Ian and helga go south !!

[MR. FUSION]

Well I have just got out of the phaeton!! From the outside UNTILL further inspection it looks similar to a new Passat! Lol. But on closer inspection it looks lovely. ! Stretched to 5.4 Mts long ( an extra 400 mm). Approx,,

There is no name on the outside at all !

When the doors open I must admit for a vw it is stunning ,, understated interior, all black dash, lovely auto stick, the whole interior including head lining, carpets etc. Is beautifully made and put together!! White exterior, some metallic trim, brown leather seats with black piping,, like sitting in an armchair in every seat ! Really nice ! Now here's the rub !!!

It was made to order by first owner, all extras and stretched, Cost new 120.000 euros!!!! This guy bought it 6 months ago with 60,000 miles on the clock at 4 years old for ,,, wait for it,,,,

25,000 euros !! It has depreciated by 25.000 euros a year ( roughly). And to be honest I wouldn't know one luxury car from another but just from looking and sitting in it I would say it was worth every bit of 25,000 euros! But not 120,000 new!!! My opinion for what it's worth is that it is a beautiful car worth every penny. Used !!!! Move over Jeremy clarkson!!!! Lol

When I did a big MH tour in 2013 I visited the assembly factory in Dresden, its a huge glass building in the city, why a factory in the city ? because ve can! Saw some prospective owners turning up for 'the wedding' of their vehicle where the body is mated to the chassis.

 

[wigster]

Its the body mated to axles and a prop shaft if rear wheel drive and engine gearbox etc . Zee germans call it the marriage
Hello Ian been following your travels and i say fair play son , made me smile a few times

 

[wigster]

Sorry campa just read my post back and it sounded like i was correcting you . Bmw factory's call it the marriage maybe vw do call it the wedding

 

[ianthebuilder]

Good morning !!


Well yesterday was a good day for me, I did a bit of sightseeing and had a proper look round barbate, it was lovely and had a great atmosphere, but as a town in general I think it has been hit quite hard by the recession etc, there seemed to be quite a lot of unfortunate people knocking about, asking for money, etc. I do sympathise and feel bad for them but I soon realised you can't help them all !!

I was approached by a bloke who was rabbiting on at me for ages about something in Spanish and I kept saying no comprendo segnore but I finally said go away mate I'm English and I havnt got a clue what your on about!! Well it turns out he was trying to sell me marijuana! Lolol. So with a shake of the hand I got rid and I was chuckling to myself, dope, me, God I struggle to get my head round staying alive everyday without worrying about being in a constant coma!!

The cafes were quite busy but I could see that some people were down on their luck, but all were still smiling through, and I'm sure making the best of a bad situation!! I did give a fag to a bloke that asked though and then within ten mins I had dished out the 200 I had bought an hour earlier, lol. But I was glad to be able to afford to do it and I could see some were really gratefull, it's times like that when I sit and realise what a lucky life in the uk we lead !!!!!!

So when I got back I had a good look at the vw phaeton I have previously posted about and won't repeat myself except for the fact that. I liked it! I thought it represented great value for money as a used car, very understated and beautiful inside!!!

I am going to have a quiet weekend here onsite, ( but I am going out tonight, good local bar, music etc) and then on Monday I am going to go into Cadiz on the bus!! I'm not going to hire a car, I was given all info etc but for the time I want it for its not worth it to me!!


Today when I have completed my abloutions I will be giving helga a touch up inside, a bit of a clean outside and sweeping the roof etc. In preparations for a move onwards early next week !!

I have decided to have a bit of a look at somewhere else, Seville I think then the highly reccommended el roccio?

So I will chat later before I go out and I hope you all have a lovely day !!! Xxx

 

[reckless]

@ianthebuilder

If taking Helga to El Rocio, park on opposite side of road just before you reach the lake, turn in immediately after Policia station. If you reach the lake you've just passed it!

This is a large area where several motorhomes were parked overnight. We got moved on from the car parking area but no problem here.

Unless of course you prefer the full on campsite, which is a little further away but not much.

