Hiace Hobo - Living in a Toyota Camper Van

Blog live again!

2025-10-14T09:43:00.001+01:00

Hi all,

I’ve just made the entire back catalogue of past posts live again. A lot of them required re-posting then correcting the date for some reason.

The YouTube channel is now live again too!

Thanks for visiting!

If you've any comments or questions please share them below.

Do subscribe for updates, and thanks for your ongoing support.

See you soon..

Valencia to Alicante Off Road Route 2019

2020-06-01T16:23:00.001+01:00

Climbing a steep incline not far

from Banyeres de Mariola

Late November 2019 and I met up with Jimmy and Rab at Sagunto castle outside the city of Valencia, with the intention of driving as much of the way to Alicante as would be possible on unsurfaced tracks..

...what followed was one of the most amazing and enjoyable drives I’ve done to date. Although we averaged speeds of just 16km/h, driving mostly in the low range 4WD gears, this introduced a slow and deliberate rhythm, like riding the trails by pony or horse, and I did not find it tiring, like the type of concentration necessary for long distances by road.

The off-road stages of our journey (map Wikiloc)

We used the Wikiloc app to record our route, the flags on the map above indicate photos taken along the way. Follow the link below to see the journey details recorded there, as well as over fifty photos I took..

The Route on Wikiloc

We also recorded a little video footage of the driving, and some of the places we stopped to camp. I’m sure this will give you a window onto our world as we enjoyed the scenery and ate up the kilometres on the dusty tracks..

Making more off-road journeys of this type is a pleasure afforded to us by driving rugged 4WD vans, bridging the gap between the camper van experience, and the 4x4 scene - it’s great to have a little more comfort and space inside, without sacrificing too much of the off road capability.

Overnight near Enguera

There is nothing too challenging on these routes, but with some tricky sections and steep climbs, low range gearing is going to put a lot less strain on the clutch and drivetrain. Rougher, rocky and corrugated stages, will put more stress and the suspension and steering components, but there is no hurry, and lowering tyre pressures provides a smoother ride as well as more traction.

The evening shadow of a tree divides

the camp near Biar

In all we covered a total of 233km on this journey over a period of six days. Climbing to over 1000m in altitude on these tracks was thrilling, and the views well worth it, though at times it’s best not to take ones eyes off the way ahead! There were some real precipices, and at some points actual exposure, driving around mountain sides on trails not much wider than the vehicles, and taking steep hairpin bends in low gears downhill..

Then evenings having a beer, and talking over the days route to the smell of the breeze in the pines, and something nice frying on the stove.

Great memories!

More updates to come from this years adventures.

Have a good day!

Bring it on! | Winter Travels 2019

2019-11-02T21:48:00.001+00:00

On the ramps getting prepped for whatever might lay ahead...

Last minute parts arrive, and we’ll be ready for the road just in time..

New brake discs, pads and tyres - some of this years upgrades..

As the wind gusts and jostles the van, and the rain beats down relentlessly outside, I lay back and reflect on leaving these shores again tomorrow..

Its been a full on summer working, and down to the wire getting everything just as it needs to be for my journey ahead..

..but the smell of freedom is again in the air and many months of adventures lie before me. Rio of course is along for the ride...

Journey North 10 - Onward to Santander, the ferry and the future.. | España 2019

2019-04-04T10:32:00.001+01:00

Trying to wake up Rio in the fresh air!

He's like a sack of potatoes.. 🙄

Alan’s Mitsubishi Artic

"
With VW Alan from Cornwall

Doesn’t drive a VW, don’t worry 😉

Diary entries..

Final diary entries for the winter expeditions..

Somewhere off the coast of France..

Five months of my life..

Where does it all go eh!

You'll not be hearing much from me in a while..

But I'll be back in a month or two with an update on what I'm getting up to..

I can see the coast of England as I type these final words..

God help me!

👋🏻😜

Journey North 9 - on to Cabárceno | España 2019

2019-04-01T20:46:00.001+01:00

A bit of fun getting out of the woods..

Diary updates..

Pizza and garlic bread by the waters edge..

I loved this camp spot..

My route to Cabárceno via N-623 again..

Continuing onto the N-623..

It's very steep on the way down from the pass..

Think carefully before you drive up it in the other direction

especially if you have an automatic Hiace..

Cabárceno Area Autocaravanas..

This is why I come here to Cabárceno..

The elephants enclosure is a minutes walk from the free motorhome parking!

It's a strange feeling to arrive back here..

I came here on my first night in Spain back in November..

It's a popular 'departure' lounge for travellers about to sail

from Santander, and is a relaxing spot to arrive to before making

ones onward journey.. Good walking and a nice lake as well..

See you soon!

Journey North 7/8 - to Burgos, to Embalse del Ebro | España 2019

2019-03-30T10:45:00.001+00:00

A hidden spot on the banks of the Embalse,

it was fun getting down here!

A couple more days of an epic winter in Spain..

N-234 from Cañón del Río Lobos to Burgos

The beautiful N623 route from Burgos up the the Embalse..

not far from Santander now..

Sections of the original N-623 exist as picnic areas,

with the old road markers as a nice feature..

Rock formations and caves capture my attention as I pass through a village..

