Well, just use the Thrifty link above ,and put your postcode in to find the nearest base, and then do as I did, find a truck/van in the size you think you will need and take a look inside, take a camera if you have one so you can refresh your memory at a later date,....you can go to ANY rental place that is convienient, to take a look, even if you are not going to hire from them ! !, ..and Good Luck.

Maryanne, its clear to me that not all Thrifty depots allow vehicles to go overseas. Can't explain why but don't be suprised if your local one dissapoints you.

A large van won't cover your 2 bed place, so I'm guessing you will need a 7.5 tonner. Don't forget to get one with a tail lift! get hold of lots of rope and lots of blankets, oh ... and a strong friend.

Your Bilboa ferry will cost you a small fortune for a 7.5 tonner. I'm going on the tunnel and driving down - it will take longer I know! With the return trip also so it all adds up.

I think we will opt for portsmouth/bilbao.....more expensive but less driving, though we haven't decided for certain yet.
We will be going over on the 28th Sept......coming back 10th Oct then working 3 weeks and flying over...ONEWAY!!!!!

Thats the way I came over smaller van though, no hassle nice rest on boat, arrives 8 am Sun, not much traffic on the roads and easy drive through Spain.

Certainly best time of year to come over, you are here for the winter, then get slowly acclimatised to the hot weather, but that's certainly hitting us at the moment here. But at least winter doesn't bring any frosts. We came out at the beginning of October last year. Good luck with your move.

thanks for all this, I have a couple of people coming to give me quotes this week. Having looked at prices and hassel I may just pay a few hundred extra for a company. I have two small children and my hubby is already over there working.
I spoke to him last night and he said to come over as planned and live in the house for 2 weeks without funiture! He can get a few bits from ikea to us through and he said everyone lives on the beach. Our new neighbours ( who I haven't even met yet) said they can lend us stuff as well. So today things dont look to bad.
Will let you all know how it goes.
We are going to live between Rota and el puerto near Cadiz.

love

mary x x x x

I think it's looking favourable for portsmouth/ Bilbao!
Ok it would be cheaper on the eurotunnel, but the long drive would see my husband throwing me out of the van! He gets a bit nervous driving on strange roads not to mention rhd van....and gets ratty with me and the satnav!
Nice and easy does it is the way we'll go
Are there many toll roads down to Murcia?
Any tips for a stress free journey?

Mary

Thanks for the good luck wishes! I'm starting to get a bit edgey now......I want to pack everything up and just go!
My husband is too laid back , and is taking far too much time sorting through his millions of lp's and trillions of cd's!!! He hasn't even started in the garage.......and theres only 7 weeks to go...aghhhhhhh!:scared:

Mary.....in need of a glass of wine!

Cant remember now, but the AA website used to work out a route and list all tolls etc, maybe they still do it ?

Doesn't matter what you choose to bring and leave, you will get here and think.. should have brought that, or .. why on earth did we bring that. Everyone does it, some more than others He should bring all his CDs, perhpas not all the LPs. I got a CD storage box, took all my CDs outof thier cases, and put them in one of these cases that will lift out the CD you want. Kept all the inserts in an album that came with the boxes, Bought them from QVC. Anyway, good luck with you move.. we'll try and keep some of this sun till you get here.

We moved to almeria region last month and did things slightly differently. We did the normal thing of getting people in for quotes and during the course of one of them the company offered us a solution to one of the problems of doing it yourselves. They flew someone out to pick up the hire van and drive it back to the depot we hired it from. We got the best of both worlds as we new exactly where all our stuff was at all times and didn't have the long drive back from the south of spain. We met the driver when we picked up our hire van and everything went really well. If any of you want their details then send me a Personel message and I'll let you have all the contact details.

Not a good idea to post your email addy, you will get spammed. jdr

I told my husband about the cd cases from qvc but he says he has too many cds for them. We've booked the van £805 for 15 days all inclusive with £500 excess for accidental damage. I'm just waiting for my tesco clubcard vouchers to come.......I can use them to pay for the ferry crossing. The full price is £503 minus £432 in clubcard deals vouchers (£87 in clubcard vouchers exhanged at £2.50 for £10 worth of travel) which =£71 Every little helps!!!
Anyone got any idea on petrol/deisel costs from Porstmouth to Murcia return?
Mary

Fuel is cheaper in Spain, so get it here

Have as little fuel in the tank as possible when you cross the channel, as JDR says, much cheaper here, diesel is about 1€ per litre, so around 68p, petrol a little dearer but still cheaper than the UK.
Mike

Hi there

we are moving in weeks and Taking only 4 boxes similar size to you.personal belongings (we sold the big stuff and will re-buy)
In My business i have a contract with PARCELFORCE £24.00 a box up to 30 kilo's i send stuff over all the time, and as long as you pack it properly its fine

bloody marvellous!!!!!!!!