Fulltiming in a motorhome - a blog
Discussion
It's been a while since I properly posted about fulltiming or situation rather than just mods and renovation. So here goes......
Well it's s
t. Completely st. Although on the one hand I've enjoyed some relative normality since returning from the NC500 in early April by being parked up back on my own property (at the bottom of the garden away from the house, but with a hookup and less faff with utilities), life in the motorhome waxes and wanes between being tolerable, fun and ok to being cramped, logistically difficult and depressing. Today is certainly one of those days; compounded by what seems to be the gradual realisation by the little'un that her life will never be the same again. 
In spite of the motorhome feeling a bit smaller recently (I seem to be accumulating stuff), the slightly warmer weather had made it more bearable and the fact the little one enjoys sleeping in the overcab pull-down bed with her new safety net up, makes the evenings that I have her a lot more relaxing, since we both now get a good night sleep.
Last weekend was lovely - real quality time to enjoy our surroundings (walking around the fields - the simple life) and then a drive out in Harry to Epping Forest to spend Sunday running and jumping in the forest and climbing trees and having lunch in the van. Was pure bliss. Harry enjoyed the run out too, but one of the problems with fulltiming and then moving, is the tidying up time to get him ready for the road; takes a lot more time and faff. But I enjoyed last week.
So what's happened this week? Well a return to commuting to Germany, for one. Although in some ways that has been positive both from the ability to get more face time with people who matter in Frankfurt but also in that I get the relative normality of a bedroom and proper bathroom and shower!!!!! However, on the flip side it means that I don't see little lady on anything other than FaceTime. In theory I wouldn't be spending the time with her during Tues-Thurs anyway, but Germany adds yet more distance both physically and, more importantly, psychologically.
Coming back this evening, I was really looking forward to seeing the little'un. But first I had to come back to the motorhome. It's my own fault, but having left at 4am on Tuesday morning, I left in a hurry and not having washed up or tidied up meant that coming back to a tip of a van wasn't very helpful for the morale. Then trying to unpack a suitcase, compounded the issue.
I then went into the house in a fairly bad mood. Was greeted with a nice cuddle from my daughter and then bath time. Had a minor disagreement with the ex, but thankfully out of earshot of little one but was then greeted with backchat, insolence and argument from the little lady herself. I put it down to tiredness. We had some words but then as I was drying her hair and she was sitting on my lap, the floodgates opened......................she misses the dog. Since having the dog adopted by my Uncle, we've not really talked about her too much. It's now been four weeks and the penny seems to have dropped and the poor little girl was crying for her puppy, saying she would never see her again. It was heartbreaking. Thankfully she will see her with still being in the extended family, but for a four year old, that's scant comfort. She brought me to tears with her own heartbreak but I knew it was important that she just let it go by crying it out in the safety of my arms and she did seem slightly better after about 20mins. But I still then listened to her muttering about the dog for another 20mins after stories as she was trying to settle herself to sleep.
I'm just emotionally drained. I feel so useless as well as angry for the situation in which I find myself and the effect it's having on the most precious person in my life. Having no control over the situation - the decision over the course of my future life being taken out of my hands. I know deep down little lady will be ok with the right amount of support. But what I see is a person struggling to process everything and in some ways, having to grow up a little too fast. Being an only child too, she's got it tough not having anyone to bounce off.
So here I am back in Harry. Suitcase open on the sofa, dirty laundry all over the place, mail, books, phones, cups over the table and the sink overflowing with dirty plates and washing up. And I can't be bothered. I just want to go to sleep and hope I wake up to it all being a bad dream tomorrow. But it won't be. It'll still be there and somehow I need to summons the strength to get the place tidied up, get my backside into gear and stop feeling sorry for myself.
If I didn't have little one to keep driving me forward, I think I could find myself in a very dark place indeed right now.
Well it's s
t. Completely st. Although on the one hand I've enjoyed some relative normality since returning from the NC500 in early April by being parked up back on my own property (at the bottom of the garden away from the house, but with a hookup and less faff with utilities), life in the motorhome waxes and wanes between being tolerable, fun and ok to being cramped, logistically difficult and depressing. Today is certainly one of those days; compounded by what seems to be the gradual realisation by the little'un that her life will never be the same again. In spite of the motorhome feeling a bit smaller recently (I seem to be accumulating stuff), the slightly warmer weather had made it more bearable and the fact the little one enjoys sleeping in the overcab pull-down bed with her new safety net up, makes the evenings that I have her a lot more relaxing, since we both now get a good night sleep.
