Hi everyone,
Thanks for the nice words - I'll try to reply to everyone:
cewillis : Definitely was a great trip Cal, though I needed a rest afterwards - phew, need too book a post-vacation vacation! I am definitely cheap - I love being able to quickly re-purpose something to give me a new facility or benefit without spending loads of money and time trying to buy the right thing. To me it is the functionality that matters, so if I can duct tape an old cardboard box to make something that will do for a few trips then I am happy. If it works out I might replace it with something more purpose built. I certainly don't know about your and Dave's descriptions of being professional :). The good thing is people can catch up with all our trip reports (and Dave's and everyone elses) on the trip report sticky. You can also catch up with more of our videos on our YouTube channel, though they do vary in quality, so don't expect the same standard on all of them.
silversand : Glad you two enjoyed the trip. Sorry the pictures I email you while on the move are low quality - my Blackberry doesn't make a very good camera. Thierry's party was also a real highlight. Yes many neighbours came, and interestingly for a rural French village many (like Thierry himself) are of very mixed international backgrounds. It was also great for me to meet up again with a load of shared friends who came in from Paris, Luxembourg and elsewhere, and finally meet their partners.
RICKIM : Glad you liked the video Rick. I've been experimenting a bit this time. Hopefully the commentary adds something - at least is saves YouTube complaining I have used someone else's copyright music and.
Whazoo : Extreme praise from the Great Whazoo himself. Given the depth, quality, humour and hilarious animations in your tremendous trip reports I don't you need to worry about adding video. Pity we didn't get to meet up again this year Dave, but I was elsewhere on the planet. Thierry is a real character as you can tell. I tried that bike - it is fantastic. OK, I've never tried an electric bike before, but I have the feeling this is the Rolls Royce of electric bikes - if I could afford it I would definitely be adding it to my Christmas list.
Bigfoot85 : Thanks. Having to watch that pork for 9 HOURS sure made me hungry.
Honda-50 : Hi Mark, hope the video brought back memories of those passes. It was really tiring doing them in the truck, avoiding oncoming and passing traffic, avoiding burning the brakes or clutch, trying not to put too much strain on the truck (I knew something in the drive train was on its way out at this point, so that added to the stress). Yesterday I watched some other YouTube footage taken from motorbikes, now that that looks the way to do it.
crosscheck : Thanks Dave. The truck camper certainly got a work out on that trip. I didn't realise in advance how many of the miles of driving would be on twisty mountain passes. I knew about Stelvio, but you soon discover that there seem to be far more miles of steep and twisty roads than there are straight and flat roads.
RobertRyan : Sorry Robert, we really concentrated on the mountains in this trip, so didn't really spend any time in any of the alpine towns, lovely as they looked. I hadn't heard about that helicopter accident. I may have flown with that guy as I've done exactly the same as you.
Mote : Thanks. It is definitely worth putting Europe on the list of parts of the world to visit.
Tiger4x4RV : Ironically off all the other campers on this forum yours would probably be the most suitable for doing these roads, though I guess it depends what the engine-braking is like on your gasoline engine.
Sleepy : Many thanks Chet. Being based in England now your grandson has so much of this within fairly easy reach. It is certainly worth them trying to visit some of Europe while this side of the pond.
joerg68 : Thanks Joerg & Janina. I forgot about Bad Kissingen, of course. Sorry we missed you.
NVR2L82AV8 : Thanks - yep, in Britain we use the term 'holiday' to mean both time off work (e.g. Christmas day) and what we do with that time, i.e. going on vacation.
SRT : Thanks, glad you enjoyed it.
seldomseensmith : Hi Eric. Glad you enjoyed the report and video. Great praise coming from someone with such a great blog. I love your blog (just been showing Sally the familiar sites of Antelope Canyon - brings back memories from years back). Sorry we couldn't make Expo this year, would have been lovely to meet up.
flaxi : Thanks Felix. Sorry we couldn't drop by this time and camp with you. Too many miles and too much to squeeze in on this trip. However, we'll have to try to make time to stop by on a future trip and see your new camper.
All the best,
Steve & Sally.
