Magic Moments in the van

[Euromobil]

We have all had them, magic simple moments whilst away in our motorhomes, stuck at home my mind wandered and came up with a couple.

Wilding on a beach in Portugal, small boat fishing off shore. When landed he sold (practically gave) me a carrier bag of fish that I BBQd on the beach.

Wilding in a remote Spanish village miles from tourist spots we were in the church car park, along came a chap on a quad bike and stopped, I thought this is where we get moved on, nope he presented us with a large handful of mushrooms he had been gathering, Cooked in butter and garlic on fried bread with a glass of local vino. Bliss. To top it all, later that evening him mum of 90ish walked down and invited us up to her tiny home for coffee.

How about you ??

 

[irnbru]

Oh its got to be the first time driving south knowing we were finally heading to France. I along with the help of other funsters had finally persuaded mum to go. I had a massive grin all the way south.

 

[DiggerJon]

A campsite at Arcachon with the huge dune on our doorstep, sitting reading a book in the shade with a cold lager to hand. As the sun started to set, my wife and I climbed the dune and sat atop watching the sun go down in a wonderful blaze as we quaffed a glorious "plastic"of wine. Bliss!

 

[Geistguy]

Waking up in the Scottish Highlands, opening the roof blind above the bed to see a magnificent stag looking down at us from a rock face. An unforgettable moment.

 

[Spriddler]

I parked for the night on the quay at St Vaast and chatted to the fishermen about their sacks of mussels awaiting collection.
Came back later from a stroll in town to find a bag of them beside my door.

---------------

Early morning walks with my pal on the South Downs from a favourite wild spot. Absolute peace and quiet.

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[JohnJan]

A campsite at Arcachon with the huge dune on our doorstep, sitting reading a book in the shade with a cold lager to hand. As the sun started to set, my wife and I climbed the dune and sat atop watching the sun go down in a wonderful blaze as we quaffed a glorious "plastic"of wine. Bliss!

Ditto!

 

[FIDGET]

Whilst on Mortagne sur Gironde aire , met lovely couple of funsters marpool , who let me have there ehu when they left , whilst parked there we had an annoying branch scraping on our roof mostly at night (nothing to do with van rocking!!) no ladder so couldn't get up to roof & tree not strong enough to climb. In morn mentioned to another old french neighbour in my broken parley vous and a lot of hand gestures , thought nothing of it , until we got back from our walk , to find frenchie had tied a small saw to his fishing rod and proceeded to cut the affending branch down, so gave him my thanks and a couple of beers , some nice peeps about .

 

[peterc10]

Sunset over what is left of the Mulberry harbour at Arromanches in Normandy last summer. Taken from the Aire on top of the cliffs where we were staying. Very mixed emotions. I suspect the view wasn't that peaceful 75 years before

 

[peterc10]

On a happier note.........

Falling asleep to the sounds of the waves breaking on the beach below at this little cove at Sagres on the South West tip of Portugal. The lovely food and wine we had consumed at a little beach bar 100 yards away helped too.

This was the view in the morning

 

[WynandJean]

I have two recollections of note (neither of which fit the 'magical' category!). The first was when a neighbouring Frenchman on an air came rushing over to me brandishing a knife! I had been in the act of filling my water tank and he realised my hose had developed a visibly expanding bulge and he was rushing to cut it and reconnect it before my money at the bourne ran out!
Another was on an aire at Boulogne where I had filled my water tank, pitched up, showed an arriving Dutchman where the bourne was then walked into town. Later that evening returned to the van to see a note on my windscreen. It was from the Dutchman. He assumed as mine was the only British van on the aire that the debit card which I had left in the bourne belonged to me and I could collect it from his van at the top end. I was SO grateful.

Wyn

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[marrod23]

Reading all of these makes you realise what motorhomes are for pictures can't put into words

 

[Euromobil]

Sunset over what is left of the Mulberry harbour at Arromanches in Normandy last summer. Taken from the Aire on top of the cliffs where we were staying. Very mixed emotions. I suspect the view wasn't that peaceful 75 years before

View attachment 378505

We used to volunteer at Lochnagar Crater on The Somme, the largest hole ever made by man in anger. Sometimes we would stay the night to keep an eye on mowers etc, waking up to a sunlit dawn it was hard to imagine that on July 1st 1916 nearly 20,000 men were killed in a morning, of which 2000+ happened during the attack on La Boisselle. when we get out of lockdown

well worth a visit if in Northern France

 

[denisejoe]

Watching the sunset from the aire on il de re. Was absolutely beautiful watching the sun alongside the bridge.

