Dogs abroad

DudSue
DudSue Forum Participant Posts: 3
edited February 2021 in Overseas Campsites & Touring #1

Hi all

We are in our first year with the MH , (Elddis Accordo 125 with drive-away awning) and had a lovely 10-day, five-site, UK tour between lock-downs in 2020.

We are contemplating a three-week trip by ferry, Portsmouth to Santander, touring through northern Spain then in to France, (on pre-booked sites) and ultimately back Calais to Dover, June-July or September-October.

We have a well behaved, late middle-aged Working Cocker Spaniel, which we would like to take. To keep it simple, does anyone have experience to say, 'yes do it' or 'you must be mad'? Either response and any supplemental information very welcome.

Thank you so much, Dudley & Sue

Comments

  • eurortraveller
    eurortraveller Club Member Posts: 6,829 ✭✭✭
    2,500 Likes 1000 Comments
    edited February 2021 #2

    For the dates you have mentioned it is completely unnecessary to pre book campsites. There is no need to tie yourself down. Relish the freedom you have in Spain and France to go as you please. 

    Takng a dog is perfectly possible and very common - so common that the dog cabins on the ferries to Spain need reserving very quickly -  but takng your dog will certainly limit the things you can see and do - but you must choose what is important to you.

    Good wishes. 

  • Unknown
    Unknown Forum Participant
    edited February 2021 #3
    The user and all related content has been Deleted User
  • peedee
    peedee Club Member Posts: 9,387 ✭✭✭
    2,500 Likes 1000 Comments Name Dropper
    edited February 2021 #4

    Yes go for it, nothing to worry about. I agree with Eurotraveller. Dogs can be limiting especially if you cannot take them on public transport or some beaches. My last dog was quite happy to stay in the motorhome on the occasions when it was necessary and was no trouble at all.

    peedee

    P.S. I would give the cocker a close shave before departure.

  • Rufs
    Rufs Club Member Posts: 4,072 ✭✭✭✭✭
    1000 Comments
    edited February 2021 #5

    3 weeks does not seem to be a sufficient time for the trip you are planning but i tug a caravan so maybe different for a MH, as for dog, we always take our pooch with us, he is now 8 years old, but be warned it is very expensive to get all the necessary vaccinations, paperwork that would enable you to take pooch with you, and the rabies procedure could take 4 months or more to complete, i would start talking to your vet now, we would have been taking ours in April but have cxld because of covid, but yes perfectly doable, if you cant get a dog friendly cabin, there are kennels available which are ok and you do have access to your dog for exercise etc we have used kennels but prefer dog friendly cabin but these are like gold dust to get hold of.

    We now prefer one of the channel ports  e.g. Portsmouth - Cherbourg and then drive down thru France into Spain, these are only 5 hour crossings and pooch can sleep in the boot, only down side is except in emergency you have no access to your vehicle, i guess with a MH dog would be ok inside MH, normally plenty of time to exercise pooch before you board.

    p.s. dog friendly beaches in Spain during summer months are few and far between undecided

  • Unknown
    Unknown Forum Participant
    edited February 2021 #6
    The user and all related content has been Deleted User
  • Rufs
    Rufs Club Member Posts: 4,072 ✭✭✭✭✭
    1000 Comments
    edited February 2021 #7

    3 weeks taking in France & Spain, not that we look at costings too much and duration is not an issue for us normally go for 70-80 days, but e.g. £1500 for ferry, fuel (conservative) , pooch £500, OK some good sites for probably less than you would spend in the UK and then of course you can make use of the aires network in France.

    As this is your first time and you are relatively new to MH'ing i would open up a spread sheet and enter all your costs, e.g. i see you live in West Yorkshire so you will have fuel costs in the UK and possibly an overnight stay somewhere in the UK before boarding the ferry, ferry costs, toll roads, fuel, pitch fees, pooch etc, would be an interesting exercise even if cost is not a problem for you, good luck

    p.s. just doing France as a starter maybe an option laughing 

  • eurortraveller
    eurortraveller Club Member Posts: 6,829 ✭✭✭
    2,500 Likes 1000 Comments
    edited February 2021 #8

    Hi Dudley, Ruf's prices might put you off.  An easy option - and far cheaper - would be a Poole to Cherbourg return - with flexible ferry prices for you both plus Motorhome and dog looking like £450 return for 3 weeks in September. Then a nice little Normandy / Brittany tour using an ACSI card if you prefer campsites at discounted prices rather than using Motorhome Aires. Go on, have a go ! The nasty virus will surely be tamed by then. 

  • Rufs
    Rufs Club Member Posts: 4,072 ✭✭✭✭✭
    1000 Comments
    edited February 2021 #9

    well i did say

    "p.s. just doing France as a starter maybe an option"laughing

    Poole-Cherbourg is a good option, you can be on the early ferry and arrive in France just after lunch, also at Poole it is perfectly legal to overnight in the port, they give you an early morning wake up call, they have reasonable toilets/showers and a great cafe that does bacon butties first thing  cool

Categories