Karen

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[funflair]

When I did a big MH tour in 2013 I visited the assembly factory in Dresden, its a huge glass building in the city, why a factory in the city ? because ve can! Saw some prospective owners turning up for 'the wedding' of their vehicle where the body is mated to the chassis.

That will be all these bits waiting for a body, the big silver lump is the jig it all sits on.

It was Sunday when we were there so didn't get a factory tour but the foyer was interesting.

Martin

 

[MR. FUSION]

Its the body mated to axles and a prop shaft if rear wheel drive and engine gearbox etc . Zee germans call it the marriage
Hello Ian been following your travels and i say fair play son , made me smile a few times

That's what counts for a chassis these days........

 

[ianthebuilder]

Well hello ! In afraid I went for tapas at about 2 o'clock and I met the German with the car!!! Now it's later and I have had to surrender to the drink. I started on gin and too it's at 3 and had to admit defeat about 20 mins ago. But he did too dos he didn't out drink me!! And the bonus was his son Kevin lol. Doesn't drink so he chauffeured us round in the phaeton!! Lol. I felt like Simon cowell!! And I'm well pissevv now so I'm going to. Bed. Chat tomorrow. Ian xxx

 

[Puddleduck]

Well it is tomorrow and no update.

Are you okay Ian? @ianthebuilder

 

[MR. FUSION]

Sorry campa just read my post back and it sounded like i was correcting you . Bmw factory's call it the marriage maybe vw do call it the wedding

No problem, I did do a beemer and Merc factory tours during that MH tour also, so may have got confused! The saddest thing I saw was all the Rolls Royce cars at BMW welt but the factory visit in Munich was fascinating. A world away from my visit to the Reliant production plant in Tamworth, long gone!

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[ianthebuilder]

Well it is tomorrow and no update.

Are you okay Ian? @ianthebuilder

Hello puddle, I'm afraid last night or rather yesterday has cost me a day today, in and out of a coma, and constantly emptying contents of stomache through both orifices UNTILL about an hour ago!! I just had a call about golf tomorrow so I will see how tonight goes first!! I'm going back to bed!! Will update tomorrow. I have missed you all !!!! Lol.

 

[Debs]

Hello puddle, I'm afraid last night or rather yesterday has cost me a day today, in and out of a coma, and constantly emptying contents of stomache through both orifices UNTILL about an hour ago!! I just had a call about golf tomorrow so I will see how tonight goes first!! I'm going back to bed!! Will update tomorrow. I have missed you all !!!! Lol.

Oh dear....I'm sure we've all been there....hope you feel better soon

 

[MR. FUSION]

Hello puddle, I'm afraid last night or rather yesterday has cost me a day today, in and out of a coma, and constantly emptying contents of stomache through both orifices UNTILL about an hour ago!! I just had a call about golf tomorrow so I will see how tonight goes first!! I'm going back to bed!! Will update tomorrow. I have missed you all !!!! Lol.

hope you feel better soon

 

[Jo662]

One of those breakfasts and hair of the dog!
Jobs a goodun!

 

[ianthebuilder]

Well good morning !!!

I slept well last night and didn't have to get up once so all good!!!

The one afternoon drinking cost me a day and a half recovery time!! Hardly seems worth it really does it! Still it's the first time for a long time and before I got home it was great fun !!!

So I'm going to risk playing golf this morning, my golfing buddy has returned from a cold miserable uk early and wants to play, so at 10 am we tee off !!

I will have a nice breakfast on the way cause I'm starving and a cup of lovely coffee!! Just to line the stomache!

Tonight if I'm up for it there is a card school above the bar ( Texas Holdem) and I was invited wednesday and it was fun so if I feel ok I will play, there all good blokes,,

So that's the plan today, food, golf, poker, sleep. Then tomorrow I will I hope get a bus ont conil ( a local town) and visit the big caravan centre, to try and get a new pump and see if they can do a gas service. Even a full habitation thingy and maybe a new awning/ canopy ,!!!!
Thanks for the breakfast pictures, I'm glad I looked this morning and not yesterday!! Lol

So I will update later because I have to take the golf seriously today I am 4..2. Down and I have to come back, I can't afford to let him get away anymore!!!

