All Packed and Ready to GO!

Just a picture of Ruby on Sunday, 23 May 2010 - filled to the brim! And everything we need to get up and go. Only 2 more sleeps!

Our Travel Plans

With 3 days to go before we leave, my days are full of planning and researching... whilst Ruby awaits in her car park. The only thing is, is that there is so much still to read up on!

Today, I thought to share with you where we would like to go. The rough idea of the route we would like to take. As we are in a campervan - please remember we have the aim of visiting only key city points of interest, but in essence would like to truly enjoy the Western European countryside.

So this is what it looks like at this moment in time...

Leave on Saturday, the 29 May 2010, to Calais by Eurostar.

Arrive France and possibly stop outside Lille for the night. If I remember correctly, this was where the du Toit name came from before leaving to South Africa. The original inhabitants here were the Gauls, then later the Vikings invaded. This must be the reason for Nick always having dreams of being a Viking warrior!

Then through Belgium. To be honest, we're happy just to get through Belgium to get to the Netherlands. So we'll take a scenic route outside the cities. We have visited Brugge in the past and thought it was beautiful, not sure if anywhere else in Belgium could top it! But keen for a beer stop or two!

In the Netherlands we will visit Amsterdam and see the Red Light District, perhaps walk through Anne Franks past and see Van Gogh's Museum. Visit the city Delft which is close to The Hague. Food we will possibly eat are falafels ( apparently best outside the East), loads of edam, gouda and dutch breads. Artists that we might see who have originated from here are Rembrandt Van Rijn, Johannes Vermeer (Delft), Rietveld, Van Gogh and Piet Mondrian.

Then we move into Germany - where we will stay with Norbert and Elisabeth (my long lost German Uncle and his Frau) for 2 nights in Salzbergen. I'm sure it will be packed with site seeing and we can't wait to spend some time with them! Quite nice not to have to think about this time. Whatever we do - we'll be having fun!

We will carry on through Germany - at this stage doing a trip on the Danube, visiting the Black Forest, hopefully seeing the Neushwanstein Castle, experience a bit of "The Romantic Road" on the way. Drink wine in the Mozelle area and potentially enjoy a scenic cycle routes. Hopefully see the Berlin wall and the famous Brandenburg Gate. Potentially visiting Weimar where the Bauhaus movement came about - in C20. Also, where Walter Gropius and Kandinsky lived. The Koln Cathedral and Trier, the oldest city in Germany and if so, hope to pop into Luxembourg close by.

Switzerland offers the highest waterfalls in Europe on the Rhine near Schaffhausen. An hour away is St Gallen which is a medieval centre (C7) and then potentially through Liechtenstein to the Alps to see some mountains as high as 4,500m. Maybe even see Lake Geneva... then, off to Austria.

In Austria we plan to follow the picturesque Danube river which flows from Germany to Vienna. Possibly into Hungary to see Lake Balaton and the Sumeg Castle, outside Budapest. Back into Austria from Hungary via Salzburg to Innsbruck down to Italy.

We will be focussing mainly on Italy - perhaps staying a month or so. Venice, in a gondola, St Marks Basilica and visit Torcello Island. Florence for the Uffizi, Bargello, views from Piazzale Michelangelo and of course, loads of gelato! Bologna - houses the oldest university in the western world and the Two Towers and eat a real spaghetti bolognaise! Perugia to see the Renaissance art and architecture. The Amalfi Coast to bewilder ourselves in beauty, Pompeii to see the unbelievable, to walk through ancient Rome, Garda Lake, Portafino, Tuscany, finally see the Last Supper and to reach the end of the boot, only to go all the way back to the top! Or maybe via ferry to Sardinia and Corsica.

Then to the south of France to do Monaco, Cannes and Marseilles! Talk about summer loving!

Hopefully arrive in time for Running of the Bulls (I will not be running) in Pamplona. Through the countryside of Central Spain to Madrid. Across the country to Portugal.

We'll explore the full coast by ambling along and really just taking a break. This should be the most chilled out part of our holiday. Really looking forward to some serious beachbum life!

Then back into France... for more breathtaking scenery cheese, wines and breads. Coastal regions all the way to Calais and anywhere else we chose to wander!

We have been very fortunate with family and friends recommending places and sites, but would also like to open it up to you all for suggestions of your favourite places in the countries mentioned! Let us know if anything comes to mind!

Farewell to the Flat

Although Nick and I are only leaving the flat on Monday evening and handing over they keys on Tuesday, we have had to hav everything packed and stored today.



There has not been a great deal of stuff move, but finding the space to do the packing in our tiny little studio has been the problem. It's almost all done. Ruby has just arrived to help us transport the goods to storage.



