2022

Countries/territories visited: .gr, .it, .ch, .fr, .de, Northern Ireland, .ie, Scotland, .fr, .de, .ch, .es

We begin the year in Kalyves on Crete right next to the delightful Fresh & Cool café.

Kalyves Beach Parking

Scruffy beach parking off the main coastal road but with a few shops and good coffee at Fresh & Cool.

037.79059

023.87908

And away east again, for shopping, wash Ruth the van again too.

River Taverna Parking

Quiet during the night

035.37047

024.52380

Camping Elizabeth

A great location, right next to the warm Med, with all the facilities, in a lot of dust, (haha) and a very ecologically sustainable environment.

035.36890

024.51538

Lunch with friends and walks on he rough beach. Because of the trees one doesn't notice he fierce wind.

Milia Palace Parking

A bit noisy late and early because of the parked coaches. No services.

035.29205

025.49212

A windy night, but his time no ourist coaches early in the morning.

Elounda Port Parking

Quiet during the night

035.26332

025.72281

Washing done at Lol's and meet a friend.

I had promised Zoa we would take a walk up the local hill 540m, so we did. Mount Oxa.

But, then the rain arrived, with the wind, oh well..., so back to

River Taverna Parking

Quiet during the night

035.37047

024.52380

what a charming spot

Kalyves Beach Parking

Scruffy beach parking off the main coastal road but with a few shops and good coffee at Fresh & Cool.

037.79059

023.87908

A few things need to get sorted, dog food and also Honey, Olice Oil for friends. We go to Chania for the laudrette and then take the mountain road to Paliochora for a few cold nights, but a good walk beside the sea.

Paliochora Campsite

Only a few places, very scruffy, but facilities. Except I am not taking a cold shower. Many cats.

035.23767

023.69291

Then over the mountains again to Kissamos, luckily no snow.

Kissamos Parking

Just a big carpark near the town and the beach

035.49698

023.65616

But the weather turns cold with hail and high winds. But the sea is not too rought for the crossing.

26-JAN and so we turn up at the port to take "Aqua

Glyfio Beach Parking

Water on the beach, very quiet and calm.

036.73094

022.56047

The morning greets us with frost. Not what we are here for.

Kalamata South Beach Rest Area

Quiet and a local fruit stand. Water available. A lovely sandy beach

37.00553

21.97223

Katakolo Port Parking

A small village which used to have a railway. Lots of parking in the winter. Very calm.

37.64786

21.31722

Vonitsa Port Parking

Quiet, next to a small port and a park for dog walks.

038.92060

020.89477

And we are greeted by sunshine, what a comparison to the morning ... En route we stop for a coffee, but the tarernas are closed, still a walk and a large flock of Cormorants are our resting and feeding in the bay.

Drepano Campsite

Scruffy in the winter, but all facilities including a nice hot shower (after the sun has done its job) and a washing machine and tumbler - keeps those towels soft.

039.50912

020.22138

And the weather is chilly but sunny as the sun rises. Nice people on the site and the sun does us both a lot of good, as did Zoa chasing the balls.

10-FEB - and so we leave and take the (delayed) ferry to Brindisi, including an early morning look at Albania and the receding Greek hills.

It turns out 10 days later the very same ship on the same route left Igoumenitsa and suffered a catastrophic fire.

Italy

Brindisi. Not a great trip and when we arrive it takes a hour to get off the ship and through the police (health) checks.

We get diesel and head off up the Autostrade all the way past Bologna - all in all about 900 klicks.

Fotanellato Parking

A local parking place for Mobilehomes. €6 for 12 hours, could have had lekkie.

044.87770

010.17155

Then another 400 klicks to

Switzerland

Where I get money, a Swiss SIM card and a booster jab all within the space of about 1 hour.

Zug Lake Parking

Free parking after 17:00, no services

047.173357

008.505194

Zurich Lake Parking

All services, just in the city area, bus outside.

