Got a clear call today via email from the DVLA. It is perfectly legal for a non-UK resident to own a vehicle, you just need an address for correspondence. If you use a friends address, you just need their permission. You don't need any utility bills or anything at that address with your name on it. But we're still keen on buying thru a dealer to make sure the vehicle is a good one. Cheers.
- Sam.
Sunday, January 30, 2005
Wednesday, January 26, 2005
Missed the boat again
It's a bummer, I missed the shark boat. Which is a real shame because my brother said it was the day of the year!
From all accounts there are some big sharks still about, with Pete Kav trying to lift a 4 footer into the boat by the tail as it swam past. It sounds as though it dawned on him that thing might get a little busy once the shark is on the floor of the boat and he had a change of heart! Might go out when we go back to Warrnambool this week.
Back in Ballarat this arvo, it is so much cooler here with rain starting to break, I'm going to go sit in it.
- Sam.
From all accounts there are some big sharks still about, with Pete Kav trying to lift a 4 footer into the boat by the tail as it swam past. It sounds as though it dawned on him that thing might get a little busy once the shark is on the floor of the boat and he had a change of heart! Might go out when we go back to Warrnambool this week.
Back in Ballarat this arvo, it is so much cooler here with rain starting to break, I'm going to go sit in it.
- Sam.
Tuesday, January 25, 2005
Nice website for finding camping spots
Heading out but I just wanted to blog this so we can find it later...
ciao.
http://www.ukcampsite.co.uk
ciao.
http://www.ukcampsite.co.uk
Monday, January 24, 2005
Warrnambool
We're in Warrnambool and the beach weather is amazing. Fish 'n' Chips for tea - more specifically fish 'n' shark. People who know me know how much I hate 'the men in grey coats'.
Speaking of which, we're planning to go offshore tomorrow for some shark fishing with my brother and a mate. Hope we get there, I'll post some photos if something good comes of it.
Off to watch the Tennis.
- Sam.
Speaking of which, we're planning to go offshore tomorrow for some shark fishing with my brother and a mate. Hope we get there, I'll post some photos if something good comes of it.
Off to watch the Tennis.
- Sam.
Sunday, January 23, 2005
To Portland in the roadster
We've had an ace weekend in Portland with Paula's relatives. Thanks to Jock, Nom and the kids for putting up with us!
Here's a photo of some kangaroos at sunset I took whilst taking my young namesake for a drive. Off to Warrnambool to visit my family tomorrow
- Sam.
Portland roos
Here's a photo of some kangaroos at sunset I took whilst taking my young namesake for a drive. Off to Warrnambool to visit my family tomorrow
- Sam.
Portland roos
Saturday, January 22, 2005
Friday, January 21, 2005
My last work day
Well, thats it. My last day at work, and I'm being told just now to get stuffed for smiling so much (in jest). Nice one Thorpey! Lots more well wishes and interest in all things technical, and a farewell speech that included audience participation. It felt a bit like one of those wedding scenes in a movie where the preacher says "should anyone know a good reason why...". No objections to me going tho!
As well as a nice bottle of aussie red wine to take away, I received a set of fluffy dice to hang from the mirror of our motorhome, which was funny. I think I'll post a photo of them tomorrow.
I'm off to try and find a book about fishing in Europe at Amazon. Seem to be buying more and more books this way on the internet.
- Sam.
As well as a nice bottle of aussie red wine to take away, I received a set of fluffy dice to hang from the mirror of our motorhome, which was funny. I think I'll post a photo of them tomorrow.
I'm off to try and find a book about fishing in Europe at Amazon. Seem to be buying more and more books this way on the internet.
- Sam.
Wednesday, January 19, 2005
Pictures in your blog, and getting lost
We have had a few questions about using pictures in your blog. You can use Hello from Picasa to do it (see map lower down in our blog). More directions are here.
-----
Not being from the UK I've been finding it hard to work out where all the motorhome dealers listed last week are located, realtive to London. Have found Multimap a big help. Looks cool for booking hotes too. You just centre the map, and click on the list button, to give a list of local hotels. Neato.
- Sam.
-----
Not being from the UK I've been finding it hard to work out where all the motorhome dealers listed last week are located, realtive to London. Have found Multimap a big help. Looks cool for booking hotes too. You just centre the map, and click on the list button, to give a list of local hotels. Neato.
- Sam.
Tuesday, January 18, 2005
Moulin Rouge and Hire car websites
Well we're off to the Moulin Rouge for Easter, which sure beats turkey and ham. And Sam I am!
Its getting hard to keep the momentum up at work, so I've been trolling around websites of the major car companies. The plan is to hire a small car for 7 days out of London, and find a motorhome. The result has been staggering. You tweak one little parameter, or change from a dotcom site to a dotUK site for the same company, and the rate varies by up to 50%. Best deals so far I've found have been thru AVIS, or by hitting Hertz via the Heathrow website. The differences are weird, but worth the time trying different sites to get a better result.