Speak soon, I hope the weather isn't too bad for you at home! Have a lovely Sunday and enjoy your roasts !!! Xxxx.

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[ianthebuilder]

Well I had a good day today!! Played 2 rounds with my arch enemy and won both. The score is now 4/4 haha.

Having a quiet afternoon, doing some chores, rubbish/ cassette/ washing etc but the sun is out and it's lovely here!!

Like I said earlier, poker tonight I think and I will abstain from any alcohol now for at least a week, just to let the kidneys shrink back to a normal size !!

Well isn't it boring now I'm not on the road having all sorts of dramas, well let me say in a few more days I will be bored as well, it just seems like when I get comfortable somewhere I get a bit lazy, I mean I like the site, all mod cons, golf 3 or 4 times a week but I am not seeing too much of Spain now so I have decided to move on in the week.

I will go to the auto caravan place near here on Tuesday just to see if they can do a gas service and depending on the outcome will decide when I leave!! I must say it's nice and relaxing not getting into any trouble, in or out of helga!!

Hope you are all enjoying your Sunday at home( wherever that may be). Chat soon. Ian xx

 

[Puddleduck]

Just don't lose all your money at cards and have to go back to work.

 

[ianthebuilder]

Just don't lose all your money at cards and have to go back to work.

Lol. No babe it's a proper organised game. I think the most I can loose is 10 or 15 euros ! Lol. Hardly dodge city!!! Lol. X

 

[Granjan]

Dear Ian,
I havent found the time to read all your thread yet, I am about 2 weeks behind! ..... but I have liked it a lot!
I have spent the afternoon trying to book some Spanish campsites to no avail. Can you please tell me as an insitu chappy if there is any space in Spain! We are thinking Valencia, south and then back up. Any suggestions would be really appreciated.

 

[ianthebuilder]

Dear Ian,
I havent found the time to read all your thread yet, I am about 2 weeks behind! ..... but I have liked it a lot!
I have spent the afternoon trying to book some Spanish campsites to no avail. Can you please tell meas an insitu chappy if there is any space in Spain! We are thinking Valencia, south and then back up. Any suggestions would be really appreciated.

Granjan do what I do. Just turn up at any of them. The only ones that I have seen full or bulging are those in Benidorm !! I don't know where I'm going from one min to the next but I have always got in. If you can be bothered to read the thread and can go back a week or 3. Then all the sites I have stayed on are reccommended to me on here!! Like I say. Avoid Benidorm cause they are busy( unless like me you get lucky ). But peniscola, Denia, javia, there's loads of places. They seem to me to be getting quieter all the time now, lots of people heading home after their holidays away !! Xxxx

I have never booked anywhere! That's the fun for me!! I could be under a bridge or in a palace it's pot luck on my adventure!! Xx. If your desperate though I could go through my cupboard where I have all leaflets at sites I have visited? Xxx let me know!!

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[Granjan]

Ok and cheers, you make me feel a bit braver, guess we will just have to suck it and see! I have made it to page 93, my hubby says he doesnt want to go anywhere he will get his nuts stuck!

 

[ianthebuilder]

Lololol. Tell him to make sure the ladder is secure to the bed!!! Lolol. X

 

[Granjan]

I think i really need to edit that last post @Popeye will have a field day with that!

 

[Popeye]

Ok and cheers, you make me feel a bit braver, guess we will just have to suck it and see! I have made it to page 93, my hubby says he doesnt want to go anywhere he will get his nuts stuck!

I think i really need to edit that last post @Popeye will have a field day with that!

I am in a forgiving mood; have you any idea just how tempting this set up is for sick minded folk like me.

 

[Puddleduck]

Lol. No babe it's a proper organised game. I think the most I can loose is 10 or 15 euros ! Lol. Hardly dodge city!!! Lol. X

Phew....... I am pleased about that.

I don't mind playing cards for tokens but would never play with real money.

