 13, 2024
1 night
☁️ 14 °C
Altitude: 275 m
France Abbaye Notre-Dame-des-Dombes 46.03799, 5.09538546°2’17” N 5°5’43” E
Abbaye Notre Dame de Dombes, Rhône
Sep 12–13, 2024 in France ⋅ ☁️ 14 °C
We had a lunch stopover in Cousance where we stayed once before in October 2017. We bought bread and pastries from the boulangerie and used the free services here and got back on the road after lunch.
We have a very nice nightstop in the grounds of the beautiful Abbaye Notre Dame in Dombes. It was a hive of activity when we arrived, the first day of the season selling apples from the vast orchards here. People were buying apples by the crate load!
It's very peaceful here as you could imagine and nice walks in the grounds and around the perimeter of the Abbey. Another place generously offering a free place to stop over.Read more
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Day 11–12
September 13, 2024 - September 14, 2024
1 night
☁️ 12 °C
Altitude: 713 m
France Yzeron 45.711062, 4.57900145°42’40” N 4°34’44” E
Yzeron, Rhône
Sep 13–14, 2024 in France ⋅ ☁️ 12 °C
We had a very picturesque drive through the Auvergne-Rhône-Alps region to get to our park up in the mountains at Yzeron.
We are parked by Lake Ronzey so beautiful walks that also took us into the little town centre.
This is such a lovely place to stay, so peaceful, nice clean mountain air and beautiful nature.
Another free stop. What's not to love!!Read more
TravelerA lovely part of France, we were in that area last year!
9/15/24Reply
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Day 12–13
September 14, 2024 - September 15, 2024
1 night
☀️ 14 °C
Altitude: 627 m
France Le Puy-en-Velay 45.045336, 3.89546245°2’43” N 3°53’44” E
Le Puy en Velay, Haute-Loire
Sep 14–15, 2024 in France ⋅ ☀️ 14 °C
We are in the absolutely beautiful town of Puy en Velay. It is the starting point of the Via Podensis, one of the 4 French pilgrimage routes to Santiago de Compostela.
The town is steeped in history with the most wonderful architecture spanning centuries.
The Notre Dame de l'Annonciation cathedral
is a major monument of Romanesque art and is a UNESCO world heritage site.
Perched on a volcanic rock is the statue of Our Lady of France standing 16 metres high and painted red.
Perched on another volcanic outcrop is the Chapel of St-Michel d'Aigulhe dating from the 10th century.
The towns cobbled streets are lined with lovely independent artisan shops.
We walked miles today exploring this beautiful place. Even Niska was impressed, mostly loving all the town smells to be honest!
We are parked high above the town with amazing views. We are in a Camping Car Park; €14.80 for the night, our first paid for park up, still a bargain!!Read more
TravelerLovely pictures, looks like the weather is good
9/15/24Reply
TravelerYes, we've got glorious sunshine!! So nice to be back in France!
9/15/24Reply
TravelerAre you going to Spain?
9/15/24Reply
TravelerWe have the (vaguest) plan to go to Santiago de Compostela following the pilgrim route (in the comfort of the MH not on foot 😀) but that is dependent on us getting a move on which is not our speciality!! We will see!!
9/15/24Reply
TravelerWe did a hike on a few when we were in northern Spain, absolutely stunning
9/15/24Reply
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Day 13–14
September 15, 2024 - September 16, 2024
1 night
☀️ 14 °C
Altitude: 1,048 m
France Aumont-Aubrac 44.72247, 3.28421844°43’21” N 3°17’3” E
Aumont Aubrac, Lozère
Sep 15–16, 2024 in France ⋅ ☀️ 14 °C
We had another very scenic drive today, mountains, plateaux and pine forests following as closely as we can the Via Podensis to take us to our destination at Aumont Aubrac.
The village has lots of interesting history and we are perched on a hill with great panoramic views.
There is much tribute throughout this region evidenced with carvings and statues of the Beast of Gévaudan a man eating animal who terrorised the former province of Gévaudan in the Margeride mountains of south-central France between 1764 and 1767.
Our stopover once again is provided free by the community, we were the first to arrive around lunchtime and by evening the aire was very full!Read more
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Day 14–15
September 16, 2024 - September 17, 2024
1 night
☀️ 21 °C
Altitude: 222 m
France Truyère 44.640983, 2.56904144°38’28” N 2°34’9” E
Entraygues sur Truyère, Aveyron
Sep 16–17, 2024 in France ⋅ ☀️ 21 °C
We have driven down from the mountains today into the valley to continue following the Via Podensis and to take advantage of the opportunity to do a food shop for the week.
