Well we're back on the Island after having had quite an adventure for the last 4 weeks! Even the departure went wrong - the VW van wouldn't start so we had to transfer everything, very rapidly, to our tiny C3 - then off we went.  Arrived at La Pelouiniere on 29th to discover that out outbuilding had been damaged - lots of running about to get it sorted, i.e. insurance cover, estimate and then the work.  Next problem was that the Hymer failed its controle technique (MOT)! Fortunately we were given a few weeks grace, which meant we could go on our trip.

Left La Pelouiniere on 1st February and head to a place south of Niort.  Unfortunately due to poor programming of our GPS came off the motorway too early and ended up doing more than an hour on very small roads.  Arrived at St Jean d'Angeny in the dark!  Area was flooded in places, but generally parking was OK.  Next stop Biarritz.  There had been a storm there and we saw some pretty impressive waves!  Went off nice and early on the Monday, only to be hit by ferocious winds while trying to head to Bilbao.  As most of the motorways in Northern Spain cut along the edge of the mountains along viaducts, we were getting blown about all over the place - very dangerous.  Came off the motorway and rested for two and a half hours.  Then off again (fractionally calmer) along the North Coast then eventually hung a left and went down to Leon.  To get there had to go through rain, wind, snow and mountains!  Leon is on the plateau which seems to extend across most of Spain.  Very, very modern city, but had a very cold night.  Ice on the windscreen!  Next stop Palencia - a nature reserve in the middle of nowhere!  Again wet and windy.  Then on down to Il Rocio which is a holiday town just for horse riders - no cars!  Again wet and windy.  Then finally on to Portugal.

Met up with Annie and Martin at Aqualand and followed them to their villa.  Very nice.  Every day was spent out and about and saw some interesting place. I know I'll get most of the place names wrong, but I'm sure I'll get a message correcting them! this is only a sample of the photos we took - hope whoever reads this (besides Perry), likes them

round the corner from Annie and Martin's villa.  Looks sunny doesn't it? Actually is was in between rain showers.  Quite dramatic though!

Storks were Everywhere!  I kid you not!

I think this places is Silves, very nice.  We had Chicken Piri Piri for lunch - yum yum

How pretty is this then? Very colourful

Went up a mountain - unfortunately it was not a clear day so we couldn't see the Atlantic Ocean.  However, Annie managed to construct this (cc's welcome).

Colourful sardine fishing boats - think I might try and paint this.

Orange and lemon trees everywhere - except when I wanted to take a photo of one! Best I could do on the day.

Yes, the sun did shine in between the showers (hence the coats), but the wind was a bit fresh. Sitting outside even in February.

This building was actually tiled in green tiles! Saves repainting every year.

Churches like this were everywhere.  Much smaller than I imagined they would be.

Henri the Navigator - responsible for Vasgo de Gama and others!

The church in Alver - how pretty is that! Even in what appeared to be a poor village, There was a nice bright church.

My favourite picture - here we are eating sardines.  What a fabulous meal!  Really, really yummy. And the sun shone on us (while we were in the restaurant).

 

Now the return journey - initially took the same route - through Il Rocio, Placencia, but then up through Valedolid.  Could see the mountains looming ominously in the distance.

overnighted in Aguila de Campoo.  Not a very touristy place, but very popular with the Spanish.  Very old town centre, church, abbey etc.  However, closed for lunch for 3 hours!  Rained a lot.  Woke up Friday morning to a storm.  Decided we couldn't start out at that point.  Waited till late morning, then off to Biarritz again.

Biarritz after the storm (same storm as hit UK).  Very difficult to take picture to give true impression of the enormity of the waves.  Absolutely jaw dropping!.

 Incredibly mild at Biarritz - even down to jumpers (no coats) for the first time for weeks.  Set off next morning to Mervent (nice place) on a level with Poitiers.  Noticed lots of fields and rivers flooded en route.  Sunday left for La Pelouiniere - noticed even more flooding!

Well, got home safely after nearly 4500 kms.  The van passed it's controle technique (put in very expensive fuel) and then the telly blew up! What a trip.  Had a really good time, shame about the weather.  Still you can't have everything. We're now back on the Island.  Perry's been down to check the boat.  Fortunately no damage.  Bertie has not moved from his bed and I think never wants to travel anywhere every again!