Tam and Toby ~~ Hunting Zorba .....Take two.

[busby]

Aye i know .... basically every other nation bar british

Find the Spanish very good especially when your cycling.They give you lots of space when overtaking and give way when the cycle track crosses a road.Probably law but majority obey and they drive much slower than the French. BUSBY.

 

[chaser]

Tam , it's your trip do what you think is right, but how I would like to be your age , young enough to go back, just about my favourite place and don't think I will be going back now.
God that's depressing int it.
Enjoy the rest of your trip, and try to go to Venice on your return trip, believe me it's worth whatever it costs.

 

[Onemanandhisdog]

I don't enjoy driving in Italy, done it a couple of times to get to Livorno for ferry to Corsica, but it didn't inspire me to return.

Did Pisa in 15 minutes once. We were at a wedding in Tuscany, everywhere local was closed (on a Sunday) we needed supplies so thought a bigger town might be open - No.

We got held on the main street because a train full of football hooligans had pulled in. The police hold traffic and let them get on the way to their next punch up. We literally jumped out of the car and nipped down an alley to the Tower!! I never thought it would be quite so "in town".

 

[Hymerbell]

When we went to Pisa the tower was closed, they reopened it a week after we go back home.
Apart from the Tower and the Basilica not much else apart from pick pockets, they tried but didn't get anything.

I expect it wasn’t even leaning in your days....

 

[CazPaul]

You still happy with FWD Tam or would you go for RWD Merc/Iveco for the next van?

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[Northernraider]

You still happy with FWD Tam or would you go for RWD Merc/Iveco for the next van?

If i can get a merc paul thats the plan ...if not an iveco would also be good
Theres a few nice ones out there just now...but will see what comes up when im back ...might check out a few in Germany on my way back

 

[MaidinDevon]

What this trip has made me realise again ....and to be honest i was having thoughts before i left is when i get back im going to change vans again. I want a 7 metre 2 axle with a garage and on a heavy 4.2 -5 tonne chassis.
So i can carry a scooter again and a push bike. And while im at it id like left hand drive and automatic if i can get it.
Not fussed whether A class or coachbuilt and id rather not have a drop down bed at the front. As much as i love Toby i dont want a bike on the back and i dont want to tow when abroad.

Or...... to play devils advocate


Keep Toby and buy a folding bike that fits in the garage. That's what I have done.

Karen

 

[Hymerbell]

Or...... to play devils advocate


Keep Toby and buy a folding bike that fits in the garage. That's what I have done.

Karen

I’ve got the same van as you except longitudinal beds so bigger garage whuch fits a scooter...could put a bike in or on the back as well...or put the scooter on the pull out scooter rack and put bike in garage...not sure if you need anything heavier or biggEr .oops all went wrong was meant to quote Northernraider too much Ouzo.

 

[Drum Major]

if your interested we are going to be selling ours next year it's a carthargo c- tourer 149
We carry scooter and bike and all the usual garage stuff

 

[Northernraider]

if your interested we are going to be selling ours next year it's a carthargo c- tourer 149
We carry scooter and bike and all the usual garage stuff

Obviously depends on price etc .. thete eas

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[Northernraider]

Or...... to play devils advocate


Keep Toby and buy a folding bike that fits in the garage. That's what I have done.

Karen

Really want a scooter or motorbike again and theres a few other things about Toby i would change.

 

[Langtoftlad]

We give advice, based on what we know.
We don't really know you, or your motivation nor circumstances.
Whatever makes you happy.

 

[Hymerbell]

When we went to Pisa the tower was closed, they reopened it a week after we go back home.
Apart from the Tower and the Basilica not much else apart from pick pockets, they tried but didn't get anything.

I expect they had trouble with your deep pockets and short arms...

 

[gus-lopez]

I want a 7 metre 2 axle with a garage and on a heavy 4.2 -5 tonne chassis.

Do you mean 2 rear axles?

Venice is a gem to be savoured.

As for Venice. Philistine here.
I've been 3 x. Seen it done it , I'm told now that they have the flood scheme working you don't need your wellingtons ( 2 occasions in St Marks sq)
Gondolas, glass blowing ; seen anything & everything. Stayed in the convent opposite St Marks square. You couldn't pay me to return. Or Rome,Florence, Milan, Pisa, Turin,Naples, etc.

 

[Northernraider]

Do you mean 2 rear axles?



As for Venice. Philistine here.
I've been 3 x. Seen it done it , I'm told now that they have the flood scheme working you don't need your wellingtons ( 2 occasions in St Marks sq)
Gondolas, glass blowing ; seen anything & everything. Stayed in the convent opposite St Marks square. You couldn't pay me to return. Or Rome,Florence, Milan, Pisa, Turin,Naples, etc.

