Two Drifters

Scotland2016

Thursday - All along the watchtowers

Oh, oh our first van problem. We awoke to see a nasty damp patch around the rear roof hatch. The very slight angle of the van meant that water had pooled up against the side of the hatch wall and there must be a small gap in the seal. Too

Scotland2016

Weds continued - why we do it

One of my readers (probably the only one) commented on the negatives posted: cold, wet weather, dour people and chasing our tails hunting for LPG and I could read the subtext "Why bother?". Here's why. After last night's blog entry we did indeed wrap up warm against the elements (2

Scotland2016

Wednesday - Weather, what weather?

A colder night last night and our parking up on the driveway rather than campsite field would have meant the exhaust from our diesel heater would have been uncomfortably close to another camper, so being considerate campers we went to bed in quite a cold van and didn't sleep as

Scotland2016

Tuesday, a better day

Well, it started off in the same vein as yesterday. We were up late and it was raining. Anyway we drove back into Ulverston in search of LPG. To those not in the know, we have a refillable gas tank but most forecourt LPG pumps don't seem to fill it

Scotland2016

Monday, not such a good day

Well it started off OK, we managed to get off the very damp field in Maghull without needing a tractor pull. I do try to avoid agreeing when some stranger offers to tug me off! Mind you the van slid the first several yards as evinced by some quite horrible

Scotland2016

A day of rest

You must be joking. Today's plan was a 5 mile walk taking in two local pubs for Sunday Lunch. And what a great meal it was too. There is no doubt that the cost of living is much reduced up here. The Derby Arms had roast dinners for £5.99.

Scotland2016

We don't need no insurance.

Saturday, CAMRA AGM starts at 09:30, we wake up at 09:45 - whoops! Who was it who said "if you are going to be late, you might as well be really late and enjoy a good breakfast"? Plus it's slashing it down with rain, still I get chance

Scotland2016

It's grim oop north

Well cold and damp, at least.  Last night was bitter considering it is April and this morning's dampness only consolidated the unpleasantness. So once again we didn't get up until gone 10, such a change from my wee hours insomniacal wanderings at home. When we did get up we were

Scotland2016

Trains, art, and (of course) beer

Well Wednesday started badly, Brian's belt buckle disintegrated. Too much good living perhaps but it did mean a wander around Ormskirk's charity shops in search of a new one. Still we weren't doing much else on our trek from Southport to the next campsite at Maghull; the bitter winds and

Scotland2016

41 not out

41 years ago we looked into each other's eyes and said "I do". 41 years later, the eyes are much more blood-shot and surrounded by wrinkles but we're still looking into them. Mind you, will that still be the case after nearly 3 months together in the van? Celebration? Of

Scotland2016

Beginnings.

Welcome to this blog. Snatches of holiday reminiscences  when time and internet access allow. Well the Shanty Festival is over and we're sitting in Wetherspoons in Southport. You may spot a theme developing re Wetherspoons but cheap real ale, free internet and good,cheap fuel food are a powerful combination.

England2014

Back Home after ...

.. lots of excitement. Just been away for nearly 3 weeks in the minute Romahome R20 campervan. After calling in on my sister in Shropshire, primarily to take her to her hospital appointment we started at Moira Furance Folk Festival . Moira is a small run event, no really huge names, just

Europe2011

Summary

Like idiots we forgot to check the mileage before leaving the UK but this **Google Map **suggests 1845 miles without any side trips. It's an underestimate anyway as we took non-motorway roads ifor most of France and all of Switzerland and although I've tried to replicate that the map isn't

Europe2011

Last day

Yesterday was hot but today the forecast is for 37°C. Good job we decided on air con in the van. It's 180 miles, forecast at 3½ hours from here to Calais and we have plenty of time. So firstly into Gulpen to pick up a card for Jens who's

Europe2011

The Dutch Mountains

The terracing can just be made out, perhaps. Gulpen, is in Limburg and the area known as the Dutch Mountains because of the slight hills that discriminate this area from the rest of this dead-flat country. The Osebos campsite is actually terraced to take the small slope into account. It's

Europe2011

Sometimes I wish we had a bog-standard VW van conversion

Two days of Friedrichshafen was wearying on the feet and we didn't think there were enough bargains in the flea market to stay and haggle closing down prices, so Sunday morning we set off for home. A ruler drawn between Friedrichshafen and Calais would suggest setting course for Luxembourg or

Europe2011

Campsite Photos

Space was a a premium, so some had to camp atop their car Or half over the pavement An interesting mag-loop That's quite some capacitor

Europe2011

Campsite craic

On of the highlights of the hamfest for us was staying on the campsite. It was as if a multinational band of gypsies had coalesced for a weekend. The Romahome was the object of interest to almost everyone. Everytime we looked out of the window someone was looking at it

Europe2011

Hamfest 2011 - organisation

Messe was busy but not overcrowded. The 3 halls did take a good, tiring day to get round and occasionally it was a squeeze to see things but nothing like the UK rallies. Everything was well spaced and easy to find. The main hall which housed the traders also housed

Europe2011

Hamfest 2011

The whole point of this trip was to visit Friedfrichshafen Hamfest, albeit via the circuitous route involving Switzerland. To non radio amateurs a hamfest is a combination of trade stands, electronics car boot sale and in the case of the larger ones, technical lectures. Of course, the problem with going

Europe2011

Zeppelins and Fronleichnam

I day say - close! An early wake up call - just what is that hellish loud drone outside the van so early in the morning? It's a Zeppelin! Having left our home in Eastleigh where the Spitfire was built and tested, we find ourselves in the home of the

Europe2011

Oh I do like to be beside the Bodensee-side

So we bid Switzerland a fond "au revior", "auf wiedersehen", "arrivederci", "a revair" just to make sure we include all of its languages and head off towards Germany. The plan is to follow the Bodensee's south coastline around, through Austria and up into Germany. Hmm - explaining that to Tomtom

Europe2011

As Neuhausen am Rheinfall falls, so falls Neuhausen am Rheinfall Falls

A bonus point for identifying the film that lends provides today's title (hint replace "Neuhausen am Rheinfall" with "Witchita") Impressive, but not on a Niagara scale The Rhine waterfall just outside Schaffhausen is the largest in Europe - at only 23m they are not particularly high but the width of

Europe2011

Here be dragons ...

Gargoyle-cum-guttering and cyclists, and schoolkids. We decideed to take a train down to Stein am Rhein, a beuatiful fresco painted medieval town at the point where the Rhine becomes Lake Constance (or vice versa). The train was easy enough with the ticket machine having an English option. Being Switzerland the

Europe2011

Romahome owners can't be shy ...

... 'cos everyone wants to see the cute little van. This site, particularly we have had stares from almost everyone that passes. This morning the English couple next to us knocked on the door to say "Goodbye" and were keen to see the interior. Suddenly we had a queue, two separate