Tam &Toby do Europe ...Take two

[Potty]

Forget sandy beaches in Croatia but the national parks of Plitlivce Lakes and Krka are amazing and you can take the dog. Pula in Istria has a Roman amphitheatre that is well worth seeing. There are a few old villages that are also worth visiting. Hum was our favourite.

 

[Northernraider]

And watch out for the ripoff €300 on the spot non vignette fine if going via Slovenia...mentioned it before and will keep mentioning it ☹ Don’t think I will ever get over it.

Croatia would be on my return trip as I plan to travel down through Italy and ferry to Greece....then depending how long I spend in Greece travel up through Albania montenegro and Croatia
So would likely be January February by the time I was there as I need to leave by end of march .... unless new developments happen

 

[Northernraider]

We never noticed anyone wilding either.

Well hidden

 

[Northernraider]

I can't believe I'm still having problems getting my cambelt done ...the garage that did the mot was supposed to be doing it but they claim they can't guarantee they can do it in one day ...despite it being only a 3 hour job
And because I live in it I need it back the same day

I wish I'd got it done in portugal bloody British can't organise anything....always looking for problems

 

[Hymerbell]

Forget sandy beaches in Croatia but the national parks of Plitlivce Lakes and Krka are amazing and you can take the dog. Pula in Istria has a Roman amphitheatre that is well worth seeing. There are a few old villages that are also worth visiting. Hum was our favourite.

Forget them ! They were lovely ! Wish I was there now. MH pitch right on beach...fell out of bed into the sea.

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[Hymerbell]

Croatia would be on my return trip as I plan to travel down through Italy and ferry to Greece....then depending how long I spend in Greece travel up through Albania montenegro and Croatia
So would likely be January February by the time I was there as I need to leave by end of march .... unless new developments happen

Looks like you’ve got a second wind...I seem to remember you gave up getting to Italy etc on your last trip and rushed back to Spain ...Sounds a lovely trip...I’m dying to do a Greece trip soon...I was all ready for the off last week...then a bit of work came up so have got to do that. It might go on until mid Oct. Not sure if I want to go to Greece in October...bit late maybe...Especially on the way down and on the way back (weatherwise I mean) think I’ll have to do a Spain, Morroco trip instead.

 

[Northernraider]

Looks like you’ve got a second wind...I seem to remember you gave up getting to Italy etc on your last trip and rushed back to Spain ...Sounds a lovely trip...I’m dying to do a Greece trip soon...I was all ready for the off last week...then a bit of work came up so have got to do that. It might go on until mid Oct. Not sure if I want to go to Greece in October...bit late maybe...Especially on the way down and on the way back (weatherwise I mean) think I’ll have to do a Spain, Morroco trip instead.

I was looking forward to Italy last year but I think the higher prices compared to Spain mixed with the colder wetter weather was a shock to the system whereas I now know what to expect so I'm more prepared for it and I've saved up a better budget to deal with it ...I've the same budget for 6 months as I had for a year last time.

Also I wasn't that impressed with the North of Italy but I've heard the South is much better. . .also I should hopefully have all the small problems I had with Toby fixed before I go this time ....heres hoping

Certainly getting more solar these days than I was with the old controller, I've still the control panel and ebl to change for peace of mind but that will be done on route.


Friends have been in greece since November and certainly by their photos they were getting great weather and have had no problems wildcamping etc....the covid handling over there seems to have gone well too.

 

[Northernraider]

Just got of phone with the vet and they recommend keeping the Spanish passports for the dogs this year due to the uncertainty over brexit and whether we will remain in the pet passport scheme or not.

They also said I should leave all vaccinations till the end of July and then they can do them and update passports no problem .

 

[Hymerbell]

I was looking forward to Italy last year but I think the higher prices compared to Spain mixed with the colder wetter weather was a shock to the system whereas I now know what to expect so I'm more prepared for it and I've saved up a better budget to deal with it ...I've the same budget for 6 months as I had for a year last time.

Also I wasn't that impressed with the North of Italy but I've heard the South is much better. . .also I should hopefully have all the small problems I had with Toby fixed before I go this time ....heres hoping

Certainly getting more solar these days than I was with the old controller, I've still the control panel and ebl to change for peace of mind but that will be done on route.


Friends have been in greece since November and certainly by their photos they were getting great weather and have had no problems wildcamping etc....the covid handling over there seems to have gone well too.

Yes you do worry me with all your van niggles...my vans about the same age as yours...in fact pretty much the same van...haven’t done a trip in it yet...I’m hoping I don’t get all the niggles you have had . I’ve had a service, replaced the fuel filter myself...what a nightmare ! Couldn’t get the bloody thing off, then when I did couldn’t get the new one on and also dropped the washer which went in a little tray of metal near the suspension ! Cam belts done. Got the fridge working on Gas. Shower tray fixed with Speedcoat. Handbrake adjustment I’ll do on a nice flat piece of ground on my travels....board made for scooter...garage sorted.. Avtex TV installed And that is it. I don’t want any other issues for the next 10 years....especially not electrical or engine ones.