047.336498

008.540670

Visits with sons, gson and other good friends in and around Zurich

before heading off into deepest Argovia to visit friends.

France

For the night before work done on Ruth the van at the German dealer.

Vogelgrun Camping-Car Park

This site has the usual services and includes Wifi. €11

48.02057

07.57982

7-MAR we drive into

Germany

Where, at the dealer we have a new battery system and a few other issues fixed. So much better.

We also have the Oyster system fixed at a specialist at Oyster France. Simply professional, helpful, friendly people. Highly recommended.

And got some new mugs

France

Then back to Vogelgrun for another couple of nights at the same site. We then head off to the north of Belfort, a place I spent a few days during Easter 48 years ago, we find a large parking area beside a lake.

Sermamagny Parking

Free, no services unless you are an EV.

47.68254

06.81485

The grass was very white this morning before we head off to good friends for a few days.

After which we go westwards and an overnight stay at a small village.

Fountaine-Française Parking

Free,with a service tower beside water

47.52475

05.36798

We walk around the lake in sunshine.

All over France there are these memorials, they mean somuch these days.

15-MAR and sand is coming to France from the Sahara. We visit the "Source of the Seine".

St. Mesmin Parking

Free,beside the Seine with willows.

48.44542

03.92659

16-MAR and we drive off to Sézanne for the night in the center of the town.

Sézanne Parking

Free area in the town.

48.72166

03.72139

Then onwards and we find a place to park for the night beside La Marne, close to Reuilly-Savigny.

Picnic Parking

Beside the Marne, with walks along the banks.

49.05652

03.57480

Then on to Soissons for a quite night again, this time beside the Aisne.

Riverside Parking

Beside the Aisne, quiet

49.39685

03.32581

19-MAR - wake up to sunshine, although the wind is a tad cool. And on to a spot beside another river the Oise, close to Thourotte.

Canal side Parking

Beside the Oise canal, quiet

49.47499

02.88373

Then, the following day we go to Auchon - a place where I find it easy to get the things I know. And to the next parking spot. While we have sunshine, the breeze is very cold.

Canal side Ognes Parking

Beside the St. Quentin canal, quiet

49.62397

03.25560

We then continue our way down the Somme firstly beside the canal not far from Péronne

Canal side Omiécourt-Lès-Cléry Parking

Beside the Somme canal, quiet

49.94785

02.87587

and then onto a fishing area further to the west.

Fishing Ponds Parking

Very quiet with walks.

49.92143

02.66913

Next stop would have been a favourite spot at the mouth of the Somme, but before Easter in France and with sunshine floding he skies, the place was solid, in part because a number of camper parking spaces have been taken by farm equipment - on purpose? So we head around the bay to Le Crotoy and huge parking area.

Le Crotoy Parking

Massive area, all too close together. The usual French service tower.

50.21870

01.63459

and the following day to another spot beside a canal

Watten Parking

Very quiet beside the canal. Service tower.

50.83129

02.20836

Then to Dunkirk and Calais to get all the things done (shopping, vet visi) before we head off (well under) to prison island.

Sangatte Parking

A good place for the night with toilets and walks on the beach and the cliff top for Zoa

50.94081

01.74156

31-MAR We take the tunnel to

England

Where we spend time with good friends in Hockley, walking dogs, chatting and eating. Then onto Stonehenge for the night

Stonehenge Parking

No services, but a good view of the stones on the plains.

51.17746

W01.83206

Not a bad spot, no services but a good view and walks for Zoa. We used to be able to walk amoung the stones, but it's been privatised.

Then for a quiet night beside the canal with swans.

Environment Agency Parking

No services, but quiet

51.05295

W02.892033

And into Exmouth to visit a family friend and have a haircut. Zoa just loves the beach at low tide.

Exmouth Parking

Behind the beach, huge marked out slots especially for motorhomes.

50.61267

03.39927

Then onto the farm where Ruth has a break while Zoa and I head to Totnes. Walks, chats with my sister, food and delivery of all sorts of bits and pieces as well as "servicing" of my feet and medication.

