Euro Tour Day 22

Last day on the continent today. All we had to do was drive up to Calais and find a place to crash.

We were only 3 hours out of Calais and about half way through the journey we passed the city of Brugges, which we had contemplated visiting if we had time. We decided to take a spur of the moment detour into the city and are glad we did.

Brugges is a pretty place with canals that are much like Venice but somehow nicer and plazas to rival anything in Italy. The city center is full of little cafes and restaurants and chock full of tourists. The sun was shining which always helps too.

They have a great parking idea here too. If you park at the train/bus station on the edge of town (which is dead cheap at €0.50 per hour) you get a free bus ticket into town and back. The buses run every 2 minutes and have bus lanes so getting in and back is dead simple. This also means the city centre is very traffic light.

Leaving Brugges behind (another place we'll come back to) we headed on to Calais via a quick hypermarket stop for "supplies". We found a really delightful French site about 15 miles south of Calais to spend our last night of this epic tour.

Time for a shower and beer I think.

Euro Tour Day 21

Today we left Germany, drove into Luxembourg and on into Belgium.

We drove the last few miles of flat Germany and on into Luxembourg where we pulled in to a cheap parking spot near the train station. We walked up to the open top bus tour stop and grabbed a map of the route - which we proceeded to walk, cheapskates!

We took in the palace, the old city walls, the cathedral and the park. A pleasant enough city all told. Small and clean and generally friendly.

Here we filled up with diesel at a great rate of €1.01 per litre - about 90p or so which is good compared to the price back home.

From Luxembourg we drove on about half way into Belgium to the grounds of a 17th century chateaux where we camped up. The chateaux boasts a restaurant which we treated ourselves to a visit of. Very nice. We tried their local ale, "the best ale in Belgium" and crashed out.

Euro Tour Day 20

I've not updated the blog for three days so this is a bit from memory.

Today we woke by the picturesque lake Titisee and headed reluctantly away into the black forest. We drove through gorgeous forested hills with some stunning views.

Lunchtime we stopped at Germany's highest (disputed by wikipedia) waterfall called the Triberg falls. These fall the through seven stages and generate enough electricity to power 1000 homes in the local town. They're quite a sight but not hugely spectacular. Quite a walk from top to bottom and back up again though.

After lunch was our first experience of the fabled German autobahn and I admit to a little flurry of excitement as the moment approached. So what did we find? Roadworks. Roadworks and 20mph traffic. Great. Eventually it cleared and we hit some space. I only took the van up to 80mph but we were passed at great speeds by others although it was so busy no one was really motoring. Not as impressed as I was expecting all told.

We drove on to the edge of the black forest and finally decided on a quiet little campsite with a little trout beck running through it. There we pulled up alongside a great looking black T5 California. I'm jealous and deffo want one!

This was to be our last night in Germany and we really liked the place. We'll be back.

Euro Tour Day 19

Isn't it funny how much better life is when it's sunny?

We woke to a glorious morning sun peeking over the Swiss Alps and smiled. Last night Mrs Blakey had planned our route today and it was a corker.

We started off wending our way through more of the alps in the sunshine. After an hour or so we turned off the motorway and into the tiny principality of Leichtenstein. Its only 15 miles long and yet boasts a capital 'city' which we drove through in about 2 minutes flat. Factoid for the day: Leichtenstein holds more Olympic medals per capita than any other country. And its a pretty place in the sunshine.

Driving on we soon wound our way into flatter Switzerland as we approached Zurich. Here we turned north and left Switzerland and passed into Germany.

Neither of us had ever been to Germany before and I have to say we are massively impressed so far. Okay so the sun has been shining all day today and as we crossed the border we hit rolling hills carpeted with trees in their full autumnal colours. A visual feast. Plus the roads are excellent, fast and free. Bonus. And fun to drive to boot.

A few minutes into Germany and we drove into the Black Forest. Quite breath taking. The forest is mostly pine with rolling hills. We are now camped right on the shore of Lake Titisee which is beautiful in the sunshine.

