The bus went into hibernation in October in the grounds of the Ball mansion (huge thanks to them). It has stood steadfast and true throughout the cold spell with night temperatures ranging from -2 to -12. Suffice to say, with a little help from both batteries it confidently awoke on the third turn of the key....this has cheered me up immensely and just proves what a damn fine bus it is!
The looming MOT doesn't scare me anymore.
Monday 27 December 2010
Wednesday 22 December 2010
Colin breathes again
Avid followers of this auspicious blog will have been aquainted with my 'beloved'...... No, not the Mem Sahib (aka Rita) but my jolly little NSM CITY II - affectionatly known as Colin. What the great Bish forgot to advise with his entry commemorating my 50 Summers (...never thought I'd reach it!) was that Colin was on a life support system! However a damn fine godlike gentleman, whose earthly name is Simon, in good old Twickers worked his miracle and Colin now lives again. Now this is truly a nativity worth celebrating....the rebirth of Colin.
"And so it came to pass that the almighty Simon did hear the wailing and witness the tearing of hair of the lost tribe of Smithington as they mourned the loss of Colin. Six times did Ian implore the almighty Simon to reprieve Colin and on the seventh call Simon heard and he looked upon the book of the funbus and saw the words of wisdom bestowed therein and compassion flooded the Almighty's heart. Through his messenger the angelic BT Gabriel he sumoned Ian to the home of God and the RFU to bear witness to the 3 wise men bearing the gifts of Knowledge, spare parts and genius who attended Colin. And so it came to pass that Colin was reborn amidst a great host and gathering of 45's on December 22nd which from thereon will forever be known throughout the land as 'Colin day'".
Here am I with Colin . It would have been a bit twee to have him playing the Beach Boys instead He's playing Dr Feelgood - Milk and Alchohol.... well what did you expect?
Sunday 12 December 2010
50 summers young...
Truly a wondrous evening of convivial bonhomie with chums old and new was had at the Bish's half century party. The festivities went on long into the early morning and copious quantities of varied beverages were quaffed and fine victuals consumed with much relish and gusto. I am sure there will be photos at some point but for now here is Bish in all his glory aboard the van and living the dream.
The journey just gets better and better
Monday 6 December 2010
A blast in Bruge
To celebrate our 50 summers and the Thrush's 59 - we set off with partners and chums to Bruges. Why you ask - why not we say. ...and a damn fine time we had as well. Lots of beer and drink, good food, intelligent conversation, wit and repartee.....all the ingredients you would expect from a bunch of good friends. Bruges is pretty - but very cold. I can recommend the Gluivein and hot dogs to keep the chill at bay but sitting in a bar is even better; there are a lot of bars! Interesting fact - for a country remarkable for being the bureaucratic centre of Europe, they still allow smoking in bars. Anyway fun all round and it was a hoot. ..
Sunday 28 November 2010
Smith Snr. and Smith Jnr. are now mechanics!
This accreditation is given on the basis that they have both touched bare metal in sub zero conditions.
Bish
Bish
Wednesday 10 November 2010
Smithington is 50!
Well, one half of the Fun Bus Team hits 50 on the 11th Nov.
In celebration of this I've posted a picture of him with his beloved.
Also you may notice the pink theme to the blog - Ian always tells me I need to get in touch with my feminine side - so here it is.
All the best.
Bish
"50 - merely the beginning"
Saturday 25 September 2010
Boys are back on the road
A few things have happened since the trip to Spain.
I ventured to Branscombe at the behest of Brother in law Steve who wanted to experience the bus. Naturally we had the obligatory 'drink the bus dry' session that ended at 5 in the morning. bracing walks over coastal paths and cliff tops followed by a long lunch in a damn fine pub garden admiring the locals. All finished off at a hostelry renowned for fine food and ale. once his liver works again I am sure he will be eager to get back on the road.
The great Bish has also made full use of the bus with a trip to Charmouth with Mrs Bish to celebrate many years of wedded bliss......enough said!
Now Bish and I are reunited and at Croyde getting in some last minute boarding as October for me is fully booked with Uni visits for the male off spring. waves have been good though not spectacular, drink has been varied with ale, lager, cider, and red wine being consumed. I am pleased to formally announce that we now have a fun bus cocktail - spiced rum and ginger beer. However we also enjoyed rum depth charges as the great Bish demonstrates in the pic - not for the faint hearted.
