So seating made now time for the cushions, took a lot of planning as all 3 seats different sizes!! Also had to fold out to make a bed! All sorted and worked as we tried them out on a trip to Angelsy in November xxx

So we knew the seating and bed worked, bedding packed all ready for the off.

                        Van took 2 days to pack, now the whole of our life ( except a few bits left in Rochdale!!!) is in the van xx

Set off today, hope you have seen the video as we said goodbye 👋, set off Cornwall our first stop the drive took 6 hours 50 minutes 360 miles, arrive at  mums White wine waiting, cheers everyone back with you tomorrow

 

Van collected  at the beginning of August, with new pop top, cooker, sink, fridge and cupboards fitted. Now to sort the seating and storage.

Off to my parents in Cornwall as dad was helping us with our plans for the seating down the side of the van, well to be honest dad would be doing most of the sawing and drilling.

Pictures below show the finished kitchen and the making of the seats that turn into a bed (If too cold  to pop the top!!) The last picture is of my amazing dad testing the bed xx

 

So, the 1 week countdown! Been an emotional week, with more tears planned as Jo takes her final Slimmingworld Group after over 12 years! I think we are sorted with what clothes to take, but setting off mid-winter and arriving in Crete early Spring we need a flexible wardrobe. Our car goes back Friday and then a busy few days before we head for the sun on Wednesday.

After buying the van in January, our next visit to the garage was in early March with mum and dad, so dad could measure up for seating and storage.

 

At this time the pop top was fitted, now waiting for floor and units to be fitted!!

Will be May they said the van would be ready! May came and went, June came and went, couple of phone calls for updates, a bit busy they said! fine with us as saving on storage.

July – now really need van as travelling to Cornwall beginning of August may need another call!! Call made date for to pick the van up 1st August, Happy days xx

We had been looking for a campervan for quite some time,however they didn’t meet our needs

Then in January 2018 we found what would be the new addition to our family!

We then had to plan what we wanted, first was have a pop top fitted and the back doors changed to a tailgate.

Then what wanted inside the van, floor colouring, unit colours and trims, grey and black was the choice. Cooker\ sink and fridge to be integrated, just wanted units down one side with no rock and roll bed as we had another plan for seating and pull out bed ( will come back to that soon ) all ordered in January 2018 and we were told would be ready about May!! That was fine with us as saved on secure lock up!

Thanks for joining us as we plan and then travel through Europe in our VW camper to our new home of Crete!

Our proposed 4600 mi trip will take us via the in-laws in Cornwall, before sailing to Santander. Our plan is to circumnavigate Portugal and Spain, France, Italy, Slovenia, Croatia, Montenegro, Albania before finally getting to our new home of Paleochora, South West Crete.

Paleochora is on the south west coast of Crete. The nearest city (and international airport) is Chania, about 70km away on the north coast. The fact that Paleochora is 90 minutes from Chania is one of the reasons why it retains it’s authentic feel and has not become over-developed. When you arrive, you will realise that the journey over the mountains was well worth it.