Spain 2024 Part 1 - We've driven our camper van 1,300 winter miles from our Highland home to Spain.

It's time to relax for two months in our camper van on the South coast of Spain. A bit of winter sun, food, drink and generally chilling out after a bit of a burn out year (for everybody).

[@lesleysmith8300]

I find being on the ferry the best but, as you say, it's a rest and the excitement of arriving in Spain. 😂❤

[@RobbotheHighlander]

Hi Lesley😃 Yeah, we get all excited about going on a ferry, spend the hours queuing swearing we'll never do it again, then get all excited when we get onboard😃. There's just something about that ramp opening into another country that never gets old😃 Cheers, Brian and Rhona😃

[@mhoragdrew9301]

Not jealous in the slightest as I’m sat as close to the fire as possible. Haha, I hope that you both have an amazing time away and I know that Rhona will be the one who wins. 😂😂

[@RobbotheHighlander]

Haha, cheers Morag😀 Well you know her😀. But I've learned to sleep with one eye open😀

[@michaeldockery7589]

God bless you both enjoy lm hoping to have around Scotland in April

[@RobbotheHighlander]

Thanks Michael😀 Yeah, April/May is often a great time for Scotland😀 Cheers, Brian and Rhona.

[@ChrisOsborne-pr1iy]

another great vide!!thanks

[@RobbotheHighlander]

Hi Chris😀 Thank you very much for watching it😀 Cheers, Brian and Rhona.

[@sheilarussell8852]

We’ve missed you, great you are back and we can enjoy your travels with you. Sheila & Gavin 🤗

[@RobbotheHighlander]

Thanks for that Sheila and Gavin😀 It feels good to get travelling again😀. Cheers, Brian and Rhona.

[@Allmighty954]

Love this Chanel from another robbo it gets a 👍👍.si robbo

[@RobbotheHighlander]

Hahaha😃 Thank you😃 Cheers, Brian and Rhona😃

[@geraldinewillmott3060]

Hi great to see you again have spent a few winters in Spain some of them at Monmar and loved the place had to stop in 2018 through ill health I lost my husband in 2022 have bought a campervan and am planning to go next winter god willing not to Mocofa as I have 2 small dogs but somewhere close enjoy your time in Spain will follow you the whole trip bringing back some great memories tc

[@RobbotheHighlander]

Hi Geraldine😀 So sorry to hear about your husband, but we're glad that our little videos bring back some memories😀. And well done you with the campervan😀😀 Rhona was ill for a long time, and it was only thanks to a great consultant that she survived (her recovery was largely what drove our sort of work less travel more lives now). Later someone was talking about their own relationship and they said "it's all right for you guys, you have been together forever". Without even thinking I said "yes but we might not be together tomorrow". It's pretty obvious now what drove that response but being a bit thick I wondered why I'd said that for a long time😀 Much later I read an article which referenced what I think was a Buddhist saying. I'll probably get this wildly wrong, but it was something like "if you see a vase pick it up and admire it, because it may be broken tomorrow". At the end of the day I think we'll be really glad that we have these memories as I'm sure you are as well.😀. Cheers, Brian and Rhona (maybe we'll meet you on the road sometime)😀

[@georgespeirs1210]

Great to see you are on your travels again looking forward to the rest of your adventures and tips thanks again 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿👍

[@RobbotheHighlander]

Thanks for watching George😀 Yeah, we didn't get very far after Spain last year, so it's good to get some miles in the van again😀 Cheers, Brian and Rhona.

