MOBY GOES TO TURKEY. A tam and pups adventure.

[Minxy]

Tam what have you done to your hair? Are you going for the 'Jedward' look with attitude?

 

[Helen Ariel]

I think there was a special kind of connection between people travelling during the pandemic. It was a big scary unknown especially at the beginning and a certain camoraderie developed I think. When we 1st arrived in France in July 2020 as soon as the borders opened we were the only Brits and the French were really keen to chat to us I think because we were unusual and they admired us for getting away in our van as they all were. Then as things progressed that winter and we hunkered down in Sagres for 4 months the people doing the same were all keen to build friendships and make a community and even the next year the less adventurous types still stayed at home but now everything is back to normal and motorhomes are everywhere it's not such a novelty perhaps to meet people on the road.

Saying that we had a good few friendly interactions in Morocco (dinner and drinks with a couple of different people)but now we're on the med coast people are just getting on with their own stuff and not feeling the need to make friends it seems.

 

[CaptainPaul]

Awk that's a pity you didn't like Kas, I thought it was a lovely wee place for a few days, we stayed there for a week exploring all around it, I went down to the port early one morning and bought langoustines fresh of a boat as it arrived in and cooked them in the camper that evening and they were delicious, never tasted as nice I used to go to that same amphitheatre every morning pre dawn and meditate as the sun came up, It was an amazing feeling and of course being a Paddy I chatted to everybody whether they answered back or not!

 

[Northernraider]

Tam what have you done to your hair? Are you going for the 'Jedward' look with attitude?

I haven't done anything to it... the dogs on the other hand jump all over me whenever I'm at their level ... how do you think my nose is scratched etc .

 

[Gina M]

I haven't done anything to it... the dogs on the other hand jump all over me whenever I'm at their level ... how do you think my nose is scratched etc .

That's nowt. I have a tiny piece of my nose missing after one of mine nipped it in excitement after I returned from the pub stinking of wine there was blood everywhere. He's not used to me smelling of booze.

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[Northernraider]

Awk that's a pity you didn't like Kas, I thought it was a lovely wee place for a few days, we stayed there for a week exploring all around it, I went down to the port early one morning and bought langoustines fresh of a boat as it arrived in and cooked them in the camper that evening and they were delicious, never tasted as nice I used to go to that same amphitheatre every morning pre dawn and meditate as the sun came up, It was an amazing feeling and of course being a Paddy I chatted to everybody whether they answered back or not!

I think if I was part of a couple then aye siting in a bar or coffee shop watching the world go by would possibly be better. But as a solo ...I just have a wee walk about towns to see if any interesting buildings or things to see. But its kind of like every other seaside town really. Its not got the same charm as some of the wee greek villages etc. I can see why it's a wee tourist trap for folk coming to Turkey for a week or so in a hotel etc but not jumping out at me as somewhere nice for a van.

And believe me I say hello to practically everyone.... but it gets wearing when maybe 10% actually acknowledge and say hello back.. less than 2% actually have any conversation lol.

Honestly I think it must be me, maybe couples fair better , or maybe it's the dogs, the tattoos, who knows but I'm not imagining it. It's quite soul destroying at times.

Folk used to say it was better to travel alone as you were more inclined to meet and talk to folk but it's not really. The last real-time conversation I've had that's lasted more than 5 minutes was 27th December... that's now nearly 2 months .

This shows more in the fact I've used 30gb of data in 3 weeks lol as I'm online more because otherwise I'm talking to.my feckin self.


And to make things worse I can't even phone anyone lol as I have no call or text allowance on these esims ..their data only .

 

[Gina M]

I think if I was part of a couple then aye siting in a bar or coffee shop watching the world go by would possibly be better. But as a solo ...I just have a wee walk about towns to see if any interesting buildings or things to see. But its kind of like every other seaside town really. Its not got the same charm as some of the wee greek villages etc. I can see why it's a wee tourist trap for folk coming to Turkey for a week or so in a hotel etc but not jumping out at me as somewhere nice for a van.

And believe me I say hello to practically everyone.... but it gets wearing when maybe 10% actually acknowledge and say hello back.. less than 2% actually have any conversation lol.

Honestly I think it must be me, maybe couples fair better , or maybe it's the dogs, the tattoos, who knows but I'm not imagining it. It's quite soul destroying at times.

