2025

Countries/territories visited: .pt, .es, .fr, .de, .ch, england, scotland

The year begins in Albufiera.

Parking Palmeria

Back to a place we know, with (now) hot showers, all services - and still only about €8 a night.

037.09851

-008.24313

We do all the usual walks - which are on Wikiloc - profile "breesus". Still a very good price €230 for a calandar month. Have to replace the fridge PCB - again, but at least it works again. Then some serious shopping.

Silves carpark

Just a carpark in the town.

037.18589

-008.44477

The weather turns and we have a few days of rain, some of it quite heavy.

We leave and head up the hills to Monchique, but there is a strong wind and only cloud to be seen, so on to Santa Clara, where we were last in 2016.

Rua do Campo da Bola Parking

Terrific view and almost silent.

037.5109

008.4721

Thanks to the local community for this parking.

We do a (long) walk to the Barragem de Santa Clara and get quite wet.

Barragem do Monte da Rocha Parking

A very flat dam, good walk.

037.7271

008.2878

And another walk, didn't get wet today, just tired.

Regueno Aire

In a small village, typical Portugal. Only €9 per night with lekkie.

037.83207

008.24714

Then a couple of nights beside the Roxo, which we do most years.

Barragem Roxo

Quiet with a few nice walks.

037.93710

-008.08049

Before another favourite, Portel

Portal Parking

Water services, close to the adminstration offices.

038.30606

-007.70776

And then visit a friend in Évora with shopping

Évora Parking

Water services and relatively quiet next to the swimming pool.

038.56336

-007.91635

We go to the Hymer dealer in Lisbon and then onto the coast for a loud night

Maças Beach Parking

Just a place to park - beside massive waves, very noisy.

038.83091

-009.46862

Then a beautiful sunny drive up to Peniche.

Peniche Port Parking

A piece of rough ground.

039.35319

-009.37912

The first Dorado and chips, delicious. We leave and stop on a beach for a walk,

but no overnighting allowed so we head back towards Obidos

Arelho country Parking

A carpark for walkers, quiet.

039.39034

-009.20047

Then we hear the weather is about to change to off we go towards Spain, but first a quite night in Estremoz.

Estremoz town Parking

Quiet at night, pleasant town, with a market,

038.8429

-007.5861

Then the following day to

Spain

Where we drive all the way, past Seville, to Cala de Mijas.

Cala de Mijas carpark

Dusty and they have turned off the water. Probably to do with the water shortages.

036.5049

-004.6840

It's now Sunday, so we get up early for a real breakfast before a walk on the beach at Cabopino. Then, because there are so many vans parked all along the coast we head back to stay for a night close to the golf course.

Cabo Urban street

On a backroad, (The Rolling Stones) Quiet.

036.48924

-004.73881

Two nights then up the coast to Benalmàdena to stay overnight with a friend at his house. Then onto Motril, but only one place to overnight, all the others have been shutdown - too many vans.

Motril carpark

Dusty and the local police enforce the no camping rules.

036.7212

-003.5433

The following moring up to Acampo shopping, including cheap diesel (€1.304) then up the coast (with sunshine)

Matagourda Beach

Beautiful sport with a view of the beach and mountains.

036.70129

-002.85504

A couple of nights with walks where we saw this - looks like Lee-on-Solent tower before it was demolished. Artdeco destruction.

Los Escullos Beach

No longer overnight allowed, but we did to nights

036.8058

-002.0631

Also conquered El Faile and did a massive walk - staggered back, but we recovered.

We go to the camping shop at Vera, but no joy, far too busy. We drive on for a couple of quiet night at Villaricos

Villaricos Beach

Over 70 vans.

037.24265

-001.77748

Quiet except for the load noises on a walk beside the water barrier.

Then up to Aguilas and use the motorhome facilities.

Anibal Motorhome Park

All facilities and walks on the beach

037.3886

-001.6161

San Juan

Street parking

036.36240

-001.66776

We walk the back fields and visit the market - great vegetables.

Villaricos Beach

Over 70 vans.

037.24265

-001.77748

Then we set off back to the camper shop and get light bulbs - not cheap. Then we share lunch with good friends and their dog in Mojacar.

Sierra Espuna Camper stop

Really nice owners, good place, all services, including working wifi. Open 1-Nov to 1-Apr

037.79237

-001.50969

Lovely walk up behind the site.

