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Well after a lot of thought, this is what I have decided, after consulting my travelling companion, who readily agreed.
We are leaving Lake Garda on June 22nd and heading for France for three nights (Obernai) before marching on to the tunnel. Our crossing is booked for the 26th. We are then staying at the Camping and Caravanning site at Canterbury for a couple of days before heading north. We are then staying at the Teversal site (again) for two weeks, before we collect our new home.
We are staying in the North East, in striking distance of Cleveland Motorhomes in case of any technical troubles with Kontiki2 (K2) before returning again to Teversal.
We shall remain in situ at Teversal until 4th September (or thereabouts.) I have today requested some more Tesco deal vouchers for the Folkstone - Calais crossing on or around this date.
From Calais, it's back to Lake Garda, a place we now know as home, a place where the locals are still fascinated by Oscar and his colour and a place we have been welcomed.
I have stumbled across another site that is open all year and the pitch offered to me is literally on the beach. I would come out of the van, walk five yards - and hey presto - Lago di Garda. I visited the site and made sure this van would fit on the pitch. It does, but the new van would have it's back end overhanging from the pitch onto the beach. The site owner assures me this would not be a problem, particularly in winter. I am slightly concerned about the site itself - there is not a lot of room for a 29 foot vehicle to manoeuvre! I am slightly concerned that, in such close proximity to the beach, could there be a security risk??? The beach is, unusually, a public one.
Not decided what to do about the Corsa yet - it was just about essential during the first couple of weeks here, but now, I use it less and less. I did my hypermarket shop in the van this week as I was also getting LPG. Plus it does the van good to have a run.
Back to England (Teversal) for Christmas (no tunnel prices were available), then, on or around the 4th January 2008, we are heading back to Italy again, although possibly Sorrento or similar for a couple of months until he weather picks up in the North. I have decided against Tenerife/Fuerteventure (logistical and doggy reasons) and also think that Malta does not offer enough campistes etc.
I have decided however, that rather than just wellying it, we will daudle along and have various mini holidays en route. My route down to Italy in September will take in Tasch (for Zermatt) and the Matterhorn, plus Lake Geneva.
I just hope the new van is as warm and snug as this one!
I want to push my language learning to the limit - I want the lot, grammar, vocabulary, listening skills etc, but also want to maintain my French to the level it once was.
Russell
______________________________________________________________ Never been here before
I´m intrigued, I´m unsure
I´m searching for more
I´ve got something that´s all mine
I´ve got something that´s all mine
Take me somewhere I can breathe
I´ve got so much to see
This is where I want to be
In a place I can call mine
In a place I can call mine
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I have stumbled across another site that is open all year and the pitch offered to me is literally on the beach. I would come out of the van, walk five yards - and hey presto - Lago di Garda. I visited the site and made sure this van would fit on the pitch. It does, but the new van would have it's back end overhanging from the pitch onto the beach. The site owner assures me this would not be a problem, particularly in winter.
Russell
Sounds a brilliant itinerary Russell. Wish we were doing it.
Slightly worrying to me about a winter pitch so close to the water is the possibility of flooding. I don't know much ( anything ?) about the Italian lakes but do water levels vary with snow melt and heavy rain ? I'd check with a few locals first or ask the town hall if the site is ever flooded.
G
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Hopefully Russ will be along soon with a picture of the Italian Oscar
Great itinery Russ
______________________________________________________________ Tricia ---- I wish I was a Glow worm, a glow worm´s never glum. How can you be unhappy, when the sun shines out your bum.
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very interested in that you have bought another Swift, they had a lot of trouble with them in the past. I am also intrigued that you have found yours 'snugg and cosy' This is the first time we had a cab(fiat)motorhome and found no way could we stop the draughts from the cab area. The seats did not turn and we had no bad fitting doors or drafts you could put your finger on so to speak, but a cab cannot be insulated in the way therest of the van is so all you cab drivers out there whats your secret or like the years of no higher/lower seat adjustment you have made foot stools and put up with it. this is not carcastic - a serious interest in how you make them snug and warm, heating system? size of boiler?gas or diesel.
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Thanks for the link to Oscar, Gerald. There you are, you can all see him in the flesh!
Flooding - I do not think it would be a worry. The beach slopes so I am sure that would handle and water level changes. The lake has a fairly wide river flowing out of it at the souhern end near Peschiera, so I do not think there would be a danger as such.
Warm and cosy - well - two stories here.
Parked up here in Garda - overnight temps in January of -6 and worse and yes, the van was warm and snug. On arrival at Garda, I set the heating to GAS ONLY - 6000 watts until the van is warm. Then I switch over to electricity only - 1800 watts. The electric option is more of a back ground heat. It wold take hours to get the van warm, but it will keep it warm, once it has warmed through. At night, I close the blinds and do not bothwe with the curtains. I use exterior silver screen covers and also close the Remis interior blinds.
The cab - yes - when driving - there were a few gale force winds attacking us. The worse come through the seat belt mounting area (covered with parcel tape for the journey) and also a very strong cold wind through the front of the doors, near where the mirrors are fitted. I stuffed the gap with cotton wool. This is really a Fiat issue and not Swift. I am led to believe the new chassis is better. The Peugeot on the Compass had a few drafty bits, but not like this one.
Incidentally, at Teversal over Christmas, a Compass Castaway appeared and the silver screens covered not only the windscreen, but the whole of the bonnet area too!
I note your comments about Swift and actually agree - in some respects. This one had a few troubles - a habitation door that would not close for instance, cupboard doors falling of, loo door falling off etc and problems with the heating thermostat. These were rectified by the dealer with minimal fuss and hence I choose to buy from the same dealer again.
Anyway, here is another pic of Oscar, clearly enjoying a nap!
Russell
______________________________________________________________ Never been here before
I´m intrigued, I´m unsure
I´m searching for more
I´ve got something that´s all mine
I´ve got something that´s all mine
Take me somewhere I can breathe
I´ve got so much to see
This is where I want to be
In a place I can call mine
In a place I can call mine
The following members of MHF thanked Rapide561 for this posting
Ciao Russell,
Se e quando decidi di venire verso Sorrento, inviami un pm.
Hi Russell,
If and when you decide to come Sorrento way, send me a pm.
saluti,
eddied
______________________________________________________________ I got too soon old, and too late smart.
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