 

[peterc10]

Watching the sunset from the aire on il de re. Was absolutely beautiful watching the sun alongside the bridge.

Watched the sunset with ShiftZZ and dabhand on the Ile de Re a couple of years ago, but from a beach bar ................................ so good we all had to go back a couple of times more just to make sure .............................

 

[Leakylunar]

Haven’t any yet as we only bought Bilbo last September but reading all the post can’t wait to make my own magic moments soon??

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[hilldweller]

Our first trip to Italy in the van. To Monza, the race track to watch World Superbikes. So we arrived at the circuit camp site, a lovely little forest, because it started life as park. I think there were two of us. Peaceful, idyllic. Next day it started, bike after bike, MH after MH. Not an inch of grass to be seen. Some big groups cordoned off and are, set up a full kitchen and set to partying. And we did not sleep a wink until we left.

But it was incredible, exciting. We even got talking to an Australian who had ridden from Oz.

What an experience.

At the other end of the spectrum, same year or the next one, we were driving through Switzerland and saw "camping" down a track. We drove down and there was this meadow full of overgrown "Wendy" houses, all with their gnomes guarding them and some camping spots with a Portakabin shower block. Not a soul around. We parked up and eventually someone arrived and took some Sf off us. What was staggering here was the sheer beauty and near total silence, just a trickle of water and cow bells in the distance. The showers were first class too.

 

[WESTY66]

Be

We used to volunteer at Lochnagar Crater on The Somme, the largest hole ever made by man in anger. Sometimes we would stay the night to keep an eye on mowers etc, waking up to a sunlit dawn it was hard to imagine that on July 1st 1916 nearly 20,000 men were killed in a morning, of which 2000+ happened during the attack on La Boisselle. when we get out of lockdownView attachment 378515View attachment 378515 well worth a visit if in Northern France

Been a few times, well worth a visit?

 

[Nasher]

The more I read on this forum, the more I am convinced I am not a motorhomer

My motorhome is a vehicle to transport me & my toys to where I want to be and provide somewhere to cook, eat & sleep when I get there (other things such as number 1's & 2's etc. as well!)

The magic moments I have had in my life and I'm pleased to say there have been thousands, have absolutely nothing to do with the motorhome

Sure it's convenient, but I could do the same trips staying in hotels & either driving a car or flying to my destinations, shipping my toys to my destination where necessary

I got into motohoming as a way of getting accommodation for the Isle of man TT & Classic TT/Manx Grand Prix - accommodation is very difficult to come by on a small island which lost it's mainstream tourism to the packaged holiday, years ago (I spend at least 4 weeks in the Isle of man every year) . It worked well, so I got a bigger & better van to make things easier and use it for my hobbies, pastimes, events (mainly motorcycle related) and trips to see friends , relatives, etc. plus it's my daily drive

I read of motorhomers who wander around the UK, Europe & further afield clearly enjoying it, but it's not for me - Dignitas would be a preferred option!

When I get off the ferry, I drive as quickly as possible to get to my destination, from there I do the things I'm there to do (snowboarding, paragliding, etc) that's where the magic moments happen - not in the box in wheels

Now, I realise we are all different & I am certainly not criticising what other people do with their motorhomes. What I'd like to know is am I the only one who feels this way?

Pics are a couple of my magic moments:

 

[KiwiKampers]

I read of motorhomers who wander around the UK, Europe & further afield clearly enjoying it, but it's not for me - Dignitas would be a preferred option!

I suspect that when you reach a certain maturity you will appreciate why many motorhomers enjoy exploring new territory, discovering local and social history and appreciating the world’s natural beauty. It is infinitely preferable to death.