Folk used to say it was better to travel alone as you were more inclined to meet and talk to folk but it's not really. The last real-time conversation I've had that's lasted more than 5 minutes was 27th December... that's now nearly 2 months .

This shows more in the fact I've used 30gb of data in 3 weeks lol as I'm online more because otherwise I'm talking to.my feckin self.

You are a threat Tam. You are single and good looking. All the men are scared of you

 

[CaptainPaul]

I think if I was part of a couple then aye siting in a bar or coffee shop watching the world go by would possibly be better. But as a solo ...I just have a wee walk about towns to see if any interesting buildings or things to see. But its kind of like every other seaside town really. Its not got the same charm as some of the wee greek villages etc. I can see why it's a wee tourist trap for folk coming to Turkey for a week or so in a hotel etc but not jumping out at me as somewhere nice for a van.

And believe me I say hello to practically everyone.... but it gets wearing when maybe 10% actually acknowledge and say hello back.. less than 2% actually have any conversation lol.

Honestly I think it must be me, maybe couples fair better , or maybe it's the dogs, the tattoos, who knows but I'm not imagining it. It's quite soul destroying at times.

Folk used to say it was better to travel alone as you were more inclined to meet and talk to folk but it's not really. The last real-time conversation I've had that's lasted more than 5 minutes was 27th December... that's now nearly 2 months .

This shows more in the fact I've used 30gb of data in 3 weeks lol as I'm online more because otherwise I'm talking to.my feckin self.


And to make things worse I can't even phone anyone lol as I have no call or text allowance on these esims ..their data only .

We talk to ourselves more than we talk to anyone so be kind to yourself

 

[CaptainPaul]

I think if I was part of a couple then aye siting in a bar or coffee shop watching the world go by would possibly be better.

Yes I think I would agree with that, I wouldn't enjoy travelling solo at all, maybe for a couple of days at home I'd go fishing on my own but only for a day or 2, definitely not for travelling months on end on your Jack Jones

 

[Minxy]

I think if I was part of a couple then aye siting in a bar or coffee shop watching the world go by would possibly be better. But as a solo ...I just have a wee walk about towns to see if any interesting buildings or things to see. But its kind of like every other seaside town really. Its not got the same charm as some of the wee greek villages etc. I can see why it's a wee tourist trap for folk coming to Turkey for a week or so in a hotel etc but not jumping out at me as somewhere nice for a van.

And believe me I say hello to practically everyone.... but it gets wearing when maybe 10% actually acknowledge and say hello back.. less than 2% actually have any conversation lol.

Honestly I think it must be me, maybe couples fair better , or maybe it's the dogs, the tattoos, who knows but I'm not imagining it. It's quite soul destroying at times.

Folk used to say it was better to travel alone as you were more inclined to meet and talk to folk but it's not really. The last real-time conversation I've had that's lasted more than 5 minutes was 27th December... that's now nearly 2 months

I'm surprised Uncle Lenny hasn't rung you due to him having withdrawal symptoms from not hearing from you.

This shows more in the fact I've used 30gb of data in 3 weeks lol as I'm online more because otherwise I'm talking to.my feckin se

Surely the dogs talk to you? Ours certainly do, mumbles, woofs, squeels, barks not to mention the farts.

And to make things worse I can't even phone anyone lol as I have no call or text allowance on these esims ..their data only

Can't you do calling via the internet?

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[Northernraider]

Yes I think I would agree with that, I wouldn't enjoy travelling solo at all, maybe for a couple of days at home I'd go fishing on my own but only for a day or 2, definitely not for travelling months on end on your Jack Jones

I'd say I'm fine about 80% of the time, I actually like my own space a lot of the time. But not all of the time. .Jackie and I actually worked out well as travel buddies most of the time as we'd go to same places, go for a walk and a look around stuff etc. Sometimes sit out have a fire a drink cook etc but other times I'd be in my van shed be in hers and we did our own thing . Not sure I'd want someone there 24/7 as I'm not used to it anymore ... I've been single 8 years now so I'm stuck in my ways I guess. But when it gets to weeks , months etc I admit I get a bit lonely. I used to phone mum etc when I got like that on previous trips. I'd been phoning my brother when in Greece as he can talk for Scotland lol but meh ... cannae even find a date in this bloody country lol . So much Internet restrictions it's unreal . You need vpn's etc . Censorship central

