Jan 2nd through 1st week arriving at Benicassim

Trip to Spain, January 2013

Travelled again in my Chausson Welcome 75 to go and meet my friends Barbara McCarthy and Brian Robinson in their Apache Autotrail probably in Blanes, Spain, weather permitting. Arranged for stash of €700 so I didn't have to pay Barclays Bank horrendous commission and used Nationwide Credit Card for diesel and other purchases because they don't charge commission either. Insurance for van with Emergency Breakdown and Medical Insurance, just in case!

Week 1

02/01/13

Peters Green (46739;N51-17-03 E1-05-00)

Diesel tank about 5/8 full. Said goodbye to everyone couple of days ago.

Hatfield (46753;14 miles)

Tesco shopping.

Canterbury: Asda (46852;N51-17-24 E1-05-53;99 miles;113 total

Found Asda diesel £1.359 litre Headed towards M25/M20 down to Canterbury Park and Ride (£2.50) Quite a few Italians at P/Ride not sure whether coming or going! £74.00 Diesel

03/01/13

Dover (46863:11 today 124 total)

Dover Port, 7.30 am ferry, arriving 9.30 good long day for travel. (£80.00 CC £5.50 CCI)

Somewhere along the route!

La Motte Beuvron (47165;N47.59795 E2.02524;302;426)

Got here quite late traffic good, misty conditions along route couldn't see much of countryside. Plenty of vans here, had to grab last place!

04/01/13

Diesel (47233; Filled up 89€)

Murat, south of Toulouse (47514;349;775;18.47 hours driving since 2^nd)

New aire to me, forgot to take lat.long.

05/01/13

Blanes Camping (47734;220;995) Arrived just after 4pm. Glad to see Brian and Barbara who'd got there yesterday. Barbara had kindly got a meal for me when I arrived. Warmer but windy. Left for Festival of the Kings, missed the boat coming in. Parade not as large as last time. This time the fire eaters were at the back. Had a good evening. 2B's managed to get it for €13 a night with owner; I got manager who charged me €15! (€30 for 2 nights)During the Festival of Kings they throw out loads of sweets for the children, it's a mad scramble; but there are people walking along side to make sure there aren't any accidents!

06/01/13

Had a rest, rode our bikes in afternoon, prepared to go down coast.

07/01/13

Sunrise at Blanes, still space for others!

One of the floats Festival of Kings

The Fireseaters doing their thing!

Peniscola (47941; N40-22-10 E0-24-04;207;1202) Tried to find several stopovers, which were now closed. Stayed here overnight, went on bikes to Peniscola castle and when we returned there was a msg from Police asking us to move on. No camping allowed. (free)

08/01/13

Up on the castle ramparts, Peniscola

Benicassim (47983;42;1244) Free night in town opposite Lidl. (free)