Ok, review time (takes deep breath!)
Journey:
We of course went with Interbrava and were picked up from Harthill services. We actually got a 6 seater shuttle down to Southwaite to meet the main coast, which was fine, then it was a straight run down to Dover with a few pick ups on the way. Through France we skirted Paris and then heading down the more westerly route, crossing the Massif Central (lovely area) and down to Millau to go over the new bridge (got some good pics there!)
Arrived in the resort just after mid-day. Return journey was via Lyon, and we ended up in Calais in time to get the 3:15AM (yes, AM!) ferry, meaning i got home at 3:30pm. The only fault with the return journey was the fact that it was an estate car as only 4 of us were coming back. Big mistake, it was jam packed, and although it got us home quickly enough it was the most uncomfortable part of the journey. As per usual, our drivers (Stevie and Richard) were fantastic, and Stevie isn't just a good driver, he sings a mean version of REM and Simple Minds too (It's going on You Tube Stevie!
) Mandy was once again our hostess, and as per usual she went above the call of duty to make sure everyone was happy. All part of the reason why you always see so many familiar faces on the bus when you get on ... people always come back!
Accom / Reps:
This is the only part where i was slightly disappointed. We stayed in a Lodge (previously known as Lux 6 in Redcrest days) The units are still fundementally sound, but they are now 8-9 year old and they need a little bit of TLC to bring them up to scratch. Had regular issues with the boiler, fridge door looked not far off falling off, various fixings and fastenings needed tidying up, and opening the fridge door was more effective than the air conditioning which was useless and clearly needs recharged. They are all minor things, very easy to rectify, and i guess that's what makes it more disappointing that they haven't been done. If i was there in the heat of July and my air conditioning was like that, i'd be raging!!
Reps weren't quite as visible as they normally were. It's a hard balance, as i don't like a rep nipping my head every day to go to their BBQ or excursions, but i think a couple of pop ins during the week wouldn't go amiss to check if everything is ok. In that saying the guys still do an excellent job, despite the fact that i'm not keen on one of the reps who was ex-redcrest / Club C who is now back working with Interbrava .. but hey, that's just a personal thing!!
Resort:
The campsite .. well, it's pretty much the same as it ever was. Much stricter on passes now, so DON'T forget to take them when you leave the site, you WILL be asked for them on the way back in (which i applaud, but when i'm coming in with a massive bag of groceries from LIDL where the **** does the guard think i'm going!!!! Sneaking in to sunbathe with my tin of beans?
) Usual mix of nice staff on the resort, and the same old t*ssers that are the lifeguards, who i saw taking rubber rings from young kids. I thought Franco was dead?
Estartit town is pretty much the same too. As each year goes by, less pubs aimed at British tourists and they are definitely trying to cater for a different type of tourist now
Cost of Living:
To be honest, i didn't find it expensive at all. During our week there, i probably drew out around €300, which would be around £263 at the rate i was getting, on top of the €100 i had in cash with me. Now, i spent €31 bringing some fags back for a friend, plus around €50-60 on some liquid refreshments for me and for pressies, so i really didn't spend that much although we did go with the idea that this was a cheap holiday. In terms of buying food, i usually spend around £50-60 a week on groceries, and i certainly didn't spend any more than that whilst in Spain. Bought the majority at LIDL, and just topped up with smaller things from the site supermarket. It's easy to criticise the site supermarket, but i was buying imported 2L bottles of No Added Sugar fizzy pop at around 80c .... can't argue with that!
All in all, a very good week, and the temp was around 31-32C each day, very warm for May. Sure, you have the usual chavs hanging around at times but as the season progresses you kinda expect that, and it's easy to avoid. We spent most of our time walking or bathing at the caravan, then went for a swim at night (around 6-7pm) when it had cooled and quietened down. I have to say though, it's the quietest i've seen the site in year for what would normally have been our second week onsite. I remember walking past the bottom pool at around 10am and there was one chap doing his morning exercise in the pool all alone!! Very quiet!!
One plea for Interbrava if they read this. I know the only reason you bought back limited coach hols is because you were nagged by customers ... please take note of this and stick with it. You clearly have a loyal bunch of customers, and i lost count of the amount of times on the bus that i heard people say 'i went with Siesta last year' or 'i went with Club C last year' ... it was usually followed by the statement 'never again'
I may be biased, but you do it better than anyone else, but i do have to be honest and say that a week is too short for me, and i wasn't the only person saying they would have liked two weeks in the quiet season, so please consider extending your May and September holidays to two weeks as although i love going with Interbrava i more than likely won't book another holiday for one week (I am thinking about going with car next year anyway)
Phew ... if anyone has any questions, im happy to help. I'm now off to buy new trainers, walked 30 miles when i was there and they are wrecked!!!