Last weekend was lovely - real quality time to enjoy our surroundings (walking around the fields - the simple life) and then a drive out in Harry to Epping Forest to spend Sunday running and jumping in the forest and climbing trees and having lunch in the van. Was pure bliss. Harry enjoyed the run out too, but one of the problems with fulltiming and then moving, is the tidying up time to get him ready for the road; takes a lot more time and faff. But I enjoyed last week.
So what's happened this week? Well a return to commuting to Germany, for one. Although in some ways that has been positive both from the ability to get more face time with people who matter in Frankfurt but also in that I get the relative normality of a bedroom and proper bathroom and shower!!!!! However, on the flip side it means that I don't see little lady on anything other than FaceTime. In theory I wouldn't be spending the time with her during Tues-Thurs anyway, but Germany adds yet more distance both physically and, more importantly, psychologically.
Coming back this evening, I was really looking forward to seeing the little'un. But first I had to come back to the motorhome. It's my own fault, but having left at 4am on Tuesday morning, I left in a hurry and not having washed up or tidied up meant that coming back to a tip of a van wasn't very helpful for the morale. Then trying to unpack a suitcase, compounded the issue.
I then went into the house in a fairly bad mood. Was greeted with a nice cuddle from my daughter and then bath time. Had a minor disagreement with the ex, but thankfully out of earshot of little one but was then greeted with backchat, insolence and argument from the little lady herself. I put it down to tiredness. We had some words but then as I was drying her hair and she was sitting on my lap, the floodgates opened......................she misses the dog.
Since having the dog adopted by my Uncle, we've not really talked about her too much. It's now been four weeks and the penny seems to have dropped and the poor little girl was crying for her puppy, saying she would never see her again. It was heartbreaking. Thankfully she will see her with still being in the extended family, but for a four year old, that's scant comfort. She brought me to tears with her own heartbreak but I knew it was important that she just let it go by crying it out in the safety of my arms and she did seem slightly better after about 20mins. But I still then listened to her muttering about the dog for another 20mins after stories as she was trying to settle herself to sleep. I'm just emotionally drained. I feel so useless as well as angry for the situation in which I find myself and the effect it's having on the most precious person in my life. Having no control over the situation - the decision over the course of my future life being taken out of my hands. I know deep down little lady will be ok with the right amount of support. But what I see is a person struggling to process everything and in some ways, having to grow up a little too fast. Being an only child too, she's got it tough not having anyone to bounce off.
So here I am back in Harry. Suitcase open on the sofa, dirty laundry all over the place, mail, books, phones, cups over the table and the sink overflowing with dirty plates and washing up. And I can't be bothered. I just want to go to sleep and hope I wake up to it all being a bad dream tomorrow. But it won't be. It'll still be there and somehow I need to summons the strength to get the place tidied up, get my backside into gear and stop feeling sorry for myself.
If I didn't have little one to keep driving me forward, I think I could find myself in a very dark place indeed right now.
come on spuff, it will get better I am sure, Just have to ride this out for a while, be there for your daughter and try to keep a clear head. Make the most of the good times with her and enjoying the 'van, and just deal with the bad times the best you can.
we're all your mates on here.
we're all your mates on here.
Spuff, sad to read your last post, I hope it's just a small dip and things start to pick up again soon.
I think I posted something similar earlier in the thread, but I'll say it again. You come across as a really decent/genuine bloke and I'm sure that will go a long way towards resolving your situation. Plus it's obvious how much you adore your daughter, I'm sure despite any little niggle's you'll both put her first, and like everyone says, kids are pretty resilient so I'm sure she'll come through. Concentrate on the good times, any opportunity to get away in Harry for a few days (especially when the weather is good) will help take your mind off things.
There's plenty of people here who enjoy your posts, and are rooting for you. If you ever need to vent, even if it's for the most trivial of things, we're all here
I think I posted something similar earlier in the thread, but I'll say it again. You come across as a really decent/genuine bloke and I'm sure that will go a long way towards resolving your situation. Plus it's obvious how much you adore your daughter, I'm sure despite any little niggle's you'll both put her first, and like everyone says, kids are pretty resilient so I'm sure she'll come through. Concentrate on the good times, any opportunity to get away in Harry for a few days (especially when the weather is good) will help take your mind off things.