 

[CaptainPaul]

Funny I've met a couple of solo travellers this time in Morocco but they are still travelling with company only in different vans a bit like you and Jackie used to do, I actually met a couple of together solo travellers a couple of weeks back and guided them down to Sidi Kaouki and they loved it! I think they stayed there for a couple of weeks and never moved! but you might know them they are on van life Morocco thing that you know about he's called Franx Jnr and she's called Lifeonthe Road check them out they've met up with loads of French & Germans etc down there having a ball lol

 

[Northernraider]

I'm surprised Uncle Lenny hasn't rung you due to him having withdrawal symptoms from not hearing from you.

Surely the dogs talk to you? Ours certainly do, mumbles, woofs, squeels, barks not to mention the farts.


Can't you do calling via the internet?

I could use WhatsApp for the odd person I guess .

My brother though thinks WhatsApp spies on everyone so he don't use it.

God knows why he thinks they'd be interested in his fish tank or job at asda as that's all he ever talks about lol

 

[Northernraider]

Funny I've met a couple of solo travellers this time in Morocco but they are still travelling with company only in different vans a bit like you and Jackie used to do, I actually met a couple of together solo travellers a couple of weeks back and guided them down to Sidi Kaouki and they loved it! I think they stayed there for a couple of weeks and never moved! but you might know them they are on van life Morocco thing that you know about he's called Franx Jnr and she's called Lifeonthe Road check them out they've met up with loads of French & Germans etc down there having a ball lol

Aye like i said it must be feckin me lol

 

[Lenny HB]

I'm surprised Uncle Lenny hasn't rung you due to him having withdrawal symptoms from not hearing from you

We do chat occasionally.

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[Dutch 68]

I think if I was part of a couple then aye siting in a bar or coffee shop watching the world go by would possibly be better. But as a solo ...I just have a wee walk about towns to see if any interesting buildings or things to see. But its kind of like every other seaside town really. Its not got the same charm as some of the wee greek villages etc. I can see why it's a wee tourist trap for folk coming to Turkey for a week or so in a hotel etc but not jumping out at me as somewhere nice for a van.

And believe me I say hello to practically everyone.... but it gets wearing when maybe 10% actually acknowledge and say hello back.. less than 2% actually have any conversation lol.

Honestly I think it must be me, maybe couples fair better , or maybe it's the dogs, the tattoos, who knows but I'm not imagining it. It's quite soul destroying at times.

Folk used to say it was better to travel alone as you were more inclined to meet and talk to folk but it's not really. The last real-time conversation I've had that's lasted more than 5 minutes was 27th December... that's now nearly 2 months .

This shows more in the fact I've used 30gb of data in 3 weeks lol as I'm online more because otherwise I'm talking to.my feckin self.


And to make things worse I can't even phone anyone lol as I have no call or text allowance on these esims ..their data only .

WhatsApp calls use data only so that’s the way to go

 

[StephandJohn]

Sorry you're a bit down. I've always thought solo travelling must be a bit lonely at times, Unfortunately it may be the tattoos. Other nationalities don't go in for them so much so maybe they're nor sure of you.
Are you on Vanlife? There seem to be a lot of solo travellers on there.

 

[Northernraider]

Sorry you're a bit down. I've always thought solo travelling must be a bit lonely at times, Unfortunately it may be the tattoos. Other nationalities don't go in for them so much so maybe they're nor sure of you.
Are you on Vanlife? There seem to be a lot of solo travellers on there.

I'm assuming it's on Facebook and I don't have Facebook.

 

[CaptainPaul]

Are you on Vanlife? There seem to be a lot of solo travellers on there.

