We are all set with our European campsite books also. Ann and Kevin from NB Rock n Roll gave us an Aires book, which lists over 2000 municipal motorhome stops in France, which are either free of very low cost (usually about 5 Euros). We also bought a ACSI book so we can book sites for a flat fee of 12, 14, 16 or 18 euros. There are over 9400 European sites to chose from but during July and August it reverts back to the normal rate.
Well, that's the European bit! We are getting there bit by bit with our plans.
Yesterday we had a mega Chinese buffet lunch in Stafford with Roly, Bev, Heather, Dot, Ray and Diane. I say mega because we ate at 14.00 and that was it for the day, we didn't need dinner!
After lunch we took Dot back to Stafford Boat Club, where Gordon was busy blacking and painting the tunnel bands on their boat. We blacked our bum there last year ... if you want to do it yourself at a very reasonable cost I cannot recommend this club enough.
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| Gordon hard at it! |
Now to today ... (the blog has gotten a bit disjointed with our 'being away' for the weekend but also we ran out of data again).
The motorhome is having a u-beaut alarm fitted today to repel pesky European thieves, or English ones to that matter! They are also coming to have a look at the boat so that can be alarmed as well, there is nothing like a frightened boat!
Also, today the little Citroen C3 has gone for its MOT. We fitted a new tyre a couple of days ago and had the tracking reset ... the tyre chappie said that one of the tyres on the car was still the original ... 2003!! Good ad for Michelin.
I forgot to mention on an earlier blog ... when we were 'daan saaf' we went to sort out our phone contract with 3 as it is still in my brother's name from when we arrived here 2 years ago. We went into the same 3 shop in Milton Keynes main shopping centre to see what we could do. My brother started off the conversation with, "Now this is a tricky one for you ..." Straight away the chap replied, "No it isn't, I remember selling you the phone and wifi 2 years ago when your brother arrived from Oz". Plus he remembered what phone and wifi we had!! He was such a helpful chap, no wonder he won the the 3 salesman of the year comp 2 years ago ... apparently he went on an all expenses paid trip to the far east! He said he would have won it again this year except for the fact that they closed down the Milton Keynes store for 2 weeks over Xmas for renovations. He also had the advantage of being incredibly handsome ... Elaine spent the whole 30 mins drooling!
Hi you two, talking of alarms, Ann and Kevin have left another alarm for you - something about preventing gas attacks in France. We need to make arrangements to meet up before you hit the continent!
ReplyDeleteHi Guys, we should be able to get down to see you in about 2.5 weeks time. Gas attacks eh.....Elaine will be using it on me.
DeletePaul
Gas attack alarms? They're not on my 'to do' list - should they be?
ReplyDeleteOh dear, what else might we have forgotten said the white rabbit?
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DeleteI'am pretty sure it is an urban myth, read here http://www.motorhomefun.co.uk/magazine/articles/motorhome-gas-attacks/
DeleteMind you they work as LPG leak detectors as well
I have a friend who had this happen, on an overnight stop en-route to Southern Spain, around Madrid. They were on a proper site as well, but the thieves blocked up most of the vents before setting off some kind of disabling gas into the motor home. Once the occupants were out cold the thieves entered the vehicle and stole their belongings. Apparently not uncommon. Not wanting to alarm you, but you also have to be aware, particularly around Madrid again, of the scenario of a car coming alongside after throwing a brick at your vehicle. The occupants signal to pull over as you have just 'collided' with their vehicle. Once stopped you are robbed. I would recommend joining the UK Camping and Caravan Club, who have great advice on these kind of things, as well as other benefits such as cheap insurance and recommended sites.
ReplyDeleteRead the article at the end of the link. The point is that the robbers don't know if what they are pumping into the vehicle will kill or not - they don't care! Whether this kind of attack is a myth or not - best to be aware of the possibility and take every precaution. Our friends found rags stuffed up all the vents the morning after, waking up with headaches, and all their belongings gone. The brick event happened to others who were towing a speedboat down to the Med for a holiday. They nicked the speedboat! The cops who attended were in an unmarked car and said they were deployed on the road specifically to detect and prevent this kind of crime. The cop also told them that the thieves target vehicles with UK registration plates. I don't know why that would be. By the way, this hasn't stopped either of them doing the same trip year in year out - just need to be aware.
DeleteYea we are pretty safety conscious, if it doesn't feel right we don't park, same as when we moor the boat. Then again we do have our two attack dogs!
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