 

[Nasher]

I suspect that when you reach a certain maturity you will appreciate why many motorhomers enjoy exploring new territory, discovering local and social history and appreciating the world’s natural beauty. It is infinitely preferable to death.

I tried growing up once, most boring 10 minutes of my entire life

You know what they say: "You're only once, but you can be immature forever"

For the record, I spent my 65th birthday skateboarding in a T shirt with "re-cycled teenager" printed on it?

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[Euromobil]

The more I read on this forum, the more I am convinced I am not a motorhomer

Yep tend to agree with you, your not

 

[Bobby dazzler]

It's as much about the journey to me. And the 312d sprinter has been such a amazing vehicle what ever I've asked of it. Great times and great times ahead hopefully.

 

[Jaws]

So many, but one springs to mind...
On the road on the way back from Spain, we stopped for the night at a motorway garage

Mo started doing some grub, and right then a wagon pulled on the space beside us'
Driver jumped out and knocked on the door..
Spanish chap, asked if he was too close..
As long as we can open the door its fine.. no worries but thank you for asking

Door closed and Maureen says 'oh sod it, forgot to get tomatoes !

10 seconds later the driver knocks on the door again..

Excuse me, but would you like these ? I have 10 tons of them back there

And presented us with a couple of kilos of cherry toms !!

 

[Vipar]

Haven’t had a magic moment in the van yet ??

 

[Gaston aires]

It seems to me that a lot of magic moments end up drinking wine. Great so far.
A small aire near the Millau bridge overlooking Peyre. Wonderful views in the evening, fantastic views first thing in the morning watching the bridge come into view when the mist cleared.
Phil

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[Nasher]

It's as much about the journey to me. And the 312d sprinter has been such a amazing vehicle what ever I've asked of it. Great times and great times ahead hopefully.

We are all different, but like you, I also love my van (Pug Boxer) and she does everything I demand of her, including 1000 mile journeys only stopping for fuel & ferry (normally the first 500-600 miles of which are non stop & then having to stop for fuel)

I fully agree with you sentiments about "great times ahead" but reading this forum, many on here are all doom, gloom, moaning & ranting - not you & me, keep smiling Chipspie?

 

[Sus3v]

We stopped to take a look.
Unexpectedly tearful at the messages which it would have been disrespectful to photograph.
and I love moors and mountains

what others gave for us

 

[Notts Archer]

Sunset at Wimeraux, a favourite night or two stop over before catching the Eurotunnel back home after our tours.

 

[hilldweller]

The more I read on this forum, the more I am convinced I am not a motorhomer

The King's New Clothes again.

You want to get away and do things.

Some just want to get away.

The MH is just a tool for all of us.

 

[marrod23]

The more I read on this forum, the more I am convinced I am not a motorhomer

My motorhome is a vehicle to transport me & my toys to where I want to be and provide somewhere to cook, eat & sleep when I get there (other things such as number 1's & 2's etc. as well!)

The magic moments I have had in my life and I'm pleased to say there have been thousands, have absolutely nothing to do with the motorhome

Sure it's convenient, but I could do the same trips staying in hotels & either driving a car or flying to my destinations, shipping my toys to my destination where necessary

I got into motohoming as a way of getting accommodation for the Isle of man TT & Classic TT/Manx Grand Prix - accommodation is very difficult to come by on a small island which lost it's mainstream tourism to the packaged holiday, years ago (I spend at least 4 weeks in the Isle of man every year) . It worked well, so I got a bigger & better van to make things easier and use it for my hobbies, pastimes, events (mainly motorcycle related) and trips to see friends , relatives, etc. plus it's my daily drive

I read of motorhomers who wander around the UK, Europe & further afield clearly enjoying it, but it's not for me - Dignitas would be a preferred option!

When I get off the ferry, I drive as quickly as possible to get to my destination, from there I do the things I'm there to do (snowboarding, paragliding, etc) that's where the magic moments happen - not in the box in wheels

Now, I realise we are all different & I am certainly not criticising what other people do with their motorhomes. What I'd like to know is am I the only one who feels this way?

Pics are a couple of my magic moments:
View attachment 378633View attachment 378634

To a lot of us older folk that's far to energetic have you ever tried to audition for James Bond

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