Traveling to Denia Spain via eurotunel route

Many thanks for that helpful update news. Nice new website also ! 

He was really at his miserable unhelpful best when we were hell towing back from Spain in mid March 2020 (the overnight big European lockdown), overnighting and chasing getting up to Calais. 
He just refused point blank to get up any earlier and open the gates before 8am. 
Will email site to confirm opening 365 still this Winter as much used prior. 
M

I have never towed through France in winter but have done the trip many times solo in the winter months and with a caravan in the milder ones.  Let me stress two things; it can be VERY cold in inland France in winter so make sure you have Propane gas!.  I remember getting up one morning early Jan when staying in a hotel near Chatres and it was -14 deg at 9am!!  Next, the daylight hours are short at that time of the year.  I note that on your first day in France you plan to drive to Poitiers, I see that this is 389 miles and could take you 8 - 10 hours, I don't do this distance in a day in summer!  Where will you 'rest' before your tunnel crossing?  Re using the A75; I would check the forecast to see if the road is ok, if clear I would not be put off this option.  OK there are fewer service stations than on other routes but there are more than enough (I think at least 4 between Clermont and Beziers including Millau and Caylar). If you are looking for a night stop near Dreux there is a basic site there open all year round, fine for an overnighter, and we were able to stay hitched up making leaving in the morning easy - Camping Etangs de Marsalin €19 all year; we used it last month a pleasant owner who speaks English (02 37 82 92 23).  I once drove solo in early Jan to near Denia; I used the Rhone Valley route with no problems but did not have to check on the availability of sites.  As an aside, diesel in France is relatively cheap at the moment especially if using Total stations we paid between €1.50 and €1.64 a ltr, even on the Autoroutes, last month.

Whatever you choose, have a great trip.

Just an update on diesel in France. For some reason the pricing is chaotic. On the autoroute in mid September it varied between 1.55 and over 2 euros. In fact we filled up on the autoroute cheaper than at a supermarket. Fuel prices on the autoroute are posted as you approach the services.

Agree Hitch, exactly what we found in Sep.  Total garages were always cheaper than all others so no point in using your Fuelpecker card!.  About every 4th garage on the autoroutes are Total and, as you say, are well signed with prices.

Many thanks for the helpful replies and tips. Distance doesn't faze me I used to drive HGVs so am used to long drags.

This will be our first time back abroad since the pandemic and Brexit. We are keyed up on the pet passport situation. The dog has had her rabies booster and is provisionally booked in for her AHC  on 6th Jan I intend crossing on the 9th Jan so well within the 10 days period allowed. All subject to weather, if France is snowbound we will leave when it has cleared. 

The dog food issue seems to be resolved, she eats dry food by Eukanuba which is made in Holland but will make sure she has some spare meals in case her food is confiscated.

I'm aware that no fresh or cooked meats, diary products can be taken abroad but presume tinned goods, cereals and sauces ( HP etc ) are still ok.

The loose plan is Travel to the Euro tunnel then use the West route through France, cut across Spain to Denia. Stay there for two/three weeks then head to Mojcar for another two/three weeks and then to Estepona and stay there for two/three weeks before making our way back to Calais and home.  

Currently researching interesting places to visit and explore, we both like historic buildings, pretty villages, beautiful scenery, good food and good company.

I'm a keen cyclist so will be out most mornings for a 30/40 mile ride round the local area before returning for breakfast before we head out for the day site seeing.  

Top left of website states open all year. Listed on ACSI website as inspected annually.

Easy to get to from Autoroute at Tours, and large supermarche nearby, Leclerc I think from memory.

Re dog food - Pediigree chum is widely available in Spain - but take the dry. Cereal mixer with you, or use yesterday’s bread! Give yourself time.on your first day out as there are sometimes delays on Eurotunnel 

aranjuez site is close to the palace and the town centre - well worth the stop. 

Sorry forgot to say - spend. £20 on the ACSI discount book from Vicarious books. - they are usually despatched to you before Christmas- well worth it.

So we got over as planned, here's some details of our current trip, 

Day 1 Sunday 15th Jan

Totally fed up with the weather at home we set off for Spain. Taking my two best bitches, the wife and Lily the Labradoodle we were all set (so I thought) for a few months in the sun.

Staying at Black Horse Farm campsite in Folkestone the plan was to cross using the channel tunnel as early in the morning as we could. 300 miles chucking it down, good time to be leaving this green and pleasant but cold and wet land methinks. We made good time arriving just after 2pm. As usual my Lexus RX450h made light work of towing the 7.4 m Lunar Clubman. The fuel consumption as with all vehicles is dependant upon the speed you travel. At 60 mph I was getting 21 mpg, at 55 mph this increases to 26 mpg.  

Day 2 Monday 16th Jan

So 5am Monday we were up packed and off to the terminal. Now it's difficult when light for the first time travelling to an unknown location never mind in the pitch black.

