2001 BMW 525iA Sport Touring (E39)
Discussion
Day 6 - 1 December
An early start as many kilometers to cover to Córdoba. My car had been joined by a LHD R171 on UK plates.
After checking out, I noticed the garage opposite was really cheap for fuel (€1.28 I think) so called in for a top-up. In my defence I had not had coffee and was still half asleep when I managed to clobber one of the pumps, scraping the bumper and knocking a hole in the RH headlamp. What a berk. I was very apologetic to the old boy (all petrol stations I used had attended service), but thankfully he was understanding and more concerned with the car. After a brief chat about the mileage on the E39, whereupon I forgot my numbers in Spanish, I wrote the mileage on the bonnet and I think he said that was nothing really.
Anyway, pride dented, and no expensive bill for the pump I decided on the dual carridgeway to Mérida to see the Roman amphitheatre
Parking was free here in Mérida it being Sunday, so I found a spot near a café, had a coffee and checked out the damage.
Duct tape in hand, I patched it up, though it would remain misted for the remainder of the tour. It improved with the headlamps on so I did this for most of the trip and I rarely drove at night in any case,
On to the Roman stuff. Definitely worth a look, and there is much more in Mérida I didn't have time to view as I stopped here for about an hour and a half. I paid €12 I think for a ticket but just missed the guided tour which was a bit more.
After turning off the A-66 on to the N-432 the rain came down in buckets, not what I needed for the headlamp but it coped. Again empty roads. The speed limit here is 90 km/h which seemed ridiculously slow. Whilst the E39 speedo showed 90, google maps GPS had me doing nearer 80, so I sped up to 100 km/h which GPS said was 90 km/h. That will do me, cruise control on.
Along this road I saw a sign to some more Roman ruins - Teatro Romano de Regina, so I took a diversion and had a quick look, plus I needed the loo.
Now it was non-stop through more torrential rain to Córdoba. A much bigger city than I expected, with wide avenues and boulevards. Goodgle took me straight to the hotel which was a perfect location and again had an underground garage (priciest of the tour at €17 per night) and it was a tight squeeze. The CL would have been a challenge here. I had a number plate bulb warning along the way. This hotel was my favourite and Córdoba had much to see so I extended my planned one-night stay to two, as the hotel had space and it was a bargain €40 per night plus parking.
As it was fairly late and becoming dark I found a nearby taperia and tried some of their tapas and wine. Then I had a quick recce to find the lie of the land ready for the next day.
An early start as many kilometers to cover to Córdoba. My car had been joined by a LHD R171 on UK plates.
After checking out, I noticed the garage opposite was really cheap for fuel (€1.28 I think) so called in for a top-up. In my defence I had not had coffee and was still half asleep when I managed to clobber one of the pumps, scraping the bumper and knocking a hole in the RH headlamp. What a berk. I was very apologetic to the old boy (all petrol stations I used had attended service), but thankfully he was understanding and more concerned with the car. After a brief chat about the mileage on the E39, whereupon I forgot my numbers in Spanish, I wrote the mileage on the bonnet and I think he said that was nothing really.
Anyway, pride dented, and no expensive bill for the pump I decided on the dual carridgeway to Mérida to see the Roman amphitheatre
Parking was free here in Mérida it being Sunday, so I found a spot near a café, had a coffee and checked out the damage.
Duct tape in hand, I patched it up, though it would remain misted for the remainder of the tour. It improved with the headlamps on so I did this for most of the trip and I rarely drove at night in any case,
On to the Roman stuff. Definitely worth a look, and there is much more in Mérida I didn't have time to view as I stopped here for about an hour and a half. I paid €12 I think for a ticket but just missed the guided tour which was a bit more.
After turning off the A-66 on to the N-432 the rain came down in buckets, not what I needed for the headlamp but it coped. Again empty roads. The speed limit here is 90 km/h which seemed ridiculously slow. Whilst the E39 speedo showed 90, google maps GPS had me doing nearer 80, so I sped up to 100 km/h which GPS said was 90 km/h. That will do me, cruise control on.
Along this road I saw a sign to some more Roman ruins - Teatro Romano de Regina, so I took a diversion and had a quick look, plus I needed the loo.
