Hi Frank, I agree with you but not entirely sure what the answer is.
There are over 1000 actively registered members but only a small proportion seem to want to post anything. I'd like to increase the posting and would love some fresh ideas as to how to achieve that. For sure, not everyone that joins is interested in the forums but a large proportion are 'free forum members'.
I do try and encourage members to post, even if its just to say hello back to new ones and I'm sure others could join in more. Unlike other forums I don't really want to post provocative stuff like politics and other emotive subjects just to wind people up into posting. Ultimately the forum success depends on members like yourself and their input.
Regarding your original question though, we too don't like toll roads and almost always avoid them. So with those two options we'd be taking the Asco route - the extra couple of hours wouldn't be a worry
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We normally come down nearer the coast though, past Girona and taking non-toll roads around Barcelona but we may try a more inland route next time for a change.