The route was incredibly scenic and we also had an impromptu stop in the Beau Village of Saint Comte d'Olt to use the motorhome services.
Our stopover at Entraygues sur Truyère is fabulous, we are parked on the banks of the River Lot and its about 10 degrees warmer than it has been in the mountains so we've taken advantage sitting by the river chatting with neighbours before we had a lovely walk into the beautiful town and back along the river.Read more
TravelerLooks a stunning place!
9/16/24Reply
TravelerBeautiful
9/16/24Reply
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Day 15–16
September 17, 2024 - September 18, 2024
1 night
☀️ 19 °C
Altitude: 202 m
France Truyère 44.648268, 2.56622344°38’54” N 2°33’58” E
Entraygues sur Truyère, Aveyron
Sep 17–18, 2024 in France ⋅ ☀️ 19 °C
We decided to stay another day by the river in this beautiful village. We did lots of walking to see all this place has to offer and we enjoyed our rest day (not sure what we're resting from 😉).
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Day 16–17
September 18, 2024 - September 19, 2024
1 night
☀️ 21 °C
Altitude: 172 m
France Boisse-Penchot 44.592355, 2.20485644°35’32” N 2°12’17” E
2
Boisse Penchot, Aveyron
Sep 18–19, 2024 in France ⋅ ☀️ 21 °C
We've only driven a fairly short distance (35 miles) today to another beautiful spot in Aveyron and our drive was very scenic, we are very much enjoying this region.
Our stopover in Boisse Penchot is a municipal aire in a lovely parkland setting by a lake and provided free with services. And we've got fabulous weather too.
Done lots of great walking again.
Insects have made a meal of me today, Tim not once!!Read more
TravelerSpectacular x
9/18/24Reply
Traveler Looks as if you are having a great time, all ok here. But a bit of sad news we had to have Felix put to sleep last week he suddenly lost the use of his back legs and was in great pain. So sad
9/19/24Reply
TravelerSo sorry to hear that. Sending our love xx
9/20/24Reply
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Day 18–19
September 20, 2024 - September 21, 2024
1 night
☁️ 24 °C
Altitude: 151 m
France Bardigues 44.03989, 0.8904944°2’24” N 0°53’26” E
Bardigues, Tarn et Garonne
Sep 20–21, 2024 in France ⋅ ☁️ 24 °C
Another beautifully scenic drive today to arrive at Bardigues. This very beautiful village was quite off the beaten track and provided a very pleasant free park up. Just us and Danish travellers staying tonight and it was so peaceful.
We had lovely walks exploring the whole village.Read more
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Day 19
Saturday, September 21, 2024 at 11:55 AM
☁️ 22 °C
Altitude: 165 m
France Saint-Clar 43.891865, 0.77067343°53’31” N 0°46’14” E
Saint-Clar, Gers
September 21, 2024 in France ⋅ ☁️ 22 °C
We had a stop in St Clar to top up with fresh water. We hadn't intended to travel along this road but a road closure and a deviation took us on a different route than we had planned.
The Aire where we picked up water was in an orchard close to a pretty town so we parked up and had a walk around the town and a visit to the boulangerie. It was a nice surprise stop!Read more
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Day 19–20
September 21, 2024 - September 22, 2024
1 night
☁️ 24 °C
Altitude: 186 m
France La Romieu 43.981232, 0.49526743°58’52” N 0°29’43” E
La Romieu, Gers
Sep 21–22, 2024 in France ⋅ ☁️ 24 °C
We are staying in a Beau Village on the Via Podensis (we met quite a few pilgrims passing through) that we previously visited in Spring 2022. It was nice to reacquaint ourselves with this really beautiful place which is very unspoiled and not at all touristy.
Our aire is by a lovely park which Niska had great fun in.
There were 4 motorhomes parked up (room for 5 but we were a bit spread out).Read more
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Day 20–21
September 22, 2024 - September 23, 2024
1 night
⛅ 21 °C
Altitude: 236 m
France Arzacq-Arraziguet 43.534769, -0.4102143°32’5” N 0°24’37” W
Arzacq-Arraziguet, Pyrénées-Atlantiques
Sep 22–23, 2024 in France ⋅ ⛅ 21 °C
We had some torrential storms this morning (managed to take Niska out and have a trip to the boulangerie before the rains hit); by the time we parked up at our location for the day at lunchtime warm sunshine had reappeared.