Now it was non-stop through more torrential rain to Córdoba. A much bigger city than I expected, with wide avenues and boulevards. Goodgle took me straight to the hotel which was a perfect location and again had an underground garage (priciest of the tour at €17 per night) and it was a tight squeeze. The CL would have been a challenge here. I had a number plate bulb warning along the way. This hotel was my favourite and Córdoba had much to see so I extended my planned one-night stay to two, as the hotel had space and it was a bargain €40 per night plus parking.
As it was fairly late and becoming dark I found a nearby taperia and tried some of their tapas and wine. Then I had a quick recce to find the lie of the land ready for the next day.
Day 7 - 2 December
No driving today.
All the walking I'd been doing had taken its toll on my left big toe. Due to a weak and slightly 'dropped' left foot, any walking over 2 hours tires it out. I had a huge blister which finally burst, so I sought a farmacia and found some good plasters just for this purpose.
Spoiler tags for those who may not like a picture of a big toe blister
These really helped but it was still painful so painkillers were needed
Some bulb maintenance was required, so I changed the left number plate bulb and right tail bulb in thr tailgate. Someone had forced the wrong bulb in here (stop and tail) and it was a pig to remove. It was at this point I discovered a flap in the tailgate which housed the warning triangle and tools. Every day, etc.
Then on to a day of being a tourist. Córdoba has so much to see that it really needs a lot longer than I spent here. Some snaps from the day:
No driving today.
All the walking I'd been doing had taken its toll on my left big toe. Due to a weak and slightly 'dropped' left foot, any walking over 2 hours tires it out. I had a huge blister which finally burst, so I sought a farmacia and found some good plasters just for this purpose.
Spoiler tags for those who may not like a picture of a big toe blister
These really helped but it was still painful so painkillers were needed
Some bulb maintenance was required, so I changed the left number plate bulb and right tail bulb in thr tailgate. Someone had forced the wrong bulb in here (stop and tail) and it was a pig to remove. It was at this point I discovered a flap in the tailgate which housed the warning triangle and tools. Every day, etc.
Then on to a day of being a tourist. Córdoba has so much to see that it really needs a lot longer than I spent here. Some snaps from the day:
Day 8 - 3 December
To Málaga! I'd booked a flat for two nights via AirBnB the day before as it had underground parking and I couldn't decide on a hotel. The Michelin Guide mentions a decent restaurant in Lucena along the way so I made that to be my lunch stop. My memory is hazy on the route I took as I was lost in a sea of olive groves for about 20 minutes after Lucena but I know I avoided motorways so I think it was this.
Lucena snaps
Lucena was quite nice but I didn't find the restaurant as I had a major blunder in an underground public car park. After grabbing a coffee nearby I paid my parking ticket, leaned over the passenger seat to put my paid ticket in, I foolishly had left it in drive with the handbrake on. My foot slipped onto the accelerator and away we went, through the barrier and up the exit ramp. I stopped before it reached the street.
The little lady came out of the booth understandably agitated and it no uncertain terms shouted for me to stop, which I had. Now causing a queue of cars waiting to go through the non-existant barrier, she was assisted by a burly male colleague. The barrier was designed to fold and it was plastic and rubber. After 5 minutes they had re-attached it and it looked none-the-worse for wear, unlike the car and I. I said 'lo siento mucho' many times. It worked, as she smiled and then said 'va' or something similar and I wasted no time in leaving.
Gathering my calm I stopped just outside Lucena and surveyed the damage. it wasn't as bad as it sounded. Wing mirror cover shot and a rubber mark on the bonnet. More duct tape saved the day.
Continuing on...
I lost mobile signal for a while and my position but I ended up driving to Antequera, then up the mountain for a pit stop at El Torcal. Here I met some woolly friends. The roads here are very steep but again, not much traffic. It's certainly a test for the engine, gearbox, cooling and brakes.
View across the Andalucian hills
I think this is Villanueva de la Concepción along the way. I stopped in the designated lay-by for picture-taking.
The remainer of the drive to Málaga was uneventful and I met my host at the flat on the Avenida de Barcelona in the Trinidad area in the mid-afternoon. Parked-up underground and luggage sorted, I took my first ever Uber ride in a big barge-like KIA saloon (big toe was giving me grief and it was a 40 minute walk) to the museum I really wanted to see. A very pleasant driver and €7 later, I reached my no.1 pick of the trip.
