Europe Road Trip - Santander to Ijmuiden
Discussion
Wednesday 4th - Stromness to Inverness
Set off on the boat at 1645.
Good run down,checked in to the Travelodge. Zzzzzz
mileage 118.
Thursday 5th - Inverness to Wigan
Set off at 9. Arrived Perth Kwikfit at 1100 and left the car to get two front tyres fitted. Kwikfit relieved the wallet of £537 for two Pirellis on the front. Set off for Wigan at 1230 fast drive and arrived in 4 hours. Beer, relax.
mileage 501.
Friday 6th - Wigan to Portsmouth
Set off at 0830. 4 hour drive down with 3 quick stops. Arrived Portsmouth port and checked in.
Mileage 744
Our taxi.....
Through security, loads of checks on the car, under the bonnet, in the boot, liked the car though! Fixed up the Gopro on the roof and filmed the boarding. Very tight parking, up to our lovely weekend cabin about the size of a shoe box. Had a stroll around and bought some duty free.
Testing the water............
We're off!............
Booked a table for 2100 and got showered. Went to a whisky talk at 1900, very interesting it was.
Had a lovely meal,
watched the stern view for a bit and listened to the quiz.
Off to bed, good run down.
Saturday 7th - Portsmouth to Santander
Bonnie morning, breakfast at 830, nice it was too. Sat out aft and watched dolphins and sunned ourselves.
Went to a wine tasting and bought a bottle of wine that we had last night, first of the collection. Drank the remains of wine from last night then off for a snooze. Up to rain as we approach Santander. Off by 1800 local time and relied on Jaguar satnav woman to get us to the hotel. No problem (well almost ) and checked in and put car in the downstairs garage for €19. Showered and had a wee dram before heading down for tea. Rain stopped so went for a walk around the town and found a great tapas bar. Had chorizo, meatballs, squid and potatoes. Two glasses of beers too. Back to the hotel for Zzzzzzzzz.
Mileage 747
Sunday 8th - Santander to Biescas
Underway by 830. Nice drive up to Biescas, got a little lost at Victoria but soon back on track. Arrived Biescas at 1315 and checked in to a lovely hotel.
Went for a walk around the village and had a beer and wine at a little bar.
Booked our table for dinner at 2030 then went for a swim in the indoor pool.
Excellent meal, nice appetisers followed by camembert on toast for me and colour wraps with cheese for Kathleen. Main was bream with serrano and pasta worms??? for me and Kleftico for Kathleen. Retired to bed after that....zzzzzz
Mileage 999.9!
Monday 9th - Biescas to Estamariu N260
Up and a stroll through the village before breakfast.
Great roads, stopped at small town for a beer and olives then final push for destination. Wee detour towards Andorra then back on on track.
Twisty road up to the village but the roads in the village were just inches to spare.
Kathleen guided me in and finally garaged the car by 1545. Owner spoke excellent English and we were shown our lovely room with balcony.
Beer time then a walk and booked for tea at a nearby restaurant. Had a lovely meal of salad and lamb chop, very nice. Got back to the hotel around 1030 and the car alarm was going, must have been the bats!
Mileage 1177.5
Tuesday 10th - Estamariu to Cannes
Up at 0830 and shifted the car, some tight. Back for breakfast, nice continental. Set off at 1015, rain after an hour but cleared to sunshine in to France.
Whiz along the motorway and arrived Cannes at 1645 but no hotel until 1800 due to sat nav error and road works.
Lovely room,
had a beer on the roof terrace then showered and off to the harbour.
Nice restaurants,
had a good meal in one for €90 fish and ice cream.
Sat on the balcony and chilled.
Mileage 1539
Wednesday 11th - Cannes to Andermatt
Up early at 7 and cleaned the car then showered. Up the stairs for breakfast, very nice on the roof terrace. Set off at 915 and took an age to get to Monaco.
Finally arrived in Casino square and parked right in front of the place.
Took loads of photos then set off at 1200 after changing the DVD for the car. Lots of toll road and lots more tunnels all the way through Italy. Stopped before the border for the Swiss vignette then set off for Andermatt. Through the Gottardo tunnel, 36c in there. Our turning was blanked off so we continued for a few miles before being re routed to our destination. Arrived at 1700, rain and cold but a lovely hotel and good room. Went for a stroll and apple strudel before tea. Restaurant in the village was good, Kath had pork stuffed with cheese, I had veal sausages. Back to the hotel and sorted videos etc. Zzzzz
Mileage 1878
To be continued .............
Set off on the boat at 1645.
Good run down,checked in to the Travelodge. Zzzzzz
mileage 118.
