Harben Globetrotters

Harben Globetrotters Jo and Tim, semi retired and travelling around Europe in our motorhome with Moby and Winnie our dogs.

After a lovely day in Castellon de la Plana, our minds turned to Monday’s “workday.” Not that we have to have facilities...
25/11/2025

After a lovely day in Castellon de la Plana, our minds turned to Monday’s “workday.” Not that we have to have facilities to work, but it definitely makes life smoother! 💻✨so we hunted down an ACSI site just south of Valencia, hoping it wouldn’t be a repeat of our €102 camping debacle 🤞. Much better luck this time! Devesa Gardens Camping not only accepts ACSI, but actually had spaces available, so we settled in for a couple of nights at just €23 a night - perfect!

https://www.searchforsites.co.uk/marker.php?id=27253

We managed a walk to the beach on Sunday - 1.5 km through serene pine woodland, which kept the dogs super happy 🐶🌲.
Mondays weather forecast was for strong winds again so it suited us perfectly to be parked up for the day and let the storms pass us by.

But that sunset! Honestly, one of the most breathtaking we’ve seen - the sky looked like it was on fire! 🔥

Workday ✅, adventure planning 🗺️ next!

Spanish fuel prices are always so variable - one station can be so much cheaper than the next! Definitely worth taking a...
22/11/2025

Spanish fuel prices are always so variable - one station can be so much cheaper than the next! Definitely worth taking a minute to shop around before you fill up. Your wallet will thank you! ⛽🇪🇸

What a great start to the day!A stone’s throw from the beach at Playa de la Mora, we woke to the gentlest sunrise over t...
22/11/2025

What a great start to the day!
A stone’s throw from the beach at Playa de la Mora, we woke to the gentlest sunrise over the sea. Hard to believe this peaceful spot was a free park-up we found on Search for Sites - mornings like this make the journey. 🌅✨

Day 4 (Part 2): The €0 Jackpot at Playa La Mora 🏖️After our dramatic escape from the €102-a-night “luxury” pitch (I’m st...
21/11/2025

Day 4 (Part 2): The €0 Jackpot at Playa La Mora 🏖️

After our dramatic escape from the €102-a-night “luxury” pitch (I’m still recovering 😆), we only had to drive a few minutes before stumbling on something far better. We rolled into Carrer Ribera d’Ebre Carpark (SFS #36799), right beside Playa La Mora - and honestly, it’s the perfect reminder that first impressions mean nothing.

Is the carpark pretty? Nope.
Does it look like it belongs in a glossy campsite brochure? Definitely not.
But does it feel safe, quiet, and ridiculously well-located? 100%.

Just a few steps away is Playa La Mora - a gorgeous sheltered sandy bay with a lively bar, a busy little restaurant, a little shop, and that laid-back seaside vibe that instantly puts you in holiday mode. The dogs were in their element: sandy paws, salty noses, zoomies galore. 🐾💛

After the morning’s disappointment, a cold beer, a glass of wine, a beach view and peace was restored. 🍺😇

Moral of the story: who needs a luxury resort when Playa La Mora gives you everything you actually want… for free?

Day 4: From Broken Promises to Beachfront Bliss 🌞Today was meant to be all about Tarragona… but after looking at the par...
21/11/2025

Day 4: From Broken Promises to Beachfront Bliss 🌞

Today was meant to be all about Tarragona… but after looking at the park-ups near the historic centre, I decided we’d save it for a future trip when I’m walking better.

So the big question: Where to now?
After an intense session on “Search for Sites ” I triumphantly announced to Tim that I’d found us a treat - the very fancy Tamarit Beach Resort, complete with palm trees, a spa, a heated indoor pool and its own castle views. Best of all? It accepts ACSI, so I thought I’d splash out a wild and reckless €27. Living the dream! 🤣

We rolled in late morning, I strutted into reception armed with passports, ACSI card and the confidence of a woman about to bag a bargain. Tim called after me:
“If there’s a two-night minimum, I’m happy to stay longer!”
Famous last words…

They had availability - success! 🎉
But when I proudly produced the ACSI card, the receptionist smiled politely and said only premium pitches were left.

“Righto… and how much are those for the night?”
“€102.”
ONE HUNDRED AND TWO EUROS!
For that price I expect the sand to be hand-combed and someone to fan me with a palm leaf while I eat grapes.

She did find some “cheaper” ones at €78, but still a firm no from me 😆

So I had to break it to Tim: no luxury spa, no heated pool, no posh pitch. BUT - we’ve found an absolute gem of a free park-up just down the road, right beside a gorgeous little bay with a few shops and a couple of bars. The bay is stunning, the beer is cold, and suddenly I’m forgiven. 🍺🍷🤣

Moral of the story: why pay €102 when you can get a beachfront location for nothing?

Day 3 - Still chasing that sunshine! ☀️😆Another day, another couple of degrees gained… we are warming up, but calling it...
20/11/2025

Day 3 - Still chasing that sunshine! ☀️😆

Another day, another couple of degrees gained… we are warming up, but calling it “balmy” would be a stretch.

