The first trip of my normal camping season over the Easter weekend could be a wash-out, however, I am still looking forward to it.
The van's aftermarket air con unit in the cab failed to function last year, and I really struggled with driving in the hottest months without air con.
It has been fixed and I shall collect the van tomorrow morning.
Apparently, there was a small leak in one of the pipes, which resulted in the coolant being lost over time.
The leak was likely to be attributable to the installation process. However, since it was installed in 2021 and likely to be out of warranty; and I do not know who carried out the installation (long story); I just have to pay for the repair myself and be done with it.
Glad to hear the leak was not caused by something I did or did not do, PHEW!
I am packing the trip as a cold weather trip for certain, expecting minimal opportunities to sit outside. It will still be fun being out and about - the dog would love running riot in the big field adjacent to the campsite, and I look forward to visiting a friend's pub in the city centre which is about 45min on foot for a leisurely stroll from the campsite.
Happy Easter and Happy Camping!
DK
------------- Apple The Campervan - A Van For Work, Rest & Play!
- 2027: ? NL+DE+FR
- 2026: FR+DE
- 2025: 17/77
'24: 10/49; '23: 9/47;'22: 8/46; '21: 9/34
* Ex-tenter
* Treat life events like a dog: if you can't eat it, play with it or hump it, p1$$ on it and walk away!
We were away in the MH earlier this month, just for a weekend. A bitterly cold strong east wind: a nuisance because we faced south for the sea view which meant difficulty controlling the habitation door opening into the wind. Forgot to put the covers over the fridge vents that faced that way. Good to be away though!
Coming down the A9 from Aviemore recently (after self catering), every 10th vehicle heading north for Easter was a Motorhome & it was snowing (but not sticking at low level).
Wishing everyone blue skies.
Nobody else on this site, and we didn't see much apparent holiday traffic on the motorways. We were relying on sat nav as we don't know the area, it brought us off the M62 and along country lanes for the last few miles, no idea why.
Now prepping her for the trip tomorrow with lots to cleaning and tidying.
House work = PITA so I am grouchy!
DK
------------- Apple The Campervan - A Van For Work, Rest & Play!
- 2027: ? NL+DE+FR
- 2026: FR+DE
- 2025: 17/77
'24: 10/49; '23: 9/47;'22: 8/46; '21: 9/34
* Ex-tenter
* Treat life events like a dog: if you can't eat it, play with it or hump it, p1$$ on it and walk away!
Tinkering with caravan stuff at home this morning, ready to re-equip it for the new season (it's stripped almost bare for winter storage and annual service inspection), no where particular in mind yet, just an urge to get away, then phone rings, a mate living on Exmoor, he 'cheerfully' announced he had heavy properly settling snow this morning! It melted once the sun was well up, but it dampened my enthusiasm a little! Don't fancy towing the caravan in snow, so maybe delay a week or two (CERTAINLY until the brats are back at school after Easter anyway!) and hopefully warmer weather more assured!
Enjoy your trip DK, hope your gremlins are all sorted.
Housework! - not a fan at home, but somehow almost find it therapeutic in the caravan, means I'm either going away, or already away, somewhere more appealing than home town!
Don't laugh, however, I destroyed my Crit Air sticker thinking it has to be renewed every year, DOH!
Thank goodness it is not that expensive!
DK
------------- Apple The Campervan - A Van For Work, Rest & Play!
- 2027: ? NL+DE+FR
- 2026: FR+DE
- 2025: 17/77
'24: 10/49; '23: 9/47;'22: 8/46; '21: 9/34
* Ex-tenter
* Treat life events like a dog: if you can't eat it, play with it or hump it, p1$$ on it and walk away!
I don't go off in the van during Easter holidays, but we're off to Norway by air in a couple of weeks. While we can fly direct from Aberdeen, there are no sea routes.
------------- Two drifters off to see the world.
I'm tired of reality, so I'm off to look for a good fantasy.
Quote: Originally posted by Capt Lightning on 27/3/2024
I don't go off in the van during Easter holidays, but we're off to Norway by air in a couple of weeks. While we can fly direct from Aberdeen, there are no sea routes.
We did a Hurtigruten expedition to Norway & Svalbard from Dover but man! it’s a long haul from Scotland. There used to be a route to Scandinavia from Rosyth, sadly we forgot the rule to “use it or lose it”.
Quote: Originally posted by Capt Lightning on 27/3/2024
I don't go off in the van during Easter holidays, but we're off to Norway by air in a couple of weeks. While we can fly direct from Aberdeen, there are no sea routes.
We did a Hurtigruten expedition to Norway & Svalbard from Dover but man! it’s a long haul from Scotland. There used to be a route to Scandinavia from Rosyth, sadly we forgot the rule to “use it or lose it”.
When I have finally retired completely, only another 8 years to go, I shall drive the van to Norway and into the Arctic Circle via Denmark, stopping en-route and taking it easy.
