| DATE | ARTICLE | CLICK HERE |
| What was New in Previous Years: The website started in 2005 so there are several previous 'What's New' linking to articles and images still on the website. | What Was New in Previous Years |
| 30 Dec | Camping in Greece: After travelling the length of Greece (from the Turkish border to the southwest corner of the Peloponnese), we update our descriptions of the few campsites open all year. We also improve and extend the list of places for quiet overnight parking ('night halts', 'free camping', 'stopovers', 'camperstops'). Not least, we have added GPS co-ordinates where available. | Campsites Open All Year in the Peloponnese and Northern Greece Overnight Parking throughout Greece |
| 29 Dec | Route to Greece Autumn 2014: A table of places and distances in our overland route to Greece via the Netherlands, Germany, Poland, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary, Romania and Bulgaria, with details of each of the 46 places we stayed between Ijmuiden near Amsterdam and Finikounda in the southwest corner of the Greek Peloponnese. | The Route to Greece Autumn 2014 |
| 29 Nov | Autumnal Journey through Eastern Europe: Crossing and re-crossing routes behind the Iron Curtain cycled in the summer holidays of 1988 and 1989, we use this 3,500-mile autumnal motorhome journey to understand more of what has been lost and what has been gained. | Eastern Europe 1988 to 2014 |
| 16 Nov | Camping Sakar Hills in SE Bulgaria: Every long-term traveller needs familiar places in which to rest, refresh and recuperate. South-east Bulgaria, near the borders with Turkey and Greece and bounded by the Rhodopi mountains is one such for us, with Camping Sakar Hills at its centre. | Sakar Hills Camping in Bulgaria |
| 22 Oct | Images of our Carado T337 Motorhome: Taken in Scotland and Germany, here are some early photographs of our Carado motorhome bought from Brownhills in August of this year | The T337 Carado in Pictures |
| 8 Oct | Life After Marquis: July was wasted extricating ourselves and our money from the clutches of Marquis Motorhomes. Thereafter we bought a motorhome from Brownhills of Newark, equipped it and took the ferry from Newcastle to Ijmuiden near Amsterdam and re-entered the world of motorhoming. | Life after Marquis |
| 5 Oct | Two More Campsites in Romania: Malcolm Hill brings to 74 the total number of Romanian Campsites in our list. | Two More Campsites in Romania |
| 5 Oct | Two Rough Days on Rough Roads in Romania: Malcolm Hill encapsulates the highs and the lows, the challenges and the rewards, of travel in the Balkans, as he struggles to reach remote archaeological sites. | Rough Days on Rough Roads in Romania |
| 15 Sep | Route 80 Camping near Sofia: Whilst staying there, Malcolm Hill sends a description of this campsite/motel near the capital of Bulgaria. The E80 runs 6100 km from Lisbon to Turkey's border with Iran, passing through 10 countries. Here's a place to stay on your next journey! | Campsite on Route 80 near Sofia |
| 30 Aug | Marquis Malpractice: Readers' Comments: Here are some comments from readers following our account of a wasted summer, wrestling with the machinations and malpractices of Marquis Motorhomes. | Marquis: Readers have their Say |
| Aug | Refillable Gas Bottles: It was really good to meet John of Autogas 2000, in the village of Carlton Miniott near Thirsk in North Yorkshire. He fitted our motorhome with two Alugas lightweight refillable gas bottles, each capable of holding 11 kg of LPG, a total of 36 litres. A discreet external fitting point has adapters for use throughout Europe! | Excellent Service from Autogas 2000 |
| July | Marquis Malpractice: This is the almost unbelievable story of how Marquis Motorhomes failed to deal with any of the complaints we made arising from their mis-selling of an overweight motorhome and how they refused to refund the money we had paid without inordinate delay and draconian conditions. | Marquis Malpractice |
| June | Return to England from Greece 2014: After a winter in southern
Sicily and a spring cycling in the
southern Greek Peloponnese, we return to England planning to replace our Lunar Quasar caravan and VW Crafter van.
