Goin a...wandering and looking for advice.

I’ve read this with interest. The last few years, I’ve gone down to Portugal, getting the ferry from Newhaven. That works for me. But if one of you isn’t a great sailor, then perhaps the Shuttle could be better. A downside, is the extra mileage involved, especially if taking the western French route.
Some have said that February’s weather and being only 28 days long would be a problem. I can’t see why. The south of France should have far better weather than the UK. Even the rain should be warmer. If you get a trot on, Spanish Costas would only be another day or two more driving.
One thing everyone has seemed to have ignored is, THE ADVENTURE.
That’s what floats my boat. Never happier than when I’m travelling in the Trotter Mobile
What ever you decide, enjoy it.
 
Trotter said:
I’ve read this with interest. The last few years, I’ve gone down to Portugal, getting the ferry from Newhaven. That works for me. But if one of you isn’t a great sailor, then perhaps the Shuttle could be better. A downside, is the extra mileage involved, especially if taking the western French route.
Some have said that February’s weather and being only 28 days long would be a problem. I can’t see why. The south of France should have far better weather than the UK. Even the rain should be warmer. If you get a trot on, Spanish Costas would only be another day or two more driving.
One thing everyone has seemed to have ignored is, THE ADVENTURE.
That’s what floats my boat. Never happier than when I’m travelling in the Trotter Mobile
What ever you decide, enjoy it.
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All valid points Mr T. I chucked in the 28 day point, purely based on having done this before an yoknow how quickly quality time can be gobbled with travel time. And you nailed it with your point about "THE ADVENTURE".
 
Jo001 said:
I'd be aiming for the Mediterranean coast of France, around Perpignan, for a couple of reasons. For one, the weather on the Med coast (as,opposed to the Atlantic coast) might be nice enough that you don't feel the need to rush into Spain. The other is that if you do want to go into Spain you can avoid the Pyrenees so you won't need snow tyres.
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Yes, snow chains/snow tyres or 3PMSF tyres required at that time of year in many mountain areas of France. Check very carefully if not so equipped.
 
i’ve done this route for the last twelve years various days between 5th & 26th of january several times with snow at the side of the red and also following the snow plough through, the med coast is generally warmer than central spain the A75 through france is spectacular millau viaduct etc but up high the road is normally kept clear , below barcelona tarragona is the area where services & sites are usually open and the water left turned on at aires though there are exceptions , if the weather is too inclement you can make the spanish border in a couple of days probably better to get as far south as you want and amble back in the better ? weather at the end of your trip
 
Mcberran, you may get some ideas from the trip we did last year, starting at page four, as we were about enter Spain into San Sebastian. Plan was to follow Bay of Biscay, Sanatander etc, towards North Portugal, while the daytime weather was good at the time, at night it was cold, also windy. So we headed straight south-ish into Spain, staying inshore away wind elements. HTH, and you get some ideas.

2024 France/Spain Tour.

Change of plan due to medical reasons (nothing serious) to my Bro in law, they're not sure to be at their home in Italy this month. So tomorrow we are heading to Spain. Looking for suggestions for best SIM card to purchase when we arrive to Spain? We looked at RegLow card today at Le Clerk...
motorhomer.com motorhomer.com
 
Suppose it depends how quick you want to get to Spain. If it was me landing in France Calais/Shuttle side I would head straight down to the Med. It is a long time since I have done it but used to love watching the vista change as you travel. I would think there is more likelihood of sites being open along the Med as well as it being a lot nicer weather than the UK, (even the rain is warm compared to Oban). I am not interested in hot weather so was it me I would probably stay in Southern France but we are all different.

Can't suggest standing stones or anything as I was almost always on the bike and more interested in races and booze back the, If you go down on the West though the Roman amphitheatre at Sainte is well worth a stop.

Main thing is enjoy it
 
Trotter said:
I’ve read this with interest. The last few years, I’ve gone down to Portugal, getting the ferry from Newhaven. That works for me. But if one of you isn’t a great sailor, then perhaps the Shuttle could be better. A downside, is the extra mileage involved, especially if taking the western French route.
Some have said that February’s weather and being only 28 days long would be a problem. I can’t see why. The south of France should have far better weather than the UK. Even the rain should be warmer. If you get a trot on, Spanish Costas would only be another day or two more driving.
One thing everyone has seemed to have ignored is, THE ADVENTURE.
That’s what floats my boat. Never happier than when I’m travelling in the Trotter Mobile
What ever you decide, enjoy it.
Click to expand...

