Pre-event documentation
In the late March newsletter we stated that documentation for those using the Plymouth to Santander ferry would take place at the Plymouth Novotel. In order to comply with VAT regulations this will no longer be the case and documentation will take place at a location to be advised on the ferry. However, the convenient location of the Novotel and the special rate negotiated still makes it an ideal overnight stopover if one is required.
For those not using the ferry to Santander, documentation will take place at an assembly point outside the secure dock area and from which the event will start. Full details will be given later.
News from the recce
Pete Wellington has just returned from another 10 day recce of the route, this time the Spanish and Northern Portugal elements. He reports that we Brits will have to “re-calibrate” our pre-conceptions regarding road types. A mass of EU money has gone into a major road building programme and the motorways and A-roads are all very modern with superb road surfaces. But unlike most European networks they are not straight and boring but hug the terrain and even motorways have challenging swoops and turns plus spectacular scenery. By contrast the B-roads can be a mixture of good or extremely poor surface and the back roads are mainly gravel. Pete will use his usual good judgement to give us a mix of driving experiences, but on the “long” days into and out of Portugal it's good to know that fast does not mean boring in this neck of the woods.
The route from Santander takes us south and then west to León with a refreshment stop scheduled at a Parador. We will also be staying in a fabulous Parador in Leon which was once a monastery. Because our arrival time will be dependent on the ferry timetable we are investigating the provision of an optional buffet meal there.
An early start the next day will take us via a refreshment stop at Puebla de Sanabria to Chaves for lunch and then on to Porto. The President de Camera (Mayor) of Porto will welcome us to the square in front of the Camera Municipale (City Hall) where the cars will be securely parked overnight and participants will be taken by bus to the hotel.
The next day we will go straight to the Braga race circuit and then take a small loop through the country to enjoy spectacular views at lunch at the Hotel Elevator at Bom Jesus. An early afternoon return to park in the Palacio de Crystal (Botanical gardens) in Porto will leave time for general sightseeing or for a drive around the Porto street circuit. This is created for a WTCC round and a historic festival on consecutive weekends in mid-July and then dismantled, so we will be unable to drive round it as an organised group, particularly as Porto traffic is legendary! But individuals are welcome to follow its route, or just take in the many delights of this beautiful city on foot. That evening, buses will take us to the famous Taylor’s Port caves for our mid-week dinner.
Our trip south through Portugal to Lisbon currently takes in refreshment halts at Aveiro and Leiria, although Pete has been given a red hot tip of a must visit village by one of the local motor club officials which he will follow up on his next trip in June.
In Lisbon Pete is negotiating secure parking very close to the hotel and the remainder of the Lisbon/Estoril experience remains as per previous newsletters. Importantly, after the Estoril and Sintra visits we will have the remainder of the afternoon and evening to explore the city.
From Lisbon to Viseu we will take in refreshment stops at Tomar and the motor museum at Caramulo and Pete is going to take another look at Coimbra, which is apparently the Oxbridge of Portugal, on his next trip.
From Viseu it’s a long day back to León but we have the exciting prospect of being able to join a special celebration commemorating the old Grand Prix circuit at Vila Real - more to follow as we find out the exact details. At Bragança the mayor is set to welcome us and we will return to our Parador in León for the end of event Gala Dinner.
The next morning it’s over the spectacular Picos de Europa National Park where the snow never leaves the mountain peaks, a refreshment stop at Potes in the heart of the park and along the coast to Santander where those using the ferry will find dedicated check-in lines.
Ferry Bookings
If you have not already booked your ferry crossing (Plymouth/Santander) and are intending to do so, please contact us immediately as places are limited.
