It was decided when we began planning our move to our small apartment in Spain that we would leave all our major possessions behind and take only personal effects with us. We would take so little that it would probably fit into the boot of our Clio. As we began packing we revised this to "fit into the luggage compartment of a Range Rover". Later this plan was totally abandoned and the “essentials” we decided we could not leave behind amounted to 56 cartons and we had to employ the services of a removals company, David Dale Removals, to transport them to our new home.
We discussed our car requirements and concluded that we should take both of our cars to Spain and run them as long as we can afford to. The Clio was required for the journey so we consigned the Mazda to the tender care of Anchor Vehicle Logistics.
Total cost for the removal company (£420) and car transport (£660) was £1080 which everybody agreed was a fair price.
Day 1 – Bacup to Calais.
The day began at 5:00am and we were on the road by 6:00am. It was a lovely day and quite uneventful. Our Chunnel crossing was booked for 3:50pm but we arrived at noon. As we drove in to the terminal the automatic booth recognized our vehicle and offered us an earlier crossing at no extra charge so we took the 12:50 and half an hour after that we were driving off the train in Calais. We had booked our hotel in Guines at the Auberge du Colombier. It was nice if somewhat plain. The adjoining camp site has been improved since our last stay there and the swimming pool has had a cover built over it allowing swimming in any weather. A very restful country hotel and campsite.
Day 2 Calais to Arsenval (Champagne country)
Our previous journeys along the stretch of Autoroute from Calais to the Champagne area have usually been halted for an overnight in Reims but this time we sailed past. The Autoroute journey provided entertainment in the form of a group of Supercars travelling no doubt to the French race circuit in Burgundy. They were travelling in convoy but every now and then two of them would hurtle past at what we estimated to be about 150mph whilst the remaining four held back to watch out for Les Flic. We were constantly leapfrogging each other as they took it in turns for a blast then slowed down to wait for their companions. Our 3* hotel in Arsenval, Hotel La Chaumiere, was closed when we arrived but a phone call to the proprietor (an English lady) allowed the electric gates to be opened and we drove in and parked. Our room was in an annexe in the grounds of the hotel. It was delightful. The day was sunny and warm allowing us to take the dogs out for a long walk along the river. We had booked a gourmet evening at this hotel and it was very nice with Champagne at dinner and a specially made meal by chef. The buffet breakfast was also included.
Day 3 Arsenval to Tournus (Burgundy)
A fantastic drive through beautiful forests and open countryside (on D roads) but at times the rain was torrential. By the time we arrived in Tournus the sun was breaking through and we had a lovely afternoon. In this town there is a Tefal factory which has a shop selling the Company’s products at very reasonable prices so we availed ourselves of that. We have stayed in Tournus many times in the past as it is a lovely town on the banks of the Saone. The motel we use “The Village Motel” has however been allowed to slightly deteriorate and we were not as pleased with it as we have been in the past. They are less trusting than they used to be and asked for payment on arrival. As we had planned a two night rest here we stumped up the money. When we awoke on Wednesday (day 4) it was hammering down with rain thus ruining our plans for the day. We phoned ahead and booked a hotel near Nimes. The motel would not return our money for the night so we took it on the chin and set off.
Day 4 Tournus to Uchaud (Near Nimes)
We were glad we did this as it turned out. For one the journey we had planned from Tournus to the Spanish border would have been a long day, and secondly this hotel in Uchaud, Le Clos des Capitelles, was beautiful. The proprietor spoke excellent English and made us very welcome. The town is very old and when we saw the hotel we were somewhat concerned. However we were invited to drive through the old arched entry (probably designed for coach and horse) and were shown to a group of chalets at the back of their very long garden. Each room was individually named, contained a king-sized bed, a fridge, separate toilet and bathroom, and a patio outside with table and chairs. Their restaurant was 200m along the main street and the food was excellent and reasonably priced. Breakfast was buffet style. Although we lost some money on the cancelled night in the motel we had a lovely relaxing afternoon in this beautiful garden and a pleasant night in a lovely room.