We also visit Start Point - a favourite place.

28-APR - and into Town for the annual (still) MoT, an oil change and a cleanout of the air filter system on Ruth. The Sahara sand had made its presence known so the whole event was a lot more expensive than is usual. Hey Ho! We have Ruth washed, get the maximum allowed diesel fill up (£99) and head off northwards to a favourite overnight stop.

Environment Agency Parking

No services, but quiet

51.05295

W02.892033

The following day we make our way to an NHS center to have my 3rd vaccination registered. Now fully vaccinated and happy. A night in a carpark of a small Shropshire town.

Bridgnorth Parking

No services, near the town center. £2.40 daytime free overnight.

52.53995

W02.42214

Sleep comes easily andwe are up as the dawn arrives with a walk around the town before we leave for places north. We drive the A5 around Chester and arrive in New Brighton opposite Liverpool.

New Brighton Parking

Parking on the road behind the seawall.

53.43767

W03.06259

And then a Stena Line ferry (Embla - the name of the first woman in Viking culture) to

Northern Ireland

Shopping after an early morning arrival

a walk on the beach and an overnight stay

Bangor Parking

Free parking beside the bay.

53.43767

W03.06259

Knockinelder Bay Parking

A lovely spot on the bay

54.38529

W05.47382

We wake up early with the sound of Curlews calling - what a delight!

We then head around the point to Portaferry (where "The Bookshop" - 2017 was filmed).

Then over the ferry to Newcastle. And as we go further south we start to see election posters for Sinn Fein, up until now there haven't been any, just a few Union Jacks edorned with a picture of the monarch. I know what I think about this.

After a coffee and a run behind some impressive hills we seem to have arrived in

The Republic of Ireland

We take a look at New Grange, from behind the fence because tickets cannot be bought on site.

We then head to Skerries.

Skerries Parking

Parking in the road along the shore.

53.57883

W06.10503

A couple of walks on the phenominal beach, wide and flat. Then another day, another beach, this time Sandymount in Dublin, chatted with some nice people, so friendly.

Sandymount Parking

Beside the busy road, but close to where I need to be tomorrow - UCD.

53.32212

W06.20624

I have a meeting with Prof Barry Smyth who is the current holder of the "Digital AI Chair", donated by Digital Equipment Corporation nearly 40 years ago. It seems the project has been successful, with many PhDs and a few startups. He is a delightful, erudite man.

Greystones Parking

In the carpark of the trainstation overlooking the beach. Dogs not allowed 1-JUL to 30-SEP.

53.14492

W06.06054

We park up overnight because the height barriers are open. In the morning a lot of people marching for a local charity - suicide prevention. We head south on the main road, drive to the fabulous, almost unending sandy beach at Curracloe Beach for a walk

and then through Wexford to find a place for the night.

Rosslare Strand Parking

Along the shore from the terminal beside a long sandy beach. Toilets during the day.

52.27023

W06.93055

Busy during the day but we are alone at night. Some fog obscuring the ferry harbour.

Hook Head Parking

Beside the lighthouse. Lots of rocks. Free, no services.

52.12461

W06.93055

8-MAY and we stop at the beach parking in Tramore for a walk

Dungarvan Parking

Just south of the town next to sports facilities. €10 per day. Water in and out and for the toilet.

52.08442

W07.62137

Schull Port Parking

Free toilets and showers. A 5 minute walk to the village with a wide variety of shops.

51.52463

W09.54422

I chat with a local lady for some considerable time. She is an all-year-round swimmer - brrr, and also a group of ladies from further up the coast, what a delight the people I meet are!

We visit Mizen Point, not bad. And yet another time chatting, this time with a guy on a motorbike.

Glengarriff Port Parking

Fresh water and very quiet during the night.

51.749537

W09.542206

And another chat about the state of the world with a fellow van driver.

Fenit Beach Parking

A wide, flat beach. No services, but what a view of the hills.

