Overland with Kids

Things are looking up! We got out repair done today by British Car in Valencia - fuel pump (we had suspected) and the connecter faulty. Approx 370 Euros. Want to say that British Car fantastic - really great bunch of guys and could read our minds about our desparation to get back on the road quickly. Not because they were able to do a speedy repair (well maybe a little true) but really because they are genuinely very nice and professional guys. If your ever in the area and need LR repair or service, look them up tel: 96 348 54 78. They are based in Doctor Marco Merenciano 41, 46025 Valencia. We could not recommend them more highly.

Collected vehicle this evening and we are delighted to hear the smooth running of the vehicle again - feels like a Ferrari after what we´ve been through, though the reality couldn´t be more different. We have probably gained 2 miles per hour or something not far off. Fully loaded Land Rover Defender is L’escagot II but for us it´s feeling pretty nifty at the mo. 

We spent day today enjoying Valencia beginning with historic city centre then to a very pretty park full of beautiful flowers, fountains and parrots in the trees. We will remember Valencia especially for it´s several lovely fountains. Lunch and a tram ride later found us on a fantastic and really packed beach (we think Valencia centre was empty as everyone seemed to be on the beach today).  Keeping up with tru tinker tradition,  children were in their underwear (irresponsible, ill-prepared parents didn´t bring swimming cossies or towels today), before heading back into Valencia centre again to collect vehicle and return to our hotel. We did wash the kids tonight, amazing the transformation a bit of soap, hot water, shampoo and a comb can do!

Jessica´s hair has been cut short into a shoulder length bob by Anne (Jess begged for it to be cut) and she loves it plus no more tangles! and much easier to keep.

Tomorrow we finally begin our haul onto Morocco. We have already started to prepare the children for the huge culture change they are about to experience - no pools or bikes at their disposal. No pasta, fresh tomatoes, melon, crisps or drinks on demand. No caravan or beach (for a little while on any case). Longer driving conditions, hotter weather with much shorter stopovers, alarm setting each morning, arabic, haggling, customs and more.  We can´t wait to finally get there and it has been fantastic so far helping, listening and hearing the children so far translate simple words into both French and Spanish. Morocco will be a very interesting and exciting contrast compared to what we have enjoyed so far.

It´s been a struggle to get Jessica to fill her diary - it´s always the last thing she wants to do over having fun and more fun each day but we´ve stuck with it and hassled her and it´s becoming interesting to watch her own interest finally grow in filling it. We are usually always a few days behind but this is a good thing as we can reflect on the highlights rather than rush to fill it eah day.

Maths and puzzles have been good for both - Jess and AJ seem to enjoy the challenge. Gameboys have hardly been used but portable DVD in the car during long journeys has been a Godsend.

All is well in camp O´Flaherty and we couldn´t be happier. If we could do what we have done all over again including all of the issues we have experienced - we wouldn´t waste a second to say YES, YES, YES! Bring it on! We are very much looking forward to the next stage of our adventure.

As AJ has started to day - YEAH MAN (everything ends in MAN these days)!

So COOL (MAN!) and speak again soon (MAN!)

The O Team

xxxx

  

 

 

Diary (Blog)