Stuck in Spain
Comments
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We're in contact with a group that left two days ago. they say the main roads are virtually empty apart from a bit of goods traffic, and as BB stated a while back British reg. plates are being waved through by the gendarmes. They've also highlighted some places to stopover. Not driven in France for twenty years but I guess it could be anywhere as the main focus is to get back to UK.
JK
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JK
Safe journey home and things must be bad stopping at Zaragoza municipal for one night LOL, Just seen on Spanish TV that the Brits are being allowed through France but have to sign some declaration paper work stating why you are in France and that you will not be stopping.
Have you had contact with the club and seen the options you are being given??? think if we were working this summer we may have stayed at home for our own safety
Good luck
Phil
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just a couple of points...
friends went through the tunnel yesterday (after a long journey) and all was fine....seems Dover ferries and tunnel still operational, obviously not BF.
Also, on our way home ive never seen as many 'Travellers' on the road or parked up in laybys or other 'handy spots'.
its a bit of a long way round to Calais but Zaragosa and Camping Larouletta (at Urrugne) would be good stops.
Camping Nantes (usually a convenient next stop) is closed apparently...
obviously, we were able to use aires at St Jean de Luz and Fontenay-le-Comte, an option for any MH not travelling in convoy...
good luck all, its a long way (when you dont want to go) and a PITA but its doable....take care.
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I wonder how long it’ll be before folk coming home are checked?, I think it will happen. The Chinese Govt are telling their overseas nationals to delay returning.
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JK has said he's going to self isolate on his return 👍🏻
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Erm, my post wasn’t about JK it was a question re general check on incoming nationals👍🏻
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I think it should happen. I read that China had no new domestic cases yesterday, but 45 new cases, all of whom apparently had returned to China. Now I'm not saying that I believe all the figures that come out of China, but if that is the case, I don't understand why people weren't checked on arrival in the first place.
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Hiya Phil,
Yeah I know Zaragosa eh!! But we're in convoy with caravans too and some are very nervous.
All our paperwork is together with multiple copies lol!
Spoke several times with our RM, pretty much know what we'll be doing. Living this lifestyle we've learned always to have a plan B up your sleeve so no worries for this year. All about staying safe (or trying!)
Make your own luck mate, my glass is always brimming lol.
JK
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Hiya,
get back to you on here in morning if ok. Got a planning meeting (outside, 2 meter separation)
JK
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Cheers BB,
Trying to look at the journey as a bit of an adventure! I think it's good to convoy. Useful stop ideas thanks.
We're going to leave Sunday morning now, best to make allowances for the nervous I think.
JK
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Hi
We'll be in whatever furthest corner at least 25 meters from anyone, we won't be using any site facilities either. There'll be a designated tap and drain for my use only, so we literally will have no contact at all for 14 days minimum. I have at least 3 weeks supply of gin and brandy and around a small ponds worth of vino. Colleagues will be purchasing our supplies to be left at a drop point. Aren't I looking forward to all that?!!!!!!
JK
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And there's me feeling all important R2
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We've heard that all Aires and Truck stops in France have now been closed.
Can anyone corroborate please?
As from today so experiences prior to today not helpful...
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Hi
You're correct in your assumption Pete.
We're just going to wing it but as we're in convoy we've agreed to sleep in shifts so there's always someone about.
Apparently the popular aires and truckstops have been abused this week by partying Brits. But I think that any public areas are being shut down, everywhere except our country?!!!
JK
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JK
Can i give you a little bit of advise on route out of Spain please tell me to do one but in my opinion the best route over the Pyrenees specially if some people are nervous or have never driven this way or have larger outfits.
This is from someone who does this trip several times a year and as you know specially at this time of year on the way back home.
From Zaragoza take the AP-68 west and then take the AP-15 towards Pamplona, when getting close to Pamplona your Sat Nav at this point will try and take you onto the N121 because its maybe quicker but this road is single lane in places so don't.
