Last minute holiday prep

So, it was Spinneys on Friday.They looked at the fridge burner and fitted a draught deflector cos evidently the burner's right behind the lower outside vent; so the slightest draught could blow it out.They glued the fridge "salad tray"; seems ok. They put a longer length of pipe below the shower drain, with a bit of a dip in it, in an effort to stop waste water backing up into there; we'll see if it works. They reckon they'll have to remove the cooker to sort out the rivets and need more time to look at the wiring for the waste tank warning. No problem. They didn't have a lot of time and I'm happy for these bits to be sorted with the habitation service in Sept/Oct.

While we wre waiting we had a bit of fun persuading a couple in the sales area that what they really needed was an A/S Warwick. They seemed to take our tips in good heart. Or, if they didn't, they didn't let on!

Yesterday I checked the tyre pressures and found the front o/s down quite a bit. Topped 'em all up and checked the front o/s this morning again - gone down again! So, off we go to Kwik Fit in Glossop.
"No, can't do that mate, cos we don't have torque settings for van wheels so we can't take it off"
"I'll take it off then."
"Sorry, can't let you do that on our car park ... We can look at a loose wheel though, if you bring it in off the van."
Drive round the corner to Autoden, our favourite car accessory shop. Buy a vanity mirror for the passenger visor and ask if it's ok to take the wheel off outside their shop.
"No problem."
Remove wheel, roll it round to Kwik Fit, who, in double quick time, identify a leaking valve, replace it, rebalance the wheel and say, "No charge".
Down to Tesco for last minute shopping and return with a tenner for our friend at Kwik Fit. To be fair, these lads don't make the rules. They work for a big company with an unhealthy approach to health and safety. What if I'd found a flat tyre on the van while it was in their car park?
Anyoldhow, at least I found out about the slowly leaking valve before we hit the motorway down to Dover! Not only that, but now Chrissie can check out her limitless beauty from the passenger seat whilst travelling.
Smile!

You can see our house from up here

Today I decided, for the first time, to get up on the van's roof to give it a good clean. I do use one of those long brushes to do this from a step ladder every so often but I wanted to get to those nooks and crannies, including around the vents, where dirt acccumulates. I'm not good with heights but, aided by Chrissie's steadying hands on a ladder, I managed the job quite successfully. I restricted myself to kneeling so as to spread my weight and, hopefully, not dent the roof panels.

We have a few minor problems so the van's going to Spinney's next Friday afternoon.
Firstly, when running on gas the fridge burner keeps going out. It seems to happen at least once in a weekend. You can see the orange light flashing as it tries to reignite but you can only get it to work by switching it off then on again - just like a computer! A post on motorhomefacts suggests it may just be dust on the burner.

Next we a have a rattle on the cooker which, after lots of investigation, I found is caused by two rivets which should, but don't, hold the grill reflector in place. A bit of sloppy assembly by Thetford it would seem. I currently have half a clothes peg wedged in there to stop it rattling, but I did once light the grill before removing it. What's that burning smell?

Some time ago I found the cause of the water leak in the washroom. Water with coffee grounds in it revealed that it is, in fact, water from the waste tank coming in through the two plugholes in the shower tray as we're driving. We get round this by always emptying the tank before driving off from a site, but it can be a nuisance when wild camping.

Lastly, a broken lug on the plastic box in the bottom of the fridge means the lid doesn't open and close properly.

I'm taking the van in at 2pm, the only slot they have available and this is just four days before we're off to France again. I've said that the priority is the fridge burner. Don't really expect them to deal with the other, less important issues. The van will be due for a habitation service in September anyway. Let's see how they do.

Does my bum look big in this?

Time on my hands today, so I added some press studs to the rear window curtains to stop them gaping. Really don’t want anyone passing to see us in, as Ian Dury said, “…the naughty, naked nude.” I think I noticed this had been done by A/S on a later van.

I put ‘em on both sides of the curtains/door.

      

Will I ever run out of modifications? Don’t answer that.

Have tags, will travel! Part two!

While lazing on the moors near Malham, we picked up a message on our home answering service. The dogs' pet passports were ready!

So our pups now have their very own passports.

