Christmas Eve on the move - and gas problems

We woke up on Christmas Eve morning with an empty fridge and a desire to travel. So we headed west! We stocked up at a small unexciting supermercada and set our sights on a year-round campsite in the Picos de Europa National Park.

Mulled wine and Christmas dinner

Here, in Picos de EuropaThen we had mulled wine, brought to us by our good friends Anders and Anita in Gothenburg, and a three-course Christmas dinner that we managed to throw together: Toast with chèvre, really good fish in the oven and chocolate ice cream with banana.

Shortage of LPG

Before we left we wondered where we would celebrate Christmasand this is how it turned out! The Picos de Europa National Park is staggeringly beautiful with the high mountains, the green grass and the rippling water. Unfortunately, the campsite has really bad electricity in the poles, and therefore we cannot stay.

I Zarautz we could run the heating on electricity, but that's not possible here, and we don't have much LPG left ... Now we seem to be facing a big problem. We have two empty Swedish LPG bottles (composite bottles, propane) and a dwindling French one (also propane).

Difficult to buy LPG in Spain

We have done some research and it seems impossible to refill LPG or buy a new LPG cylinder in Spain. Does anyone know if this is possible? Otherwise we feel compelled to head for Portugal as soon as possible. We've realised that it's easier there, but we'd love to get advice on where to go in Portugal to refill or replace LPG cylinders!

Glögg — Hot mulled wine on Christmas Eve was nice!

25 December 2014 10:34

Spain

energy, feast, campervan life

Helena

Administrator

15 Comments

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Anders och Birgitta says:

Where we are in Spain, it is not difficult to buy Spanish bottles, among other things, the shop at the campsite sells gas bottles. which you can then exchange with him when they become empty. Often you also see that other campers sell their bottles, for example when they are leaving the campsite. So somewhere you should be able to get a Spanish bottle.

25 December 2014 - 10:47

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admin says:

Anders and Birgitta, we have read that it requires a lot of certificates and installation by a certified Spanish installer. People write online that it has taken several days to solve the problem, or that they have failed completely... And what kind of jumpers are involved, are they available?

25 December 2014 - 10:58

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Marie says:

Ah, you have to be a bit tricky when travelling like you do, right? Merry Christmas from the south of Spain!

25 December 2014 - 11:30

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solveig rhann says:

Down on the Algarve along the 125 motorway in Bolliquenn, very misspelled but about that) you can fill up Swedish bottles. We did that last year, now we have an aluminium bottle and fill up with gas. Convenient. I can return with the correct spelling if you want. There is hope!

25 December 2014 - 11:35

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Anna o Jan - Man ser floden says:

We don't know about LPG in motorhomes. What we do know is that the new electronic tolls in Portugal can be a bit tricky to understand. So here's a link that might help.
portugaltolls.com/en/web/portal-de-portagens/home

We wish you all the best for the future

25 December 2014 - 11:23

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Steve says:

Such problems are sad. Unfortunately, I can only contribute with cheers and a hope that it will be solved. Keep up the good work!

25 December 2014 - 12:38

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Anders och Birgitta says:

If you are referring to an adapter between the Spanish bottle and the car's system, you can also buy it here in, for example, the camping accessories shop across the street. Should also be available in other camping shops in Spain. We have never needed a certificate or similar.

25 December 2014 - 12:39

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Ditte says:

Merry Christmas! Sounds like a nice Christmas Eve where you are. but understand that your LPG problem gives dark spots in your life. Can only wish you good luck with the LPG and some experienced people should know. Perhaps you can pass the question on to the "Spain Forum". There are many who live and know a lot about Spain.
Good luck!

25 December 2014 - 13:17

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admin says:

Anna and Jan, many thanks for the info and link!

Solveig, thanks for the tips! It would be perfect to be able to fill the Swedish ones. We will try this later, but also have to solve it before then...

Anders and Birgitta, yes we mean adapters between the Spanish bottle and the car's system. We have two adapters with us, but they don't fit. Ok, we have to look for a camping shop somewhere then, here in the north. Tomorrow it might be open. Good that certificates don't seem to be needed! Thanks again for answers!

25 December 2014 - 13:29

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Znogge says:

I think your Christmas dinner sounded very appealing 🙂 .

Hugs and good luck!

25 December 2014 - 14:23

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Comment by post author

admin says:

Ditte, thank you! We have received tips from some experienced Spanish campers and will try to hunt for an adapter....

Znogge, Christmas dinner was really successful! Hugs and the same to you!

25 December 2014 - 16:36

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Madde says:

Hello!

The quickest way to solve the LPG problem is to go to a Repsol petrol station and buy a small composite cylinder. It doesn't require a contract. You will need an adapter, which can be bought at a camping shop or hardware store (ferreteria).

In industrial areas there are companies specialised in LPG. We found a CEPSA that filled all our different bottles for a cheap price. They had all the adapters.

As always when you're travelling, you learn that there are rules and there is a reality - which means that you usually want to both help and sell. Ask around at local LPG filling stations and campsites and you'll soon find a solution with a large bottle.

In RV Travel No. 5 2014 there is a factually correct article on "The European Gas Bottle Jungle!".

On http://www.mylpg.eu/ you will find all LPG refuelling stations.

Good luck!

25 December 2014 - 17:04

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Maggan och Ingemar says:

Yes, there can always be problems with LPG refuelling, as we have also experienced.
In the south of Portugal there are 2 places to fill LPG (all bottles) we have the coordinates, but unfortunately it won't help you as you don't have such a GPS.
In Spain, we have hunted for refilling and repsol stations to change bottles, but we have not found anywhere to fill LPG. We have not had any loose adepts.
If you see a LPG car, stop it and try to buy a bottle from them, it usually works, the best is the repsol orange bottle (that's how we bought our bottle).
You can't drive around with a lot of different bottles from different countries, it would be heavy and bulky. 🙁
Sometimes you can find adapters at motorhome dealerships or a Ferreteria hardware store.
Good luck to you

25 December 2014 - 17:10

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Comment by post author

admin says:

Madde, thank you so much for your informative comment! We have been reading online about what you wrote about and have some ideas for tomorrow! Thank you again!

Maggan and Ingemar, many thanks for your answers and tips! We have received several good tips now, so we have a lot of ideas for tomorrow's hunt! Thank you again!

25 December 2014 - 17:38

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Madde says:

There you go, you're welcome! Been there....;-). My husband wants me to add, just in case, that you need a Spanish reducing valve to put on the Spanish bottle. The adapter then connects it to your system. You can probably buy this in the same place.

Have a nice evening!

25 December 2014 - 18:05

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Christmas Eve on the move - and gas problems

Mulled wine and Christmas dinner

Shortage of LPG

Difficult to buy LPG in Spain

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15 Comments

Anders och Birgitta says:

admin says:

Marie says:

solveig rhann says:

Anna o Jan - Man ser floden says:

Steve says:

Anders och Birgitta says:

Ditte says:

admin says:

Znogge says:

admin says:

Madde says:

Maggan och Ingemar says:

admin says:

Madde says:

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