Not joined yet? Register for free and enjoy features such as alerts, private messaging and viewing latest posts and topics.

Two Go On A Trip Through Spain and France

Planned road trips and road-trip reports go in here
Post Reply
User avatar
Stevepj
Member
Member
Posts: 132
Joined: Mon Nov 21, 2016 12:15 pm
Location: Stockport

Two Go On A Trip Through Spain and France

Post by Stevepj » Sat Jul 01, 2017 1:34 pm

Oil and filter change done, brakes, tyres and suspension checked, headlights switched to LHD, washed and dried, boot packed and charming new accessory fitted to the back and we're ready for Europe.
20170630_094304.jpg
20170630_094304.jpg (70 KiB) Viewed 7704 times
Pleasant drive down from Stockport to Portsmouth with the sun shining so Mrs J decided to model her new touring hat.
20170630_155706.jpg
20170630_155706.jpg (146.19 KiB) Viewed 7704 times
Currently crossing the Bay of Biscay onboard Brittany Ferries Cap Finistere approaching Santander to begin our two week tour of northern Spain and western France.
Screenshot_2017-07-01-12-43-27.png
Screenshot_2017-07-01-12-43-27.png (192.39 KiB) Viewed 7704 times
Glad we're under cover and not stuck out the back like some are.
20170701_112624.jpg
20170701_112624.jpg (103.64 KiB) Viewed 7704 times
Hopefully the weather and the roads will be kind to us and we'll have more updates for you as we go.
So this is where I write about the car? 2003 E85 2.5i, sterling grey, red leather, 106s with Goodyear Eagle F1s, factory xenons, folding mirrors, cup holders, retrofit cruise control, Bilstein B4's all round. And a whippy!

User avatar
buzyg
Legend
Legend
Posts: 26421
Joined: Fri May 20, 2011 6:11 pm
Location: Cornwall

Two Go On A Trip Through Spain and France

Post by buzyg » Sat Jul 01, 2017 1:43 pm

Must be a fair sea spray hitting that open deck out back. :o Glad your tucked away else where. :)

Have a great trip and be sure to keep us posted, when you get a moment. :thumbsup:
Image

Online
User avatar
mr wilks
Legend
Legend
Posts: 21894
Joined: Wed Jul 04, 2012 10:02 pm
Location: Lancashire

Two Go On A Trip Through Spain and France

Post by mr wilks » Sat Jul 01, 2017 7:36 pm

Could just be coincidence but i was at my Indy pal ( Neil / Mill Street Grt Harwood) this morning having a brew & a natter , he mentioned a 2.5 he looks after who was off on a euro trip :?
Anyhow keep us posted & piccied , can't beat a roofdown roadtrip :driving: :thumbsup:
3 ZMRs
3 E89s
5 Si coupes
5 Si roadsters
997 C4
TTRS
F82 M4
MK7 Golf Gti
current Bmw 6 Gran Turismo

Highlander
Member
Member
Posts: 455
Joined: Sat Jul 11, 2015 10:23 am
Location: Perthshire

Two Go On A Trip Through Spain and France

Post by Highlander » Sat Jul 01, 2017 8:17 pm

Used that ferry a few times on biking trips and took the Z4 over to Santander a couple of years ago in August....temps in the 20's which was hot enough for a Scotsman.
Have you got any plans from leaving the ferry as I highly recommend the Pico's....circular trip through a mountain range with a dead end road in to Funte de.....this is to a cable car which goes up to a plateau with spectacular views,cafe,etc.
Northern Spain is a delight compared to the southern touristy coasts but each to their own of course......enjoy your trip and stick up loads of pics.

User avatar
Stevepj
Member
Member
Posts: 132
Joined: Mon Nov 21, 2016 12:15 pm
Location: Stockport

Two Go On A Trip Through Spain and France

Post by Stevepj » Mon Jul 03, 2017 5:19 pm

It must just be coincidence Mr Wilks as after a lifetime of tinkering and then building a kit car I'm more than happy to do my own spanner work.

So as promised here's an update on our progress so far. After docking we only ventured across the city to our first stopover so that on Sunday we could enjoy the drive along the coast and into the edge of the Picos mountains to our next stop.
20170701_171654.jpg
20170701_171654.jpg (267.49 KiB) Viewed 7650 times
This place is a training college and staffed by hospitality industry students.
Sunday we headed to Comillas on the coast which is a beautiful little town with historic squares, a villa called El Capricho that was built by Gaudi and a really nice beach.
20170702_121047.jpg
20170702_121047.jpg (280.75 KiB) Viewed 7650 times
20170702_120721.jpg
20170702_120721.jpg (298.8 KiB) Viewed 7650 times
From here we went inland to Covadonga to our home for two nights at Casa Aspron which is in the shadow of the basilica that Covadonga is famous for.
20170702_145713.jpg
20170702_145713.jpg (296.25 KiB) Viewed 7650 times
20170702_154020.jpg
20170702_154020.jpg (249.72 KiB) Viewed 7650 times
20170702_155034.jpg
20170702_155034.jpg (254.03 KiB) Viewed 7650 times
There's also a holy shrine in the rock face above a waterfall and pool and the place is heaving with coach loads of visitors all trying to get a bit closer to God.
20170702_162629.jpg
20170702_162629.jpg (263.46 KiB) Viewed 7650 times
Today started a bit murky in the mountains but we headed out to Cangas de Onis and the sun came out to play. Cangas is a pretty busy town by the region's standards and has an impressive roman bridge spanning the river, we also managed to spot another old item which was a little Seat 600.
20170703_105337.jpg
20170703_105337.jpg (266.33 KiB) Viewed 7650 times
20170703_112018.jpg
20170703_112018.jpg (222.48 KiB) Viewed 7650 times
Attachments
20170703_130348.jpg
20170703_130348.jpg (220.64 KiB) Viewed 7650 times
So this is where I write about the car? 2003 E85 2.5i, sterling grey, red leather, 106s with Goodyear Eagle F1s, factory xenons, folding mirrors, cup holders, retrofit cruise control, Bilstein B4's all round. And a whippy!

