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  1. #151
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    Stage 47 “Montfrague to Navarette”

    “Bon Dias”

    Oops! Didn’t change my watch to Spanish time which is 1 hour ahead of UK time and slept a bit later that what I wanted to as we have a 500K (300Mile) run today while the weather looks miserable to say the least as it has not stopped with rain showers all night …..

    So after breakfast it was off under the low cloud layer for one of the longest runs on the trip….







    As the rain came back in….



    Then the cloud got lower…..



    Getting lower down as we get near Salamanca we see that no progress has been made on the blocks of flats that were being built……



    Then we call in to this campsite to have a look at stopping here but found that it is in the middle of nowhere and overpriced, so we came away and got back on the road….



    With the town of Simancas in front and a couple of large old buildings….





    It’s not much longer till we come to the outskirts of Valladolid with lots more of the unfinished flats/condominiums appearing on the skyline …..









    Then it’s back out into the countryside as we then pass by the older but nicer villages….





    Oops! Nearly went straight on and ended up on the Toll Road….



    Sticking with the Non Toll road while it might be a little slower it is so much more interesting and can also be a shorter route…..



    As we came into the valley and down the hill we could see a lot of smoke and thought there was a fire or a bad accident, only to find a chimney in the factory on the right pumping fumes out……





    Thankfully after a few minutes travelling along it was back to clean air….







    As you enter the next village you have to be a bit cautious as the road narrows in a couple of places while the 40 Tonne Trucks also use the road to stay away from the Toll Road…..



    First narrow section and you cannot see what is coming the other way while you have the ‘right of way’!….







    Got through that bit OK and then we come to the second narrow part but as it was Sunday, the traffic was light so it was not to bad..…



    Coming into the next village…..



    We see the small church set into the hill face……



    Up and over the river over a narrow bridge…..











    While after a few more villages we come to the outskirts of Navarette passing this this happy little chappy….



    And the fields of Rioja Vines…..



    With a nice display of Pansies in the town as we head on down to the campsite.….



    After getting onto the campsite which we used on the way out, we managed to go and take a shower before the guy upstairs turned on the hosepipe, and it never stopped raining for the rest of the day and night.
    I did think that we might need to get a couple of paddles tomorrow for the rest of the trip back, but this morning we have a bright blue sky!

    Buenos Noches (Spanish ‘Good night’)

  2. #152
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    Nov 2009
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    Stage 47A “A windy morning in Logrono”

    “Bon Dias”

    Well after a very rainy night when some of the ‘showers’ felt more like ‘mini rainstorms’ the wind came in this morning with a very cold ‘bite’ to it …..

    So it was on with the woolly sweaters, long trousers and thermal hats before we set off into Logrono for the morning with this nice little city sign and fountain as we found the Tourist Office alongside for the city map….



    But driving in and looking for a car parking space was a nightmare, so we ended up in an underground car park alongside the Bus Station, which was OK but a bit on the expensive side of prices……



    While walking along some of the roads to get to the centre, these are the views….











    The outdoor concert area of a small park where they were packing up after a weekend of Carnaval celebrations. ….



    While in the middle is this statue of a General from Madrid surrounded by a water fountain…..



    On the far side of the park are the small stalls from the Carnaval while through the gap between the buildings you can see one of the Cathedral towers…..



    As we head towards the Cathedral on our right is one of the narrow lanes with small shops on the ground floor and accommodation flats up above…..



    While this lane was a bit wider to the Cathedral but the same in terms of shops and flats…..



    As we come to the corner of the lane we see this rather unique clock on the wall of the Cathedral. The Hour hand is on the Left, the Minute hand is on the Right and the Second hand is on top between the two! When you focused on it you could just make out the Second Hand moving…..



    Some history of the Cathedral, but difficult to photograph as it was partly covered with scaffolding….





    As we then set off along one of the wider avenues with various up market cafes and restaurants along one side and shops along the other….



    We come after a short walk to the old Tobacco Factory…..





    With the factory chimney stack still looking good!....



