Your 2017 Highlights
This year has seemed to go in a flash. So many major milestones achieved by my little boy, who is now walking, running and talking, a big move to our new home and some wonderful holidays including the National in May at Sandringham.
With 2018 fast approaching, what has been your your touring and holiday highlights this year?
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Without question, coming back over the Simplon pass from Italy and deciding to stay at an ACSI site near Zermatt. Visited Zermatt on a cloudless day and took the Gornergratbahn railway up to the top with stunning views of the Matterhorn and over 30 peaks in excess of 3000 meters. Wouldn't have done it without the motorhome.
We were also fortunate to visit both New Zealand and South Africa during the year. Still look forward to touring with the motorhome though.
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We made three significant trips this year, 6 weeks in January/February to Spain, a June 3 week trip to Brittany and finally an August 3 week trip touring Wales north to south with my youngest son and family. Unusually for Wales the weather was mostly fine and it turned out the most memorable of the lot with the Gower being the stand out stop over of the tour.
peedee
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The highlight of our 2017 holidays has to be our trip to Mauritius back in February. Fabulous clean beaches, sunsets to die for and such an interesting island with very friendly residents.
Our favourite UK tour was around Lancashire, the Lake District and Yorkshire in May, including a long walk around Bolton Abbey on one of the hottest days of the year!
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It's some time now since we visited the Gower, PD, but have got it in our plans for 2018. Rhossili is a great spot with the beach in one direction and Worms Head the opposite way. Did you get to 3 Cliffs Bay while you were there? There is a site at the top of the cliffs where you can book a clifftop pitch with fabulous views of the bay itself.
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I think the most enjoyable trip was the April - June one to France. The weather was perfect with long sunny days and warm nights. We loved Lake Annecy probably the best. Lots of different stops, good sites and interesting places and people. What more can you want.
Can't wait to do it all over again next year.
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If it's got "celebrity" in the title I wouldn't have watched it so I'm not sure. But a great spot all the same.
The hotel was Lux @ Grande Gaube on the north western coast of the island. Definitely the most luxurious hotel we've ever stayed in, but, amazingly it was closing for refurbishment shortly after we stayed!
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I often get up before sunrise on the longest day and have a walk around, this year it was at Melrose from the site there. it's always strange being up at 4 to 5am and walking around the deserted village in daylight.
Aboard it was two things, sitting in a 'beach hut' bar listening to a local Dire Straits 'tribute' act, they were very good (or maybe the all inclusive alcohol made them sound better than they were
).Another was a day trip on a ocean race going sailing boat, dangling your feet in the sea when it rolled over and having dolphins alongside.
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I am NOT going to dwell on the horrible start I had to the year, only the good things that followed.
Because of circumstances we were forced to ditch our beautiful caravan and get a MOHO instead and I ask why didn't we do it sooner.
we have had two fabulous tours around France, staying in places with Aires that we would never have been able to, with a caravan. We have been away for many more weekends, being able to wildcamp (I know some of you disapprove) and I have been able to Stimulate my boy far better than I ever could at home.
Boy had an unexpected nasty seizure a few weeks ago but that only makes 5 medications a day 🤓
The week before Christmas we drove down to the surrounding area of Poitiers, took the dogs, looking at properties, one of which we have made an offer on, just outside of St Germain.
From a 'pants' start, the future is a bit brighter than I ever thought it would be. I'm more positive (albeit always shattered) than I think I have ever been about what our future holds.
Keep all your fingers crossed for us about our offer being accepted.xxxxx
Happy new year all. I so hope mine goes a bit smoother 😎
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The highlight for me was following the sat nav blindly from interlaken to Italy following a wonderful week in that location.
Although I had planned for the A2 a series of road closures took us up 3 mountain passes. From glorious sunshine to snow, blizzards and glorious views. It was a bit nerve wracking at first but when we realised that the jeep was pulling the van up the mountains as though it wasn’t there and planted firmly on the road we began to enjoy ourselves.
Following a wonderful week in Sarteano we drove up to lake Garda where my son and daughter in law came and joined my wife, granddaughter and I.
One of my best holidays yet.
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Without doubt our highlight as far as caravanning was concerned was being pitched right next to the beach in Sardinia, with a stunning view for miles along the coast in both directions
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I really had two, one was pitching up near Vienna only to learn Ironman Austria was starting the next day.
I tried to cheer on every UK runner that passed and got a cheery 'thank you' from most.The other was a brand new ACSI site in Slovenia, we arrived and it was nearly empty and to be told Slovenia was hosting the European Honda Goldwing meet right here. Well I have never seen so many motorbikes in one place the next day, the bikes were fantastic and the people from differing countries were fantastic, only downside was the noise went on into the early hours but we joined in as much as possible and were made very welcome.