There's plenty of people here who enjoy your posts, and are rooting for you. If you ever need to vent, even if it's for the most trivial of things, we're all here
Hi Spuff,
As has been said in the last few posts, we are all really here for you anytime.
You can at anytime contact me for a chat if it will help, especially at this very sad time with your daughter.
You will one day look back on this as a bad dream and life will have moved on to a much better place for you.
Keep on posting on here we all look forward to reading what you have done with Harry & your daughter.
All the very best
KT
As has been said in the last few posts, we are all really here for you anytime.
You can at anytime contact me for a chat if it will help, especially at this very sad time with your daughter.
You will one day look back on this as a bad dream and life will have moved on to a much better place for you.
Keep on posting on here we all look forward to reading what you have done with Harry & your daughter.
All the very best
KT
From an outsiders perspective, reading your last post, what I see is you spent a lengthy amount of quality time with little Miss Spuff at the weekend & she had a cry with you about the dog (and probably the situ really too) for 40mins midweek. She will remember the fun stuff as well as the sad times and the fun times with you outweighed the sad ones this week.
I'm a firm believer that the passage of time is the greatest healer of hurt and the greatest teller of truths. Its passing the time that is the hard bit and you just need to go through the motions until that day when things are better.
If you want to leave the place a tip and turn in, do it. If you feel positive and can make progress with Harry, your career, your living arrangement etc, do it. If you want to grab your ex by the throat, well I can't recommend that but kids are perceptive little blighters. If one of you is being unfair, unjust on just a plain arse, they'll work that bit out.
Often if asked how I'm doing, my off the cuff reply is along the lines of me just grinding the days out until my next day off. (These are rare, I work two very different jobs and have done for over a decade). You just need to do the same. Grind those days away, it'll get better.
I'm a firm believer that the passage of time is the greatest healer of hurt and the greatest teller of truths. Its passing the time that is the hard bit and you just need to go through the motions until that day when things are better.
If you want to leave the place a tip and turn in, do it. If you feel positive and can make progress with Harry, your career, your living arrangement etc, do it. If you want to grab your ex by the throat, well I can't recommend that but kids are perceptive little blighters. If one of you is being unfair, unjust on just a plain arse, they'll work that bit out.
Often if asked how I'm doing, my off the cuff reply is along the lines of me just grinding the days out until my next day off. (These are rare, I work two very different jobs and have done for over a decade). You just need to do the same. Grind those days away, it'll get better.
Like all the others can just wish you best of luck. Going through the separation bit myself and it's hard especially for the little one who can't see the long term. Still all you can do is what you think is the best. I don't think you are a million miles away from Royston so if you need a different pitch or a pint we are here for you.
Thank you for all your support, chaps. I'm genuinely bowled over by the support and it is nice to know there are people rooting for me. Sometimes it's easy to forget and whilst I don't write on here for any ego-massage; mainly for therapeutic benefit, it really is appreciated you words of support and collective wisdom.
Clearly the whole thing has been getting to me - I wonder also if there are outside factors involved, such as also a delayed reaction to the cardiac arrest I attended a few weeks back. Together with my sadness over the situation with my daughter etc. I have been suffering with very similar anxiety symptoms to what I have experienced in the past. Not really sure whether there is a link, but we'll see. If there is, then hardly convenient when I have my Community First Responder training coming up next weekend!
Anyway, this weekend I've tried to focus on myself a bit more. I had the little'un overnight on Friday which was lovely. Breakfast together Saturday morning and then took her to her ballet lesson. Had to hand over at 10:30 so set myself a plan to get stuff done - lots of things which I'd had on a to do list but haven't managed to do for one reason or another.
Replaced the head on my Stihl strimmer with an auto spool head;
Strimmed around various bits of the garden which needed some TLC;
Cut down a portion of a tree overhanging some outbuildings;
Cleaned out gutters of said outbuildings;
Cleared up a log pile into the wood shed since most of the winter fuel for the wood burner has been used and there's now space;
And then cleaned the 530d inside and out ahead of its trip to the dealers tomorrow. Want to ensure it looks like the best 78k mile car they've ever seen.
Sadly, all of that on just 4hrs sleep (anxiety kept me awake on Friday night) had me feeling rotten. A kip and an early night had me feeling better but still didn't feel 100% today. Had planned on mountain biking today but felt so lethargic that I felt it was time to indulge myself instead of pushing my body. I remembered that whilst up in Scotland I found beaches and the coast really therapeutic, so I hurried myself getting Harry roadworthy and set course for a lovely seaside resort called Southwold on the Suffolk coast. A two hour drive up the A11/A14/A12 - a chance for Harry to stretch his legs over just shy of 100miles each way.