[@tgrx1901]

Great to see you both back in your happy place and looking forward to seeing your adventures. Who knows, I may even get brave enough to follow in your footsteps and try it for myself.👍

[@RobbotheHighlander]

Thank you😀 I hope you do give it a try😀. I think that the people on a campsite are generally pretty like minded, so it gets to be a home from home pretty quickly😀 Cheers, Brian and Rhona

[@ronmcfarnon9374]

Fantastic, great to have you back, love your videos we have just bought our first ever second hand motorhome in our late sixties and plan to drive to southern spain and stay 90 days and come back to glasgow, you only live once ! look forward to the next one. Linda and Ronnie x

[@RobbotheHighlander]

Hi Linda and Ronnie😀 That's it exactly😀. Life's not a rehearsal as they used to say😀. Also getting down here seems to make you feel at least ten years younger somehow😀 Cheers, Brian and Rhona.

[@stephenb5560]

Just found you and subscribed. Your journey we had booked prior to C19........ Cancelled. I will watch with interest. Have fun in the Sun

[@RobbotheHighlander]

Thanks Stephen😀 Same here, cancelled trip and two years we didn't get. On the other hand spending nothing was how we managed to buy the van (got pretty much the last of them before the prices shot up) Cheers, Brian and Rhona😀

[@drewselfridge2790]

Hi Guys, Can't wait to see what follows!!!!! My wife and I are in the planning stage for end of March - sometime in June trip, but I was wondering do you book your campsites in advance along with your ferry crossings as. the. wife would like to return through France via the tunnel. Have a great trip and stay safe Drew & Linda🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

[@RobbotheHighlander]

Hi Drew and Linda😀 We pretty much book everything before we leave now. We used to sort of only book the first site and then book as we went. However the sites are much busier now in the Winter (post covid camping boom). We tend to be on the Northern half of the Spanish coast now, and even they are much busier. The other reason we book before we leave is because we get so relaxed it becomes a real chore to sit down and book stuff😀 I just prefer to not be doing that stuff when we're here. So for us that means booking the ferry or whatever as early as possible and planning within these dates. Having said that we used to tour in May, and the sites were a lot quieter (pre covid of course, don't know about now). The over winterers had gone home and the Spanish holiday season hadn't started. For us April/May was a great time. Temperatures were perfect too😀 Cheers, Brian and Rhona

[@neilbradford9752]

Have a great time you two , looking out of my south coast window (uk) Im wondering what the latest storm here has done but it’s still black out there , the thought of sitting in winter sun is very appealing right now , really good to hear the comparisons etc , take care 👍

[@RobbotheHighlander]

Thanks Neil😀 Right now here the cars are just on the verge of icing up. It always surprises us how cold it can actually get, early morning especially. We'll still be wandering around in t shirts later though (we hope)😀 Cheers, Brian and Rhona😀

[@Jackie-hm2wp]

So pleased your back on your travels, we had a lovely 5 weeks in Spain last year. We have been watching the video in between . love your videos. At some point could you tell us more about the countrys you went to while motarbike touring and camping. Have a good time, look forward to the next video.xxs

[@RobbotheHighlander]

Thanks very much Jackie😀 I think over the years we toured all of central Europe (not the Eastern European countries that joined the EU later). I've been trying to think of a way to stitch together the old video (and photos) we have of that. Problem is it's poor quality compared to now as it was taken on an old camcorder (and even then it was only our last couple of trips). Perhaps I can upscale it or something😀. Cheers, Brian and Rhona.

[@Jackie-hm2wp]

Thanks for the reply, so quick😊, I think people would love to hear more about your travels before utube, we went to France a couple of times on our Harley. I watched your video about your work begginings, it was so great. the only thing I want to say is please dont change, your videos are so natural.xxx

[@alanflynn4595]

Looking forward to this tour,watched last year's.something good to get us through this winter.

[@RobbotheHighlander]

Thanks for that Alan😀 We really hope the videos do give people a little Winter sun😀. We're going to try to do a little about the lifestyle, the Spanish lunches, a bit about the stuff we tried out back home and a bit about cost in every video just to keep it as interesting as we can😀. We would love to think it gave people a little cheer in the depth of Winter😀 Cheers, Brian and Rhona.

