eleanor
New member
So having spoken so many times over the years we decided as our stay will be a longer one we will take our little princess and make the drive. Much of the hesitation has been that our little Kelsea is very much a princess much to our making I must admit. 13.5 years of age we took her on as a rescue dog at 2 having already had 2 other homes. The many problems she had we ironed out and she has become our baby who we adore. Ok pass the bucket for those who are not dog lovers but those who are will know clearly where I am coming from! Having decided to bring her we looked into so many different ways of getting her here, including flying! Kelsea in the hold was a non runner - Kelsea sitting on my lap was much more the ideal but a golden cocker spaniel weighs much more than the allowed 8kg (including cage) so again a non runner unless a very strict diet. lol We spoke with a forum member who helped us very much with his experiences with bringing his dog and were very grateful for his help and suggestions. The thought of putting Kelsea in a cage and leaving her alone for 7/8 hours worried us as she panics. We wondered if she would make the journey. 5 minutes out of sight and she has withdrawal problems. So what do we do? The thought of hours driving through France with someone who still considers himself to be a young boy in a mini gave me nightmares! Eventually after much thought and research we decided the best route for us would be to minimise the driving and maximise the time Kelsea would be with us. So from Essex we drove last Tuesday evening to Portsmouth for the ferry to Bilbao. We paid extra to have one of the limited dog friendly cabins which was lovely. Kelsea even had a doggy goodie bag left for her. (Ok I know - put that bucket down!!) There were outside walking areas and she had her own space in the cabin for her bed. All was great and should we do this again without a dog my husband said he will book me in under the name of Fido! Speaking to some it seems the doggy cabins were superior to the general cabins. Ok She cost much more than us but hey she's our baby!
We set sail at 11am Tuesday arriving Bilbao 2pm Wednesday. Excellent is the only way to describe but facilities on board fairly limited. Take your own picnic is the best idea.
We arrived in Bilbao Wednesday with a very happy Kelsea and us feeling quite refreshed from a good nights sleep. Now for the horrid part - I hate the drive - it was roughly 600km to Barcelona so could be done at a push in a day but we decided to take 2 days and see a bit of the place. Not much to see really as many areas on route quite industrial. Eventually we found a nice hotel which again was dog friendly. I believe it was a member of the AS group - very adequate, clean with a nice restaurant. We were outside Barcelona but what was interesting was that the hotel had it's own secure parking. We were in the main carpark but were advised to move our car quickly into this secure area for safety. I suppose no different from the UK but when abroad this hits you on how careful you need to be.
Another good night and another morning of a contented Kelsea. We can not believe just how good she has been and how she is just so happy to be with us. You just wait a few more hours Kelsea - the cage awaits! So we spend the day in Barcelona before the night ferry to Palma. How the car stayed in one piece I have no idea - traffic seemed to come from every direction. My heart was in my mouth so many times. I remember this from a previous visit but then it was a hire car and not ours!! I couldn't wait for the day to end and for us to be on our final route. We were told that the gates opened around 6 to enter the ferry area so we decided to get there around that time. More for safety and sanity reasons. At this time we became a little lost and found ourselves driving up the wrong way along a one way street!! YEK this is Barcelona! You know they say that when in trouble your angel will appear to help - well ours did! In the form of a lovely old Spanish guy on a moped (where did he come from??) He stopped and in good English he asked where we (hoped) to get to. We explained to which he told us to turn and follow him. (THIS is Barcelona!! are we going to be shot??) This wonderful angel took us to the check in office of the ferry and showed us where to park safely. With that and a wave he was gone.
The night ferry leaves around 11 arriving in Palma around 7ish the following morning. A long night and no cabin this time and yes a cage for Kelsea. Actually the cage was fine and all the calming pills I had bought were not needed. (for me or for Kelsea??)
The cage was big enough for a bear - ok slight exaggeration - a large dog then! There where a few of them but just her and 2 other dogs inside what they call the 'dog house'. This was similar to a large container cabin and had heating and cooling for in the summer. A tap for water and was on a walking area. Kelsea was not at all happy to go in but having her bed helped. My husband stayed with her until she settled and all was good. Not as bad as our thoughts allowed. I'm sure she had a better night than us actually as quite uncomfortable in the seating area. No shops etc open during the night. I think just a couple of hours, so again quite basic so take your own picnic.