As it turned out, I didn't really need to take Harry. I parked him up south of town behind some sand dunes and apart from grabbing stuff from the fridge for a picnic on the beach, the collapsible chair from the cargo hold and using the toilet half way through the afternoon, I realised I could've brought the 530d instead and saved on about £30 of fuel! But never mind, it was nice to have the option of spending time in him and a long drive won't do him any harm - if anything keeping everything nicely lubed and brakes & tyres from deteriorating. As usual, he managed the trip with aplomb and in the utmost comfort and serenity. (y)
Well, it was 22degs on the beach and whilst the sun was occasionally obscured by some passing clouds, it was a lovely day. I sat on the beach reading the Sunday Times for around 2hrs - which was a real indulgence. Then packed everything up, walked the mile or so down the beach to the town and grabbed myself an ice cream and sat on the promenade for another hour just watching the world go by.
As I started to walk back down the beach towards Harry, I took a spontaneous deep lung-filling breath. The first for around a week or so. A tell-tale sign that I was relaxed and the stress was subsiding. I'm now more convinced than ever at the recuperative benefits of being by the sea, nature and switching off from the internet/social media etc.
Back home I hooked up Harry, put the thermal blanket back on the windscreen, jumped on the tractor and mowed both lawns, trimmed a couple of hedges and then put little'un to bed in the house. I've just had dinner and tidied up the van. I'm feeling a bit more positive about the week ahead.
Thank you for all your support. It means a lot. (y)
Clearly the whole thing has been getting to me - I wonder also if there are outside factors involved, such as also a delayed reaction to the cardiac arrest I attended a few weeks back. Together with my sadness over the situation with my daughter etc. I have been suffering with very similar anxiety symptoms to what I have experienced in the past. Not really sure whether there is a link, but we'll see. If there is, then hardly convenient when I have my Community First Responder training coming up next weekend!
Anyway, this weekend I've tried to focus on myself a bit more. I had the little'un overnight on Friday which was lovely. Breakfast together Saturday morning and then took her to her ballet lesson. Had to hand over at 10:30 so set myself a plan to get stuff done - lots of things which I'd had on a to do list but haven't managed to do for one reason or another.
Replaced the head on my Stihl strimmer with an auto spool head;
Strimmed around various bits of the garden which needed some TLC;
Cut down a portion of a tree overhanging some outbuildings;
Cleaned out gutters of said outbuildings;
Cleared up a log pile into the wood shed since most of the winter fuel for the wood burner has been used and there's now space;
And then cleaned the 530d inside and out ahead of its trip to the dealers tomorrow. Want to ensure it looks like the best 78k mile car they've ever seen.
Sadly, all of that on just 4hrs sleep (anxiety kept me awake on Friday night) had me feeling rotten. A kip and an early night had me feeling better but still didn't feel 100% today. Had planned on mountain biking today but felt so lethargic that I felt it was time to indulge myself instead of pushing my body. I remembered that whilst up in Scotland I found beaches and the coast really therapeutic, so I hurried myself getting Harry roadworthy and set course for a lovely seaside resort called Southwold on the Suffolk coast. A two hour drive up the A11/A14/A12 - a chance for Harry to stretch his legs over just shy of 100miles each way.
As it turned out, I didn't really need to take Harry. I parked him up south of town behind some sand dunes and apart from grabbing stuff from the fridge for a picnic on the beach, the collapsible chair from the cargo hold and using the toilet half way through the afternoon, I realised I could've brought the 530d instead and saved on about £30 of fuel! But never mind, it was nice to have the option of spending time in him and a long drive won't do him any harm - if anything keeping everything nicely lubed and brakes & tyres from deteriorating. As usual, he managed the trip with aplomb and in the utmost comfort and serenity. (y)
Well, it was 22degs on the beach and whilst the sun was occasionally obscured by some passing clouds, it was a lovely day. I sat on the beach reading the Sunday Times for around 2hrs - which was a real indulgence. Then packed everything up, walked the mile or so down the beach to the town and grabbed myself an ice cream and sat on the promenade for another hour just watching the world go by.
