Just the oneI was a bit shocked at how uncouth the P&O Hull ferry was. The Pont Aven has a man that does all that physical strap work! I mean standards are standards you know
Now I learn there’s a nice French girl doing it too. @monkeyboy would have got her to sign his helmet.
Picos, northern Spain and France trip report
- Thread starter grantmac
- Start date
So we had dinner on board and indeed the food is not top nosh but it’s cheap and OK.
Arriving on time at 0800 local time and off around 0815.
More to follow but a glorious sunset over the Bay of Biscay this evening
Arriving on time at 0800 local time and off around 0815.
More to follow but a glorious sunset over the Bay of Biscay this evening
Coming out of Bilbao on Sunday, they did seem to have lanes for EU passport holders where presumably you won’t have to get off the bike and do the fingerprints thing
Are you there yet or is it a cruise you're on? 
It does. I had two lots this year. One lot came on the Ptsmth ferry, the other lot on the Plym ferry. The ones that returned (yesterday) on the Plym ferry got home between 19:30 & 21:30 while the 73 yr old (admittedly after a short pit-stop in Bristol) arrived home at 00:30 into Northampton. The Swindon-Oxford rd was closed.You’re right . That is a ferry . One that takes two days
The cruise goes from Plymouth on their premiere ship.
Did you get the recommendation off 4-8 ?
Next year they all agree that, on balance, they'd rather spend two nights on the ferry (on the way down only, back is 1). In reality it is only about 10 hours longer but it checks in late (21:00) and arrives into Santander at a very reasonable 08:00. The ride home from Plymouth (always the worst) is just not worth it for most of them. . They were lucky it was such a nice day yesterday.
You'll be lucky!
Keep us posted. Just finished with my lot
.10th year. I don't do trip reports, though, too busy herding cats!
It’s pretty good. We got into Santander at 8 and were en route by 8.30.You'll be lucky!
Keep us posted. Just finished with my lot
So day 1 riding update.
Ferry docked at 0800 on time and we were off at 0830. Yes, they did have a line for EU passports. Even though Kevin didn’t have a EU passport I told the guy marshalling that he was with me. Both went through, me with my NL passport 20 seconds not removing lid and gone. Kevin they did the same. No faff and we were on the road by 0845. Headed a long way round because of the early arrival time so directly south into the hills and then a long swing around to Potes. 260km in all. Weather started around 10 degrees and we arrived in Hotel del Oso with 30 degrees
The hills south of Santander were fantastic, great roads and deserted. A few drinks stops and we were hoping for an early dinner. Bollox to that. Kitchen opens at 2030. Welcome to Spain. FFS. I am normally in bed by then. Anyway Hotel del Oso is beautiful. Great big room with great facilities. Heading to the bar shortly. An amazing ride today and looking forward to tomorrow. So general photos and maybe I’ll slip in a food pic later after dinner
Oh and yes the 2 day cruise from Portsmouth was perfect. Would do it again in a heartbeat.
Ferry docked at 0800 on time and we were off at 0830. Yes, they did have a line for EU passports. Even though Kevin didn’t have a EU passport I told the guy marshalling that he was with me. Both went through, me with my NL passport 20 seconds not removing lid and gone. Kevin they did the same. No faff and we were on the road by 0845. Headed a long way round because of the early arrival time so directly south into the hills and then a long swing around to Potes. 260km in all. Weather started around 10 degrees and we arrived in Hotel del Oso with 30 degrees
The hills south of Santander were fantastic, great roads and deserted. A few drinks stops and we were hoping for an early dinner. Bollox to that. Kitchen opens at 2030. Welcome to Spain. FFS. I am normally in bed by then. Anyway Hotel del Oso is beautiful. Great big room with great facilities. Heading to the bar shortly. An amazing ride today and looking forward to tomorrow. So general photos and maybe I’ll slip in a food pic later after dinner
Oh and yes the 2 day cruise from Portsmouth was perfect. Would do it again in a heartbeat.
