A disappointing result for intended route to Spain

Hi, Baza, Pete and Mark, after researching my proposed route over the Col de Portalet I have had some information from seasoned expert travellers about the route and the time of year we would be going.

The Col is ussually closed from October to May so early April looks like it could be still impassable, I was intending getting the information for the route from a campsite we have frequently used at Saint Yrieix-sur-Charente as from there I could change the route easily to avoid the area, and suggest the route through the Somport tunnel, it's a very pretty route we have used before and actually brings us out on the route we would have originally taken.

So here is what I suggest, still stick with the original route until Saint Yrieix then make enquiries about the road condition and if its closed I will have a backup route ready, or how about you putting forward a route you would like to take and we could go that way, I do want to avoid toll roads as much as possible and I will not be using the Millau bridge, don't mind going down under it but refuse to pay €35 to go across.

So your comments please.

Bob

We are only too willing to go along with you Bob , I am sure which ever way you take us it will be better than I could come up with , and if things have to be altered on route so what its holiday not a military exercise So over to you squadron leader

Or indeed we will go along with any input from both Pete and Mark

Lets see what Pete n mark have too say Baza, I do prefer the western route down to Spain as it is usually the best way for weather conditions early in the year.

What about travelling south of Bordeaux then go west of the pyrenees..just as an idea?

Quote :

What about travelling south of Bordeaux then go west of the pyrenees..just as an idea?

Ok, look at these

Route 1 ----1267 kms
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Route 2--1114 kms

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Route 3--1101kms

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Something like route2 or route3 looks good me thinks?

The Burchies wrote:

Something like route2 or route3 looks good me thinks?

[b]Two more totally different routes using partly fast free m/way routes.


Route--4 1728 kms

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Right you have 4 routes there now, I favour route 3 but will go whichever route you thinks suits us better, done every nearly route possible to Spain that's why I wanted a change with my first attempt but mother nature is not to be fooled with.

We did route 5 earlier this year, so maybee route 3 for a change?

Are routes 3 and 4 pretty much the same Bob ? done route 5 not keen on that

See what Pete & Baza think

Sorry Baza, I have duplicated the routes and now removed one of then, the main difference between 2 and 3 is route 2 takes you through Hendaye (duty free booze) and diverts you away from the Somport tunnel (free) but 3 is the prettier route.

Somport Tunnel

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Duty Free shopping at Hendaye

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come out the tunnel turn right,that will bring you onto the motorway,when you see a wagon with spanish plates follow it.job done:D

Think they might have filled that right turn in Frank as I have never seen one
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3 is good with us

3 looks good to me- prefer to go western side for a change

Campsite booked from Sunday 31st March and Monday 1st April ready for tunnel on the 2nd April, £18p.n. hardstanding, ehu, showers,and free wifi, not bad for an Easter weekend in the South East.

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Two good safe overnight parking area's just south of Oloron-Saint-Marie
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This is the road we will approach the site, there old pictures and I know the area well as the factory in this picture was a paper mill I collected from 25yrs ago and took the paper to Switzerland, there are a couple of additions there now that were NOT there when I was at the factory, and I do not want anyone stopping there asking for directions. or you may get a from your co-pilot.
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Who's the lady asking for directions? Is she lost?

The Burchies wrote:

Who's the lady asking for directions? Is she lost?

Do not know who she is but its €40 if you do ask

Had this reply from when I enquired about availability from 8th April, if we all arrive together we get a 25% on normal rates, but will that be cheaper than ASCI rates?


Dear Bob,

First of all we want to thank you for your interest in our camping.

Yes there is no problem of availability for pitches for you and your friends.
I can even tell you more: we have a special offer that if you come together with your friends and all make reservations or stay with us for
A period longer then 61 nights you will get special discounts!
If you indeed come with 5: you will each get a 25% discount on our normal rate!

So don’t hesitate to make a booking for you and your friends!

For long term stays we also include 4 kw of electricity per day in the price, and you will get daily a free access to our Fitness & Spa!

For any further information, please feel free to contact us.

Kind regards,
Nancy, reception.

