Tam n pups winter trip 2022

[Langtoftlad]

I use the A50 passing Uttoxeter on my journey between home (Peterborough) on A1 and my sister in West Kirby via M6... fastest route

 

[gus-lopez]

Why don't I have a "like, or any other choice" on this particular post???

You don't get any on your own posts.

Lights seem bright enough after all.


Perfect that's reduced my power use at night by a third on the lights. View attachment 832552View attachment 832553


If I only have the fire on it uses no power for that. If i have both fans running then it uses 1.5amp . ...I had both on this morning for a bit when we got up .
View attachment 832554
But i very rarely would have both fans on and I never have all 3 lights on either so happy days...I should hopefully not have power worries on this trip.

6,7ºc; 8,5ºc ; is it snowing?

Yeah I initially thought about painting it lighter grey, but then the condensation on the roof in the mornings made me decide carpet was the way to go .. decided to keep it a one colour and its come out quite well I think.

I did all the walls & doors in the grey carpet but used a light brown for the ceiling on mine. Too small to use all one colour & being a pvc as well

 

[chaser]

I use the A50 passing Uttoxeter on my journey between home (Peterborough) on A1 and my sister in West Kirby via M6... fastest route

The a50 is a good road apart from early morning rush hour, I used to be on it nearly everyday when I worked on the vans, for 10 years going to Nottingham, saw all the seasons unfold on the fields on either side for years.
The uttoxeter roundabouts are the worst bit of it but allegedly they are going to get rid of them soon.

 

[Langtoftlad]

but allegedly they are going to get rid of them soon.

Presumably not in the next few days though

 

[Dutch 68]

So this is what I've been doing today. Had Derek Razamataz giving me a hand this morning till I got the main bit covered then he went home for a heat while I spent the next hour or two finishing off all the edges and fitting the new lights ....View attachment 832505View attachment 832506View attachment 832507View attachment 832508View attachment 832509View attachment 832510View attachment 832511View attachment 832512

Turned out rather well , not sure about the new lights, don't think they'll be as bright as the old ones but all 3 of them use 1.2amps together whereas the old ones used about 2.3amps each.

Looks fab

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[Just smiffy]

Tam I bought this wee boy earlier for a bit of craic on the beaches & deserts in Maroc ( or as Rosie would say... ("so you've bought more shite to put in your sheds") lolView attachment 832562View attachment 832563

I’ll have a go on that…. trouble is you may not see it again…

 

[Carol]

Tam, your van looks so cosy, wishing you a relaxing journey, I think these words from CaptainPaul are wise.

"Don't seek to have events happen as you wish, but wish them to happen as they do happen, and all will be well with you"

Looking forward to your and the pups next journey.
Safe travels.

 

[Yamas]

The van looks great Tam safe and happy travels

 

[Northernraider]

Well I now have everything I'm taking with me in the camper. Its a bit of a shambles in there to be honest but I will sort things out while I'm on the road.

The stuff I'm leaving here has been shipped off to my brothers and sisters most of which was stuff I've inherited from mum and a few things I've bought over my travels that I want to keep. Its not a lot of stuff but it shouldn't be In there way for the next couple of years if I need them to store it that long .

I wish I was at a place where I could just think it's only stuff and let it go but I'm not there yet.

 

[Langtoftlad]

I wish I was at a place where I could just think it's only stuff and let it go but I'm not there yet.

You'll know... when you can't remember everything that's stored.

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[chaser]

Well I now have everything I'm taking with me in the camper. Its a bit of a shambles in there to be honest but I will sort things out while I'm on the road.

The stuff I'm leaving here has been shipped off to my brothers and sisters most of which was stuff I've inherited from mum and a few things I've bought over my travels that I want to keep. Its not a lot of stuff but it shouldn't be In there way for the next couple of years if I need them to store it that long .

I wish I was at a place where I could just think it's only stuff and let it go but I'm not there yet.

Don't forget a pair of wellys if you are coming here.

 

[Northernraider]

You'll know... when you can't remember everything that stored.

Aye probably. Although at the minute I think it's likely I'll buy a small flat here next year from my inheritance just to keep as an investment of some sort and a fallback.


Well unless I decide a plot of land somewhere else is a better option .

And one of these to put on it

 

[Northernraider]

Don't forget a pair of wellys if you are coming here.

I've just packed my wellies as it happens , I was in 2 minds whether to keep them as I've worn them 3 times in 4 years. But I decided better safe than sorry lol.




But I'm no helping to muck oot coos Charlie. It's tractors and quad bikes I'm in to

 

[pj650]

Hope you have a great trip Tam. The van looks really comfortable. It’s a credit to you.
The time away will be good for you. Just relax and enjoy. Wishing you all the best and safe travels. Give us a wave as you pass Gretna on your way south

 

[Northernraider]

Does anyone know the dog situation with the ferries from Italy to Greece? I was looking on direct ferries website , booking brindisi to igoumenitsa 1st Dec, the camper me and 3 dogs it's coming up at £288 , that's not booking any seats or cabins etc , it's an 8 hour crossing , it doesn't however mention if you can take dogs on board or not. If travelling daytime I don't really need a cabin but I'd not be keen on leaving the dogs alone in the van for that length of time.