We've taken a stroll by the lake into town, enjoyed a pedalo ride on the lake (yes it has been that hot today) and an ice cream in the sun. Rounded off with a quick beer and a slice of Black Forest Gateau and we're back to camp and making dinner by the lake. Lovely.

First impression of Germany is 10/10.

Euro Tour Day 18

We woke in a wet campsite overlooking Lake Maggiore to find it was still overcast but at least the rain had stopped.

We decided it was time to leave Italy and head over the Alps. We drove along the lake and into Switzerland with no hassle from the feds. Alpine Switzerland was stunning. It was high and craggy and the views were amazing.

We climbed up to 2200m (in the van) and into the 6.6km long Saint Bernardios pass. On the far side we pulled into a layby to knock up some lunch and enjoy the views - even if it was raining.

From here we dropped down to about 1000m and a Swiss campsite which was in a valley surrounded by mountains and alongside a gorgeous looking golf course. The facilities here were sparkling. It was a pleasure to use them. The owners also lent us a swiss adaptor which we then plugged into our French adaptor that Mrs Blakey's dad had made us and we had power.

A quick stroll up into the Swiss mountain forest was called for and we were set for dinner.

Euro Tour Day 17

A washed out day yesterday with nothing but rain. We drove a few hundred miles to Lake Maggiore and camped in a gorgeous spot that we couldn't appreciate till the clouds cleared this morning.

Torrential rain last night and the roof bed held up great. No leaks and a snug night. But it really is cramped up there and I'm starting to wake with aching bones. The huge roof bed of the California is looking very appealing right now.

Euro Tour Day 16

Our first rest day today after over 2 weeks on the road.

A really lovely chilled out day by the lake. We've relaxed. We've read our books. We've taken a gentle stroll into town for ice cream and watched the kayakers on the lake. I even found time to clean the van!

Now we're settled down in the van relaxing some more and waiting for a firework display that is supposed to be going off on the other side of the lake soon.

Tomorrow we're heading on to Lake Maggiorre and more stunning scenery.

And the photo...

Euro Tour Day 15

And relax...

A quick scoot across the southern edges of the Alps today and we're at Lake Garda. This lake is the biggest if the Italian lakes, the most built up and the most popular. Still, we've landed on our feet again with a campsite right on the shores of the lake and we've found a pitch right at the edge of the site on the lakeside.

The photo shows the view from the window of our roof bed. Not bad.

We might stay here a day or two depending on the weather, or we might visit a few more of the lakes. We'll see.

Time to sample some of the red we picked up in Assisi. Cheers!

Euro Tour Dat 14

Venice. Quite a place.

We took the bus and boat service over there and back again. Great shout for €16. Saved us an hour drive and let us see Venice for the first time from the water which is surely how its meant to be found.

We spent an entire day just wandering. During this day we did squeeze in the extravagance of a quick gondola trip (you have to really) and enjoyed a boat ride all the way down the Grand Canal - which is a great way to view the city on the cheap. The rest of the time was on foot.

We dropped into a few bars and one fantastic but well priced restaurant for pasta but otherwise just strolled the lanes and bridges. A really enjoyable pass time.

The day flew by and we can't believe we're already back in camp. A great experience and a fun and exciting city. I suspect we'll come back.

Euro Tour Day 13

Another long driving day today and tonight we're camped by the sea again, this time a short ferry ride across from Venice.

We spent this morning poking around the streets of Assisi and looking through the basilica where Saint Francis is buried. Assisi is a really lovely place, mostly traffic free and still looking for the most part like it must have in the 13th century when the saint lived there.

The basilica is a striking building on two levels with frescos drawn on every available surface. Quite the picture.

Assisi is a hill town and the views are breath taking. Personally, I'd live there.

Tomorrow is Venice. Should be ace.

Euro Tour Day 12

What an awesome thunderstorm last night. The sort you only get in southern Europe. Massive flashes of lightning lighting the sky and thunder so loud it shook the van as we slept. Or tried to. Quite a night.