In theory, I should have internet access when I am travelling to Norway and my EE add-on covers roaming without additional charge.
Perhaps I should do it sooner than later.
DK
------------- Apple The Campervan - A Van For Work, Rest & Play!
- 2027: ? NL+DE+FR
- 2026: FR+DE
- 2025: 17/77
'24: 10/49; '23: 9/47;'22: 8/46; '21: 9/34
* Ex-tenter
* Treat life events like a dog: if you can't eat it, play with it or hump it, p1$$ on it and walk away!
Quote: Originally posted by Capt Lightning on 27/3/2024
… but we're off to Norway by air in a couple of weeks. While we can fly direct from Aberdeen, there are no sea routes.
…There used to be a route to Scandinavia from Rosyth, sadly we forgot the rule to “use it or lose it”.
When I have finally retired completely, only another 8 years to go, I shall drive the van to Norway and into the Arctic Circle via Denmark, stopping en-route and taking it easy.
In theory, I should have internet access when I am travelling to Norway and my EE add-on covers roaming without additional charge.
Perhaps I should do it sooner than later.
DK
Go sooner, while you & the van are both fit & well. You can always return to a favourite area. In May, the fruit trees were in blossom along the fjords near Bergen, very pretty. But the Motorhomes at the North Cape were parked up in miserable driving sleet & though the Sāmi had brought the reindeer herds over for summer grazing, there was still a lot of snow about. Make sure you have good blackout because the sun doesn’t set.
TBH, the scenery is less interesting further north; when the shoreline is facing the Pole at the top end (Kirkenes is as far east as Istanbul), there are no pointy peaks, few trees & a fair amount of brown slushy snow.
Not been to Oslo area, looks interesting.
I don't really understand the concept of a camping season, we've been out so far in January, February and twice in March, we always try to get out once a month between October and March, we're not always successful but we do aim to achieve that (so far we have).
I suppose location makes the world of difference, it's been really mild down south where we live, the spring plants are about a month ahead of where they'd normally be.
Nonetheless, have a great weekend and enjoy your trip, I'm really looking forward to the longer, warmer evenings when we can sit outside supping a G&T.
We go away all year too, went at Christmas, January, February, early March and now a fortnight from last Sunday until Sunday week. Been everywhere, that is the problem.
After the trip over the New Year weekend 2023 into 2024, the first trip out is the Easter weekend.
So, for 2023, I did not camping in January to March and November.
For 2024 - no trip in February, and none planned for November.
For 2025 - no trip in January after the NY weekend 2024 into 2025, none in February (away for 3 weeks in Japan), March and November.
I guess my "camping season" mentality came from my tenting days, as it was difficult for me to dry the 4-berth canvas Dutch pyramid tent at home if it was a wet pack up!
Having experienced a fridge with mould growth and a frozen water tank earlier this year, I believe I should get into the habit of draining the tank and emptying the fridge and allow it to air during January to March.
DK
------------- Apple The Campervan - A Van For Work, Rest & Play!
- 2027: ? NL+DE+FR
- 2026: FR+DE
- 2025: 17/77
'24: 10/49; '23: 9/47;'22: 8/46; '21: 9/34
* Ex-tenter
* Treat life events like a dog: if you can't eat it, play with it or hump it, p1$$ on it and walk away!
Quote: Originally posted by Fiona W on 28/3/2024
Go sooner, while you & the van are both fit & well. You can always return to a favourite area. In May, the fruit trees were in blossom along the fjords near Bergen, very pretty. But the Motorhomes at the North Cape were parked up in miserable driving sleet & though the Sāmi had brought the reindeer herds over for summer grazing, there was still a lot of snow about. Make sure you have good blackout because the sun doesn’t set.
TBH, the scenery is less interesting further north; when the shoreline is facing the Pole at the top end (Kirkenes is as far east as Istanbul), there are no pointy peaks, few trees & a fair amount of brown slushy snow.
Not been to Oslo area, looks interesting.
I am thinking about going sooner, in 2026 perhaps, when the van is still in good working order, the dog still young enough not to have too many health issues, and I am still relatively physically and mentally fit!
I would need to choose the stopovers with care, to make sure they have good internet connection.
Mid-June to mid-July would be a good time for me to go as I can be away from base for a month without worrying too much about work and other commitments.
DK
------------- Apple The Campervan - A Van For Work, Rest & Play!
- 2027: ? NL+DE+FR
- 2026: FR+DE
- 2025: 17/77
'24: 10/49; '23: 9/47;'22: 8/46; '21: 9/34
* Ex-tenter
* Treat life events like a dog: if you can't eat it, play with it or hump it, p1$$ on it and walk away!
A day of all things motorhome and campervan. The show is held both in the main indoor arena and across the grounds. Catering, hot drinks and food options are available. Easy access to the site and free parking included. Win one of five pairs of day tickets
Topic: First Trip of 2024
via mobile 27/3/2024 at 8:17am
