The Pyrenees Trip 2016 : 24 June – 9 July

[Sir Nick]

[quote="Steve Gibson"]
Just cleaning up after the trip and discovered that the Atom has used about 0.7 litres of oil in 2000 miles. Remember to check your dipsticks, everyone...
[/quote]

My oil is at the same level as when I started - but I have 0.7kg of chippings!!

[Rob Evans]

I used more rubber than oil. 

Rob.

[julian]

Well done to everyone who came, particularly the organisers, great hotels in most places and the ones that weren't served a practical purposes ie the last jump back to the ferry. Long drives on some days and short on others. Perhaps they could be balanced. I did enjoy staying more than one night in places. Bonus for Andrew and me with the football, I know you didn't fix that.

Perhaps could have been a little shorter therefore returning on the ferry from northern Spain, just thoughts. Great destinations and timing so good that we had superb weather, 10 minutes of rain in 2 weeks, temperatures at times into the 30's. Thoroughly enjoyed, thanks everyone again.

I don't do Facebook so could someone post some photos and video if anyone gets around to editing. I plan on going over to Paddies pub one evening if anyone fancies. I will post when I plan.

For anyone interested, maybe a Normandy, Brittany trip weekend in September, Steve muted it, just need to put our heads together.

Glad you are on the mend Bruce.

Regards

Julian

[Sir Nick]

My 2 cents:-  I thought northern Spain was a delight, would happily do a week or 10 days and staying in the Parador's!! 
I mentioned that 2 way radios may be handy on trips, save getting in and out of the cars when the sat navs screw up!  (or is it the operators :p)

My thanks to everyone for organising and frendship making my holiday special.

Nick

[Steve Gibson]

I liked mixing up the mountains and the seaside and then the countryside of Brittany. But yes, you could easily do ten days in the Pyrenees, going in and out on the ferry. We know the area a bit better now, so planning a 10 dayer down there would make a good trip. The weather gave us the driest ever Atom holiday, so that made the mountains all the more attractive.

I still fancy touring Italy or going up to Sweden in high summer, for a real change of scenery.

[GraemeW]

Steve, when i finally get my Atom I will organise a trip to Portugal. Ive lived there and know it well.  It has some great roads for the Atom, not to mention climate.  Sounds far away, but no further than Pyrenees in driving distance from Santander Ferry.  It has a different feel to Spain, which is also great

[Steve Gibson]

A Portuguese molecule sounds like a fine idea. And Nick could play a bit of golf too. :-)

[julian]

I really like the sound of Portugal via Santander. Loved this last trip and the weather, no fretting night before next day's drive as to rain or temperature. Sun all the way, brilliant.

Like the sound of Italy, Sweeden sounds colder and potential for rain!

Normandy in September, go Thursday overnight, back on Monday. Thoughts?

Julian

[Sir Nick]

Turns out I'm free in September!  Except for 25th when I'm at The Belfery

[julian]

I was thinking Thurs 8th - Mon 12th or Thurs 15th - Mon 19th. Overnight from Portsmouth to Caen, gives all day Friday to move down the coast, at some point turn inland and loop back to Caen. Steve and I have done it loads of times, WWII landing beaches and more, fantastic, so much to see.

Anyone who thinks overnight ferry is a drag, it works really well. We normally meet at a pub near pompi, eat, pint, board ferry, bar, cabin, sleep arrive about 6 or 7am. Very sociable.

Fast ferry back Monday.

Should be favourable weather.

I guess Steve will be along with his input in due course. (perhaps new topic).

Julian

[Alex Brandon-Smith]

Love the idea of a Portuguese trip! It's one of the countries I've never done. I'm all over the ferry too. Next year or year after should be far better for me.

[GraemeW]

Re Portugal trip I was thinking next year probably June  before it gets too hot and holiday season starts.  All depends on work commitments.  I also haven't got my Atom yet.  Finalising spec with Tom down at the factory tomorrow, so should have it next couple of months.

I will raise the idea later this year to gauge interest and do some initial planning.  I only have a few definites I want to visit, mainly in the north, where I lived, but the rest I could plan around peoples interests, which could cover various points across the country, and perhaps a track day down on the Algarve circuit

[Steve Gibson]

[quote="julian"]
I was thinking Thurs 8th - Mon 12th or Thurs 15th - Mon 19th. Overnight from Portsmouth to Caen, gives all day Friday to move down the coast, at some point turn inland and loop back to Caen.
[/quote]

I could do either. And we now know some of the best places to stay.

Probably best to start another thread. After you, Colonel Richards...

[Bruce Fielding]

We try to do these 'megatrips' every couple of years rather than every year so that people can a) save up and b) use their holiday allocation to actually relax! They're not cheap so really need some commitment in terms of finance.

It's very easy - especially after one as good as that one was - to say "AgainAgainAgain", but practically that's not possible for everyone.

Having said that, I would definitely be up for one next year... But then I didn't really have one this year!

I have a Swedish tour route available from the old days with Petrolhead Nirvana. but don't know Portugese roads, so that might be fun, too. Are there any Portugese owners? As Steve says, maybe another thread...

[Sir Nick]

If anyone wants a 2hr 20min compilation GoPro video of our trip, let me know!