Tuesday 26/2/19

Van ready off we go!! We decided to take the coastal road down through Croatia, absolutely outstanding,

Arrived about 5km outside Zadar at a campsite that had been storm damaged and not yet open, however we stayed for free, no power, no loo’s which didn’t matter as we had power and a loo!!!!

We drove into Zadar had something to eat and drove back to the packed site xx

Wednesday 27/2/19

Up and off as not many people to say morning to!! Durbrovnik bound found somewhere to park the in the town and took a stroll round the walled city,

After a walk round, back up lots of steps back to the van!

Heading for our stop for the night, another campsite closed!! again found a spot with power and cost us 10Euros got everything charged xx (these places say there closed however always someone there to take your money!!)

Thursday 28/2/19

Heading off for what we though was our 8th country, what do we know as had to pass through Bosnia, so Montenegro was our 9th country we were planning to stay, after boarder control 15Euros lighter for insurance (we weren’t arguing!)

Followed the coastal road and took the ferry to Kotor

another walled city, I think a lot nicer than Dubrovnik x

Arrived at campsite again not fully open,

we were charged 12Euros for power and hot showers (the best 12Euros we have spent xx)

Friday 1/3/19

Heading for Albania, left Montenegro later than normal(had clothes to dry!)

We only had a 2 hr drive!!! That’s if the roads are open!, think we did half the journey on a closed road!!

Went through broader control to get into Albania another 49Euros for insurance (again no argument from us!)

Arrived at campsite again not open yet for the season but letting us stay for free(oh sorry 2 euros for electricity!) Got to say another crap view!!

Gin and tonic and write blog xx what more can a girl! ask for xx

Saturday 23/2/2019

Set off for Italy, decided to take the coastal road for about 60 miles, stunning views however felt like we were part of the tour de France!!!! so many cyclists to avoid!! Managed not to knock any over. Past Cannes and the Cote d’Azur, then on to motorway A8 never to be forgotten!! If you are not keen on tunnels, bridges and heights!! This may not be the road for you ( or just keep your eyes closed if you the passenger of course!)

Got to say never been through so many tunnels and over so many bridges

We arrived at Finale Ligure in really good time, then spent a while! trying to find the campervan parking, eventually found it after going up and down the same road a few times!! We got our ticket and found the only space that was left, crammed in is not the word (sorry forgot to take picture) Walked into town to get something to eat and a beer of course.

Sunday 24/2/2019

Managed to get off the very crammed van park, and set off back into the mountains, loads more tunnels and bridges!! Oh forgot to mention also lots of tolls!!

What was a bonus the roads quite quiet as all big lorries we had been taking over yesterday seemed to all be parked in the service stations not sure if Sunday driving allowed!

We arrived in Cola next to Lake Garda, campervan parking a little quieter here,

Walk to the Lake, stunning views

we walked 6 miles, definitely got steps in! To local pizzeria for something to eat and a beer of course xx

Monday 25/2/2019

Up and ready, van sorted now to get out of van park! Ticket in hand out in machine nothing!!!! Some locals arrived no English spoken and our broken Italian useless!! after 15 minutes trying phone numbers given with no success! We realised we were using the wrong ticket!!! Problem solved off we go. Roads busier today bloody lorries back on the road, however great trip to Slovenia, van park found.

Sun is out walk through the port

and found a bar ( nothing new there then) sitting in the sun updating blog, what more can anyone ask for xx

Can’t believe we are over 2 weeks into our journey!!

Just thought we would recap where we have been –

Rochdale to Nancegollan Cornwall 358 miles

Cornwall to Portsmouth – 230 miles

Portsmouth – Santander, 30hours sailing won’t be doing that again in a hurry!!! (a little choppy!!)

Santander – Avin, Spain 72 miles

Avin – Bragangca, Portugal 230 miles

Bragangca – Peniche, Portugal 285 miles

Then it should have been!!

Peniche – Selima, Portugal, however only got 50 miles down the motorway and the van decided it didn’t want to go any further, only 200 metres away from VW garage in Loures just outside Lisbon.

Next day no mileage as van being fixed so a stop over in Lisbon was called for.

Off we go again –

Loures – Isla Cristina, Spain 215 miles

Isla Cristina – Granada, Spain 255 miles

Granada – Mazarron, Spain 160 miles, we spent a couple of days with friends xx

Mazarron – Col Vert, Spain 168 miles

Col Vert – Gava, Spain (just outside Barcelona) 209 miles

Gava – Villeneue Maguelone, France 225 miles

We are now on day 16 over 2500 miles done and loving every miute xxx

Still in France today 22/2/2019 Tomorrow Italy xx

Thursday 14/2 no sleeping in a car park tonight, as the van not ready until Friday 11ish!! We decided to to go into Lisbon and find a hotel, bus and metro from Loures took about an hour, had a walk round Lisbon, very nice city.

