The trip from Platja D'Aro to Santander was one of the biggest we had taken on. We had to travel from east coast to central north coast, via the motorway that ran past Barcelona.
The kids were whacked after a fun filled day at the water park, and so were happy to sit and watch movies in the back and snooze when they wanted. The first part of the trip was wonderful, with all the sights and sounds as we passed Barcelona and headed out into what essentially is a desert. The setting sun made it a fantastically scenic first leg, although attempts to photograph it were not particularly successful.
To be honest, it was a bit spooky and Kerry was a bit twitchy. We bedded down for the night, I promising to keep an eye out for trouble. Of course, I slept like a baby and only woke when Kerry shook me because of hoards of bandits having a shootout in the car park. After confirming the shootout was in fact some fireworks in the distance, I went back to sleep, waking at 0730 to find a still sleepless Kerry, glad that we could get moving again. Not another soul had used the services in the time we were there.
The rest of the trip went well, we passed Bilbao which looked a bit grungy. To be honest, you never get a good impression of a place from passing on the motorway, It just looked a bit industrial and unwelcoming. Santander on the other hand, looked beautiful.
En route to the port we headed to the supermarket to stock up with supplies. We had got stung on the ferry from Hull to Zeebrugge with over inflated prices for food and that wasnt going to happen again.
It's a popular ferry route and as such booking in and getting loaded was a busy and timely affair. But we managed in the end and only 20 minutes late, the ship set sail, for cooler seas and GMT.
The ship was a big 'un and it took us a while to get our bearings. We also discovered that unlike P&O, Brittany Ferries offers decent grub at reasonable prices. So our cool bag stayed full and off we went for a slap up nosh.
It was also nice to travel through the night, making progress as we slept after a good feed and a wash and brush up. Before we knew it, the next day had arrived and England (or IOW to be precise) was on the horizon). Thats when the chaos began.
Customs at Portsmouth were on a go slow and it took us about an hour and quarter to get through. Then the motorway to London was jam packed. Well it wasn't but after the quiet European roads we had travelled on it certainly felt like it. And then negotiating south London roads in rush hour in a big van was not much fun.
We had arranged to stay at Kerry's sisters in Wandsworth for a few days, and Kerrys other sister and 2 kids and Mum arranged to meet there too. So 10 of us crammed in their lovely 2 bedroomed house to plan our next couple of days. As you can imagine, chaos continued. It was like hearding cats, in a good way.
Bless their patience, Leanne and Nigel who hosted us and looked after us so well and so kindly, even though their home had been invaded and taken over. Every square inch was taken up for sleeping, so I sought refuge and slept in the van. Which was probably a good move judging by the bleary eyes next morning.
Anyway, Nigel guided us around the busy London transport system with ease and over the next couple of days we explored and enjoyed. Jack was keen to try the London Eye, so we all obliged, and Jack and Reece even had the guts to try the extreme fairground rides next to it. None of the adults dared.
We also managed a couple of hours in the (free) Science Museum which was great, and I hope we can go back in the future for a longer look around. We also managed to take in a couple of shows, Wizard of Oz and Billy Elliot. The kids loved the spectacle of the Wizard of Oz and the singing and dincing in Billy Elliot (not to mention the comedy and swearing).
We also managed to pop round to Buck Palace for a gander, but despite my texts and calls, Liz wasn't able to ask us in for a cuppa. Next time maybe, if were passing that is.
And so after a couple of days in the Nations Capital, it was time to head north again. Away from the chaos of London and the tube and the crowds. After a two hour struggle with traffic to get to the M1, progress picked up as we headed home.
Its a journey and a route I have made countless times over the years but this time it seemed to take forever. We were all glad when the Tyne Tunnel appeared, and shortly after that our little house. It was all we could do to carry a couple of bags in the door, before eating, bathing and sleeping.
It was funny that first night back in our own proper beds. I kept thinking of the things we had done and places we had been. It was quite a feat, a family of four in a small van travelling around to all those places, living in each others pockets 24/7. I would have thought that there may be some tension or arguments caused occasionally by the living conditions but none of it.
The trip, the experiences, the travels and adventures have only served to bring us all closer together as a family and we cant wait to do it all over again next year. New places, new people and new experiences. Only next time we're not going to cut it short!! 6 weeks at least lol. Well perhaps not but its nice to look forward and dream.
So keep an eye out for pooleysontour/episode2.
And for anyone interested, I will be doing two more blogs over the next few days just to finish off this story. Stats, facts, tips and tricks will be the first and our journey in pictures will be the last.
I hope you have enjoyed reading. We have certainly enjoyed living it, and I personally have enjoyed keeping this record for family, friends and the kids to look back on.
Until the next one, One life, Live it!
Chris
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