It didn't disappoint and I highly recommend this museum. If one were with a lady companion, there are plenty of exhibits for her as it combines haute couture fashion throughout the 20th century next to each cool classic car, plus dedicated rooms to hats, handbags, etc. Each stand has a dress and a car with some history.
Some assorted pictures but by no means the whole show. I was there about two hours.
I really wanted this sparkly green jaguar but it would probably be too pricey plus it's too big for my flat
I also wanted this for my wall
url]
|https://thumbsnap.com/pN54G0b3[/url]
It was by now nearly closing time of 19.00 and I was peckish so pain-killers downed I walked along the sea front in search of a drink and tapas, which I duly found in the Soho area. The temperature was a very pleasant 16°C and a light breeze from the sea.
(I can't fix the orientation of this picture)
I walked back to the flat (further than I thought, I should've taken another Uber) and wound-down with a glass of local red plonk and cheese and ham from a nearby corner shop.
To Málaga! I'd booked a flat for two nights via AirBnB the day before as it had underground parking and I couldn't decide on a hotel. The Michelin Guide mentions a decent restaurant in Lucena along the way so I made that to be my lunch stop. My memory is hazy on the route I took as I was lost in a sea of olive groves for about 20 minutes after Lucena but I know I avoided motorways so I think it was this.
Lucena snaps
Lucena was quite nice but I didn't find the restaurant as I had a major blunder in an underground public car park. After grabbing a coffee nearby I paid my parking ticket, leaned over the passenger seat to put my paid ticket in, I foolishly had left it in drive with the handbrake on. My foot slipped onto the accelerator and away we went, through the barrier and up the exit ramp. I stopped before it reached the street.
The little lady came out of the booth understandably agitated and it no uncertain terms shouted for me to stop, which I had. Now causing a queue of cars waiting to go through the non-existant barrier, she was assisted by a burly male colleague. The barrier was designed to fold and it was plastic and rubber. After 5 minutes they had re-attached it and it looked none-the-worse for wear, unlike the car and I. I said 'lo siento mucho' many times. It worked, as she smiled and then said 'va' or something similar and I wasted no time in leaving.
Gathering my calm I stopped just outside Lucena and surveyed the damage. it wasn't as bad as it sounded. Wing mirror cover shot and a rubber mark on the bonnet. More duct tape saved the day.
Continuing on...
I lost mobile signal for a while and my position but I ended up driving to Antequera, then up the mountain for a pit stop at El Torcal. Here I met some woolly friends. The roads here are very steep but again, not much traffic. It's certainly a test for the engine, gearbox, cooling and brakes.
View across the Andalucian hills
I think this is Villanueva de la Concepción along the way. I stopped in the designated lay-by for picture-taking.
The remainer of the drive to Málaga was uneventful and I met my host at the flat on the Avenida de Barcelona in the Trinidad area in the mid-afternoon. Parked-up underground and luggage sorted, I took my first ever Uber ride in a big barge-like KIA saloon (big toe was giving me grief and it was a 40 minute walk) to the museum I really wanted to see. A very pleasant driver and €7 later, I reached my no.1 pick of the trip.
It didn't disappoint and I highly recommend this museum. If one were with a lady companion, there are plenty of exhibits for her as it combines haute couture fashion throughout the 20th century next to each cool classic car, plus dedicated rooms to hats, handbags, etc. Each stand has a dress and a car with some history.
Some assorted pictures but by no means the whole show. I was there about two hours.
I really wanted this sparkly green jaguar but it would probably be too pricey plus it's too big for my flat
I also wanted this for my wall
url]
|https://thumbsnap.com/pN54G0b3[/url]It was by now nearly closing time of 19.00 and I was peckish so pain-killers downed I walked along the sea front in search of a drink and tapas, which I duly found in the Soho area. The temperature was a very pleasant 16°C and a light breeze from the sea.
(I can't fix the orientation of this picture)
I walked back to the flat (further than I thought, I should've taken another Uber) and wound-down with a glass of local red plonk and cheese and ham from a nearby corner shop.
Days 9 and 10 - 4-5 December
I had the flat for two nights but I liked Málaga enough to find a third night somewhere. In the meantime, I did touristy things such as a guided walking tour around the centre (very good, pay what you feel it was worth. I paid €20 which was on the generous side looking at other notes being exchanged but I enjoyed it nonetheless).
