The "new" Kontiki is here

Rapide561

Hi

It's finally here! I have the tri axle at last. I use the words "new" in inverted commas, mainly as the van was already registered and the previous owner on paper was Swift. I think the van is only a few weeks old on paper, although it has been knocking about for a bit longer. Many of you saw the van - (it really is this one,) at the NEC. Other "short term owners" have been motorhome mags and a famous celeb.

I went to the Swift factory at Hull to collect the van yesterday, and initially met up with Peter (Humber Traveller) where we had a quick cuppa. Next up was Lynsey, customer service manager from Swift, and then out to the van with (I think Alistair from Swift), later to be joined by Peter Smith and Andy Spacey.

The van was standing proud, the sun shone down and we went through what I can only describe as a very thorough handover. The van is full UK spec, as per the brochure, with the oddity of being left hand drive. Several people have already commented on the LHD aspect on what is a truly British van. I have however upgraded somewhat by the addition on Dometic roof aircon - and excellent it is too. Very quiet on the outside and quiet inside too - unless the fan is at high speed. Another addition is a towbar. There are a couple of little extras that change the van to a totally unique thing. Only little things, but the attention Swift have paid to these is absolutely first class.

The interior is absolutely immaculate. The trim is trendy yet the same type of material as per the previous Swift. An in dash CD radio - with remote control is a pleasure to listen to and is connected to six speakers in the habitation area. Kate Bush's "Wuthering Heights" (or is it Withering Tights?) sounds fantastic - certainly on par with my Bose system.

The new Multijet 160 is fabulous - very quiet and powerful, so powerful in fact, it goes "bing, bing, bing" to tell me I have hit 100km per hour. On the flat, up hill, down hill - no gear changing necessary and the van simply marches on. The drive from Hull to Knareboro yielded 23 mpg per the on board computer - and that was cracking on a bit too. I was a bit daunted about driving the LHD for the first time but it was fine, and it will certainly make life easier en route to Italy next week.

As the time came to empty the original van, all hands mucked in. How embarassing - 32 pairs of shoes, a vacuum cleaner, an iron and of course a cuddly toy.

But the day just got better. Swift had obtained a copy of Sarah Beeny's book - and asked Sarah to autograph it for me. (Sarah Beeny is the queen of property ladder and also runs a successful online dating service.) This book is priceless to me. I can hand on heart say I have watched every episode of Property Ladder and Oscar used to bark at the music. Maybe Swift and Sarah are trying to fix me up by providing a copy "A date with Sarah Beeny" LOL. Later. I saw a pic of Peter's dog - a Weimar - and bless him, he was wearing nail varnish (the dog I hasten to add.) Finally Swift gave me a watch - complete with Swift logo and I shall use this to time my transit through Switzerland - I reckon this Multijet thing will climb those hills as though they were not there.

I shall do a full van review on my return from Italy.

Russell

PS - If you want to see Sarah Beeny, or the dating website, it is www.mysinglefriend.com

PPS - the book is hilarious - I must start loitering at the deli counter!

Edited for typing errors.

geraldandannie · Moderator

Hurrah!

May I be the first to congratulate you, Russell. It looks (and sounds) great, and I trust everything will be fine on your way to Garda next week.

See you around Wink

Gerald

christopherobin

WOW

Chris Wink

carolgavin · Quiz Queen

DOUBLE WOW

clayton9

it looks fab russell good luck and enjoy

highwayman

Looks nice Russel, hope you have better luck with this-one
All the best

regards.......nige

Rapide561

geraldandannie · Moderator