GWENT MG OWNERS CLUB

 MG Espana 2006

Val and John's MG Espana 2006

We had a thoroughly enjoyable MG Espana 2003 so when it was announced that a new route was planned for MG Espana 2006 we didn’t hesitate to book ourselves on the trip.

We sailed from Plymouth on Wednesday 6 September arriving in sunny Santander at a bustling 9.00 a.m.  We met up with friends Janet and Roger from Wycombe Area MG Owners Club, in their newly resprayed red MGB Roadster (very nice too), sporting their newly acquired Tom-Tom (fondly named Sam).  Driving in a westerly direction we headed for Ribadeo, via San Vicente and Llanes – there are many beautiful beaches  and coves along this magnificent coastline.  The Parador in Ribadeo was excellent – as indeed all the Paradores in Spain prove to be.  They are government run and are usually of some historical interest.  It was fiesta time in Ribadeo and we had a fine display of local costumes and traditions.  A midnight firework display woke us from our slumbers lighting up the spectacular harbour visible from our balconies.

After our two-night stay, we departed one-by-one to La Coruna.  The weather changed and it was threatening heavy rain and thunder was crashing about. “Do we put the hoods up or brave it?” pondered the roadster owners amongst us.  We were OK in our MGC GT…  We numbered 32 altogether – 1 TC; 1 MGA; 1 RV8; 2 V8s; 1 MGC; 4 F/TFs; and the rest? MGB’s in various guises.  We had fun getting lost in Ferroll and decided not to listen to SAM any more – she was no fun as she kept on wanting to take us on the motorways. The weather warmed up and we arrived to find our hotel situated right on the sandy beach.  La Coruna is famous as the resting place of Sir John Moore – who commanded the English army against the French (in Spain) and lost his life in the process; and Torres de Hercules, which is allegedly a Roman lighthouse and still in working order.

Following our two night stay, we set off for Santiago de Compostela.  The weather was miserable but we were in joyful spirit (at least all the cars were going OK).  We got to Cape Finisterre (shipping forecast fame and most westerly part of mainland Europe) and had intended to go and see the lighthouse.  Alas, it could not be seen due to heavy drizzle and thick fog.  We passed many miles of blackened eucalyptus and cork forests that had been destroyed by the forest fires earlier in the summer and although witnessed on TV it is not until seen in real life that the true devastation hits home.    

Some 150 miles later lots of hot cars and sweaty occupants arrived safely after trying to decipher Helen’s (MG Owners Club Travel Destinations Organiser) directions and navigate through rush-hour Spanish traffic.  It makes for good conversation over a beer or two!  Helen was joined by Beverley from the MGOC and were there to give assistance when needed.-

Santiago de Compostela is the third most important site for Christians after Rome and Jerusalem and where the pilgrims finally receive their “compostela” – the certificate for having completed all or at least the last 100 km of the route on foot.  Thousands of pilgrims travel the route of the Apostle St James and end their journey in the Cathedral Square – what a sight it is when they arrive at the end of their journey – champagne corks and howls of jubilation deafen all around.  Keen MGers set out to drive into the mountains for the day but another wet day saw us dodging torrential rain and sheltering in the Cathedral – we must have appeared very devout as we sat and waited for the rain to ease off.

After a leisurely breakfast  (MGers do not live in the fast lane on holiday) we set off for Leon.  A lorry had jack-knifed so we took a local detour into deepest Spanish countryside.  It was comical to see the look of total surprise and to hear the shouts of delight when the locals beckoned one another to see our threesome (our MGC, Roger and Janet in their Roadster and Bill and Olive in their MGBGT) snaking through their tiny hamlets.  We were OK until that herd of cattle headed towards us …..  This is the real Spain we came to enjoy (apart from the Rioja that is!)

We arrived in Leon (why is it we always time it for the rush-hour?). We stayed in the Parador Hotel San Marcos.  Unfortunately, we only had one night in this luxurious hotel – wonder if we put pressure on Helen would they stretch to two nights next time?  We could really get used to this life style.  The keen drivers took to the road in the morning, for our final hotel at Mogro, but we stayed to wander the streets of Leon and to wonder at the beautiful stained glass windows in the Cathedral.

One route went up and over the Picos de Europas which is spectacular and worth doing (once).  We’ve done it before so we took the lower route taking in the Escudo Pass.  It’s kinder on the car and for drivers without power assisted steering – also easier on the brakes.  We again enjoyed this drive through rural Spain, waving as we passed amazed locals wondering where we had come from (or even where we were going to).  Those who ventured the Picos did not see much as it was misty and the last hour or so of the 200 mile drive saw the windscreen wipers on again.  ("We must get an intermittent wiper switch for our next holiday” John muttered, using me as a stand by).  Who says the “Rain in Spain falls mainly on the plain?”  We can prove otherwise!  Pauline and George took days to dry out their TC, which George had lovingly and beautifully restored.  It was the envy of everyone and its red paintwork, which George had done himself, stopped many passers by.

We arrived at the quiet beachside Hotel Milagros Golf (note MG initials – this is important) soaked to the skin and all steamed up on the inside.  On a nice day it would have been idyllic. It was the only hotel around and faced a white sandy beach with beautiful clear blue sea.  We all went out for our Saturday drive and came back to a Hotel that now had two weddings taking place and in the evening played host to the Premier Football Team - Real Racing Santander!  We had a final Gala Dinner on the Saturday (when it was noticed that some of the cotton napkins seemed to surreptitiously disappear one by one – wonder if it was something to do with the MG monogram on them?).

On Sunday our penultimate day we drove to San Vicente lunching on local sardines and tuna.  Joined with Roger and Janet; Bill and Olive we drove to Camillas where the cars again caused much interest – and the weather was starting to get brighter.

Our final day saw the return of sunshine and we almost baked in the searing heat as we parked up on the ferry side in Santander (typical).  We were about to embark when we saw a wonderful sight – Bill in his 40 year old MGBGT towing  Sarah and Alison in their 4 year old MGTF!  Is there a moral here?

Although the weather could have been kinder, we had a wonderful holiday.  We met old friends, made new friends, met lots of interesting people and visited fascinating places.  The cars went well and there were no major disasters. 

Helen had provided a Spanish cook book in our pre-holiday pack.  There’s nothing like a Galician soup and a glass of Rioja to set us wondering where will our travels take us next year?    If you are stuck on where to go next we would thoroughly recommend a holiday with your MG on an MGOC holiday (no I’m not on commission!).  This was our third holiday with MGOC and we have enjoyed them all immensely.