Just finished a hearty curry in the van and we are now looking forward to enjoy the famous Ruda cabaret which tonight has a comedian focus...god help us. Luckily there is blackthorn on draft so all is not lost.
I ventured to Branscombe at the behest of Brother in law Steve who wanted to experience the bus. Naturally we had the obligatory 'drink the bus dry' session that ended at 5 in the morning. bracing walks over coastal paths and cliff tops followed by a long lunch in a damn fine pub garden admiring the locals. All finished off at a hostelry renowned for fine food and ale. once his liver works again I am sure he will be eager to get back on the road.
The great Bish has also made full use of the bus with a trip to Charmouth with Mrs Bish to celebrate many years of wedded bliss......enough said!
Now Bish and I are reunited and at Croyde getting in some last minute boarding as October for me is fully booked with Uni visits for the male off spring. waves have been good though not spectacular, drink has been varied with ale, lager, cider, and red wine being consumed. I am pleased to formally announce that we now have a fun bus cocktail - spiced rum and ginger beer. However we also enjoyed rum depth charges as the great Bish demonstrates in the pic - not for the faint hearted.
Just finished a hearty curry in the van and we are now looking forward to enjoy the famous Ruda cabaret which tonight has a comedian focus...god help us. Luckily there is blackthorn on draft so all is not lost.
Wednesday 18 August 2010
..if you look hard enough
Having initiated the Mem Sahib to the joys of the van - thought I should make an effort to regain brownie points. So off to jolly old Spain for a few days R&R making full use of the kindly donated 5 star 'Ranchero Ballo'. Great time - good healthy living, walking, jogging, swimming, eating ... but too much wine and beer (what a surprise).
Anyway the point of this is to say that we found a surfing beach just south of La Manga that up to now has eluded our efforts to locate it. When we arrived the swell was good and long but alas I had no board. The next time we visted the swell was short and a tad feeble (..sound familiar?) so only managed a few token runs- just to prove the point that there is some wave action in the Med.
Attached is a vid of the 'good swell' day and a pic of me (yes it is if you look really closely) on the 'feeble' day. Also a pic of my new funky footwear.
...Maybe the fun bus will stop here on a future European tour.
Tuesday 27 July 2010
My experience!
Well what can I say - thank goodness I packed the essentials - wine and cider. Once I got over the embarrassment of the journey and put the sign out saying 'Sold out of ice creams' I actually had a good time. I especially liked the fact I could use my straightners in the comfort of my own van. When are we off again?
Leigh
Leigh
Turned out OK
Truly does the Bish speak words of wisdom with his top tips.
In my usual manner of JDI ing, the Mem Sahib's first venture was...inteteresting.
A camp site on top of a steep (2nd gear all the way) 1 and a half mile hill and the pub at the bottom. No shop or bar facilities at all on the campsite and nearest food shop that might be open when we arrived about 10 miles away.
Dragged her on a coastline hike of 10 miles on Saturday - arrive at aforementioned pub tired, hungry and looking forward to local fare only to find fully booked - so beans in the van it was!
Still she did say she enjoyed the weekend and was smiling most of the time so all's good.
In my usual manner of JDI ing, the Mem Sahib's first venture was...inteteresting.
A camp site on top of a steep (2nd gear all the way) 1 and a half mile hill and the pub at the bottom. No shop or bar facilities at all on the campsite and nearest food shop that might be open when we arrived about 10 miles away.
Dragged her on a coastline hike of 10 miles on Saturday - arrive at aforementioned pub tired, hungry and looking forward to local fare only to find fully booked - so beans in the van it was!
Still she did say she enjoyed the weekend and was smiling most of the time so all's good.
3 Top Tips for Smithington
1) Look in the right place for the fuel filler cap key
2) Check whether the camp site has on-site food
3) Always have reserve supplies on board
Tips freely given by Bish, look out for further toptips...
Sunday 11 July 2010
Relections
The last 24 hours now seem a blur. Living them was intense. In simple terms I walked about 22 miles. 11 miles up to achieve a total vertical height above sea level of about 2 miles and 11 miles down all in driving rain in the space of 12.5 hours. I sat in a crowded VW with 7 other people plus gear for 10 hours from Snowdonia to Fort William. What a smell! And in total had 4 hours sleep. I ate a fried breakfast and then grazed on crisps chocolate energy bars nuts bananas sandwhiches and water. Would I do it again - no. Did I enjoy it - yes.
