Giro D'ITALIA

this is my DIY measuring not scientific but it will do for me
[You must be registered and logged in to see this link.]

that is technical for me

nearly time to go 2 weeks i think

check list :
1 tow bar fitted = check
2 2 WEEKS TO GO !!!!!


just brought all types of bandages and creams, plasters from Aldis as they are on offer this week ( my train of thought is if you haven't got it then accidents will happen) even though my friend say's we need another trailer to carry it slight exaggeration oh um might need a small one so I am well covered even got spray on plaster

doing the finishing touches going to paint her tomorrow and will post photo's of her in all her glory

then start packing
got transformer or what ever its called to convert 12v to 240 volt so I can charge up my laptop at least
unfortunately haven't got my 3 way fridge but have arranged to collect it when I get back no probs as I have a cool box that will run off the cigarette lighter while traveling and 12v

the dampener is coming touch wood it will be the correct one

THE BIKES! just remembered I am taking them best dive into the shed tomorrow and check them out make sure they are ride-able

Dogs booked in a day early so not to repeat last years fiasco

A whole lot can happen in two weeks in your world Caz ..... don't do anything, like walk the dog or decorate, stay away from bikes ...... wrap yourself in cotton wool and hibernate till your ready for the off

Helen wrote:A whole lot can happen in two weeks in your world Caz ..... don't do anything, like walk the dog or decorate, stay away from bikes ...... wrap yourself in cotton wool and hibernate till your ready for the off

Bubble Wrap is good as well.

um all I can say is i'm all right now but my friend might need medical attention

As you know I am spiffing her up for the trip and happily inside prancing around putting up wall paper and I did have a thought " don't remember her being so bouncy ?" after putting up the decal and stepped back to admire my work (in reality waiting for Mr Darcy to ride up the path )
when i realized she is still moving and I am still well after being rescued .. what do you mean she doesn't have her breaks on !!!! luckily didn't go far never surfed a Dandy before eat your heart out Bee Gees

Hope all goes well.
Just in case you get more ambitious how about this for the week earlier next year.

[You must be registered and logged in to see this link.]

Tow Itch wrote:
Hope all goes well.
Just in case you get more ambitious how about this for the week earlier next year.

[You must be registered and logged in to see this link.]

don't think they would allow me back in

she is ready for her close up

put the lining down under the beds save ( hopefully ) the soggy bottoms
[You must be registered and logged in to see this link.]

decal up still waiting for Mr Darcy
[You must be registered and logged in to see this link.]

wallpapered only the seating area both sides
[You must be registered and logged in to see this link.]

kitchen painted
[You must be registered and logged in to see this link.]

sons bedroom area still have to do the head and foot boards ( tomorrow's job )
[You must be registered and logged in to see this link.]

missed the brown bits got dark green velvet to do but cant find the staple gun ( another tomorrow job)
[You must be registered and logged in to see this link.]

friends bed messy bugger he has the flowers to make it homely for him
[You must be registered and logged in to see this link.]

the following pictures are to show that we have boxed in the gas struts so nothing can get jammed underneath them have done it to all four

[You must be registered and logged in to see this link.]

I'm speechless

That is utterly fantastic.

The decal is the icing on the cake - I can't believe how realistic it looks.

I'l love to do up an older Dandy some day - but I'd never have the imagination to do something as good as that. I bet you can't wait to get away in her.

ok I have hunted around looking for a DONGLE to use in Europe trawled the net read the info and then contacted O2 as they had the better deal of them all , before I brought it on line I phoned them very helpful woman said that the dongles don't provide internet access oversea's they connect you to WiFi in the area but because my laptop has WiFi ability then I don't need a dongle so we will see

Looking Great Ms Numbers.

Bet you are really looking forward to getting away in her now.

You better tell your friend to clear their bed before you try to fold her up.

I will admit the decal lightens the side boards up and I sit there for ages just looking through the windows ( yep easily pleased ) I just have to snazzily up the awning to match the out side skin of her ( before her make over)
[You must be registered and logged in to see this link.]

Caz1960 wrote:ok I have hunted around looking for a DONGLE to use in Europe trawled the net read the info and then contacted O2 as they had the better deal of them all , before I brought it on line I phoned them very helpful woman said that the dongles don't provide internet access oversea's they connect you to WiFi in the area but because my laptop has WiFi ability then I don't need a dongle so we will see

The dongles will give you internet access - but at very expensive roaming rates so you probably wouldn't want to use them other than in an emergency.

Most of them are locked to the network you buy them from but you can pick up unlocked ones on ebay and buy a local SIM card in the country you are visiting. They do take a little bit of configuring to suit the local settings so are not as 'plug and play' as usual.

If you want to have full mobile connection at all times or if it's a country that you visit fairly regularly it may be worth buying a dongle and pre-paid data package from a local mobile phone shop. I always find them extremely helpful to visitors. A tip is to always bring your passport when you vist them as some countries have strict ID requirements for the purchase of SIM cards.

Otherwise making do with Wi-Fi where it's available is the cheapest option. Some people don't like visiting McDonalds when abroad but their coffee is generally good and their Wi-Fi is generally free, so wade in

yep can't wait as all around me are going very quiet and moody as the days get closer the answer to my son was " oh yes you can stay at home WITH AUNTY PAULINE! " he has now become interested in the holiday they have been read the riot act " you WILL enjoy yourself" as I certainly will and not returning until I should

peridot wrote:

Caz1960 wrote:ok I have hunted around looking for a DONGLE to use in Europe trawled the net read the info and then contacted O2 as they had the better deal of them all , before I brought it on line I phoned them very helpful woman said that the dongles don't provide internet access oversea's they connect you to WiFi in the area but because my laptop has WiFi ability then I don't need a dongle so we will see

The dongles will give you internet access - but at very expensive roaming rates so you probably wouldn't want to use them other than in an emergency.

