Passport To Freedom

One , maybe two short trips in the camper before the year is finished I reckon.

Had it eight years now and done roughly 60,000 km. Second time I ever drove it we went down through France, over the Pyrenees and into northern Spain

Apart from forcing an oncoming lorry into a roadside hedge, due to me not being used to the LHD and driving in the middle of the road, it was plain sailing.

Oh, and going the wrong way round a one way system in Antwerp and when I pulled over, being jeered at and abused ( deservedly ) by drinkers at a local bar.

It's now twenty seven years old and still in reasonable nick, considering its primarily a fishing van. I can't even begin to count how many rivers, lakes and sea marks I've fished in the van.

Isle of Skye, north Wales and the Llyn Peninsula, Wiltshire, Dorset, Devon, the midlands canals, the Wye, Trent, The Fens, north Norfolk, all over France, Holland, Belgium, Germany, Denmark, Sweden, Norway and Spain and all in an old van that cost not a lot at all ( yes, shite grammar )

The best thing is keeping all your gear and tackle packed in it permanently, so you can go at the drop of a hat. No bed and breakfast, hotel or Air BnB required.

Had a couple of minor issues. Overheating problem in the arse end of Norway, which meant we were stranded for a few days.

We had water and were parked up on a fjord, so had fresh fish and whatever canned food we had in the van every night. Happy days.

To make things a bit more interesting, on the drive back I became conscious of a vibrating sound, as we hit the hideous roadworks around Hamburg and despite driving at 30 mph along tiny lanes for a day, we suffered a tyre blow out two hours from the port. Oh well, "all part of the adventure".

I've had loads of great trips very close to home too, any excuse to get in the old bus

I'm not really one for "things" or possessions, but the Hymer is the best thing I ever bought. As the year comes to an end I'm making loose plans for 2025 and you won't be surprised to learn that it's all about where we're going in the van.

Right, I need to go, I'm off to The Fens for a couple of days, toodle pip.