As I started to walk back down the beach towards Harry, I took a spontaneous deep lung-filling breath. The first for around a week or so. A tell-tale sign that I was relaxed and the stress was subsiding. I'm now more convinced than ever at the recuperative benefits of being by the sea, nature and switching off from the internet/social media etc.
Back home I hooked up Harry, put the thermal blanket back on the windscreen, jumped on the tractor and mowed both lawns, trimmed a couple of hedges and then put little'un to bed in the house. I've just had dinner and tidied up the van. I'm feeling a bit more positive about the week ahead.
Thank you for all your support. It means a lot. (y)
Edited by Spuffington on Sunday 14th May 21:26
Really fantastic to hear that you were able to get to the coast and take some time for yourself and relax with the added bonus of being able to enjoy Harry for the trip as well.
Obviously more time necessary both for youself and your daughter at the coast, especially that lovely part of the coast Southwold.
I do hope that you have a really good and less stressful week and spend some more time with your daughter.
Best Wishes
KT
Obviously more time necessary both for youself and your daughter at the coast, especially that lovely part of the coast Southwold.
I do hope that you have a really good and less stressful week and spend some more time with your daughter.
Best Wishes
KT
Quick update since I was again overwhelmed at the support I received both in the form of posts and PMs - thank you, everyone.
I'm in a good place right now. Largely to do with having a focus outside the confines of Harry. He's still proving to be very comfortable, although could probably do with some TLC in the form of a good deep clean (which is easier said than done in such a confined space) and he's disgustingly dirty on the outside as he's parked under an oak tree and beside a big leylandi tree and hedge, so there's sap all over. Need to give him a clean before I head off on hols to France in him later in June.
That being said, aside from the every 5 day emptying of the toilet cassette, every 3-4 day empty of the Wastemaster (I don't use the Grey tank whilst I'm static - it's easier just letting it flow straight into the Wastemaster and emptying that in the drainage ditch nearby) and weekly fill of fresh water, there's nought much going on.
The last week or so has been really busy and that's no doubt help me be a bit more positive. Whilst I haven't seen my daughter as much as I'd have liked, she did spend the run-up to last weekend in the van and I've got her from tonight through until Monday evening, so that's good.
But one of the things I've been focussing on is volunteering. I'd been meaning to do so for a long time, but once separation was on the cards, I decided to pull the trigger on a longheld ambition - to become an Ambulance First Responder. Although it took a while for my application to go into the system and get things moved on, everything has moved at lightening pace since and continues such. I spent all of last weekend at Broomfield Hospital in Chelmsford at the Ambulance Training Centre learning, practicising and drilling. And then more drilling. And more drilling. Before being assessed. I passed the Adult course last weekend. Last night I found myself with my local Group at Saffron Walden Ambulance Station getting Refresher Training on Paediatrics - the irony of which is that I have my Paediatrics Module this coming Sunday at Chelmsford again!! But subject to me passing that and my DBS check being cleared, I will be Operational very soon. Although once Operational I have a ride-out with a Senior Paramedic on an RRV and some buddying up shifts with more experienced CFRs first, I at least have a focus for my "downtime" and a life outside of just the van when I'm not busy being a hands on Daddy.
What I have learnt so far is very humbling and I know full well that what I will witness and deal with will very much put my own situation into perspective. I am naturally apprehensive, but it's been a long since I did anything where I have as much enthusiasm and pride in what I'm doing. It feels good and helps me to cope with the other more tricky aspects of my life with greater optimism.
Thank you again for your support!
I'm in a good place right now. Largely to do with having a focus outside the confines of Harry. He's still proving to be very comfortable, although could probably do with some TLC in the form of a good deep clean (which is easier said than done in such a confined space) and he's disgustingly dirty on the outside as he's parked under an oak tree and beside a big leylandi tree and hedge, so there's sap all over. Need to give him a clean before I head off on hols to France in him later in June.
That being said, aside from the every 5 day emptying of the toilet cassette, every 3-4 day empty of the Wastemaster (I don't use the Grey tank whilst I'm static - it's easier just letting it flow straight into the Wastemaster and emptying that in the drainage ditch nearby) and weekly fill of fresh water, there's nought much going on.
The last week or so has been really busy and that's no doubt help me be a bit more positive. Whilst I haven't seen my daughter as much as I'd have liked, she did spend the run-up to last weekend in the van and I've got her from tonight through until Monday evening, so that's good.
