Final test run - 2 weeks to go.

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It's now only 16 sleeps to leaving home.

Martin's retirement dos have been and gone....all three of them.........thanks so much to those of you who helped to make each one of them special.

The pension lump sum has also arrrived which means;

WE GOT THE MORGAGE PAID OFF!

How good does that feel?!

Next big purchase was a new towcar. The boring old Mondeo had done its best but the clutch just wasn't up to the job and the 'van was always a bit too heavy for it. So we commited eco suicide and bought a 4X4.

Fuel prices road tax and global warming...yeah we know; upsizing is swiming upstream but we look at it this way:

We only live once.
Fuel is cheaper abroad (-ish)
Fuel is not going get cheaper, if we don't do it now we will never be able to afford a motoring tour of Europe
We need the power for alpine passes and muddy fields
New 4x4 s are more fuel efficient then old ones
The car looks cool
It has a massive sunroof for mobile tanning
It has a dinky drawer at the back to keep your nick nacks in
I don't have to spend 5 minues handbag diving to find the key in the rain as it got a clever intelligent key thingy.


The photo shows the van , car and sister in law's mental dog complete with electric stun gun collar...(sister in law is not one to mess with )

Well, the last two days were spent on a final test of all the equipment at Ilam Hall Caravan Club site in Derbyshire.

The X trail performed like a dream. Martin is well chuffed with it(..specially the sunroof.) Not sure those following us up Cromford hill would quite agree with us though.

New gas regulator and hoses ..no problem.
New mattress, no problem (?)
Water system...sufficient noise from the pump to wake the site ..no problem,
Satellite dish and digibox set up....two hours later, a connector falling off and a lot of "it's not locked" ...no problem.

Piece of cake really for old hands like us . We have been doing it for 10 years after all.

We met Tom our eldest son at Alton Towers on Friday for a great day of fun, thanks Tom for the day and the much appreciated priority passes!

So we are ready now for off on the 2nd September. Just 8 more working days for me. Getting really excited now and can't wait.

On a serious note; we couldn't do this without the support of our family and particularly Tom and Chris our sons, who are keeping the home fires burning while we are away.

If by chance, anyone reading this are caravanners who are thinking of doing the same as us, we will be more than happy to share all the many technical details of planning a long term trip with you. Feel welcome to contact us.

Donna

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Comments

[Ventress]

Nick Nacks
Good luck hope everything goes well for you both...Donna you must keep us updated on the Nick Nack box...I cant wait for an update! Ventress