There's also an overnight crossing at the same price or an extra £100 for a cabin but again it doesn't mention dogs so would probably be more than that again. If I can take them on board without having to put them in kennels etc then I'd just do that and find a seat etc .

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[Lenny HB]

On the Minoan line from Acona they had the kennels on an upper deck, you could visit and take them out on deck at any time.

 

[chaser]

I've just packed my wellies as it happens , I was in 2 minds whether to keep them as I've worn them 3 times in 4 years. But I decided better safe than sorry lol.




But I'm no helping to muck oot coos Charlie. It's tractors and quad bikes I'm in to

Funny you should mention quad bikes as I havnt said anything about them before but yes we have half a dozen of them as well

 

[CaptainPaul]

I've done this trip a few times Tam 2 were on the camping on board bookings where you stay in the van and just do your own thing so the dogs aren't an issue and one was with a pet cabin which was a dedicated area with access to a wee deck for walks etc but I'm nearly sure I saw people on board with dogs in the normal public areas, not restaurants obviously but definitely in the general public areas, I reckon you would need to contact the ferry company direct, we used an online company called Mr Ferry which were brilliant and cheaper than anyone else, think they are Italian based but we definitely found them the best

 

[Northernraider]

I've done this trip a few times Tam 2 were on the camping on board bookings where you stay in the van and just do your own thing so the dogs aren't an issue and one was with a pet cabin which was a dedicated area with access to a wee deck for walks etc but I'm nearly sure I saw people on board with dogs in the normal public areas, not restaurants obviously but definitely in the general public areas, I reckon you would need to contact the ferry company direct, we used an online company called Mr Ferry which were brilliant and cheaper than anyone else, think they are Italian based but we definitely found them the best

Yeah I've just phoned viamare so I could confirm that they allow dogs on deck. Problem is having 3 dogs I can't get a cabin anyway as they only allow 2 in the cabin. Can't do camping on board as that ends 31st October. So really kennels or keeping them with me is my only choices. He's quoted me £245 from bari to igoumenitsa on Dec 3rd , just a deck space but says dogs are allowed on deck with me with no extra charge. That's a 13.30 - 2300 crossing which would be a long day but not many choices unfortunately.



He dared to suggest putting one in the kennels and taking 2 in a cabin with me ....clearly he isn't a pet owner lol I could never do that. Can't even put the 3 of them in a kennel I'd be worried sick about them .

So looks like it's a long day in a deck seat with them I think .

 

[CaptainPaul]

Yeah I've just phoned viamare so I could confirm that they allow dogs on deck. Problem is having 3 dogs I can't get a cabin anyway as they only allow 2 in the cabin. Can't do camping on board as that ends 31st October. So really kennels or keeping them with me is my only choices. He's quoted me £245 from bari to igoumenitsa on Dec 3rd , just a deck space but says dogs are allowed on deck with me with no extra charge. That's a 13.30 - 2300 crossing which would be a long day but not many choices unfortunately.



He dared to suggest putting one in the kennels and taking 2 in a cabin with me ....clearly he isn't a pet owner lol I could never do that. Can't even put the 3 of them in a kennel I'd be worried sick about them .

So looks like it's a long day in a deck seat with them I think .

Aye, but it'll be worth it to get the dugs & yoursel across the sea to Hellas

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[CaptainPaul]

After all this talk of you heading off again, put me in the notion so I've just booked my ferry from Ireland to Blighty and my tunnel crossing to France 1st week in January

 

[scotzsue]

You've made a grand job of your van Tam looks like the lights are switched individually at the light, that would drive theis short a**e crazy, but then I spend a lot of time climbing on the folding steps anyway. Have a great trip hope you get the Greek ferry sorted out for you and the pups.

 

[Lenny HB]

Couldn't you take two to the cabin then go back for the third doggy.

 

[Lenny HB]

It's sitting here waiting for you Tam.

 

[Northernraider]

You've made a grand job of your van Tam looks like the lights are switched individually at the light, that would drive theis short a**e crazy, but then I spend a lot of time climbing on the folding steps anyway. Have a great trip hope you get the Greek ferry sorted out for you and the pups.

They're all individually switched but so was the old ones. It's not too tall this van so I think even shortarses would reach them.

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[Northernraider]

Couldn't you take two to the cabin then go back for the third doggy.

Ach we'll be fine on deck , I'll just pack sandwiches and a thermos

 

[Razamataz]

Couldn't you take two to the cabin then go back for the third doggy.

Just book as They want you 2 dogs in cabin 1 in kennel
then just go to kennel and get the 3rd and walk into cabin……….naebody would KEN!!!
Get in there!!!
you know what I would do !!!

 

[Minxy]

Couldn't you take two to the cabin then go back for the third doggy.

Or disguise little Milo as a pj case ... just don't try to actually stuff any pjs into him!

 

[gpat]

Ach we'll be fine on deck , I'll just pack sandwiches and a thermos

Lots of ferry's, campsites,hotels etc say max 2 dogs. Like Tam we have 3. Touch wood we have never been challenged. They are 3 little angels after all.

 

[Just smiffy]

Put the 3 dogs in the cabin and you stay in the kennels….

After all this talk of you heading off again, put me in the notion so I've just booked my ferry from Ireland to Blighty and my tunnel crossing to France 1st week in January

I’m going over to Morocco at the very end of January, come join me…

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