Eriba Man

I checked my diary, and the winter cover was removed last year on the 20th of Feb, the day I bought the van. I'd collected the van from a storage yard near Aberdeen where it had been undercover for the winter of 2017/2018. With a good spell of weather over the last few days, and predicted for the next few, I was keen to get the van out for an airing and put the cover away until next year. I even spotted some snowdrops in Inglismaldie Forest during the afternoon dog walk! The cover came of very easily, even by myself. It is a 'Specialised Covers' product, and is also very light for packing away. Once removed, the van looked excellent. As clean as it was when I put the cover on 3 months ago, on the 15th of November. Won't even need a wash. First time to see the new upholstery in daylight. Looks great, and will be even better when I get the cushions in, and fit a new carpet. As can be expected, the cabinet hinges were a little stiff, and the ...

Another Eriba has joined my family. Not 'my' family of caravans, but my brother now owns an Eriba. My brother had been looking out for a suitable Eriba, and we'd both been keeping an eye on the various online sources on a regular basis. I subscribe to an Eriba forum, and I noticed an attractive sounding Puck in the 'For Sale' section. I quite fancied another Puck, but this one looked like the ideal caravan for my brother. He's never towed before, and he hasn't owned a caravan. A Puck would be his ideal starter. I contacted the seller, and arranged to visit to see the van. So, on Friday, 18th Jan 2019, we set off at 0400 for a planned 6hr drive to Derbyshire to view the van. For winter, the drive was perfect. No hold up's, good weather, and we arrived almost bang on our predicted arrival time. The van was a cracker. A 2003 Puck 120GT, one owner, always garaged, and virtually unmarked. The bodywork and, more importantly, the chassis were both in grea...

Probably a bit of 'out of season' indulgence, but it was time to consider my in-van entertainment. I carry a tiny 9" TV in the van, but I do prefer radio and music. My father is a great fan of radio, and I was brought up in a house full of radios, one in every room. I do really enjoy the immersive experience of radio, and for many years I have taken a Roberts world radio wherever I went in the van. A good FM radio, with dodgy MW and even dodgier 'world radio' SW bands. When I was in Berwick Upon Tweed last year, I bought a DAB Radio, a Pure branded one which was good but, again, a very modern plasticky affair. I admit it had a good signal strength, but a rather thin, tinny sound. Good enough, but I am a sucker for upgrades! Browsing possibilities on Amazon, I came across the Roberts Revival RD70. I had one of these years ago, although it was FM/AM only, no DAB.  This new, modern version had FM, DAB, and also Bluetooth. The Bluetooth was imp...

This is now January 2019. My last night away in the van was 30th Oct 2018, and since mid November the van has been undercover. not in a building, but covered in a storage cover on my drive. With the number of days I tour, winter can be a long period of short days, cold weather, and filling my days with jobs and chores around the house. Early on in this 'out of season' period, I planned to carry out some upgrades which I wouldn't have undertaken in the touring season or little jobs I'd put on the 'back burner' until the van was off road. I wanted to redesign the interior colours and fabrics. I had seen a lovely scheme on a new 'Airstream' which really impressed me. Leather seats, tartan curtains, and natural cushions was what I was after. First, I contacted a local upholsterer, chose some fabric, removed the seats and took them to Brechin to be recovered. I have a good sewing machine, so I then bought some fabric, new inserts, and went about makin...

After 108 nights of living in my caravan this year, I have decided to end this years touring and put the caravan into 'hibernation' for the winter. My last night away was at Culloden on the 30th Oct. Looking back at my diary, I finished touring last year on the same date at Melrose. In 2016, I was using my camper van and I finished on 29th Sep at Banchory. The options for winter touring are quite limited, especially with the need for power, and after looking at the sites available, the lack of daylight, and the weather forecast I decided to put the van in it's 'winter jacket'. The cover I have came with the van. In fact, the van was under the cover when I viewed it back in March, so I knew it was a good cover, tailor made for the Familia. It's a two man job, but I laid it all out in preparation for an extra pair of hands later in the afternoon. It was a fine afternoon as I took the last look at the van until (maybe) next February or March. M...

This is night No.108/2018 living in my caravan. This is my 2nd night at the Culloden Moor C&MC Site near Inverness. Got up around 0630 to a clear but cold morning. The car and the van had a good coating of frost. Again, I did not feel it at all in the van! After taking the dogs for a blast round the forest next door, we had breakfast and then headed down into Culloden Village to take a walk around the woods. It's was clear at the site, but very foggy as the land dropped into Culloden. It made the woods very different. We passed St Mary's Well, a 'clootie well' in the woods. As we gained some height, it did start to clear a bit. It's a good hours walking which forms part of a Culloden Trail and passes the 'Prisoners Stone' just up ahead from here. After lunch, took the dogs over the Kessock Bridge to Ord Hill, a FC wood with an orienteering course. There a great walk which gives good views over the Moray Firth. It's quite a h...

This is night No.107/2018 living in my caravan. We're now pitched at Culloden Moor C&MC Site, about 5 miles from Inverness. 2 nights cost £24.40, very reasonable and most likely due to it being almost the end of the season. Got up around 0700, which was remarkable as that is really (by BST) 0800! At last, an opportunity to walk the dogs in the morning in light with no torch. we took a wander down by the River Croe which runs past the site. It was still cold, but definitely not as cold as last night. Quite a fine sunrise and a touch of 'Alpen Glow' over the hills to the West. I was a bit muddled about where to go next. I really didn't fancy just heading back in the reverse of the journey I'd taken, so opted to head north east towards Inverness to give the whole trip a circular route. Culloden Moor is a good site for the dogs, and there is plenty to do during the day. I've stayed here many time, in both my campervans, and both my caravans over t...