Wednesday 28 October 2015

France to Spain!

.. and so we set off, on Friday evening at 6pm. We had all our family and friends wave us off, was great to see them one last time!
We arrived at the ferry port nice and early.. about 9pm… we arrived for a second time at 10pm.. the reason being was that we had to exit the port to get rid of the petrol in our jerry cans at the top (luckily only equating to £8 of fuel!), however not a mistake we will make again! It was a quick and easy crossing, however would I do it again? Probably not, we were all shattered and with the crossing being only a couple of hours we did not sleep. Whilst on the ferry we realised we had no light adapters for the car (we did have the high vis jackets, triangle and 2xbreathalisers) so were able to get some on there.
Our first stop was in Champlost, this ended up being a very long drive (considering we got off the ferry at 1.45am) and we arrived at about 11am. The boys did really well staying awake, I spent most of the time asleep. We did a little hour stop at a services for a nap but that was it until Saturday evening! We stayed with Rob’s family for the day, we were spoilt with amazing food and company and a free camping spot in a field next door (always handy!).
On Sunday we were off again and after spending the whole day driving we stopped off in a parking place by a lake about 7pm. We were all so tired (and Mandy being very ill) we took our chances and slept in the car! It is at this point I thank Charles and my Mum for making blackout and heat proof curtains for all windows!! Monday morning (and my birthday) we woke up to do the last 5 hours to get to Barcelona! We finally arrived early afternoon and quickly found a bar! We managed to find wifi, Facetime-ing my brother and parents which was great! We stayed in a camp site in El Masnou which was in a great location; facilities were minimal but clean and useable!
Tuesday was my second birthday and I woke to find Mandy had put up banners and balloons on the car, lovely surprise! We got ready and headed into Barcelona on the train (€10), and then spent the day wondering around and going on the Barcelona tour bus (amazing way to see Barcelona on a time limit!). We had a lovely lunch and got back to the car to have dinner and champagne – as well as a birthday cake from Mandy J.

Today another drive to an hour from Alicante, having now set up camp and eaten dinner! Tomorrow a quick run, a visit to the beach and another 5 hour stint to head towards Morocco!

The next time I post will probably be from Morocco! Via the face book page you can look at our ‘Spot’ location – you need a password but message us for it!


Mandy has also posted on her blog, again this can be reached through the Where to Next Africa page.



Expenses through France and into Spain:
Fuel:
£80 (in England)
€249 (plus another tank to Morocco – the fuel gets a lot cheaper the further down!)
Toll:
Approximately €150 through the whole of France and Spain.
We spent the first stint not taking the toll and regretted it… the price of taking the toll is less than the fuel needed to go the long back roads!
Food:

€30

Thursday 22 October 2015

1 day to go...!!

Just a quick check in.. I definitely will not have time to post tomorrow (don't really have time today but don't tell Charles!!).

Things have been a little bit frantic... moving house was bad enough whilst working (including attempting to convey to utility providers that we are leaving the country... a certain water company could not quite get this!), however the actual packing has been smooth.. possibly because I have done very little!

My parents went off on holiday yesterday so there were a few emotional goodbyes.. it does mean we can spread out in their lounge.. (it is now all tidy I promise!). Last few things to do tonight (Spot.. and go to the pub for a drink!), and we will be set for tomorrow!!

We are leaving from the Black Bull in Launton at about 6pm... the boys and Mandy will most likely be there from 4.30, with myself joining them after I finish work!!

Fingers crossed the next post will be from somewhere more exotic!!





Wednesday 7 October 2015

Countdown commences!

So we are all finally British Citizens and all have a jumbo British passport which means we can now head off!

Our leaving date is 23rd October! I finish school at 3.15pm, come home, shower and then set off to the Eurotunnel! Our train is 23.15 ... and we will arrive in Calais approx 01.45 on 24th! It will then be a morning drive to a campsite where we can then sleep!

From then on we are going to be finding somewhere to stay for my Birthday (26th) - can't really ask for much more for it than setting out!!

Until then it is a mad rush - Charles has 4 more days in work which means he can move us out of our house, do countless tip runs, put things into storage, pack and re-pack the car (countless times!) and buy any last minute things! We are off shopping on Saturday to get last minute bits and pieces!

The cars are all ready - if you follow the facebook site - Where to Next Africa -
 you will have seen the boys repaired the oil leak, and Rob has done a clean of his car!

Fingers crossed the next time I blog we will be either on our way or just about to leave - depending on how much time we have in the run up!


Any questions or comments please feel free to add below, they will definitely be welcomed when we are on the road!!