User avatar
Stevepj
Member
Member
Posts: 132
Joined: Mon Nov 21, 2016 12:15 pm
Location: Stockport

Two Go On A Trip Through Spain and France

Post by Stevepj » Mon Jul 03, 2017 5:31 pm

After Cangas we went up into the mountains to the Mirador del Fitu. A great twisty road up and down, views to die for and close encounters with some local cattle, one which decided to have a close look at the Z and another which thought it was a traffic island.
20170703_130348.jpg
20170703_130348.jpg (220.64 KiB) Viewed 7648 times
20170703_130018.jpg
20170703_130018.jpg (214.58 KiB) Viewed 7648 times
20170703_124456.jpg
20170703_124456.jpg (254.07 KiB) Viewed 7648 times
20170703_132103.jpg
20170703_132103.jpg (241.18 KiB) Viewed 7648 times
So, do you go left or right around the cow? I took the safe option and went right on the grass verge. Luckily the one taking a close up look kept it's head and horns up and away from the car.
Tomorrow we'll be heading into the Picos properly before moving over toward Pamplona on the way to France.
So this is where I write about the car? 2003 E85 2.5i, sterling grey, red leather, 106s with Goodyear Eagle F1s, factory xenons, folding mirrors, cup holders, retrofit cruise control, Bilstein B4's all round. And a whippy!

User avatar
buzyg
Legend
Legend
Posts: 26421
Joined: Fri May 20, 2011 6:11 pm
Location: Cornwall

Two Go On A Trip Through Spain and France

Post by buzyg » Mon Jul 03, 2017 8:48 pm

Enjoying your Blog. Some amazing architecture and a few mad cows. 8) :lol:
Image

User avatar
Stevepj
Member
Member
Posts: 132
Joined: Mon Nov 21, 2016 12:15 pm
Location: Stockport

Two Go On A Trip Through Spain and France

Post by Stevepj » Mon Jul 10, 2017 6:06 pm

On Tuesday we headed over to Ezkurra near Pamplona with a detour into the Picos de Europa on the way. Didn't take any photos really as I was going to do some filming on the action camera. As it was so damn hot I got a bit worried about the camera mount giving way in the heat and decided to mount it inside the windscreen which was fine. What wasn't fine was that I forgot to change the view on the camera as it was now upside down, so now have a heap of upside down footage of the run through the mountains!
Here's a shot of the territory we were heading into.
20170704_103715.jpg
20170704_103715.jpg (257.34 KiB) Viewed 7589 times
After two hours we had to admit defeat and actually put the roof up and the air-con on and when we arrived at Ezkurra after checking in to the hostel we were staying at we retired to the terrace for a couple of beers where the temperature was showing as 45 degrees C in the sun and slightly cooler at 35 in the shade!
20170705_152724.jpg
20170705_152724.jpg (167.88 KiB) Viewed 7589 times
The hostel was the heart of the little village providing rooms in three separate buildings, the village pub and restaurant as well as breakfast stop for all the locals off out to work. The food was good, rustic Spanish fare and at 15 euros for three courses including wine and coffee it was a bargain too. I'm pretty certain from some of the local artwork we were well into Basque separatist territory.
20170705_083438.jpg
20170705_083438.jpg (173.18 KiB) Viewed 7589 times
20170704_192446.jpg
20170704_192446.jpg (144.51 KiB) Viewed 7589 times
20170705_094011.jpg
20170705_094011.jpg (298.02 KiB) Viewed 7589 times
Wednesday we drove across to Pamplona home of the infamous bull run, where if you're feeling brave you can attempt to run the 830 mtere course from the holding pen to the bull ring ahead of the charging bulls. This is the start to the San Firmin which is the fiesta that goes on for a week and has among other attractions daily bull fights. While not our sort of thing the Spaniards obviously love it and judging from the queues for tickets and the TV trucks present not many were being put off by the protest we caught the tail end of.
As it was the day before the start of the fiesta half the roads in the city centre were blocked off and we were lucky to come out unscathed with frustrated Fernando Alonso wanabees coming at us from all directions trying to get to their destinations while we tried to find somewhere to park. Once we did get parked up we had a good wander about and traced the route of the bull run from the holding pens at the start to the bull ring gates.
20170705_111659.jpg
20170705_111659.jpg (228.9 KiB) Viewed 7589 times
20170705_112353.jpg
20170705_112353.jpg (195.57 KiB) Viewed 7589 times
20170705_113021.jpg
20170705_113021.jpg (156.71 KiB) Viewed 7589 times
20170705_120232.jpg
20170705_120232.jpg (209.73 KiB) Viewed 7589 times
20170705_120617.jpg
20170705_120617.jpg (176.33 KiB) Viewed 7589 times
No that's not me in the bottom photo, just some randomer photobombing my shot!
Thursday will see us heading over the border into France and up to the Gironde region near Bordeaux.
So this is where I write about the car? 2003 E85 2.5i, sterling grey, red leather, 106s with Goodyear Eagle F1s, factory xenons, folding mirrors, cup holders, retrofit cruise control, Bilstein B4's all round. And a whippy!