No sight seeing today, just driving. We're heading north up the east coast towards Venice. Half way up we've detoured in land to the small town of Assisi where Saint Francis (he of brown cassocks and animal friends) was born and lived.

Saint Francis was the patron saint of my first school, my church when I was a kid and of my rugby club so I was keen to drop by on the way north. We'll see the little hill town of Assisi tomorrow when I'll have more to report.

The van is really doing a great job so far. Just over 2000 miles in 12 days and its been purring along. We've abandoned the bed extension as its too much hassle to put up and get down in the night when Mrs B. needs to go. Sleeping up there is a little cramped and the matress a little hard but we're getting used to it.

The kitchen pod and electrical hook up are getting used every day. The whole set up is working a treat to be honest. Really pleased.

We did get talking to a California owner a couple of days ago and got a tour of his van. Very sweet. Now wondering about whether to upgrade to a Cali or continue to add little bits to this one. Something that needs some serious thought and research. No rush yet.

Now its time for curry and red wine, sat in the sunshine before it sets.

Euro Tour Day 11

Half way time wise and today we turned back north for the first time.

Today has been a driving day - and what a day. We started off near Serrento on the west coast and drove down the Amalfi coast to Salerno. That was an experience. Lonely Planet describes it as a white knuckle ride for the driver and as picturesque a coastline as you will find. Both are right. It was mad to drive with thin roads hair-pining back and forth across the coast with cliff drops off into the deep blue sea. And Italian bus drivers using both lanes and car drivers overtaking on blind corners. Another "interesting" drive!

Then we crossed Italy to the east coast on the Adriatic. The drive across was mostly quick and flat. Again on these roads cruise control is awesome.

Then we hit the Adriatic. How does no one know about this place? Okay so its late September but it is dead here. The sea is a gorgeous green colour - limestone rock on this coast - and the cliffs are beautiful. The sun is out, the temperature is fine. The sea temp is good and there is hardly a soul around. Perfection. Oh, and the cliff top road is a joy to drive. Fun, winding and with fabulous views across white cliffs and green seas. And the Italians here drive normally!

We're now camped in a little site with its own private beach about 20m from our pitch. Sun's setting and its time to make some dinner.

We'll see what the weather is like tomorrow but if it's good we'll certainly stay a day. Failing that I think the vague plan is to head north to Assisi.

Hopefully it'll be sunny...

Euro Tour Day 10

A day of Roman ruins today. We spent the day exploring Pompei and Herculaneum which were both covered in pyroclastic flow when Versuvius erupted in 72 AD.

Pompei is immense. Its a whole city and covers 55 hectares. They have done an incredible job of digging out the city and you can walk pretty much everywhere.

Herculaneum is much smaller but extremely well preserved. Many of the buildings are almost entirely intact and the wall paintings still remain. Incredible to see how life was 2000 years ago.

Tonight we're back at the coast near Sorrento and tomorrow we're going to leave the Med and cross Italy to the Adriatic. Nothing particular there, we just want to see another part of Italy.

Naples has been "interesting". The city is run down and dirty with bags of litter strewn everywhere. There are mangy stray dogs all over. It's really not a great place.

And I'm not even going to mention the Napolese driving...

Euro Tour Day 9

I'm simply loving this tour.

We woke this morning in Rome and are now camped right be the sea in a little village near Sorento down by Naples. The village has a gorgeous little harbour which looks back across the bay of Naples onto the city and Mount Vesuvius in the background. Quality views from here and a little bar on the harbour front some 50 meters from where we're camped.

Today has been a driving day but we still managed to fit in a quick climb of Vesuvius along the way. We drove up a thin single track lane to the car park near the top and walked the rest of the way up to the cauldera. Huge views from the top across the Bay of Naples and of course of the volcano crater too.