And thats exactly it Trotter thank you...it's an unexpected chance for a wee adventure which we are going to embrace. And I have asked all here for some idea's at quite short notice. I would like to thank all thus far for their input and is why this forum is great and good fun , a great resource and very informative, you get a chance to hear everyone and take what you need from it...thank you all.
 
And forgive my saying February off...to explain a wee bit more...in Scottish terms thats not 'exactly' 28 days...maybe a couple or five either side or at one end ;):)..
 
Nabsim said:
Suppose it depends how quick you want to get to Spain. If it was me landing in France Calais/Shuttle side I would head straight down to the Med. It is a long time since I have done it but used to love watching the vista change as you travel. I would think there is more likelihood of sites being open along the Med as well as it being a lot nicer weather than the UK, (even the rain is warm compared to Oban). I am not interested in hot weather so was it me I would probably stay in Southern France but we are all different.

Can't suggest standing stones or anything as I was almost always on the bike and more interested in races and booze back the, If you go down on the West though the Roman amphitheatre at Sainte is well worth a stop.

Main thing is enjoy it
Click to expand...

I still like that stuff too but this is kinda out of season( for bikes anyway)..thanks for that Nab. Thanks all...brilliant advice.
 
Explanation here of regulations regarding equipment required between 01/11/2025and 31/03/2026 in certain areas of France: https://www.service-public.gouv.fr/particuliers/actualites/A14389?lang=en
And a list here of communes within which you are required to have this equipment available (whether or not there is snow at the time you are there): https://www.securite-routiere.gouv....022_liste_communes_equipements_hivernaux.xlsx
Note that this includes communes that incorporate motorways such as the A75.

If not intending to be so equipped, probably best to head down the west, possibly via Limoges and then Toulouse, Carcassonne, Narbonne (but do check this in detail, because I have not).

My experience of standing stones is essentially in Brittany, which is probably off your route if heading for warm climes. There are some attractive Plus Beaux Villages de France close to the A20 (perhaps on the return journey) and many attractive locations along the Mediterranean coast of France.
 
Pauljenny said:
If the weather is very cold, consider the Pompey/Caen ferry. To Ouistreham.
Short crossing, gets you nice and south, where the weather should be milder.
Good Aires and wild camping, nearby.
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You could also consider Portsmouth-Saint-Malo or perhaps Poole-Cherbourg (which I believe is operating this winter). Both offer good routes towards the south and avoid the congested south-east of the UK.
 
To try to explain the above statement from Ken.
The Old Fogey Route.

Persons of an advanced age qualify for a discount. Those who are older than 60 will get a discount on the Newhaven to Dieppe route by booking by phone.
Try 0330 587 8787. It will be answered by a lady with a French accent. Give her the details of your chosen crossing, and you’ll be so happy with the result, the next time you see me, or the first time, you’ll force a drink on me.😉
 
Trotter said:
To try to explain the above statement from Ken.
The Old Fogey Route.

Persons of an advanced age qualify for a discount. Those who are older than 60 will get a discount on the Newhaven to Dieppe route by booking by phone.
Try 0330 587 8787. It will be answered by a lady with a French accent. Give her the details of your chosen crossing, and you’ll be so happy with the result, the next time you see me, or the first time, you’ll force a drink on me.😉
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For clarity, Del, as long as *one* person in the party is aged 60 or over, then the entire party benefits from the 20% discount which applies to both the fare and also to any cains booked. The booking has to be made by phone because it involves a separate system, with the cost of the subsidy funded by the Dieppe Chamber of Commerce to promote employment in Dieppe and it's environs.

Steve
 
marchie said:
For clarity, Del, as long as *one* person in the party is aged 60 or over, then the entire party benefits from the 20% discount which applies to both the fare and also to any cains booked. The booking has to be made by phone because it involves a separate system, with the cost of the subsidy funded by the Dieppe Chamber of Commerce to promote employment in Dieppe and it's environs.

Steve
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As always, I bow to your superior knowledge 🫣😘
 
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