3 peaks done
The 3 mountains up and down completed in 12.5 hours plus 10 hours driving that's 22.5 hours. Target was 24 hours. 11 started only 4 finished and I was the oldest. ROCK and ROLL
Saturday 10 July 2010
Snowdon
3 hours 15. Pouring rain and gusting winds. Deep joy. One down two to go. Good news no blisters bad news I am a little tired. Good news I am 45 minutes ahead of schedule. Bad news I am soaking wet. Good news had a huge fried breakfast. bad news 4 hours drive to next one.
Friday 9 July 2010
Roadkill
Traffic jam A56. Bored. Fellow hikers discussing football - why? Totally tedious, however I reckon over the last half a mile I have seen 2 badgers, a fox, rabbit, a sheep (yes a sheep) and a big something I can't recognise.... All dead on roadside. But no hedgehogs I guess they teach them the green cross code up here. Could be I am on the trail of a serial killer (or just a bad driver).
Still no sign of my sherpa - I hope he wasn't the big something I couldn't recognise.
Warrington
...Not a place to rush back to. Some strange trekking types have picked us up and we are on way to the hills. Where is my sherpa?
happy hiking
Well I am on a virgin train heading North. Feeling nervous but looking forward to conquering the biggest hills in the british isles. I wonder if Hilary Tensing felt nervous about being on a virgin train? I think I need a sherpa
Monday 7 June 2010
We Have been busy!!
Aplogies for the delay in updating the final stages of our initial adventure...a combination of lack of sleep and lack of WiFi.
The cheap and cheerful pizza was both as expected but surprisingly good....given the affects of happy hour and a rather nice red the evening was fun.
However a thunder storm overnight and excessive joint snoring resulted in two tired bunnies in the morning. Made worse by chilly overcast weather.
Our last day...beach as normal but very few brave souls in the water, so being wimps we decided to followthe crowd and watch the die-hards from a sheltered vantage point with coffee...lots of coffee.
We took the opportunity to take a look up and down the coast at alternative beaches ready for our next trip. Several were found and notes taken!!
Setting off at 2.45pm we were aiming to be in Dieppe by 10pm. The ferry was shipping to Newhaven at 5 am to arrive at 8...a quick spin up the A23/M23/M25 and A217 aiming to be at desk ( and hopefully working) by 9.30. The drive was long - several stops and lots of coffee.
More to follow but is now 7pm, I am leaving work having started at 9.30am after 2 hours sleep on the ferry(!).....I need a curry!
The cheap and cheerful pizza was both as expected but surprisingly good....given the affects of happy hour and a rather nice red the evening was fun.
However a thunder storm overnight and excessive joint snoring resulted in two tired bunnies in the morning. Made worse by chilly overcast weather.
Our last day...beach as normal but very few brave souls in the water, so being wimps we decided to followthe crowd and watch the die-hards from a sheltered vantage point with coffee...lots of coffee.
We took the opportunity to take a look up and down the coast at alternative beaches ready for our next trip. Several were found and notes taken!!
Setting off at 2.45pm we were aiming to be in Dieppe by 10pm. The ferry was shipping to Newhaven at 5 am to arrive at 8...a quick spin up the A23/M23/M25 and A217 aiming to be at desk ( and hopefully working) by 9.30. The drive was long - several stops and lots of coffee.
More to follow but is now 7pm, I am leaving work having started at 9.30am after 2 hours sleep on the ferry(!).....I need a curry!
Sunday 6 June 2010
Saturday 5 June 2010
Another day - another wave - another beer - another Ricard - more cheese - more bread - more fun - and of course lots more wine. The only regret is TOO MUCH SUN. I now am suffering with lobsteritis. No laughing when I get home.
Anyway not much to report today except Pete took a major tumble on his board that disconnected his lanyard - however the next wave he rode was an absolute peach...he flew! mucho respect.
Fabulous lunch in the car park however - some rather pleasant cheese from the local market (did you know cooked chickens here are 15E each thats like £14 - in Sainsburys they are £5 !!!!!!!) and a crisp light rose for me and cola for the man - his turn to drive!
Now sat in bar (happy hour so Ricard and Stella by the bucket load!) but Morrissey is on the sound system so we are starting to contemplate ways of committing suicide....Pete wants to use a shotgun taped in place to his head with gaffer tape so he doesnt miss - I want to drown in a vat of red wine. Although both of us agree that we would rather stab Morrisey first - and then die happy!
Last night we made it to Equinoxe - oysters, mussels, steak, a rather cheeky white and a very pleasant waitress made for a convivial evening. Back at the van - a night cap of yet another bottle of white.......