But one of the things I've been focussing on is volunteering. I'd been meaning to do so for a long time, but once separation was on the cards, I decided to pull the trigger on a longheld ambition - to become an Ambulance First Responder. Although it took a while for my application to go into the system and get things moved on, everything has moved at lightening pace since and continues such. I spent all of last weekend at Broomfield Hospital in Chelmsford at the Ambulance Training Centre learning, practicising and drilling. And then more drilling. And more drilling. Before being assessed. I passed the Adult course last weekend. Last night I found myself with my local Group at Saffron Walden Ambulance Station getting Refresher Training on Paediatrics - the irony of which is that I have my Paediatrics Module this coming Sunday at Chelmsford again!! But subject to me passing that and my DBS check being cleared, I will be Operational very soon. Although once Operational I have a ride-out with a Senior Paramedic on an RRV and some buddying up shifts with more experienced CFRs first, I at least have a focus for my "downtime" and a life outside of just the van when I'm not busy being a hands on Daddy.
What I have learnt so far is very humbling and I know full well that what I will witness and deal with will very much put my own situation into perspective. I am naturally apprehensive, but it's been a long since I did anything where I have as much enthusiasm and pride in what I'm doing. It feels good and helps me to cope with the other more tricky aspects of my life with greater optimism.
Thank you again for your support!
Great to hear your feeling good. A friend of mine was a volunteer first responder for a few years and said he felt it highly worthwhile. Unfortunately he was a first responder at a particularly bad RTA which involved children so he gave it up in the end as he found it quite traumatic.
Anyway best of luck with it.
Anyway best of luck with it.
So a quick update - not too much to update but Fulltiming has taken its toll on the first component..............the water pump!
It's always been a bit noisey since I've had the van but in the last few days it has been making some weird noises and last night in the shower, the water pressure was very inconsistent and the pump seemed to be labouring or doing something funny. So a quick post on the Classic Hymers Facebook page and 20mins later one of the experts had pointed me in the direction of the standard fitment (well, uprated version of that) Reich 19l/min water pump. Another 5mins and 45quid later, one had been ordered from Amazon and is currently winging its way to me.
I did consider uprating to 25l/min but in all honesty, whilst a more powerful shower would be good, I also value the fact that I can shower 5-6times per week on top of the other normal uses for the water before needing to refill the tank. So I stayed with the original suggestion. I did consider buying two pumps to keep one as a spare, but given the current one is sort of working still, I'll just keep hold of that "just in case".
Other than that, I had a bit of an accident with the shower cubicle door the other day. I was cleaning the shower room when I folded one of the doors back and tried to push it home into its catch. Misaligned it a bit and it's tugged itself a tiny bit from its mounting point. It's not entirely obvious how it screws into the wall, so I think I'm going to have to start trying to take the whole assembly apart to see how it fits into the wall so I can get to the bits I need to tighten back up. Not urgent but probably need to do it before it does more damage with it being a bit wobbly.
All in all, though. The van is holding up well to constant use. Sometimes it feels a bit small but part of that is down to me being a bit lazy and not tidying up often enough. Things really do need to be put away and I should be disciplined in terms of doing this but my inner male kicks in sometimes and it becomes a bit of batchelor pad once or twice a week. Having my daughter stay overnight is a good driver to get it tidied and cleaned.
I'm counting down to holiday. I've only got two more weeks left at work before my annual leave and three weeks until I go to France in Harry. The next few weekends are busy but I'm considering taking Harry away somewhere for the night on 10th June to get him moving again as he's been static since my trip to Southwold. Then when I get back from the first leg of my holiday, before I head to France I'll give him a good deep clean on the outside as I hate travelling in a dirty vehicle. He's been sitting under leylandi and an oak tree so covered in bird mess and sap and looking a bit unloved. Looking forward to a decent roadtrip though - home, Dover-Calais Ferry, Honfleur, three nights on Normandy Coast followed by Cherbourg to Poole overnight Ferry and back again.
And then the plan will be to try and use him most weekends over the summer. My Uncle has invited me down to his place in Pyrennes to dog-sit in October - I'm currently mulling over whether I make a big trip of it and motorhome down there. Or whether I drive down in the 530d (just to keep the DPF clear, you understand!
) or just keep it simple and Ryanair it. But I'm such a big fan of a roadtrip, that I'm erring towards a drive. We'll see, I have 3 months to decide.