    This is the side entrance to the Parliamentary building, which is on the rear side of the Tobacco Factory….



    While on the front side of the Tobacco Factory on the opposite side of the lane is this rather grand building, which is the Post Office…



    Whilst at the top of the lane after turning right is this celebration plaque….



    For the statues of the man and woman ‘hikers’ who stand in front of the main entrance to the Parliamentary building…..



    While this structure is part of the old fortifications and the old town.….



    After finding a place for some lunch we decided to head back to Navarette as the wind was gusting a lot stronger than before, so making our way back to the car park we pass….



    While this would not be the centre of the Rioja Region without an old Grape Press somewhere on show in the city!....



    Now back in the ‘Tin Tent’ putting this together and it won’t stop ‘Rocking’ in the wind, so I hope we don’t roll onto our side or the roof tonight before we head off back into France tomorrow……

    Buenos Noches (Spanish ‘Good night’)

  3. #153
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    Stage 48 “Navarette (Spain) to Castets (France)”

    “Buenas Dias”

    Oh heck! After getting the update for our morning in Logrono uploaded yesterday, it wasn’t long before one of those BIG DARK Clouds rolled over, then the Thunder ‘CLAPPED’ once, followed by a real heavy burst of rain and Hailstones!
    How nice it is to be back in Europe!….

    While this morning as we set off once again the ‘Upstairs Water Sprinkler System’ was turned on and we hadn’t even left the campsite, then as we got on the road and looked to our left, I hope you can see the SNOW in middle of the next picture!.....



    As it continued to be seen on more ‘hills’ as we travelled along……



    As for us being a bit lower down at that point, the rain continued and we got a…..





    Nice dull scenery just to cheer you up!…..



    One day we might get the chance to call into this place (Punta La Reina) for a look around, but not today, it’s to ‘wet’……





    As we reach the outskirts of the next BIG City, which in appearances is very similar to Valladolid, (High rise accommodation everywhere)…….











    Then as we get back in the countryside this large black cloud starts moving over….



    As we then get into the area of Navarra we come off the Autovia and get onto the N121A which will take us through the mountains and the small towns/cities as we get down to the coast and along into France.….









    Which is well signposted as a lot of Trucks use it as opposed to paying the high costs of the alternative Toll Road….

















    The ‘White’ part of the next picture just right of centre is Snow and we are getting closer as we travel along this road as it goes higher!.....



    And there’s more!..…







    While just around the next corner is this rather ominous piece of equipment waiting patiently…..



    While the ‘white stuff’ was along the edge of the road…..



    Then as we get to the first Tunnel we see a waterfall coming down the front on the left hand side!









    With the ‘Headless Man’ getting another coat of rust at the side of the road…..



    Not a good shot but hopefully you can get some idea of how the river has swollen with all the rain that has been coming down, and it was moving fairly quickly.….





    Another not very good picture (Sorry!) of the river through the bars of the bridge which again was way higher in its water level than we have seen before when coming along this road….





    Then we get across the border between Spain & France while the weather initially improves, well it had stopped raining….



    While the next picture is of the River L’Adour that runs through Bayonne and it looks like it is nearly ready to burst its banks!.....



    As we get off the short section of ‘Toll Road’ and onto the side road we start to pass waterlogged fields…..



    While this culvert which is normally quite low, is full and the water is flowing very fast…



    Then we get to the campsite but as we pull in the heavens open up so it was a case of get set up and disappear inside the ‘Tin Tent’ to dry off and get some overdue lunch!

    5 HOURS later, the 'heavens' are still leaking, profusely!
    As a result I am in dire need of a pair of Rubber Boots and a pair of Paddles!


    Bonne Nuit (French ‘Good night’)

  4. #154
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    Stage 49 “Castets to Roullet Aire”

    “Bonjour”

    After seeing finally that BIG red ball in the Sky yesterday which dried out some of the land, it went very cold last night then when we got up this morning and set off we were met by the early ‘morning mist’…..