Thursday 5th - Inverness to Wigan
Set off at 9. Arrived Perth Kwikfit at 1100 and left the car to get two front tyres fitted. Kwikfit relieved the wallet of £537 for two Pirellis on the front. Set off for Wigan at 1230 fast drive and arrived in 4 hours. Beer, relax.
mileage 501.
Friday 6th - Wigan to Portsmouth
Set off at 0830. 4 hour drive down with 3 quick stops. Arrived Portsmouth port and checked in.
Mileage 744
Our taxi.....
Through security, loads of checks on the car, under the bonnet, in the boot, liked the car though! Fixed up the Gopro on the roof and filmed the boarding. Very tight parking, up to our lovely weekend cabin about the size of a shoe box. Had a stroll around and bought some duty free.
Testing the water............
We're off!............
Booked a table for 2100 and got showered. Went to a whisky talk at 1900, very interesting it was.
Had a lovely meal,
watched the stern view for a bit and listened to the quiz.
Off to bed, good run down.
Saturday 7th - Portsmouth to Santander
Bonnie morning, breakfast at 830, nice it was too. Sat out aft and watched dolphins and sunned ourselves.
Went to a wine tasting and bought a bottle of wine that we had last night, first of the collection. Drank the remains of wine from last night then off for a snooze. Up to rain as we approach Santander. Off by 1800 local time and relied on Jaguar satnav woman to get us to the hotel. No problem (well almost ) and checked in and put car in the downstairs garage for €19. Showered and had a wee dram before heading down for tea. Rain stopped so went for a walk around the town and found a great tapas bar. Had chorizo, meatballs, squid and potatoes. Two glasses of beers too. Back to the hotel for Zzzzzzzzz.
Mileage 747
Sunday 8th - Santander to Biescas
Underway by 830. Nice drive up to Biescas, got a little lost at Victoria but soon back on track. Arrived Biescas at 1315 and checked in to a lovely hotel.
Went for a walk around the village and had a beer and wine at a little bar.
Booked our table for dinner at 2030 then went for a swim in the indoor pool.
Excellent meal, nice appetisers followed by camembert on toast for me and colour wraps with cheese for Kathleen. Main was bream with serrano and pasta worms??? for me and Kleftico for Kathleen. Retired to bed after that....zzzzzz
Mileage 999.9!
Monday 9th - Biescas to Estamariu N260
Up and a stroll through the village before breakfast.
Great roads, stopped at small town for a beer and olives then final push for destination. Wee detour towards Andorra then back on on track.
Twisty road up to the village but the roads in the village were just inches to spare.
Kathleen guided me in and finally garaged the car by 1545. Owner spoke excellent English and we were shown our lovely room with balcony.
Beer time then a walk and booked for tea at a nearby restaurant. Had a lovely meal of salad and lamb chop, very nice. Got back to the hotel around 1030 and the car alarm was going, must have been the bats!
Mileage 1177.5
Tuesday 10th - Estamariu to Cannes
Up at 0830 and shifted the car, some tight. Back for breakfast, nice continental. Set off at 1015, rain after an hour but cleared to sunshine in to France.
Whiz along the motorway and arrived Cannes at 1645 but no hotel until 1800 due to sat nav error and road works.
Lovely room,
had a beer on the roof terrace then showered and off to the harbour.
Nice restaurants,
had a good meal in one for €90 fish and ice cream.
Sat on the balcony and chilled.
Mileage 1539
Wednesday 11th - Cannes to Andermatt
Up early at 7 and cleaned the car then showered. Up the stairs for breakfast, very nice on the roof terrace. Set off at 915 and took an age to get to Monaco.
Finally arrived in Casino square and parked right in front of the place.
Took loads of photos then set off at 1200 after changing the DVD for the car. Lots of toll road and lots more tunnels all the way through Italy. Stopped before the border for the Swiss vignette then set off for Andermatt. Through the Gottardo tunnel, 36c in there. Our turning was blanked off so we continued for a few miles before being re routed to our destination. Arrived at 1700, rain and cold but a lovely hotel and good room. Went for a stroll and apple strudel before tea. Restaurant in the village was good, Kath had pork stuffed with cheese, I had veal sausages. Back to the hotel and sorted videos etc. Zzzzz
Mileage 1878
To be continued .............
Thursday 12th - Andermatt to Luzern to Andermatt
Up and had breakfast and away by 930.
Steering felt funny on the car but dismissed it. Headed to the Furka pass,
rain turned to snow so we went back. By this time, I knew something was wrong with the steering and checked out the local garage. They suggested to go to the local Jaguar dealers so that is what we did. Headed for Luzern and got a great welcome.
They diagnosed a slack bolt in the steering rack and said to come back at 5.
We walked in to Luzern and had a wee culture tour. Back by 1500 and away by 1600 all fixed and 391 chf lighter in the wallet, ouch!!!