Tilly is so excited, as you can see.

And Dixie is simply beside herself at the thought of transcontinental travel!

By the way, we only allow dogs on the furniture on special occasions. And if you believe that ... you'll believe anything!

Of course, those of you paying close attention to the news of late will know that the powers that be have decided to relax the rules for pet passports ... from next January (2012). There'll no longer be the 6 month for the passports to allow re-entry to the UK (only 21 days instead) and no need for a £90 blood test for the rabies jabs. We've just forked out for two of these. Oh well!

A Dales weekend

Chrissie had no teaching on Friday so after a quick turnround - Tilly and I only got back from our few days over in the East Riding on Thursday - we were off on a journey up to Malham and the Dales again. We had a quick Macdonalds lunch, fuelled up with Shell V Power diesel and hit the motorway. By 4 oclock we were set up, under a brooding moorland sky, in this beautiful location close to Malham Tarn.

The scenery in these parts is typified by this pic showing the white limestone drystone walls.

While the atmosphere in the van was typified by this scene of a hangdog lab doing her best Snoopy inpression. "When do I get a flippin' walk?"

In the morning, C&D set off over Fountains Fell for one of the legs on the Pennine Way they'd been forced to miss earlier in the Spring. Tilly and I washed up from breakfast then wound a lazy route over single track roads to Horton-in-Ribblesdale. On arrival, we found more cars than I've ever seen in the village. Turned out there was a charity walk on. I'm never sure about the validity of these events. Why, as a society, can't we support charities without the need for hundreds of people descending on one small honeypot in the countryside? I'm probably wrong but there have to be better ways. Anyoldhow, we eventually found a parking space up a quiet, dead end road on the outskirts of the village. After packing a quick lunch we made for the summit of Pen Y Ghent, hoping to meet up with C&D. The route was much too busy for my liking but, nevertheless, we made the top in good time and settled down for a rest to await the travellers. Once we'd met up we reversed our route back down to Horton, pausing for a look back at the imposing hill.

We had a good view of this waterfall, which crashed into the pool below before meandering a short way down the valley only to disappear into one of the many subterrainean chambers which form part of the extensive cave system in this area of the Dales.

Before returning to the van, I discovered what happens when you stare like a fool at the front of your camera to watch the lens cover close as you hit the power button ... but you press the shutter release instead.

What a berk!

We passed a quiet evening and night on the aforementioned lane in Horton. Next morning Chrissie woke with a bad migraine, so her planned route to Hawes was off. Thirteen miles with a headache's no fun. Instead, we took the dogs for a short walk up the track near Helwith Bridge then meandered slowly back home.

This was likely to be our last van outing before the Pyrenees in just a couple of weeks.

North York Moors and the Howardian Hills

So I just felt like a few days of peace and quiet with my dog. And here we are for our first night, in a gorgeous location on the North York Moors.

Next day I planned to drive further for a walk, but realised that during the day this was quite a busy little car park so I felt happy leaving the van here. Tilly and I walked down into Rosedale, along a sleepy track and back up again onto the ridge. These few days have been quite a heatwave and it's been a little warm for Tilly. Sometimes her tongue's not long enough.

With temperatures hovering around 25 degrees I realised long moorland walks were a bit of a no-no.

After another night in the same camp we set off for a coastal trip. we found a free parking spot at Sandsend and the two of us enjoyed the offshore breeze on a walk on the beach.

Then I had lunch in the van while Tilly watched the sea.

 From here we drove down through Scarborough and on to Flamborough Head; a favourite haunt from my childhood. We climbed down to the beach near the lighthouse.

From here, we drove across country to the C&CC site at Slingsby. Chrissie and I came here with our rented motorhome last Spring.

Next day it was still hot so we booked in for a further two nights and went for a walk around the area, on the level rather than yomping up hot, sticky moorland hills. It was very pleasant, despite the heat.

Dixeland farm reminded us of home.

Wonder if Dixie knows this place is named after her?

We passed these, apparently unused, farm buildings.

And rounding the corner we met these guys.

Tilly really enjoyed the walk.