Then to the marina where we first spent a night 15 years back. No overnighting anymore. Too many vans!

We then visit a former colleague at Honeywell in La Zania before we head northeast to spend a night in Denia

Denia Town Parking

Just a quiet night parking

038.84456

-000.10319

Then onwards to Pego for a night

Pego Town Parking

Just a quiet night parking, none of the services working.

038.8436

-000.1110

The weather is not good, so we decide to drive 630 klicks into

France

And a night at the usual place in Perpignon.

Perpignon Parking

Just a quiet night parking

042.66434

-002.88498

Then the usual shopping in Auchon before we drive up the coast.

Two quiet nights and even sunshine, not too warm though. We walk in the local village (port) for coffee and baguette.

Pont La Nouvelle CCP

Small town, all facilities.

043.01341

-003.04050

Nice walks along the port.

Millau CCP

CCP all facilities. Wifi doesn't work though

044.0958

-003.0859

Pont Du Chateau Parking

Beside the river with good dog walking.

045.79546

-003.25784

Vichy Parking

A carpark, with acess to river walks.

042.66434

-002.88498

Moulin Parking

A site with lekkie and in/out water, beside the river

046.55740

-003.32464

Thiel-sur-Acolin Parking

Amazing site, all services free. Lovely walks on the backroads.

046.5222

-003.5874

Chalon-sur-Saône CCP

Beside the river. Good walks.

046.78405

-004.872153

Vogelgrun Camping-Car Park

This site has the usual services and includes Wifi. €11

48.02057

07.57982

Ruth the van has work done, including a new regulator (10 year limit), oil change and an expensive renewal of the timing belt.

Then off we go to

Switzerland

Fischer's Fritz Campsite

Full services.

47.33644

08.55054

A visit to son with gkids and then we spend several nights at various sites

Hüttekon parking

Beside the woods.

047.43980

008.38650

and Glantzenberg, Bachebülach too, before meeting Barn and Asi, then supper with Barn and Kim. A visit with Clare and walk with a good friend

.

Then back to

France

Vogelgrun CCP

Between the river and the canal. Good walks.

48.02057

07.57982

Just for a quiet night

Seltz CCP

Just near the Rhein. Good walks

048.88945

008.127201

The ferry, no engine, driven by the river flow.

Sedan CCP

Beside the river/canal in the town. The usual services

049.69861

004.93709

We walk around the town and see the fort and the German cemetery

Canal side Ognes Parking

Beside the St. Quentin canal, quiet

49.62397

03.25560

And in the local village we see this beauty..

Nearer the coast we stay in St Omer - not been there for a decade. Not as nice as I remember. First we spend a night at the CCP, not good, no lekkie, no wifi and no water.Zoa gets the pill for the UK - that this is still a requirement is beyond me.

I complain and months later get a €2 refund. Pathetic.We then spend 2 nights for free here:

Saint-Martin-au-Laërt - 99 Avenue du Maréchal

Convenient and shops near.

N50.7556

E02.2472

And another CCP which is really bare-bones and all tarmac, funtional.

Aire de camping-cars | Calais

Convenient and shops near.

N50.9592

E01.8327

We find a really nice spot at St George, the boating lake.

Saint-Georges-sur-l'Aa

Good walk around the lake. No services.

N50.9697

E02.1322

And then another new discovery. We get there early and have free lekkie:

Marck - Rue des Tourterelles

Small walks and free lekkie.

N50.9562

E01.9284

Then several of the usual stops back to Dunkirk where we stop at the CCP there, not good. Then onto:

England

Onto our usual place after the ferry.

Lydd Village

Overnight allowed on the village Green. A couple of nice pubs which I didn't use.

N50.95022

E0.91022

Onto Eastbourne for a new place to us.

Eastbourne 56 Wartling Road

Quiet next to a park and the seafront. Nice couple opposite who say overnight is no problem.

N50.7821

E0.3081

Then we trundle along the south coast to spend a night at:

Shoreham

Small carpark not far from the long pebble beach. Quiet.

N50.8295

W0.2734

Then on to Stubbington to spend the night with family. Before heading to another haunt

Abbotsbury Parking

Water in the Church Yard and public toilets not far away in the back Street. Now payable £8 per day - well it says 24 hours. (only one day possible?)

N50.66524

W02.59736

Next a cousin in Stubbington and we stay the night. In Gosport we visit Pridy's Hard, never been before, with the bridge too.