Having taken the dog with us we had to take through pet screening, once sorted they managed to get us on the 7.20am crossing. Normally I’d have preferred to do the Portsmouth to Santander crossing however unless you book a January crossing as soon as the dates become available the previous June you’re screwed, Pet cabins are like gold dust and are snapped up as soon as they become available.

Going through customs was straightforward once the dog had been our checks completed. The border staff checked the caravan. All they were interested in was the gas being switched off. No problems with the milk, cheese, bacon, eggs and other fresh produce in the fridge. Phew.

Travelling to Spain this early in the season presents a problem with campsites that are actually open in Northern France. The nearest one to Calais on the West side of France was Camping le Futuriste, Poitiers.

Leaving the Channel Tunnel a torrential deluge of rain that continued to fall for virtually all the 384 miles.

After a long and difficult drive, we found the site, due to the heavy rain we had to pitch on a service road alongside our allotted place. The staff at this particular site were not the friendliest.

Some minor points, since Brexit Sky Go, ITV X, BBC iPlayer no longer work in Europe for Brits. Netflix, Prime, Disney+, Paramount all work fine though but you need a good Wi-Fi connection to view. Whilst many will say they didn’t go on holiday to watch TV it does pass the time at night. No TV means finding other things to occupy the mind. I recall this being the case numerous years back, que two children in quick succession.   

Day 3 Tuesday 17th Jan

After another long drive in the rain, 297 miles, we arrived at our second French site that was open, Camping Larrouleta, Urrugne. A very nice site at the foot of the Pyrenees, friendly staff reasonable prices, great facilities. WIFI is extra but 5 euros gets you 20 hours and it’s a strong signal so no need to use my data on the mobile. The area is spectacular the Pyrenees dominating the skyline, snow covered perhaps indicating what was to come. Thunder boomed in the distance. That night we had rain, sleet and hailstone which resounded on the caravan roof.

Day 4 Wednesday 18th Jan

This time we are on our way into Spain and it’s snowing. Up and over the mountains and through a number of long tunnels through the mountains. I have never actually seen snowploughs ploughing snow off the roads, today I did. Whilst beautiful I couldn’t help feeling dread that grip may be lost and the snow chains needing to go on. Fortunately, their ability to keep the roads clear despite a foot of snow falling was very impressive.  Camping Municipal Zaragoza was todays destination. A mere 183 miles away.

We made good time and once set up were about to visit the nearby supermarket to restock, still cold though but sunny. Wifi on this site had previously been reported as good, it’s not. In fact, it’s none existent. Perhaps they turn it off during the winter season. Using the mobile as a hotspot it is.

Day 5 Thursday 19th Jan

Heading to Camping Los Pinos, Denia, 281 miles. Another early start and off we go again. By now we have well and truly reacquainted ourselves with the caravan and the method to quickly pack and be on our way. The Lexus RX450h is performing faultlessly. I can hardly notice the caravan on the back. On arrival we are given a good sized pitch, shaded which, in the height of summer would be an enormous bonus however it in January and still a tad cold.

Our intention had been to stay three weeks then head down to Mojcar. However, after six nights we decided to head much south instead and chase the sunnier climes.  Camping Los Pinos is a family run site, excellent facilities and lovely friendly staff. Had the weather been warmer we would have stayed longer. The site is very close to the seas and there is an excellent promenade which runs directly to the town and a mile or so in the other direction. We enjoyed numerous walks along it.

I managed to get some cycling in whilst there. The area is a mecca for the pro cycling teams, we saw a number of them out training when exploring the area. A day trip to Moraira is a must recommended by a friend of my wife’s, Holly Eaton who now resides in Spain with her husband and children. What a lovely pretty place this is. On route we saw Team Totalenergies out training with no less than Peter Sagan and Edvard Bosan Haggen in tow. (You’ve got to be into cycling to know who they are).

We had some excellent meals whilst in Denia, top tip come away from the mariner to get great food at a better price. Plum for the plate of the day you won’t be disappointed.

Day 11 Wednesday 25th Jan

Up very early ready to leave the site as soon as the gates opened at 8am. Destination Camping Cortijo San Miguel, Nerja, 335 miles. As we left Denia the rain fell relentlessly, bloody hell we’d come away for some sun if we’d wanted cold and rain we’d have stayed at home. As we neared Nerja the temperature increased, sunny skies, things were looking up. We had booked 46 nights (45 days plus gets a 30% reduction on the price) we like Nerja and the surrounding area having been here on numerous previous occasions. Once set up on an extra-large pitch we headed into town for tea.

Day 12 Thursday 26th Jan

Admin day, a day to take stock and plan for the future. Holidaying in the winter has grown in popularity. The Pandemic has seen a huge rise in motorhome ownership and these people all want to use them. The sites are populated by Germans, Swedes, Dutch and Brits in the main with a smattering of Spanish too. This means having to book sites instead of just turning up. So today I set about sorting our onward campsites and if we could get a crossing from Santander instead of doing the long drive back through France.