With the end of the heatwave it poured with rain overnight, but, in the morning it was very fresh with patches of blue in the sky. Donning waterproof trousers we set off on an 8 mile route from the site. As we climbed up into the Howardian Hills you could look back towards Slingsby and get an impression of how open the terrain is.

A little further we turned onto this delightful bridleway.

At this time of year (July) there are lots of poppies around, reminding me of our days around the Somme at Easter.

Towards the end of the walk we passed through this tunnel of trees and shrubs.

We endured a couple of showers on the way and the site's showers were very welcome on our return. The only other noteworthy event was having to shift Tilly off her perch on the driver's seat. She kept resting her head on the steering wheel and sounding the horn!

Now, what time's the fish'n'chip van due?

The next day we were due home. The morning dawned with forecasts of heavy showers across the whole country. Here, it was bright and breezy. We chose a 3 mile walk and cleared it with the site manager that we needn't leave until 1ish.

We found more poppies.

Having completed three walks around here it's apparent that these old lanes, often with beautiful mature hedgerows, are a feature of the area. Can you spot the tail of a disappearing lab?

Being mostly arable country it's great for dog walking; no livestock for them to annoy.

In Tilly's considered opinion, this is an appropriate stick for walking. She carried it for around half a mile, back to the site,

including taking it for a dip in a stream.

And lastly, this view over crops to a wide open sky typifies the local landscape. Must come back here with the rest of the tribe.

Blessed with no rain for our walk, we're now back at the site for some housekeeping and lunch before making our way home. Once there, it'll be a fairly quick turn round. Tomorrow we're off up into the Yorkshire Dales again for the weekend. Chrissie was forced to leave out a couple of days of the Pennine Way earlier in the spring cos the van was with Peugeot. So, we're off to Malham so C&D can complete their efforts while Tilly and I fall back into our support role.

Incidentally, this post is brought to you courtesy of, new-to-me, technology. I'm posting from a small notebook computer in the van, connected by wifi via BT's openzone system where you share wifi with fellow BT users who've agreed to this. It's a clever system, and free! I've also managed on this trip to connect the computer to t'internet using my mobile phone. I never ceased to be amazed by communication technology. Bye for now from the C&CC site at Slingsby in beautiful North Yorkshire.

Clothes storage solution

I first used Eagle Creek luggage organiser bags in the panniers when travelling on my motorbike. Chrissie and I have found they work just great in the van. They are quite simple, but tough, zip bags available in a number of colours. Here's a pic of the large and small ones we use. They're on the van sofa with a standard cushion in view to give some idea of size.

Here they are in a locker. You can just see the keyring labels we use to show what's in each bag.

In there I've got four of the larger bags, with shirts and trousers and the like, and two smaller ones with knickers, hankies etc. Here I've just packed for a week away. For longer, the bags are a little fuller. Then we have a locker each and share a third one.

We bought our bags from Rohan but I believe Rohan have now developed their own brand which, I assume, will do the same job. Eagle Creek are still avalable elsewhere. I recommend them without hesitation.They come in a wide variety of shapes and sizes.



A new suit of clothes - update

So the new seat covers have arrived and very smart they look too.

Here's one of the front seats. These are stretch over covers, which are easy to fit and remove. Dee's folks actually fitted them for us.

And these are the covers they made for the sofas.

We're really pleased with the results. Those covers on the sofas are all enveloping ie they go right around the existing cushions with the fabric we chose. They all have openings fastened with velcro so should be fairly easy to remove for the occasional wash. We're particularly impressed with how the armrest/bolsters look. Please note that if the seat bottom looks a little loose it's because that's how we asked for it to be.

Dee couldn't have been more helpful and had several fabrics for us to choose from in the kind of colour and pattern we were looking for. We chose this one cos it doesn't argue with the fabric panels on the walls of the van. Difficult see in the photos but the fabric is a very short piled velour type. It's a fabric made especially for this kind of application and is washable.

Once again, find Dee's website at www.motorhomeseatcovers.co.uk

They're based in Stockport but appear to do most of their business by mail order.

