1997 Mercedes-Benz SL500 (R129)
Discussion
The garage checked it over and it's OK. Minor corrosion on some fuel lines to deal with later. The roof switch light is on and my normal ruse of removing fuse 4 has not worked this time. On the plus side the seatbelt light has gone out.
The boat leaves at 21:30 tonight. The forecast is for a chopping crossing.
The boat leaves at 21:30 tonight. The forecast is for a chopping crossing.
Four years ago in my old Oxford green E39T, I drove from the top to bottom of Spain. This time I wanted to explore the north east; Asturias and Galicia.
Departing from Portsmouth on the good ferry Santoña on the Friday night at 21:00 to Santander, arriving on time Sunday 08:00. It was a very rough crossing but the sea sickness pills worked and I was fine, though it took a few days after for my inner ears to appreciate that I was not at sea any longer.
Friday 27/10
Start mileage
An easy run from Newbury down to the port. I arrived 20:00 and it didn't take long to be parked in the hold. The first field repair there as I wasn't convinced the boot lamp was going out so I removed the bulb.
Saturday 28/10
At sea
A lighthouse somewhere off France
Sunday 29/10
Customs clearance was OK but I had to declare my cash for some odd reason. I suppose it gives someone a job. Prior to leaving Blighty I had just booked the first night at the Parador in Gijon, as the price wasn't too bad and it had parking on-site. I set Waze to avoid motorways and it led me along the N-611 and N-634. Along the way I stretched my legs and had a coffee in Llanes, a very pretty seaside town.
Llanes
Onwards on the back roads to Gijon; AS-379 and N-632. Very little traffic until the city made it a pleasant start to the trip.
Parked up
I wandered along the promenade in search of food and drink. Very blustery due to storm Ciaran.
No pics but I found a couple of bars. One even put on the F1 at my request after the local derby game had finished. Slightly inebriated, I asked for her to call a cab and she sorted it. Bedtime.
Departing from Portsmouth on the good ferry Santoña on the Friday night at 21:00 to Santander, arriving on time Sunday 08:00. It was a very rough crossing but the sea sickness pills worked and I was fine, though it took a few days after for my inner ears to appreciate that I was not at sea any longer.
Friday 27/10
Start mileage
An easy run from Newbury down to the port. I arrived 20:00 and it didn't take long to be parked in the hold. The first field repair there as I wasn't convinced the boot lamp was going out so I removed the bulb.
Saturday 28/10
At sea
A lighthouse somewhere off France
Sunday 29/10
Customs clearance was OK but I had to declare my cash for some odd reason. I suppose it gives someone a job. Prior to leaving Blighty I had just booked the first night at the Parador in Gijon, as the price wasn't too bad and it had parking on-site. I set Waze to avoid motorways and it led me along the N-611 and N-634. Along the way I stretched my legs and had a coffee in Llanes, a very pretty seaside town.
Llanes
Onwards on the back roads to Gijon; AS-379 and N-632. Very little traffic until the city made it a pleasant start to the trip.
Parked up
I wandered along the promenade in search of food and drink. Very blustery due to storm Ciaran.
No pics but I found a couple of bars. One even put on the F1 at my request after the local derby game had finished. Slightly inebriated, I asked for her to call a cab and she sorted it. Bedtime.
Monday 30/10
I skipped breakfast as I'd eaten too much the night before and left at a reasonable hour. Next pick on the map was Lugo. I knew nothing about it and booked an apartment along the way. First I headed north to see the lighthouse Faro de Peñas. There's a tiny museum here with two bored ladies but it was OK for €2.
A fair 4 hour drive to Lugo but some great roads. No pics again along the way unfortunately.
The apartment was within the old walls and took me a while to find it due to a gate closure for roadworks, but it was a great location.
I walked the circumference to stretch the legs and work up some appetite. You definitely need a good brolly at this time of year.
Dinner to start with chipirones. Lovely.
I can't remember what this was but I think it was neck of beef. Very tender and some decent plonk to accompany.
I could have stayed another night but i decided to press on to A Coruña tomorrow.
I skipped breakfast as I'd eaten too much the night before and left at a reasonable hour. Next pick on the map was Lugo. I knew nothing about it and booked an apartment along the way. First I headed north to see the lighthouse Faro de Peñas. There's a tiny museum here with two bored ladies but it was OK for €2.
A fair 4 hour drive to Lugo but some great roads. No pics again along the way unfortunately.
The apartment was within the old walls and took me a while to find it due to a gate closure for roadworks, but it was a great location.
I walked the circumference to stretch the legs and work up some appetite. You definitely need a good brolly at this time of year.
Dinner to start with chipirones. Lovely.
I can't remember what this was but I think it was neck of beef. Very tender and some decent plonk to accompany.
I could have stayed another night but i decided to press on to A Coruña tomorrow.
Tuesday 31/10 to Wednesday 01/11
Leaving behind a yellow 2CV it was onwards to A Coruña
I travelled the N-VI, a really nice road.
I followed ny nose and ended up at the marina. This was right next to a promenade so whilst waitng for check-in I walked a while until I reached the Tower of Hercules, an ancient lighthouse from Roman times updated through time. A ticket was only a few euros so I thought why not? One enters via the foundations and climb the steps to the top. An excellent view to be had of the city. Recommended.
