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Two weeks into the adventure of a lifetime with her humans, Alan Luce and Sharon Fitzpatrick,furry travel correspondent Indie Newfi, an eight-year-old Newfoundland, is sharing her favourite 'spawts' in France and Spain.
"France, Spain. Phah all a doddle when you’re a hippy, van type, surfer Newfi. Two weeks now on the road has proved to be a massive adventure and quite some change from the usual, we’ve visited some old favourite holiday places and some new.
"We kinda sped through France a bit as it seemed expensive. Anyway here’s my Newfalog and my best stays rated on wagadvisor.
"First night in Combourg was a bit of a short hop from the ferry (it got in latish). Very lovely little town and a few good sniffs, then on the road to La Rochelle where it was so busy we all had a board meeting and decided best to wag it off to Rochefort. We stayed in a massive building which was formerly the Louis XIV maritime workshops. Fab, fab fab especially the posh-nosh Charolais burger for dinner and the walks in the grounds. It gets three woofs on wagadvisor.
"The next morning off to the Guérande where we stayed in a fabulous old bourgeois chambre d’hôtes in the centre of the walled town. The second night was great as I met a Bernese Mountain Dog puppy and the Dalmatian at the restaurant was a laugh a minute. As I had not had any dinner I was bought a steak all diced up and the restaurant owner, who was so dog friendly brought it in a bowl no fuss at all, I like France and l like French dogs. Again a three woof classification, they love dogs in France but, not being big headed, especially big cuddly Newfies like me... They call me a different name here “Terre Neuve but I'm still a newf really.
"After all “in the van travelling,” it was thought a three day stop would recharge the tanks. We booked an apartment in a coolio, coolio surfer dude town, Lacanau Ocean. A massive beach, with even bigger Portuguese Man of War jellies washed up on the sands. It was a relaxing three days that involved the first Atlantic swim, first lake swim and a a few walks in the Forrest. It’s an amazing place my dad said as it is a bit like New Zealand with forrest to dunes to beach to sea. I rate the place a three on wagadvisor, my big dog club friends holiday here I was told.
Pictured: Indie enjoyed her first Atlantic swim in Lacanau.
"The next day we hacked of the St. Jean de Luz, where dad bumped into a old workmate for lunch, very woofable place, the revaluation that was about to happen was a bit of a shock.... somebody had left their passport at the apartment... It was not me, and I’m not saying who. Anyway with no border control we sauntered into Spain and the Basque Coast where we knew they were not as dog friendly.
"As it got later we had trouble finding a place for the night but found a great fishing port, Mutriku with a two star hotel (it was actually really very nice), great views down to the port, dins in the port and then bed. It was decided the next stop had to be a rest-up six hours curled up in the van wears thin. We trundled into a port called Lekeitio it’s defo a fishing port and they have a great ambiance, it was woof’n fab, the tourist office recommended a campsite just outside called Leagi, the first test of camping was upon us!
Pictured: Indie with her dad Alan ticked off the Guggenheim off their bucket list.
"In Spain I’m a “Terranova” all confusing really, but those eyes melt-em anyway. The campsite was empty and we found a secluded corner and set up the van. It was novel, but great, I think I’m into it now as we have not stayed in a hotem since. Mum said the fish tapas were the best ever and we are likely never to experience the same again... Three days flew by and we were all up for the second camping experience, I know I said I don’t do camping, but I think I might do now. I think the humans have turned hippy.
"We moved onto a Basque town recommended by the tourist office, Gorliz. Whilst the beach is sandy and the doughnuts massive, the two star campsite was not as our first experience. On the way we decided a must see bucket list tick was the Guggenheim and the even bigger dog by Jeff Koons a remarkable piece of art and architecture. Don’t like busy places and was a bit phased by all the humans milling around, but got loads of pats and arhhh’s from people so basically happy. We want to stay in Bilbao for a month or so, tell you how that pans out when it happens; it’s going to be maybe this winter.
Pictured: While she used to hate the idea of camping, Indie says she is now enjoying it.
"So move on to a campsite with nothing less than a three star, that’s the rules moving forward otherwise the budget gets blown to smithereens. We now have moved onto (we were told a cheaper yet beautiful area of Spain) the Asturias Province and a five star campsite in Llanes; well doggy heaven or what, awesome beach, cafe, restaurant (chicken escalope with some of mum's calamari for first night dins) and views to die for. All at the extortionate price of €25 per night total! Swim last night and this morning what can I say... woof, woof woofalooloo.
"We are staying put for a few days..... and who could blame us. This is a five woofer on wagadvisor. Weather is getting hotter so after you cool down, swim and plenty of drinking water. I retreat to the shade of the van. Getting a bit more used to it now and hopefully the heat, I have mastered a new trick, in the middle of the night sneak up on the lower bunk for mid-evening hugs with dad. You know this camping nonsense is not as awful as we had thought.
"Hope all is well in Jersey of course, but finding it difficult to think about it at the moment. Miss a few people naturally but need to fetter down and accept life as the queen of the road."
Pictured: Indie and her humans have seen "views to die for."
"Followed the election results, not too bad a bunch. Catch up daily on Express... off to the beach now with Indie bear."
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