Mostly I just wandered around and stopped when I felt so. I visited the big market and many museums. It's a busy place is Málaga, much bigger than I expected and with a working port right across from the beach. Noticeably more expensive than all the other places so far but a still pretty reasonable compared with SE England.
Some snaps in no particular order
Málaga's 'river'
Tasting at the wine museum
Lunch in the market
After I checked-out of the flat on the morning of 5 December I decided to drive east along the coast for a day out before check-in to the hotel. I headed along the N-340 to Nerja and had lunch at a restaurant overlooking the sea. Quite a few ex-pats here from northern European countries. It was quite picturesque but way too quiet for my liking. Summer would be very different I imagine.
Check-in was near so I returned back to east Málaga on the A-7. I stopped to fill-up ready for the next morning and spotted this sorry-looking W140 under a row of covered breakdowns, presumably hauled in from the A-7.
The east Málaga area is quite chilled and leafy. I liked the general feel. The hotel advertised parking but it was full, so I had no choice other than use the pay-and-display outside on the street. This was the only night I didn't have covered/underground parking on the whole trip. The hotel was clean and simple but the breakfast was expensive at €12 IMO.
Breakfast served here
The hotel
After check-in I wandered around. I saw the bullfighting ring (more a stadium really, nothing on while I was there), and climbed the steps to the top of the Castillo de Gibralfaro. Big toe again had had enough so an Uber back down from the car park.
Dinner was a simple pizza from a lively restaurant. I drank too much and walked back to the hotel ready for the off on Friday.
I had the flat for two nights but I liked Málaga enough to find a third night somewhere. In the meantime, I did touristy things such as a guided walking tour around the centre (very good, pay what you feel it was worth. I paid €20 which was on the generous side looking at other notes being exchanged but I enjoyed it nonetheless).
Mostly I just wandered around and stopped when I felt so. I visited the big market and many museums. It's a busy place is Málaga, much bigger than I expected and with a working port right across from the beach. Noticeably more expensive than all the other places so far but a still pretty reasonable compared with SE England.
Some snaps in no particular order
Málaga's 'river'
Tasting at the wine museum
Lunch in the market
After I checked-out of the flat on the morning of 5 December I decided to drive east along the coast for a day out before check-in to the hotel. I headed along the N-340 to Nerja and had lunch at a restaurant overlooking the sea. Quite a few ex-pats here from northern European countries. It was quite picturesque but way too quiet for my liking. Summer would be very different I imagine.
Check-in was near so I returned back to east Málaga on the A-7. I stopped to fill-up ready for the next morning and spotted this sorry-looking W140 under a row of covered breakdowns, presumably hauled in from the A-7.
The east Málaga area is quite chilled and leafy. I liked the general feel. The hotel advertised parking but it was full, so I had no choice other than use the pay-and-display outside on the street. This was the only night I didn't have covered/underground parking on the whole trip. The hotel was clean and simple but the breakfast was expensive at €12 IMO.
Breakfast served here
The hotel
After check-in I wandered around. I saw the bullfighting ring (more a stadium really, nothing on while I was there), and climbed the steps to the top of the Castillo de Gibralfaro. Big toe again had had enough so an Uber back down from the car park.
Dinner was a simple pizza from a lively restaurant. I drank too much and walked back to the hotel ready for the off on Friday.
Edited by tobinen on Monday 30th December 17:46
Day 11 - 6 December
Today was Constitution Day. A national public holiday and long weekend for many Spaniards. I was concerned about finding a place to stay but it turned out fine albeit prices had gone up a bit. I decided to turn north. I 'ummed and ahed' about Sevilla next, but as I was concious about the mileage back to Bilbao, I decided on Cáceres recommended by my Spanish crumpet friend in the office. The roads were a lot busier now.
Due to the distance it was motorway all the way but fortunately no tolls.
A pit stop on the way just the other side of Sevilla. The place was heaving with families and screaming kids, so I grabbed a coffee, checked the plumbing and left sharpish.
Driving into Cáceres was initially disappointing. Plenty of modern apartment blocks, smooth roads and roundabouts. I checked-in and parked at a nearby public underground car park for which the hotel gives a discount ticket. This reduces the cost from €15 to €9.