Our Garmin Zumo satnav

On our travels we use a Garmin Zumo 550 satellite navigator. This is a motorcycle friendly unit which I already had for my bike before we got the motorhome. Because it's a motorcycle unit it's waterproof and has nice big glove-friendly on screen buttons. In the box when you buy it are mounts for your bike and also a second one for in the car/motorhome. I think the 550 is still available but there's now a 660 model in a different case, but it essentially has similar features.

Here it is on its mount in the van. It comes with a self adhesive, shiny plastic disc which you can stick on the dash. Then, the suction mount can go on here, instead of the windscreen, making it, potentially, closer to hand. We've positioned it in the centre of the dash so either of use can reach the controls.

Of course it has many features, most I guess common to most satnavs. I particularly like the bluetooth facility whereby, once turned on, the unit automatically connects to my phone and then acts as a fully functioning hands free phone unit. It does this on the bike too and there I have a sophisticated comms system through an Autocom hub and helmet speakers and mic.

Useful on our trip to France was the ability to locate any campsites in its database wherever you are. You simply select lodgings, then campgrounds from the "Go to" page and you get a list like this, showing campsites and how close they are.

Then, if you select a site you get more details including the phone number and a "Go" button to instantly direct you there.

I've paid for lifetime updates from Garmin which give several updates each year for the life of the unit; about £100 if I remember correctly. We've also taken it to the 'States several times,having bought US road maps on a memory card for it. It comes loaded with the whole of Europe.

Garmin give superb customer service. Amongst the help I've had, they actually replaced the unit when it was out of its 2 year warranty. Fantastic! I'd recommend Garmin without reservation and can assure you that if this unit ever dies completely I wouldn't hesitate in buying another.

I think satnavs are an indispensible tool for travelling but we do use it in combination with paper maps to plan routes and check on progress. You soon learn how to use them and know when they make a mistake. Just don't follow them foolishly eg the wrong way down a one way street. Use your eyes and regard satnav as your servant not your master.

"Facts & figs" page added, 19.6.11

Wot is says in the title. Includes insurance costs, info on fuel consumption and payload. 'Hope it's helpful/interesting. Take a look when you get a moment.

"Van info" page updated today, 18.6.11

What more can I say? Have a look at the updated page. Also updated is, "Still to come".

Smile!

Have tags, will travel!

Just this week the dogs had blood tests to ensure their rabies jabs have been successful. We await a call from the vet and hope to be able to pick up their pet passports soon. Then, it's simply a matter of waiting the required 6 months before they can come back into the UK with their passports. Prior to that we can take them out of the county, but not return, so it's pretty crucial to the process.

They also have to have microchips, but they both already had these. Dixie's amused by Steve's check with his scanner to make sure she's the same boxer on each passport visit. She's wondering if a Tesco scanner would work and what price it would come up with. We think she's priceless, but Tilly thinks that's b***ocks.

With luck we hope they'll be able to join us on our planned trip into the Arctic Circle next summer (2012).

Here they are, contemplating blood tests. Note that Tilly's smoking a twig; she reckons it helps her relax.

And they've been practicing for running on Norwegian beaches.



More news, hopefully in a week or so.

A new suit of clothes, June 2011

Having returned from our Pennine Way trip, and earlier reading a glowing report about a company making motorhome seat covers in Stockport (just down the road from us), we thought we'd give 'em a try. Chrissie's slip over covers had performed reasonably well up to now but we both felt we might be able to get something better. http://www.motorhomeseatcovers.co.uk/ appear to do most of their business on the 'net but we'd heard you could call in. We phoned first and then took a drive into Stockport. Dee - who seems to be the owner - couldn't have been more helpful. He showed us loads of fabrics and, in the end, we left all the upholstery for the sofas/beds for them to make covers and also ordered some front seat covers in the same fabric. Front seat covers seem to be the main part of their business so they have patterns for many vehicles, including our 2010 Boxer van.
That was on Weds this week and Dee's promised they'll be ready to collect on Fri 24th. I'll post some photos here when it's finished.

Chrissie and Dixie's Pennine Way odyssey, May/June 2011

Chrissie wanted to do the Pennine Way so, a little recklessly perhaps, once we'd decided to buy a motorhome I promised that, when we'd got it I'd support her with this aim. So, over the spring of 2011 we had a number of weekend trips where I dropped Chrissie - and Dixie - off at various locations, picking them up again later in the day for grub and accommodation.

