From Burgos to Bordeaux

Having had to skip Pamplona because of the bad weather, our last stop in Spain was at San Sebastián – just like it was the last time we left Spain in May 2017. The 250km drive was OK to start with, but the weather soon turned, alternating between heavy rain and snow. Although it didn’t settle, we did pass several gritters on the motorway. One bonus was that the tolls on the AP1 were no longer being charged, so we had a free ride all the way to San Sebastián.

Last time we visited, we stayed at a campsite where the supposedly hard-standing pitches were very muddy, so this time we stayed at an aire on the edge of town, a ten minute bus ride from the centre. As it was chucking it down with rain when we arrived, we stayed put in the van. By 4pm the rain had eased off so we caught the bus and ten minutes later we were walking along the sea front. Unfortunately the restaurant we wanted to go to – Atari Gastroteka, which does excellent rabo de toro and beef cheek dishes – was closed, which was disappointing, but there were plenty of other places open and we enjoyed some lovely pintxos.

Not the best weather we’ve had!
Moi
This wasn’t there the last time we were here
Our favourite San Sebastián restaurant was closed 🙁
A new shop filled with rubber ducks…
… and a great shop window to entice you in!
Our last Spanish dinner – eight tapas and six glasses of wine for just under €28… it’ll be much more expensive in France

The next morning we stopped off to fill up with gas and diesel before crossing the French border, as diesel’s about 20¢/litre more expensive in France. We then drove 250km to a small campsite on the outskirts of Bordeaux. Being back in France the toll roads kicked in again, adding €20 to the cost of the journey. Poor Carol had to get in and out of the van several times to pay at the machines. The campsite’s a 45 minute bus and tram ride from the city centre, and we’ll be staying here for a week.

Mike