My birthday and a few details about the last 5 years
2018-02-24 So 2 landmarks Birthday and 5 years since retiring and "Semigrating" !
A very nice day yesterday.
Nice food at home, beer and wine.!
All in all very good..
Living here in Thailand for 6 months in the drier season(s) is good. House is now 100%
Living in the Motorhome in the UK summer has also been very good.
Nida's son has worked well at the University in Uttaradit and we expect he will complete his work placement in May as one of the final hurdles.
A bit of history 4U
Year 1
2013 March and April 2 months in Thailand getting work done on the house here
2103 May to September longish Motorhome trip to France then back to Maidenhead to get the house ready for letting.
Also get about "half the house contents" shipped to Thailand
2013 Oct Nov Dec more big work on the house getting a surrounding wall built and gate made and fitted.
2014 Mid-January Fly to New Zealand for an excellent motorhome holiday (2 weeks on each Island)
2014 May Fly UK
A very nice day yesterday.
Nice food at home, beer and wine.!
All in all very good..
Living here in Thailand for 6 months in the drier season(s) is good. House is now 100%
Living in the Motorhome in the UK summer has also been very good.
Nida's son has worked well at the University in Uttaradit and we expect he will complete his work placement in May as one of the final hurdles.
A bit of history 4U
Year 1
2013 March and April 2 months in Thailand getting work done on the house here
2103 May to September longish Motorhome trip to France then back to Maidenhead to get the house ready for letting.
Also get about "half the house contents" shipped to Thailand
2013 Oct Nov Dec more big work on the house getting a surrounding wall built and gate made and fitted.
2014 Mid-January Fly to New Zealand for an excellent motorhome holiday (2 weeks on each Island)
2014 May Fly UK
So a selection of pictures..No captions..Make some guesses !
One clue we have used the motorhomes pictured..but where ?
One clue we have used the motorhomes pictured..but where ?
Year 2
2014 May Fly back to UK collect MoHo for our first full summer of "long-terming"
2 major additions firstly solar panel (May) so we can "wild-camp" more, secondly a refillable LPG gas system.(July) so we can fill up throughout most of Europe at a fuel station. Calor is not available in Europe and whilst It is possible to buy "foreign bottles" this is hassle and unreliable and only really Ok if you stay mainly in France or Spain. Although the installation and kit is not cheap it paid for itself in 2 years as LPG at a petrol station is half the price of calor and then there is the convenience factor !
We toured Scotland from May to the end of July. A really nice trip and our first "Motorhome Rally" near Inverness.
So back to Maidenhead to visit Thai Embassy in London (Visa),
Then a long trip to Romania ...
We drove via France Belgium Germany Austria and Hungary stopping for overnights (sometimes 2)
Germany is great for stopovers as is Austria (also very very nice) Hungary was fine and the thermal baths very good.
Romania was not to our liking (too much rubbish, poor roads, Limited overnight/camping) however there were several highlights (Turda Gorge, Calnic and Viscri fortified churches, Sighisoara of Vlad the impaler notoreity and the Bear Sanctuary at Zarnesti, finally the roman site at Sarmizegetusa We drove back to the UK not exactly retracing our route but similar.
2014 October Fly to Thailand for a quiet winter. More work on the house nothing huge but "proper Electrics"
Our time in Thailand punctuated by the need to exit and re-enter Thailand for visa purposes. Quite a nice trip to the border with Laos but a bit fussy and 2 visits needed !
2014 May Fly back to UK collect MoHo for our first full summer of "long-terming"
2 major additions firstly solar panel (May) so we can "wild-camp" more, secondly a refillable LPG gas system.(July) so we can fill up throughout most of Europe at a fuel station. Calor is not available in Europe and whilst It is possible to buy "foreign bottles" this is hassle and unreliable and only really Ok if you stay mainly in France or Spain. Although the installation and kit is not cheap it paid for itself in 2 years as LPG at a petrol station is half the price of calor and then there is the convenience factor !
We toured Scotland from May to the end of July. A really nice trip and our first "Motorhome Rally" near Inverness.
So back to Maidenhead to visit Thai Embassy in London (Visa),
Then a long trip to Romania ...
We drove via France Belgium Germany Austria and Hungary stopping for overnights (sometimes 2)
Germany is great for stopovers as is Austria (also very very nice) Hungary was fine and the thermal baths very good.
Romania was not to our liking (too much rubbish, poor roads, Limited overnight/camping) however there were several highlights (Turda Gorge, Calnic and Viscri fortified churches, Sighisoara of Vlad the impaler notoreity and the Bear Sanctuary at Zarnesti, finally the roman site at Sarmizegetusa We drove back to the UK not exactly retracing our route but similar.
2014 October Fly to Thailand for a quiet winter. More work on the house nothing huge but "proper Electrics"
Our time in Thailand punctuated by the need to exit and re-enter Thailand for visa purposes. Quite a nice trip to the border with Laos but a bit fussy and 2 visits needed !
