John's Travel Blogs

Category: WanderLost

  • Van problems and touring mid Italy

    In the last month we have been touring Italy, meeting friends and family, and waiting for the van to be fixed… again!

    Touring Italy

    After spending several days with Patty’s son Julian and his partner Sommer in Rome and then Florence, we then traveled up to Cinque Terre.

    Next, we travelled South to meet friends in Agropoli and then back up to the boat in Fiumicino. Lady Cindy has been lifted out of the water.

    Lady Cindy in Fiumicino

    On the way to Fiumicino, the clutch started making a noise when the pedal was pressed. In Fiumicino we had the clutch replaced and they found missing bolts on the clutch spring plate. The clutch was replaced when the engine was replaced when we were in Wales, so obviously they did a bad job. This is not the first problem with the van since that engine change so you can guess how we feel. But we will put it behind us and optimistically move forward.

    We did a day trip to Rome while waiting for the van. Saw the Spanish steps, visited the John Keats museum (next door to the steps) and the Villa Borghese park.

    Spanish Steps, Rome

    We are now moving North, we are in San Marino at the moment. Its a small Republic surrounded by, but not part of Italy.

    Our plan is to go to Verona, Venice and then travel up through North East Europe.

  • Tivoli – Villa D’Este

    Today we visited Villa D’Este in Tivoli which is a large Renaissance villa from the 16th century famous for its gardens full of fountains and water features. It inspired the Tivoli gardens in Copenhagen .

    Tomorrow Patty’s son arrives with his partner and we will spend a few days in Rome with them.

  • What happened in Wales?

    Last October we stopped sailing in Lady Cindy with the intention of moving to West Wales to complete a three year work contract. Six months later, and we are travelling in a camper van around Europe, and eventually further afield. So what changed?

    Mainly, the job was not as described. I was expecting to be given responsibility, trusted to manage my time, given responsibility for a small budget to get projects started etc. This was not the case and eventually, after being denied an opportunity to discuss issues with the trustees, I resigned.

    While in Wales, Patty and I bought a Renault Master based camper van. Soon after buying it, it developed an engine problem, that is a long story but the bottom line is that we have had a new engine installed as well as new injectors, turbo, clutch etc. We have also done various improvements including a new bed, new water tank etc.

    Our plan is to tour Europe this year, starting where we left off in Lady Cindy, Fiumicino, Rome. At the end of the year, we intend shipping the van to South America where we intend to tour next year. There is more planned that we will reveal nearer the time.

  • A new start in a camper van

    After spending 6 months in West Wales, Patty and I have started our travels again, this time in a Renault Master based camper van. We are currently near Rome having spent the last week preparing Lady Cindy for sale.

    Patty and I will both contribute to this blog, this is just a quick update on whats happening now. In due course, we will blog more about our time in Wales, the van and our future plans.