Most of them are locked to the network you buy them from but you can pick up unlocked ones on ebay and buy a local SIM card in the country you are visiting. They do take a little bit of configuring to suit the local settings so are not as 'plug and play' as usual.

If you want to have full mobile connection at all times or if it's a country that you visit fairly regularly it may be worth buying a dongle and pre-paid data package from a local mobile phone shop. I always find them extremely helpful to visitors. A tip is to always bring your passport when you vist them as some countries have strict ID requirements for the purchase of SIM cards.



Otherwise making do with Wi-Fi where it's available is the cheapest option. Some people don't like visiting McDonalds when abroad but their coffee is generally good and their Wi-Fi is generally free, so wade in

didn't think of that and it would be much cheaper and love Mc Donalds as going to one is very rare for us and is a treat as we don't have one locally will let you know how I get on

No problem ... on another point I've just re-read the thread and, apart from being as green as your colour scheme with envy , I noticed you were asking about a gas oven.

You mentioned later that you had found an alternative but if you're still interested we have a portable gas oven that we rarely use and you would be very welcome to borrow it. It works off the large (I think they're 16oz size) disposable gas cylinders and we also have a couple of unused ones of them.

I assume you'll be travelling along the M4 and we're just a couple of minutes on a main road off Junction 27. The only slight problem is that we're away at the weekend when I assume you'll be travelling but we could leave it in a secure place for you to collect.

Anyway if you're interested PM me to make arrangements - otherwise have a great trip and hopefully you'll have a chance to update us while you're there.

I'm hoping for a picture of Wiggo sat beside that decal

peridot wrote:
No problem ... on another point I've just re-read the thread and, apart from being as green as your colour scheme with envy , I noticed you were asking about a gas oven.

You mentioned later that you had found an alternative but if you're still interested we have a portable gas oven that we rarely use and you would be very welcome to borrow it. It works off the large (I think they're 16oz size) disposable gas cylinders and we also have a couple of unused ones of them.

I assume you'll be travelling along the M4 and we're just a couple of minutes on a main road off Junction 27. The only slight problem is that we're away at the weekend when I assume you'll be travelling but we could leave it in a secure place for you to collect.

Anyway if you're interested PM me to make arrangements - otherwise have a great trip and hopefully you'll have a chance to update us while you're ther

I'm hoping for a picture of Wiggo sat beside that decal

thank you for that thought but at the moment think have all covered very grateful for the suggestion

I am aiming to improve my photo taking its just I get to over excited

oh I just learned that I can tether my phone to the laptop for internet connection if at last resort as it will cost 55p per mb used but if cant get WiFi will do as you say buy dongle out there ( or sim card)

Caz1960 wrote:

oh I just learned that I can tether my phone to the laptop for internet connection if at last resort as it will cost 55p per mb used but if cant get WiFi will do as you say buy dongle out there ( or sim card)

55p/MB is actually quite cheap compared to some networks. Mine is 70p +vat and my work one is £1.28

I can pay £5 a day on mine for unlimited data but registering each time is a cumbersome process. It's about time all this phone roaming malarkey was simplified particularly within Europe.

She looks absolutely lovely Caz, really nice colours ...... so fresh.

hi to all from the high Alps

Day 1 went exceptionally well the journey to Dover was great then we hit Dover thick fog found Premier Inn well after given the do's and do not's she then told us we at the wrong place ( did not know Hitler had a sister) with a slam on the counter a map then put a "X" marks the spot off the map and on the far edge of the page ha I saw that film ( the Fog ) go into the fog and that's the end of you but having experienced the alternative we are going into the fog.. off we trundle following instructions given still quaking in our boots we spot a dog walker ( we had come to the end of our map ) " excuse me is there a Premier Inn up the road " "NOPE there is nothing up the road " think he saw us a bit bemused " oh there are fields " " Oh ok thank you we will just turn around up the end of the road" so off we went and entered THE FOG and wow there is loads pubs, oh and a premier Inn of all things we crashed I will admit we were given free access to WiFi but so tired we were out for the count by 9pm

Day 2 THE BOAT ( did I tell you I don't like boats ) not that we could see it any way as it was so foggy and empty boat think could count 20 people on
got to France foggy there as well we sauntered off remembering which side of the road to stay on oh don't get me started about roads anyway we found a lovely Municiple site as we are out of season we had the pick of any pitch (photos not up loaded yet )
got to go as battery is dying on me any sec as son had this all night will be back soon we are having a great time weather warm and wet

Great to hear from you caz - glad it's going well

We were looking at booking the Premier Inn for an overnight before our trip to France in October (not with the Dandy, unfortunately). I think there were three listed in Central Dover. In the end we went for the cheap option and booked the Travelodge in Ashford instead.

Do let us know the name of the municipal site you stayed on - we're collecting ideas for a trip next year.

Good luck with the rest of your trip.

Good to hear from you. Eagerly awaiting photos.

Glad you got across the water safely did it being foggy make it easier for you?
Watch out for those bikes when taking your photos.
Remember don't come back till the ticket say's so.

Great to hear you got there safe, have an amazing adventure and take lots of photo's when it's not foggy of course so we can all see the places you get to