Re: Here Goes, Holding Breath

by boxerman Sat Jun 09, 2018 7:39 pm

The problem with the far North is - as far as your interests go, that in summer it doesn't go all that dark at night. I have sat outside reading at midnight in some places. The further North you go - the lighter the nights are.
You need to go in winter content

Frank

by Constan42 Sat Jun 09, 2018 11:21 pm

Your right Frank, as far as taking a telescope out right now up there,would be a waste of time really, from about mid May to the beginning of September would be a bit of a waste of time, not to mention if you had a full moon as well, that would cause extra havoc for a Telescope. Come the Autumn though, would be an awesome site to see. Because of all the light pollution around us, and because of cheap outdoor lighting available today, everybody seems to want to put a spotlight on their houses and gardens,this causes a blanket of light that we cannot see through,people don't realise that the Stars are being slowly taken away from us,we are becoming detached from the very Universe we live in. The Stars belong to everybody, we have forgotton how to look up.

by fenderbender Sat Jun 09, 2018 11:30 pm

Hi, ive had a '97 symphony for a few years now, mines a 2.5 non turbo diesel, fantastic van, have toured Scotland several times, twice during the winter.
Never been stuck and managed some ridiculously steep hills without a problem.
I usually keep speed to around 60 but it will 70+ if needed.
I found when i first got the van i would take far too much stuff with me but now take much less so storage not a problem especially when i travel on my own.
Good luck with your search.

Dave

by Constan42 Sun Jun 10, 2018 12:03 am

fenderbender wrote:Hi, ive had a '97 symphony for a few years now, mines a 2.5 non turbo diesel, fantastic van, have toured Scotland several times, twice during the winter.
Never been stuck and managed some ridiculously steep hills without a problem.
I usually keep speed to around 60 but it will 70+ if needed.
I found when i first got the van i would take far too much stuff with me but now take much less so storage not a problem especially when i travel on my own.
Good luck with your search.

Dave

Any idea what MPG you get out of the 2.5 Diesel Dave. Thats one fine Motorbike, and the Guitars are my favourite .

by fenderbender Sun Jun 10, 2018 8:55 am

I get 35 mpg when touring, i usualy keep to just under 60mph, the van seems happier at that speed and runs almost turbine like.
I really need to change my avatar, i no longer have the bike, it was a modified 1200 Harley sportster with a nitrous kit fitted, it was a bit of a handfull and i decided i was pushing my riding abilities a bit so sadly it had to go.
As for the guitars, ive retired now and stopped making them, the old eyesight was struggling with the detailed stuff, i still have quite a collection though.
Happy days now, can't beat getting up on a monday morning and going off in the van somewhere.
Thanks for your interest.

Dave

by Constan42 Sun Jun 10, 2018 12:06 pm

fenderbender wrote:I get 35 mpg when touring, i usualy keep to just under 60mph, the van seems happier at that speed and runs almost turbine like.
I really need to change my avatar, i no longer have the bike, it was a modified 1200 Harley sportster with a nitrous kit fitted, it was a bit of a handfull and i decided i was pushing my riding abilities a bit so sadly it had to go.
As for the guitars, ive retired now and stopped making them, the old eyesight was struggling with the detailed stuff, i still have quite a collection though.
Happy days now, can't beat getting up on a monday morning and going off in the van somewhere.
Thanks for your interest.

Dave

Wow Dave,I did'nt realise you actually made Guitars, I saw recently a Fender Harley Davidson Custom Shop Electric Guitar, absolutely beautiful guitar .If I knew how to post pictures on here, I'd post an image.
35 mpg sounds good to me, how long have you had the van,and has she been reliable for you, I'm looking for a Symbol or Symphony for my first Van, but some of the prices out there are just scanderlous to me. Why,can somebody tell why Motorhomes are so damn expensive. I want to go private, because I don't want to tip 5 grand into a dealers pocket. I think Winters going to be my best shot at getting one. Meanwhile I'm just going to have to listen and oggle (is that a word, it doesnt look right) at others adventures on here. Scotland I've decided, is going to be one of my first trips I think. I have never been, but for some reason I'm being called there. write a diary Dave,and let us hear about it, I would love to hear your adventures. It sucks being poor smile!

by boxerman Sun Jun 10, 2018 12:17 pm

Constan42 wrote: Scotland I've decided, is going to be one of my first trips I think. I have never been, but for some reason I'm being called there.

Dot and I toured the Highlands and Islands every year for over 30 years - it kept calling us back too up!

Constan42 wrote: It sucks being poor

If you've got £12k - you're richer than I am content

Frannk

by Constan42 Sun Jun 10, 2018 12:32 pm

boxerman wrote:
Constan42 wrote: Scotland I've decided, is going to be one of my first trips I think. I have never been, but for some reason I'm being called there.
Dot and I toured the Highlands and Islands every year for over 30 years - it kept calling us back too

Constan42 wrote: It sucks being poor

If you've got £12k - you're richer than I am

Frannk

by juwlz Sun Jul 01, 2018 6:55 am

Constan42 wrote:The MAIN question I wanted to ask at the moment is, do I go Petrol or Diesel, and what size of Engine to go for, and which problematic engines to look out in the ranges available.

When comparing efficiency of Petrol vs Diesel, if economy is your aim, you also need to take into account the cost of the fuel. Petrol is generally (but not always) a few pence per litre cheaper than diesel, and if government policy continues to get more and more anti-diesel, that difference in price (and consequently a difference in resale value) is likely to increase.

On the other hand, diesel engines often last longer.

Our K-reg Talisman is a petrol (based on a Talbot van). I won't jinx our trip next week by saying anything about it!

Although this seems unlikely to be relevant in your case, another consideration for anybody travelling near London, or any other cities with similar low emission restriction schemes in force, is that it may cost you a significant amount of money to bring a diesel vehicle (and particularly an OLD diesel vehicle) within the zone.