On the Road Again!

When we were away and in the middle of the heatwave we had a problem with the winding mechanism for the main over dining area rooflight. The handle simply wouldn't turn. I couldn't open it. After a few days I decided that as it was closed at least we wouldn't have a problem with it. https://invictamoto.blogspot.com/2026/06/remis-rooflight.html I tried it a couple of times. I didn't want to force it and end up with it not shut properly.  And we still had 12 days of the holiday to go... I contacted ARC to see if they could fix it once we got home. After a few back and forth emails they said they could do the job. I sent them photos of the rooflight and the Remis stickers. Today, I gave it a try. It worked.  Still stiff but started to open the rooflight. It's been stiff to wind since we've owned the van, that's almost 20 months. I didn't think it was a problem until now. It's still going to ARC on Tuesday to check it over. If we ...

After the thuggery and cheating during the game in the week when England lost to Argentina in the World Cup, let's hope that Spain win tonight. Y VIVA ESPAÑA!! On a positive note. England rugby beat the Argies at the weekend. 

I bought thisxatlas a few months ago to replace the 2020 version I have been using for quite a few years. One thing that has irritated me is the colour of the autoroutes. For many years toll autoroutes were shown as a purple line on the map. Non toll autoroutes in blue. This was also the case for non toll Route National roads that were dialled. This edition shows all autoroutes whether toll or not as purple.  When planning a route, the difference between the two is essential. It seems the AA or the Austrian mapping company have failed to make the distinction or simply didn't care. I have emailed feedback at the AA. An example is here: The A16 between Calais and Dunkerque is toll free and therefore should be blue.  The A26 on the left is a toll motorway only from where it meets the A16. The spur above to the ferry port is non toll. Let's see what they have to say.

I am looking at France. We are away for around three weeks at the moment. I thought I could change the dates and it would only cost us £20 if done online.   WRONG! I went onto the Le Shuttle website. To snip a week off the trip will cost the £20 amendment fee. Then despite all that they want £103 to go a week later! What bloody load of shysters this company are.  Part of the problem is that French campsites seem allergic to staying open after October 1st. Don't the French use their vans and caravans during the Autumn? We could use Camping-Car Park aires, but as the name suggests, most are exactly that. Short term stays rather than somewhere to "holiday". With Reggie onboard not going as far is also a consideration. In the summer I cut out around a 1000 miles out of the itinerary to save travelling in the "heat bubble ". It seems we were lucky as since we returned there have been fires across Spain and France. Brittany

Time will tell if this is a good idea or not.  We need someway of keeping the van cooled when we are away. We have several fans that I have blogged about before. They work brilliantly in the van and in the home. https://invictamoto.blogspot.com/2026/07/portable-standing-pedestal-fan.html Evaporative coolers using water aren't new and we already have a small one that we use to point at Reggie in the van. To be honest, it works really well. We saw this one tested by several vloggers and it seems to work. So we took the plunge and ordered one. Full review once it arrives on Monday!!

It has to be sixty years since I last wore sandals.  With the heatwave, my feet have been roasting in trainers and ankle socks.  So Claire suggested I get sandals. I wasn't going to be seen dead wearing "Jesus" sandals or anything with my toes on view. So as usual I went to the Internet.  Sports Direct and other shops i can actually visit.  None appealed.  So it was back to Amazon!  These look a lot chunkier and have "closed toe". Did I say I don't like toes.... They are weird to get used to. Don't think they look too bad? I opted for tan colour although the light blue ones looked really cool too. As long as any sandals are cool.

It's 110 years since our relative William Devall succumbed to wounds on July 16th 1916. Roll of Honour