    Out of the campsite and we make our way to the NEW ‘Toll Road’ but as we find a way around the ‘Toll Gate’ which was perfectly legal off we go for just on 40 miles of new motorway with no charge, then it was a case of get off before the next ‘Toll Gate’ again perfectly legal and continue via a couple of minor roads……









    Going past the Fire Station in the village of Pissos……







    Following the signs for Bordeaux where we get back on the Non Toll section….







    While back on the ‘Dual Carriage Motorway’ we pass this very large storage building for Vegetables!.....



    Still following the signs for Bordeaux….



    More ‘roadworks’ as they construct a new bridge for the new high speed railway line.….



    Then as we get to the ‘Up & Over’ road bridge…..



    On our right is the ‘Under construction’ railway bridge for the new high speed line…







    Fruit tree nets along the side of the dual carriageway waiting to be rolled out…





    Finally we get to the junction for our next overnight halt in Roullet….



    Getting there in the afternoon allowed us to have a quick walk into the village for some groceries before heading back to the ‘Tin Tent’ to prepare dinner…..

    Bonne Nuit (French ‘Good night’)

  5. #155
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    Stage 50 “Roullet Aire to Marboue Aire”

    “Bonjour”

    WOW! Set off at 08:00 this morning and it seemed to take a very long time to get to the end of this stage unlike when we were going out, even though it was the same route and just 225 Miles long!......

    Sunrise on a cold and frosty morning…..



    Back on the ‘Route National’……



    With the ‘decoration’ along the walls which block the view of houses on the other side…..



    While out in the countryside is this new ‘Water Tank’ presumably for use by the fire service should there be a fire in this area…..



    First port of call this morning after setting off was a Supermarket in the town of Ruffec for a much needed ‘Gazole’ fill up for ‘Flamenco Red’ who was not far off running on fumes by this time, and at €1.269/Litre (£1.03/Litre $1.56/Litre) was way cheaper than back home, but not as good as Morocco! …..





    Just down here on the right is the ‘E Leclerc’ Supermarket……



    Then after also finding a ‘quite spot’ and rustling up some Breakfast with the aid of the Microwave & Inverter we were back on the road North bound …….



    Although this next picture did not turn out quite right, the Hay Rick was leaning at a precarious angle and we wondered why it had managed to remain standing after all the bad weather?....







    Poitiers-Biard Airport……



    While further up the road there is a new scar on the landscape as they drive the new high speed railway through another section of the countryside….



    Next village.….



    Where car parking is a bit short on space!.....



    While this strange ‘gate’ is seen on a traffic island…..



    Nice to see the ‘Wine Merchants’ lined up behind the old grape press…..



    Then a bit more rolling countryside….















    Oops! Looks like part of the old town wall fell down….







    Children’s playpark…..



    While we get this ‘MONSTER’ that swings around the corner towards us!....





    Modern ‘Art’ using bicycle parts, while we know a man in Morocco who would be glad of some of those bits!…..





    Not sure if the ‘Dome’ was inflated with Methane Gas from the ‘Milk Boys’ or it contained something else?









    Next BIG city coming up.….



    Which didn’t take long to get through, then it was back out into the countryside….







    Which led on to the next bigger village…..







    While not far outside we pass this new prison……



    Then thankfully and at long last we get to the Aire for our next overnight halt…



    While the sunset was rather nice…..



    Last stage in France tomorrow before getting back to Le Manche and the UK…

    Bonne Nuit (French ‘Good night’)

  6. #156
    Join Date
    May 2012
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    Calgary, Alberta
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    I was starting to wonder if you guys had dropped off the face of the earth. Glad to see that you are alive and photographing.

    Looks like spring is in the air there. Enjoying the shots as usual.

  7. #157
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    South Wales UK
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    Quote Originally Posted by ssicarman View Post
    I was starting to wonder if you guys had dropped off the face of the earth. Glad to see that you are alive and photographing.

    Looks like spring is in the air there. Enjoying the shots as usual.
    Well you see we hadn't quite 'Murdered' the Internet Connection, it was just that we haven't had any for the last 3 days, so couldn't do a darn thing to keep you guys up to speed, but now all is well and it is running like an express train! (That's the Internet!)