[@daviddoyle5291]

Noticed you are using a branded instant oatmeal breakfast, we use ALDI instant oatmeal just as good as branded but way way cheaper. We drove from Huelva to Bilbao in October then Bilbao to Ireland spent a month in Ireland then back again Ireland to Santander then Santander to Huelva, great trip enjoy.

[@RobbotheHighlander]

Thanks David😀 A man after my own heart😀. Truth is we had to do all the shopping for the way down to Portsmouth on Jan 1st, so it was all Tesco's for speed. We've been debating going to Ireland, then Spain and doing a big tour visiting all the places we went on the motorbike first. Italy, Slovenia etc, and back via the Holland ferry. Like a swansong/memories sort of thing😀. You've got me thinking again😀 Cheers, Brian and Rhona.

[@Endurofilms]

Great to have you back on the Tube, planning to do the same mid December, so keep em coming and enjoy🤓

[@RobbotheHighlander]

Thank you😀 We've still got no idea what we're doing on KZbin, but hey ho😀 If we can do it anyone can😀 Cheers, Brian and Rhona

[@robertfoster1151]

Great video and commentary plus bonus of being pet free.

[@RobbotheHighlander]

Thanks Robert😀 Yeah, we don't specifically look for pet free site's (our next site isn't) but there are quite a few of them. It could definitely catch someone out because it's often only in the small print (until you turn up). Cheers, Brian and Rhona😀

[@grahamlongdon8448]

Looking forward to seeing your videos nice to see you both again 😊👏

[@RobbotheHighlander]

Thanks Graham😀 It's much appreciated😀 Cheers, Brian and Rhona.

[@angelamass8405]

Great journey getting ready to enjoy the pair of you and what's to come 🍻

[@RobbotheHighlander]

Thanks Angela😀 Still a little frazzled but we're nearly settled😀 Normally we make more stops. We'll be making more next time😀 Cheers, Brian and Rhona.

[@mucows]

Awesome, you got there safely. You look so happy 😊

[@RobbotheHighlander]

Thank you😀 It's a really quiet place with not a lot to do (compared to some), but somehow it seems like when you take choice away you gain peace of mind or something😀 Cheers, Brian and Rhona.

[@christophermcrae3756]

Hi enjoyed your vlog, shouldn't wish our lives away but cant wait to get doing some of the same 👍

[@RobbotheHighlander]

Hi Christopher😀 We sort of shape our lives around doing it really (partly by choice, partly by accident). We're not actually retired. More like live like kings in Spain for two to three months and work what we have to (any job) the rest of the year😀 Cheers, Brian and Rhona.

[@christophermcrae3756]

@@RobbotheHighlander Fair play, been thinking of looking at campsite wardens for half year and half year travel, the wife keeps telling me to stop watching van life vlogs 🤣, our van stuck on the drive mosy of the time, looking forward to the next one anyways 👍

[@lindadawson6796]

Looking forward to this year’s adventures guys.We are ex motorhomers and now have a caravan in Los Galardos near Mojacar. Love Spain especially in January

[@RobbotheHighlander]

Hi Linda😀 Yeah, if we could we would come January/February and then again in May. It's too much travel (and money) for us now, but we used to love the temperatures in May😀 Cheers, Brian and Rhona.

[@Lorrowen1]

Exciting time. Enjoy

[@RobbotheHighlander]

Thank you😀 4 days of travel for 2 months of sun😀. It feels like a fair deal when your actually here😀 Cheers, Brian and Rhona.

[@cherylandsimon]

oh nice enjoy

[@RobbotheHighlander]

Thanks Cheryl and Simon😀 We'll give it our best shot😀 Cheers, Brian and Rhona.

[@helennicol5966]

Great to see you back , x can't wait for retirement to do that , can I ask if you leave heating on at home for frozen pipes etc ? Your not missing the heavy snow today x take care guys

[@RobbotheHighlander]

Thanks Helen😀 People are staying in our house when we're away, so the heatings on anyway. We would leave it on low if not😀. Tonight is the first night we've not had the van heating on, but no snow at least😀 Cheers, Brian and Rhona.

