Spain 2011, Day Two

By the time it was morning we were leaving France for Spain, although we were woken early for a comfort stop.    As we drove into Spain a cold coastal fog drifted over the motorway and we began to fear the worst for the weather, but by the time we were passing Barcelona the sun was shining and it was starting to look good.

By 11:30 we were in Salou at the campsite and in our accommodation for the week and outside it was nice and hot in the sun.

  

Sorted in the chalet we set off for a walk into Salou town and by 14:30 we had been to the supermarket and were at the Marina, where we walked to the end of the pier and all had a cool refreshing beer I had thoughtfully bought for us.

  

It had been a long day and we had already walked over a mile so instead of walking all the way into the centre we just had a look around the area close to the marina and train station.  Being near the station we were considering a day out on the train later in the week but that would have to be worked out later.

 

Time for a beer and we could not see a bar open but there was a kebab shop wth beers, so we had a couple in there.  The beer was £1.36/pint, I think that was the cheapest we had this holiday and the food smelt and looked good but we had plans for supper.

We stopped off at the supermarket to get supplies for our evening meal and also the campsite shop for some cheap beers I spotted earlier.  We also had a beer at the campsite bar but just for research purposes you understand.

So we had frozen pizzas and home made oven chips for supper (the pizzas were cooked not frozen).  Long day very tired early night.

Spain 2011, Day One

As Mick did all the booking for the holiday, the pick up point was in Hartlepool at 06:15, when I checked the pick up in the Boro was 07:00.  As this was closer and later I phoned Siesta Holidays to see if Dot and I could switch our pick up to there, yes was the reply but they would have to charge us £40 to change the tickets.

We got a Taxi to Hartlepool at 05:45, where we met up with Mick and Bren, the bus was on time and we got seats on the top deck adjacent to each other.

The trip through England was long and a very strange route to accommodated the various pick up points and we had been on the bus for eight hours before we finally reached the channel.

We took the the train through the Tunnel, most disappointing as we like the ferry, where you have time for a wander round and a couple of beers.  My first time in the chunnel and I did not like it, although it was quick.

We had taken all the meals we would need for the trip in a cool bag, as we were not sure what the service and food would be like on the bus.  We need not have worried as the service was excellent and the food was very edible, at least we know for the trip back.

The trip through France was also a very strange route, not one that I would have chosen, anyway we passed the time looking at the scenery, watching old films, reading and drinking beer.  

Spain by Coach 2011

Even though on many occasions in the past, we had been to the continent by bus and said we would never do it again.  When an offer comes along for a weeks holiday in Spain for less than a week camping in England (if you include fuel charges), what can you do.  We booked.

So for less than £150 each we were off to Salou in Spain for a week in an eight berth mobile home/chalet, along with Mick and Brenda.

The one reservation we all had was, what would the weather be like in Salou in April, all the indication were that it would be warm but we never expected it to be as hot as it turned out to be.