Drive from UK to Northern Spain (Salou)

pd001

mgdavid wrote: »

Yes Autoroute services are open 24/7

Thank you.
That ll do for me then.

Moto2

pd001 wrote: »

Thanks for that.
Big tank? (Not the challenger variety)
I've got a diesel Kia ceed. (average tank)

Mondeo diesel, not sure how big it is - 60ish litres I think

pd001

Moto2 wrote: »

Mondeo diesel, not sure how big it is - 60ish litres I think

Mines about 52 to 55 litres depending where you get the information.
So, I should be able to do the same trip as you on just over a tank of fuel.
Not too bad, although I hope to be travelling at the appropriate speed for the road in question, for most of the time, ie 130kph on motorways.
(Edit its 53 litres)

Cornucopia

This interactive map allows you to see various points of interest including petrol stations. If you zoom in, you can see the name of the stations, allowing you to find supermarket petrol stations more easily.

http://m.viamichelin.co.uk/

Supermarket names in France: Carrefour, Auchan, Cora, LeClerc, Super U/Hyper U. (There are several other brands including both Aldi & Lidl, but these do not generally have petrol stations).

pd001

Cornucopia wrote: »

This interactive map allows you to see various points of interest including petrol stations. If you zoom in, you can see the name of the stations, allowing you to find supermarket petrol stations more easily.

http://m.viamichelin.co.uk/

Supermarket names in France: Carrefour, Auchan, Cora, LeClerc, Super U/Hyper U. (There are several other brands including both Aldi & Lidl, but these do not generally have petrol stations).

Thanks for that, much appreciated

jackomdj

We usually drive to the south of France (close to fr/Spanish border) with our two children, now 10 and 7 but youngest was 3 the first time we did it.

We have done several things, including taking a late shuttle then driving through the night we stopped for a few hours whilst oh had a rest then continued the trip.

This year we are getting a 11:00 train, driving to Orleans for the night, then completing the journey the next day (mainly as we are taking my Dad so it will be a bit squashed in the back).

Not sure how old your grandchildren are but.... We have DVD players in the car which we take a big selection (we bought one which has two screens that can play seperate films), they each take a bag of "stuff" plus a soft cuddly for the journey. "Stuff" is of their choice but must fit in the bag. It usually includes electronics (ipod, DS, this year an ereader), books (replaced this year due to solace restrictions!), a puzzle book, plastic toys, this keeps them busy during the trip. We also play spot the car (bright red cars are few in a France!), guess the animal, I spy etc. they have headphones for the DVD which they use for their own music these days too.

The french have lots of picnic areas by the road, some are like our service stations but some just have toilet and grass/benches. We usually take food so we can stop at one of these, we also have toilet roll in the front as they often don't have toilet roll.

Enjoy your holiday and journey.

Cornucopia

Just to say that most French supermarkets sell a variety of pre-packed Sandwiches and Salads, as well as all the normal packed-lunch fare. Prices are similar or lower than the UK, except Aldi & Lidl, which are even cheaper, especially for salads, crisps & drinks.

If you see grated Celeriac salad, try it, it's delicious.

Supermarket cafeterias are also extremely good - generally selling Snacks and full meals, and are usually very good VFM. (I went to a cafeteria in a big Carrefour near Rouen once, and they had a Maitre D' )

pd001

jackomdj wrote: »

We usually drive to the south of France (close to fr/Spanish border) with our two children, now 10 and 7 but youngest was 3 the first time we did it.

We have done several things, including taking a late shuttle then driving through the night we stopped for a few hours whilst oh had a rest then continued the trip.

This year we are getting a 11:00 train, driving to Orleans for the night, then completing the journey the next day (mainly as we are taking my Dad so it will be a bit squashed in the back).

Not sure how old your grandchildren are but.... We have DVD players in the car which we take a big selection (we bought one which has two screens that can play seperate films), they each take a bag of "stuff" plus a soft cuddly for the journey. "Stuff" is of their choice but must fit in the bag. It usually includes electronics (ipod, DS, this year an ereader), books (replaced this year due to solace restrictions!), a puzzle book, plastic toys, this keeps them busy during the trip. We also play spot the car (bright red cars are few in a France!), guess the animal, I spy etc. they have headphones for the DVD which they use for their own music these days too.

The french have lots of picnic areas by the road, some are like our service stations but some just have toilet and grass/benches. We usually take food so we can stop at one of these, we also have toilet roll in the front as they often don't have toilet roll.

Enjoy your holiday and journey.

Thanks for all of that, much appreciated.
I drive for a living (uk only) so I am well used to having to carry toilet roll in the van. It is a good tip for anyone really.
I ll look into the prices of a late shuttle, and compare them to all of the other prices that are swirling around in my head

pd001

Cornucopia wrote: »

Just to say that most French supermarkets sell a variety of pre-packed Sandwiches and Salads, as well as all the normal packed-lunch fare. Prices are similar or lower than the UK, except Aldi & Lidl, which are even cheaper, especially for salads, crisps & drinks.

If you see grated Celeriac salad, try it, it's delicious.

Supermarket cafeterias are also extremely good - generally selling Snacks and full meals, and are usually very good VFM. (I went to a cafeteria in a big Carrefour near Rouen once, and they had a Maitre D' )

Grated celeriac? Noooo surely not?
A Maitre D in a supermarket? Imagine that in Asda

Cornucopia

pd001 wrote: »

Grated celeriac? Noooo surely not?

Yep, raw grated celeriac in a mustardy mayo dressing...

http://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/1597/quick-celeriac-remoulade

French supermarkets generally have dozens of these kinds of salads - grated carrot, beetroot, potatoes with sausages, cous cous...