User avatar
Stevepj
Member
Member
Posts: 132
Joined: Mon Nov 21, 2016 12:15 pm
Location: Stockport

Two Go On A Trip Through Spain and France

Post by Stevepj » Mon Jul 10, 2017 7:08 pm

It's now Monday of week two of our trip and the last night of our five night stopover at Teuillac near Bordeaux. The weather has still been hot until today where it dropped to the mid twenties and we've been most grateful of the pool that the gite we're in has to offer. I'll spare you all from the speedos photos!
We've just chilled out here really and spent a bit of time visiting the sights and villages around the area as well as the many vineyards that abound here, all of them offer tasting sessions to try to tempt you to buy.
DSC_0420.JPG
DSC_0420.JPG (216.39 KiB) Viewed 7586 times
20170707_135541.jpg
20170707_135541.jpg (208.71 KiB) Viewed 7586 times
We also had a trip to the Dune Du Pilat, the largest dune in Europe then carried on to Arachon just up the coast.
20170709_122431.jpg
20170709_122431.jpg (155.59 KiB) Viewed 7586 times
20170709_132337.jpg
20170709_132337.jpg (257.49 KiB) Viewed 7586 times
The villages of Bourg
DSC_0424.JPG
DSC_0424.JPG (274.55 KiB) Viewed 7586 times
DSC_0425.JPG
DSC_0425.JPG (252.97 KiB) Viewed 7586 times
DSC_0426.JPG
DSC_0426.JPG (244.28 KiB) Viewed 7586 times
and Saint-Emilion which is a UNESCO world heritage site, so we had lunch in the square here and tried to absorb a bit of the culture and history.
20170710_122636.jpg
20170710_122636.jpg (166.8 KiB) Viewed 7586 times
20170710_122804.jpg
20170710_122804.jpg (188.51 KiB) Viewed 7586 times
20170710_123812.jpg
20170710_123812.jpg (296.64 KiB) Viewed 7586 times
That's it for this area of France, tomorrow we're moving up to Chinon in the Loire Valley for more wines, chateaus and culture.
So this is where I write about the car? 2003 E85 2.5i, sterling grey, red leather, 106s with Goodyear Eagle F1s, factory xenons, folding mirrors, cup holders, retrofit cruise control, Bilstein B4's all round. And a whippy!

User avatar
TR4man
Senior Member
Senior Member
Posts: 1107
Joined: Sun Apr 26, 2015 7:40 am
Location: South Cheshire

Two Go On A Trip Through Spain and France

Post by TR4man » Mon Jul 10, 2017 9:40 pm

Thanks for the updates, really enjoyed reading them and looking at the pictures.

The weather certainly looks better than you'd be having in Cheshire - very heavy rain today :(
2006 E86 Si Sport as a daily driver.

DaveZ4richardson
Member
Member
Posts: 314
Joined: Sun Mar 19, 2017 8:56 pm
Location: Carlisle

Two Go On A Trip Through Spain and France

Post by DaveZ4richardson » Wed Sep 27, 2017 10:04 pm

Great write up, were off to North East France for a week in June next year, then onto Western France for the second week, setting up base in both locations and touring daily, can't wait
DaveZ4richardson :thumbsup:
3.0i 2003 E85 auto cruise control, smart top module.

User avatar
buzyg
Legend
Legend
Posts: 26421
Joined: Fri May 20, 2011 6:11 pm
Location: Cornwall

Two Go On A Trip Through Spain and France

Post by buzyg » Wed Sep 27, 2017 11:07 pm

Enjoyed catching up on the second part of your trip. :)
Image

User avatar
TR4man
Senior Member
Senior Member
Posts: 1107
Joined: Sun Apr 26, 2015 7:40 am
Location: South Cheshire

Two Go On A Trip Through Spain and France

Post by TR4man » Thu Sep 28, 2017 6:42 am

buzyg wrote: Wed Sep 27, 2017 11:07 pm Enjoyed catching up on the second part of your trip. :)
Wonder if they are still there? :wink: :lol:
2006 E86 Si Sport as a daily driver.

Post Reply