Hi Sue,
Rather than Phil's "Paris to Dakar" scenario (lol), this is how we have done it a few times.
1. Take ferry from Ireland to Cherbourg, 17hours sailing - 8 in the bar - 8 in bed - and 1 asking " why did I do that" ( Don't you do this bit, you take the one from England)
Set Garmin Sat-nav to avoid tolls and big cities.
2. Depart Cherbourg mid-day - still asking "why" so only drive 2 1/2 hours to Mayenne just above Le Mans. Stay at nice English owned B&B in the country to recuperate. Can use their kitchen to cook evening meal yourself or eat out 2 mile down road.-- Mike & Dots Website.
http://www.leshaises-bedandbreakfast.co.uk/index.html
3. Depart Mayenne approx 09.00am (not asking "why" anymore!!) - drive about 6 hours to near Thiviers (near Limoges). Another English owned B&B, but definitely off the beaten track. Superb home cooking, well worth finding. Beautiful countryside and lots to see nearby.
Craig & Beryl's website - http://www.lasimpode.com/
4. Depart Thiviers approx 09.00am via Pau to Larres - 10mins off the N-260 to Sabinanigo and Huesca. Arrive at El Churron approx 4.00pm, lovely stone built hotel in a small village in the foothills. Double room, evening meal with bottle of wine, and breakfast - 72 euros for 2. Evening meals good in my opinion for Spain.
Booking.com
http://www.booking.com/hotel/es/el-churron.en.html?aid=311076;label=el-churron-LLojbxRYROUP04ykflQXbgS11117308500;ws=&gclid=COXWhKSbrLMCFU3HtAodVFcAlQ
((***Have also stayed here and thought it was lovely.
http://www.booking.com/hotel/es/era-conte.en.html?aid=311076;label=hotel-12998-es-_eWrzyu5W86UManeF*QNBAS11109913380:pl:ta:p1:p2:ac:ap1t2:neg;ws=&gclid=CISaw7CgrLMCFXDLtAodjkIAMw))
5. Depart El Churron approx 10.00am (breakfast is not until 9am everyone gets a lie-in here!!!) This is the most boring part of the trip - 6 ½- 7 hrs of nearly all motorway driving to Condado.
So the statistics-
Time wise - takes me about 22½
Distance from Cherbourg - Condado about 1150 -1200 miles - sometimes deviate a little just to annoy the sat nav!!!!
TOLLS - 00.0000
Fuel - Mercedes is very good - never uses more than she needs!!!!!!
REMEMBER- everyone has different tastes, sometimes you just need to find out for yourself, some reviews don't tell the whole story. In other words, IF YOU DON'T LIKE IT - DON'T BLAME ME!!!! LOL
Regards
Peter