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Was going to Spain from start to finish but now I, Luca have taken over

Was about researching about where to look & about living in Spain I am here. So was for anyone interested here are the good & bad things that happened to me. But now I (Luca) will tell you about my experiences, both very bad, better and good.

So onwards.
Saturday, March 9, 2013 @ 3:07 PM

As we disembarked I felt much better that I was driving my own car than a strange rental, so much more comforting, although a left hand drive the judgement & road positioning felt much better.

So after filling up with fuel the journey began. I thought 1250 miles at an average of about 60 miles per hour would see me their by 8.00am the following morning. The £1000 that I had exchanged for Euros a few days before would do for this trip, fuel, rental, setting up telephones & wifi etc.
 
But hang about after only an hour into the journey I felt weary, this is not right, my travel plan did not allow for this so early. Still, better stop & have a little snooze for 20 minutes, don’t want any mishaps this early.
 
Right it's back on the road again & after 4 or 5 hours I was back to my timetable, not stopping again for 6 hours, & that to refill the car & empty myself! That’s better really cruising now & I am in now front of my schedule.
 
Damn! How did that happen? I have arrived at a toll road & to make matters worse cannot reach over to get the ticket. Why isn’t Phet here getting it? No choice, jump out of the car run round & get the ticket. Would you believe it, an impatient Froggie is blowing his horn. Wonder how much the toll will cost? 3 hours later I found out €32.70 ridiculous. Close to midnight now & this incessant rain & another couple of hefty tolls do not help, but at least I am in sight of the Spanish border, be glad to get out of France.
Whoopee just crossed the Border & I’m in Spain now & after stopping for a superb meal, wonderful what gesticulations can get you, totally different to what I had thought I had ordered but it was superb. A sort of yellow soup with loads of seafood in it followed by a meaty dish with small squared potatoes finished with a flan & coffee. Hope it doesn’t make me feel too tired!
Another fuel refill & what a difference there is in the cost of fuel, from €1.62 per litre down to $1.38, think I was fiddled on the former.
 
It’s now 3.00am & I am grossly tired think I will simply have to pull over again (in a truck stop) & it’s not until 6.00am that I roaring Mercedes Truck engine awakens me with a start. The rain has stopped. Alleluia!
 
Blimey gotta negotiate through Madrid now hope that the locals don’t get up to early. Nice city Madrid didn’t see the stadium but wasn’t too bad getting through it, it’s all downhill now although I now won’t meet my deadline, it’s already early morning.
 
Feeling really fatigued now & my eyes are stinging like mad, but I can see Granada don’t want to stop again. Think I’ll go over the mountains it’s much shorter in distance, will I make up the time their? Bad decision, the mist is terrible & the infamous rain is back. I then made the serious error of taking the wrong road finishing in some village which had no exit except the way I came 35 minutes ago. So, I am now another hour behind the time scheduled. & really tired so have to stop for another 30 minutes of “closing my eyes” in the car. In the mountains I came across some incredible potholes, well they were more like caverns, bottomed my car twice causing me to worry if I had caused serious damage but couldn’t hear any unusual sounds so carried on.
 
It is 1.00pm & I have just pulled up the hill to Sedella really pleased I am here. 5 hours behind my schedule but at least I am here.
After recovering the key, I unlock the door a little sad that Phet was not here with me to enjoy the moment. It’s cold in the house but then Neil & Sandra moved out a month ago & the fabric of the house has gone cold. Sitting down on the easy chair in the lounge I was asleep within seconds .......
 


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12 Comments


james said:
Saturday, March 9, 2013 @ 3:36 PM

So glad you made it safely on your own,sounds like quite a trek not sure so early in the season is best time to travel ?.

I am sure you will settle in quickly and make your new home yours in time for your wife to join you.

Stay calm and enjoy the experience

Look forward to un update

James


Bruca said:
Saturday, March 9, 2013 @ 3:54 PM

Glad you arrived safely Gerald. On the plus side for you there is snow forcast in the UK this weekend!


Sam said:
Saturday, March 9, 2013 @ 6:13 PM

So glad you are safe and sound ! Soon both of you will be enjoying the adventures moving to Spain brings ! Enjoy the jounery has only just began !


Gerald said:
Saturday, March 9, 2013 @ 6:53 PM

Thank you James, Bruca & Sam. Although I like writing the blog I really enjoy your comments as it gives me an idea how I'm doing, encouragement should I have any doubts & a feeling of belonging.
I hope we can all meet up when I am, or we are suitably ensconced in our respective Spanish homes - but more of that in the next post.
Off to skype Phet now for a couple of hours.


Tamara said:
Sunday, March 10, 2013 @ 10:54 AM

Yay! You've arrived! I bet it's all really cosy now :-)


eggcup said:
Sunday, March 10, 2013 @ 1:24 PM

Well done, Gerald. You've got some stamina, doing all that driving in one. Hope you settle in well and get to start making friends etc. A word of advice: get out the Spanish phrase book and start practising soon. That will make things go a lot more easily. All the best. Eggie


Lin said:
Monday, March 11, 2013 @ 2:08 AM

Hi Gerald just caught up with your blogs re the journey. It's sad that Phet couldn't be with you on this part of your new adventure., but hopefully she will soon be there.
We are moving quickly to our leaving date and looking forward to joining you over there very soon.
Lin


Nick said:
Monday, March 11, 2013 @ 8:57 AM

Congratulations Gerald well done, sounds like a lot of fun (and heartache). Hope one day I'll do the same. Really looking forward to reading your new adventures - keep posting.


Gerald said:
Monday, March 11, 2013 @ 9:10 AM

Thank you all for your comments but my journeys are yet not half done, I have a lot more even punishing things to do yet. I'll try to write another post before the day is out.
But Boy! am I learning quickly! but not the language that is slow (to me anyway).
But really I do value your support & encouragement thanks again


barry said:
Monday, March 11, 2013 @ 11:06 AM

Well done on the journey. I have done this drive on my own and know how tiing it can be. On the petrol prices I dont think you were done as it is very expensive in France.


Louise said:
Monday, March 11, 2013 @ 10:07 PM

I was exhausted reading about your journey! My husband had a similar not so good experience with his brother for their journey down from Calais! The sat nav didn't recognise the new roads at the border as its not been updated! They lost several hours on the way down but made it safely as you did and thats what matters in the end! Rather you than me though! Well done for making the journey on your own! I'm looking forward to reading the rest of your blogs to date! :)


Gerald said:
Monday, March 11, 2013 @ 11:55 PM

Good thought Barry, so the lesson their then is to get the car brimmed up before crossing over to Spain. Then hopefully I'll need just one more refill. However fuel is still cheaper in France than the UK, might be even more so after tomorrow's budget.

Louise I'm glad your hubby & his brother managed OK, & I don't blame him for not wanting to do the journey again.
So for me, just one more 1400 mile journey on my own & I also don't think I'll do it again either.


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