My advise at this time of year (snow) would be to carry on the AP--15 around Pamplona which in turn becomes the A-15 but still dual carriage like the Motorway but basically the same road now all the way over the mountains to the AP-1/AP-8 then onto the border.
Yes this route is a bit longer but maybe a bit quicker and the lorries use it also but they can overtake you if going a bit slow unlike the N121 and well worth it because the views on a good day are quite something.
Hope this helps you have a safe journey
Regards
Phil
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You are important👍🏻, very, very important. . .Just not in Rockyworld-sorrrrreee🤟🏻
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Thanks Phil
Planning meeting I morning so I'll bring your advice along. good to learn from your experience.
What's life in your village like this week? There's quite a few cases in Aguilas now. We're in the mountains a bit inland but there's now a worry here. As with all sites in Spain now, they have to close to all but residents. Going to be a long week but I should learn quite a bit how the "other" club is run as there's a site chappie in our convoy. Hey, this thing brings us all together.
Stay safe mate
JK
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on the way back, yes there were non fuel 'highway aires' (picnique areas) that were being closed...to stop fraternising, i guess...fuel stations (with rest areas) were open.
however, the town aires (MH overnighting) we used were open.
if being given open transit, you still have to stop somewhere...
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Afternoon
So, I got my timing just right this morning. Loaded car on trailer, strapped down, hitched up to already loaded motorhome all good to go apart from a few bits. Just went in for a brew and blimey the heavens have opened. Not used to this wet stuff, it's the first rain we've had for a good six weeks! It's forecast for next couple of days so tomorrows journey will be interesting. Our nervous convoy members are already in panic mode.
JK
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Oh dear, just to add to the problems you already face, hope the wet stuff doesn't turn to snow higher up.
I wish all of you a safe journey back through Spain and France, don't envy you, but at least you're travelling together, so for those who are a bit nervous, that must be a godsend. I know if we were in that situation, we'd feel a lot better to be travelling with others, and we're not the nervous type.
Travel safely.
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All the very best from me, too.
We're on standby to do more or less the same journey as you but in the opposite direction as soon as conditions allow, although I fear that we may have to wait quite a long time.
Safe journey.
If time allows, do keep us up to date on the progress of your return trip. Otherwise just let us know when you get home.
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Evening,
Thanks for all your good wishes. I'll try and update on here when I can. We're on the road at nine am tomorrow.
I think overall we feel reluctant to go as we've felt reasonably safe here out in the sticks, only a dozen folks on site all adhering to common sense so not looking forward to going back to UK and what seems to be disorder. Hey Ho, need to get back to hopefully some gainful employment of sorts, sure the club will have something for us?!
Early night tonight, feel incredibly tired for some reason, I guess a bit of stress has arrived, didn't help that the lemon harvest next door began at five am this morning!
Take care all
JK
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Hey Lutz, if you get there this summer can you water my bouganvillia for me?!! You'll see my fifth wheeler, cheers
JK
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More than halfway back. Despite our initial thoughts that we should stay, restrictions are becoming more draconian. Spain doesn't want any touirists there.
Heres the latest day of our repatriation...
http://www.caravanramblings.co.uk/?p=3579
Good luck to all travelling back
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Phil, this was the route we used and it was easy...
we usually use the N121-A to Irun as its free, scenic and a tad shorter but there was a school of thought that, should any firther lockdown occur, the 121 is a bit out in the sticks and a closure of any nearby village might see the whole road closed....
whereas the Mway is more likely to be kept open.
good luck all...
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A piece of advice to anyone on their way back, stay on the autoroutes in France. There are checkpoints on a lot of the N roads, and even on minor roads where they join the autoroutes, and the gendarmes are stopping people to check paperwork. Your journey will be much more straightforward and easier if you stay on one road, rather than try to wind through towns and villages where you may be stopped several times on town and departement boundaries.
I know we enjoy 'off-autoroute' journeys, but these are not to be recommended under the present difficult circumstances. The traffic apparently isn't heavy because everyone is 'staying at home'.Safe journeys every one.
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