Year 3
2015 May Fly to UK
A summer of Hassle
Hassles No1 and No2
I had somewhat foolishly agreed that an Aussie (ex UK) couple could borrow the MoHo for 3 weeks. This started whilst we were in Thailand (11 nights) so we had to stay in a travelodge (Maidenhead) for 3 nights and then a week in a Chalet at Hurley although we had to pay for this the advantage would be that we would get to use theirs for 3 weeks (more later). However due to crass stupidity they left the awning open and unattended and the wind got up and the result was FUBAR (American GI slang for "broke"). So an insurance job find accommodation again near the specified garage (Buckingham) for a week. The borrowing couple paid for all...BUT the inconvenience was huge further complicated by me getting a chest infection and Nida being unwell causing us to rush back to Maidenhead to see the doctor (fortunately the MoHo was repaired early).
We then had a quiet few weeks touring Wales before Hassle No3
Well not really hassle.. We were committed to letting a NZ couple use MoHo for 2 weeks in July . Not really hassle but our payback to them as we had used theirs in NZ. They were on a grand European tour and were arriving in UK Friday lunchtime by ferry in Dover.
Given how good and helpful they had been to us in NZ and the difficulty of them getting to Maidenhead we arranged to collect them at the Port
This was fine and indeed worked out well, as usual the M25 was doing its "Carpark impersonation" but we got them to Maidenhead and showed them the Campsite.
All 4 of came to Hurley for us to check in to a chalet and unload our stuff etc They then drove the MoHo back to Maidenhead.
So we had 2 weeks in Hurley Riverside Park.. Very nice chalets and reasonably handy for Maidenhead. A restful time and also lots of items sorted (doctor checkup Visa run to London dealing with address changes.)
MoHo returned OK at end of July so we went to France for the Summer...a very pleasant and relaxing low mileage trip !
last UK event was to drive and stay near Gloucester before putting MoHo in storage at Newent.
2015 September 1 night in a hotel followed by Coach to LHR and Flight to Thailand !
So we returned to the house in Thailand all well..
2015 December..MoHo payback
We flew direct from Bangkok to Perth and 2 nights in a B&B
The Aussie couple collected us and drove to Freemantle (where they live) and so a 3 Week Aussie adventure (see website)..
All was well (mainly) for 3 weeks
Perth was nice SW WA was indeed very nice so it all worked in the end.
Back to Thailand for Christmas. More odds and ends in the house
2015 May Fly to UK
A summer of Hassle
Hassles No1 and No2
I had somewhat foolishly agreed that an Aussie (ex UK) couple could borrow the MoHo for 3 weeks. This started whilst we were in Thailand (11 nights) so we had to stay in a travelodge (Maidenhead) for 3 nights and then a week in a Chalet at Hurley although we had to pay for this the advantage would be that we would get to use theirs for 3 weeks (more later). However due to crass stupidity they left the awning open and unattended and the wind got up and the result was FUBAR (American GI slang for "broke"). So an insurance job find accommodation again near the specified garage (Buckingham) for a week. The borrowing couple paid for all...BUT the inconvenience was huge further complicated by me getting a chest infection and Nida being unwell causing us to rush back to Maidenhead to see the doctor (fortunately the MoHo was repaired early).
We then had a quiet few weeks touring Wales before Hassle No3
Well not really hassle.. We were committed to letting a NZ couple use MoHo for 2 weeks in July . Not really hassle but our payback to them as we had used theirs in NZ. They were on a grand European tour and were arriving in UK Friday lunchtime by ferry in Dover.
Given how good and helpful they had been to us in NZ and the difficulty of them getting to Maidenhead we arranged to collect them at the Port
This was fine and indeed worked out well, as usual the M25 was doing its "Carpark impersonation" but we got them to Maidenhead and showed them the Campsite.
All 4 of came to Hurley for us to check in to a chalet and unload our stuff etc They then drove the MoHo back to Maidenhead.
So we had 2 weeks in Hurley Riverside Park.. Very nice chalets and reasonably handy for Maidenhead. A restful time and also lots of items sorted (doctor checkup Visa run to London dealing with address changes.)
MoHo returned OK at end of July so we went to France for the Summer...a very pleasant and relaxing low mileage trip !
last UK event was to drive and stay near Gloucester before putting MoHo in storage at Newent.
2015 September 1 night in a hotel followed by Coach to LHR and Flight to Thailand !
So we returned to the house in Thailand all well..
2015 December..MoHo payback
We flew direct from Bangkok to Perth and 2 nights in a B&B
The Aussie couple collected us and drove to Freemantle (where they live) and so a 3 Week Aussie adventure (see website)..
All was well (mainly) for 3 weeks
Perth was nice SW WA was indeed very nice so it all worked in the end.