Sadly no real progress on the house. Ex is still job-hunting and realistically it will be 3-6months post-her getting a job when she moves out. In any event not pre-November. But we have made some progress in terms of agreeing on a settlement. Ink is still wet on the drafts but I think we're in the right ballpark, which will allow everyone to move on. Thankfully pragmatism on both sides is keeping it amicable and whilst I can't say I'm happy at how much cash is going out of the door, if it means we can all move on with our lives and both "have our cake" then that's the best way. I guess we're lucky that neither of is looking to screw the other and that there's sufficient to go around (or rather I have a sufficiently good job) that I can hold on to my house rather than have to cash in everything.
It's always been a bit noisey since I've had the van but in the last few days it has been making some weird noises and last night in the shower, the water pressure was very inconsistent and the pump seemed to be labouring or doing something funny. So a quick post on the Classic Hymers Facebook page and 20mins later one of the experts had pointed me in the direction of the standard fitment (well, uprated version of that) Reich 19l/min water pump. Another 5mins and 45quid later, one had been ordered from Amazon and is currently winging its way to me.
I did consider uprating to 25l/min but in all honesty, whilst a more powerful shower would be good, I also value the fact that I can shower 5-6times per week on top of the other normal uses for the water before needing to refill the tank. So I stayed with the original suggestion. I did consider buying two pumps to keep one as a spare, but given the current one is sort of working still, I'll just keep hold of that "just in case".
Other than that, I had a bit of an accident with the shower cubicle door the other day. I was cleaning the shower room when I folded one of the doors back and tried to push it home into its catch. Misaligned it a bit and it's tugged itself a tiny bit from its mounting point. It's not entirely obvious how it screws into the wall, so I think I'm going to have to start trying to take the whole assembly apart to see how it fits into the wall so I can get to the bits I need to tighten back up. Not urgent but probably need to do it before it does more damage with it being a bit wobbly.
All in all, though. The van is holding up well to constant use. Sometimes it feels a bit small but part of that is down to me being a bit lazy and not tidying up often enough. Things really do need to be put away and I should be disciplined in terms of doing this but my inner male kicks in sometimes and it becomes a bit of batchelor pad once or twice a week. Having my daughter stay overnight is a good driver to get it tidied and cleaned.
I'm counting down to holiday. I've only got two more weeks left at work before my annual leave and three weeks until I go to France in Harry. The next few weekends are busy but I'm considering taking Harry away somewhere for the night on 10th June to get him moving again as he's been static since my trip to Southwold. Then when I get back from the first leg of my holiday, before I head to France I'll give him a good deep clean on the outside as I hate travelling in a dirty vehicle. He's been sitting under leylandi and an oak tree so covered in bird mess and sap and looking a bit unloved. Looking forward to a decent roadtrip though - home, Dover-Calais Ferry, Honfleur, three nights on Normandy Coast followed by Cherbourg to Poole overnight Ferry and back again.
And then the plan will be to try and use him most weekends over the summer. My Uncle has invited me down to his place in Pyrennes to dog-sit in October - I'm currently mulling over whether I make a big trip of it and motorhome down there. Or whether I drive down in the 530d (just to keep the DPF clear, you understand!
) or just keep it simple and Ryanair it. But I'm such a big fan of a roadtrip, that I'm erring towards a drive. We'll see, I have 3 months to decide.Sadly no real progress on the house. Ex is still job-hunting and realistically it will be 3-6months post-her getting a job when she moves out. In any event not pre-November. But we have made some progress in terms of agreeing on a settlement. Ink is still wet on the drafts but I think we're in the right ballpark, which will allow everyone to move on. Thankfully pragmatism on both sides is keeping it amicable and whilst I can't say I'm happy at how much cash is going out of the door, if it means we can all move on with our lives and both "have our cake" then that's the best way. I guess we're lucky that neither of is looking to screw the other and that there's sufficient to go around (or rather I have a sufficiently good job) that I can hold on to my house rather than have to cash in everything.
Hi Spuf,
Some really fantastic news from you with everything going forward in the right direction.
Keep everything going in this the right direction and it will make you feel so so much better and good all round for everyone.
So pleased for you, have some great breaks now.
All the best KT
Some really fantastic news from you with everything going forward in the right direction.
Keep everything going in this the right direction and it will make you feel so so much better and good all round for everyone.
So pleased for you, have some great breaks now.
All the best KT
Thanks KT. Counting down the days now.....
Quick update on the pump (and I'll put a few photos up when I can get Photobucket working again) but it's been a wonder!! I'm now thinking that the water pump had been on its way out since I bought the van. I have read from a lot of people that the pump normally just gives up in a very binary way but the difference since replacing it has been remarkable.