[@JnrKingPosse]

Looking forward to this. We will be at our house for all February. If you are in Granada area let us know. Safe travels 😎🇪🇸

[@RobbotheHighlander]

Thanks Callum😀 We'll be here and further North this trip. We have been to Granada though and loved it😀. We've actually been thinking about touring again in the next couple of years. We would love to get back to Southern Spain in a May again or Northern in September😀 Cheers, Brian and Rhona

[@sheilaclark3463]

Glad you got there safely and great to see you sitting in the sun 😎. Minus 2 at home and snow forecast this week. Have a fantastic, relaxing time. Sheesh xx

[@RobbotheHighlander]

Hi Sis😀 We're settling in now. It's amazing. You get here all tense, and then slowly your mind starts to free up. Unfortunately for Rhona that means I start coming up with all sorts of mad s***😀 Xx

[@sheilaclark3463]

@@RobbotheHighlander haha - G has the same problem with me! It’s a Robertson thing 😂

[@kurts_aviation]

great vlog Brian i suppose that is as close to a boat as Rhona's will get on this trip well until you return, looking forward to following your travels

[@RobbotheHighlander]

Hi Kurt😀 Ahhhh no! She still has to go to Cambrils after this😀. Also she has to endure me endlessly telling her how they probably worked the boats here on the beach at Moncofa😀. Actually they recently painted a huge mural here depicting how the beach was worked. She's spent many happy minutes looking at that😀 Cheers, Brian and Rhona.

[@julianlangdon3456]

lovely, but its a heck of an expensive way of doing things if you're on a budget. We're not long back from a week in Fuengirola; £160 each including flights and a nice Hotel. I worked out Fuel only for my big Estate car (small Camper) for the same round trip at £500, based on 50mpg; including 250miles round trip to Dover; not inc Ferry or Tolls

[@RobbotheHighlander]

Hi Julian😃 Thing is we're here for two or three months and visiting two or three places😃. We do budget but it's to spend 1/4 of the year in Spain😃. Cheers, Brian and Rhona😃

[@jimmccarron1286]

Hi guys just found your channel and subscribed, I have just taken ownership of an evolution CV40, love your videos, can I ask what camping chairs you use please, like the tips on the mods you have done to your van, intend to go abroad in my van , but for now its our beautiful Scotland for time being .

[@RobbotheHighlander]

Thanks Jim😀 The chairs are Coleman sling chairs. You'll see them on Amazon if you search that. Ours are Khaki. A little expensive but the umbrella type chairs slide under the bed. We showed in another video that we put the rubber things you put on the bottom of chair legs on ours. When the original plastic caps on the bottom of the legs wear away it can leave a sharp edge which could cut through a groundsheet😀 Cheers, Brian and Rhona.

[@leannearnold8326]

Fab ❤ do you like having the 2 nights on the ferry? Plymouth to Santander is only a 22hour crossing 🤔 ..and cheaper.

[@RobbotheHighlander]

Hi Leanne😀 We would consider it but at the moment (as far as we know) that crossing doesn't start until March normally. Perhaps it'll change again in the future😀. More choice the better😀 Cheers, Brian and Rhona.

[@leannearnold8326]

@@RobbotheHighlander ah ok 👍 looking forward to following your travels - we are frustrated motorhomer owners from Portsmouth..we dream of being able to travel for 2 months 😂😂

[@Helen365]

You’ll be missing all that lovely Scottish weather! Could I please ask where about you stay on the south coast because it always looks nice.

[@RobbotheHighlander]

Hi Helen😀 We're at Moncofa, just North of Valencia. At this time of year it's a little colder than further down the coast, especially these first two weeks in January. Still waaaay warmer than Scotland though😀 Cheers, Brian and Rhona.

[@jeff30795]

Thank you for this video, much appreciated. May we ask what sort of money are we talking to stay on-site? Cheers, Jeff & Maxine.