52.28052

W09.87258

I chat to several dog walkers, such nice people.

Hook Lighthouse

No water at this port, it's been turned off.

52.12461

W09.93055

Ballyvaughan Parking

No water at this port, it's been turned off.

53.12122

W09.14776

Ballina Sports Parking

Beside a lake and a sports center.

54.12362

W09.14414

Zoa gets to visit the vet to look at a bloody bump on his nose. I also note someone has ried to break into Ruth - a probe of a screwdriver in the lock. We take the main road eastwards and end up beside the lake at a very friendly campsite.

Lough Arrow Touring Park,

Super site with a very friendly manager - John. Very clean.

54.06307

W08.30027

Coosan Point Parking

North of Athlone on the Shannon. Toilets

53.46396

W07.92887

Lanesborough Parking

Situated in a park beside a lake, part of the Shannon

53.67093

W07.99271

And a log chat with a dog owner in his 90s.

Grange Parking

Off the main road, but quiet.

54.39382

W08.52486

Just a place to stay for the night, with a discussion with a few people out for a Sunday meeting. We disagree on religion. In the morning we see a number of jack rabbits running past on the road. Lovely.

Glencolumbcille Parking

Beside a most perfect bay and river outlet.

54.70752

W08.74100

We visit the local museum which is made up of several thatched cottages. very interesting. Also a wonderful sandy beach and river outlet.

When we leave we head off back towards the south and park up down the hill from Sliabh Liag. The walk then reveals his view:

Ardara Parking

Near the town, beside the bay.

54.76212

W08.42329

A scruffy layby, but OK for one night. The biggest, most well-kept building in the village is - of course a huge church. Money being sucked out of the locals for a few promises. Maddening.

Narin Portnoo Beach

Right on the most wonderful, long, sandy beach. Toilets

54.83858

W08.44818

Dungloe Campsite

Another good site. All facilities, including laundry. Very clean and ship-shape.

54.94952

W08.35795

Next door to a school. How lovely to hear them playing. No guns here in Ireland since the "Troubles", well except for the local drug clans bumping each other off.

We do the local walk.

Next stop up the coast for another walk on a magnificent beach. Tra na Carraige Finne

Then on to another one at the port of Magheraroarty

Magheraroarty Port Parking

One has to give it to Donegal, it has the beaches with dunes

55.14590

W08.17363

29-MAY and off we go, very early in the morning around the coast to the Fanad Lighthouse for coffee and a walk.

Fanad Lighthouse Parking

Toilets at the café Amazing view, a tad windy.

55.27561

W07.63459

We also do a tour of the lighthouse itself before food and more coffee at the café where we chat with Marcia, Ken and Denis, three touring Mercans. Fun bunch. As Zoa gets cuddles from the staff.

Time to replenish some victals in Letterkenny and Derry before we head off to two nights beside the inlet

Buncrana Parking

Water services and a small shop.

55.27561

W07.63459

The beach is just right for Zoa.

1-JUN and off we go up to Misen Head which is set in rolling hills for a short walk.

Then back for some shopping and then a couple of nights on the most wonderful beach at Pollan Bay

Pottan Bay Parking

Simply a lovely place - well in the sunshine.

55.27561

W07.63459

The route then goes along the coast to Muff! hen into Derry.

Derry City Parking

Just across from the city over the Peace Bridge

55.00002

W07.312263

We cross this bridge "The Peace Bridge" which links the Protestant area with the Catholic before we walk part of the walls with a view of the Bogside.

The following day it's up the coast to Castlerock, above a static caravan site.

Castlerock Parking

Above the static caravans, beside the National Trust site

55.16668

W06.80031

Then, through Coleraine around the coast for two nights at:

Feigh Farm Campsite

Nice farm site with all facilities including a hot shower.

55.23487

W06.45607

A good site to then walk around the coast to the Giant's Causeway. We came back by bus.

8-JUN - Off around the coast, first in mist, but later sunshine interspersed with cloud to Whitehead.