We are in Arzacq-Arraziguet which is on the Via Podensis (saw lots of pilgrims) it's a really nice town with lots of commerce and history and a beautiful lake for a great dog walk!
Our park up is in the town square with full services all free. We were the only motorhome parked up overnight and it was very peaceful!Read more
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Day 21–22
September 23, 2024 - September 24, 2024
1 night
☀️ 20 °C
Altitude: 131 m
France Navarrenx 43.32094, -0.76093543°19’15” N 0°45’39” W
3
Navarrenx, Pyrénées-Atlantiques
Sep 23–24, 2024 in France ⋅ ☀️ 20 °C
We went off plan today, originally heading to St-Jean-Pied-de-Port (the final stop on the Via Podensis) we came upon the very charming Beaux Village of Navarrenx where we stopped for lunch then decided to park up for the day (and night) as very much to see here.
This is a fortified town and we have great views of the town and beyond; walking along the top of the ramparts. We can see the Pyrénées in the distance.
There are also very nice artisan shops in the town and a few restaurants. It feels very authentic and not at all touristy which appeals to us.
Free park up and free services just down the road make this a great stopover. Very grateful for the generosity of these communities.Read more
Traveler Who's taking the picture?
9/24/24Reply
TravelerWe met 2 very nice Australian tourists, got chatting, took photos 😉. Also proof that we're both on the journey....Tim is chief photographer, I'm in charge of words.....dog not earning her keep 😄
9/24/24Reply
TravelerGlad to finally see your other half!
9/24/24Reply
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Day 22–23
September 24, 2024 - September 25, 2024
1 night
⛅ 17 °C
Altitude: 945 m
Spain Roncesvalles 43.009104, -1.31850443°0’33” N 1°19’7” W
Roncesvalles, Navarre
Sep 24–25, 2024 in Spain ⋅ ⛅ 17 °C
Coming to the end of the Via Podensis today with a drive to St-Jean-Pied-de-Port (we stayed here in the Spring, a very beautiful place). Our onward journey is across the border to Northern Spain where we have stopped in Roncesvalles in the Navarre province; a beautiful little 'town' with just 19 inhabitants; so outnumbered on a daily basis by visitors and especially pilgrims for whom there are places to stay. A number of notable buildings are in the town including the Collegiate Church.
We are parked with other motorhomes on the edge of the forest which has beautiful walks. Lots to see in this tiny place!Read more
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Day 23
Wednesday, September 25, 2024 at 2:06 PM
⛅ 22 °C
Altitude: 510 m
Spain Ayegui 42.65032, -2.04423242°39’1” N 2°2’39” W
Ayegui, Navarre
September 25, 2024 in Spain ⋅ ⛅ 22 °C
We had a lunch stop at the site of a monastery and a wine museum in Ayegui. We were joined by the Morgan owners club; made a wonderful sight! Most on UK plates but a few from Europe.
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Day 23–24
September 25, 2024 at 5:18 PM - September 26, 2024
1 night
⛅ 25 °C
Altitude: 481 m
Spain Castillo de Mendoza 42.557971, -2.75704842°33’29” N 2°45’25” W
1
San Vicente de La Sonsierra, La Rioja
Sep 25–26, 2024 in Spain ⋅ ⛅ 25 °C
We wre staying today in San Vicente de la Sonsierra which is at the foot of the beautiful village of Briones.
Our park up is below the town next to the park and the medieval bridge over the Ebro River.
We took a very steep uphill walk to Briones, well worth the effort. Some beautiful historic buildings and a very pretty village square.Read more
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9/27/24Reply
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Day 24
Thursday, September 26, 2024 at 11:21 AM
🌬 20 °C
Altitude: 650 m
Spain Santo Domingo de la Calzada 42.440685, -2.95131342°26’26” N 2°57’5” W
Santo Domingo de la Calzada, La Rioja
September 26, 2024 in Spain ⋅ 🌬 20 °C
We had a stop this morning in Santo Domingo de Calzada a popular way stop on the Camino Frances for pilgrims.
We had a walk around the town to see some of its notable buildings.....and to get bread from the Panaderia.Read more
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