Tonight is a cheap and cheerful pizza as we blew the kitty last night.
Thought for the day - when does a glass become half full and will it ever change to half empty? - think about it. The other ponderings today.......... does flotsam end when jetsam starts or vice versa or are the 2 seperate ...but do we really care?
No naked old hairy man today on beach today so mighty relief we dont have a gay stalker. ...
[other than the silver haired one with clogs at the campsite....hmm!]
Well here some more pics and vids for your delight...
`
Friday 4 June 2010
Day 2...with PICS!!!!
The good life continues with an early wake due to a dawn chorus of 2 heavy snorers. I don't think we fell asleep but more passed out due to tiredness beer, cider, ricard and of course a damn fine bottle of red.......So off on the bike for fresh croissants and bread (...sorry we are in Carb heaven!).
After the obligatory three S's its off to the beach..temperature is at least 30 degrees.
Waves are solid and although not frequent we are able to hone our skills in avoiding falling off boards and scraping knees on the sand. Every wave we decide to ride hits a sweet spot so its deep joy but then we missed a few so time to stop for lunch.....
After a healthy tuna salad and kebab panini (!) its more boarding and then back to base. Van is going well .. starting first time and the curtains are spectacularly good at keeping it cool when parked.
A slightly worrying thing must be flagged - on the beach was 'naked old hairy man' with his johnson out. He seemed to have the hots for me and kept moving so I had a full view of his tiny pride and joy that frankly was rather embarrasing...I toyed with flashing him mine but thought better of it so flashed Pete's instead!
So here are the eagerly awaited pics of the 2 party animals doing what they do best in the water.
so after a dip in the headted (yes ....heated) pool on the site its off along the coast on the bikes with beer and chi chi's (with chocolate dip) en route.
Now safely ensconsed in bar with stella and ricard to hand its decision time as to what to eat. We didn't get to Equinoxe last night so its hot favourite tonight.
Now, following the theme we have another issue that we need help with......what is the difference between a knapsack, haversack or rucksack? Why don't we say fanny pack instead of bum bag as its funnier to say fanny than bum.
Thursday 3 June 2010
The Dream becomes real...
At 3.30 this morning the fun bus arrived safe and sound in Dieppe and after 6 hours which included breaks and the obligatory trip to Decathlon we arrive at Le tranche Sur Mer...28 degrees and 30 degrees on the beach....lifes good.
Surf was up and the boards were out and we were in!
Amazingly the anorexic Pete was still able to zip up his 13 year old shorty...snug as ever in all the important places!
How it all came flooding back...breaking waves, blocked ears, sand in every crevice but then you get one right and ride it fast and long (...if only all exhilerating things could last as long!)
Now its post boarding drinking and eating - in the first bar with a crawl planned culminating in a sumptious feast at Equinox Restaurant - that does Oysters and fruits de Mer to die for.
2nd Ricard sliding down well ..... wish you were here!
Q's for today to ponder on...When does a viaduct become a bridge and when does a bridge become a viaduct? please let me know as its worrying me!
Surf was up and the boards were out and we were in!
Amazingly the anorexic Pete was still able to zip up his 13 year old shorty...snug as ever in all the important places!
How it all came flooding back...breaking waves, blocked ears, sand in every crevice but then you get one right and ride it fast and long (...if only all exhilerating things could last as long!)
Now its post boarding drinking and eating - in the first bar with a crawl planned culminating in a sumptious feast at Equinox Restaurant - that does Oysters and fruits de Mer to die for.
2nd Ricard sliding down well ..... wish you were here!
Q's for today to ponder on...When does a viaduct become a bridge and when does a bridge become a viaduct? please let me know as its worrying me!
Wednesday 2 June 2010
Ferry ponderings
Starting to chill as we set out. Van going well and life is good. Ferry is modern and exactly the same as the le havre one but half the cost. Joined the seasoned travellers in the reclining seat areas but didn't bother with pillows and sleeping bags as we are wild surfer types who party on the edge.
Q arose whilst en route - is there a difference between a bison and a buffalo or did Bill just think that 'Bison Bill' was not snappy enough to pull in the punters
Time to snooze - wild adventures ahead!!!!
Tuesday 1 June 2010
Friday 28 May 2010
Welcome on board
Greetings and Felicitations
June 3rd 2010 - a momentous date as the Fun Bus sets off to France....welcome on board.
The journey should be as rewarding as arriving
Sunday 23 May 2010
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