2023

Countries/territories visited: .es, .fr, .ch, .de, .be, england, wales, .it, .sl, .hr, .me, .al, .gr

We begin the year in Cabopino campsite

Cabopino Campsite

A full service site next to the dunes.

36.50490

04.68375

We walk, eat and watch netflix (care of son Barney) as well as trying to sort out the elecrical problem with Ruth the van. My sister comes to visit with her godchild and her 3 year old. Play on the beach and chatter too.

I do a project

Almost every morning we walk along the beach, sometimes with lightening on the other side of the Med in Algeria.

Waited practically the whole month for parts to come from Hymer. Not cheap either. Still, it's a relief when Ruth the van gets fixed.

We wait at the cabopino campsite until the weather improves. It has been a few years since we sat in the van for a whole day due to incessant rain.

Nice to see a true local out for a walk.

We get visitors during the night. Zoa was not happy, ran around, which caused one of these beasts to lunge at him.

20-FEB and we begin the trek back to Switzerland and then prison island.

We head up to the back of Malaga to Iznajar and spend the night beside the reservoir. Lovely and quiet.

Iznajar Reservoir

Right beside the water, no services

37.26024

04.31921

On leaving we head towards Granada but pickup a couple of hitchhikers who need to find a service station for the onward journey, so we end up near Almeria.

New Almeria Beach

Right beside the beach for walks, no services

36.81496

02.42495

Villaricos

Large area beside the sea and a river, no services

37.2425

01.7753

Further up the coast to La Azohia where we have been before. A tad windy.

La Azohia

Large sloped area, no services

37.5639

01.1735

We walk up the hill and also to the lighthouse. I notice I have aged. Some young boys annoy Zoa by exploding fireworks.

Pilar de la Horadada

Quite parking, nice beach, no services

37.8803

00.7545

Valencia Camper Park

All services

39.5795

00.4452

L'Aldea Motorhome Aire

Really nice place, water.

40.7494

00.6283

We spend a few days here, with lovely (sometimes tiring) walks along the canals. (I should pay more attention to the map, haha)

Peralada

Just a road in the NE of Spain, with a place to park for the night.

42.31284

03.01511

Then the next day up to Jonquera and into

France

Some essential shopping, like a SIM card and provisions. Then we drive all the way to the Camargue and Arles.

Arles, Van Goch's Bridge

A quiet piece of land off the road. No services. .

46.5911

04.62063

Vallabrègues

An official aire. No services. .

43.8581

04.6255

Camping Bagatelle

Full service campsite

43.9537

04.7977

We walk and walk through the walled city and meet a friend for lunch too. We look for a place alongside the Rhone to spend the night but fail. Into Geneva as the light fades and then onto the parking near Nyon as we wait for Swiss Francs to appear on the card.

Parking Nyon

Official parking up to a limit of 15 hours. No services.

46.3698

06.2283

Kirchberg Sportplatz

No services.

47.0895

07.5761

Parking Bremgarten

No services. Probably no longer allowed to stay the night, but it's off season.

43.9537

04.7977

Then time to visit friends and family before we spend a few nights at the Zurich campsite

Fischer's Fritz Campsite

Full services.

47.33644

08.55054

Then more time with a good friend in Stäfa

Back to Zuri for a few nights, same campsite.

6-APR - after more time with my sons we head off northwards to

Germany

and end up near Strassburg.

Kehl Industrial Area

No services. Surrounded by scrap metal, canals and railway tracks.

48.59422

07.81853

Then into

France

We drive in the French countryside and back into

Germany

where we spend the night in Saarbrücken, the DFG from the 1950's.

Saarbrücken DFG site

Neglected services. A nice lake but even the small railway has been neglected.

49.22979

06.96225

Then to

Luxembourg

where we do some shopping, and of course fill Ruth the van with diesel in Schengen.

Then non-stop into

Belgium

and to a peaceful parking next to a canal for beautiful mornings and walks.

Bellem beside the canal

No services, but oh so peaceful

51.0984

03.4934

After a couple of nights we head into

France

The DFDS ferry leaves from Dunkirk and we end up in

England

where on the other side it is dark and uninviting. We park up beside the M2 for a few hours and then proceed to West London where a meeting gets cancelled, then down to Gosport for a walk at Stokes Bay. The rain arrives again but we find a place to spend a quiet night. (There are now so many restrictions put on overnight parking in the region, it feels most unwelcoming.)