The hotel looked OK from the outside but inside it was very dated. It was only for one night but at €78 this was the most expensive hotel of the trip probably due to the holiday weekend.
Then off for a walk around town. I became lost and ended up in a public park. I carried on walking until I came across an interesting-looking street up a steep hill.
Then it became clear why Cáceres is highly regarded. I vistied the local museum and pottered around cobbled streets. Quite a lot of other people around but nothing too congested.
Suitably tired from walking a lot, I found an entertaining tapas bar off the main plaza where the owner shouts out the name of a tapa and all the staff reply with something in unison. I coundn't work out what they all shouted but it was quite fun.
These were just right heat-wise for me:
And some pork cooked just on the safe side of medium rare. No issues but I would not cook pork this rare. Tasty though.
Back to the hotel to rest for a long day in the seat tomorrow.
Today was Constitution Day. A national public holiday and long weekend for many Spaniards. I was concerned about finding a place to stay but it turned out fine albeit prices had gone up a bit. I decided to turn north. I 'ummed and ahed' about Sevilla next, but as I was concious about the mileage back to Bilbao, I decided on Cáceres recommended by my Spanish crumpet friend in the office. The roads were a lot busier now.
Due to the distance it was motorway all the way but fortunately no tolls.
A pit stop on the way just the other side of Sevilla. The place was heaving with families and screaming kids, so I grabbed a coffee, checked the plumbing and left sharpish.
Driving into Cáceres was initially disappointing. Plenty of modern apartment blocks, smooth roads and roundabouts. I checked-in and parked at a nearby public underground car park for which the hotel gives a discount ticket. This reduces the cost from €15 to €9.
The hotel looked OK from the outside but inside it was very dated. It was only for one night but at €78 this was the most expensive hotel of the trip probably due to the holiday weekend.
Then off for a walk around town. I became lost and ended up in a public park. I carried on walking until I came across an interesting-looking street up a steep hill.
Then it became clear why Cáceres is highly regarded. I vistied the local museum and pottered around cobbled streets. Quite a lot of other people around but nothing too congested.
Suitably tired from walking a lot, I found an entertaining tapas bar off the main plaza where the owner shouts out the name of a tapa and all the staff reply with something in unison. I coundn't work out what they all shouted but it was quite fun.
These were just right heat-wise for me:
And some pork cooked just on the safe side of medium rare. No issues but I would not cook pork this rare. Tasty though.
Back to the hotel to rest for a long day in the seat tomorrow.
It has resisted its driver's attempts at smashing it up and been fine really. No oil useage in nearly 2,000 miles since I replaced the dipstick O ring. Engine is sweet, gearbox very good, it's just needs a damn good polish and the dent fixed in the bonnet. It's by no means perfect but when I sell it, it will make a good daily driver for someone who doesn't want perfection.
Next instalment coming up soon.
Next instalment coming up soon.
Day 12 - 7 December
An early start to Bilbao. This was the worst journey of the trip. Thick fog for hours which didn't clear until after Vallodolid.
After 2-or-so hours in the soup, I had to stop for coffee and a torta, relieve myself and stretch the legs. As well as the fog, it was a really chilly and damp morning. I pulled in here after seeing a road sign. I can't recall where I was though.
Unfortunatley I didn't take any pictures along the way to Bilbao, but the scenery was great. By now it was sunny with clear skies. Two tolls along this route once into Basque country. It took me a few attempts to find the hotel despite using google maps as I missed a crucial turning twice as it was so close to another on the ame roundabout. Plenty of one way streets too. The car park was nearby and three levels below ground.
No sightseeing this evening so I found a Chinese restaurant for a change and had a decent meal for about €15. The hotel was pretty awful unfortunately. Paper thin walls and doors and very dated inside. I had booked for three nights as it was the right side of the city for easy access to the port. It was cheap for a reason I suppose but I would not go back to it. The next room were going at it hammer and tongs the first night - b
ds.
An early start to Bilbao. This was the worst journey of the trip. Thick fog for hours which didn't clear until after Vallodolid.
After 2-or-so hours in the soup, I had to stop for coffee and a torta, relieve myself and stretch the legs. As well as the fog, it was a really chilly and damp morning. I pulled in here after seeing a road sign. I can't recall where I was though.