Noooooo single rear axle ...no more tags

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[Ukbandit]

You won't believe this but we actually had tea in st marks Square with the violinist paradeing about, the works, cost us £25 for two cups of tea, but the atmosphere was out of this world.
Tam do not miss it now you are so close.

I’d rather have a hot poker in my eye.

 

[nicholsong]

We were there for my 50th took MIL (her 70th day beofe my 50th) treated wife's sister and one of our kids came.
In St Marks sq they all ordered a coffee, I had a G&T. A huge tumbler of Gin arrived with a big split tonic & 4 tiny cups of coffee all €6 each (was 20 years ago) they were most peed off.

What peed them off - Was it the size of the coffee, the price or that you had a large G&T?

 

[StitchesnFluff]

What this trip has made me realise again ....and to be honest i was having thoughts before i left is when i get back im going to change vans again. I want a 7 metre 2 axle with a garage and on a heavy 4.2 -5 tonne chassis.
So i can carry a scooter again and a push bike. And while im at it id like left hand drive and automatic if i can get it.
Not fussed whether A class or coachbuilt and id rather not have a drop down bed at the front. As much as i love Toby i dont want a bike on the back and i dont want to tow when abroad.

Wise choice to suit your needs. It took us 3 vans to find the right one, which funny enough is 7m with garage

 

[Lenny HB]

What peed them off - Was it the size of the coffee, the price or that you had a large G&T?

I got a huge G&T for the same price as a small coffee.

 

[Lenny HB]

I expect it wasn’t even leaning in your days....

I expect they had trouble with your deep pockets and short arms...

You are a cheaky git tonight you been on the grape juice.

What's with the L plate on the scooter you need a full licence to drive in another country.

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[Northernraider]

Trying to plan ahead for a stop in florence and nearly every parking spot including the official sosta has reviews about breakins and robberies....are the italians all just theiving vandals or are some just unlucky.
Its putting me right off visiting any of these places

 

[Just smiffy]

From the sound of the price’s there I think their all robbers....

 

[Northernraider]

From the sound of the price’s there I think their all robbers....

Aye its an eye opener some of it.
At least the diesel is cheaper this year lol ...it was up at €1.50 -1.76 last year

Average is about €1.22 this year

 

[Just smiffy]

It’s down in price in most of Europe... 1.12 here in Cornwall..

 

[Northernraider]

It’s down in price in most of Europe... 1.12 here in Cornwall..

Aye 1.22 works out about £1.10
Germany was good it was average €1.01

Always looks worse in Euros though especially when you see it at €1.76 etc ...eyewatering lol

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[Hymerbell]

You are a cheaky git tonight you been on the grape juice.

What's with the L plate on the scooter you need a full licence to drive in another country.

Laughing...have you tasted the grape juice in Greece...no, Mythos beer....Mammos if I can get it. It’s OK I took the L plates off....ditched the crash helmet as well....found this bird at the side of the road as well..didn’t even have a suitcase..freeedom !

 

[BreweryDave]

Trying to plan ahead for a stop in florence and nearly every parking spot including the official sosta has reviews about breakins and robberies....are the italians all just theiving vandals or are some just unlucky.
Its putting me right off visiting any of these places

Italy is a major gateway for ‘asylum seekers’ and they head north from landing in the south. Just sayin

 

[Lenny HB]

Im concerned that i have just 8 days to travel down through italy avoiding motorways and toll roads while trying to still see things and not spend all day everyday driving.

When you get a bit further south you will find not using the Autostrada is not an option if you want to arrive with your van in one peace. Some of there roads make Belgium roads look smooth.

 

[Lenny HB]

Laughing...have you tasted the grape juice in Greece..

It's certainly different.

 

[Offagain]

I think you did the right thing re Venice, far better to go back another time when you can spend more time (and money?!) appreciating it.

Italian drivers are nuts...thats my overall opinion ...they can't stand you doing 2km under the limit and will squeeze past at any opportunity...the limit changes about 10 times over the space of a mile , and there are speed cameras everywhere.
And the road surfaces are a mix between brand new and cattle tracks

Agreed! We have driven that route in three different vehicles over the years. First an ex British Gas Vauxhall combo van, then a lhd clio estate and for the last couple of years the Bailey. Italian drivers were positively aggressive when we had the cars but when we’re in the motor home they back right off and don’t even object when you’re in the wrong lane on a roundabout!
You’ll find Non motorway roads are worse the further south you go. The tolls in Italy aren’t as eye watering as those in France and we quickly decided that spending a few € on tolls was worth it.

Trying to plan ahead for a stop in florence and nearly every parking spot including the official sosta has reviews about breakins and robberies....are the italians all just theiving vandals or are some just unlucky.
Its putting me right off visiting any of these places

Italy is a major gateway for ‘asylum seekers’ and they head north from landing in the south. Just sayin

this

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