Lee-on-Solent

Victoria Square

50.08547

-01.20384

13-APR we visit my cousin, chat, walk and have lunch. The night is spent in a familiar place as the wind rattles the van for much of the night.

Stonehenge Parking

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

51.17746

W01.83206

Then on for lunch and much caht with an old friend before we head off to Bristol where we don't avoid be charged for entering the environment zone even as we stick to the main roads towards the motorway. This is a scam forced on local governments because the central government has reduced their funding.

Shirehampton Park Parking

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

051.49134

W02.66360

We spend a few days at a friend's house playing odd job man. Then onto Exmouth beach for a few nights with delightful walks on an extended beach.

Exmouth Parking

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

50.61267

03.39927

Then back to Totnes for all the usual activities....

Where a low Devon stone wall leaps out at Ruth the van...

We are lucky to see the "Flying Scotsman" fly past, well twice actually.

There is also a trip to Exeter (in fact to avoid the magic hat ceremony) and locate where I was born. The Devon and Exeter Hospital in Southernhay.

It closed in 1974.

Meanwhile, back in Zuri, the Wysteria I planted in the garden of my delightful landlady 20+ years ago is doing its thing again...

Any number of things to be fixed, mostly my old body.

Oh, and a day trip to Plymouth.

We also see the Flying Scotsman celebration train.

Then off we go back northwards

Environment Agency Parking

No services, but quiet

51.05295

W02.892033

Then around Bristol and into

Wales

We take the main road to Swansea, then up the 4069 to Brynaman for the view,

but it's too windy so we spend the night

Llandeilo - Station Rd Parking

No services, but quiet, with a river walk the other side of the railway station

51.8854

-3.9871

Then, our goal:

Lleithyr Farm Holiday Park

Full service site with a lot of rabbits.

51.8976

-5.2752

And a short walk the first day.

Day two and we walk into the city - yep St. David's is officially a city.

Just a very pleasant location, very quiet, not like the Caravan and Motorhome campsite next door. Oh, and lots of rabbits.

England

Then time back in Totnes with van repair and other maintainence issues. Haha. The summer seems to me to be quite warm again and the UV index is around 4 or 5. Phew!

As an important customer at the local bodyshop Ruth also gets a wash.

We also spend a few days at the smallholding looking after the ducks and hens. Bucolic.

And a Sunday walk down to Salcome. And another walk to Kingsbridge in the rain.

The ducks don't care.

Then a few days near Tavistock, for walks on the Moor.

Camping and Caravanning Club Tavistock

Full service site, very friendly staff. Apparently open all year. Not easy for dog walks. Bus to/from the town.

50.55420

-4.09406

Then back to Tones and up to the farm for me to wash and polish Ruth the van to go with her new MoT and 4 x new (mountain) shoes.

Then back to Totnes for 20 days before we set off on the journey south for the Winter!

We get to see the Kingswear Castle paddle steamer.

And another Steam train rushes through Totnes station, this time the 60007 Sir Nigel Gresley. And again on the "up" line.

31-SEP - Talks with friends and family before we leave eastwards. Coffee in Abbostbury.

First a stop for lunch with good people, colleages in Dorset.

Then onto a cousin in Stubbington for chats, walks and Fish & Chips.

The following day it's on to meet another new (recently discovered) family member and discovery. Nice folk and some delightful photos and stories. We then drive on to Lydd for the night.

Lydd Village

Overnight allowed on the village Green. A couple of nice pubs which I didn't use.

N50.95022

E0.91022

4-OCT - an early morning ferry

to

France

So, tired, and I pull over at a layby for a few hours and then drive to:

Ognes Canal Parking

Delightful parking beside the canal for dog walks and to watch the world (well barges) pass by.

N049.462397

E03.25560

A couple of relaxing days then on to a lake/reservoir with a lot of bird life.

Then to a good friend in eastern France.

Unfortunately the "engine check" light has returned so we leave and go to

Germany

- to a motorhome garage in Müllheim, they run a test and it seems to cooling fan is causing the problem, not dangerous unless the engine becomes overheated, which is currently not the case.

Then onto a couple of quiet nights in Lauchringen next to the Swimming Pool and the river.

Lauchringen Parking

Quiet for the night and good walks.

N047.6229

E08.3149

Coffee and some shopping at the Bioladen. We then head to jestetten for LPG, but after I remove the pump gas comes out of the input point. Not good! So we head to

Switzerland

to the place that installed the gas in the first place, but it's colsed but I am told another garage would be able to fix it. At Purat Autoklima AG the boss looks at the issue and recommends I visit SELZAM AG in Winterthur where they install a new input value and also fix the legs on the awaning. Thank you Adam! We then head back to

Germany

Hohentengen am Hochrhein

On the brow of a hill with views of the Alps and the ocassional airplane floating by.