Now it was Chrissie's mid summer term break and over the two weeks she hoped to complete the route, aided and abetted by Dixie, not to mention Tilly and me. So, we set of on the Friday evening for a wild camp just north of Keld in Swaledale. My personal agenda was to wild camp for as many nights as possible over the fortnight.

On here, I'll focus on mine and Tilly's view of the trip. For more on the actual walk visit Chrissie and Dixie's blog via the link at the bottom of the page.

So, prepare yourself for lots of, "and here's the van at..." type pictures.

And here's the van at ... a location just north of Keld and south of the Tan Hill Inn. Very windy!

The next morning we kicked - sorry, dropped Chrissie and Dixie off at aforesaid inn. You can just see Chrissie's blue jacket as they cross the fence on their windy start.

Then the two of us set off west for a short way before stopping for a moorland walk. We walked into the wind up to some old mine workings and this hut which was so well maintained it could only be used for shooting - but don't get me on that soapbox ... please!



Despite my misgivings about blood sports I wasn't too proud to shelter from the wind inside.

But Tilly wasn't too sure about the gate. I did try to explain how lucky she was cos I reckon it's normally used to keep gundogs OUT! She wasn't having any of that rubbish,

insisting she needed a bath ... and a stick ... in that order.

We meandered our way back over the moor. Tilly having great fun leaping into every bit of water she could find. She's obviously keenly in touch with the heritage of labrador retrievers, descended as a breed from water dogs from the Labrador/Newfoundland region of Canada - so she says anyway.

You can just see the van as a small silver speck in the distance.



Tilly was a touch disgusted at being tethered up outside the van while she dried off in the wind.

Refreshed by coffee and pork pie - Melton Mowbray of course - we set off for Bowes on the A66, where we were due to meet the intrepid duo. And we found this excellent wild camp spot a little way out of the village.



And while Chrissie and Dixie rested, Tilly and I waked into Bowes for a newspaper, only to find ... not a single shop of any kind. Oh well.

Next day, after leaving the adventurers, and having now had two wild camps, we set off for the Camping & Caravanning Club's site at Barnard Castle to avail ourselves of their Motorhome Stop-off facility. This is available at many C&CC sites and means that, for a payment of £6.60, you can empty your waste tank and loo and fill up with fresh water. So we did.

And then, after a wander round their excellent dog walk, we went into Barney for shopping and I treated myself to a Costa Coffee lunch. On the way into Middleton we found a trail on a disused railway line for a quick, exhilerating walk. Then it was off to Middleton in Teasdale to pick up C&D - really can't be bothered typing Chrissie and ... oh, I nearly did! This was our next wild camp for the night.

Beautiful views as the sun went down.



From here C&D set off across the hills to Dufton. It's a strange dog leg in the route, taking in the grandeur of High Cup Nick. We searched without success for a wild camp spot around Dufton so, instead, pitched up here, right in the centre of the village.

A nice spot, if a little pricey.



We walked up to High Cup Nick to meet C&D, then returned for a well-earned rest for all.

From Dufton, C&D planned a two day leg with a wild camp on Cross Fell, so, after perusing the maps, Tilly and I decided the best plan was a return to our previous wild camp, since our next pick up was just north of there at Alston. Before settling down for the evening we got some much needed exercise along the trail we'd discovered a couple of days back.

That night the weather became exceptionally windy and I was a little concerned for C&D in their little lightweight tent. Turns out they had an eventful night - see their blog.

Next day, after a pleasant moorland walk for Tilly and I from the van, we met up again in Garrigill, just south of Alston, where Dixie insisted on sharing a much-too-small front seat with an indignant Tilly,

 and had a tolerable wild camp spot here.

Dixie had been limping for a while on the previous leg so Tilly acted as her understudy when we dropped her and Chrissie (C&T, please keep up) off in Alston. Dixie and I had a look at the small train waiting in the station.



Then we were offf in search of a camp spot near Haltwhistle. In the end we elected for a night at the C&CC's site there, and C&T walked to the site. We actually all had a days rest with two nights at this lovely site in the woods on the edge of a nature reserve. The next day, temperatures were in the high 20s and it would have been too warm to walk a dog anyway, so this stop was quite fortuitous.