I walked back to the car park and after the first restaurant said it was not serving food I found a tiny local's place and tried its chipirones. This was by far the freshest and best of the trip.
To the hotel on the outskirts. A bit cheap and cheerful, the bed wasn't the best but that's the gamble. The staff were friendly. It was a 3 minute walk to the bus stop which went straight into the city for €1.30.
I stayed for two nights. A couple of random snaps:
Leaving behind a yellow 2CV it was onwards to A Coruña
I travelled the N-VI, a really nice road.
I followed ny nose and ended up at the marina. This was right next to a promenade so whilst waitng for check-in I walked a while until I reached the Tower of Hercules, an ancient lighthouse from Roman times updated through time. A ticket was only a few euros so I thought why not? One enters via the foundations and climb the steps to the top. An excellent view to be had of the city. Recommended.
I walked back to the car park and after the first restaurant said it was not serving food I found a tiny local's place and tried its chipirones. This was by far the freshest and best of the trip.
To the hotel on the outskirts. A bit cheap and cheerful, the bed wasn't the best but that's the gamble. The staff were friendly. It was a 3 minute walk to the bus stop which went straight into the city for €1.30.
I stayed for two nights. A couple of random snaps:
Edited by tobinen on Sunday 17th December 14:17
Thursday 02/11 to Friday 03/11
After two nights in A Coruña it was onwards to Vigo along the N-550. I did pass thorough Santiago De Compostela but it was very busy and I decided to press on. As usual I forgot to keep note of the exact route but it was something similar:
Dinner on the first night:
A walk to the old fort. I didn't know that the Brits had a punch-up with the locals and briefly held Vigo in 1719. Excellent views to be had looking across the city and river.
Each of the English ships involved has some information. Here is HMS Ipswich:
local squad car:
Mid-afternoon refeshment in the city after a lot of walking
After two nights in A Coruña it was onwards to Vigo along the N-550. I did pass thorough Santiago De Compostela but it was very busy and I decided to press on. As usual I forgot to keep note of the exact route but it was something similar:
Dinner on the first night:
A walk to the old fort. I didn't know that the Brits had a punch-up with the locals and briefly held Vigo in 1719. Excellent views to be had looking across the city and river.
Each of the English ships involved has some information. Here is HMS Ipswich:
local squad car:
Mid-afternoon refeshment in the city after a lot of walking
Edited by tobinen on Sunday 17th December 14:52
I gather that people also go for:
https://blaupunkt.com/product/bremen-sqr-46-dab/
or a Continental: https://shop.continental-aftermarket.com/con_en/ca...
https://blaupunkt.com/product/bremen-sqr-46-dab/
or a Continental: https://shop.continental-aftermarket.com/con_en/ca...
I had the same one, but branded as Continental in a Golf GTI mk 4 once. It does what it says and looks decent and period correct, but the feel is worlds apart from the original MB one.
I have bought the new-ish retro DAB+ Radio from Blaupunkt, which is much better than the Kienzle/Continental ones, but still not on par with the feel of the oem 90's stuff. Technology is good, but the haptics just aren't there.
I have bought the new-ish retro DAB+ Radio from Blaupunkt, which is much better than the Kienzle/Continental ones, but still not on par with the feel of the oem 90's stuff. Technology is good, but the haptics just aren't there.
Filibuster said:
I had the same one, but branded as Continental in a Golf GTI mk 4 once. It does what it says and looks decent and period correct, but the feel is worlds apart from the original MB one.
I have bought the new-ish retro DAB+ Radio from Blaupunkt, which is much better than the Kienzle/Continental ones, but still not on par with the feel of the oem 90's stuff. Technology is good, but the haptics just aren't there.
Thanks both. I just realized that it is the same as the continental one. I bought one of those about 8 years ago for my 928S4 but never got around to installing it for the same reasons you describe I have bought the new-ish retro DAB+ Radio from Blaupunkt, which is much better than the Kienzle/Continental ones, but still not on par with the feel of the oem 90's stuff. Technology is good, but the haptics just aren't there.
Saturday 04/11 to Sunday 05/11
I was tempted to cross over into Portugal as it was so close but instead I headed east and picked Ourense.
Ourense is an old Roman spa town with an ancient bridge, plus more modern ones. The cathedral is very impressive and one can go to the top of the bell tower (pics were not allowed here though). I stayed an extra night to the planned one.
The owner of the flat and I came to a cash deal rather than rebook through booking . com and in return he bought me a local cake. Bloody lovely and it lasted for days.
And what better treat for the 2nd night than a local kebab?
I was tempted to cross over into Portugal as it was so close but instead I headed east and picked Ourense.
Ourense is an old Roman spa town with an ancient bridge, plus more modern ones. The cathedral is very impressive and one can go to the top of the bell tower (pics were not allowed here though). I stayed an extra night to the planned one.
The owner of the flat and I came to a cash deal rather than rebook through booking . com and in return he bought me a local cake. Bloody lovely and it lasted for days.
And what better treat for the 2nd night than a local kebab?
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