Monday 14 January 2013

Internet connection still available this morning so we checked the weather forecast – heavy rain for the week along the north Spain coast so a change of plan was called for. As Lisbon still looked ok, changed direction to head south west and keep an eye on the forecasts whenever we can.

All this messing around, together with the dismal weather – it hasn't stopped raining since we arrived here, except when it started hailing! – meant we were very late getting away although we did manage to service the van properly. We also decided to go for it and use the autovias, non-toll motorway type roads (although we did use an A/P by accident for a while, that or going the long way round). So with the wipers and headlights on, we tucked in with the trucks. In fairness, the drive was still very scenic as the route took us first through the mountains along the coast before turning south towards Burgos and climbing up to the plateau which is inland Spain. We actually topped 3000ft at one point and most of the trip was around 2500ft. Needless to say, the rain turned to snow for a while before, later in the day, clearing to blue sky WITH SUNSHINE.

First stop was in Vittoria where we found a service station that sold LPG – they’re not very common so we've got a list – which we topped up using an adapter (we bought a complete set when we fitted the Gaslow system thank goodness) and also refilled with diesel. Shortly after, we pulled in to visit a supermarket near Miranda to top up with food supplies and have a late lunch.

Time was, however, pressing and we needed to find somewhere to stop for the night. The book showed several possibilities on our route, so we chose Palencia, with a backup of Valladolid and programmed the satnav. Autovia again, with the occasional foray through a small town to keep us off the toll road, and in now brilliant sunshine made our way into Palencia. It isn't anything special, quite a modern town really although the Rough Guide does its best to point out what there is, including quite a large car-park close-ish to the centre with 10 motorhome parking bays. We were number 11, but one was not in a bay so we got the last spot. When I went out at 9.00pm, there were 20 MH’s parked up and we've heard others arrive since! And it’s free, although the water is turned off – not surprising as it’s already frosty and the sky is crystal clear.