It only took us two weeks of (mostly) back road driving to get here but we finally made it to the south coast of Spain. We’ve settled in at a very nice campground in Aguilas that’s actually owned by our friends at Dümo. We plan on relaxing here for a few days before starting a meandering return road-trip back towards Germany. We originally thought we would follow Spain’s east coast beaches southward through Barcelona and Valencia to southern Spain but we changed our minds when we ran into significant traffic competition from local Easter Holiday sun seekers with the same idea. We instead enjoyed a beautiful drive south through central Spain and managed to spot a few interesting places along the way.
The weather has progressively warmed during this southward drive and we’re now enjoying respectful temperatures that are plenty warm enough for these two Canucks. We’re now starting to think that our new travel direction will be west towards Portugal, but only if the sun is still shining in the Algarve.
BTW… if you happen to spot a fuzzy bear in some of our pictures and you’re wondering Who, What, When, Where and Why? Meet Dümo the mascot bear that was given to us as we left Dümo to include in some of our photos as a fun and entertaining promo exercise for them. And, as a thrilling bonus for us, there are exciting and serious prize’s at stake? Yahooo! We hope at least our little one’s at home will enjoy spotting Dümo instead of just us for a change.
Passing through countless little French villages that……seem to scream quiet and calm. Notice the French “STOP” sign?Is that snow up there? YUP!The countryside in France is absolutely beautiful at all times of the yearHistorically famous Fontenay Abbey – A Unesco SiteThe impressive Monk’s Abby Church was started in 1139My favourite building is on the right – “The Forge”This is quite an impressive site for an old metals shop teacherThis is the hydraulicly operated hammer……and this is the excitable mechanics that make it all work. The large water wheel is just outside that big windowIt’s hard now to imagine the impact this room had on real technological advancementCountryside eye candyAnother beautiful French stellplatz to spend the night atI really, really wanted to climb up and see that castleHere are some of those back roads in France we foundIncluding some “off-roading” fun for motorhomes. But, I really wish I had my Himalayan 452 motorcycle with me right now!Time to come down off the mountain nowThis is the very impressive, beautiful and famous Millau Viaduct in southern FranceAlong the Mediterranean’s French coastWelcome to Spain with its thousands of hectares of quality vineyards and olive groves. Unfortunately we’re early for bothAnother nice overnight stop we found on the “SearchForSites” AppPoblet Monastery is also impressive and historically significant This is the beautiful Poblet cloisterThe Monk’s Library is still used by the residential monksA huge dominating grand hallThe church alter of the Poblet monasteryOn the Spanish back roads once again heading southVery impressive terrace farming along the way Castle De Belmonte was a royal residence for many yearsImpressive fortificationMargot happily exiting a very long, dark and narrow spiral staircase Our overnight camping below the castleOur nighttime view of the castleGrapes vines, olive trees and old windmills… this must be SpainSo many hilltop villagesThe famous hilltop windmills of Don Quixote fameMargot with a Don Quixote impersonator
A quick stop in busy Toledo
This post Easter beach exodus went on for miles. Thankfully we were in the one lane heading to the beachHoping not to encounter a bus or truck from the other direction Castle Burgalimar is the second oldest medieval castle in Europe and has survived many years, and many battlesThe Spanish Sierra Nevada Mountains Film location of many old western movies including “The Good, the Bad and the Ugly” starring Clint EastwoodFirst views of the Mediterranean from the south coastWelcome to Dümo Camperpark in Aguilas, SpainEnjoying a cold beer at Dümo’s poolside restaurant with our mellow traveling companion and… no-one escapes laundry day!Our two week drive south included eight interesting stops traveling on roads we’ve never driven on before
Brumablog 