1997 Mercedes-Benz SL500 (R129)
Discussion
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
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?
Monday 06/11
Onwards to León. Some more super roads (mostly the N-120) and up in to some mountains. Lakes and dams en-route. I forgot to take any pics along the route but here is a picture of one of the dams shortly after leaving Ourense.
Stock photo
I was lucky with the hotel. Slap bang in the middle inside the old wall but it took me an age to figure out how to enter. Secure parking and buffet breakfast for €80 IIRC. It was as good as a Parador IMO.
I only stayed a night but it's worth a re-visit. Some random snaps of León:
Onwards to León. Some more super roads (mostly the N-120) and up in to some mountains. Lakes and dams en-route. I forgot to take any pics along the route but here is a picture of one of the dams shortly after leaving Ourense.
Stock photo
I was lucky with the hotel. Slap bang in the middle inside the old wall but it took me an age to figure out how to enter. Secure parking and buffet breakfast for €80 IIRC. It was as good as a Parador IMO.
I only stayed a night but it's worth a re-visit. Some random snaps of León:
Tuesday 07/11 to Wednesday 08/11
León to Oviedo over the mountains. This was my favorite drive of the trip. At the highest point it snowed and I came round one blind corner to be greeted by two long-haired horses.
Some more dam action:
Before check-in I called in to the Alonso museum which I last visited in 2019. Not much had changed, just the addition of the Dakar, Le Mans and Indy cars.
Some various Oviedo snaps:
No, he's not having a slash in a bar. Asturias is cider country. They pour it from high into the glass over a large bucket in case he misses
Some bars have an electric pump which does it for you:
I like Oviedo. It has a nice feel to it.
León to Oviedo over the mountains. This was my favorite drive of the trip. At the highest point it snowed and I came round one blind corner to be greeted by two long-haired horses.
Some more dam action:
Before check-in I called in to the Alonso museum which I last visited in 2019. Not much had changed, just the addition of the Dakar, Le Mans and Indy cars.
Some various Oviedo snaps:
No, he's not having a slash in a bar. Asturias is cider country. They pour it from high into the glass over a large bucket in case he misses
Some bars have an electric pump which does it for you:
I like Oviedo. It has a nice feel to it.
Thursday 09/11 to Friday 10/11
A rare venture onto the motorway to save time as I made two stops before Santander. First was to visit the undergroud caves of Soplau
A wee stop along the way
The view once the goat had moved on.
Then onto the caves:
The view opposite the café:
The train takes you down into the caves where photography was not allowed so here are a couple of stock ones
Next stop along the way was for a stretch of the legs with a walk among some redwoods/sequoias imported from California:
Onwards to Santander:
The hotel was OK but the first room (101 in case you go there) stank of damp so I asked to be moved and then had an agreeable view of the coast from a much nicer room.
I also liked Santander. I think it would be super in the spring and summer. There are plenty of grand residences and old money about the place.
And what finer last meal than a supermarket chicken with crisps and cheap local plonk.
A rare venture onto the motorway to save time as I made two stops before Santander. First was to visit the undergroud caves of Soplau
A wee stop along the way
The view once the goat had moved on.
Then onto the caves:
The view opposite the café:
The train takes you down into the caves where photography was not allowed so here are a couple of stock ones
Next stop along the way was for a stretch of the legs with a walk among some redwoods/sequoias imported from California:
Onwards to Santander:
The hotel was OK but the first room (101 in case you go there) stank of damp so I asked to be moved and then had an agreeable view of the coast from a much nicer room.
I also liked Santander. I think it would be super in the spring and summer. There are plenty of grand residences and old money about the place.
And what finer last meal than a supermarket chicken with crisps and cheap local plonk.
Some final thoughts on the trip:
Petrol used: 194.14 litres
Mileage: 1,106
Average consumption: 25.86 MPG
Lowest price in Spain/litre: €1.58 (self-service)
Highest price in Spain/lire: €1.71 (attended service)
I really like the north and north-west of Spain. It's very green and hilly and it rains quite a bit, but I knew that before going plus it's late autumn. The roads are a pleasure to drive once out of the cities. The food and drink are superb. The people are generally friendly and I can understand the accent more than the south, but not Galacian.
The hardtop was the correct decision as there was probably only one day when I could have used the top down and the new wiper blade was the best purchase. It never missed a beat and it makes a great touring car. That said, I think I will sell it soon. We shall see.
Petrol used: 194.14 litres
Mileage: 1,106
Average consumption: 25.86 MPG
Lowest price in Spain/litre: €1.58 (self-service)
Highest price in Spain/lire: €1.71 (attended service)
I really like the north and north-west of Spain. It's very green and hilly and it rains quite a bit, but I knew that before going plus it's late autumn. The roads are a pleasure to drive once out of the cities. The food and drink are superb. The people are generally friendly and I can understand the accent more than the south, but not Galacian.
The hardtop was the correct decision as there was probably only one day when I could have used the top down and the new wiper blade was the best purchase. It never missed a beat and it makes a great touring car. That said, I think I will sell it soon. We shall see.
Fee agreed for the paint with the usual bodyshop, so once I am back from Spain I will swap over with the CL. It will be for bonnet, hardtop, match the door mouldings to the rest and general titivation.
I have picked up a windscreen crack and it is speading slowly from the top left across to the top middle. Annoying but I have three weeks before departure.
I have picked up a windscreen crack and it is speading slowly from the top left across to the top middle. Annoying but I have three weeks before departure.
I decided that the windscreen crack was lengthening a bit too much for my liking with a week to go. I called Autoglass today but I cannot have an appointment before 3 May, and it can't be done at home.
I'll put a marker pen line on it and see if it grows after the Scramble this weekend.
The CL is the first pick off the subs bench unless I manage to fix the L322 tonight/this weekend.
I'll put a marker pen line on it and see if it grows after the Scramble this weekend.
The CL is the first pick off the subs bench unless I manage to fix the L322 tonight/this weekend.
I have moved the trip to next month as I picked up a bad blister on my big toe at Bicester. My own fault for wearing shoes I rarely wear, and they were not quite bedded in. As I want to do a bit of hiking, it makes no sense to go now. I had to pay £200 more to Brittany Ferries though.
Therefore there is plenty of time until next month. I am now trying to move the Autoglass appointment to an earlier date.
Therefore there is plenty of time until next month. I am now trying to move the Autoglass appointment to an earlier date.
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