London via Singapore. 2015 🇬🇧🇸🇬

After several months of researching our motorhoming options for this year we are on our way.  Given the various issues engulfing Europe this year we have decided on a direction rather than a destination.  The end result of reading the various Rough Guides and Lonely Planets is to head east as far as we can, keeping in mind I need to have Pam home for work in November.

During the last month or two we have had the Hymer’s annual service completed, the wheels removed and brakes inspected.  Passing it’s MOT (pink slip) with flying colours.  Prior to this over the English winter we had the air-conditioning unit replaced.  You may remember from last year we had trouble with the Dometic roof top air-conditioner.  Anyway long story short being less than 12 months old it was exchanged for new unit, so fingers crossed.  Lastly we have replaced the existing sigma alarm system with a new Autowatch 457 alarm system.

Anyway we said our goodbyes to children, grandchildren, neighbours and friends, feeling guilty we give Jessie a pat and head for the airport.  After shuffling things about we are a bit worried about our bags being over weight.  Our flights this year are with Singapore Airline, apart from being competitively priced a stopover including hotel and transfers was available for an extra $2.  After waiting in the queue at the bag drop for 45 minutes we reach the top of the line, the attendant doesn’t even weigh our carry on bags and we smile and walk on through.

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Hotel V Lavender

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The flight departs and arrives on time, we find SA seating reasonable roomy for cattle class.  We catch an afternoon nap and arrive in Singapore feeling pretty good.  Our $2 hotel come with free tickets to the hop on-off bus.  So after a little R&R we are on the bus seeing the sights.  Although it’s hot and humid there is a nice breeze on the open top bus.  Later we have dinner in a local restuarant off in the back streets of the Lavender, SP$18 seems like a bargain for a large plate of Singapore noodles and an equally large bottle of Tiger Beer.

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The Hotel V Lavender would be described as a budget hotel but it’s quiet, the room a bit small but the bed firm and comfortable.  Pam’s asleep by 8.30 and I soon follow.  In the morning it’s raining heavily but we have a walk with coffee and breakfast in mind.  Luckily enough we find a proper little coffee shop called ‘The Oberstrasse’ just 50 metres up the street, but it’s not yet open.  Not in the mood for sticky bun or a stir fry for breakfast, Pam knocks on the door.  The proprietor is a lovely young man and somehow Pam con’s him into letting us in for coffees an hour before normal opening.  We start chatting over coffee and next thing you know he is cooking bacon and eggs on toast.  Fresh made and half the price of the hotel’s breakfast.

Second leg of the flight went as good as 13 hours in a plane can be.  It was an almost new Boeing 777 and I kept a close eye on the flaperon which was clearly visible from my window.  Arrival in Heathrow was very smooth virtually walking through customs and immigration with no waiting at all.  Two hours later we arrive at Bosham Boathouse B&B looking forward to a good sleep and our reunion with the Hymer tomorrow.

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West Sussex, UK

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Next morning I leave Pam relaxing and get a lift for the couple of kilometres to Church Farm for a very emotional reunion with the Hymer.  She has been on charge for a couple of days and the batteries are looking good with a load test.  The next hour is getting all its plumbing, heating and cooling systems checked and a quick wash of 9 months of dust and it’s time to pick up Pam and head north.

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Michael and Pam

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