Whitehead Parking

Rubbish bin only, but good for the ferry.

54.75588

W05.70256

9-JUN, we leave Whitehead and head into Belfast docks to take the ferry

to

Scotland

The first night back we end up in the dark next to an ex-RAF airfield.

Whitehead Parking

Remote, flat parking next o Loch Ryan. No services

54.96474

W05.79940

Stranraer Parking

Large carpark next to the port. Toilets during the day

54.96524

W05.07477

Then we are off to good friends in Prestwick for two nights before beginning he drive back to the South.

Loch Doon Parking

Beside the loch

55.22554

W04.38600

Nice place, remote and very quiet. However, the migets are out in force, and they bite!

We leave the nasty beasties very early the next morning stopping in Dumfries for shopping before heading back into

England

with a brief stop in Carlisle and then to the Ribble Viaduct

Ribble Viaduct

Just a layby, little traffic in the night.

54.21005

W02.35753

We leave with a massive moon behind wafting clouds and head down the M6 to preston

Ribble-side Parking

Quiet parking. Litter bins and good dog walks.

53.75335

W02.67828

Ruth the van gets a wash and we head off down the M6 and M5 to Tewksbury.

Tewksbury Parking

Quiet parking. Litter bins

51.98871

W02.15783

A lovely old village/town with parking in a large green area behind the abbey.

18-JUN - We leave early and head southwards, first to Cheltenham for a coffee, then to Brean for a walk on the beach. Another Skegness - oh dear. Taunton calls and we respond for a walk to see the trains and stay for the night.

Taunton Canon Street Parking

Quiet during the night. Lots of shops, including a closed-down Debenhams.

51.01686

W03.09951

On the way home we stop in Teignmouth for a walk and a coffee.

Then Totnes for van fixes (expensive brake pads) walks and family time.

Ruth the van ends up at friends' smallholding. While Zoa and I take an ocassional bus journey.

A delightful flower bed in Paignton in contrast to other aspects of the town - haha.

At the end of July we spend a few days cleaning and fixing small issues with Ruth. We celebrate Switzerland's 731 birthday quietly.

There is a heatwave which causes not just consternation, but also crop loss, death and destruction. Climate change anyone? (Says he who uses a lot of diesel in a year...)

Then in September the rain arrives and we prepare to leave prison island. Then things change and here is a new PM and a new monarchy.

Ruth the van has a few warning signs, probably to do with standing in a damp Devon farm for weeks.

We leave for places north, first Portishead for a night

Portishead Parking

Quiet road leading down to the water and next to a park. Toilets

N051.48924

W02.77532

And then a quite night at Shirehampton Park, with a couple of walks to meet a friend who has been on a 3-month trip to the Outer Hebridies, Shetland and Orkney.

Shirehampton Park Parking

Quiet road leading down to the water and next to a park. No services.

N051.49134

W02.66360

Then along the M4 for a night at the cricket field in Kings Langley

Kings Langley Parking

Flat parking with woods for dog walks.

N051.71487

W00.45964

Then off to do some shopping before visiting good friends in Hocklex, Essex for a couple of jabs and various other bits and pieces. Good dog walks through Hockley Woods. Chats too.
And, I get a flu jab and a booster too.

23-SEP and we are off to Dover, where all is very quiet as the DFDS ferry departs to

France

The rest of the night is spent in the Auchon parking in Dunkirk before we head around the cost for a dog walk and then a walk on the beach, supper and a quiet night with the good friends from Essex (they took the train) at Quend.

Quend Municiple Aire

Sandy, basic services and dog walks.

N051.71487

E00.45964

We walk in the dunes, but can't find access to the beach, just coffee and eats in Quend before both parties set off in different directions.

We end up beside a canal as we did at the beginning of the year.

Oise Canal Parking

Flat parking beside the canal for dog walks.

N049.48444

E00.77333

The weather changes as we get up, but then the sun comes out and we drive though fields of wind turbines along straight roads to another old stop

Mareuil sur Oy Parking

Under trees with toilets, payable water and lekkie.