Day 5 Uchaud to St Cyprien Plage (Close to the Spanish border)
A reasonably short trip on the Autoroute and (what a surprise) it started raining just as we arrived in St Cyprien. This didn’t last for long however and we were able to take our little charges out for a long walk along the beach. This was a holiday style holiday hotel on the sea front, Hotel Mar I Sol, and the staff were very polite and helpful. The Receptionist warned us to move our car from the front of the hotel as the streets were taken over on the Friday morning by the market and we would be trapped where we were until 1:00pm. With this warning we were able to take a trip around the market then still leave town on schedule.
Day 6 St Cyprien to Benicassim (Between Barcelona and Valencia).
Within an hour we had crossed the border and were at last in Spain. In France when we wanted a break on the Autoroute we used their picnic areas which are large, often have play areas for the kids, always have toilets (if somewhat old-fashioned), and are green and restful. The UK could learn a lesson from them. In Spain however we found that the rest areas are more like lay-byes with no facilities. Our journey to Benicassim took us “round the back” of Barcelona and what a huge city it is. The route reveals its large industrial areas etc. By now we were getting a bit fed up with driving and were glad to arrive at our hotel for the night, the Voramar (although they have a splendid web site it is cheaper to book via Agoda whose link is below). This was a splendid 3 star hotel and the poshest of the entire journey. It is situated right on the beach and each sea-view room has its own large terrace complete with patio furniture and hammock. Our booking (made through Agoda) included breakfast so we ordered room service and so were able to enjoy fresh fruit salad, coffee, bread basket, preserves, and fruit juice on our terrace overlooking the sea.
Day 7 Benicassim to Campoamor (Home)
Excitement as we begin the last leg. We travelled on the Autovia as far as Valencia then cut inland on what we would call in England, A roads. This was a splendid choice as we moved along fast roads in beautiful countryside in huge valleys and between mountains. We stopped for minimal supplies at a local supermarket and arrived home at about 3:30pm.
-----
Overall we were a bit disappointed with our journey. What was planned to be a week’s holiday, slowly moving down through France into Spain was somewhat spoiled by the weather. We had rain on most days preventing the walks, picnics, and town-visits we had planned en route. It also ruined the two night stopover in the lovely town of Tournus. However by leaving Tournus earlier than planned we got to visit Uchaud and had two shorter days' driving into the bargain so on balance it wasn’t so bad.
A slow drive has its advantages but it can simply turn into a long journey.
Benicassim was the best afternoon of the journey as the sun was out and we enjoyed a long walk and Champagne on our terrace afterwards. That was also the best hotel in terms of quality and facilities. The overall price including the champagne, dinner and breakfast was actually less than other places we stayed.
For quiet and relaxation we liked the hotel in Uchaud, Le Clos des Capitelles. Their rooms were the best equipped of the 2 star hotels, were very quiet, and were set in a beautiful garden area.
I have to say that the most overrated night was Arsenval. The owner seemed a little full of herself and we felt we would have been better off by paying for two soiree etapes rather than the gourmet evening.
The poorest hotel was the Village Motel in Tournus (hence no link). It has been allowed to deteriorate and the paths and gardens around the rooms need to be improved.
All hotels in France apart from the Village Motel were selected from Logis de France. The room-prices varied from 50 to 70 Euros per night and breakfast was 7.50 or 8.50 Euros per person. Although I have travelled in France for over 30 years I still cannot reconcile the price they charge for breakfast which normally consists of little more than half a baguette, some butter and jam, and a coffee.
The main reason for taking such a long journey by car was a) to have a holiday, and b) we felt it would have been difficult for our two dogs if we had driven for longer each day, and had only three overnights along the way. We shared 1500 miles driving in 7 days. The Clio behaved beautifully and achieved 53.5mpg with its 1.4 litre diesel engine. We stopped at least every two hours for leg-stretching etc. and aimed to arrive in each stopover town by 3:00pm.
We shan’t do it again of course as we are now here for good and any travelling back to the UK will be for short periods and will be by air.
-----
A word for the Transport Companies.
Our cartons of “essentials” arrived as promised via David Dale Removals. All went well from collection to delivery and all staff were courteous and helpful.
My MX5 was delivered on the back of a car transporter by Anchor Vehicle Logistics with no damage and again the whole transaction went well.
I can recommend both Companies.
-----