This week I and my pal Jim started a road trip ….
The purpose of the road trip was to take our wee Renault Twingo to Spain, packed with painting materials ready for the visit.
After a morning of preparation, by the wife, it was operation disappear to Berwick upon Tweed to pick up my mate Jim from the station at 12.46 on the dot.
We had a slow run to South Shields to catch the ferry at 15.30 for a 17.00 departure. Our cabin onboard the Princess Seaways was number 2112 on the 4th of 8 floors. A tight fit,some would call it snug, I would call it a tight fit. We leave at 17.00 to the sound of a Soviet band meets American big band. No turning back now.
Dinner consisted of Steak followed by a delicious Cherry and Almond cheesecake, yummy.
A walk around the ship gave us enough room for a hot chocolate before lights out. It appears the wife has a sense of humour, our cabin is above the engine room where vibration and bump bump bump eventually massage us to sleep.
0600 hrs and wide awake, I thought the cabin was tight but the shower fitted like a glove! Good job I had the shower before the full cooked breakfast or I would never have managed.
Check and load car. Slow start which allowed the Sat Nag to kick into action. Traffic heavy but steady. Head toward Utrect then Rotterdam. Lille. Country slow flat with many canals. Small holdings and crops, white cows and horses. Barges and sailing and small boats on waterways. Ships unload and load.
Belgium has heavy traffic similar feel to Holland but less canals. Road system good, into
France, having French plates made for quick passage. Finally we stop for the night just after 7pm. Quick dinner and early bed.
Our third day saw a Continental Breakfast ( not that keen on healthy food ) and we were away by 8.45am, on route to Barcelona some 345 km in front of us.
Up and down major hills, the alpine look to this area is completely different to first part of the journey, great views. Altitude 2500 ft 790m. Sun shining but feels cool. The Bridge over Middi is an engineering feat. Short stop and video clip and stills and on way again.
We stop for fuel and a burger, we have only used 25 euros of fuel since we left Duns, amazing economy. Annie Lennox has been on replay for 2 days now, time for some Madness.
Espania rolls in, still hilly but more baron in places this eventually gives way to hills trees and smart houses going around Barcelona. Onwards to Valencia and then the AP7 towards Alicante/ Murcia. Now planes and mountains in distance, the sea appears on left, and we plough on to Teulada. Long journey, constantly driving but fun company and amazing to get a feel of the different landscapes on our journey.
Well thats it for this week – part 2 next week ….
THH