Unfortunatley I didn't take any pictures along the way to Bilbao, but the scenery was great. By now it was sunny with clear skies. Two tolls along this route once into Basque country. It took me a few attempts to find the hotel despite using google maps as I missed a crucial turning twice as it was so close to another on the ame roundabout. Plenty of one way streets too. The car park was nearby and three levels below ground.
No sightseeing this evening so I found a Chinese restaurant for a change and had a decent meal for about €15. The hotel was pretty awful unfortunately. Paper thin walls and doors and very dated inside. I had booked for three nights as it was the right side of the city for easy access to the port. It was cheap for a reason I suppose but I would not go back to it. The next room were going at it hammer and tongs the first night - b
ds.Day 13 - 8 December
No driving today, it was all tourist stuff.
The rubbish hotel however was pretty central so the obvious first choice was the Guggenheim museum. It was about a 20 minute walk. I called in to the tourist information office just outside and the helpful girl gave a me a useful map and pointed out the areas of interest close by. I think the ticket to the Guggenheim was €13 and well worth it. I spent the best part of five hours here. No pictures were allowed inside but I took a few outside.
The big dog of plants (unofficial name)
Shiny tulips. I liked these.
Shiny balls above the mist
A quick refreshment at the end in the museum café before a stroll along the river.
Along the river and Xmas in full swing.
No other pictures from this evening. I think I found a tapas bar and just had a quite couple of plates and back to the hotel.
No driving today, it was all tourist stuff.
The rubbish hotel however was pretty central so the obvious first choice was the Guggenheim museum. It was about a 20 minute walk. I called in to the tourist information office just outside and the helpful girl gave a me a useful map and pointed out the areas of interest close by. I think the ticket to the Guggenheim was €13 and well worth it. I spent the best part of five hours here. No pictures were allowed inside but I took a few outside.
The big dog of plants (unofficial name)
Shiny tulips. I liked these.
Shiny balls above the mist
A quick refreshment at the end in the museum café before a stroll along the river.
Along the river and Xmas in full swing.
No other pictures from this evening. I think I found a tapas bar and just had a quite couple of plates and back to the hotel.
Day 14 - 9 December
The last full day in Spain. Bilbao wasn't clicking with me. I don't know if it was the hotel, weather, or just knowing I was nearing the end of the trip. I decided to have a drive westwards on the N-634 along the coast to Laredo. It was a blustery day with wind off the Bay stirring thigs up.
At Castro Urdiales there is a blow hole in the tarmac (and other places nearby, you hear them before you walk over the hole) which was really quite something. Plenty of locals were out for the spectacle.
The drive along this road is very pleasant. I imagine in summer this is a very popular area and with big sandy beaches.
Laredo is a proper seasonal ghost town. Rows and rows of empty apartment blocks with not a soul to be seen. It would make a good zombie film backdrop.
I drove as far as I could along the bay just past the yacht club and reached the end where I couild drive on the beach.
I turned around and on the way back to Bilbao I saw a sign to the beach somewhere, so I followed it as far as I dare but when it became too bumpy, I reversed around for fear of losing the sump. A local Nissan SUV was coming the other way
Not much to report for the final evening and I took no further pictures this day.
The last full day in Spain. Bilbao wasn't clicking with me. I don't know if it was the hotel, weather, or just knowing I was nearing the end of the trip. I decided to have a drive westwards on the N-634 along the coast to Laredo. It was a blustery day with wind off the Bay stirring thigs up.
At Castro Urdiales there is a blow hole in the tarmac (and other places nearby, you hear them before you walk over the hole) which was really quite something. Plenty of locals were out for the spectacle.
The drive along this road is very pleasant. I imagine in summer this is a very popular area and with big sandy beaches.
Laredo is a proper seasonal ghost town. Rows and rows of empty apartment blocks with not a soul to be seen. It would make a good zombie film backdrop.
I drove as far as I could along the bay just past the yacht club and reached the end where I couild drive on the beach.
I turned around and on the way back to Bilbao I saw a sign to the beach somewhere, so I followed it as far as I dare but when it became too bumpy, I reversed around for fear of losing the sump. A local Nissan SUV was coming the other way
Not much to report for the final evening and I took no further pictures this day.
