Day 41 San Vincente de Barquera

Annette on the beach the previous day

Surf

While Annette was looking at Gaudi buildings, Andy went for a run around the headland, which involved some big hills (tricky after not running much during this trip) and some fantastic views.

Looking back inland to the Picos

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Dartmoor Devon

Day 45 called in to see Roger our friend who lives with his wife Anne on Dartmoor. Roger was responsible for getting us involved in motorhome travel in the first place.He has been a very helpful guide to us as we planned our first tour , very wet behind the ears. He is also responsible for the fact that I have now just finished posting the last week of our tour on blogspot writing in January 2017 ! Thank you Roger on both counts ! Sorry to miss Anne who was working at the local NT property the day we called in to say hi.

Day 44 day at sea Santander to Plymouth

Day 44 Day at sea , saw dolphins playing in front of the bow , enjoyed endlessly roaming around the various levels of this huge ferry - great end to our holiday . Called in to Plymouth to have a meal with our friends Ciaran and Debbie before settling in our van for one last night in chilly UK

Day 43 stopped at the port of San Vicente de Barquera for Andy to have a last coffee before driving  on to Santander . Parked at the ferry port and booked in very speedily , sniffer dogs making their way along the vans- looking for something . . Immigrant stow aways? drugs ? Santander too busy for me after the tranquility and gorgeousness of the Picos and Cantabrian sea side . Glad to board the spacious ferry and our luxury( all comparative) cabin

Day 42 Comillas Cantabria

Day 42 Walked into Comillas in Cantabria , where El Capricho , the gentleman's residence designed by Gaudi can be found , wonderful architecture, great walk along sea road by nature reserve to get there .Andy didn't come wanting to rest having run around the local headland that morning , lovely end to our tour in France and Spain

San vincente de Barquera day 41

Day 41 San Vicente de Barquera A few days at the sea side in the comfort of a campsite (due to close in a few days )to enable Andy to do some last minute surfing before we head home and for me to visit the only Gaudi building outside of Barcelona ( called El Corniche) a few miles down the road beyond a bird sanctuary . Great surfing beach , 10 mins walk from our camp site , there is free Aire parking on the beach , which was V crowded , party atmosphere, friendly young Germans

Day 41 day two in Avin

Went to a free Asturian folk concert in the local prehistoric caves with the campsite reception manager last night and today we set off walking up the other side of the valley .We came down in the village of Bernia , slap bang in the middle of their annual artisan cheese festival, some of the local cheeses are matured in hill side caves, there was a bagpipe Asturian band playing and lots of speeches in the local huge tin market building on the edge of town , quite a spectacle to behold ,and lots of tasty cheese tasting ....

Day 39 Avin Picos de Europa

Day 39 trip to Avin Spent two nights at this mountain campsite,Camping de last Picos de Europa 132 miles from Bilbao in the Picos de Europa mountain range - fine warm weather forecast. Walked up a very steep gradient hill to the south of the campsite , great views from the top, showers/toilets clean and hot but block itself not heated .Reception very helpful in guiding you on walks,Spanish helps !

Bilbao Guggenheim museum

Day 38 trip to Bilbao ( 216 miles from Zaragoza)  Great Aire high on a hill side , overlooking the city, fantastic views, bus ride and tram journey into the Guggenheim museum, absolutely amazing experience particularly taken with outside sculptures , iron maze inside and Parisian school of Art exhibition

Zaragosa

Day 37 More rain forecast later.Andy went for a morning 5 mile run on one of the many well sign posted long distance walking paths from Albarracin( all levels) all with wonderful views .I went for a walk past the dinosaur museum/sports hall (wild camping outside) We enjoyed this camp site very much, no English spoken but much warmth emanating at reception, some lovely bungalows too Drove up a pass recommended by kindly tourist info person , to site of cave paintings , another stunning gorge walk and then rain set in so we set off for Zaragoza, doubling back first to Gea de Albarracin a beautiful drive lined with tall yellow hued trees.Arrived at Ciudad de Camping Zaragoza on the outskirts of the city , very institutionalised feel to this large camp site (19€ for night,25€ with electricity ) communal changing in showers .Caught bus from Rosales de Canal to end of line Puerto de Carmen1.35€( nearest stop to old city for evening wander ) Huge cathedral, Goya museums galore( his birthplace ) and Caesar Augusta museum( important Roman town) all ' sight seed' out however, and wanting some peace and quiet, so we decided to check out the delights of this very busy city on our next trip over and leave tomorrow morning for Bilbao as an overnighter tomorrow and then a final weekend in Picos de Europas before heading for Santander in time for Wednesday's sailing Met several motorhome/caravanners going in the opposite direction taking their vehicle to Benidorm for a long stay and coming home for 6 weeks at Christmas and back out again in January 2017, interesting idea this wintering over

Albarracin

Day 36 En route to Albarracin a hillside village 3,500 ft high , stunning drive through Gea de Albarracin to city camping Albarracin 15 mins walk from old town 15€ per night , best campsite facilities yet , brand new shower block and toilets spotlessly clean , stunning views , amazing walks from campsite. Due to heavy rain forecast, we opted to sightsee in town , and what a find ! We walked up to the fortified wall ruins around the top of the town and then wandered the streets of this perfectly preserved mediaeval village , taking photographs at every corner turned Autumnal colours (and weather ) has reached this village and how... We sheltered from the rain in a taverna in Plaza de Mayo. We completed a 45 minute walk in the gorge beside the river , stunning tree formations and came back to the camp site feeling v happy.Lots of boulderers camping too so felt very much at home(rock climbers in the family ) .Brand new shower block and toilets fantastically clean ! Warm, spotless , plenty of room, privacy and services( cafe restaurant and pool closed for low season) Cost 15€pn

Day 35 Terjuel

Day 35 On the road again in the sunshine , gradually climbing hills in Valencia/Arragon region , camped up today in a 'Simply' supermarket car park, near a Dinosaur museum(remains of dinosaurs found nearby ) on outskirts of Terjuel , Moorish and Christian architecture , walked in to town check out old quarter and visit the lovers museum (13th century legend of star crossed lovers ) received a guided tour of a Moor church and then the Bell tower (el Torre de Salvador ) and the plaza de Torito, and L'escalitina, very long staircase . Impressive walkways join the old and new parts of town , stunning views over red mesa plains below.We had a disturbed night due to traffic noise (there was a free Aire nearer town in front of police station which may have been quieter )125 k from Valencia