We were once again today reminded of how versatile the T5 is compared to say a motor home. Sure our little van is not as palacious as some of the houses on wheels we see along side us in the campsites but it sure is easier to drive. We've had it in an underground carpark in Monaco - just - and have been up more switchback mountain roads than you can shake a stick at over the last week with no more trouble than a car would have. Brilliant.

Barbeque is on. Broadside ale is poured. And ... relax.

Euro Tour Day 8

Knackered. Absolutely knackered. So this will be brief.

We spent the day looking around the Vatican city. St. Peter's basilica is possibly the most amazing building I have ever been inside. Its simply breathtaking. It looks fairly impressive on the outside but is like walking into another world when you walk through the doors.

We explored the basilica itself then took the 320 steps up to the top of the cupola for extensive views across Rome. Nothing is allowed to be built higher than St. Peter's and Rome's skyscape is notable for its total lack of any skyscrapers at all.

Leaving the dizzy heights we explored the catacombs beneath the basilica where the popes are buried. Its a small
stroll and worth it. The tomb of Pope John Paul II is somehow emotional and people are still stood there weeping at his grave 5 years after his death.

If you've never been to the basilica, go.

The Sistine chapel was quite a sight too although we were so tired by then we were a little underwhelmed by it. The museums it sits in are very impressive with lots of fantastic sculptures and paintings through the ages. Not our cup of tea really but still fascinating.

We both rated the Vatican experience as 10/10.

As fairly experienced travellers (Mrs Blakey especially) we both rate Rome as the nicest city we have ever been to. Exceptional place.

Tomorrow we leave Rome and head further south to the coast and the resort of Sorrento. I so need a rest.

Euro Tour Day 7

Wow. One week gone already. Time has whizzed by and we've already seen loads.

Today was spent in Rome. The T5 had the day off and we took Shanks' van into the city. Well the train, metro and lots and lots of walking anyway.

We arrived in Flaminio not far from the rugby stadium and set out on foot for the Colosseo. Along the way we took in the Spanish steps, the Trevi fountain, the Pantheon, the Complesso del Vittoriano, MacDonalds, the Palatine and the Forum. The Coluseum was the highlight of the day without a doubt. "Impressive. Most impressive", as a certain Mr. D. Vader was heard to say. Was slightly disappointed not to see Russell Crow but he must have been busy in makeup or something.

We're now foot sore and weary but back at camp and fed. Watering is the next order of the day - only because we have to go into the bar to get on the Net to book tickets for the Vatican of course...

Euro Tour Day 6

Busy day today.

Last night we stuck our noses into Lonely Planet and read up on Tuscany and Florence specifically. It appears Florence isn't a particularly good looking city architecturally but is full of great museums and art galleries. Whereas by comparison the medieval town of Siena is a delight to explore without needing to enter a single building. Not being great art critics we made the choice and drove down to Siena.

Great choice. The town is beautiful with an old city wall, thin, winding, cobble stoned streets which are almost totally traffic free - apart from the ubiquitous scooters of course - and some stunning churches. A lot of them in fact. The cathedral was an absolute eye fest of white and green marble stretching into the azure skies. 11th century genius.

Some of the views across Tuscany from the town walls are amazing too. We wandered up to the university on the edge of the old city and were rewarded with a panoramic hillscape stretching off into the distance.

After spending a long afternoon in Siena we drove on down to the outskirts of Rome and are now camped up on the edge of the Tiber about 5 miles from the city. We'll stay here for a few days (no driving for a few days! Yay!) As we explore the city.

No driving tomorrow - I'm off to get a beer or three down my neck...

Euro Tour Day 5

Stupid helicopters flew all night.

Fantastic day today. We got up late (due to Heli-lag) and took a leisurely drive down to Pisa. The leaning tower is as impressive as you'd expect and more so is the Cathedral in whose walled grounds it stands. The traditional photos of us holding up the tower were snapped and a quick stroll through the grounds and we were off back to the van.