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[ianthebuilder]

Phew....... I am pleased about that.

I don't mind playing cards for tokens but would never play with real money.

Puddle I just got in. Guess what. I won the tournament 25 euros. So a free night. Cost me 5 euros to join so all in all I have had a good day!! Lol. Xx

 

[Fenman]

The payload on Helga is going to suffer carrying all these trophies.

 

[Carol]

Ian it seems if you are adjusting well to your chosen life style

 

[ianthebuilder]

Morning all,

Flushed with success I awoke this morning, and it's not often I feel like that so I'm hoping today is going to continue in the same vain !! Lol

After cards last night I had a coffee in the bar with my old mate burndt! Now burndt is the German who has the phaeton!! Let me try to describe burndt!!

About 58 years of age, about 5,10 in height, of normal build ( I see no outstanding disabilities) and long grey hair! Yes very long ,, big dark bushy eyebrows and always wearing a smile!!
Old brown ( 25 yr old ) leather jacket. And at a glance you would put burndt in the slightly crazy old hippy category!! But what a lovely interesting bloke !!

It seems burndt has had a good life, although now single ( and happy) he has a 25 yr old son called Kevin, who I met this week and has now gone home , who he is rightly so very proud of !! A really nice lad, a credit to his parents!

Burndt has just sold his transport company he built from scratch over the last 20 or 30 years and has become very wealthy, but although he has a lot of material items in Germany, house, 3 other cars etc he prefers to live in his tabbart on the road! When he has finished here in a month or so he is of home for a week and then off to Norway with the van for the summer, whale watching!! Now burndt loves nature and he never tires of telling me about his travels and me being nosey I like to hear about all aspects of people's lives!!

Now his transport company specialises in multi million pound vehicles! Moving them all over the world, for filming, private companies and very rich individuals! Well some of the stories I have heard leave me spellbound !! How the other half live eh !! Lol.

So I was having a chat and a drink and we were enjoying ourselves and the question of tax aroused it's ugly head !! Well I nearly choked on my cafe con letche!!!! Burnt had 15 big scania lorries , 15 custom built trailers for transporting the vehicles ( cost of trailers approx 300.000 euros each) cost of scandals approx 200,000 euros each so 15 vehicles and kit standing him in about 500,000 euros each ! 20 full time drivers, office staff and buildings etc. Well he then proceeded to tell me that when the company sale is finally done ( about 5 weeks more) he will have to pay the German govmt a tax bill of ,,,, wait for it !!! One million eight hundred thousand euros !!! Such a big number I don't know how to do it without writing the amount in words!!

Now I won't go into too much about burndt personal life that he has been telling me but needles to say I was amazed!! He has to pay more tax in one payment than any amount of money I have ever and will probably ever earn in a lifetime !! So I was thinking. If that was the tax bill. How much was the company sold for !!! Bloody hell my mind spins!!!!! Lol

Anyway my point is meeting him and his son last week was a pleasure, we do have a good laugh ,, and we're off to Cadiz for the day tomorrow in the phaeton of course,, I do only travel first class these days , I'm sure you can understand!!!!

So when opening your new copy of hello magazine or forbes,, please don't be surprised to see me and burndt on the middle pages by a pool in hefners mansion, surrounded by a bevy of beauties having a wild time !!! Lol

But now seriously I want to say that when you first see burndt ,, in his old leather jacket, long grey hair, jeans, leaning against the bar you would never guess what a story he has to tell !! And if I hadn't started talking to him and then likeing him I would never have heard this mans story !!! And like I said in the beginning of my adventure ITS ALL ABOUT THE PEOPLE!!


Now I have just had a call from tony about a game of golf later so I'm up for that and hopefully I can get a lead on him !! Lol. Will post later. Have a good day !!

 

[Fenman]

It is so true when they say you should never judge by appearances.
Many moons ago I had a boss who, when anyone selling was going to visit him, would wear an old tatty jumper with leather patches on the elbows.
This was a guy who changed his new Rolls Royce every year. Ordered next year's when taking delivery of the latest one and making a profit on the part exchange.

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