Camping or B & Bs ?

[Vulcan]

Got ferry ticket booked for 18 Sept Poole to Cherbourg.
Intend to head down through France, Andorra, Spain and maybe Portugal. My worry, is it a bit late in the season?

Whats do you think ? Camping or B & B ?

I would prefer camping, but will there be many campsites still open
this time of year ?

Not got any fixed route in mind. Got lists of places and routes that I can take as I wish when I am there. Trying to keep it relaxed and flexible. Don't want to be tied to a rigorous timetable.

What would you advise.

John

[Itchy]

A mixture of both... ...

Tent/airbed/sleeping bag doesn't take up that much space (the jura hoop tent packs tiny). However do not skimp on a sleeping bag or sleep mat! As Spanish nights get very cold and woke me up several times.


Don't camp in andorra though, it is quite high in the mountains and cold.

Also bring some straps to tension your tent poles if your tent cannot stand up by itself as the ground in Spain is baked rock solid and remember to carry some water.
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[G]

Plenty of opportunities for wild camping there.
Don't have to walk to the toilet, price is right and no annoying neighbours .
If it's particular cold, I'll sleep fully clothed (though generally get out of the bike kit at least ).

[doggone]

I'd take camping stuff, it could still easily be 30C plus in SW France and beyond.
- especially when you say

[Marmalade]

Camp, adds to the fun, find a motel/hotel every few days to get a decent sleep and shower.

I took a 3 season sleeping bag, put in inside a goretex bivvi bag on a blow up bed
It wend below freezing in the night but i was proper toasty

I stayed here on route to portugal in April, brits run it, bar and cooked food on site so i had steak and chips and got a tinsy bit tipsy

https://i370.photobucket.com/albums/oo141/bramble43/frenchsite.jpg

In Portugal stayed at this site below, decent place and only e7 per night.

https://maps.google.co.uk/maps?ie=UTF8&ll=37.120385,-8.350757&spn=0.004089,0.009645&t=h&z=17
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[barnhatter]

Last few trips I have done have been during September and have found some campsites starting to shut from mid September, and some of the ones that are open are empty, shop and facilities closed. As you get further south the situation improves. If I was you I would try to camp and be prepared for B&B if you need to. Also if the weather gets bad its better to find a B&B to get out of the elements and properly warm up.

[G]

Yea, I turned up to one in Bern at the beginning of October last year and it had closed mid September to re-open on April.

[barnhatter]

I turned up in Sospel, south east france, I had been there a few years before. It was all closed, well the office. The grass area was open and the toilet block unlocked, so a free night. Went to one in the Czech republic and the office was closed when I turned up at 1700 and was not open at 0900 when I left.

[Vulcan]

Many thanks for the interesting replies.
Mind made up, definitely taking the camping gear.
Might even try wild camping.
Points noted about altitude, weather etc.
Cant wait. Been looking forward to this for a long time.

John

[kitty kat]

I went away last year 23rd September, for 2 weeks, had no problems with campsites being closed and we went through Germany to Slovenia, back up through Italy, France, Luxembourg & Belgium.
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