Deciding not to explore the town further we headed on to the medieval town of Lucca whose entire city walls still stand. We walked the 3km around the city walls and then dropped into the cobbled streets below. The town is picturesque with high 14th century buildings leaning over tiny shaded alleys.

We stopped for a glass of OJ in the central piazza where we got chatting to a couple from Argentina who were just finishing their lunch, had half a bottle of chilled Pinot going spare and had a cruise ship to catch. They rather generously offered us the remains of their wine as they rushed off. We accepted and the waitress brought us a large glass which we shared.

Then it was off to the top of the Torre Guinigi which rather bizarrely has a tree growing out of the top. From there the views across the town towards the hills of Tuscany are worth the hard climb.

Then it was back to the van and a short drive up into the hills to a peaceful site with great views of the Tuscany countryside and no helicopters.

Euro Tour Day 4

Mixed day today. We travelled some 200 miles through Italy on the coast road and stopped off at the famous Cinque Terre which is 5 small fishing and wine-growing villages clinging to the sides of the Alps as they drop into the Med.

The villages are really pretty and quaint but were spoilt by simply too many people even at this time of year. Monaco seemed quieter.

There are two coast paths that wend their way from village to village. One is an easy low level 12km stroll and one a really tough 38km climb across the ridge tops. Given we were pushed for time we opted for the lower path. Along with everyone else.

It was carnage out there. Hundreds of people and a really hot day did not a happy Blakey make. Add to that we were overcharged for tickets (yes you have to pay) and then found the path was shut after 2 villages meaning we couldn't even walk the whole route.

No doubt it would have been a nice place if it was quieter. The views as we walked down from the van to the sea were simply stunning.

Anyway. We moved on a little and found a lovely campsite with great facilities, gorgeous shaded pitches by a big river. With a heliport as busy as Gatwick nextdoor. Let's just hope they don't fly all night...

Sat Nav - got to love it

This is where our TomTom says we are. Pretty much right!

Camping Card ACSI

Another thing we have to thank Mrs Blakey's parents for is our Camping Card ACSI. This little beauty cost us £11 back in Blighty. It gives you access to a massive number of campsites across Europe, mostly in low season like we are now. These campsites cost exactly €11, €13 or €15 with this card regardless of their base price. You get a book with about 2000 campsites in it and a map of Europe with their locations. The book tells you the cost and facilities in each one. Its basically what we're using to stay in this tour.

Take tonight for example. This campsite (which is stunning) would normally be €30 a night is costing us just €15. That means we've paid for the card in one night alone. And we've used it every night so far - and plan to continue doing so.

Can't recommend it enough!

Euro Tour Day 3

What a cracking day. Today we spent looking around the quiet and peaceful village of Monte Carlo in the little known Principality of Monaco. Oh. My. God. This must be where half the Aston Martins in the world are based.

We walked the F1 track (after a slight detour where I got lost at Casino - all those years of playing GP4 let me down!). Very cool and somewhat bizarre walking around the streets I know from the TV and driving sims on my PC.

Monaco isn't quite as expensive as we'd imagined. €20 for a starter even on the harbour front in a nice enough restaurant - we stopped and looked at the menu whilst chomping on cheese and ham sarnies in a fresh baguette from the campsite this morning. Of course you can spend more if you want.

The Casino is wonderful. We went in but as we're on a budget we didn't pay the €10 to get into the rooms where the tables were. Amazing building though. And Ferraris and Rolls galore parked outside.

The harbour was disappointing. Not as nice as Cannes. They were ramping up for a yachting show though so loads of stuff being put up. A bit of a building site.

Driving around the Riviera was interesting. Its not Sussex! Crazy foreigners. Its the mopeds that are the worst. Still the views probably didn't help the concentration! The alps really do just drop off into the sea here and its amazing.

This evening we've driven a few miles out of Monaco and into Italy and stopped in a campsite by the sea in San Remo. I think we hit a lucky spot judging from our pitch - see the photo.

Tomorrow the plan is explore Cinque Terre on the Italian Riviera and then see where life takes us from there.