Nick is downstairs packing the trip goods into the van. Then we'll fill her with the storage boxes and we'll all be on our way.



So tonight is going to be a very empty last night in our Richmond flat. It's a beautiful 26 degrees outside, so I am sure our last bottle of wine will be had at the river.



This has been an incredible little home. Having lived in such limited space will hopefully help us in our travels in our little van.



Then after all the excitement of our trip, we'll look for a new place to lay our hat. I'm thinking along the lines of a barge or narrow boat... but that will be a whole new adventure!

Tick Tock Tick Tock

1.25 more days at work
1 week and 1 day until we leave from Dover
4 nights left residing in our little flat
5 nights with Ann and Justin
3 months of travelling
and a life time of memories

This is Ruby - ready to be pimped

Nick built the skeleton of the bunk and cupboards. I primed the wood ready for painting. Grey carpeting covered the exterior of the cupboards and shelves. The passenger front chair has been given a swivel to face backwards.

Under all the side panels and ceiling panels - sisolation was used, for winter or summer. All electrics are wired through - almost ready for connection.

Ruby looking beautiful and new! Table top lowers and back cushion rests form the difference of the bed. Seat cushions can be lifted for storage space. Fluorescent light above the table. Reading lights under the shelf above back doors. Storage space on the left of the table - under windowsill. Storage shelf above the back left windows and above back doors.

Table can be moved to in front of passenger swivel seat. New carpet on the floor.

The kitchenette includes a small sink and kitchen light. Drawers for cutlery, etc. Top cupboards for crockery and cookware. Kitchen cupboard for food stuffs. Next to the wooden shelf, plug connection and light switch for kitchen that run off a leisure battery hidden in storage space. Curtains for the windows added. An electric cooler box.

Additional extras unseen:

Nick used an electric saw to cut in space of the exterior for electric hook up. Added water connections for waste and fresh water. He added a solar power generator. Cigarette lighter connections added for extra power access. Locks and latches on the cupboards and drawers. Curtain tie backs. A hidden outdoor table storage space. A safe.

And lets not forget the potjie pot!

This is our folks in the original camper.

Ruby came fully equipped with surfboard (as seen above), beach bats, badminton bats, fishing rods and equipment, playing cards, books, snorkel and goggles. I'm sure I've missed some goods out...

The kitchen cabinet was filled (incredibly neatly) with cutlery, crockery, tupperware, pots and pans, washing up gear (including dish towels), cooking utensils, an electric stove top, kettle and the list will go on.

Under the bed we had all the necessary European connections, road safety goods, barbeque, fold up table, travel guides and maps, a safe, port-a-potti... you name it, it had it.

So, from what you can see, little Ruby was full up with everything to make a holiday!

Ruby's Recent History

Ruby was originally a Royal Mail van. Probably a little like Postman Pat's van - except red and without a cat.

She roamed the UK countrysides bringing news to her people, families together, friends good news and junk mail to the laypersons. But Ruby had more in mind for her motorlife. She wanted to make something of it! She wanted to break out of the UK and see the world!

Dreams Do Come True

Life is such a funny thing. You'll be talking big and imaging what could be... then by some kind of craziness - you are living the dream.

The story behind our van is something like this...

Nick and I moved to London in July 2008. Five months after we were married. Both of us wanted a little adventure and some travels before life would take over. We had already a few travels of our own and together - but wanted more.

Fortunately, both our parents have encouraged us to see all of South Africa, where we were born. With this, we both agreed that we would focus on travel through the UK before doing anywhere else. As you have to start from scratch moving abroad - especially with the Rand - the start to our story is a little slow. Over Christmas 2008, we decided to rent a campervan. Despite being stuck in the mud on Christmas day, with only 2 other campers around, it was definitely the most adventurous (and cold) together, yet! After that, all we could see were campers! Everywhere... And so, the dream was born!

Together in marriage I managed to find my soul mate, my best friend and as you will soon see, a very good-looking travel partner. With that I have been incredibly blessed with wonderful in-laws. For those that know them, know this is no joke! Ursula and Dougie are avid travellers and home exchangers. They came to join us in October last year. When they arrived, due to no fault of anyone, the barge they were to use for 3 weeks was suddenly unavailable. We suggested campervanning. After checking rental prices, we decided to buy one.

Unexpectedly - the start of our dream came true!

Life begins as 29?

Its nearly my birthday and we are in the final stretch of getting ready for our Euro Trip. Ames is stopping work next week, I however have still got to the end of the month. I must admit other than the van being ready we pretty much have no clue on on what we are doing. We are just so excited for the adventure.