The neverending list...

So, loads of people always ask how we manage to pack for 3 weeks camping. Well, it's easy when you're used to it, you would be surprised how many pairs of shoes Vera can carry!

So, my list has begun, in no particular order! Feel free to suggest anything I have missed!

Bedding:

• Flat sheets
• Fitted sheets
• Pillows
• Pillow cases
• Sleeping bag
• Throw

Camping Equipment:

• Chairs
• Table
• Picnic blanket
• Parasol
• Wind break
• Mosquito nets (I just made these myself from hessian after seeing the £50 price tag for each!)
• Blinds
• Awning
• Portaloo and portacleaner (When you gotta go!)
• Chocks
• Clothes line and pegs
• Brush & shovel
• Cobb BBQ (best ever purchase!)
• Cobb briquettes
• Lighters
• Fire logs
• Citronella candles
• Batteries
• Solar lights
• Torch
• Medi kit (stocked with first aid kit, deet, tablets etc)

Cooking equipment:

• Cutlery
• Sharp knives, corkscrew, tin opener
• Pans
• Cafetiere and coffee
• Mugs, glasses
• Kettle
• Chopping board
• Plates, bowls
• Foil, clingfilm, plastic bags, bin bags
• Store cupboard items (oil, balsamic, tinned tomatoes, pasta, rice, beans, garlic, spices, salt, pepper)
• Cool box, ice blocks

Cleaning:

• Antibac wipes (aka life savers!)
• Antibac handwash
• Cloths, washing up bowl, fairy liquid and tea towels
• Sprays, bleach
• Loo roll, baby wipes

Tools

• Christian's domain ;)

The Route Plan

So, Mr Castellano and I sat down the other night to address the route...again. I still can't figure out why I can't save it to google, so here's a pic instead.

We tried various routes, whilst adding up the costs of autoroutes (tolls), not using autoroutes, etc. and came to the conclusion we would follow the route that uses no tolls (having racked up over £120 potentially using autoroutes).

**Useful info on 2013 autoroute charges...
http://www.autoroutes.fr/FCKeditor/UserFiles/File/Tarifs%2022%20f%C3%A9vrier%202013.pdf**

We leave Thursday eve after work, to head down to Dover for the 22.45 ferry, which gets us in to France just after midnight. Then we will get the f out of Calais and head to Abbeville Aire for a quick stopover (will include GPS co-ords when we have done the stops).

We need to be in Valencia by Monday morning, so it's game on for us, with the aim to get there Sunday night, having stopped for Friday night along the way and in the Pyranees on Sunday.

Again, I will add proper info as we do the journey.

Getting a little bit excited now! eek!

Planning...

With my Birthday happening in August, we set aside 3 weeks holiday from work. Lucky us eh! So, that's 2 weeks on Ibiza island and 1 week for the there and back drive.
 
Exploring all of the route options, driving through France became the best for us. Not only is it cheaper to get the ferry (although don't get me started on ferries!) from Dover to France, as opposed to getting the ferry from Portsmouth to Santander (£800 return - ouch!), but we figured it would be a more scenic experience.

To google maps...

Knowing from previous trips that French toll roads can be majorly expensive, we have opted to take the route that doesn't use toll roads. 1400 miles and 28 hours later, we will have completed the journey.

With a few stops on the way down at some Aires, we should save ourselves some beer tokens for when we get to the island.
 
We are not the typical "24 hour party people" and won't be headed for the super-clubs...more like a relaxed beach bar in Ibiza town. Doing a spot of "googling" we realised that there isn't much information out there about campervanning on the island, although there seems to be plenty of sites. So, our plan is to book on as and when and mooch around the island :)


Initial research done, now to part with some money!

Meet Vera

Meet our Vera, our home from home...aint she a beaut! As the saying goes "home is where you park it" and she sure gets parked all over!

Having become part of the family in 2011 Vera was purchased in Rushden, Northamptonshire. Christian just couldn't resist the pull of an old German lady ;) Since, come rain or shine, Vera has taken us up and down the country - we actually love her!

This trusty VW T4 Campervan has also traveled most of Europe - as far as Croatia (but that's another story) and will, yet again, be taking us on this year's adventure.

Shexy eh!

Christian: Just to add she is 1998 Volkswagen Transporter LWB design with a 2.4 diesel engine which loves to run on vegetable oil and help keep those emissions down! She has a rock n roll bed, cupboards, wardrobe, sink and cooker along with the luxurious portable flushing cassette toilet! Shes no major speed demon but is surprisingly easy to drive and maneuver at sensible sight seeing speeds.
She's under gone/going some cosmetic upgrades for this years trip!

• Big Crew cab / Razor back mirrors - essential for RHD driving!
• Smev 9222L - Sink, Tap,Water Tank+ Pump, 2 ring gas stove
• O/S Drivers Side Rear Sliding Window - Get some air in for the hot hot nights,, currently its a panel.
• Big BFG AT tyres, I want to get on them beaches!
• Ditched them RS8 Audi style lights, I want to see at night, for the mad night time driving-dash on the way down
• Added ProjecktZwo Euro twin headlights - sexy
• Black Bumpers - Colour coding is sooo last season?! - In progress,, I don't plan on bumping them, but they will match the bull bars that are to be fitted
• 2.5TDI Turbo upgrade - Better cruising speed and hopefully MPG - check the fuels logs.
• Pre-Trip Service - She needs Oil+Filter, Drive Belt+Tensioner, Fuel Filter, check other fluids