Tuesday night, so I'm off for my last Pot 'n' Parmigiana Tuesday night at the local Biralee tavern. How European is that?
- Sam.
Its getting hard to keep the momentum up at work, so I've been trolling around websites of the major car companies. The plan is to hire a small car for 7 days out of London, and find a motorhome. The result has been staggering. You tweak one little parameter, or change from a dotcom site to a dotUK site for the same company, and the rate varies by up to 50%. Best deals so far I've found have been thru AVIS, or by hitting Hertz via the Heathrow website. The differences are weird, but worth the time trying different sites to get a better result.
Tuesday night, so I'm off for my last Pot 'n' Parmigiana Tuesday night at the local Biralee tavern. How European is that?
- Sam.
Friday, January 14, 2005
Mobile communications - 'WiFi'
We signed up yesterday for Boingo internet. While travelling this'll allow us to use our Dell PDA and Laptop to connect at 'about a gazillion' hotspots at high speed for a flat monthly fee. Which is pretty cool. I'm out in the wild lands of Wodonga for another week- but hope to test it out in Melbourne after that. Australia has pretty poor WiFi capability in its rural areas compared to other countries, which is pretty lame. It seems like a pretty good revenue stream for business operators to me.
I'm off to research how to make International phone calls over the Internet with Skype. More later.
- Sam
I'm off to research how to make International phone calls over the Internet with Skype. More later.
- Sam
Thursday, January 13, 2005
YHA and travel insurance
Joined the YHA just now, for about AUD$100 for the two of us.
I didnt feel like we were getting much as we werent really planning on hostelling - until it saved me over $400 on travel insurance thorough their partner deal with QBE insurance! Not sure if we got a good deal, or if non-YHA folks are just paying way too much. No stressing now that our items such as jewellery and the laptop are covered. The trick is that by funneling the whole thing thru an AmericanExpress card with Membership rewards, theres a heap more frequent flyers clocked up. We'll need to take a holiday when we get home to use them up.
Maybe its time for some facial and pec implants overseas =]
- Sam.
I didnt feel like we were getting much as we werent really planning on hostelling - until it saved me over $400 on travel insurance thorough their partner deal with QBE insurance! Not sure if we got a good deal, or if non-YHA folks are just paying way too much. No stressing now that our items such as jewellery and the laptop are covered. The trick is that by funneling the whole thing thru an AmericanExpress card with Membership rewards, theres a heap more frequent flyers clocked up. We'll need to take a holiday when we get home to use them up.
Maybe its time for some facial and pec implants overseas =]
- Sam.
Wednesday, January 12, 2005
The end is nigh.
Well, I received what was probably my second last pay-slip for a very long time this morning. That felt odd. Sniff..
I'll miss a lot of people amongst the biggest private company in the world (no more Catholic Church jokes!). I'll especially miss the intellect and quick humour. So many well wishes and jests of jealousy. A lot of people need a bit more time off during their lives I think.
It's hard to imagine not pulling into the carpark on Jan 24th. So I'll occupy my brain with thoughts of the Portugese Algarve instead.
- Sam
I'll miss a lot of people amongst the biggest private company in the world (no more Catholic Church jokes!). I'll especially miss the intellect and quick humour. So many well wishes and jests of jealousy. A lot of people need a bit more time off during their lives I think.
It's hard to imagine not pulling into the carpark on Jan 24th. So I'll occupy my brain with thoughts of the Portugese Algarve instead.
- Sam
The Vagrants, and Visa requirements
Well, we're officially vagrants now. We finalised our lease on our previous rental property, and are living out of a suitcase whilst babysitting a friend's place in Wodonga (she's in Japan).
Paula's off to the dentist tomorrow, for a last dash at having some wisdom teeth out before heading off into the cold. Not sure what's worse, the real estate agent's lack of due-diligence and professionalism thoughout the ordeal, or a dentist trip.
----
Was getting worried that we wouldn't be allowed into the UK - we only have a ticket in and out 10 months apart with no proof of moving on inbetween. A quick email to the site below has confirmed that we'll be fine, we just need to prove that we can afford to move on. Which is ok - so all's well.
Visa requirements can be checked here
Paula's off to the dentist tomorrow, for a last dash at having some wisdom teeth out before heading off into the cold. Not sure what's worse, the real estate agent's lack of due-diligence and professionalism thoughout the ordeal, or a dentist trip.
----
Was getting worried that we wouldn't be allowed into the UK - we only have a ticket in and out 10 months apart with no proof of moving on inbetween. A quick email to the site below has confirmed that we'll be fine, we just need to prove that we can afford to move on. Which is ok - so all's well.
