I'm a Pikey

[Lostandfound]

After four years of floating between beach bars in the Eastern Med I set sail westwards, planning to reach the UK. We got to Barcelona and stopped for a couple of beers. A year later we were still there. All very pleasant, living on board s boat in Port Vell, but I fancied a change.

With the pound on its arse at 1.09 e I sold the boat in Euros and decided to try my hand at motorhoming. Not being a motorhomist. Salesmen practically ignored by requests for wuotes in new models at the NEC (people in shorts n flip flops don't spend 100k + on motorhomes, obviously)

anyway. I ended up buying this



It's 7.9m lol ng. 5 tonne. With 3 l diesel engine a

irs second hand. 2011 with 12k miles and lots of toys. I swapped out the single leisure battery for teo heavy duty gel batteries plus put a 120w solar panel on roof. The gas was also changed to twin refillable LPG tanks

In theory it's self contained enough to move to the forest snd live off wild rabbits. In practice I can be off grid with cold beers, hot food and warm showers for a month or two at a time

after a few trial trips and some waranty works we set off to Greece in April this year, returning to UK in end September Will pist some pucs and info on stops

[Lostandfound]

Lake east of Limoges. Camped here for a couple of weeks. Nothing to do but swim(naked even :-)) in the lake 2-3km a day and cycle 12km into local town (clothed) to buy produce and wine.

[Lostandfound]

At the lakeside camping. Almost deserted in September. Theres a gas outlet on side of van so all cooking bestvdone outside

[Lostandfound]

The lake. Water temp 14-16c. It took a minute of relaxing in water before starting open water swim
the 600m across but it feels good once you find your stride. The site was mostly dutch naturists so no need to worry about swimming trunks Oddly this helps with the cold.

[Lostandfound]

Ive not bothered taking any sorry. These are off the sales details

[Lostandfound]

Driving position

[David48atTD]

Driving position

I know they drive on the right in Europe ... but on the side !

BTW, nice ride.

[yortyiam]

Good luck with your new adventure toy, L&F.

[Lostandfound]

I phone. What can I say :-)

im in KL at the moment and can't wait to return to Europe. Even an ice cold dip in Wales beats what's on offer here. Not to mention the food


Camp cooking........

[Begbie]

What do you do with the contents of the camper toilet?

I suspect you wait until after dark and pump it into the nearest ditch or garden then make your getaway.

[misskit]

Great looking motorhome you've got there. Must be much more comfortable than living on the water.

Let us see some more pics of your adventure!

[Lostandfound]

You mean it needs emptying?

[Lostandfound]

Lac de Castillon great swimming.

[SKkin]

What do you do with the contents of the camper toilet?

Most campgrounds have dump stations...at least here in the States.

decided to try my hand at motorhoming.

I wanted to do this upon retirement but the wife is not on board with the idea.

I know they drive on the right in Europe ... but on the side !

BTW, nice ride.

I've had a couple pics I tried to post do that on the side thing too. Could not figure out why so gave up and trashed the posts.

I agree on the "nice ride."

[Lostandfound]

Camping at lac Castillon. Nearest town a bugger of a cycle rode approx 1000m descent/ascent. But Castellane is a beautiful town in Hautes Alpes

[Lostandfound]

Breakfast view

[Lostandfound]

River Beaume in Ardeche. Over a month here. Mostly swimming in the river and drinking excellent wine

[Luigi]

Lucky fooker.


Well done lad. Enjoy it! Beautiful part of the world to do it in.

[Lostandfound]

Pont du Diable in upper Ardeche. Touristy but great swimming and nice local village

[Lostandfound]

Very touristy pont d'arc on Ardeche. We did a couple of days kayaking descent of river. God fun. Some wasy rapids and just two capsizes

[Lostandfound]

More camp cooking. Yes. I was in the Scouts. No. I never got my cooking badge.

[Chittychangchang]

Living the dream there L&F.
Nice thread and pics, hardly a Pikey van more like glamping.

[SKkin]

L&F how do diesel vs. gasoline prices compare in Europe?

At one time here in the States diesel was cheaper than gas. Not so anymore.



(not current prices)

[Maanaam]

In practice I can be off grid with cold beers, hot food and warm showers for a month or two at a time

Living the dream.

[Lostandfound]

Diesel is generally between 1.20 and 1.70 euros a litre. Motorways in Italy being the most expensive. Without getting too hung up on costs, 120 quid filling the tank gives me easy 500 miles. 10-15% more if I tease it

LPG for cooking and to run fridge freezer and heating/ hot water if no electric hook up was under 50 quid for six months on board

in total I spent 800 quid insurance, roughly 20 quid a day on site fees, £700 on repairs and about £1000 on routine servicing inc motor. Cheaper than playing with boats by a factor of 6!