Yes all the people I've met here in Morocco are on the Facebook Vanlife pages and your right there's lots of solo travellers on there, I've met a lot of them this year and they all seem to be doggy people as well which is good, I've seen lots of them feeding them too

 

[CaptainPaul]

#vanlifemorocco
That's their page, the 2nd post on that page are the 2 solo British travellers I met and showed to Sidi Kaouki Sharon & Frank they ended up staying for over a fortnight! Lol

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[CaptainPaul]

I was just remarking to another couple of British people I met last week there seems to be more UK vans here in Morocco this year than I've ever seen coming over, all wanting to reset their 90 day schengen clock which is great to see, Morocco has obviously gained greatly from that

 

[Feltwell]

I have 2 x metre long breaker bars with me. But to get the rear wheel nuts off you need to put a 12" extension piece between socket and the breaker bar and when I did that this morning it snapped the end of my extension.. and it wasn't a cheap one either. Wheel nut never budged. Front wheels are a little easier as no need for an extension bar.

Wish I'd invested in a cordless impact gun before leaving UK as that would be the best option I think .

They're nowhere near as powerful as the air ones are Tam. I've got one, should be half decent (Makita LXT 18v) but wheel nuts on the van still need a breaker bar.

 

[WESTY66]

I have a DeWalt and whilst it is very good, it’s nowhere near as powerful
as the big 1/2” drive Milwaukee ones if I was starting out on power tools I’d go Milwaukee every time

 

[Northernraider]

They're nowhere near as powerful as the air ones are Tam. I've got one, should be half decent (Makita LXT 18v) but wheel nuts on the van still need a breaker bar.

Aye unfortunately the breaker bar isn't doing the trick on the rear wheels . The joy of twin wheelers I guess but the nuts are a foot inside the rim so an extension bar is required .

 

[WESTY66]

They're nowhere near as powerful as the air ones are Tam. I've got one, should be half decent (Makita LXT 18v) but wheel nuts on the van still need a breaker bar.

Using my DeWalt for tightening I turn it down to No2 and it stops around 170nm then it’s just a quick turn of the torque wrench to 180nm.
When removing them the DeWalt undo’s them with ease, I have never needed a breaker bar

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[monzer]

CaptainPaul have you sold your quad & trailer? Belting bit of kit that.

 

[Littlewheels]

Wee Iggy (my shite photies compared to yours!) Lol
View attachment 866710

Is that little fella a Bodequero?

 

[Feltwell]

Using my DeWalt for tightening I turn it down to No2 and it stops around 170nm then it’s just a quick turn of the torque wrench to 180nm.
When removing them the DeWalt undo’s them with ease, I have never needed a breaker bar

Admittedly I have got the cheapest Makita LXT cordless one, they do do a large range of them.

Wish I'd spent more - it still wasn't cheap and is useful but van wheel bolts are too much.

 

[TinaLes]

This problem of tight wheel nuts reminds me of a my 1st camping trip to the Isle of Sky late 70's. we met up with some mature friends that had hired a MH, it was a Ford Transit with twin wheels at the rear. They split one of the rear tyres on a tight bend up some steep road miles from anywhere, no mobile phones back then. They got the spare wheel from under the van, got all the supplied wheel changing tools out, jack ready to lift up the van etc. They tried & tried to undo the wheel nuts, but they wouldn't budge. They even tried hitting the wheel brace with a large rock, as they didnt have a lump hammer.
Having taken most of his skin off his knuckles the air was Blue, wife stayed out the way as much as possible, made tea, but felt useless, as did he I bet.
They had no choice but to drive on with a knackered rear tyre, flapping arround, probably overheating until they got to a village with a Red Phone Box. They called out the breakdown service from a phone box, they waited quite a long time, but the breakdown guy arrived eventually. Within minutes he had his large jack under the van, and with his HD wheel brace had the wheel nuts loosened and wheel off, spare back on, tightened up, ready to go.
The breakdown chap then said, sorry I can see you have hurt your hands trying to get that wheel off with limited tools etc, and there's no easy way to tell you now, but the wheel nuts on this van being twin wheeled are Left Hand Threaded!
Funny the things you remember all your life eh?
LES

 

[CaptainPaul]

CaptainPaul have you sold your quad & trailer? Belting bit of kit that.

Hi monzer
No it's still at my brothers place near Malaga I've had a few enquiries but wasn't really pushing it yet as I'm still in Morocco
To be honest the only reason I'm selling it is my 2 wee dogs were terrified of it, when I started it up they ran for miles! Lol and the whole idea was I could take me, the Mrs and our 2 wee Jack Russells for jaunts on it but it's never gonna happen!

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}