MARJAL COSTA BLANCA Eco Camping Resort
AP7 - Salida 730 (Crevillent - Catral)
03330 - Crevillent
Tel. + 34 96 548 49 45 / Fax: +34 96 548 49 45
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www,marjalcostablanca.com

Just been looking at their website and I may be wrong as I cant work out what size pitch is implied in the ACSI cost of e14 per night but with a 25% discount it looks cheaper to book without ACSI, also it does not appear clear on the website whether the cost per night includes occupants ? I will have to look at it again when I have got rid of my fuzzy head !

I could call them and ask which would be the best deal

Yep that sounds like a plan Bob, for all this work you are putting in it will be quite a time before its your round at the Bar ,when we get there

Got to get past the ladies with the plastic chairs first

disgusting

but you should stop.

This is what you can expect when entering the Tunnel de Somport

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8.6k long, that's a long old tunnel

Well if it was any shorter you would come to a dead end

I wondered why the video was only 5 mins but found out by watching it!!!

Just had this reply back from Marjal, I think we should just turn up and use the ASCI card as that will be the better value for the time we will be there, have you all got the 2013 ASCI card, if not MHF and Vicarious Books or any camping club you're in will supply one.

Dear Mister Quinn ,

The price all depend on how long you will be staying with us.
If you could tell us more or less the time you will be staying with us I can calculate all the prizes, and remember a period longer then 61 nights with and with the 5 moterhomes
you will each get a 25% discount on our normal rate!

Kind regards,
Peter
MARJAL COSTA BLANCA Eco Camping Resort
AP7 - Salida 730 (Crevillent - Catral)
03330 - Crevillent
Tel. + 34 96 548 49 45 / Fax: +34 96 548 49 45
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www,marjalcostablanca.com

I agree Bob, think 61 nights in 1 place is too long just to get the discount..although its a good discount, sticking with tha acsi sounds best.

i think its a good thing, to not book time spent on 1 site,for 16 euros you can come and go,it is far better to be free to come and go rather than be tied to time and dicounts.its a win win situation.

thanks bob for doing the work on it:D

For anyone that requires a GPL top up before arriving on site I have a place we can go to just a few minutes off the route, other than that it will be Alicante 21 miles from Crevillent.
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whistlinggypsy wrote:

For anyone that requires a GPL top up before arriving on site I have a place we can go to just a few minutes off the route, other than that it will be Alicante 21 miles from Crevillent.
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Come on Bob I've followed you before looking for gas and we nearly ended up in a pedestrian area

We'll be ok Bob.

I have been here many times Pete, where you not with me last time I called in here ?

dos cafe con leche por favor
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Ciertamente, senor, un momento

Unas tapas fantasticas.

rapidoamente comousted senor, de la leve

si señor inmediatamente

Come on Bob you know I like my coffee black!- can't put it on here -someone might say I was racist!

The co-ordinates for the stopovers I have put in are in degrees, minutes and seconds, these may be different from those you use for your navigation device, so can you check and see if mine work for you, if not I will have to sort it out if you cannot sort it yourselves.
Mine co-ords are not too the inch but you will be no more than 50ft from the point you require as I just copied them from google earth, all but Wissant I have stayed on before.

I have a TomTom 950, using the co-ords for Seconds which input like this d° m' s" this is important to get the symbols as well. ° ' "


You may be using degrees d.d°
or minutes d° m.m.

I did have a go one night and did find some discrepancies, then I thought I would try again when there was less in my system

Are you using the (all the aires book) for the co-ords Bob?

Not using any books, I have been to them all and know where they are (except Wissant) I just took them of google earth. They are also in my POIs on TT

grandadbaza wrote:

I did have a go one night and did find some discrepancies, then I thought I would try again when there was less in my system

What navigation system are you using Baza
This is a way of inputting co-ords but I find it too fussy with all them ruddy nos. GPS Co-ordinates: 49.52066745212907 / 6.7412495613098144

if we are not happy on this site,the sister site is not far away,and its the cleanest site i have ever been on,its also acsi 16 euros but you get a free pass for the heated indoor pool and hydro{great for taking all the stress out}great safe cycle route to a great beach{about 1.5 miles}theres also sea fishing from the quay or the beach.a huge outdoor pool.and plug in tv bbc1 to c5 all included each pitch has water and drainage.and 5 star toilet facilities.and a nice little supermacado.there is a mercadonna{my fav supermarket}not far away but its on the 332 i did go daily on my bike but can be a bit harum scarum.