When I removed the old pump, it's pretty obvious it was the original part. It was stamped with Hymer and although it looked similar to the Reich I replaced it with, it was white with blue trimmings which mirrors the fitout of the bathroom and is in keeping with the era of this model of Hymer. The flow rate and pressure rating were the same as the new Reich I was recommended by a Hymer officiando.
There is virtually no noise from the new pump and what little noise there is is a constant whirring rather than the strange variable pitch of the old one.
When I first installed it, I noticed that the live & neutral on the old pump were swapped. I have heard that wiring in reverse can sometimes positively affect the flow from the pump but I fitted the new one with matching polarity. Upon testing, I wasn't that impressed with the pressure. It wasn't necessarily any worse than the pump I'd replaced, but it wasn't better either (which I had expected). I therefore returned to the pump and reversed the polarity and the effect was dramatic. The noise was the same (indicating that I wasn't doing any damage to it) but the flow rate was superb. Almost a little too good, such that when washing hands you need to be a bit careful with the tap setting in the bathroom to avoid getting trousers wet!!
But the shower is a revelation. To date it has been merely adequate. I tried improving it when I first started Fulltiming by adding an Eco-Camel showerhead but that made things worse. Now the power is not far off an ok shower in a house. Therefore I have now replaced the showerhead with the Eco-Camel again and I have a superb showering facility and really feel refreshed rather than just adequately clean. I almost wish I'd replaced the pump at the start of the year. There appears no noticeable effect on water consumption, although I am being careful and will continue to be so when wild camping to ensure I don't exhaust the tank any quicker than normal.
I had originally planned on retaining the old pump as a backup but I think I'll just buy another new one now to have in reserve as it was "only" 45quid.
All in all, very pleased with the change both in terms of the end result and the fact it's another job I've undertaken myself; saved money and have the pride in doing a job myself.
Quick update on the pump (and I'll put a few photos up when I can get Photobucket working again) but it's been a wonder!! I'm now thinking that the water pump had been on its way out since I bought the van. I have read from a lot of people that the pump normally just gives up in a very binary way but the difference since replacing it has been remarkable.
When I removed the old pump, it's pretty obvious it was the original part. It was stamped with Hymer and although it looked similar to the Reich I replaced it with, it was white with blue trimmings which mirrors the fitout of the bathroom and is in keeping with the era of this model of Hymer. The flow rate and pressure rating were the same as the new Reich I was recommended by a Hymer officiando.
There is virtually no noise from the new pump and what little noise there is is a constant whirring rather than the strange variable pitch of the old one.
When I first installed it, I noticed that the live & neutral on the old pump were swapped. I have heard that wiring in reverse can sometimes positively affect the flow from the pump but I fitted the new one with matching polarity. Upon testing, I wasn't that impressed with the pressure. It wasn't necessarily any worse than the pump I'd replaced, but it wasn't better either (which I had expected). I therefore returned to the pump and reversed the polarity and the effect was dramatic. The noise was the same (indicating that I wasn't doing any damage to it) but the flow rate was superb. Almost a little too good, such that when washing hands you need to be a bit careful with the tap setting in the bathroom to avoid getting trousers wet!!
But the shower is a revelation. To date it has been merely adequate. I tried improving it when I first started Fulltiming by adding an Eco-Camel showerhead but that made things worse. Now the power is not far off an ok shower in a house. Therefore I have now replaced the showerhead with the Eco-Camel again and I have a superb showering facility and really feel refreshed rather than just adequately clean. I almost wish I'd replaced the pump at the start of the year. There appears no noticeable effect on water consumption, although I am being careful and will continue to be so when wild camping to ensure I don't exhaust the tank any quicker than normal.
I had originally planned on retaining the old pump as a backup but I think I'll just buy another new one now to have in reserve as it was "only" 45quid.
All in all, very pleased with the change both in terms of the end result and the fact it's another job I've undertaken myself; saved money and have the pride in doing a job myself.
Following on from your looking to get away to coast, we recently stayed at a great site just outside of Leiston.
Some lovely trails through the woods at Sizewell heading north.
Great washroom facilities on site, but quiet too.
http://www.cakesandale.co.uk/
Some lovely trails through the woods at Sizewell heading north.
Great washroom facilities on site, but quiet too.
http://www.cakesandale.co.uk/
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