Back to Thailand for Christmas. More odds and ends in the house
Year 4
2016 March Fly to UK.
Travelodge in Gloucester and Get MoHo on April 1st
Visit Kent Canterbury(P&R) for 3 MoHo items
1 Replace the Rear wheel spats (mudguards) ... The originals were very flimsy One fell off on the motorway (previous summer) so I removed the other to use as a template. This all worked well
2 Full Service
3 MOT
No problems with either except the MOT was only done on "deadline day" (expiry date).
2016 May So all settled so Off to Norway for the summer link is here...Simply a wonderful summer
2016 Sept back to UK Visa run to London
Fly to Thailand late September
2016 Dec Visit Laos (Visa) BUT
2017 February apply for and get a 1 year retirement Visa. This has several advantages
It is a more reliable routine
It lasts 1 year
I now only have to check in locally (no need to go to Laos
I also get an "exit and re-entry permit" (for UK)
It is cheaper
It saves a double visit to the Thai Embassy in London
So a very pleasant and n one sense even more relaxing winter
We also now have some English/Thai friends and we meet for lunches every so often
2016 March visit Immigration for the routine check-in new stamp (3 months validity)
2016 March Fly UK
2016 March Fly to UK.
Travelodge in Gloucester and Get MoHo on April 1st
Visit Kent Canterbury(P&R) for 3 MoHo items
1 Replace the Rear wheel spats (mudguards) ... The originals were very flimsy One fell off on the motorway (previous summer) so I removed the other to use as a template. This all worked well
2 Full Service
3 MOT
No problems with either except the MOT was only done on "deadline day" (expiry date).
2016 May So all settled so Off to Norway for the summer link is here...Simply a wonderful summer
2016 Sept back to UK Visa run to London
Fly to Thailand late September
2016 Dec Visit Laos (Visa) BUT
2017 February apply for and get a 1 year retirement Visa. This has several advantages
It is a more reliable routine
It lasts 1 year
I now only have to check in locally (no need to go to Laos
I also get an "exit and re-entry permit" (for UK)
It is cheaper
It saves a double visit to the Thai Embassy in London
So a very pleasant and n one sense even more relaxing winter
We also now have some English/Thai friends and we meet for lunches every so often
2016 March visit Immigration for the routine check-in new stamp (3 months validity)
2016 March Fly UK
2017 March
Flight OK
LHR travelodge OK
Coach to Gloucester OK
Collect MoHo Ok but gas regulator failed. We know of a mobile MoHo mechanic
We telephoned him and drove to his house and new regulator fitted
C&CC site near Slimbridge good.
Drive to Maidenhead for minor work in the garden for the new Tenant (Grrr)
MoHo then to see Peter & Annie in Uckfield.
Drive North up the East coast via the Norfolk Broads
NC500 ant-clockwise excellent. Great Highland gathering at Brin Herb
Skye Weather dodgy very very very windy !
Ferry to Larne all OK and again anticlockwise tour following the WAW.
Ireland was very nice some roads a bit too narrow for comfort, weather mixed.
Scenery and stopovers excellent. Back to Uk via Fishguard and a month in South Wales.
Finally back to Gloucester Put MoHo in store Coach to LHR and fly overnight (Thai airways)
House in Thailand fine
Check-in immediately Immigration Uttaradit to get my 3 month stamp.. all very easy. The Immigrtation staff are so helpful (UK home Office please note and COPY! )
A few minor house jobs replacement shower downstairs (now electrically heated) and a couple of extra points and switch for the "Well water pump".
Found some nice Solar powered security lights and also a very bright LED solar powered light for the Kitchen.
Immigration again 6th Dec
New Retirement Visa 11th Feb
Ongoing hassle with UK rental (Dec to Feb)
Flight OK
LHR travelodge OK
Coach to Gloucester OK
Collect MoHo Ok but gas regulator failed. We know of a mobile MoHo mechanic
We telephoned him and drove to his house and new regulator fitted
C&CC site near Slimbridge good.
Drive to Maidenhead for minor work in the garden for the new Tenant (Grrr)
MoHo then to see Peter & Annie in Uckfield.
Drive North up the East coast via the Norfolk Broads
NC500 ant-clockwise excellent. Great Highland gathering at Brin Herb
Skye Weather dodgy very very very windy !
Ferry to Larne all OK and again anticlockwise tour following the WAW.
Ireland was very nice some roads a bit too narrow for comfort, weather mixed.
Scenery and stopovers excellent. Back to Uk via Fishguard and a month in South Wales.
Finally back to Gloucester Put MoHo in store Coach to LHR and fly overnight (Thai airways)
House in Thailand fine
Check-in immediately Immigration Uttaradit to get my 3 month stamp.. all very easy. The Immigrtation staff are so helpful (UK home Office please note and COPY! )
A few minor house jobs replacement shower downstairs (now electrically heated) and a couple of extra points and switch for the "Well water pump".
Found some nice Solar powered security lights and also a very bright LED solar powered light for the Kitchen.
Immigration again 6th Dec
New Retirement Visa 11th Feb
Ongoing hassle with UK rental (Dec to Feb)