Visa requirements can be checked here
Tuesday, January 11, 2005
More on the Itinerary
I thought it might be a good idea to post an image of our intended journey, we've been getting a few questions on the 20degree theory. Add some side trips, and thats pretty much it.
Going to Iceland at some stage is a big dream of Paula's and I have to agree it'd be great, so I'm off to do some research.
- Sam.
Monday, January 10, 2005
Keeping Busy - Motorhome links
Its been really hot here, so I've been keeping busy by compiling a list of Motorhome vendors. Check back in Feb if you want to see our travel diary, it's all just prep stuff 'til then.
http://www.americanmotorhomes.co.uk
http://www.bromleymotorcaravans.com/motor.asp
http://www.brownhills.co.uk/
http://www.caravanfinder.co.uk/enter.html
http://www.chelstonmotorhomes.co.uk/
http://www.clevelandmotorhomes.co.uk/preownedpage.html
http://www.donamott.com/
http://www.firstchoicemotorhomes.com/
http://www.gbmotorhomes.com/
http://www.hallsmotorhomes.co.uk/
http://www.hayesleisure.co.uk/
http://www.jcleisure.co.uk/
http://www.johnscross.co.uk/
http://www.marquismotorhomes.co.uk/
http://www.motorcaravans-motorhomes.co.uk
http://www.motorhomedeals.co.uk/
http://www.newleisurevehicles.co.uk/usedveh.html
http://www.omcmotorhomes.co.uk/
http://www.zednet.co.uk/selectfirst/
http://www.southdownsmotorcaravans.co.uk
http://www.southernmotorhomes.co.uk/stocklist.shtml
http://www.tynevalley.net/
http://www.westcountry-motorhomes.co.uk/
http://www.westcroftmotorhomes.com
http://www.wilkinsmotorcaravans.co.uk/
http://www.americanmotorhomes.co.uk
http://www.bromleymotorcaravans.com/motor.asp
http://www.brownhills.co.uk/
http://www.caravanfinder.co.uk/enter.html
http://www.chelstonmotorhomes.co.uk/
http://www.clevelandmotorhomes.co.uk/preownedpage.html
http://www.donamott.com/
http://www.firstchoicemotorhomes.com/
http://www.gbmotorhomes.com/
http://www.hallsmotorhomes.co.uk/
http://www.hayesleisure.co.uk/
http://www.jcleisure.co.uk/
http://www.johnscross.co.uk/
http://www.marquismotorhomes.co.uk/
http://www.motorcaravans-motorhomes.co.uk
http://www.motorhomedeals.co.uk/
http://www.newleisurevehicles.co.uk/usedveh.html
http://www.omcmotorhomes.co.uk/
http://www.zednet.co.uk/selectfirst/
http://www.southdownsmotorcaravans.co.uk
http://www.southernmotorhomes.co.uk/stocklist.shtml
http://www.tynevalley.net/
http://www.westcountry-motorhomes.co.uk/
http://www.westcroftmotorhomes.com
http://www.wilkinsmotorcaravans.co.uk/
Sunday, January 09, 2005
The story so far
This weblog is an online diary of our year in Europe, due to start shortly.
Paula and I will fly to the UK on the 17th of Feb, and stay in London for a few days to ditch our jetlag. We then plan to pick up a motorhome and get down to Portugal and Spain as quickly as possible. We'll miss Kelby the wonderdog - he's staying with Paula's parents in their nice big yard.
From there we are to meet my wife's family in Milan for Paula's birthday, then move on up thru Germany to have midsummer in Scandinavia by July. After visiting our friends, we plan to follow the warm weather back down thru europe to end the year around Italy and Greece.For now we're calling it the "20degree theory" as thats the temperature we're trying to roughly chase (in celsius!) as we move up and back down the map of europe throughout the year. We'll see how it holds up.
And there isnt much more to say than that, it's just us, two suitcases, a laptop and some credit cards.
Paula and I will fly to the UK on the 17th of Feb, and stay in London for a few days to ditch our jetlag. We then plan to pick up a motorhome and get down to Portugal and Spain as quickly as possible. We'll miss Kelby the wonderdog - he's staying with Paula's parents in their nice big yard.
From there we are to meet my wife's family in Milan for Paula's birthday, then move on up thru Germany to have midsummer in Scandinavia by July. After visiting our friends, we plan to follow the warm weather back down thru europe to end the year around Italy and Greece.For now we're calling it the "20degree theory" as thats the temperature we're trying to roughly chase (in celsius!) as we move up and back down the map of europe throughout the year. We'll see how it holds up.
And there isnt much more to say than that, it's just us, two suitcases, a laptop and some credit cards.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)