On the Road Again!

The appointment with the vet in San Vicente was at 1100. We were up in good time and on the road around 1015. As it happens we made the appointment dead on 1100. Why? The trip down the road and across the bridge into the town was easy enough. The vet's surgery is a street back from the main road not far from the bus station. There's parking all along the sea/river front. Not a single space to be found. In the end we followed signs, over another bridge on the N634 to the parking. It was an underground car park. Further on was a small surface level free car park. Some spaces free. The walk back wasn't too far but enough for and old dog. The rabies vax cost €40 and his Belgian Pet Passport updated. Three more years. Rather than walk all the way back we decided to have a coffee and then I would get the van and pick them up. The walk back was okay. It didn't seem as far... ...

With the BBC weather forecasting drizzle, we rolled the awning in and put awayvthe chairs. The new ones are much easier to deploy and take down. The seat cover simply slides off the frame.  The morning arrived when Reggie wanted his morning pee and poo trip out. Today it was just after 7am. The day looked to be warmer than forecast and so we rolled out the awning and pegged it out, deploying the storm straps as well.  Jobs today included doing some washing. The machines here cost €6 per wash and take card or coins. No tokens or jetons needed. I put the new whirlygig up and pegged that down. It looks as though that was a successful purchase. It's quite light and packs down relatively small. Apart from checking in and a visit to the shop we've done very little. Tonight's dinner will be the tortilla and salad we bought at the supermarket yesterday. We ...

 I have to give a plug for my brother's blog as it's the brotherly thing to do .. https://whirl2026.blogspot.com

We were right at the rear left on Deck 3 on the ferry and so we were probably the last off that deck. Due to some jiggery pokery the deck has to be cleared before Deck 4 could be cleared. I think it has a ramp at each end that needs lowering. There was some holdup as a couple in a UK registered Porsche took their time coming down and vans and cars had had to squeeze past them. Most of the vehicles stuck behind them had to be eased around them.  They took their time putting their bags in, then just forced their way into the column a few vans in front of us. Ignorant or arrogant? The queue for passports and EES was quite quick. Claire's Irish passport was checked and returned.  I had to do my fingerprints and have my photo taken. The next was pet check. They had the pre-registration details and checked his pet passport and waved us through. It looks as though the AHC we paid for was a waste of money. It was a much different ...

Day 1 We planned to set off at around 1030 for the drive across to Wyndham Farm in Gillingham in Dorset.  In the end we were away at 1029? It was relatively easy going with the first stop at Cobham Services for Reggie to stretch his legs and us to get a McCafe. As usual the approach is four lanes of solid traffic. The millions they spent on the A3 job action, "to speed up journey times" was wasted on the M25, in both directions. Hopefully some benefit, for someone. Whoever they are. Wherever they are. As we were heading to the South West we took the M3 to the A303. The duel carriageway sections are a doddle. Then the eff up at Stonehenge where the road is reduced from 2 lanes to 1. The dawdle past the stones and through villages. It all adds to the stress for drivers...

Who thought that winding 25m of heavy duty cable onto a reel would be easier than coiling it in the hands? Yes. Me. It's not. It's still bloody heavy and winding it isn't as simple. The cable goes where it wants!!

🚐 Overview of your route Total distance: ~520–560 miles (840–900 km) Driving time (no tolls): ~12–14 hours total Suggested duration: 3–4 days (comfortable touring pace) Countries: France → Belgium → Luxembourg → Germany Tolls: ❌ None (Germany has no tolls <3.5t; route avoids French autoroutes) � IDS Camping and Leisure You’ll head via Belgium & Luxembourg (fuel stop), then into the Rhine valley before entering the Black Forest and driving the B500 scenic ridge road. 🗺️ Day 1 – Calais → Luxembourg area (~280 miles / 4.5–5 hrs) Route Calais → Dunkirk → Bruges → Ghent → Brussels → Namur → Luxembourg This avoids French toll roads by using Belgium’s free motorway network. Stop suggestion (first overnight) Camping Fuussekaul ✔ Large, quiet, very motorhome-friendly ✔ Good for seniors (flat pitches, facilities) ✔ Dog-friendly walking trails nearby 📍 Why here: ...