November 30th we are off ... Adios UK!

Hi Roberto,

The reference to the North West is actually a small town called Newton Le Willows.

A woman by the name of trishamaguire went to school with my younger sister.

Maybe just a coincidence but as jon says its a small world.

The wanderers01 is for Bolton by the way.

                                             cheers Tony

Hi All,

Me, the Mrs and Woofy thank you all for your kind thoughts and messages, I must admit we can't wait until Sunday Morning!

We are in Gorseinon, Near Swansea as we speak and have been here a few days visiting my parents before we go, and wil be travelling back down to Devon tonight in order to do the last minute packing tomorrow before the Movers arrive on Friday.

We will have a chance to pop back on here on Saturday Night just to have a quick chat before we go and the next time we 'see' you guys, well, we will be in our new home.

Take care all.

PS. My Geography is pretty good, so I can't understand how some people seem to think that we are travelling across the Pyranees???? We are SAILING from Plymouth to Santander in Northern Spain, and the last time I looked I didn't think we needed to go over the Pyranees in order to get to Madrid for our overnight stop ??? I could be wrong of course as we have never done this trip, but I don't believe I am!

wish you well green with...........flu..........cold and oh that envy stuff as well!

You are in for a great journey if the weather is kind.   

Brittany Ferries use the "Bretagne" in the winter rather than the larger "Pont Aven" which is a bonus for you.   It is a better ship in bad weather and has one of the best restaurants you will find on any ship.

If the weather is OK and you are not in a hurry,  the nicest road from Santander goes over the mountains straight to Burgos. Most sat-navs will either take you round the motorway south of Bilbao to Burgos or the newer road towards Palencia then turning South East to Burgos.    From Burgos, it is continuous motorway all the way to Granada and Malaga with an annoying twiddly bit in the middle called Madrid, where the signage leaves a lot to be desired and sat-nav would be most useful.

On our trip last year, we stayed overnight at the Hotel Los Arcos, Dos Barrios, which is a roadside hotel in the middle of nowhere 69km south of Madrid with comfortable rooms and a decent restaurant.   On the return trip, we left Estepona at 10am and arrived in Santander at 9pm after a fairly relaxed drive.

We wish all 3 of you the best of luck with your move and hope to join you soon, as we have now completed on our apartment in Duquesa and are working towards a permanent move in the future.

Jon & Sue

Have a safe journey and good luck with your new life in Spain. Let us know how you get on as when we move over we intend on doing the same journey as yourself, from Yorkshire, ferry, Duquesa so would love to hear how you got on. Can't wait until I can post on here saying we are on our way!

Have fun, be safe, enjoy.

Sarah&John.

BUENA SUERTE! 

We will see you down there in month time!!

good luck and have a safe journey

Ana

Techno;

Of course you are correct regarding the Pyrenees.

The range actually stops at Bilbao where it then becomes the Cantabrian Mountain range and extends then right the way across Northern Spain to the Northwest corner.

Still the same high mountainsthough and a treat in store for anyone crossing for the first time.

Scenically absolutely spectacular.

Our very good wishes to you.

Hope you have a wonderful and safe trip.

fb

I love this thread - isn't it so nice and positive, everybody wishing someone well, and looking forward to their own adventures? Such a welcome breath of fresh air at a time when mostly everything you read is doom & gloom. Good old stiff upper lip stuff!!!

Hoorah!

Hi Techno - just driven through Gorseinon onmy usual travells through Wales.  Would've popped in for a cuppa !  Enjoy your journey - hope the Bay of Biscay is kind to you.

Jane

Good luck and congratulations.

We did the trip just over 2 weeks ago and had gale force winds the whole way.

The Bretagne travelled well and so did we once we exchanged our cabin from the bow to one amidships.

I wasn't too keen on the set up for the dogs. It was a half hour visit only at  3, 6, 9 and then 9 in the morning and it's a small walking area crowded with people. I hope you have a calm crossing.

The Cantabrians had snow on as we approached Santander and so our first view of our warm new country was snow.

We drove straight down and it took us 10 hours with two comfort/food stops.

Our dog has always been car sick and a nervous traveller. After 24 hours in a kennel on a heaving ship she settled straight down in the car for the long drive.

Funny that...

Laury

Nearly time to leave us . Have a good trip and enjoy .

Mark

Hi All,

We have arrived!

And WOW! What a journey, it was FANTASTIC! The 'Bay of Biscay' was like a 'mill pond' as was the Sea for the ENTIRE journey, and we traversed 'coast to coast' from Santander to Duquesa.

We had a fantastic trip and will tell you all about it a bit later. for now having arrived at 6pm, walked woofy, had some food and enjoyed a bottle of Champagne, it's time to hit the hay!

Lots to tell you all including our Police Escort in Mostoles.... NO! It's not what you think!

Need Sleep now.

Wow! So much to tell you all.

  Well done, glad the trip went well AND YOU ENJOYED IT, that is what it is all about doing something different in life.

        Sounds like police escort was friendly.  

         Hope all goes well and enjoy   Keep us informed.

            Pat

Hi Technoape!

You sound soooooooooooo excited!

I am so pleased for you and your family.

Your journey sounds a breeze and truly enjoyable.

It will surely give encouragement to others.

Can't wait for the full story!

Well done!!!

Kind regards

You lucky thing.

It must have been a super trip with calm seas. The drive doesn't seem too bad, does it? We were surprised that it didn't feel like 10 hour's driving. Probably because of all the new things to see on the way.

Was it the Bretagne?

Laury

Welcome to Manilva TechNoApe, the mrs & the dog!

I hope you will be very happy here  Enjoy ....,

Brilliant!

So pleaed you arrived ok, what a journey.

My husband wants to drive over when we eventualy get tere.

Looking forwrd to the next episode.

Best wishes.

Well done Technoape,

we are very scared but excited as well.

We will see soon

Ana

So happy that you arrived there safe and sound. Sounds like a wonderful trip and can't wait to hear all about it. Hopefully we won't be too far behind you!!!!