[@RobbotheHighlander]

Hi Jeff and Maxine😀 Thing is everyone is on different rates depending on how many days and how many amps of electricity etc. We'll cover it in a later video but I always say that for staying over 30 days (in the Winter) on a good campsite in a quiet area (like this) we expect to pay between 13 and 20 Euros a night (including electricity, which depends on how much you use). You can get cheaper. Closer to a built up area (say Benidorm) is generally a bit more expensive. Out of interest we recently checked Villasol in Benidorm. The same period would be 22.5 Euro a night plus electricity (which could be a few Euros a night depending on what you need). It varies hugely (even on the same campsite) but hopefully that's an indication😀 Cheers, Brian and Rhona.

[@jeff30795]

@@RobbotheHighlander Thank you Brian & Ronda. That's very interesting as we mostly can rely on solar panels to give us most electric. Occasionally needing to recharge; with the warmer Spanish climate, we may have a good chance of keeping our costs down? we have not travelled outside of the U.K before, but seeing you both making the trip, inspires us. Thanks again for your video and kind reply.

[@RobbotheHighlander]

No worries😀 In January it's the heating that costs really. We need it on for a little in the morning and evenings for quite a few days. Some years there is frost in the mornings. It's usually a bit warmer further South around Málaga though😀

[@jeff30795]

@@RobbotheHighlander might need to travel a little more south then 🤗Thank you.

[@Joseppiii-kp6es]

What would you recommend travelling to Spain with dogs (small chihuahuas) ? In a motorbike .. Can you get the ferry direct to Spain with dogs and also do you see other people with dogs on the camp sites , cheers

[@RobbotheHighlander]

Hiya😀 The older Brittany Ferries which went direct to Spain had kennels onboard. I’m not sure about the new ferries but they either have kennels or you can book a cabin which also allows dogs in the cabin. You can check it on the Brittany ferries website anyway. In the UK we kind of expect that dogs will be allowed on campsites by default, but in Spain there are many campsites that don’t allow dogs (or sometimes any pets). It’s definitely better to check the small print because sometimes it’s not that obvious. We used to have a dog and we don’t specifically look for dog free sites but we have been to a surprisingly high number of them by chance. Hope that helps😀 Cheers, Brian and Rhona.

[@SandyToesDetecting]

Welcome to Spain. Why 2 different wireless microphone types ?

[@RobbotheHighlander]

Thank you😀 I have had the Rode GO mics (the first version) for years, but recently bought the Sony's because I have a Sony camera and they connect directly via the hot shoe. I have a Sony B10 shotgun mic which is great but I'm struggling with the Sony wireless mics. I keep trying, but I wish I'd bought the new Rode pros instead😀. They are actually cheaper as well! Cheers, Brian and Rhona.

[@SandyToesDetecting]

@@RobbotheHighlander I have just purchased the Neewer cm28 which are the dogs dangleses but at half the price of Rode / DJI. I did try the hollyland lark m1 but returned those as it needed additional cables which cost a lot. The neewer has a status LCD on receiver which is really good, I had another cheap one but never sure if it was connected and sending voice to camera.

[@RobbotheHighlander]

I just had a quick look at the Neewer's. Maybe their the answer😀 Cheers😀

[@SandyToesDetecting]

@@RobbotheHighlander All the reviews are praising it. My first impressions since I got them a few days ago is very positive. There is another brand FULAIM X5 which is identical. Prices on amazon UK are about the same, in spain only the neewer is available

[@user-ov3bb3dd9w]

Where was the site in Spain please

[@RobbotheHighlander]

Hiya😀 This is Moncofa (just North of Valencia). Cheers, Brian and Rhona.

[@user-ov3bb3dd9w]

@@RobbotheHighlander hi rob thanks for that we have had an apartment in xeraco (Just south of Valencia for 20 years sold up last year ) right next door to GANDIA fantastic place to chill out 👍