France/Spain road trip in January

[raynoon]

Hi Boys.. treatment appears to be having some effects on my tumour, things were getting worse everyday but this week I’m noticing that it appears to be stopping getting worse. I still have 3 weeks of radio therapy left so I’m feeling very optimistic about the forthcoming months, especially Christmas. Hopefully this can be shrunk enough to give me some freedom/mobility back.


Something I’ve always wanted to do is take a slow drive through France in an old Citroen. I’ve driven to Spain numerous times, but always in a bid to reach the destination. This time I’m taking my time and avoiding the toll motorways, spending a night or two in rustic little towns. I’m making a quick stop at Reims purely for Photographs outside the old stands, heading South towards Dijon, a couple days in Avignon, Perpignan and Montpellier, across the Border and down to Costa Blanca for a little Winter Sun. If any of you are close by to my route please shout! I’d love to buy you a coffee in a rustic little village somewhere, equally I know a few of you do this quite often, any tips and/or advice will be most gratefully received.

I’m doing this in EVN (although she may have a new name by then... all will be revealed in due course) she’s my 1993 2.1SD auto riding on CX spheres...

[White Exec]

This all sounds rather good, Ray. Would be delighted to meet up with you on Costa Blanca for that coffee+!
Let me know later on when your schedule is known.
Hasta luego adios!

[Dieselman]

Sounds great news, Ray.

My advice would be to book nothing in advance and just stop and go where and when you feel like it. You can always find accommodation, especially at this time of year. We used to go in August completely unbooked and never had trouble getting accommodation even along the Riveiera...which I woud recommend, along with Monaco, which I realise is the wrong way but...

[MTXM]

That is indeed really encouraging news about your treatment Ray and hopefully it will enable you to enjoy Christmas. The planned trip early next year also sounds like a great idea and I would be very tempted to join you in one of my well traveled V6! I so much enjoyed the Challenge earlier this year and 2019 seems like a long time to wait!! With regards, Matthew T.

[russ92xmsed]

That's great news Ray, I hope it continues to keep doing it's amazing job. It's very clever stuff. My Sister is a Therapeutic Radiographer up in Newcastle, so I hear a lot about it, and my Mum had plenty of it when undergoing her treatment. It's amazing at reducing pain, particularly in your bones.

The French trip is a great idea, why not! Nothing better to do in boring old January than a waft through France on CX spheres! If your down by the Milau Viaduct, definitely go over it. Quite stunning.

I really hope things continue to stablise and you get some mobility back.

[White Exec]

Another vote for Millau. Pretty spectacular from the small town of Millau too, almost under it.
Just avoid buying too much French fuel; was €1.38/lit back in September, €1.09 in Spain.

[xantia_v6]

Unfortunately we won't be in France in January (enjoying the warmer weather in New Zealand). Beware that the central parts of France can get very cold, and they tend not to de-ice the minor roads as enthusiastically as in the UK.

[raynoon]

wow! I’m speechless! Thank You each and everyone of you for your replies, firstly we have to wait until my mates granddaughter is born, the baby is due 11th Jan but everyone is hoping it will come earlier, he tells me as soon as he’s had a cuddle of the new born, he will be ready to go. I’m hoping to get at least 10 days on the Costa Blanca, and back for scans begging of Feb. I’ll try to reply to you all individually there is 1 more little surprise, more of a Christmas present to myself.... all in good time....

[raynoon]

This all sounds rather good, Ray. Would be delighted to meet up with you on Costa Blanca for that coffee+!
Let me know later on when your schedule is known.
Hasta luego adios!

Chris, how are things with the Gib border? I intend to visit Gib and Puerto Banus, just to park my Citroen next to the most exotic car I can
Would that be better for you?

Ray.

[raynoon]

Sounds great news, Ray.

My advice would be to book nothing in advance and just stop and go where and when you feel like it. You can always find accommodation, especially at this time of year. We used to go in August completely unbooked and never had trouble getting accommodation even along the Riveiera...which I woud recommend, along with Monaco, which I realise is the wrong way but...

Thanks Will, yeah just book and go... everything seems reasonable and I’m tempted to try and do it on a really miserable budjet, just for added fun factor. I’d ‘like’ to do Monaco and Monte Carlo but I’m told it’s not what it’s cracked up to be, plus I’m is quite far off Route. I’d rather save the time and money heading south but there’s nothing set in stone,

Ray