Drove back quick and went halfway up the Susten Pass.
Very nice but out out of time so headed back to Andermatt.
Visited the devils bridge, very cold.
Mileage 2009
TBC....................
Up and had breakfast and away by 930.
Steering felt funny on the car but dismissed it. Headed to the Furka pass,
rain turned to snow so we went back. By this time, I knew something was wrong with the steering and checked out the local garage. They suggested to go to the local Jaguar dealers so that is what we did. Headed for Luzern and got a great welcome.
They diagnosed a slack bolt in the steering rack and said to come back at 5.
We walked in to Luzern and had a wee culture tour. Back by 1500 and away by 1600 all fixed and 391 chf lighter in the wallet, ouch!!!
Drove back quick and went halfway up the Susten Pass.
Very nice but out out of time so headed back to Andermatt.
Visited the devils bridge, very cold.
Mileage 2009
TBC....................
Edited by CarbonXKR on Saturday 28th September 14:06
CarbonXKR said:
We've just come back from a two week tour, including part of the Andermatt loop. Furka was closed when we got half way to the top but some bikers came down and told us it was clear, so we went through. Such an amazing road, especially to have it just to the four of us.
I'll finish my report later and post it up too
Friday 13th - Andermatt to Santa Caterina de Valfurva
Nice breakfast again and set off at 0845.
Snow on the Overalp pass and a lighthouse??????
nice run in to Davos and then over the Fluela pass. Had coffee and cake at the summit used up the last of the CHF.
Through a tunnel then and in to Italy. €13 toll for the use of the tunnel the robbing Italians!!
Onward and over another pass with police checks at the top.
Through Bormeo and on to Santa Caterina.
Arrived at the hotel, no word of English but showed us to a lovely room and down for a beer soon after.
Went a stroll along the river and then off to the village a look.
Fridge magnet duly purchased and back to the room to load photos and video clips. Waited until 2030 for dinner but the owner told me that there was no food and we would have to go to the village for tea.
Down we went and found a lovely restaurant called La Tana. I had pizza and Kathleen had pasta. Very good and cheap.
Mileage 2168
TBC.........................
Nice breakfast again and set off at 0845.
Snow on the Overalp pass and a lighthouse??????
nice run in to Davos and then over the Fluela pass. Had coffee and cake at the summit used up the last of the CHF.
Through a tunnel then and in to Italy. €13 toll for the use of the tunnel the robbing Italians!!
Onward and over another pass with police checks at the top.
Through Bormeo and on to Santa Caterina.
Arrived at the hotel, no word of English but showed us to a lovely room and down for a beer soon after.
Went a stroll along the river and then off to the village a look.
Fridge magnet duly purchased and back to the room to load photos and video clips. Waited until 2030 for dinner but the owner told me that there was no food and we would have to go to the village for tea.
Down we went and found a lovely restaurant called La Tana. I had pizza and Kathleen had pasta. Very good and cheap.
Mileage 2168
TBC.........................
Edited by CarbonXKR on Saturday 28th September 14:09
Saturday 14th - Santa Caterina de Valfurva to St. Anton am Arlberg
Nice breakfast, set off at 845. Stelvio Pass...... Awesome.....!!!!
Stopped for a coffee then down the other side, great run.
Arrived St. Anton at 1445 there had been a cow and sheep sale and crap every where through the streets. Checked in Hotel Montana, lovely welcome.
Went and parked the car and unpacked again.....
Strolled around and had beer and apfel strudel with ice cream and cream Mmmmm.....
Back and showered etc. Down and spoke with the owner about the road trip and then went for a walk around the village.
Found some singing going on in a tent and checked it out. This was the farmers celebrating the sale of the coos and sheep. Had a beer and watched the dancing, what fun. Home for tea, great meal each.
TBC......................
Nice breakfast, set off at 845. Stelvio Pass...... Awesome.....!!!!
Stopped for a coffee then down the other side, great run.
Arrived St. Anton at 1445 there had been a cow and sheep sale and crap every where through the streets. Checked in Hotel Montana, lovely welcome.
Went and parked the car and unpacked again.....
Strolled around and had beer and apfel strudel with ice cream and cream Mmmmm.....
Back and showered etc. Down and spoke with the owner about the road trip and then went for a walk around the village.
Found some singing going on in a tent and checked it out. This was the farmers celebrating the sale of the coos and sheep. Had a beer and watched the dancing, what fun. Home for tea, great meal each.
TBC......................
Mileage 2272...........
