Van Blanc

Rosie is very fond of viewing the World from on high. The roof of the caravan is her usual vantage point, but any thing suitable will be used, including the Cats Protection van.

Cats rule OK

 

The Blue Lagoon

Another tourist attraction is the Blue Lagoon. This is a large semi-natural swimming pool using water from a hot spring. The picture shows Andrew and Grant enjoying the murky waters.

Some like it hot

 

Matt in Iceland

It did not rain all of the time! This is Matt enjoying dry and seasonal weather against a back-drop of typical Icelandic terrain. Not Matt’s first visit to Iceland, but the last occasion (in 1971) was strictly business with a minimum of site-seeing.

It was not cold, really

 

Reykjavik Street and Cathedral

The capital of Iceland has several points of interest, and lots of tourist shops. The spectacular concrete Cathedral at the top of the street shown here really is not to be missed, as is the view from the clock at the top of its tower.

A different use for concrete!

 

Credit Cards at the ready!

On the last night we eat out. Good food and reasonably priced by Icelandic standards.

Whale meat again?

 

Gosh, I hope it fits

Damson Rest faces west, and has little between it and the Ural Mountains! Consequently the patio doors on the main bedroom (first floor) are subject to very high wind pressure. Leaks made replacement of the 30 year-old originals essential. The picture shows the huge hole in the front of the house during the replacement work.

Mind the gap

 

Just another Tequila Sunrise

In the desert, near a Mexican town called Saltillo, is this factory where Matt spent two days providing training during the production ‘set-up’ phase. It was a wonderful experience, and a sample of yet another culture/life style.

Desert landscape

 

Here today and somewhere else tomorrow

The Buccaneer had its first UK outing following its return from France. It is seen here outside the Caravan Club site at Garliston (on the East side of the Mull of Galloway). Matt’s new toy, a timber folding boat, is being carried on the roof rails of the Frontera.

Serious equipment

 

The pleasure unfolds

As Alan looks on Matt completes assembly of the folding boat on the beach at Port Logan. The ancient Honda 2hp outboard (first used eight years previously) was brought back into service for several jaunts around Port Logan bay.

And thence to the Inn

 

2.5 million visitiors each year

Dugald and Elizabeth made a return visit to Dinan and stayed with us in the Caravan. One of our outings was to Mont St Michel, about 50 km from the caravan site.

Prepare for a climb

 

Extra this year

Those of you who have known us for some time will remember Patience, our first cat. She was pictured in 1974 on Ektachrome with Pentax; now copied to digital.

Remember me?

 

 

 

Iceland weekend

Iceland is famous for its hot springs and geisers. The picture shows one of the more famous examples blowing, as it does every few minutes. Indeed the entire are around this location is dotted with hot springs large and small.

The old Geiser is in this picture

 

The Rift

One of the most improbable sights on the most remarkable island of Iceland is this rift in the Earth’s crust. The rock faces on each side are moving apart at about 1cm each year as the surface is pushed up by sub-terrainian pressures. Yes, it was raining; left to right – Andrew, Kirstin, Grant.

No wise-cracks, please

 

Our Penthouse apartment

You may only do this sort of thing once, so do it right. We rented a very up-market apartment for our stay (don’t ask!). It was warm and immensely comfortable – a pleasurable experience all round!

Meal time - definitely not al fresco

 

The Gullfoss Falls

This immense waterfall has been created by another surface rift. It has two stages – one with a 10 metre drop, followed by huge 60 metre plunge that creates a mist of droplets. The noise is just as memorable as the scene.

Not Reichenbach; Holmes would not have survived

 

Let’s swap

If you have been paying attention over the last few years you will know that we have two caravans, one in France and one in the UK. It was time to bring the 15 year-old Buccaneer back for much needed maintenance, and replace with the 2004 Avondale (on the left). The rare sight of these two units together has echoes of the picture of the Buccaneer and Bailey on the Christmas 2003 web page.

Separate caravans?

 

Time for another change

Our second Fiesta (see Christmas 2004 web page) was OK, though due for welding at its next MoT. Problems with the rear brakes finally convinced Matt that he no longer enjoyed tinkering with old cars. Thus we bought the new Matiz, with three-year’s everything.

I love baseball, hot-dogs, apple pie and ?

 

At the seat of Government

Kirstin and Matt joined a local Codsall group for a visit to London and ‘Tea on the Terrace’ at the Houses of Parliament. The picture shows Matt trying to look like a serious ‘political’ person.

Checking for sleaze?

 

Happy Camping

A gathering in the awning at Garliston. Clockwise from bottom left we have Alan, Judy, Kirstin’s mother and Kirstin.

And convival surroundings

 

Somewhere in rural France

Matt’s life-long friend Dugald, and his wife Elizabeth, live in this wonderful French farmhouse (see also the 2006 page). This year we took the caravan there (see the far left of the picture) and stayed for a couple of days.

Things don’t get much better than this

 

Make yourself at home

Cats, mainly not feral, are a common sight at the caravan park we use. This example, a cross-eyed Siamese, was very friendly and knew how to ingratiate himself into our (albeit temporary) care. Elizabeth named him ‘Clarence’.

Waiting for the next lot of food.