Time to light the barbie and open a bottle of merlot...

Reverse Polarity

As you might be aware when camping on the continent they do things a bit weirdly.

Because they use 2 pin plugs sometimes they wire them back to front. And sometimes they use traditional camping plugs and sometimes they use continental 2 pin sockets like you get in a house. This means you need 4 plugs! A normal and a reversed polarity 3 pin and 2 pin option.

Fortunately for us Mrs Blakey's father is a keen motor home owner, Mr Practical and very generous to boot. He made us up all the plug options you could possibly need and supplied us with a little socket tester that you simply plug into the 240v socket in the van and it tells you when you have your polarity right. Clever stuff!

This is only our second night and we've already used two of the plugs he made us up!

Thanks Mr. P!

Euro Tour Day 2

We're in Cannes some 420 miles south of where we started this morning. Toll roads were busier today but still has to be better than the back roads.

The approach to the riviera is stunning. First time I've been down this part of France and I'm impressed.

Cannes was much as expected. Beautiful town with a gorgeous marina full of multi million pound yaughts.

We've just parked up, set up camp and are hitting our first beer. A quiet one at the campsite tonight I think. Cheers!

Euro Tour, Day 1

We're now camped up in a little riverside campsite in Auxonne, near Dijon in France. Caught the chunnel across which is so easy and quick - highly recommended.

About 350 miles driven today on the French toll roads. They are so good! Quiet, fast and well maintained. England take note. Well worth the €40 for the day as we got here 3 hours faster (according to TomTom) and it was so relaxing. Cruise control is also worth its weight in gold on those roads.

We're off into town now to hunt down a restaurant as today is our 1st wedding anniversary! Great way to spend it!

Tomorrow - Cannes/Nice/Monaco!

Weekend in Hampshire

We spent this bank holiday weekend over in sunny Hampshire.   It's only an hour and a half down the road for us and has lots for us to look around on our bikes so it's a place we like to visit.  This weekend we stayed in Sunnydale Farm campsite just outside of Southampton.   It's in a great location as it's easy to cycle to Eastern Docks from there, giving you ferry access to both the Isle of Wight and the New Forest.

Saturday was a lovely sunny day (and my birthday to boot) so we set out early for the Isle of Wight.  We crossed to Cowes and then bombed down the cycle path to Newport in the centre of the island.  We had a leisurely cruise around that town, taking in a cream tea and a pint by the river and then shot back up to Cowes which we also explored.  Taking the chain ferry back across to the main docks in East Cowes we then returned to the main land, passing the Queen Mary 2 and three other ocean liners setting out from Southampton.  Saturday evening is clearly the time for cruises to set out.

Cowes Harbour

Cream tea in Newport centre

Beer by the river in Newport

On the chain ferry in Cowes

Queen Mary 2 goes past

Sunday was a more leisurely day spent biking down to and exploring the nearby Netley Abbey, an old 13th century ruin which was huge and most impressive.  It was disolved by Henry VIII and turned into a tudor manor house before falling into ruin. 

Netley Abbey

Monday dawned another lovely sunny day so we broke camp, drove around to the New Forest and parked up in a layby near Brockenhurst.   From there we whizzed around the cycle paths down to Beaulieu and from there up to East Boldre were we had lunch in the lovely pub garden.   From there we headed back to Brockenhurst, stopping off to watch some model aeroplanes being flown.   Some of them were really rather impressive.

Handy layby in the New Forest

Quick break in Beaulieu

Pub lunch in East Boldre

Mini aerodrome in the forest

This weekend was our last chance to trial our camping set up before we set off for our European Tour in a few weeks.  It was also the first time the kitchen pod had been used since it has been bolted into the van (meaning it's always available and I don't need to unbungee it to use it).   We found a few bits and pieces we felt we didn't need to take with us for our Tour, and we came up with some efficient ways of storing stuff in the van such that we can easily access it, but so it's also easy to put it away when we want to drive on.