Using the Caravan clubs brilliant booking service, I booked ferry from Santander for the 9th April Pet cabins are like gold dust this was the only date they had within the 90 days we are now allowed to stay in Europe. Next campsite booked Bella Vista out Estapona way for two weeks. Also the travelling back through Spain sites booked, one in Salamanca and the other in Burgos.

Having taken care of this we spent the day soaking up the sun. Whilst the official weather reports stated a temperature of 16 degree I can tell you it was 21 degrees from my temperature gauge. It’s fair to say that it is cool in the mornings and evening but lovely and warm during the day. You can spot the tourists a mile away. We are the ones wearing shorts and tee shirts. The locals are all dressed for the Artic.

Day 13. Friday 27th Jan

Up at 6am dressed and out for a ride, reacquainting myself with the mountain roads. Being January yes I did leave in the dark. A bit cool but no ice and dry. Riding in the dark can be very satisfying quite roads, still air and having the opportunity to watch the sunrise over the mountain tops. 35 miles ridden, back for a shower.

Over the next few days I managed to get another three rides in before disaster struck. A gear shifter component failed meaning a trip to the Local Bike Shop only to be told the part could take a week to arrive…bugger.

So I contended myself with some walking and dealing with the gas bottle problem. I had stupidly left the continental adapter at home in the garage, schoolboy error. After visiting a few hardware and gas supply stores I had an alternative EU compliant gas hook up. As at home if you purchase your gas on site it’s much more expensive than going to the supplier which in my case was 500m down the road Repsol. As I needed a bottle (no exchange with me) the total cost for a 11.5kgs one was 37 euro’s as opposed to 55 euros onsite.

Next thing to go wrong was the TV. The screen was just a mass of vertical lines. Checks online indicated that the main control circuit board was broken. New TV required. Now the choice was wait a week for one to be delivered. If you’ve got an Amazon account, you can actually use the Spanish version with your UK login details and it works fine. However, I decided not to wait and bought one from a large shopping estate near Malaga. Travel plug adapter to sort the plug in problem, sorted. I’ve been toying with the idea of getting an Avtex TV 32”, at £499 they aren’t cheap, perhaps from a caravan show it will be cheaper.

Electrics on Spanish sites are much lower in amps than in the UK. This current site in Nerja is 6 amp and they trip with regular occurrence. Too many van’s on the supply. Especially first thing in the morning when everyone is putting the kettle on. Even with low wattage appliances it trips. So you find yourself using more gas.

Day 22 Sunday 5th Feb 2023,

I can hardly believe this is the fourth Sunday we have been away; the days just fly by. We have settled into a routine, when I have my bike I’m up at 6am and back by 10 to 10.30. We have breakfast/brunch, sunbathe, read, head into town for some shopping, perhaps visit a popular site or go on a magical mystery tour. Things are quiet in Spain on Sundays. It’s a Catholic country and the traditional day of rest is observed. Although it’s more a family day here. Spanish families dress in their Sunday best, go to church then spend the day doing family things.  Few shops are open but some of the bars/cafes and restaurants are.

My bike is still at the shop. I left it too late to phone them yesterday, it’s a half day on Saturday for them. It would just be my luck that they had fixed it on Wednesday but couldn’t get in touch. If you don’t use the +44 prefix for UK numbers, even mobiles, it doesn’t work.

I had a terrible nightmare last night. I dreamt Liverpool FC got battered by Wolves and Everton beat the league leaders Arsenal 1-0.

We had a lovely long walk into Nerja last night. In fact, we walked a little farther than we had intended. Poor Lily was knackered by the time we got back to the caravan.   

Today was the hottest it’s been since leaving the UK. Whilst the official weather forecast says 16 degrees it is considerably hotter with bright sunshine. My tan is coming on nicely. So a day lazing in the sun reading. A leisurely lunch at 2pm all healthy stuff then back to reading. Time wise we are an hour ahead here so 5pm comes round quicker and G&T time it is.

I have sorted a VPN which has addressed the issues regarding Sky, BBC and ITV.  

Hi Barry,

Good to hear of your progress. Overland down through France in Mid Winter was again so dreary & wet but hear that the alternative early January Biscay Cruise was character building and very lumpy with land sickness to follow on for some. So refreshing to cross the border and arrive again at a dry & sunny Capmany site Spain with two days down the Med coast to follow. 

We are now again settled near Villaricos, 10 miles north of Mojacar Playa, at our usual beach side over winter site. Thankfully the recent brief rain showers & breezy cooler days (12-14 !) have now gone. Do feel that SE Spain in Winter is almost perfect Caravanning weather, pleasant warm temperatures to sit & eat out in, daily blue sky and almost no rain or grey days. 

We chose this trip to just leave the TV at home and went 100% online by Mifi / Nord VPN, O2 chip, iPad and the various online channels. In 4 weeks no issues and very pleased, we use an external receiver panel plugged into the Huawei Mifi to assist & improve signal input. Agree we have also found most site Wi-Fi strength awful & pricey and also open house to many communal woes. 
Keep posting ….

M