Archive for the ‘Pre-Travel Posts’ Category

Sorry, it has been a while since we have uploaded a post to our blog.  I keep rattling on about our busted camera which has been driving us both potty for some time.  We had taken several photos of the previous weekends activities,I went to download them only to discover there was nothing on the memory card…grrrr.  I have to say, it has served us well for the last four years.

Good news, we have a new camera.  We spend a week or so running to and from Jessops reviewing a range of cameras that would suit our everyday needs and our up and coming travels.  Our neighbour, Tim, who is studying photography suggested a few bridge cameras, but they felt to cumbersome, especially with limited space in our rucksacks.

To cut a long story short, we chose a Panasonic Lumix 9.1 Megapixel Compact with 10 x Optical Zoom (wow).  As a little treat for scuba diving, we purchased a Panasonic Marine Case.  Accessories also include: 3 x batteries, 3 x 2GB memory cards and a case.  So now we are fully kited out but all-in-all a pretty expensive purchase.  Taking full advantage of the the weak dollar, we purchased the items in America saving around 50% off the cost if we had purchased in the UK.

Good to be back posting again.  More updates soon.

On Thursday evening we said a fond farewell to our much loved campervan, Lili. With us going travelling and storage costs etc. it just wasn’t feasible to keep hold of her. Although she is presently in very good nick, we were worried that after 18-months locked up several parts, including the engine, would have seized.

We had it advertised only a few days before we shook hands with the new buyers Phil and Joanna Ball.  They have promised to send some photos of their camping trips - like us at the time, they were very excited.

We wish you and your family as many happy memories as we have.

Slán leat

Sam went into hospital this morning at 7am in preparation for her surgery on her ankle.  For those of you who are unaware, Sam has had trouble with her akilies for a number of years.  I’m not sure of the specific medial term for her diagnosis, but basically, she developed a large callus on the back of her heel which rubs against her shoes etc. causing the tendon to swell and causing considerable pain - especially when walking more than few hundred yards. 

They have tried everything bar surgery, and without going into great detail, they have literally cut a wedge out of her anklebone to allow for normal spacing between the ankle and her footwear.

The surgeon was pleased with the result and she’ll be in plaster for approx 6-weeks. She is now out of hospital and I’m running around like a skivy attending to her every need - I’ll keep you posted on my stress levels as I’m working from home for a few weeks :-).

Here she is in the photo not long out of surgery and tucking into a 3-course lunch.  I have to say a big thank you to the surgeon and staff at the Chiltern Hospital, they provided an excellent service and the facilities were outstanding - lunch and dinner menu, telephone, sky tv, en-suite - a far cry from the NHS. Thank you for looking after my Sammy.

daveyandsam.com will be down for a few days for remedial work.  Having tweaked the code to almost breaking point, I’m having trouble uploading and  viewing the site.  My lack of HTML and php is evident.

Will try my best to have it back up and running efficiently as soon as possible.

Our good friends Chris and Cathy joined us in Symonds Yat on the Sunday afternoon to celebrate their 8th wedding anniversary.  I was his best man all those years ago - it’s hard to imagine, where has the time gone. Since that faithful day they’ve been flat out, literally, producing three beautiful children, Kerys, Jacob and Lucas.

We had a great catch up and consumed lots of alcohol in the process. They both stayed in the hotel opposite the campsite - just as well, Cathy wasn’t really geared for for the camping lark in her red high heels.  She did say that when checking in there were a few laughs, as its mainly a walkers Inn - boots and walking poles everywhere.

This picture was taken not long after they arrived. We had a fire going in the middle to keep us warm, it’s barely visible.

We decided to try out the one and only pub the other side of the river.  Luckily, the river was low enough for the hand pulled ferry to cross.  Turned out, the pub was, shall we say, rather lacking. We swiftly drank up and got the ferry back to our local.

I like this photo.  Cathy isn’t really smoking a cigarette, she doesn’t smoke

We had a beautiful meal followed by more beers.  This is also a lovely photo and a testament to their happy marriage.

Happy anniversary guys and thank you for coming to see us, we had a really enjoyable evening. We are all going camping again during the May Bank Holiday weekend - you’d better buy some walking boots!