Sunday 15th - St. Anton am Arlberg to Nurburgring
Up and had a good breakfast. Rated this hotel 10. Paid then set off for Ilzach, France. Arrived at 1230 in a horrible place. Tried to check in but the girl said come back at 1500. We set off for the Nurburgring and got our booking changed and slogged onwards. Finally arrived at 1800. Checked in, nice room then off for a beer and food next door. It was okay and we retired to the room for an early night.
Mileage 2764
Monday 16th - Nurburgring
Up by 8 and down for a great breakfast. Headed across to the Nurburgring information centre and had a look around. No public laps today, went for a behind the scenes tour with Eva - our guide. Stood on the winners podium and went to the top floor also. €100,000 for a seat during F1....
Off to Nurburg to look at the castle but it was closed. Did a wee tour of lovely countryside and found an off licence for some wine to take home. Back to the hotel, as it was so quiet, they sent us across the road to the "Casino" hotel for evening meal - very nice............
Tuesday 17th - Nurburgring to Ijmuiden
Up at 0745, breakfast and away by 945. Had a look at the racing again from the viewpoints before setting off. Nice run up to Ijmuiden, in the queue early but boarding by 1600. Nice buffet meal, listened to the music by “Making waves”, then off to bed.
Mileage 3038
Wednesday 18th - Newcastle to Aviemore
Off the boat and underway on a lovely sunny day by 1000. Popped in to a garage in Kingussie to get a brake light bulb changed then arrived at the Rowantree Country Hotel - http://www.rowantreehotel.com/ (best one of the trip) at 1600. Lovely meal, bed by 2200.
Mileage 3286
Thursday 19th - Aviemore to Stromness
A9, I've done it so many times that I miss the best bits I'm sure - if we had time we would branch off to Lairg/Altnahara/Bettyhill/Scrabster - excellent route and some older pics here of a previous gas guzzler.............
Arrived home at 2100 - final mileage 3480 and 23.6mpg
Roll on 2015 for the Spanish coast to coast trip including Portugal and Gibraltar
Sunday 15th - St. Anton am Arlberg to Nurburgring
Up and had a good breakfast. Rated this hotel 10. Paid then set off for Ilzach, France. Arrived at 1230 in a horrible place. Tried to check in but the girl said come back at 1500. We set off for the Nurburgring and got our booking changed and slogged onwards. Finally arrived at 1800. Checked in, nice room then off for a beer and food next door. It was okay and we retired to the room for an early night.
Mileage 2764
Monday 16th - Nurburgring
Up by 8 and down for a great breakfast. Headed across to the Nurburgring information centre and had a look around. No public laps today, went for a behind the scenes tour with Eva - our guide. Stood on the winners podium and went to the top floor also. €100,000 for a seat during F1....
Off to Nurburg to look at the castle but it was closed. Did a wee tour of lovely countryside and found an off licence for some wine to take home. Back to the hotel, as it was so quiet, they sent us across the road to the "Casino" hotel for evening meal - very nice............
Tuesday 17th - Nurburgring to Ijmuiden
Up at 0745, breakfast and away by 945. Had a look at the racing again from the viewpoints before setting off. Nice run up to Ijmuiden, in the queue early but boarding by 1600. Nice buffet meal, listened to the music by “Making waves”, then off to bed.
Mileage 3038
Wednesday 18th - Newcastle to Aviemore
Off the boat and underway on a lovely sunny day by 1000. Popped in to a garage in Kingussie to get a brake light bulb changed then arrived at the Rowantree Country Hotel - http://www.rowantreehotel.com/ (best one of the trip) at 1600. Lovely meal, bed by 2200.
Mileage 3286
Thursday 19th - Aviemore to Stromness
A9, I've done it so many times that I miss the best bits I'm sure - if we had time we would branch off to Lairg/Altnahara/Bettyhill/Scrabster - excellent route and some older pics here of a previous gas guzzler.............
Arrived home at 2100 - final mileage 3480 and 23.6mpg
Roll on 2015 for the Spanish coast to coast trip including Portugal and Gibraltar
PowerMalc said:
I love reading these epic trips through Europe, starting to plan for one down to Spain next year.
You've given us the miles covered and mpg but how many beers drunk??
One every afternoon once we arrived for sure You've given us the miles covered and mpg but how many beers drunk??
, none in the evening though, more a wino than a beer guzzler 
GTiFrank said:
Great trip, enjoyed that, thanks for the write up. What is with the "V6" plate on a supercharged v8 though?
Bought it when I had my first V6 (Omega), V8 was available for £249 but I thought "never going to own a V8" so never bought it......... 
looking now for V12 if it comes up A short video of the Oberalp pass on the trip........ http://youtu.be/4ZgsJN1DbCk
Edited by CarbonXKR on Friday 8th November 11:14
Another from the trip...... http://youtu.be/eLKJifV-0Vc
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