The kitchen pod worked a dream.  It was great getting back from a long day out on the bikes, opening up the van and simply popping up the lid of the hob, grabbing the kettle and putting it on.  Absolutely zero effort and the kettle had boiled by the time we'd got the biking stuff put away.

The kitchen pod, ready for action

We also used it as a stand for the laptop, which made for an excellent entertainment centre so we could watch a couple of DVDs.  We'll no doubt be using this a bit when away.

An evening glass of wine and a movie

One thing we did decide on is that we really need a bike rack.  The bikes spent all weekend chained to a fence where we camped up but when we came to move on we had to bring them into the van and bungee them up.  This was all very do-able but the inside of the van was then mostly unusable, and it would be much better when travelling to be able to use the space inside the van without having to throw the bikes out.   Lunch stops would work much better like this for example.  So I'm now on the hunt for a T5 barn door bike rack.

All in all this was a cracking weekend and really helped us making last minute decisions on what we need and what is superfluous for our tour.  Can't wait to get going now!

Bolted

This evening we finally bolted the kitchen pod into the van wall proper.   It feels very securely in place now and I've also managed to add some velcro strips to hold the hob lid open when cooking.    I'm hopeful that's it all nice and neatly and safely secured and that if I really need to I can unscrew the bolts.

Real test is this weekend when we're off to the New Forest for a long weekend.  Then we'll really know how it handles.

Kitchen Pod Attachment

After many months thinking about how to attach my kitchen pod into the van I've finally decided on the approach to use.  I got a very helpful message from Mr Hedgehog (great name!) on the Brickyard suggesting that I use rivetnuts to bolt the pod into the wall of the van.   He then went on to explain what these nuts were and how they worked and then extremely generously offered to lend me his rivetnut gun to use!     How could I refuse?

Basically, for those like me who don't know what a rivetnut is, you drill a hole in the interior metal skin of the van and then push one of these rivetnuts into the hole.   You then use this special rivetnut gun tool to compress the nut such that it pinches itself around the metal skin and basically won't come out.   The rivetnut is hollow with a 6mm screw thread on the inside - meaning you can thread a 6mm bolt into the rivetnut and it will hold it tight.  The great thing about this is that when bolted in the pod will be extremely secure and not move around, but will be really easy to remove by simply undoing the bolts.

So, I've now drilled three holes into the metal skin along the top of the panel under the drivers side window.  Into these I've popped three rivetnuts ready to accept 6mm bolts.    So now all I need to do is drill holes into the cabinet and bolt it right into the wall of the van.  Importantly, when the pod is out of the van, all you see on the wall of the van is three really neat looking metal nuts in the skin of the van wall.    I didn't take any pictures last night when I did this but will add some later.

Of course nothing is as simple as that.   If I did bolt the cabinet right into the van wall I'd no longer be able to open the sliding window that the cabinet would be bolted up against.   So to make this work I need to put a wooden batton in the back of the cabinet and bolt through the cabinet, and through this wooden batton and into the rivetnuts on the van wall.   I'm planning to do this during the week ready for a camping trip next weekend.

Thanks heaps to Mr Hedgehog for the loan of the rivetnut gun!  I'll post a follow up with pictures when I finally bolt the cabinet in.

Cruise Control

It's been a while since I've posted anything up here but that's not stopped me using the van, nor indeed adding bits and pieces to it.  

The most significant item I've added since my last post is Cruise Control.  I paid £280 from my local Stealer for this mod and in my opinion it's well worth the money.   I took the van to Wales this weekend (and slept in the roof of course) and the cruise control was a godsend.

If you've used it before you'll know why I love it.  If not, try and take a car/van for a long motorway journey with cruise and you'll see why it's so great.  The journey down the M4 was easy as pie, with cruise on most of the way there.  It's early days to be certain but I think it's saved me some mpg too - although obviously I'll have to drive a lot of miles for it to pay for itself!

I think it will really come into its own in a couple of months when we take the van to Europe.

