First time Winter Rally at Majal Spain

I can't answer your other questions, but in relation to the fridge I would put the caravan on hook-up before setting off, getting the fridge as cold as possible, then put in what you want in there, and fill every available space with things like small boxes of orange juice which you've frozen previously.  When these defrost you can continue to use them.  That should keep the fridge cold enough - providing you don't open the fridge door until you're either on gas, or on hook-up.  Wrap the insulin in bubble wrap so it doesn't get too cold, but stays at a low enough temperature to preserve it. If you need any whilst on board take a cool bag with ice blocks to keep it at the correct temperature because you won't be able to access the caravan fridge whilst on board.

If you speak to Brittany Ferries they sometimes let you hook up, but check what supply they have ie voltage.

Re fridge, we did that crossing a couple of months ago. We had to leave home two days before the crossing and I had filled about five plastic litre milk bottles with water and frozen them in my domestic fridge. I turned the caravan fridge to its lowest setting and filled the freezer with all ready frozen home cooked meals. The bottles of water I put in the veg container in the bottom, Three days after we arrived in Spain i.e. six days after putting the frozen water in the fridge there were still huge chunks of ice in them so that I could not completely empty them.

The Portsmouth/Bilbao ferry doesn't get re-routed in bad weather, it just gets cancelled but it has to be pretty bad. Just make sure you have seasick remedies if you aren't a good sailor. My OH had 'mal-de-mer' last week crossing 'the bay' and that was on Queen Victoria!

Hi

Yes bikes are a sound idea. The site is surrounded by arable farmland and there are miles of tracks to cycle on off road. Used bikes are always available at the second hand shop I mentioned before, Marisol the owner is very helpful and can "get hold of anything".

The weather for northern Spain in February can be dodgy with plenty of snow. I use www.meteoalarm.eu and www.aemet.com then when further south www.costablancaweather.com all pretty accurate.

Hope you enjoy Marjal as much as we do.

Cheers

Hi Peedee

We sometimes stop off at Aranjuez if the traffics been bad. In November it's almost empty. Wifi is best on pitches just behind reception. They do a lovely roast chicken dinner in the restaurant.

I can usually get from there to Alicante in around three and a half hours

Cheers

Peedee,

I was interested that your first choice to Marjal was via Zaragosa rather than Madrid? .... is that to avoid the mountains? (My interest is because we may return that way from Almeria rather than via Granada/Madrid to Bilbao).

Using the Madrid route south from Burgos, I would also recommend the campsite at Riaza, just before the Somosierra Pass. Easy access from the A1, a bit shorter distance from Bilbao, and a very interesting town/village.