Day 15 - 10 December
To the port. Very simple process and it wasn't long before we were on the boat. I was stopped for a search but he just opened the boot and said fine, carry on.
I knocked on the window of this 126 owner and had a brief chat. It was a UK car on French plates and he was going back to Blighty for Xmas. I never bumped into him on the boat but he was a nice older chap.
Full derv ahead
This boat was much better appointed than the outward sail. The crossing was a still bumpy but nowhere near as rough as going out. I decided on splashing out on the restaurant dinner so booked for 18.30. Three lovely French girls were serving, two if them beautiful and the other one very attractive in her own right. My 'O' level French was all but forgotton but it was good to have a mix-up over white wine for starter and red for main as it meant the most beautiful had to come back to my table often. Sorry chaps no pictures of them, here's the meal instead.
I bought a puzzle book, a glass of red and relaxed in the lounge, wishing I was 25 years younger and fluent in French
To the port. Very simple process and it wasn't long before we were on the boat. I was stopped for a search but he just opened the boot and said fine, carry on.
I knocked on the window of this 126 owner and had a brief chat. It was a UK car on French plates and he was going back to Blighty for Xmas. I never bumped into him on the boat but he was a nice older chap.
Full derv ahead
This boat was much better appointed than the outward sail. The crossing was a still bumpy but nowhere near as rough as going out. I decided on splashing out on the restaurant dinner so booked for 18.30. Three lovely French girls were serving, two if them beautiful and the other one very attractive in her own right. My 'O' level French was all but forgotton but it was good to have a mix-up over white wine for starter and red for main as it meant the most beautiful had to come back to my table often. Sorry chaps no pictures of them, here's the meal instead.
I bought a puzzle book, a glass of red and relaxed in the lounge, wishing I was 25 years younger and fluent in French
Day 16 - 11 December
Arrival in Portsmouth. As expected the UK side was drawn-out and long-winded with border control but after about an hour I was on the M27 high-tailing it back home. The usual heavy and slow traffic was a marked contrast to the Spanish side.
I wondered what were these. Bloke in the pub says it's to do with undersea electricity-generating turbines but I haven't checked if he's correct.
The aircraft carriers were being protected by two small police launches, should anyone attack on a lilo.
Costs of the trip
Exchange rate was €1.14. Mileage door-to-door was 1,828.
I think that's it.
What would I do differently? For a start not crash into anything but I think I would've been better off staying at a town/city a bit longer and using that as a base to explore the nearby area. I would've stayed two nights in Sevilla and only one in Bilbao but I didn't know what to expect. I want to return to Málaga and spend more time there and use that as a base for Granada and Alhambra - something as that.
This was my first decent break for over two years and I liked it a lot. Just a pity I wasn't in the CL but the E39 kept its side of the bargain and never missed a beat. It also has more room for 'stuff' despite being shorter.
Arrival in Portsmouth. As expected the UK side was drawn-out and long-winded with border control but after about an hour I was on the M27 high-tailing it back home. The usual heavy and slow traffic was a marked contrast to the Spanish side.
I wondered what were these. Bloke in the pub says it's to do with undersea electricity-generating turbines but I haven't checked if he's correct.
The aircraft carriers were being protected by two small police launches, should anyone attack on a lilo.
Costs of the trip
Exchange rate was €1.14. Mileage door-to-door was 1,828.
| petrol | €381.42 |
| accomodation inc. parking | €626.12 |
| cash spent | €560 |
| ferry | £590 |
| sundry spend on euro card | €70.69 |
| sundry spend on UK card | £123.39 |
| Bip & drive toll transponder | £44.16 |
| Breakdown insurance (12 months) | £155.60 |
| Damage to car | not costed or fixed yet |
I think that's it.
What would I do differently? For a start not crash into anything but I think I would've been better off staying at a town/city a bit longer and using that as a base to explore the nearby area. I would've stayed two nights in Sevilla and only one in Bilbao but I didn't know what to expect. I want to return to Málaga and spend more time there and use that as a base for Granada and Alhambra - something as that.
This was my first decent break for over two years and I liked it a lot. Just a pity I wasn't in the CL but the E39 kept its side of the bargain and never missed a beat. It also has more room for 'stuff' despite being shorter.
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