We went to kelsea at around 5 taking her from her cage to watch us make our way in to Palma. The view although still dark was lovely to see with all the lights. By the time we reached our destination it was light and we felt relieved to 'be home'. That feeling of never getting there was disappearing fast. It was great to drive from that ship knowing that in just one hour we would be in our villa.
Kelsea ran in the house as if she had been here before - maybe in a different life - who knows. We haven't looked back!
As for the journey would we do it again? emmmm - only if we have to and only with our dog. It was very expensive compared to a cheap Easyjet flight when adding the cost of dog passports, insurance, dog friendly cabins, hotels etc etc Now we just need to worry about the journey home but not just yet! As my husband says I am only happy when I have something to worry about! I have a big smile on my face!! Now to enjoy!
We set sail at 11am Tuesday arriving Bilbao 2pm Wednesday. Excellent is the only way to describe but facilities on board fairly limited. Take your own picnic is the best idea.
We arrived in Bilbao Wednesday with a very happy Kelsea and us feeling quite refreshed from a good nights sleep. Now for the horrid part - I hate the drive - it was roughly 600km to Barcelona so could be done at a push in a day but we decided to take 2 days and see a bit of the place. Not much to see really as many areas on route quite industrial. Eventually we found a nice hotel which again was dog friendly. I believe it was a member of the AS group - very adequate, clean with a nice restaurant. We were outside Barcelona but what was interesting was that the hotel had it's own secure parking. We were in the main carpark but were advised to move our car quickly into this secure area for safety. I suppose no different from the UK but when abroad this hits you on how careful you need to be.
Another good night and another morning of a contented Kelsea. We can not believe just how good she has been and how she is just so happy to be with us. You just wait a few more hours Kelsea - the cage awaits! So we spend the day in Barcelona before the night ferry to Palma. How the car stayed in one piece I have no idea - traffic seemed to come from every direction. My heart was in my mouth so many times. I remember this from a previous visit but then it was a hire car and not ours!! I couldn't wait for the day to end and for us to be on our final route. We were told that the gates opened around 6 to enter the ferry area so we decided to get there around that time. More for safety and sanity reasons. At this time we became a little lost and found ourselves driving up the wrong way along a one way street!! YEK this is Barcelona! You know they say that when in trouble your angel will appear to help - well ours did! In the form of a lovely old Spanish guy on a moped (where did he come from??) He stopped and in good English he asked where we (hoped) to get to. We explained to which he told us to turn and follow him. (THIS is Barcelona!! are we going to be shot??) This wonderful angel took us to the check in office of the ferry and showed us where to park safely. With that and a wave he was gone.
The night ferry leaves around 11 arriving in Palma around 7ish the following morning. A long night and no cabin this time and yes a cage for Kelsea. Actually the cage was fine and all the calming pills I had bought were not needed. (for me or for Kelsea??)
The cage was big enough for a bear - ok slight exaggeration - a large dog then! There where a few of them but just her and 2 other dogs inside what they call the 'dog house'. This was similar to a large container cabin and had heating and cooling for in the summer. A tap for water and was on a walking area. Kelsea was not at all happy to go in but having her bed helped. My husband stayed with her until she settled and all was good. Not as bad as our thoughts allowed. I'm sure she had a better night than us actually as quite uncomfortable in the seating area. No shops etc open during the night. I think just a couple of hours, so again quite basic so take your own picnic.
We went to kelsea at around 5 taking her from her cage to watch us make our way in to Palma. The view although still dark was lovely to see with all the lights. By the time we reached our destination it was light and we felt relieved to 'be home'. That feeling of never getting there was disappearing fast. It was great to drive from that ship knowing that in just one hour we would be in our villa.
Kelsea ran in the house as if she had been here before - maybe in a different life - who knows. We haven't looked back!
As for the journey would we do it again? emmmm - only if we have to and only with our dog. It was very expensive compared to a cheap Easyjet flight when adding the cost of dog passports, insurance, dog friendly cabins, hotels etc etc Now we just need to worry about the journey home but not just yet! As my husband says I am only happy when I have something to worry about! I have a big smile on my face!! Now to enjoy!
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. Thanks for sharing your experience, it was so good to read about the guy who helped you in Barcelona, just goes to show there really are some nice people living there, we only get to read about the bad ones 
.
