Important rules for instant travelers:
1. Keep your camper van in escape mode (A full tank of gas is a good start).
2. Have an 'emergency' travel bag or backpack at the ready.
3. It's Friday: Leave work early!
4. Clean out the fridge and fill the cooler of the van (Don't forget the wine, honey!).
5. Hit the road before rush hour.
Wichtige Regeln für den Spontanreisenden:
1. Den Bulli im Fluchtmodus halten (Für den Anfang reicht da schon mal ein voller Tank.)
2. Immer eine gepackte Notfall-Reisetasche oder den Rucksack bereit stellen.
3. Es ist Freitag: Mach' früh Feierabend!
4. Räum' den Kühlschrank aus befülle die Kühlbox im Bus (Vergiss nicht den Wein, Schatz!)
5. Sieh zu, dass Du vor dem Berufsverkehr los kommst.
Said and done, last Friday we decided it was time again to head South and visit the second best country in the world: Switzerland. (First comes Canada, eh!).
Gesagt, getan. Letzten Freitag machten wir uns wieder mal Richtung Süden auf, um das zweitbeste Land der Welt zu besuchen: die Schweiz. (Das beste Land ist für uns natürlich immer noch Kanada, Ihr wisst sicher noch, warum.)
A mere 250 kilometers on German and Swiss highways (150 miles) later we arrived in the Bernese Highlands and found an open campground near Krattigen overlooking lake Thun.
Nur 250 Kilometer auf deutschen und schweizer Autobahnen später kamen wir im Berner Oberland an, wo wir einen geöffneten Campingplatz bei Krattigen mit Blick auf den Thuner See entdeckt hatten.
Light faded quickly, and we managed just in time setting up the camper van for the night. We levelled it out, plugged in the power cable, popped up the roof and threw over a so-called Cali-Cap in order to increase insulation as it would still be freezing temps. We skipped the cooking part as the campground facilities included a little bistro with simple home cooked meals.
Es wurde schnell dunkel am Berg, und wir haben es gerade noch so geschafft, in der Dämmerung unser Lager aufzuschlagen, d.h. den Wagen gerade hinstellen (dafür hat es Auffahrkeile), den Strom anschließen, und dem Aufstelldach eine Mütze (ein Cali-Cap) aufziehen, um die Isolierung zu verbessern, denn es sollte Temperaturen um den Gefrierpunkt geben. Gekocht haben wir nicht mehr, denn am Platz gab es ein kleines Bistro, in dem einfache Hausmannskost geboten wurde.
While at dinner the van's auxiliary heating system provided for a warm and cozy homecoming. A book, a fleece blanket, some (electric) candles and a glass of Rosé then made for a perfect start into the weekend.
Während wir beim Abendessen weilten, machte es die Standheizung im Bulli schon einmal warm und gemütlich. Mit Buch, Kuscheldecke, ein paar (elektrischen) Kerzen und einem Glas Rosé wurde es dann der perfekte Start ins Wochenende.
Sounds like a nice ride.
ReplyDeleteIt is - as long as traffic flows... we got lucky this time.
DeleteGood escape checklist, especially the vino. I like the sunset colors.
ReplyDeleteYou got it, Dom. A bottle of wine can save the day.
DeleteThe Cali-Cap provides insulation for the pop-up? Is there any insulation at all or is it just fabric?
ReplyDeleteI like the escape checklist. Though, you may not need to escape. Your area looks pretty nice.
'Escape' was indeed added for drama, Richard ;-)
DeleteThe pop-up of the VW van is more or less a waterproof canvas tent with a metall roof, and does not provide much protection from cold weather conditions.
The Cali-Cap serves as a second layer, and the air in between the sheets helps with the insulation. The material is storm-proof, water resistant and UV stable, and made from high-tech fabrics based on polyester, teflon and acrylic fibers. I sound like a commercial, don't I?
so muss es sein :-). Hoffe, Ihr seid warm geblieben?
ReplyDeleteWir sind auch grad wieder von 9 Tagen Texas zurueck, wenn auch geplant da Ferien *lach*. Aber einen Camper vor der Tuer zu haben, ist schon echter Luxus wenn es um spontan reisen geht.
Ja, die Kombination Cali Mütze und Standheizung hat wunderbar geklappt.
DeleteAhhhh...... the advantages of Europe in being able to hit the road and keep driving to any number of exotic locations. Do that in NZ and your car or bike is going to get very wet very quickly :-) . Sounds like you guys are really getting full use from your camper van - excellent investment!
ReplyDeleteIndeed, and why not make use of it as long as we are in here... ;-) Living in the Southwest of Germany sure has its advantages.
DeleteGenau so und nicht anders! Ihr macht ja nur dort weiter, wo wir vor 20 Jahren aufgehört haben. So schön!
ReplyDeletePS. Uebernachten irgendwo auf einem Pass, wo man erst am Morgen sieht, wo man eigentlich steht, hat übrigens auch seinen Reiz...
Hach ja, Anita. Ist ja auch wunderschön dort. Und wir sind gerade erst dabei, es zu entdecken. Das Übernachten am Pass oder auf einem Wanderparkplatz steht bei uns auch ganz oben auf der Liste.
DeleteHow lovely! We have to get our Westfalia back in order and change out the propane tank and purchase a new canvas tent, it is a 1985, still going strong, but needs some TLC. Good to see you have instant travel down to an art form. Try a wool duvet, it is lovely in the Westy.
ReplyDeleteOh, Dar. You own a Westy? That's awesome. Pleas give it the necessary TLC, it's well worth it.
DeleteWe've owned the Westy since 1995, it's plonked in my driveway right now, going to do some refurbishing, because I am not a tenter, I much prefer the cozy van.
DeleteLove the escape after work thinking, gets you there sooner so you can do things on the weekend. Great place for it to and only a couple of hours away. All to easy. In Australia you would have gotten nowhere and the scenery wouldn't have changed yet.
ReplyDeleteAustralia seems similar to Canada then, drive for hours and scenery still doesn't change. Well, but scenic it was...
DeleteWe are taking the opportunity to visit what's in reach. It's a privilege, and we are well aware of it.
Yes, I have to admit, kind of jealous. Although for 150 miles in Oregon we could go from rainforest to arid desert. So many folks camp here it is hard to do anything last minute because folks have all the camping spots reserved. Glad you two found a nice little spot.
ReplyDeleteDon't be, Brandy. During high season you also need to make reservations, and spontaneity get a bit lost in the process. That's why we prefer to travel in low season.
Delete