Hi Everyone......exhausted!
Picked up the 'new to us' Carthago Mondial 58DRH from Hollenstedt, North Germany and stayed the first night onsite to sort ourselves out. No issues so left the next day to stay in Lubeck for a couple of nights to get a feel for what we have lumbered ourselves with. It's big. It's a beast! I've never been over six metres before and don't mind admitting to some anxiety but it was quite comfortable to drive with those bouncy, hydraulic seats to enterain us. I haven't yet got over the shock I experience every time we stop and step out and I try to take in what has been travelling along behind me! Why so big? Long story, things kinda got outta hand and before I knew it...........for another post perhaps. The internal debate vis Integrated v Alkoven.......oops! 'A' Class v 'C' Class continues in my head as I write! But it is like new, really like new. Hardly used, 32,000km in six years! The engine bay took my breath away so much I had to internalise it to avoid giving the salesman that 'non-negotiable' stance they often take on seeing the glee you ooze on the first viewing.
Some snow and the lack of any security on the van made the trip into Lubeck a tad anxious but all ok. Next, a six hundred kilometre drive down to Walldurn for our appointment with Goldschmidts for Hydraulic Levelling System and a 110lt Gas tank. You are learning a little of me now. Comfort before security, I really should take note of that each time I check my watch while siteseeing.
They finished the work yesterday evening with a late flourish due to the tank being too large to fit and the smaller one arriving late. All in all, a good experience but being sooo tired we sit here now looking out at the deepening snow and wonder if this is our new permanent location! We'll get moving soon. One more coffee, check the google maps, a snack maybe and maybe a tea and then, for sure, we'll get going............
This is my third van the first two being integrated Hymers B544 1992 and B524 2001. I travel in them during the summer time in Germany and around Europe. I repair Hail Damaged cars for a living and follow the storms around Europe and sometimes NZ & Oz, repairing the damage by hand and eye. Stunningly lacking in any form of intellectual stimulation but kind of semi retired (I wish!) but it is at the very least seasonal as it only hails large enough in the summer. Twelve hours in a big box, twelve hours in a small one, six or seven days a week. I'm as white as a ghost by September!
Thinking of Vanbitz for an alarm now, must call them as my window for fitting will be quite small I think. I'm a security freak and professional ruminator so I guess it has to be Vanbitz eh!?
All this with a herniated lumber disc and sickening sciatica which has me checking under the van like a geriatric using any and every hinge, flap or protrusion on the side of the van for assistance as I lower myself knee by knee! Will fit the Lumber Discectomy in around accessory purchases for the van.
Next stop Kiel on Thursday 13:00 for consultation with surgeon! Then, maybe then, the uk. We have four weeks Export Plates so we have until the 9th Feb. Now, maybe another coffee......is it lunchtime yet??
Nice to meet you all.
Regards
Jeff & Claire
Picked up the 'new to us' Carthago Mondial 58DRH from Hollenstedt, North Germany and stayed the first night onsite to sort ourselves out. No issues so left the next day to stay in Lubeck for a couple of nights to get a feel for what we have lumbered ourselves with. It's big. It's a beast! I've never been over six metres before and don't mind admitting to some anxiety but it was quite comfortable to drive with those bouncy, hydraulic seats to enterain us. I haven't yet got over the shock I experience every time we stop and step out and I try to take in what has been travelling along behind me! Why so big? Long story, things kinda got outta hand and before I knew it...........for another post perhaps. The internal debate vis Integrated v Alkoven.......oops! 'A' Class v 'C' Class continues in my head as I write! But it is like new, really like new. Hardly used, 32,000km in six years! The engine bay took my breath away so much I had to internalise it to avoid giving the salesman that 'non-negotiable' stance they often take on seeing the glee you ooze on the first viewing.
Some snow and the lack of any security on the van made the trip into Lubeck a tad anxious but all ok. Next, a six hundred kilometre drive down to Walldurn for our appointment with Goldschmidts for Hydraulic Levelling System and a 110lt Gas tank. You are learning a little of me now. Comfort before security, I really should take note of that each time I check my watch while siteseeing.
They finished the work yesterday evening with a late flourish due to the tank being too large to fit and the smaller one arriving late. All in all, a good experience but being sooo tired we sit here now looking out at the deepening snow and wonder if this is our new permanent location! We'll get moving soon. One more coffee, check the google maps, a snack maybe and maybe a tea and then, for sure, we'll get going............
This is my third van the first two being integrated Hymers B544 1992 and B524 2001. I travel in them during the summer time in Germany and around Europe. I repair Hail Damaged cars for a living and follow the storms around Europe and sometimes NZ & Oz, repairing the damage by hand and eye. Stunningly lacking in any form of intellectual stimulation but kind of semi retired (I wish!) but it is at the very least seasonal as it only hails large enough in the summer. Twelve hours in a big box, twelve hours in a small one, six or seven days a week. I'm as white as a ghost by September!
Thinking of Vanbitz for an alarm now, must call them as my window for fitting will be quite small I think. I'm a security freak and professional ruminator so I guess it has to be Vanbitz eh!?
All this with a herniated lumber disc and sickening sciatica which has me checking under the van like a geriatric using any and every hinge, flap or protrusion on the side of the van for assistance as I lower myself knee by knee! Will fit the Lumber Discectomy in around accessory purchases for the van.
Next stop Kiel on Thursday 13:00 for consultation with surgeon! Then, maybe then, the uk. We have four weeks Export Plates so we have until the 9th Feb. Now, maybe another coffee......is it lunchtime yet??
Nice to meet you all.
Regards
Jeff & Claire