Here We Go!!…
So, we had a couple of months of waiting before we could go anywhere – waiting for Big Bertha to arrive, waiting for Dave to pass his HGV test, waiting for our belongings to arrive from Malaysia, waiting for Amazon deliveries to furnish our new home, waiting for the ferry to deposit us outside of the UK…
But eventually we arrived in Spain – in beautiful Cantabriá! For the last ten days we have been pootling around exploring the area – caves with early cave paintings near Puente Viesgo, el Churrón waterfall in Borleña, beach at La Comillas, hiking up, up, up and then down, down, down in Lebeña, taking the cable car up to walk in the snow line in the Picos de Europa and seeing many pretty Spanish villages along the way.
Today we left Cantabriá and are now in the province of Castilla y León. We decided to stop at Aguilar de Campoo (initially wanting to camp and … use the facilities), but finding that this is a lovely small town, full of history (Romanesque churches, 9th Century castles, baroque arches, 16th Century mansions) and also the biscuit capital of the region (what’s not to love?!).
“Chunky” is the word that springs to mind! Is that your mobile home? Sounds like a lot of fun and one big adventure! So what are your plans ? Given up on work or having a break? We’re settling in to life in the Gard in France but love the sound of your adventure! How’s your Spanish or can you get by with English?
Looking forward to your next installment!
Love, Elspeth & Nigel xx
Yes, Bertha is our new home! Very comfy!
Immediate plan is to see more of Spain, then head down to Morocco. Dave is taking a break for a while.
My Spanish is not great, but good enough to get by. (Dos cervezas, por favor)!
xx
Very much looking forward to following you on your adventures. What an exciting plan! Good luck on your travels. Xx
Fab start – couple of issues with getting the link to work xx
We’re still newbies at the blog thing. Pls bear with us!xx
Fab start – couple of issues with getting the link to work xx
What a great idea. World travel in Big Bertha, Good luck and have a fantastic time.
I would offer my language skills in return for a short hitch-hike in Spain but I’m in thospital again. Ideal really as I have plenty of time, and free WiFi, to follow you and BB on your jollies! Lovely pics so far, can you annotate some eg. what is that funny almost St Basil’s cathedral looking building? Have big fun, be well, be safe. Hugs.
Sorry to hear you’re in hospital again. (Pls send me an email with an update.)
We could certainly use your language expertise! We’re still learning how to blog too, so please bear with us! The building is El Capricho, a Gaudi designed villa in Comillas.
xx
Think this was meant for me. Using phone and the first couple of words are obscured by head bubble! Oh Gaudi, I really must visit Spain/Barcelona. My ex-neighbour from Caracas lives there now! Will e-mail you directly. Meantime be safe and have fun! 😎
Hey guys, so excited for you and your big adventure in Big Bertha. Looking forward to reading the updates as you progress! Fantastic!
I went up the cable car in the Picos in 1991. The snow was there then. Good luck with your adventures.
It looks fantastic!
Oh fabulous! So excited for you both and terribly envious 🙂 keep us posted with lots of pictures….
This sounds amazing! I can’t wait to hear more!
David (and Saline) pleased to see the adventure is underway. Looking forward to further installments!
PS. Back on HSR again!
Stuart
Please send biscuits…… 😉
WOW!!
You are amazing, the quintessential travelers!
Looking forward to reading your adventures!
Maybe someday a coffee table book?
Wow! thats great! Excuse punctution – using an Italian pc as we are in Roma till Friday 23rd Nov. We look forward to you coming to stay when you come down Spain past Benissa.
Definitely plan to see you both. Probably in New Year.😊
Come and see us in Spain ( Costa Blanca -Benissa) on your way to Africa! We really look forward to seeing you …
lots of love Jean & Fraser xxxx
Do you have parking for a truck?😉
Hi Francine and Dave.
Nice to hear from you.
Hope you will keep on sending news and pictures so that I can share your adventure and make dreams of similar road trips one day… maybe in another life 🙂
Good luck and it wi be dascinati g to see where you go in Big Bertha- have fun xxxx
Thank you Claire and Pete. Looking forward to hearing progress on the narrow boat!!
Hi Francine & Dave, and BB of course!
Congratulation to your super decision. I came across Bocklet years ago and …. steep price! However, you get what you pay for and the German details and quality are for sure adequate.
Dear Rachel and I toured around some national parks in Arizona and Utah this September for 2 weeks starting from crazy Las Vegas, Hoover Dam, Grand Canyon South than North to Lake Powell, Antelope Canyon; Monument Valley, Moab with Arches NP and Canyonland NP, Capitol Reef NP, Bryce Canyon NP and Zion NP before heading back to Vegas.
We had the cheaper version of a Bocklet: we rented a HYMER Active 2.0 Loft (link: https://www.gohymer.com/aktiv-2-0-loft-edition-overview) and it was fab. Had a shower and loo on boards, 2 sink cooking, heating worked well in Bryce Canyon and aircon in Vegas, proper double bed and adequate storage.
Moving around due to the jobs – as you both do – you learn to get ‘lean’ and don’t collect all kind of ‘stuff’ – hence I’m always surprise when people asked how someone can leave in a small space. If needed I could demobilise from my apartment in CA within 1/2 days and go elsewhere !
Wish you all the best with B&B – sorry BB – as you have more than a Bed & Breakfast vehicle and great adventures.
Enjoy Andalucía – one of our favourite places – before heading to Morocco.
The best tour in Morocco for us was from Marrakesh via N9 and the crazy street to Tizi Tichka towards Quarzazate. Hope by this time Dave driving skills are top notch as the street is a challenge with a HGV. Don’t miss Ait Benhaddou and the unique Dades Valley.
I suggest not to go further towards East and close to Algerian border as this is unsafe with some fundamentalist touring the area. Some Germans lost this 4 x 4 couple of weeks ago!
I personally had never the energy to manage a travel blog, but admire all people doing this and give fellow travellers good hints and ideas. Good luck with this and we will see how long it will go 😉
All the best
Hi Robert!! Hi Rachel!!
Thank you for the comment and reading our blog. You are right, it does take some work and of course money!! I am glad you understand the value/quality of BB. “Vorsprung Durch Technik” as they say. The Hymer is also good, but for tarmac!! The Aktiv looks rally nice. Pleased to hear you toured N America – we intend to do the same in BB (or B&B)!!
Thank you for the Morocco hints. We will be some months there, so aim to see everything apart form the dodgy cannabis growing part.
You are right, it is too easy to accumulate ‘stuff’. We are very happy in our cosy truck.