Our month in the van...

KernowLad

Gone, but not forgotten!
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Not quite sure where to put this but...

Got a few pics- tried to stick to van-centric ones.

Bascially we landed in Santander on 2nd June, went West to La Paz (near Llanes), stayed there a few nights, bad weather set in so did two nights in Noja nearish Bilbao - then moved on to Ibarritz near Biarritz. Amazing campsite called Pavillion Royale right on the beach with a good pool and excellent restaurant - had some great waves there! It was pricey (40 euros a night) but great.

Then bad weather was forecast and realised we needed to head for the Med for warm weather - drove to Gourdargues nearish Ardeche and had a lovely time in a VERY French (the less Brits, the better for us!) village. Then St Michel something or other (!) on Ardeche river at a very nice Indigo camping site (they have about eight across France). Good site that suited is really well. Then back to a mates place near Pau for a few nights. We stayed in their barn and I did a bit of concreting to sort of "pay" for our stay.

Next stop was Hossegor area - first site was a bit odd so only did a night there then stayed at a campsite just near Messanges; right by the beach and very cheap too - scored some epic waves there!

Next stop was near St Jean de Luz at Inter Plages - stunning campsite and our pitch was 4WD only!

Then over to Spain to Mundaka - quite a weird town with almost nowhere to eat or shop. Felt a bit "ghetto" but the single campsite was pretty top spec. On the second night a big Basque festival kept everyone awake most of the night.

Scored good waves at Bakio nearby (Mundaka was too small) then headed for Islares. Loads of Brits, naff facilities but a lovely setting by the mountains. Then one more night at San Vicente - again great location but COMEDY facilities! Spanish campsites are expensive too - we used ACSI ones where possible but they often didn't have places by the sea.

La Paz

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Sunset at La Paz

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Van view of Picos mountains:

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Left hander I had all to myself:

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Drove miles up mountains for this view:

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Luckily it cleared:

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Waves at Ibarritz:

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The little one swimming in a river near Ardeche

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Ardeche view:

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It got REALLY hot - this restaurant was boiling (sorry about the old git on the right)

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Our mates pad near Pau:

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Hossegor waves - had three great surfs here!

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Me surfing Bakio in Spain:

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Mountain backdrop at Islares:

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Up mountains in Spain - I went for a run and didn't see a soul in four miles!

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Our final morning:

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Wow....

That provokes so many memories for me.. I must do that trip too...

25 years since I Kayaked the full length of the Ardeche and 19 years since I last did Hossegor, Biarritz, Hendaye, Gethary, Lacanau. Some great memories but very wet.... (rain)

Off to the Vendee in 4 weeks time (and counting) ... Lovely weather this weekend so off to the coast in Wittering to get our fix of the sea.
 
For once we left poor weather abroad and came back to lovely sunshine! Surf good today too.

Your trip sounds like it was fun!
 
What an amazing trip - and great photos. I feel inspired...!
 
Looks fabulous :)
Took a school party to the Ardeche years ago, you've just reminded me of how beautiful it is. Must go back some time
 
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