We finally collected Cervantes on Tuesday 5th Feb 2013 after a traumatic and strenuous money transfer saga, but it got there eventually.
Pepi and her team at autocaravanas navarro have been fantastic - she even arranged the insurance for us. We did a lot of phoning and emailing trying to get the best cover and price, whilst one phone call to Pepi, and she got us the best quote and took care of all the paperwork.
The handover of the van was textbook perfect. They had just finished fitting the radio when we got there, so we chatted in the sun whilst it was washed and cleaned. Pepi and her team then took us through the motorhome, showing us how to switch things on and off, demonstrating that they worked, and telling us what we must NEVER do (leave the opening of the toilet in the open position and travel with the shower doors not secured) We had to call on our good friends a couple of times for translations, but overall we got the gist of it.
After the first night in the street near our house to check everything, we decided on a trip to a site further away to really test it. We decided on the new aire just above Cartagena as our first overnight stop, but foolishly set off without the location address or GPS co-ordinates (first major mistake). After an unintended trip up the most expensive toll road in Europe, followed by a drive down the narrowest street in Los Dolores (an inch either side to spare), we later discovered we were 1/2 km from it at one point! So we gave up and decided to stay overnight at Mar Menor Camping which we had cycled to many times. Price was €14.20 per night in total with 4amp hook-up. It was almost deserted, so we had our choice of pitch, so chose one facing the sea at the front which meant we were only 50 metres from the water. It was a fabulous sunrise the next morning through the windscreen - fantastic.
The Fiat 2.3 multijet is performing faultlessly with power to spare, although getting used to the length and width is a learning curve, but it is a joy to drive. Next stop will be a Fiat garage in Cartagena which specialises in motorhomes (you have to know what you are doing , especially with the electrics) to find out the servicing schedules and if necessary to book it in.
Overall impression is one of wonder that we have actually got a motorhome (we can't stop grinning when we're in it). We never thought we would get this layout of van, or one of this quality (Burstner is a top of the range make), but so far everything we had planned has happened, and the layout works brilliantly.
One thing we have learnt, and are now quite good at, is that you have to know how to pack and wedge things in drawers and cupboards to stop them rattling/moving when you're driving. When you get that right the van is practically silent - excellent build quality.
We have secure parking for Cervantes at Camping Lo Monte for €1 per day which is fantastic. We can take the van out as often as we need and take it back when we want, and pay only for the time we're there. It is ideal for us as we are only 1km away from Lo Monte, and the staff there are excellent.
The adventure continues............
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| How the loo works - in here |
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| and out of here!!! |
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The fantastic mechanic at Autocaravanas Navarro showing us the workings - his favourite expression was "siempre", ie "always" remember to switch this on, switch that off etc.
Very important - how to empty the 'grey' water, which is the water from the sink, washbasin and shower.
Making the final payment and still smiling!!
Home at last -parked on the street next to ours because there is no parking on our road -too narrow! When are you going to get that bottle open???
After spending the first night there, we then moved on to a campsite on the Mar Menor for our second night where we could get hooked up with electric and check that everything worked properly - the fridge, the loo, the heating, the hot water. So now we can be self-sufficient and go 'wild camping' and see how long we can last without being based on a campsite, using electric from the solar panel and not from the grid!! This was the sunrise from Cervantes over the Mar Menor to La Manga.
And finally when we run out of money, this is going to be our next adventure - travelling around on this bike and huge trailer. Guess who will be doing the pedalling!!
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