Message Forums

Hi Kaz,

The fuel in Spain is cheaper than UK. We landed in Bilbao with 1/4 tank and filled-up on the motorway.

Are you going to take motorway across Spain or up to France and across?

We did the latter this year - having gone across Spain to Costa Darauda 2 years ago. The French motorways seemed much busier, although slightly cheaper, than the Spanish ones.

With hindsight, we made a big mistake coming back (outward trip was ok) through France as there were many long queues at Peages and particularly at border near Perpignan. We lost at least one hour queuing up to French border and down other side to first Peage.

Next time we will go outward through France but come back acorss Spain.

Incidentally, we left Ballena Alegre on Saturday morning and did not know where to spend Saturday night. We were aware of the many warnings (including from Spanish Police) about staying overnight in services and Aires. So we ended up going to Bilbao ferry terminal about 1130pm and found it to be a very safe and conevnient overnight place. You are in a compound with other lorries/caravans/cars and only 10 minutes walk from bars and restaurants in Bilbao. There are basic toilet facilities as well.

Have a good trip.

Chris

Hi Chris

Thanks once again for that I didn't realise you had gone on the Portsmouth - Bilbao Ferry? For some reason I thought you drove down through France? We went to Salou two years ago and did the Plymouth - Santander crossing we travelled right down the AP68 and are planning to do the same route again, thanks for the tip about the ferry port however our friends travelling with us have got a tent so it wont be any good for them. Our ferry back is Saturday lunchtime so we are travelling back up on the Friday we are looking at maybe staying at Camping De Haro on the way back up for the one night. How did you find the crossing? and how long do you think it will take us from Bilbao down to the site? we were working on about 7 hours?

Thanks for all your help it is very useful.

Hi Kaz,

We got-off the ferry in Bilbao at about 9am Spanish time - we were last on and last off on the outward voyage.

Had a few breaks on the way down and arrived at the site around 6pm - a 9 hour trip.

On the return trip we left the site at 12 noon and got to Bilbao at 11.30pm. So this took 2.5 hours more and I would attribute 1.5 hours to traffic delays and 1 hour to a long evening meal break.

Chris