This bike belonged to a German friend we met who parked his trailer and motorhome next to us.
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We haven't been there since getting our 'van, but I have a very happy memory of canoeing along that bay at night, lit only by the moon, on a training course many years ago! Very non H&S, but utterly romantic!
And to answer Rowena's question - the year's highlight was discovering that we actually could do this caravanning thing, what enormous fun it was, what a great way of reaching remote beautiful places we'd no longer be happy tent camping unless the weather was really kind, and the joy of not having to pack up all that wet tent when it wasn't!
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Taking the dog to Germany, cycling along the Mosel River with our German friends who took us on cycle rides; then socialising with them over a few of the local brewed beers while making arrangements with them for going back on holiday again in 2018 and staying longer.
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2017 a year of highlights, not many..........but a visit to the beautiful Isle of Coll off the west coast of Scotland as you can see from my avatar. A break with the family at Killin where my son tried to beat me at putting Zigzagging to the hole asked why he replied that he couldn't go directly into the wind so was tacking as in sailing!!
Breaks in Yellocraigs, Bunree, Culloden, Stonehaven. and River Breamish all have had their plus points from friendliness of the wardens and natives and the spectacular scenery.
Downside was losing my mother but mercifully it was a relatively quick passing,.
So 2018 is ahead and I haven't started planning.......Yet!
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2017 Highlights? I haven't had enough hair for highlights since about 1994.
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Orkney and Shetland, without a doubt. A fabulous experience despite the weather.
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After the year we have had, just walking to a beach, sitting on the sand and holding hands has been the best feeling ever........to be repeated this year thankfully!
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We had a mixed year, 2018 can only get better.
Lost father in law in April, but able to call on a fantastic CL owner to make room for us whilst making the funeral arrangements. Managed to celebrate wife birthday with family and friends prior to funeral, at Haycraft.
Used the Henley site for a weekend at Tom Kerridge's 'Pub in the Park' with great friends.
Used another great CL to visit an old friend to say goodbye before he passed later that week.
Had a brilliant week at Baltic Wharf for the balloon festival, a first for us in all our years together, considering my wife is from Bristol, we had never managed to be there. Most of that week it was just me and daughter, and managed to teach her to ride a bike.
In august we had a cruise to the fjords on the Queen Mary 2, the 3 of us plus my 84yo mum. A bit last minute.
October half term at our first race course site, Uttoxeter.
Earlier in the year my mum had booked a cruise on Queen Elizabeth, but was let down at the last minute by her 'friend', so I stepped in and was able to enjoy mum & son time.
Have 3 sites booked so far for 2018, hopefully if things pick up work wise will get more.
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KS, how do you find the comparison with QM2 and the Queen Elizabeth. We haven't been on QM2 yet but booked for 2019. I've found mid size ships better.
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CY, the QM2 is truly massive in comparison to the QE. It feels far less crowded in the public areas, main thoroughfares are wider and taller. The promenade deck gives 3 circuits to 1 mile. The Queens room is at the stern and has plenty of space, whereas on QE it's midships and feels compact. Afternoon tea on QE tends to be a 2 sitting set up voluntarily so everyone gets a chance.
Britannia dining is across the stern on QE which if you get a window table adds to the experience.
The QM2 Kings Room hasn't the level of window tables the Lido has on QE, where everyone gets a view out the window.
The QM2 planetarium is a unique experience for both planetarium and movie shows.Nothing like an after dinner 3d movie in Dinner Jacket and evening gown.
The upper open decks on QE have a fair provision of screens to keep the wind off.
Staterooms are of Cunard standard on both, but we spend very little time in them as there is plenty to see and do all the time.
Alcohol is extremely expensive this year. Example small white wine 125ml is $13.95 + 15% service charge. Cheapest bottle of wine is $39 + 15% service charge. We take our own on board as you can if embarking at Soton.
On board spend is useful for excursions. You can opt out of the daily service charge and give direct to the cabin steward / waiters, just fill in the form at the Pursers Desk. Cunard are finally realising there are options on excursions at far better prices if you go direct. The hop on hop off open bus tours were being offered through Cunard on the recent Iberian Adventures cruise on QE.
On the QM we did some Cunard excursions like the Flaam railway and Hamburg and Alersund islands tours, but in Stavanger and Olden we just walked onto bus tours and paid on the bus.
Where are you going?
We've found by booking late there are great deals available, especially if you don't have a leave form to fill in!! My ticket for the QE was less per night than a TravelLodge.
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Seeing the Puffins at Duncansby Head, watching the tidal run in the Pentland Firth, and spotting the Short-Eared Owl at Bempton.
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