Moose Travels

20 November 2006 A couple of friends who need a mention. We are delighted that Kathy is on the mend, and we look forward to seeing her soon. News is that Jayne is recovering fine, slowly but surely. You are in our thoughts. “All things must pass”- GH. After considerable discussion we have today decided to return to England to reappraise our situation, feed the coffers, and generally work out what to do. We have discovered that we really enjoy travelling, and we have loved every minute of living in Italy. Thus, rather than settling, we have developed a taste for more. The chestnut forests behind us in Casatico are now bare, which offers very different and spectacular views of the mountains. Pania di Corfino (Zillah’s rock) a massive slab of calcareous rock stands proudly above ... read more

03 Novembre 2006 Life here in Casatico is slow and pleasant. When we arrived the chestnuts were shedding their casings, and their leaves were changing hue. Within a fortnight, the annual shed is complete, and the leaves are falling. The Garfagnana in this area boasts huge and dense chestnut forests. At this time the ground is littered with chestnut casings, spilling the sweet chestnuts so brown and glossy. The casings drop like stones, and “kerplop” constantly. Locals collect the sweet chestnuts for sale to city vendors of roast chestnuts, but the prices are low, and probably “beer money” to the collectors. Within days the casings have browned and softened, and the leaves are dropping. In the early morning the rate at which the leaves drop sounds almost like rainfall, such is the noise. This area is ... read more

28 September 2006 A long stretch today, which saw us to the Med(or the Ligurian Sea to be correct). After gentle cruising through France, on superb roads, immaculate lay-bys, the spectacular Alps, we passed through the Tunnel du Frejas and were catapulted in to Italy. Wow, did we have to adjust our attitude to driving, and quickly. Next stop at Devia Marina, between Genova and La Spezia. Nice site within walking distance of the sea, so we dipped our toes and the dogs in the Med(first time for Guy).Met a great couple from Birmingham who had been working in the Dolomites during the summer. Very loud crickets at night. Scorpions as well! Looking forwards to Saturday and meeting up with Jim and Diana. Rock hard Honda-man, and biker-babe. 30 September 2006 Finally after about a year ... read more

26 September 2006 After a brief return to the UK to re-assess, we now head back through France to Reims, then Lyon. Much easier going in the Astra, and more economical for sure. The Astra is crammed to the hilt, with barely enough room for us or the dogs to stretch. ... read more

Well we go off again tomorrow morning - catch the tunnel train at 9.00am. Much lighter with car, top box (with camping gear in!) and car crammed full plus dogs. We have spent two or three days in the Peak District, waiting to pass on the Moose - r eally sad about that - brilliant vehicle, but not to be. Going over old times in the Peak - all those miles I rode on Freeway training for the endurance competitions. So beautiful and wild - almost stops you breathing! We have had some hilarious and horrendous times in the past week - I will write those up and put them on the blog with some photos, over the next week or so. If I was Bill Bryson it would make a book! I should think Kath ... read more

Well I did not think that I would be entering this from sunny Surrey again! I have entries to put in for Calais, Riems and Dijon - but this is Surrey. Still it is hot! We have decided that the Moose, as much as we love it, is just not practical. Have you tried getting in and out and up and down narrow roads in a motor home and towing a motor bike? I am sure we have learnt some very good french swear words - who knows? We arrived at this decision in Dijon. For a holiday the Moose and similar would be great but for the purpose we are going over for it is 'no go' simple as that. Also we could not leave the dogs in the motor home, (I say could not ... read more

Well here we are on the 28th August - we actually DO GO TOMORROW - I promise all of you we will really be going! Been so busy here doing nothing and something. Yesterday was different and if anybody had been watching Graham & myself when the Red Arrows kept flying over whilst doing a demonstration, they would have thought we were crackers. Falling over dogs, banging into fences, swearing at trees and tripping over each other. Me pretending to do the David Bailey bit with my camera - an amazing camera and I really did get a couple of good shots - but guess what - just after i took one shot I heard the camera voice say "Low Battery" - yes it then went black just as the bests overhead shots came our way! ... read more

Congratulations to Alistair & Tom on your A Level and GCSE results. Well done lads! Special regards to Peter & Joan. Peter is recovering from an operation and we wish him well. Joan is a lovely lady and we send her our fondest regards whilst she is caring for Peter. ... read more