Northern Spain 2025
Tuesday 19th August
Sue wanted to see “Longest Yarn 2: Britain at War” which was being shown at the Chiltern Open Air Museum so we set off a couple of days early.
On the way down we visited Hughenden House where Disraeli lived from 1948 to 1881. The Victorian house was filled with his personal memorabilia. An additional exhibition explained how, during the Second World War, the basement was used as a secret intelligence base code named "Hillside". The UK Air Ministry staff at the manor analysed aerial photography of Germany and created maps for bombing missions, including the "Dam Busters" raid. This history remained hidden for sixty years and only came to light when a visitor was overheard telling his grandson that he had worked there during the war!
Sue wanted to see “Longest Yarn 2: Britain at War” which was being shown at the Chiltern Open Air Museum so we set off a couple of days early.
On the way down we visited Hughenden House where Disraeli lived from 1948 to 1881. The Victorian house was filled with his personal memorabilia. An additional exhibition explained how, during the Second World War, the basement was used as a secret intelligence base code named "Hillside". The UK Air Ministry staff at the manor analysed aerial photography of Germany and created maps for bombing missions, including the "Dam Busters" raid. This history remained hidden for sixty years and only came to light when a visitor was overheard telling his grandson that he had worked there during the war!
Wednesday 20th August
After a quiet night at the Brit Stop "The Hit or Miss" pub located in Penn Street near Amersham we spent the day at the Chiltern Open Air Museum. The partly finished version of the British "Longest Yarn" was on display there. A number of panels were not finished in time but will be by 2026 when Peterborough Cathedral are due to host it.
After a quiet night at the Brit Stop "The Hit or Miss" pub located in Penn Street near Amersham we spent the day at the Chiltern Open Air Museum. The partly finished version of the British "Longest Yarn" was on display there. A number of panels were not finished in time but will be by 2026 when Peterborough Cathedral are due to host it.
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The open air museum featured a number of buildings from the local area plus nissen huts, a pre-fab and a "grow all you can" war-time garden.
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Overnight again at "The Hit or Miss" pub. It was burger night which was delicious and very reasonable.
Thursday 21st August
On the way down to Portsmouth we visited Hinton Ampner, a neo-Georgian manor with a 20th-centuary garden, featuring 17th/18th century Italian paintings, Georgian furniture, and a library.
Saturday 23rd August
Arrived Bilbao and after stocking up with food at Aldi, got off the fast road and took a beautiful scenic drive through steep sided valleys between the peaks of the mountains to our first overnight stop, a well appointed aire at Onati.
Sunday 24th August
Our drive today was very twisty and narrow but extremely picturesque. As it was Sunday there were more cyclists than cars! As it was very hot, almost 40°C we stopped early and spent the afternoon relaxing, having fortunately found an aire with nice shady pitches under the trees.
Monday 25th August
After stopping to shop at Lidl we drove round the Pamplona ring road and headed east into the Pyrenees. The foothills were forested and the villages were almost alpine in nature. Our destination was the pretty village of Ochagavia. Here the Salazar river banks are lined with attractive stone and timber houses linked by six stone bridges.
Thursday 21st August
On the way down to Portsmouth we visited Hinton Ampner, a neo-Georgian manor with a 20th-centuary garden, featuring 17th/18th century Italian paintings, Georgian furniture, and a library.
Saturday 23rd August
Arrived Bilbao and after stocking up with food at Aldi, got off the fast road and took a beautiful scenic drive through steep sided valleys between the peaks of the mountains to our first overnight stop, a well appointed aire at Onati.
Sunday 24th August
Our drive today was very twisty and narrow but extremely picturesque. As it was Sunday there were more cyclists than cars! As it was very hot, almost 40°C we stopped early and spent the afternoon relaxing, having fortunately found an aire with nice shady pitches under the trees.
Monday 25th August
After stopping to shop at Lidl we drove round the Pamplona ring road and headed east into the Pyrenees. The foothills were forested and the villages were almost alpine in nature. Our destination was the pretty village of Ochagavia. Here the Salazar river banks are lined with attractive stone and timber houses linked by six stone bridges.
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Tuesday 26th August
Continued to follow the Salazar valley south and out of the Pyrenees. We made a stop at Javier. Next to the large monastery is the small, but imposing Castillo. This was the birthplace of San Francisco Xavier (15-06-52) who travelled all over the far east and died in China.
Continued to follow the Salazar valley south and out of the Pyrenees. We made a stop at Javier. Next to the large monastery is the small, but imposing Castillo. This was the birthplace of San Francisco Xavier (15-06-52) who travelled all over the far east and died in China.
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From here a short drive took us to the hill top town of Sos del Rey Católico. Much as we would have loved to explore the town it was very hot and the open air swimming pool right next to the overnight parking seemed a far better attraction!
Wednesday 27th August
In the cool of the next morning we explored the old town, with its maze of narrow cobbled streets lined with ancient tall town houses. From Sos del Rey Católico we drove the scenic winding road east passing through picturesque villages until we reached the incised valley of the river Gallego with its incredible rock formations. A short detour took us to the small village of Agüero nestled beneath the massive Mallos de Agüero.
Wednesday 27th August
In the cool of the next morning we explored the old town, with its maze of narrow cobbled streets lined with ancient tall town houses. From Sos del Rey Católico we drove the scenic winding road east passing through picturesque villages until we reached the incised valley of the river Gallego with its incredible rock formations. A short detour took us to the small village of Agüero nestled beneath the massive Mallos de Agüero.
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Our plan was to overnight at Jaca but as a result of long delays and roadworks, by the time we got there the motorhome aire was full. A twisty narrow road with many blind bends took us to Aisa where we found a large car park with lots of motorhome spaces.
Thursday 28th August
Next morning we took a longer but easier road back to Jaca continuing on through the valley to Sabinango. From here we headed into the heart of the mountains and took a scenic road from Buscas to the next valley, de Broto.
We stopped overnight at Fiscal on a campsite with beautiful mountain views.
Thursday 28th August
Next morning we took a longer but easier road back to Jaca continuing on through the valley to Sabinango. From here we headed into the heart of the mountains and took a scenic road from Buscas to the next valley, de Broto.
We stopped overnight at Fiscal on a campsite with beautiful mountain views.
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Friday 29th August
A short drive from Fiscal took us to the historic town of Ainsa. Here, an elongated ridge, is dominated by the walls of the ancient town. The arcaded walls of the stone fort were originally surrounded by a moat.The four towers have survived. Leading from the fort is the 12th century Plazo Mayor. The broad cobbled square is surrounded by arcaded houses. The Romanesque church of Iglesia de Santa Maria, whose belfry dominates the plaza, was consecrated in 118. Two cobbled streets lead down to the lower gate of the walled town.
A short drive from Fiscal took us to the historic town of Ainsa. Here, an elongated ridge, is dominated by the walls of the ancient town. The arcaded walls of the stone fort were originally surrounded by a moat.The four towers have survived. Leading from the fort is the 12th century Plazo Mayor. The broad cobbled square is surrounded by arcaded houses. The Romanesque church of Iglesia de Santa Maria, whose belfry dominates the plaza, was consecrated in 118. Two cobbled streets lead down to the lower gate of the walled town.
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Stayed overnight at the large car park at Ainsa.
Saturday 30th August
After buying food for the weekend at the small supermacado we drove a scenic route south from Ainsa with views across the braided Rio Cinca which had been dammed for hydro-electric power.
Saturday 30th August
After buying food for the weekend at the small supermacado we drove a scenic route south from Ainsa with views across the braided Rio Cinca which had been dammed for hydro-electric power.