N047.6006

E08.4332

And son Barney comes to visit in his green VW. We go on to Lauchringen for walks along the river and breakfast coffee.

Lauchringen Parking

Quiet for the night and good walks.

N047.6229

E08.3149

He leaves and I go to the stellplatz for a night.

Lauchringen Stellplatz

has the basic services.

N047.6255

E08.3136

Then onto Dielsdorf for LPG and then Zurich to see family.

And a good friend up the lake.

Then back into the city for a few nights.

Fischer's Fritz Campsite

Full services.

47.33644

08.55054

for time with family and see the local mountain, even cook a risotto.

Then off up the Gottard and down to

Italy

To the site at the Garda Lake.

Butterfly Campsite

Full services. But we were lake, so a "provisional" pitch.

45.44516

10.69456

A day of driving to

Slovenia

where I get a bit lost trying to avoid a toll, which made sense because I couldn't find a way to buy a vignette.

Croatia

and on the ferry to Par island for another night at

Camping Strasko

Full services.

44.54812

14.88150

I really like this campsite, with a lovely beach, but the nudie beach which Miloš and I used on the first visit no longer exists. A stop in Ston before a quiet night in

Camp Pod Orasac

Full services. Very clean, but hilly walk down to the beach

42.69936

18.00548

and another day and night at

Kate Campsite

Small, with clean services.

42.62415

18.20753

Montenegro

Through customs (country number ) and around the inlet to Kotor

Kotor Lake Parking

Just a carpark, but a beach for swimming.

42.42192

18.76413

We walk the old town which is your typical tourist trap. Zoa gets really nervous about the ever-present cats. We have a quite night with a view

Then onwards to the south. The country seems to be just about holding onto the sides of the mountains. Goodness knows how people eek out a living. Such a contrast to Croatia which has such a lot of attractive tourist locations.

Ulcinj (Miami) Campsite

Just on the water with a beach for dogs and swimming.

41.90789

19.25091

Next stop

Albania

Where we carefully avoid some of the more agressive drivers and go to a beach for the night

Shëngjin Beach

Quiet but not clean, shallow water.

41.77896

19.60322

Three quiet nights with flocks of heron flying over in the evening.

Down the main road to the hill town of many windows, Berat.

Berat Castle Campsite

Somewhat out of town, quiet and very friendly. All services.

40.72043

19.94910

Ruth is washed in the night which did not make Zoa happy. The morning brings sunshine and we walk up to Berat Castle. I fancied a trip to the waterfalls up the valeey, but didn't want to take Ruth. so we move on down the coast to Vlore which does not please, so further south to a place beside the water.

Orikum Beach

Beside the water, not cheap but good grilled fish.

40.34230

19.47967

Note about Albania. I doubt I have seen so many service stations beside the roads. The only other stretch which comes to mind is the road in the Greek Peleponnaise leading south from Patras. There is definitely a car culture here, never seen so many mercedes, they seem to do well here, a few Audis and almost n BMWs. Some men make a lot of noise. Zoa is not happy. Another aspect is the large number of carwash stations. All part of the male-dominated culture I guess.

We leave and drive up and over the pass onto a beach.

Borsh Beach

No services, a few vans because it's off season.

40.04915

19.84351

A bit of a windy night beside a sandy beach. Wake up in the dark to a view of several ferries on their way to the east of Corfu. A long drive, again up and down with a view of a wide velly before we head into the hills, past The Blue Eye, which I didn't realise, or would have stopped, to Girokaster and a reasonable campsite, slightly out of town.

Opal Campsite

Hard standing, minimal facilities but good coffee and free washing machine.

40.08901

20.13869

We then go shopping and walk up to the castle for a grand view, a bite to eat and a chat with a local.

The following day Ruth gets a wash and a dry before we take the (new) main road first north then down to Saranda, Ksamil for a visit to the Roman ruins. What a huge site it is.

Ruth gets to try out the small pontoon for €14 and we head up to the border with

Greece

Along the coast and to our usual beach at Igoumenitsa.

Igoumenitsa

Just a beach. Ocassional wind a shower and a view of the ferries arriving and leaving.