Llangennith Weekend

We're just back from a cracking weekend down in the Gower in Wales, catching up with a few friends and trying to catch a few waves.   We stayed on the excellent Hillend site right on the sand dunes in Llangennith and although it was very busy there it was an absolutely awesome campsite.   The facilities were all brand new, all the showers etc were free and there was lots and lots of stuff there so even with three full fields of campers there was still enough facilities to go around.    On top of that the staff were friendly and amicable (and possibly on weed) - the Nazis of Bude could do with taking a leaf out of the pot smoking staff in Wales.  Add to that that the campsite is 200m from the largest most beautiful beach and you have a real winner. 

The only downside was the campsite was full of loads and loads of youngsters (all good there) who were still partying very loud at 3am on the Friday night.  But we were all young once and me and Mrs Blakey are pretty chilled about this sort of thing so it was no real problem.  Saturday was much better it has to be said too.   All in all I'd rate the Hillend campsite as 9/10.   The only things that could have made it better would have been if it had been a smidge closer to the beach (200m is really not far at all mind, but with the dunes you can't see the surf from the campsite) and if it had been a smidge quieter.

We got there Friday night, parked up, popped the roof and went straight to the beach as it was still light.   A big disappointment as there was hardly any swell but after a 4 hour drive I was getting wet regardless so slipped into my wettie and paddled out.  Not really worth it but any wave is better than nothing when you've travelled so far. Plus I had the whole of Rhossili to myself and a glorious sunset to enjoy so I wasn't moaning.

Waiting for a wave.

We went back to the campsite and waited for our friends to arrive - they were travelling down later that evening.  When they got there we had a few more beers and about 1am we decided to crash out - but the party in the site went on for a good while after that!  This was the first chance to test out the bed extension and it really did make a big improvement - that extra 20cm or so length on the bed just made the whole experience much improved.

Friday evening camp.

Next morning we got up, checked the surf - very flat - and decided to hang around the campsite.  Another friend who lives down that way joined us and we sat about in the leigh of the van chatting about the World Cup and Maxican Waves and other bizzare stuff for a few hours.  Then he wandered off and we lit the barbie and cracked open the first beer.  Lovely just chilling about the place and having everything on hand in the van.

Saturday barbie.

Later on in the afternoon more friends who've moved to Swansea arrived and we all decanted back over the dunes to the beach.   The waves were still pants but, hey, when in Rome.   So I picked up another hour or so in the gutless 1' swell with a howling cross shore wind.  Pretty horrendous conditions really.

Back to the campsite, grabbed a bite of tea and another beer and then up to the local cafe where they were showing England vs USA in the World Cup.  Hmmm, shocker but I still think we'll top the group.

Sunday we checked out the surf but didn't go in, sat around enjoying more lovely weather and generally chewing the fat and then eventually headed home up the M4.  An easy drive home that will no doubt be made even easier after tomorrow when the van goes in to have Cruise Control fitted.

This weekend was the debut of the new kitchen pod.  And what a winner it was.  We bungeed it into the van when travelling and then just unstrapped when we arrived.   We pulled it out a smidge from the wall when we wanted to cook on it (so that the top hob-lid could open fully) and then pushed it back snug against the wall when we'd finished cooking.    The pod held the gas hob, our gas bottles, all our cooking utensils and pans and all our crockery and cutlery, plus a weekend's worth of food.  All in the one place, neatly stacked away and easy to access - it did the job perfectly.  Then when we came to come home, everything was already packed away and all we had to do was bungee it back in place. The doors have all warped slightly since I varnished it on a hot summers day (you live and learn I guess) which is a tad disappointing after the hours I've spent making it, but that doesn't in any way stop its functionality so I'm still really pleased with it.

Kitchen pod in use.

All in all a really fun, relaxing weekend.  The weather was great, the surf was pants, and the two new additions to the van (kitchen pod and bed extension) were both really useful and did the job great.  Fantastic.