Since installing the wood stove, I’ve experienced temperatures far below the freezing point. While the whole van was covered with frost outside, it was comfortably warm inside.
Nevertheless, I prefer the long and sunny days in the south. After spending the Christmas holidays and New Year’s Eve with my family and friends, I hit the road headed south.
Leaving Germany
I spent my last night in Germany near Freiburg at a spot where I previously stayed. Unfortunately, camper vans didn’t seem to be welcome anymore. The spot where I parked my Mercedes 209D two years ago was blocked by huge trunks.
Luckily, I found a calm spot nearby where I woke up early in the morning to approach the French border.
Passing France
The weather wasn’t much better in France: cold and rainy. After passing Lyon in the afternoon, I was able to spot the blue sky more often. It was still quite cold, though.
The further I drove south, the better the weather became. When I finally approached the Mediterranean Sea in the evening, I could enjoy a beautiful sunset.
I had reached my destination for the day and slept right behind the dunes next to a calm side road near Frontignan.
Although the evening was really nice, I fired my stove as it became quite chill after the sunset.
Approaching Spain
After strolling along the beach of Frontignan in the morning, I hit the road again headed further south towards the Spanish border.
I was finally able to drive with an open window again. 
The German winter was completely out of my mind when I took a little break next to palm trees at Pineda de Mar.
