Tuesday 22nd April.

Looking down to Potes from campsite.

Potes.

Camping La Viorna

Tuesday 22^nd April.

Still tired from our Cares Gorge walk we decided to make the short walk into the nearby town of Potes.  Most of the town consisted of fairly old buildings and bridges that spanned a fast flowing clear river. Overlooking the river were numerous attractive bars and restaurants. We stopped to take some pictures, had  a beer and then returned to the site.  The evening meal in the campsite bar was again good value and we were joined by the three English guys. We all watched the Chelsea v Athletico Madrid semi final, a dour affair that made me want to demand the 90 minutes of my life back. Still the company was entertaining again and the English were impressed with Barbs knowledge of football.

Monday 21st April

Monday 21^st April.

The place we really wanted to visit was the Picos mountains, on previous visits to this area it had stood out in the distance so here was a chance to get up close. It really is a beautiful area. We drove through the mountains via winding roads to a little town called Poncebos this marks the start of a famous 20km walk through the Carres Gorge to a town called Cain. It took us 3 hours to get to Cain where we had a meal and a rest before returning the same route back to Poncebos. The return was slightly more downhill and took 2 hours 40mins. Along the route there were wild goats, swifts, swallows and at the Cain end we also spotted an eagle flying between the cliffs.

We finally returned to Poncebos around 6pm. We decided to head to Potes for camping La Viorna. It was a 31mile drive along narrow winding roads made more difficult by the rain. We eventually pitched, showered and went straight to the bar…probably the cheapest campsite bar in Spain. A good sized Veal, chips and salad cost 7 euros but the beer was ridiculous at 1.20 euros a glass. We initially got chatting to an English guy on his way back from a winter in Portugal and then two guys from Yorkshire came in and we chatted and laughed our way through several beers. That night was the best I’d slept for months.

Around the mid point.

Although most of it is submerged into the rocks, this fast flowing canal follows much of the route.

Thursday 17 - 20th

Thursday 17^th – Sunday 20^th.

We spent 4 nights at Camping Cudillera the weather was mixed. We spent an afternoon sat at the bar at the far end of the beach it was hot and sunny with people swimming in the sea, other days were spent walking into Cudillera itself and exploring the café bars and the harbour area. It was the Easter period so the town was quite busy and this lent itself to some valuable ‘people watching’.

Finally on Sunday we decided to move. The site wifi had not been working and we wanted to keep in touch with events back home…most notably Liverpool’s title hopes.

We therefore took an hours drive east to Ribadesella, here we found a great terraced site a 30min walk outside the town with lovely views of the Picos Mountains. We pitched on the higher and therefore drier section and got the internet on. The best we could do was access to Sky Live Commentary, not radio but something similar to David Colemans 1960’s Grandstand Teleprinter….typed reports of the action every two minutes!

Later in the afternoon we walked down to the beach area, we hadn’t expected to find such an attractive waterfront with a wide promenade that took you all the way to a river and eventually the town. An exceptional resort. That evening with no food in the fridge we walked into town and ate at a bar.

Wednesday 16^th.

The boat docked in Gijon right on time at 8pm and after a slight delay in exiting the ferry, caused by a Spanish truck driver reversing into an English campervan, we hit the motorway and made it to Camping Cudillera at around 9pm

Tuesday 15th April

Parking at Poole Harbour.

Tuesday 15^th April.

We drove the final section to Poole and arrived about 4 hours before the boat sailed. We found a good sized car park overlooking Poole harbour and had lunch. When we finally sailed the boat left on time and we were impressed with LD Lines. The crossing was smooth, the cabin was clean and spacious, staff on board were friendly and helpful and when we used the restaurant the food was good  and not too expensive.

2014 Tour of Spain and France

2014 Tour of Spain and France.

Monday 14^th April 2014

We left home at around 2pm and made an overnight stop at the Fromebridge Mill Pub just north of Bristol. A lot of English motorhomers seem to be asking for an Aires system similar to the French where motorhomers can park up in designated areas in villages for free. They probably haven’t explored the numerous pubs throughout Britain where landlords allow you to park for free in pub car parks. The Fromebridge Mill is an excellent example of this, there was no pressure to go into the pub and spend money although there is an unwritten expectancy for motorhomers to buy a meal or at least a few pints in return for free overnight parking. The car park was massive and well lit, there were grassed sections with park benches and a good menu. We treated ourselves to the two meals for a tenner and although these weren’t exactly a la carte they were excellent value. Definitely a place to return to.

Barbara and Alfie in St Catherines Bay

Me and the boys down in St Catherine's bay.

Barbara, Alfie and Gip (St Catherine's woods)

Looking for 'treats' on St Brelade's beach.

Sunday afternoon walking by Gorey.

Alfie in Whippet pose on Gorey beach.

Gip ....never camera shy!

A well earned rest on a 4 hour walk along the northern coast by Bonne Nuit.

Gip reluctant to pull Barbara up the hill.

Portelet bay. We've been visiting this spot since the 1970's but in those days we didn't have enough time to pose for a photie....the pub is just slightly to the right!!!

Overlooking Quasnie and St Brelade's.

Jersey March 2014

The three weeks we spent in Jersey looking after Ruth and Ash's dogs were fantastic. We immediately fell in love with Gip and Alfie and soon settled into the house. The weather for the entire period was exceptional for this time of the year with most days feeling cool but sunny and quite a few days warm enough to sit outside the pubs with a pint. The days were spent on 3-4 hour walks and if we include the walks we did on our last visit in December we have now managed to walk the entire coastal path. We went out for lots of meals and managed to discover some new restaurants, our favourite proving to be Cheffins in St Aubins. It was great having Ruth's car to get around the island. Quite a few pints and bottles of wine were downed mainly caused by the bad influence of our old mate Owen who also managed to squeeze on a few photies. Well its now 2 weeks back at home before we set off for our motorhome holiday to Spain. We get the boat from Poole sailing to Gijon in Spain on 15th April so expect to see more blog entries in the near future.