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I think the 2 day ferry works great... you have all day to get down to Pompey, meet up in the the pub right by the ferry... then a relaxing crossing before arriving in to Santander nice and early to have a full day getting somewhere nice (and maybe a lot warmer, depending on the weather). Already looking forward to my trip next May...
This is my first time but coming from Holland and 1 ferry trip already done then totally agree. The boat was new 2021 build and very comfortable. Cabin with a view. Brekky was fine and food edible but not great
I agree with the timing. Grab a bite at the pub next to the terminal as shown in my photo or eat before you arrive. Boarding starts at 1930, takes a bit of time but we were in the cabin bikes secured by 2100
Easy day on day 2 and then arriving at 0800 which was perfect for a good days ride to Potes. Will do the same next year
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Hotel is very nice with some lovely lounges
Good point, well madeIt’s Doc 2
Shouldn’t this thread be in Trip Reports ?
Whatever…. If the Mods want to shift it fine with me…..
I’ll just keep adding to it
I’ll just keep adding to it
Usually the worst part of that trip is the 'entertainment'... ear plugs can be useful. Although I do remember a rather cute whale watching girl once... a lot of blokes suddenly became very interested in dolphins...
Looking at your experience with regard to ferry crossing and ours I'm ready to consider the Bilbao 2 night crossing as an option for the next time we go to Spain, an evening departure with an early morning arrival +1day has some appeal, the more modern ship's car deck and the loading and securing of the bikes might just swing it for me, against that the food outlets on the newer ships can't compete with the restaurant on the Pont Aven but as we tend to use that only for evening dinner it's not a deal breaker. I was told Brittany Ferries cancelled or postponed a planned major refit for Pont Aven 18 months ago, there are areas of the ship that are past their best and it needs a refresh, I think it's days may be numbered as a BF ship if on no other grounds than the emissions it emits.
The Pont Aven is showing its age in places but, as ships go, it's pretty fast, I've clocked it on my nav at over 30mph when trying to make up time for a stuck ramp, which seems a regular issue!
Good stuff. I'm very envious. I was in the hotel opposite on the 6th. HDO was full as there was a car rally on. I was there to pick up my first lot and didn't fancy such an early morning as would have been necessary to be there to meet them.So day 1 riding update.
Ferry docked at 0800 on time and we were off at 0830. Yes, they did have a line for EU passports. Even though Kevin didn’t have a EU passport I told the guy marshalling that he was with me. Both went through, me with my NL passport 20 seconds not removing lid and gone. Kevin they did the same. No faff and we were on the road by 0845. Headed a long way round because of the early arrival time so directly south into the hills and then a long swing around to Potes. 260km in all. Weather started around 10 degrees and we arrived in Hotel del Oso with 30 degrees
The hills south of Santander were fantastic, great roads and deserted. A few drinks stops and we were hoping for an early dinner. Bollox to that. Kitchen opens at 2030. Welcome to Spain. FFS. I am normally in bed by then. Anyway Hotel del Oso is beautiful. Great big room with great facilities. Heading to the bar shortly. An amazing ride today and looking forward to tomorrow. So general photos and maybe I’ll slip in a food pic later after dinner
Oh and yes the 2 day cruise from Portsmouth was perfect. Would do it again in a heartbeat.
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I'm not the greatest fan of the Potes area (it's too overrun), but I have to say that it is beautiful, especially in the weather you're fortunate enough to enjoy. I used to particularly dislike the N621 towards Riaño with its never-ending bends, but they have resurfaced the road from Leon (province) to almost half way between Potes and Panes. It's quite smart now with a nice new blacktop.
If you haven't done it, and being as it's such nice weather there are two mountain passes (relatively) nearby with big viewing platforms. Called Panderrueda & Pandetrave. At Portilla De La Reina on the N621 towards Riaño, you take the LE2703. At Posada De Valdeon it becomes the LE2711which then joins the N625. You can see Pandetrave from Paderrueda and vice-versa. You can also do it the other way around (if you prefer) At Riaño you take the the N625 and then the LE2711 and so on. The road is good, but when you start seeing the cow shit, I'd slow down.
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Cows being driven down the road is very Picos.
