Beautiful Pamplona seen from the Cathedral’s Bell Tower
We have spent three very hot days in Spain, the last two at this wonderful campsite just outside Pamplona, and I’ll be sad to leave tomorrow to make our slow way back north through France, although we still have Brittany to look forward to as a proper final destination.
Heading south for the Pyrenees
After leaving the motorhome aire At Sévignacq-Meyracq by Arudy, we went straight south on the D934 to Fabrèges in the Pyrenees National Park, just 10km north of the Spanish border, where we were able to stop for the day and night by the lake, which was utterly beautiful and heavenly and where we enjoyed a cooling swim with Beano as well as a walk around the area, popular with walkers, trekkers and tourists waiting for the funicular and the mountain train. We didn’t go on these, as we didn’t want to leave Beano alone for too long and most round trips took 3 hours, so we enjoyed a quiet day by the lake, admiring the mountains and making the most of the pure clean air.
Our stopping place at Fabreges, Pyrenees National Park
The lake and mountains at Fabreges
Feeling excited about Spain being just on the other side of those mountain behind me
The Funicular ride up to the mountains
We carried on south on the Spanish A136/N260 to Sabiñánigo and west on N330 to Jaca, where we did a small shop at Mercadona and stocked up on some Spanish goodies like Manchego and Galician cheese, membrillo (quince jelly) and Colacao (drinking chocolate) to take home to Pepo.
At last! Welcome to Spain after a 4-year absence
From there, we carried on west to the campsite on the north side of Embalse de Yesa, where we stopped for the day. This was a basic campsite with adequate and clean facilities and lovely views over the lake and, more importantly, direct access to it, although we thought the €27.40 daily price was on the steep side, but one supposes you pay for the privilege of the location and because there is nowhere else around to stop for the night.
Embalse de Yesa
Embalse de Yesa
Sheltering from the heat at our pitch at the camping of Embalse de Yesa
The Reception area and Bar at camping of Embalse de Yesa
Yesterday morning, we continued slightly north west towards Pamplona and north from there on N135 and arrived here just after 11am to enjoy another hot day and the large swimming pool, This is a very large campsite, although only half of it seems to be taken up at the moment and we presume that its size it to accommodate all the visitors during the Feria of San Fermín on the second week of July.
Charming and roomy Camping de Ezcaba, Pamplona
The site has very good facilities, including a large area for bbqs, showers and washing blocks, all very pristine and attractive.
BBQ area for campers at Camping Ezcaba
This morning, we took a taxi to Pamplona for only €10 and enjoyed a stroll through the city’s old quarters (or Casco Viejo), which is absolutely charming, with its old buildings with beautiful balconies, the jaw-dropping Townhall and its magnificent Cathedral. We paid €5 each to get in, which included a visit to the Bell Tower that commands impressive views of the city below: definitely worth a visit.
Enjoying the sites in the Casco Viejo in Pamplona
The attractive Plaza Mayor in Pamplona
Pamplona’s Cathedral
Views of Pamplona from the Bell Tower
Views from the Bell Tower
Views from the Bell Tower
Ornate chapel inside Cathedral
Tombs of Charles III and Eleanor of Castilla
Beautiful Gothic Cloister
Again, as we didn’t want to leave Beano alone for too long, we had a beer and a tapa in a bar just outside the Town Hall and took a picture where people usually stand behind a wooden fence during the running of the bulls in San Fermín before taking another taxi back to the campsite.
The superb Town Hall in Pamplona
Some interesting roads in Palmplona’s Old Quarters (Casco Viejo)
Charming buildings in the Casco Viejo
Charming buildings in the Casco Viejo
Waiting for the bulls!!!
It’s been a hot day, but the weather has been threatening with thunder on and off for about an hour, only to produce a lot of noise and a few drops of rain. We have put our stuff inside just in case, but the sun has just begun to shine again…
