Posted on 01 Apr 2013
Hi Gordon & Anne firstly some info about us 30 years of caravanning in mainland Europe my wife is also a electric wheelchair user, 7 years of spending periods of 3 months on the Costa del Sol.
1) we use the ACSI discount card and camping cheques to pay for sites when travelling down and take the long term rates on site usually minimum 30 days
2) book your ferry on line before travelling, off peak can be as low as £37 each way on norfolkline for a 12 metre outfit. Overnight parking is fine on most French ports parking areas. Calais has 24hour toilet and hot showers in the terminal block of secure parking.
3) I don't know how far you want to travel in a day but we (1 driver) do between 200 & 400 miles per day but try to keep the tolls to a minimum (we have a 12 metre car/caravan outfit) and pay about 30 euros from Calais to Marbella usually 4 days. I have done Calais to the Costa Brava toll free in 2 days.
4) Mappy.com is good guide.My route to Malaga, Calais to Rouen A16/28 toll about 10E follow eastern side of river & cross river at Pont de l' Arche (site on side of river) N154 to Chartres (good site in town but reports of break ins) N10 fast single carrageway to Tours lots of good sites on this road. N10 south (Montbazon good site on side of river village really interesting), follow N10 good sites, near the Futuroscope, & Mansle & Bordeaux. (We pay the toll A63 to San Sebastian) good sites both sides of the border. The N1 is toll free but very steep. or AP1 about 10E lots of tunnels,.from Victoria to Burgos either toll road or good single carageway runs at the side is fine good site just before Burgos or on south side of Burgos. A1 over the mountains toll free good sites about 50km both sides of Madrid ( south is where the Spanish royal summer palace) the best way around Madrid is the M50 but M30 is fine all toll free keep off the motorways marked (R.) A4 south good site at Santa Elena pass by Jaen & Granada A44 A92 A45 Malaga
5) Fuel :- France buy at supermarkets (can be 20cents per litre less than motorways) usually local to towns some are 24 hour pay at the pump with credit or debit cards (PIN) check with your bank that your cards are set for Europe
Spain:- price is set so motorways are very similar to supermarkets which could be 5 cents cheaper lots of stations on all motorways with parking.
6) Shopping you will find shopping very similar to the UK both Aldi and Lidl are all over. Morrisons supermarket is on Gibralter (dont forget you need your passport to cross border and it's tax free so only limited booze and cig's) Iceland have a store in Fuengirola.
Finally I hope this helps just enjoy and treat it as a game you will meet lots of interesting people playing the same game. Keep safe remember just like the UK there is always someone out there wanting to take your money & property.
Regards
Alan & Fay
