Meet the crew -

After a few months of searching we finally found the vehicle we wanted, a Landrover Defender 110 complete with raised suspension, roll bar, spotlamps and roof rack. Perfect for the road ahead.

With four people travelling, space was always going to be a problem. However after packing and re-packing we have managed to trim down our belongings to only essential items. Essential being only three sets of clothes each and lots of books for Carriad and Rhys education.

We left Scotland after some emotional goodbyes on the 21st October 2006. Our adventure had begun. Heading south to Gosport where we spent a few days catching up with family and friends before another round of emotional goodbyes.

The ferry left Portsmouth at 11 pm and took 5 hours to arrive in La Harve. We prefered a late sailing so we could sleep on the ferry and arrive on French soil as the sun peaked over the horizon.

Our first main stop was Dunkerque, Rhys wanted to visit the war museum however, Dunkerque - for tourism, was closed until April. We did visit the Maratime museum but unfortunately, for us, it was a waste of time and money, it just didn't rock our boat....

Next stop a few days later was Rouen, Carriad wanted to see Where Joanne D'Arc was burnt at the stake. Again however, everything "Tourist" seemed to be closed. We spent a few nights in a campsite in a small place called 'Ville D'Rouen'. The site was basic but very quiet and comfortable with all the usual amenities. Nestled between a high rise residential estate we were on view every minute of the day. It was cold, what an understatement, so cold that one morning we woke up to find Carriads zip on her tent had frozen closed. This was not to anyones likeing, especially as we had mostly summer clothes, it was time to pack-up and head as far south as the day would take us. I,Malc, to the chagrin of everyone else, even took to driving through the night. Life on the road with only summer clothes and a mat to sleep on can be uncomfortable at the best of times, never mind haveing to brave the freezing cold and frosty mornings.

Two days later we crossed the border into Spain where the days were warmer and the nights, though cool, were bareable. While France didn't hold much sway with us, it just didn't enthuse us at all, Spain with it's rugged look and feel was much more pleasing. However, we were expecting better weather and less expensive camping but that was not to be, we got rain..Still everyone was happier, we were begining to bond and become more organised with our camping skills. it now only took fifteen minutes from arriving in camp to having the tents up, the kitchen in place and the kettle on for a cup of well earned tea.