We have our eyes and
future travels plans focused on a nimble 3.5 ton under 7-metre motorhome!
| Return to England 2014 |
| 5 Jun | The Greek Travel Log Rolls On: Another spring in Greece rolls on towards summer, giving us new experiences and the chance, eagerly taken, to restore our cycling fitness in the mountains of the Peloponnese. As ever, the wonders of Greece ultimately fade and disappear in the wake of the ferry to Italy. | Spring in Greece 2014
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| 5 Jun | Gythion Bay Camping - or Olive Grove? We struggled to get into and out of this campsite in the Greek Peloponnese. When the campsite asked for a review, they certainly got one from Margaret! | Margaret Advises the Chain Saw!
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| 5 Jun | How is Greece in 2014? After a number of rather negative reports from our last visit in 2012 (linked in this article), we review the situation for independent travellers in the spring of 2014. | Safety and Security in Greece |
| 5 Jun | Reviews of Greek Campsites for the ACSI Website: Margaret regularly writes reviews of ACSI sites and
here are some from a recent journey through Greece. | Margaret Shares her Opinion of Greek Campsites
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| 5 Jun | Reviews of Italian and Sicilian Campsites for the ACSI Website: Margaret regularly writes reviews of ACSI sites and
here are some from a recent journey through Italy and Sicily | Margaret Shares her Opinion of Italian and Sicilian Campsites
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| 24 Apr | The Barkers in Sweden 2013: Here is the detailed, well-researched, well-written, fully-illustrated and mapped account of the Barkers' motorhome journey in Sweden in 2013. Not least, there is a thorough and honest review of the 73 campsites they used. This is as good as it gets! | Sweden Well Travelled |
| 10 Apr | Return to Greece Spring 2014: Following a winter stay in Sicily, we return briefly to mainland Italy before taking the overnight ferry from Brindisi to Patras in the Greek Peloponnese. After an absence of almost 2 years, it was a welcome return to our favourite country. | Return to Greece Spring 2014 |
| 20 Mar | 63 Campsites in Bulgaria: Mike Lewis has trawled the web seeking information about Bulgarian campsites from English, Bulgarian, German but mostly Dutch sources. Mike has numbered the sites and linked them to a map of the country. | Bulgaria: the Ultimate Campsite List |
| 11 Mar | The Homewoods in Spain: Motorhomers Helen and David share their experience of touring northwest Spain in January and February 2014. Not least, they give details and co-ordinates of their overnight locations. | The Homewoods Winter 2014 Tour of Spain |
| 5 Mar | 56 Campsites in Turkey: Thanks to Tina and Peter Goodall Evetts who made a motorhome tour of western
Turkey in the summer of 2013, the campsite list has been updates and 2 new campsites added. | 56 Campsites the Length and Breadth of Turkey |
| 1 Mar | On the Road again in Sicily: After an excellent winter stay and a thousand miles of local exploration, based at Camping Luminoso in Punta Braccetto on the beach in southern Sicily, we are on the road again heading for Bari and a ferry to Greece. | Out of Sicily |
| 9 Feb | The Rudds Journey to Morocco 2013: Brian and Patricia motorhome through France and Spain on their way to and from Morocco on their 105-day journey in the summer of 2013. In 30 days in Morocco, they made the classic loop through Marrakech and Fez. Throughout the journey, every day is described in full and loving detail giving a total of some 80,000 words. Many of their overnights were informal and all of them are described with co-ordinates. | In France going to Spain In Spain going to Morocco In Morocco 2013 In Spain going to France In France going to England |
| 1 Feb | Travel-related Poetry: This popular corner has been updated with new entries. While in that area of Ramblings, have a look through our 308 travel-related quotations for your favourite, the most apt for your journeys. | Travel-Related Poetry Travel-Related Quotes |
| 1 Feb | Something to Mull Over: Margaret suggests how to use leftover 'Gluhwein' in some delicious recipes. | Something to Mull Over |
| 1 Feb | In Sicily 2013-14: Settling in for part of the winter, we choose Camping Luminoso as a base with Stan Robinson as its splendid host. From there we explore the south coast and make forays into the mountains of the centre to visit medieval cities and ancient Greek and Roman sites. | In Sicily in the Winter of 2013-14 |
| 31 Jan | In Italy 2013-14: Having crossed France from Calais to Lyon, we cross the Alps by the Frejus Tunnel and make the long journey south through Italy to Villa San Giovanni and the ferry to Messina and Sicily. En route to we pause to visit Pompeii, Paestum and Herculaneum. | In Italy in the Winter of 2013-14 |
| 30 Jan |
2013 A Kaleidoscopic Year: The events of 2013
were so varied, so unexpected and so out of any ordinary sequence, that they
are best presented as a kaleidoscope, a 'variegated changing pattern or scene'. Here are some of the pieces for you to arrange.