We then take in the dog beach in Exmouth and visit an old family friend.

Exmouth Parking

Behind the beach, huge marked out slots especially for motorhomes.

50.61267

03.39927

Onwards to Totnes where I get some overdue medical attention and we take the bus to visit several places. Ruth get an MoT too.

21-Jul - After a few days cleaning Ruth and doing a host of other activities, including visiting family, we depart for the North with filled gas bottles and an outside wash. First stop Exeter, where I thought we might weight Ruth. Alas, the weighbridge has been removed, will have to find another one in the coming days.

Exeter flood defences Parking

A quiet carpark next to the defences.

50.71932

03.54014

Then on up the M5 to stock up at Sainsbury's. Before we head into Bristol for a walk and then onwards all the way to Derbyshire and Utoxeter for another quiet night

Utoxeter Parking

A blocked-off road next to the railway.

52.89589

01.86515

The following day we spend a few glorious hous at the National Tram Museum at Crich. So wonderful to not only see these old vehicles - I remember seeing one in Leeds as a young boy before all working trams disappeared from the streets of UK cities - only to be revived decades later, but also the setting. It's made up of original buildings brought to the site especially.

And even the original under-road electric design

We walk to the hill above the museum for a great view.

Then onwards to a lay-by overlooking Chesterfield - known for its spire.

Chesterfield Lay-by

A favourite of lorry drivers too, but quiet during the night.

53.23083

01.51243

From there we go to Ingleton to good visit friends - and a lovely little town it is, as are they. I had almost forgotten how wonderful the Yorkshire Dales are. We walked, taked and shared food - lovely.

Ingelton Community Center

Quiet with public toilets. A nice little town with original shops.

53.23083

01.51243

From there we head up to Carlisle for 2 nights, walking in the local park, beside rivers.

Carlisle Carpark

Only £4.10 for the day, no services.

54.88870

02.93480

Based on a tip from friends we then drive into

Scotland

and past Grena Green and Dumfries to:

Isle of Whithorn

Beside the (active) port. No services

54.69751

04.36176

We miss coffee in the local café, but walk a bit. In the morning we get free water and head on up the coast where we come across a picnic area beside the water and decide to spend the night.

Newton Stewart A747

Just a picnic area beside the sea. Quiet.

054.8039

004.6784

We also meet a local wire-haired Vizsla. There is boxing and running.

The drive up to the top of the inlet and then down to the lighthouse is uneventful. However, there is nothing to see, so we head back up to Stranraer for coffee and to a favourite site - free.

Stranraer Seaplane Airfield

No services, though there is now a Campra site £10

054.96474

005.07449

From there we visit good friends in Preswick for a couple of nights. Such nice people. Zoa enjoys the walks in the local area.

And on the way to Glasgow we visit this cracking windfarm, with blades gently rotating - clean energy, no fuel, no pollution - for decades.

We are well looked-after by my cousin Pete, his wife Gill and her mother Rena. Well can't forget Misty the dog either. A pleasant time is spent by all eating and chatting, with a couple of lovely walks beside the river.

Then it's time to move on and we head south to

England

And the tourist town of Alnwick.

Alnwick Rugby Football Club campsite

A good site, nice hot showers.

055.4016

001.7015

We visit the castle (but don't go in - high cost) and the town itself. There is rain and the wind really gets up.

4-AUG - Next moring we leave early and head off further south. We end up at the Rowing Club.

Durham Rowing Club

Several services and a Café

54.77320

001.55780

A delightful town with higgldy pigguldy streets. A delightful walk along the river from the park up.

Nottingham riverside

No services but good walk.

052.94545

001.10808

What a beautiful spot this is with lovely walks beside the river.

Bath P&R

Newly discovered, inexpensive way to stay in Bath given the low emission zone.

051.4110

-002.3879

We visit and enjoy the company of two sets of friends and spend time in the city. Teaming with tourists, so a tad uncomfortable.

Then back to Bristol to have lunch with a friend before heading to see the old family frind in Exmouth.

Exmouth Parking

Behind the beach, huge marked out slots especially for motorhomes.

50.61267

03.39927

We head for Totnes and park at the farm. I'm so grateful to be able to safely park Ruth the van there.

6-SEP - and we head up to collect Ruth and then spend the night in a back street of Totnes before heading up to London.