silverchick, as there are a lot of parallels, you might like to look at this thread:

http://britishexpats.com/forum/showthread.php?t=443129

Hi Silverchick,stop worrying about driving abroad,its a breeze,driving through France is so different than here,you dont have the ccongestedroads like here,its really nice ,the roads are really good ,its very scenic,there is loads of room to stop,there lay bys are something else,a lot of them are equipped with toilet facilities and picnic areas,including picnic tables,try to get has far down has you can before re-fueling,the fuel is more expensive in France than Spain,I used to drive a big truck over,so Im sure if I can you can,honestly there is nothing to worry about,once you get used to driving on the opposite side you will love it,just go and enjoy it.Good luck

I'm doing the Plymouth to Santander route, then driving down to Alicante. Saves a lot on mileage as I only live 12 miles away from Plymouth!

And have just booked the ferry, Spain here I come, (next week!)

Thats a really expensive crossing thoush isn't it?

We were thinking of using the Plymouth to Santander ferry (Brittania) and got a quote of £484 for 2 adults with 4 cats and a car with a 2 berth cabin on the 13th May. Unfortunately we couldn't book it as we need to be in Spain for the 14th May as that is when the removal people are delivering our furniture and stuff to our villa. The ferry previous to that is on the 9th May and that would be too soon as our furniture and stuff is being collected from here on the 10th! Now we are driving down through the tunnel, France and Spain instead using the Michelin recommended route HERE

I must have done something wrong then because last year when we were going to Pillar De HorridDada we were quoted about £1500 return for two adultsa and the Disco 1. so we flew to murcia with easyJunk instead !!!!

Our quote was for a one way ticket - but yours seems rather on the expensive side even for a return!

R.R.

I love driving in spain its fun.. Its like being a learner again everythings different! I have taken myself further in spain than I have ever gone in England, Have a laugh at all the errors you'll make, and remember, drive like the spanish not like the english,, so you don't have to indicate, you can park anywhere, and you don't have to stop for oncoming traffic and last but not least honk your horn at anything that may hold your journey up by even 1 second and you'll be fine!

We regularly drive from Dunkerque (we use Norfolkline) to Valencia in our 3.5 ton motorhome.

We never use toll roads and we do the trip (about 1000 miles) in either three or four days.

We go via Abbeville, Rouen, Chartres, Tours, Poitier, Biarritz, Pamplona, Zaragoza.

Hi derek500,Mmmmm I agree with you there,I used to do that route in the truck,you save so much money on the tolls, and its nice easy driving

One way ticket £319, including cabin. I may be spending more on the ferry but I would only end up spending more on petrol driving from Plymouth to Dover etc. Also, from Santander it is only a 500 ish mile journey.

Yes, you are quite right,there are swings and roundabouts to everything. Thanks for reminding me.

I know i need to be more confident about driving, i'm fine here, as long as i know where i'm going! Although i'd still never drive in London!
Silly thing is, there was far less traffic wherever we drove in Spain, its the roundabouts that worry me, i had white knuckles most of the time when my other half drove!!

Me too!!

Rosemary