| 2013: A Kaleidoscopic Year |
| 25 Jan | Across France in the Winter of 2013/14: Here we describe the crossing of France from Calais to Lyon and then across the Alps through the Frejus Tunnel to Genoa and the Italian Riviera. | From Calais to the Frejus Tunnel |
| 16 Jan | Travels in Slovenia October 2013: Driving south from Vienna, crossing the far eastern remnants of the Alps, we head initially for Maribor on the River Drava. Later we visit the Julian Alps and the capital city, Ljubljana. | Travelling and Cycling in Slovenia |
| 12 Jan | Travels in Austria September 2013: We left Germany near Passau and followed the line of the Danube to Vienna, cycling on that river's long distance cycle path. As the weather cooled, we turned south into Slovenia. | Travelling and Cycling in Austria |
| 12 Jan | White Vans, Camper Van and Caravans: Following 16 years of motorhoming, first with a Ford-based Four Winds and then a Chevrolet Fleetwood Flair, for the last 3 years we have experimented with a number of vans and caravans. Now their pictures are gathered together in one place. | Mercedes Sprinter 1
Mercedes Sprinter 2
VW Crafter
Compass Rallye
Bailey Ranger
Lunar Quasar |
| 12 Jan | Free Camping in Spain and Elsewhere: Inveterate motorhomers, Helen and David Homewood, share with us the ultimate and very detailed guide to free-camping in Spain - with many further opportunities described in other countries of mainland Europe. | Free Camping in Spain |
| 8 Jan | Update for Lynbrook Insurance: Martin Pagett of Lynbrook Insurance Services has written with a description of the services now offered to older campers (both vehicles and people). Uniquely they will also cover do-it-yourself repairs (to the vehicle!) | Insurance for Older Campers |
| 7 Jan | Holland and Germany 2013: Settled for a while in Sicily, we have completed our account of the summer's travels in Holland and Germany. Not least, we rode over one thousand miles on the excellent cycle paths along their great rivers. | Travels in the Netherlands 2013 Travels in Germany 2013 |
| 7 Jan | Search for Sites: Ian has developed a new map-based guide to campsites and motorhome stopovers throughout Europe. He says it was built out of frustration at having to switch between various sources, none of which gave him the layout and functionality that he wanted. Now he and you have that functionality! | Ian's New Map-based Guide to Campsites in Europe Our Guide to Free Website Guides to Campsites in Europe |
| 7 Jan | European Nomad: ANomad's website is everything that a good travel log should be. We learn about the author, her history, her motives, her motorhome and her route. Above all, she describes the world through which she moves, its people, places, sights and tastes. Read it and read our full review. | European Nomad 45 Travellers Websites, by Travellers for Travellers |
| 7 Jan | Better News for Travellers in Poland: Tina Evetts writes that there was no problem with the new Polish Via Toll Box, necessary on some motorways and main roads. After a 5-week stay, she even got a refund. | Polish Toll System gets more Polish |
| 6 Jan | Gas Filling in Finland: Antero Mustonen writes to say that there are now several gas filling stations for cars in Finland and that biogas is also available. He gives the website: www.gasum.fi. | Gas Filling Stations in Finland |
| 6 Jan | Among the Ancients: This newsletter describes our recent visits to the ancient Roman sites at Pompeii and Herculaneum, buried in the eruption of the volcano Vesuvius in AD 79. We also describe the nearby Greco-Roman city of Paestum with its magnificent temples. | In Pompeii, Herculaneum and Paestum |
| 6 Jan | Polemic and Anecdote: A contribution to 'Reflections' within the section 'Ramblings', and part of Barry's dialogue with a friend from days working together in Madras, this is an attempt to add to a shared understanding of the origin and nature of human consciousness. | Polemic and Anecdote |
| 6 Jan | 27 Free Camping Places in Sicily: David and Helen Homewood list and describe the free camping places they used on a tour of Sicily in the winter of 2011. Each place is pinpointed with co-ordinates. | Free Camping in Sicily |
| 6 Jan | Turkey - New Visa Requirements: Don Madge advises that from April 2014 visas will no longer be issued at Turkey's borders - land, sea or air. Instead you will have to apply and pay online. The visa is sent by email: you must print it out to show at the border with supporting documents such as passport, vehicle registration and vehicle insurance for the length of your proposed stay. | Apply Online for your Turkish Visa! |
