End of year update..... (2017)

In 2018 I`m planning to take a three month break from work and travel around Europe.
I have thought about this for some years and the idea has been downsized from the original one of driving around the World ! 
Reality struck home and I had to reign in my enthusiasm when I thought about the practicalities of driving round the World. 
It can be done of course, but I don`t think that one`s for me.
Anyway, I`ll be the big 60 in April, so what better time to do a trip around Europe. 

The plan will be to see some of Europe that is so easily overlooked when rushing south for a fortnight of sun, sea and sand.

There will be some culture, chateaus, vineyards, lakes, rivers, forests, plains, mountains and valleys, Bavarian castles, Roman ruins, and hopefully some beautiful scenery. Some fine wine and some lovely beers, oh yes, some sun (hopefully), sea and sand as well !

Nothing is cast in stone but I hope to travel down the East side of France, calling into Belgium, Luxembourg and Moselle / Rhine Valley and Black Forest in Germany. 
Crossing the Alps in Switzerland where I hope to see some stunning Alpine scenery. 

After crossing the Alps, I`d like to spend a couple of weeks mooching around the Italian Lakes exploring Maggorie, Como, Iseo and Garda together with some of the smaller less well known and hopefully less touristy lakes which I imagine to have amazing scenery.
I`ll cross northern Italy, maybe stop over in Venice and Verona, then travel into Slovenia and then drop into Croatia.
From there I may take a ferry from Zadar, Split or Dubrovnik across to Italy, then back up through Tuscany.

After that I`m not sure, It`ll depend on how much time I have left, but at some point back up through France to Calais and home.

That`s the plan, whether it works out like that remains to be seen, I may not get out of France, there are so many interesting places to visit, I could happily spend three months there, I think ?
Although I am asking for three months off work, I`m not going to be stubborn enough to say I`ll definately be away for that long. I have never done anything like this before so I`m not certain how I will adapt to a life of travel. 
But a motorhome provides that flexibility to re-assess things and change plans at a moments notice.  
So who knows, watch this space !
                                                           
                                                                - - - OOO - - -

Well, I asked at work about some unpaid leave in 2018 and, guess what, it was approved in principle, WOOPIE. Just a few HR issues to be resolved but no problems are expected.
So I can now begin planning the European trip I have had as a dream.
So much to decide, where to go, when to leave, what to take, Louis Pet Passport and vaccinations to organise.
Ah well, plenty of time to do it all but I`m sure it will go very quickly.

Let the planning commence..................

Parsley Hay High Peak

Today I have driven not too far from home, just 26 miles to the beautiful Peak District in Derbyshire.
I am parked up at Parsley Hay on the High Peak Trail.
The walking and cycling trails in the Peak District are brilliant, they run along the old railway tracks so are relatively level so if, like me your cycling fitness is not in the Chris Froome category they are very accessible.
My favorites are the Manifold Trail, Monsal Trail and the Tissington Trail.
There are lots of car parks along the routes (mostly pay and display) and some of them have visitor centre facilities with loos and a cafe. Others are just parking.
The weather is actually ok after all the rain we have had recently.
I cycled along the trail to Hartington Station. I Didn`t actually go into the village as Louis was running along side and going into the village would have meant going on the road and I don`t trust him on the road without some sort of restraint. If something catches his attention, he`s off !
I may call in Hartington village tomorrow and have look in the shops. 
I recently bought a Doggyhut Trailer for Louis, second hand on ebay, but seemingly unused. For those not familiar, it is a trailer for doggy to sit in and be pulled along by a bicycle.
He seems ok with it, but for today he seemed to prefer running along side me.
I think it will be useful when abroad in warmer weather as he soon seems to run out of steam in the heat and sit down and refuse to budge an inch.
So today we just had a look around, chatted to a couple in a Hymer motorhome similar to mine and exchanged some experiences (they had toured Austria in winter, -25 C) bit hardcore for me I think, but maybe in the Summer Austria would be wonderful. I really would like to experience some Alpine scenery.
After that we headed back for a cuppa and dinner "en van" which consisted of chicken and mushroom risotto, delicious.
A night of TV followed.
The morning brought another fine day and it was wonderful watching the sun rise over the Peak District scenery.
After breakfast, another walk along the Trail followed and then the drive home through Hartington, Warslow and Ipstones.

Were the blue dot

My view for this evening

PS. These photos have been enhanced in camera settings as I was having a play around with it !

My parking spot for tonight

Maybe I went to far with colour enhancement ?

Travels to Date

My motorhome travels so far I have taken me up to Achmelvich on the West coast of Scotland which is just stunning.......
Turquoise crystal clear sea, white powder soft sand, what more could anyone want from a beach ? Oh, ok then, perhaps a little more warmth would be a good idea.
It is spectacular though.

Achmelvich Beach, Scotland

Achmelvich Beach, Scotland

To the New Forest, the Dorset coast, Durdle Door and Lulworth Cove, all of which were equally stunning in their own way.

West Bay Beach Dorset

Durdle Door, Dorset

                                                                   


I have also taken numerous shorter trips around Wales, the Peak District and Shropshire.

Trevanne Farm Campsite Pembrokeshire, Wales

  

In 2017 we went to the Loire Valley in France and toured a section of the river valley starting at Sully Sur Loire and finishing at Saumur. We then drove up to Brittany to an area we knew called Saint Lunaire where there are amazing beaches which we all enjoyed, especially Louis.

Chambord Chateau Loire Valley France

Saumur Town Loire Valley France

Carnac Britanny France

Saint Lunaire Britanny France

A little bit of Background info

I bought my Motorhome in February 2015

It is a 2003 Hymer B544 which is based on a 2.8 JTD Fiat Ducato. However, very little is recognisable of the Ducato as the Hymer body covers pretty much all of it, so only the Chassis, engine and running gear are left.

Even much of the chassis, Hymer change for an ALKO chassis which apparently is more suited to a motorhome as it enables a twin floor construction which can accommodate insulated water tanks and storage lockers.

Whilst it is a little bit err, mature, it is relatively simple mechanically and without the sophisticated electronics that seem to blight the more modern Euro 6 (emissions standard for commercial vehicles) Ducato`s. Some of them seem to spend more time in the workshop for recalls, faulty sensors, software updates and electronic gremlins than they do on the road.

Hymer are a German company that do the conversion from what would otherwise be a white delivery van into a high spec motorhome. 

They have a very good reputation, and their motorhomes are particularly suited to those who wish to venture into colder climates for skiing as they are very well insulated. 

That`s not really for me, I prefer warmer if possible so I`ll just hope all that insulation will keep things cooler if it gets too hot.

It has proven to be very reliable so far with no mechanical issues and it has flown through all MOT`s to date.

For it`s age it is in pretty good condition, the previous owner looked after it well and I try to do the same.

It has all the essential comforts, blown air heating (which is very efficient and has the interior toasty in no time) hot and cold water, satellite TV and DVD, gas oven and grill, microwave oven. Three way fridge / freezer so it works on 240 volts, 12 volts or LPG gas, twin bowl sink, lots of storage and a mifi dongle for internet access. 

There is a Solar Panel on the roof and re-fillable Gaslow gas bottles. These can be re-filled quite cheaply with Autogas, available at most garages.

The bathroom has a shower, wash basin and loo. There is LED lighting / mood lighting and a nice big wardrobe.

There is a large drop down bed over the cab seats at the front and this is very comfortable. 

The two side bench seats also pull out to make up single beds.

There is tons of storage in overhead lockers, under the side bench seats and externally in storage lockers that occupy the space between the twin floors and keeps the centre of gravity low as the water tanks are also in this area.