From here we dropped C&D off at Hadrian's Wall for another two day leg while we set off on a shopping trip. We filled up with fuel on the A69 then went to Tesco in Hexham for a "big shop". On returning to the van I noticed my lpg level indicator was well down. Chrissie has spent ages on the 'net collating info on lpg retailers so I pulled out her file and found ... nothing nearer than Newcastle, about 25 miles away. I phoned a local Shell station - found using my Garmin satnav database - but not only didn't they sell it, but knew of no-one closer than ... Newcastle. So off we went to ... Newcastle. Having filled with lpg at Morrisons in Byker we turned round and headed for our actual destination; Kielder Forest and a possible wild camp. Success!

And a nice view of Kielder Water.

The next day we went for a wander, looking for potential camp spots for later on, around some quiet roads we'd explored before.

We had a lovely walk up the river from Bellingham and back across the moors. On the way we discovered, in the back streets of this small place, a garage selling lpg ... if only we'd known! Then we collected C&D and returned to our spot used the previous night where Dixie helped Chrissie repack her rucsac.

After we left the dynamic duo - off on another two day leg - Tilly and I went for a great walk along the reservoir trail and back through the forest. On the way we passed the Wave Chamber.

And Tilly did her best Loch Ness monster impression whilst swimmimg with a stick.

 After our walk we made for the C&CC site at Bellingham. Because we'd just flipped into the C&CC's mid-season I could get my over 55s discount so that meant I could stay the night for £9.58, less than £3 more than a Motorhome Stop-off charge; no contest!

Bellingham's a very good, level site with great showers.



It was pleasantly warm and Tilly took the opportunity to chill out in the sun.

After a peaceful slumber we set off on another Kielder Forest walk.

We found a, rather short, fire tower.



And Tilly took the opportunity for a little running practice.

On our way to pick the others up we encountered some wild Exmoor ponies - a little disorientated maybe.



We picked the hikers up at Byrness and made for the C&CC site at Jedburgh, across the border in Scotland, for a break.

Chrissie was concerned about taking Dixie on the next section since it meant two overnight camps and little chance of water. After lots of consideration and much examination of maps we found an alternative. The next afternoon we made for the, supposedly, dead end valley of upper Coquetdale. Finding a wild camp spot we settled in.

This was an interesting location, set as it was, on the very edge of Otterburn military training camp. The military were busy training, hence the red flag.

We were close to the site of a Roman fort on Dere Street.

From here, the next day, C&D walked back to Byrness ... and back again, while Tilly and I made up our own route around the Roman fort and across the moors passing this sign along the way.

We had great views north into Scotland,



and along the border fence following the route of the Pennine Way.

We got a rare shot of C&D approaching the van.

Then moved along the valley for another wild camp.

The following day we set the travellers on their way again and Tilly and I drove out of the end of the dead end road ... along an unmapped military road - open today I hasten to add. We passed this sign.

We wound our way down the valley,

trying hard not to disturb this magnificent bull, scratching his neck on a tussock,

 and then continued to our next pick up point near Cocklawfoot and another wild camp, calling in at Jedburgh for another motorhome stop-off at the C&CC site and shopping on the way.



We were parked right next to a ford.

We spent a quiet night here before C&D set off on their final leg to Kirk Yetholm in Scotland, but not before enjoying splashing through the ford.

After accompanying C&D on the start of the final few miles we had a leisurely drive to Kirk Yetholm.

It wasn't long after lunch that we spotted these two, emerging through the mist and rain.



We forced them to pose for this shot by the sign,

before dragging them inside for hearty soup and jumbones (dog delicacies); tea and sympathy.

And after all the above we made our way round to our final campsite; the Caravan Club's River Breamish at Powburn.

This is a great site with a superb dog walk. We'd arrived in time for a charity tea party and we even won a raffle prize.

The final day saw us on a leisurely drive home through the Dales, tired but happy. We all slept really well that night.

 Over the two weeks we'd used campsites for only 6 out of a total of 16 nights.

C'est finis!