39.51423

20.21523

Sadly, it seems even in the off-season, someone has complained about the vans here and le flic come by each evening and clear us out. I found a carpark for most of the night. Then we return to the beach for part of the day, but my sense is this isn't the way it should be so we drive on to Plataria

Plataria Beach

On a piece of green grass next to a restaurant. Sound of the waves brushing the beach.

39.44526

20.27394

Three nights with a dip in the Med every morning. Walks and good food and coffee at Vespa Rosa.

if only...

As we make our way down the coast a favourite stop is the long beach at

Beach Kastrosykia

Parking at a restaurant.

39.44526

20.27394

More good food and water too.

Then through the tunnel (this time only €2.6 instead of €11?) and on the new road, and another one being completed, to Lefkada where we park next to the museum.

Lefkada Museum

Parking with no services, easy access to the town.

38.83557

20.70309

We spend several nights with shopping, coffee, walks and also the Oxi parade celebrating the Greek Flag.

Palairue Beach

Only a beach taverna

38.79652

20.85487

Astakos Beach

Just rough ground not far from the ferry.

38.53487

21.08871

Risa Beach

Opposite Patras, showers

38.35044

21.70241

Akrata Beach

Just showers and a few coffee places, taverna.

38.17075

22.33941

A few quiet nights walks on the river bed and then towards Corinth we rest here for a night

Paralia Perigiali

Parking beside a shingle beach

037.94002

022.85263

then before the ferry we stop for two nights up the coast

Kineta Beach

Just a shingle beach

37.95478

23.19258

Then to Pireaus and the ship to Heraklion, overnight without enough sleep on a chair.

Malia Beach Parking

Nice beach, some wind, no services but a water tap along the beach

35.29613

25.48954

We then go to Elounta for a few days for swimming and short walks,

Elounta Port Parking

Quiet during the night

035.26332

025.72281

including a couple of nights at Plaka where the water in the bay is still quite warm

Plaka Parking

Quiet during the night

035.3021

025.7267

and the walk along the shore has this view.

Then to another quite beachside in Ammos

Ammos Parking

No services, tavernas all closed. Lapping of the waves.

035.1093

025.8065

And another couple of nights in Màlia

Malia Beach Parking

Nice beach, some wind, no services but a water tap along the beach

35.29613

25.48954

Next it's onward for shopping in Heraklion and a night stop in Bali.

Bali Parking

Large, deserted capark, shower on the beach

035.4060

024.7865

River Taverna Parking

QSomewaht away from the road and more importantly people.

035.37047

024.52380

Some shopping and then on to Georgioupolis for a night. A cute little village which is very (nicely) quiet at this time of year.

Georgioupolis port

Quiet with fresh water.

035.36413

024.26101

Kalyves Beach Parking

Beach parking off the main coastal road, with a few shops and good coffee at Fresh & Cool.

035.45170

024.17584

We also spend a night in Chania for shopping and having Ruth's oil and filter changed.

Chania Beach Parking

Two beaches and a running track. Toilets in the café

035.51331

023.97767

Then back for a walk and gentle time (apart from a thunderstorm) in Kalyves.

Kalyves Beach Parking

Beach parking off the main coastal road, with a few shops and good coffee at Fresh & Cool.

035.45170

024.17584

before heading off to the deserted beach at Marathi.

Marathi Beach Parking

Beach parking near a couple of restaurants (closed) and a toilet (French classic design)

035.50383

024.17425

A traditional project

We spend a night back in Chania

Chania Beach Parking

Two beaches and a running track. Toilets in the café

035.51331

023.97767

And pay a parking fine and do some shopping. We go back to Kalyves for the rest of the year.

Kalyves Beach Parking

Beach parking off the main coastal road, with a few shops and good coffee at Fresh & Cool.

035.45170

024.17584

The problem with the fridge takes a new turn in that the 220v and the engine power (alternator) on 12v works, but the gas no longer. This means travelling is a problem. I contact a couple of places to see if it can be fixed. One in Heraklion, the other in Athens - but once of Crete we probably won't come back again this year. A tricky decision.

We visit the cave and hermit quarters.

The moon seems quite strong this month

And Gerald Ford is in town. This time I get to see her head out.

Zoa does what he does best.

After yet another fabulous walk in the hinterlands with good friends as the dogs rush hither and thither, we head to favourite place which I hope will be a bit quieter for poor Zoa - he really is quite upset about any loud bangs as he ages. That in spite of him visiting a shooting range up close as a puppy.

Stavros Bay Parking

No services, great view.

035.59263

024.09502