 

[Northernraider]

Yes you do worry me with all your van niggles...my vans about the same age as yours...in fact pretty much the same van...haven’t done a trip in it yet...I’m hoping I don’t get all the niggles you have had ☹. I’ve had a service, replaced the fuel filter myself...what a nightmare ! Couldn’t get the bloody thing off, then when I did couldn’t get the new one on and also dropped the washer which went in a little tray of metal near the suspension ! Cam belts done. Got the fridge working on Gas. Shower tray fixed with Speedcoat. Handbrake adjustment I’ll do on a nice flat piece of ground on my travels....board made for scooter...garage sorted.. Avtex TV installed And that is it. I don’t want any other issues for the next 10 years....especially not electrical or engine ones.

Its the joy of older vans ....always something to fix

But then I've heard people with new vans have issues so I think that's just part and parcel of motor homing

I don't grudge fixing things on the van id just like the peace of mind that everything is done .....I've still only idea why it never started that day as its been fine since.

Most issues it had I've resolved but electrics have never been my strong point and I need it to be charging properly etc especially in the winter months

My solar seems much better as even in the rain now I'm getting 2 or 3 amps according to my panel and over the last week I've been deliberately leaving all the lights in the van on from around 5pm till midnight to bring the batteries down so I can see how much solar is going in .

Most nights by the time I go to bed the panel is reading 90% but by 9am its back to 100% even on dull overcast days so that's a big improvement.

Its the engine charging I'm still not confident on as that was playing up last year on my return trip home .....but mysteriously worked when Lenny HB was checking it.

I know my control panel has a few issues so I'm changing that regardless and I'm going to change the ebl also just for peace of mind. Its £300 but its worth it if it does the job correctly

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[Hymerbell]

I was looking forward to Italy last year but I think the higher prices compared to Spain mixed with the colder wetter weather was a shock to the system whereas I now know what to expect so I'm more prepared for it and I've saved up a better budget to deal with it ...I've the same budget for 6 months as I had for a year last time.

Also I wasn't that impressed with the North of Italy but I've heard the South is much better. . .also I should hopefully have all the small problems I had with Toby fixed before I go this time ....heres hoping

Certainly getting more solar these days than I was with the old controller, I've still the control panel and ebl to change for peace of mind but that will be done on route.


Friends have been in greece since November and certainly by their photos they were getting great weather and have had no problems wildcamping etc....the covid handling over there seems to have gone well too.

Is the weather REALLY much cop in November/December/January in Greece....I wouldn’t have thought it was far enough south....are we talking swimming in the sea weather ? I’ve got a choice between Spain/Morocco or Greece...I finish my contract on 12th October....got to go somewhere...although my fear is they extend my contract for three months and I’ll have to spend the whole winter in Blighty having not even had a summer holiday ....don’t even like to think about it....

 

[Northernraider]

Is the weather REALLY much cop in November/December/January in Greece....I wouldn’t have thought it was far enough south....are we talking swimming in the sea weather ? I’ve got a choice between Spain/Morocco or Greece...I finish my contract on 12th October....got to go somewhere...although my fear is they extend my contract for three months and I’ll have to spend the whole winter in Blighty having not even had a summer holiday ....don’t even like to think about it....

Well I thought the Greek winters were poor as the tourist trade tends to wrap up in November BUT certainly by dave and marsha's posts on Facebook they were getting high teens low twenties December January and February......looking on a map its as far south as Spain so maybe its not bad after all.

Either way I'm going to take a chance i think as I want to explore other places while we still can ....and 90 days isn't enough for me

Bulgaria also gets good reports and is apparently as cheap as Spain with lots of wild spots ..

 

[Hymerbell]

Well I thought the Greek winters were poor as the tourist trade tends to wrap up in November BUT certainly by dave and marsha's posts on Facebook they were getting high teens low twenties December January and February......looking on a map its as far south as Spain so maybe its not bad after all.

Either way I'm going to take a chance i think as I want to explore other places while we still can ....and 90 days isn't enough for me

Bulgaria also gets good reports and is apparently as cheap as Spain with lots of wild spots ..

Bulgaria ! Don’t forget the sunscreen

 

[Hymerbell]

Its the engine charging I'm still not confident on as that was playing up last year on my return trip home .....but mysteriously worked when @Lenny HB was checking it.

Yes Lenny HB has got magic fingers......at least that’s what his wife told me...

 

[busby]

I was looking forward to Italy last year but I think the higher prices compared to Spain mixed with the colder wetter weather was a shock to the system whereas I now know what to expect so I'm more prepared for it and I've saved up a better budget to deal with it ...I've the same budget for 6 months as I had for a year last time.

Also I wasn't that impressed with the North of Italy but I've heard the South is much better. . .also I should hopefully have all the small problems I had with Toby fixed before I go this time ....heres hoping

Certainly getting more solar these days than I was with the old controller, I've still the control panel and ebl to change for peace of mind but that will be done on route.


Friends have been in greece since November and certainly by their photos they were getting great weather and have had no problems wildcamping etc....the covid handling over there seems to have gone well too.

It's been an unusually good dry winter in Greece 2019 2020...BUSBY.