N049.04515

E04.03414

Then on to Langres as the rain really arrives

Langres Parking

Under trees with toilets, payable water and lekkie.

N047.85437

E05.33562

before we head to an old friend on his smallholding.

Then off towards the border with Germany but still in France.

Fessenheim Parking

Water and dumping with good dog walks.

N047.91859

E07.53146

5-OCT - We leave and head to

Germany

Where Oyster Service France do a good job of fixing a problem with the TV receiver. Before we move on to

Switzerland

and meet good friends from California who are visiting Zurich with their Vizsla Loki - him and Zoa have a grand time in the Waid area.

then on to the campsite beside the lake.

Fischers Fritz Parking

All services, hot showers, but a tad expensive.>SFr. 40,-

N047.33617

E08.54084

Then time with faimily and good friends including a walk from Feldbach to Stäfa with a view of the mountains beyond Rapperswil.

More meetings with family and friends before we leave back to

France

for a quiet night under the stars.

Fessenheim Parking

Water and dumping with good dog walks.

N047.91859

E07.53146

The following morning I discover the motor has a warning light, so we drive to

Germany

and the dealer to get a new lamp and find a place to have the control system checked. The problem seems to be the starter battery - I shouldn't run the radio while the motor isn't running - and we drive on to another visit to these folk, excellent advice and service for Oyster. They fix two issues with the TV system. Highly recommended. Then another night in

France

before we drive to a good friend for a few days,

then on to Zoa's breeder.

To the south we go with a quiet night spent on a slope at

Saint Genis l'Argentière Parking

Dumping but nothing else

N045.709900

E04.488680

A second visit to a good friend who is a major ecowarrior who has saved, and continues to save European rivers.

A local garage which specialises in FIAT (no, he's not called Tony) looks at the problem, finds a substitute to prove my controller has gone sour and orders a new airbag conroller.

A couple of good walks in the local woods.

After nearly a week during which there are not just walks, but the local garage fixes the Airbag contoller, much to my relief, less so my bank balance. we head south on the N88 which is a lovely road high on the Massif Central, followed by the A75 with a crossing over this beauty

to Lodève.

Lodève central Parking

Quiet in the night

N043.73283

E03.31521

Perpignon Parking

An ex-shopping place, Nothing here

N042.66434

E02.88498

We get diesel, LPG and do a bit of shopping at Auchon. Then on to

Spain

A long day driving (400+ klicks) to La Zadia where we walk, eat and chat with a friend.

There is rain which impresses Zoa not one little bit.

We do another 400+ klicks but I get too tired before we reach the coast, so stay in a small village beside the motorway.

Riofrío Parking

Nothing here

N037.155899

E04.207280

Then on to the coast for a few days at La Cala de Mijas.

La Cala de Mijas Parking

Just a big carpark with access to water and black dumping.

N036.50454

E04.68451

San pedro Beach Parking

Toilets, nothing else

N036.47793

E04.98099

La Cala de Mijas Parking

Just a big carpark with access to water and black dumping.

N036.50454

E04.68451

I have a discussion with the Hymer dealer behind the coast and arrange for some work to be done. We spend a quiet night not far from the slammer.

Parking near the dealer

An as yet half-empty industrial park

N036.67260

E04.57917

Then back to the big carpark to meet friends, walk and enjoy the sunshine.

La Cala de Mijas Parking

Just a big carpark with access to water and black dumping.

N036.50454

E04.68451

We meet and eat with friends and always the morning walk along the beach.

Not forgetting the usual

I struggle with some electrical issues with Ruth the van. Because the batteries are no longer being charged by the engine when we drive, we have to stay on a campsite, so the last few days of the year we are at Cabopino.

Cabopino Campsite

A full service site next to the dunes.

36.50490

04.68375

Family and friends arrive for a visit, we walk on the beach, shop and generally survive in sunshine.