  8. #158
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    Stage 51 “Marboue Aire to Montreuil sur Mer Aire”

    “Bonjour”

    WOW! Ice on the windows and inside after a rather low temperature last night but I guess that is what we can expect this time of year over here!......



    As we follow an East European Truck through some of the small villages….











    As we come into the city of Chartres….



    With a traffic island where someone left behind some very large green plantpots!.....









    Small Offices for rent…..





    As we get to see these chalk cliffs as we approach the large city of Rouen with some nice property alongside the river Seine.….















    Never been able to find out what the building at an angle is, but it was built like that and is not falling over…….







    For me Rouen is not my favourite place to negotiate and getting to this Tunnel means we have made it through and are heading out of the city….



    While North of the city is another very large Vegetable storage building set up this time by a co-operative….



    As we amble through the smaller villages.....











    Not quite the interesting ‘Town Gates’ we saw in Morocco for this small village….









    Small village library…..







    Nearly there as we come up the main road through Montreuil and turn right at the top to the Aires for our last night in France.….



    After getting set up and returning from a trip into the town, I see these three people all dressed up, who are heading to a Carnival in Dunkerque which is going on for 3 days, and they were looking forward to a really good time!....



    Having taken the picture of the 3 people who were going off to the Carnival in Dunkerque we got a knock on the door of the ‘Tin Tent’ last night from the French Couple where helping the ‘Carnival Goers’ get ready and for whom I took a picture for them of all of them together.

    The French Couple along with their very young daughter live opposite to the Aire we stayed on and came with a bottle of champagne and 4 glasses for a very sociable hour before it was bedtime for their young daughter!

    It was a fantastic and really nice surprise for us, while we have promised to call in and say ‘Bonjour’ on our next visit to the Aire, and find out how the Carnival went.

    While tomorrow is the final stage of the trip as we start the ‘Home Run’….

    Bonne Nuit (‘Good night’)

  9. #159
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    Stage 52 “The Run For Home”

    “Bonjour”

    Very surprised last night as it stayed quite mild so no ice or frost on any windows and the Thermal Hat in bed was not required, so it was on the road by 06:30 for the run to ‘Le Manche’ with some nice quiet roads!......





    New housing estate but the builder forgot to remove the earth after digging the foundations!…..



    Sleepy villages as the Sun rises for our final morning in France…..





    Check in at ‘Le Manche’ with a check by French Police for ‘explosives’ and a UK Passport Check at ‘Little England’ which is an area which is regarded as you are now in the UK even though you have not got on the train!……





    Off the train after a 35 minute crossing doing 112Mph, which was rather 'bumpy' compared to the normal nice smooth trip!…….



    On to the Motorway for the run to Wales and home…..



    Here is the ‘Welcome Home’ sign for us…..



    That’s it Folks….
    The Fat Lady is Singing so that brings the end of this tour and we hope you have enjoyed the ride…..

    However I must express a BIG ‘Thank You’ to the guys in Volvo Torslanda Sweden who put ‘Flamenco Red’ together.

    We have now covered just on 50,000 Miles or 80,000 Kilometers of which nearly all of that has been with the ‘Tin Tent’ hanging on the back, while ‘Flamenco Red’ has provided excellent reliability, safety & comfort.

    For those that enjoy the Statistics here are a few…..

    Total Miles covered: 6,987 or Kilometers 11,179
    ‘Gazole’ consumed by ‘Flamenco Red’: 1160 Litres or 255 UK Gallons
    The trip lasted 106 Days while we didn’t go into the red on our budget!

    ‘Good night’ as I am now going back to bed!

  10. #160
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    May 2012
    Location
    Calgary, Alberta
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    I think that you may have missed an opportunity with the carnival ladies. The tall one with the pink hair looked like "she" was interested in something. Perhaps you should have stuck around???


    Thank you very much for the trip and the pictures. Enjoyed being in the third seat and seeing the sights.

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