Left Lisbon about 10.30am no rush as we know the van would not be ready!! Got to the garage about 11.40am suprise suprise van not quite ready!!

1pm van ready, paid the bill now a few Euros lighter!!!! Back on the road and heading for Spain.

Found a campsite in Isla Cristina, set up for the night, beer, pizza and bed, hey! we know how to live xx

Saturday 16/2

Up early sorted van, on the road for 9.30am fuelled up and set off for Granada.

through Seville as sat nav didn’t recognise new motorway!!! Roads great again motorways empty.

We had brew about half way and booked a campsite just out of the city, parked up got the van sorted and got the bus into the centre of Granada (didn’t realise it was so big) We walked up to the La Alhambra had a look around then walked back down again.

Then to find a bar had beer and tapas, found the bus stop (which is always a bonus!) Back to the campsite, great nights sleep ready for the road in the morning xx

Sunday 17/2

Shortish drive today we are heading to see friends in Marazzon, as we head back to northern Spian, will let you know how goes xx

Day 8 started well, packed up and set off, filled up with deisel(was it really deisel!!)

50 miles into a 250 mile journey the van started to slow down and loose power! Coil light flashing! Got to services and left for half an hour, when returned no lights on, so carried on with journey.

After 5 minutes a engine light came on, got to the toll on the motorway and the van stopped!! would not start and we were in the middle of the lanes with hazards on! Howard phoned RAC and I walked over a road bridge for help, found Paulo(our hero) RAC said sort yourselves out and claim later (big help!!) Our hero helped push us to the side of the road and then called a recovery service they wanted 135 euros, however the next junction was 200mtrs away and the VW garage 500mtrs away. Howard got the van going and we headed for the garage with our hazards on! Oh bugger cut out on roundabout!

So near get so far!!

Howard went across the roundabout and I stayed with the van!!

Johan arrive with H from the garage about 20 minutes later (1pm) checked that we had put correct fuel in, we had (thank goodness) tried to get I the wrong side to drive the van!! I did have a bit of a chuckle xx when he eventually found the steering wheel he really revved the engine and was determined to get us to the garage!! Got there in one piece then was informed it was now lunch time and to come back at 3pm, so 2 hours to kill.

Back to the garage at just after 3pm, van looked at 4pm- 5.30pm van needed a new part and just like any other garage it needed to be ordered!!! Will be here Thursday by 3pm van fixed by Friday!!! 2 day lost on our journey !! Hey what the hell we are retired!!

Questions we asked ourselves where would we sleep? Johan from the garage said we could have the van back and park in the garage next to the VW garage, me being me! signs said 30 min only, so we found a Portuguese version of Lidl and slept in their car park

Day 9 Thursday, took van back to garage and left with them until tomorrow.

We then got bus and metro on to Lisbon

(bonus trip) booked a hotel (Shower and wifi!!) Beer time xx will update soon xx

Great nights sleep, up a bit later than the past 2 mornings😀 after rearranging the van, shower and a coffee we set off to Portugal.

Roads really quiet, 220 miles to go.

Views amazing

Arrived in 5hrs, found parking for the night, however no loos!!! So may need to use camping loo will let you know!!!

Now time to stretch our legs and find a bar!!!!

Arrives in Portsmouth Friday evening, had to swim out of car park!! weather not good.

Saturday 9th February, Arrived at the port after filling up with fuel.

7am papers checked and pointed to a long line of cars and Van’s, 15 minutes later moved forward to the next queue!

Ferry loading all the big lorries, there where loads, time was ticking when it got yo 8.15am and not a car, camper or caravan loaded, no way would we be setting off at 8.45am, so we waited and waited eventually on the ferry at 9.20am (BREW time). Ferry set sail at 9.45am.

Found our cabin a room with a view.

(which some of you need to know it had it’s own loo!!! So the van loo not used yet!!)

Portsmouth harbour nice and calm after about 10 minutes storm Eric caught up with us, it was easier to stay in the cabin lay down (1 book read on the journey)

The whole sail was very undulating sleep was not easy when sliding forwards and backwards on the bed, then waking and thinking if this is happening to us!! What’s happening to the van!!!

Sunday 10th February

Lovely wake up call! to tell due to the stormy weather conditions we would be in Santander 3hrs behind schedule (Oh what joy)

When for a brew very unsteady on our feet, then went to see if the vehicles were ok on the deck we could see the van, not moved a inch!! All’s good xx

Dock in Santander, one of the first off the ferry, straight through passport control out of the port and on the motorway to our first overnight stay in Avin, hope to get a good night’s sleep.

Got here safely van parked up

beer and tea xx updates to follow

Watch for my mother in the background!!!

One question we kept being asked is have you go a loo!! 

We looked all over for one to fit the van as space limited, found the perfect size in Range( good old Range never let me down!)

Then you need the necessary chemicals!!

Then where to put it!! Found the perfect spot.😀

As if yet never used, will let you know how it goes xx💩