We had three options on the table last night: Perpignan, Collioure, or Argelès-sur-Mer. Argelès won - purely for the dogs - beach zoomies are the law in this household.

The drive was an unexpected treat. We took the coastal road after Narbonne and cruised along those narrow strips of land where the sea sparkles on one side and lakes shimmer on the other, all with the Pyrenees posing dramatically in the background. Proper postcard material.

We’ve parked up in another Camping Car Park on the north side of Argelès… though calling it Aire du Soleil feels wildly optimistic. Sunshine not included. 🤨

Soft sand and a sprained ankle don’t mix too well so it was a hobble along the beach. The dogs, naturally, offered absolutely no sympathy and instead had the time of their lives.

Back in the van, we tucked into curry, poured a glass (or two) of red, and tried out some new games - although someone became a sore loser and “fell asleep” the moment I tried to snap a victory photo. Convenient, that. 😆🍷

Tonight the sky is crystal clear, so we ended the day with a bit of stargazing - content, happy, and loving this life of ours. 🥰

Tomorrow we cross the mountains and roll into Spain! 🇪🇸

Day 2 – still perishing!When we left Folkestone, Tim asked me about the plan… and yes, technically there is one - but le...
19/11/2025

Day 2 – still perishing!

When we left Folkestone, Tim asked me about the plan… and yes, technically there is one - but let’s just say it’s not military precision.

Today’s target was the beautiful town of Vienne. However, in the true spirit of fluidity (and because we’re still frozen solid), we decided to keep pushing south in the hope of eventually defrosting. 😎

Push on we did! Tonight’s home is a Camping Car Park Aire in Remoulins, with electric and water etc for around €16 for 24 hours. It’s perfectly placed for a wander to the fabulous Pont du Gard - a 2,000-year-old Roman aqueduct bridge, built without mortar, standing 48 metres high, and still one of the best-preserved Roman structures in the world. Basically: ancient engineering goals. 💁‍♀️🏛️

Now… confession time. After a long drive, we did absolutely nothing - again! We ate dinner, poured a glass of red 🍷, and flopped. So the photos are from our visit a couple of summers ago - but hey, if the Romans can recycle their bridges, I can recycle my pictures.

That’s it now for long-drive days! From here on, things slow down and we’ll actually be out and about. Tomorrow we’re off to a beach - a chilly one, yes - but at least it’s forecast to be 10 degrees warmer than yesterday. I’ll take it. 🙌🌊




…and we’re off!After an early-morning Channel Tunnel crossing (with a few pit stops), we finally rolled into Châteauvill...
18/11/2025

…and we’re off!

After an early-morning Channel Tunnel crossing (with a few pit stops), we finally rolled into Châteauvillain - a sleepy little town in Haute-Marne that feels like stepping back in time. Once a fortified medieval stronghold, its old ramparts and 12th-14th century towers still dominate the landscape. It’s situated right on the boundary between Champagne and Burgundy.

This time we’re taking a totally different route down to España: dropping south toward Marseille and then loosely tracing the coastline before slipping across the Pyrenean border. Nothing like a change of route to keep things interesting.

Troyes, our planned stop over, wasn’t playing ball as there were no spaces left that were big enough for us, so the day ended up being a big mileage push. And with my ankle still grumbling after that tumble at Burg Eltz, we’re planning no long walks and choosing park-ups that keep everything a bit closer to hand.

Tonight is bitterly cold - the sort that makes you wonder if snow might make an appearance - but our free park-up on the edge of town is peaceful, quiet, and just what we needed. A little wander with the dogs (emphasis on little) and we dived straight back into the warmth of the van.

Early night for us… tomorrow we push further south in search of new views. Sunshine and warmth might not be ready for us just yet but fingers crossed that we can find some soon 🤞

🏖️ A Week in Torquay 🏉What a fantastic week it’s been! Our first night was spent at the Cowick Barton Inn in Exeter, whe...
19/10/2025

🏖️ A Week in Torquay 🏉
What a fantastic week it’s been! Our first night was spent at the Cowick Barton Inn in Exeter, where we caught up with Issy and Liam for a lovely pub meal and a few drinks. Great food, friendly staff, and wonderful company - a perfect stopover if you’re visiting Exeter.
👉 Cowick Barton Inn on Search for Sites
Yes, the car park’s a little sloped… but it is Devon after all! 🤷‍♀️

After a peaceful night, we made our way to Torquay to spend time with Lewis, Meg, and our favourite little man 🥰 Parking on their drive (a bit snug but it works!) has been perfect - our own space, yet close enough to soak up plenty of precious family time, complete with full facilities!

Saturday was match day at Torquay Athletic RFC - and what a game! It was Sponsors Day too so a few free drinks whilst we cheered them on. A brilliant performance and a convincing home win for the local lads 🏉👏

A home-cooked Sunday roast, a gorgeous bottle of red, and lots of laughs rounded off the week beautifully. We’re lingering another day or two before heading back to Gloucestershire - hearts full and grandson fix well and truly topped up 😍

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