Habay truckstop is 4.30 hours from Calais,good food and showers,Belguim.
Centre Routiers at Rouen is about 3 ish. Think it’s closed saturday night but there was stuff within walking distance.
Total services before Chartres is about 4 - 4:15, small cafe and showers open all weekend.
Not much else comes to mind really 
Any town or city centre would suffice,or an zone industriale,mostly a long way from the town,but most have a hotel,for a coffee or a meal.
Parking on the motorway is noisy,as the trucks next to you will be firing up their motors to charge up the batteries after using the power for their dvd`s,lap tops and satelite tv in their cabs,they do this all night,and all day if you are weekended with them.
well here we go so far
Dover was ace - Burger King while waiting - nice check in - fast loading no complaints
Into France - followed toll road and parked for the night at unspecific stop - well signed ‘Aire De’ followed by the name of the place - free parking shower 2 euro’s - very well lit and secure
Next day same thing used toll road parked at ‘Aire de’ and was well lit and secure
tolls very expensive from Reims down to wards spain - would recommend a different rout enext time -
however at spanish border found the red turtle truck stop / fuel point - free parking , excellent food and service good showers
going to use nationals to Barcelona tomorrow as free -
I will update as required
its 8 euro at red turtle for 24 hours wifi which is great - the Total service area’s have free wifi for 30 minutes but all others charge
the toll roads are very clear and empty
contrary to all the advice and help i havn’t been stopped every 10 miles in fact i have yet to see a french VOSA van - lol
Having a great time and loving it - how to stay engaged as the views are so great
return journey using Nationals so be ready for the write up
cheers
Steve at Jonquera
Well here i am at Barcelona - the Spanish are crazy drivers big time - but very few accidents - can’t work it out
Main thing is they are go fast no doddering around -
Dropped trailer at secure site and now parked at Area 2 Cafe/Bar/Truckstop - its basic but ok -
tomorrow i’ll catch the bus into Barcelona and have a look around
cheers
Steve in Barcelona
gm:
well here we go so far
Dover was ace - Burger King while waiting - nice check in - fast loading no complaints
Into France - followed toll road and parked for the night at unspecific stop - well signed ‘Aire De’ followed by the name of the place - free parking shower 2 euro’s - very well lit and secure
Next day same thing used toll road parked at ‘Aire de’ and was well lit and secure
tolls very expensive from Reims down to wards spain - would recommend a different rout enext time -
however at spanish border found the red turtle truck stop / fuel point - free parking , excellent food and service good showers
going to use nationals to Barcelona tomorrow as free -
I will update as required
its 8 euro at red turtle for 24 hours wifi which is great - the Total service area’s have free wifi for 30 minutes but all others charge
the toll roads are very clear and empty
contrary to all the advice and help i havn’t been stopped every 10 miles in fact i have yet to see a french VOSA van - lol
Having a great time and loving it - how to stay engaged as the views are so great
return journey using Nationals so be ready for the write up
cheers
Steve at Jonquera
Be careful when stopping at the border down there not the safest place in the world now heard many stories bout drivers being done over just fueling up, BUT glad you having a good trip drive
Hi Thanks for the advice -
Parked at the Zone 2 Cafe in Barcelona - superbe beer - parking is ok - its on a dead end street but is well lit and security patrols the build opposite every 20 minutes - free wifi , HD tv in spanish lol - food ordered and will post quality later - shower is awesome - takes your skin off and red hot - i feel so much better now
Going shopping tomorrow - tram just down the road straight barcelona center - waitress says better shopping locally though as Barce is all touristo lol
its good being able to link with home - and it might help someone else who needs advice
regards
Steve in barcelona -
right here we go
I had chicken and chips - pollo with fries lol#
was huge - full to brim -with a small beer 7 Euro - wowow - good value
Clean , well presented and pleasant staff
cheers
Steve in Barcelona Area 2 Cafe
toby1234abc:
Habay truckstop is 4.30 hours from Calais,good food and showers,Belguim.
And that’s on the way to Barcelona, is it? 
Harry Monk:
toby1234abc:
Habay truckstop is 4.30 hours from Calais,good food and showers,Belguim.And that’s on the way to Barcelona, is it?
Lmao 
turnip:
Harry Monk:
toby1234abc:
Habay truckstop is 4.30 hours from Calais,good food and showers,Belguim.And that’s on the way to Barcelona, is it?
Lmao
Not done the senic route then■■? Takes in the rhein river it does lol
taffytrucker:
turnip:
Harry Monk:
toby1234abc:
Habay truckstop is 4.30 hours from Calais,good food and showers,Belguim.And that’s on the way to Barcelona, is it?
Lmao
Not done the senic route then■■? Takes in the rhein river it does lol
& a quick customs control at terespol !
Thought he was after cheap fuel at Luxembourg,as an Austrian firm called Lindners would tell me to go that way to fill up,long way round i know,that was the orders.
I used to park for free in the main commercial port,you drive in the main gate near Zona Franca,the cop on the gate does not stop or ask why and where you are going.
A small Petromrales garage,with a cafe,and safe parking,the sea is behind the concrete blocks if you fancy a swim.