| 6 Jan | Fiji - Unofficial Cycle Record: In September 2013, New Zealand cyclist, Andrew Jameson, successfully rode a complete circuit of Viti Levu, Fiji's largest island, in 24 hours, creating an unofficial record. Compare our 6-day ride! | Record Cycle Ride in Fiji |
| 1 Jan | Australians Tour Scotland: Martin and Pam Williams fly into Europe to complete a 1,200-mile (1920-km) motorhome tour of Scotland. With many photographs, they also give the co-ordinates for all their free-camping, and all their camping was free! | Australian Motorhome Tour of Scotland |
| c/f | MagBazPictures: Our new website is now up and running and still growing. It will hold photographs from some major past journeys and all our photos from January 2012 onwards. Several thousands of pictures remain on magbaztravels and are still used to illustrate articles. | New Website MagBazPictures |
| c/f | Looking Out: Experiences in Spain, Barry Crawshaw's new life and Yorkhire's sporting success are among the new topics in our commentary on the passing scene. | Looking Out 2013 |
| c/f | Jeff's Wheelchair Walks: Our old friend and personal hero, Sheffield quadriplegic Jeff Mason, gives a full description of more than 60 short walks in South Yorkshire and Derbyshire suitable for wheelchairs. Accompanied by his sister Audrey, Jeff has done them all. | Jeff's 60 Wheelchair Walks |
| c/f | Motorhome vs Caravan: After three years alternating between a motorhome and a caravan for prolonged journeys in Europe, we list 48 reasons for travelling with a caravan. There are also reasons for preferring a motorhome, but that would be another article! | Motorhome vs Caravan
48 Reasons to Choose |
| c/f | Sights and Sounds of Norway: In 12 minutes the video presents 100 images of our 4,600-mile tour of coastal Norway in the summer of 2011. The music of Greig and Elgar accompany our best attempt to convey something of the beauty and grandeur of Norway's vast fjord land. | Sights and Sounds of Norway |
| c/f | 36 Motorhome Insurance Agents: The need to renew our motorhome insurance encouraged us to resurvey the jungle of motorhome insurers. This led to the revision and updating of our findings.Contact Us to share your experience. | 36 Motorhome Insurers Reviewed |
| Readers' Comments: So far, 606 readers and users of this website have offered comments and opinions by email. | 606 Readers' Comments |
| 72 Fellow Travellers have contributed articles and images to this website, sharing their experience of long-term, long-distance travel by motorhome and/or bicycle. | 72 Fellow Travellers |
| 62 Useful Links: Selected from the many, here are a number of links to websites useful and relevant to the long-term, long-distance traveller by motorhome and/or bicycle. | 62 Useful Links |
| 308 Travel Quotations: The collection of travel-related quotations has now reached 306 - so there must be more than one for every occasion! Can you add to the total? | 308 Travel Quotations |
| 44 Travellers' Website: These non-commercial websites have been produced by long-distance motorhomers, cyclists and other travellers. Please let us know about any other websites of this type that you can personally recommend. Or perhaps you can recommend your own site! | 44 Travellers' Websites |
| 147 Books for Travelling: 16 more books for our travelling in the summer of 2010 brings the total to 147, including some recommended by readers of this website. There are guide books, cook books, fiction and relevant non-fiction. Why not share the contents of your motorhome's bookshelf/ bicycle pannier?Contact Us! | 147 Books for Travelling |
| The Collections of 3 Fellow Travellers: These fellow long-distance, long-term travellers and motorhomers have each contributed a good number of articles to this website; enough to form a personal Collection. Click on their name to see a clickable list of their wide-ranging articles. | Don Madge Collection (33) Webb Collection (17) Dr Bob Collection (16) |
| Our 32 Greatest Cycle Rides: Gathered together here are brief descriptions and links to 32 of what we consider to be the best of hundreds of our cycle rides over the years. The chosen rides add up to 34,730 miles (55,570 km) or an average of 1,085 miles (1,740 km) per ride. | 32 Greatest Cycle Rides |
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