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[busby]

Well I thought the Greek winters were poor as the tourist trade tends to wrap up in November BUT certainly by dave and marsha's posts on Facebook they were getting high teens low twenties December January and February......looking on a map its as far south as Spain so maybe its not bad after all.

Either way I'm going to take a chance i think as I want to explore other places while we still can ....and 90 days isn't enough for me

Bulgaria also gets good reports and is apparently as cheap as Spain with lots of wild spots ..

But its much farther east than Spain..For half decent winter weather you need Crete.BUSBY..

 

[tacr2man]

Its the joy of older vans ....always something to fix

But then I've heard people with new vans have issues so I think that's just part and parcel of motor homing

I don't grudge fixing things on the van id just like the peace of mind that everything is done .....I've still only idea why it never started that day as its been fine since.

Most issues it had I've resolved but electrics have never been my strong point and I need it to be charging properly etc especially in the winter months

My solar seems much better as even in the rain now I'm getting 2 or 3 amps according to my panel and over the last week I've been deliberately leaving all the lights in the van on from around 5pm till midnight to bring the batteries down so I can see how much solar is going in .

Most nights by the time I go to bed the panel is reading 90% but by 9am its back to 100% even on dull overcast days so that's a big improvement.

Its the engine charging I'm still not confident on as that was playing up last year on my return trip home .....but mysteriously worked when Lenny HB was checking it.

I know my control panel has a few issues so I'm changing that regardless and I'm going to change the ebl also just for peace of mind. Its £300 but its worth it if it does the job correctly

Dont forget Apuljack engineering re lecky panels probs . Found them very good to deal with

 

[Northernraider]

I've pre ordered a brand new dt201 control panel from apuljack as a&n caravans doesn't have any.

Its on route from Germany to apuljack so I'll hopefully get it next week sometime.
Hopefully the will resolve my issues but if not the next step is replacing the ebl also

 

[monzer]

fingers crossed for you

 

[Northernraider]

Thinking of fitting a sog unit....do they really keep the french away?

Also fridge fans for the warmer weather ...but a basic on /off system for an electrical novice

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[Northernraider]

Managed to secure a new sog unit for a bargain price of £70 .....jobs a goodun

New sink arrives Friday/Saturday
New main control panel hopefully arrives from Germany next week via apuljack as they had no stock.

Sog kit should be here by Saturday or Monday.

Its all go with Toby these days


But I have stiiiiiiill not found a bloody mechanic to do the cambelt change in one day ...

 

[Langtoftlad]

Toby will soon be like Trigger' Broom...

 

[Northernraider]

So the latest wee things I've been doing

I fitted the main beam light bar a few weeks back so I fitted some led drl lights either side of it .....and some new bright white led sidelight bulbs .

And the latest thing I'm experimenting with is in this pic ....should be easy to spot .....but I can't decide if I like it or not ....

What do you think.? I thought in sunnier climes it might be beneficial and for privacy but I'm not sure if its aesthetically pleasing or not.

Opinions please

 

[Just smiffy]

Is your end cap missing off your awning..?

 

[Northernraider]

Is your end cap missing off your awning..?

Yeah the fixing on that end is broken courtesy of a very rough handed belgian in portugal last year that tried to help me put in my awning lol ....i have a replacement part on order

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[Hymerbell]

It's been an unusually good dry winter in Greece 2019 2020...BUSBY.

We haven’t had winter 2020 yet busby

 

[Hymerbell]

So the latest wee things I've been doing

I fitted the main beam light bar a few weeks back so I fitted some led drl lights either side of it .....and some new bright white led sidelight bulbs .

View attachment 405592


And the latest thing I'm experimenting with is in this pic ....should be easy to spot .....but I can't decide if I like it or not ....

What do you think.? I thought in sunnier climes it might be beneficial and for privacy but I'm not sure if its aesthetically pleasing or not.

Opinions please
View attachment 405593View attachment 405594

Ooh, I like those lights...wheredya get them....are they easy to fit bearing in mind I know even less about electrickery than you ?

 

[Manic]

So the latest wee things I've been doing

I fitted the main beam light bar a few weeks back so I fitted some led drl lights either side of it .....and some new bright white led sidelight bulbs .




And the latest thing I'm experimenting with is in this pic ....should be easy to spot .....but I can't decide if I like it or not ....

What do you think.? I thought in sunnier climes it might be beneficial and for privacy but I'm not sure if its aesthetically pleasing or not.

Opinions please

I like the new side light bulbs (what have fitted) mine look almost yellow.
Personally not struck on window film.

 

[busby]

We haven’t had winter 2020 yet busby

Thought winter would HAVE been Nov,Dec 2019 and Jan Feb 2020 which has already gone.BUSBY.

 

[Northernraider]

I like the new side light bulbs (what have fitted) mine look almost yellow.
Personally not struck on window film.

Heres a link

https://rover.ebay.com/rover/1/710-...0001&campid=5338547443&icep_item=303578675948


Yes the old ones very yellow ....i plan to change headlight and main beam bulbs to led ones also

I'll probably do the back ones also as they last a lot longer



Can't decide on the windows

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