The view from a steep winding section..

I made it up in third gear!

We found our way into this woodland beside the Embalse..

Very happy to discover an amazing spot near the end of the trip!

I've noted the GPS - 4x4 only mind.

Looking up from the waters edge to another 'home' in nature..

Where will we be living tomorrow?

I know I always go on about how amazing these journeys are,

how beautiful the scenery is, and how lovely the climate.

This really is no exaggeration, my winters in Spain are consistent

in this regard every time without fail. I'll soon be returning to the UK

for a summer of work, so I'm really breathing in this environment before

coming back. I am simply not used to rain and damp conditions, but no

doubt I'll be coming back just as things are becoming more settled again.

Here's hoping I can bring the sunshine back with me like last summer 👌🏻

Cañón del Río Lobos - camp diary | España 2019

2019-03-28T08:28:00.001+00:00

A couple of days in nature..

My diary entries from the camp in the Canyon..

I enjoy the view over the canyon from the viewpoint above..

The view..

Onwards today..

See you soon!

🚐💨🍃

Journey North 6 - Cañón del Río Lobos | España 2019

2019-03-26T09:57:00.001+00:00

Gazing on the canyon walls and looking out for Griffon vultures..

The fledglings are especially beautiful to see with their half white wings..

My thoughts on the day..

Not too far today..

don't let the sound of your own wheels drive you crazy..

My shots of 'Wolf River Canyon'

Pinch & zoom!

Enjoying our peaceful camp in the canyon and watching vultures through my binoculars..

Will likely stay another night and do a bit of paintwork on the van today, while I'm still in

a dry climate! It was -1.5° inside the van this morning tho.. I've still more than a week left in

Spain so there's really no hurry.. I always allow loads of time for any trip. Lots of sunshine to

enjoy today.. See you soon 👋🏻

More info on this stunning natural park can be found here:

Cañón del Río Lobos

Journey North 5 - road to Berlanga de Duero | España 2019

2019-03-25T07:48:00.001+00:00

The awe inspiring castle at Berlanga..

Update for this stage of the trip..

It's all about the roads you take. If you go by the A15, you'll miss everything..

One of the best routes in Spain..

There were so many photos today, so here's just a flavour..

I'm getting back out there to enjoy it,

then back on the road for another hour maybe,

loving life on the road..

See you soon..

Journey North 4 - to Medinaceli | España 2019

2019-03-24T07:49:00.001+00:00

Following the GU999 in the sunshine along the edge of the embalse..

This drive rivals the Scottish Highlands!

Travel log for today..

Today's route..

The area to the east, I drove through back in November..

Parked up in the hilltop town of Medinaceli..

The hard standing area is being resurfaced, so the grasslands are open to Autocaravans!

This town really welcomes travellers and they have a free parking area set aside..

The view in the evening..

Rio enjoyed playing on the grass where were parked..

As it got dark the kms of wind turbines on the distant ridge had a wave of

coloured lights that travel along them, reminiscent of led light strips!

Lovely to watch as the stars come out..

See you all soon! 👋🏻

More info on the town can be found here:

Medinaceli

Journey North 3 - to Embalse de Entrepeñas | España 2019

2019-03-23T09:29:00.001+00:00

A lovely quiet spot in the sun this afternoon..

Journal entry 22/03/19..

Today's route via CM220 & N320..

Typical scenery of today's drive..

The view west over the dam..

Looking east over the dam wall onto the vast embalse..

Rio plays in faded glory of once grand gardens

This was all our garden for the day!

A new day lays ahead..

Exciting as to where we may end up!

Back soon 👋🏻

🚐💨🍃

Journey North 2 - Onward toward Cuenca | España 2019

2019-03-22T07:25:00.001+00:00

We have ended up here for the day..

Road diary as I travel north..

Today's 128km route on the CM220

Light on traffic, this road passes through pine forest in the region we are camping tonight..

View from my chair ~ enjoying the fresh air at this altitude..

I'll be moving on again most days now, travelling north..

Spring is arriving in the UK, and I intend to bring the sunshine back!

In the meantime, these temperatures will help me acclimatise.

More coming soon!

Journey North 1 - to Chinchilla de Monte Aragón | España 2019

2019-03-21T07:35:00.001+00:00

The scene by night..

Today’s travel log..

Journey planning the Hobo way..

Our route today..

The scene by day..

Not what I’ve been used to!

A great feeling to be moving on to a new future, and I plan to be passing through some unknown places en route..

It’s certain to be cold though!

Wiki article on Chinchilla:

Chinchilla de Monte Aragón

Cala San Pedro.. The Spanish Scoraig? | Almeria, España 2019

2019-03-12T11:50:00.001+00:00

Situated in a secluded cove on the remote coast of Spain’s Cabo de Gata-Níjar Natural Park, can be found the village of San Pedro..

Populated by a mix of hippies, seasonal travellers, and a small number of full-time off-grid residents, it can be accessed either by walking in several kilometres on the cliff path, or by boat from the nearest village, Las Negras. Sound familiar? Having spent a couple of summers in the remote community at Scoraig on Scotland’s rugged highland coast, and being in the area I just had to go and check it out..

The location of San Pedro in Almeria.. the red pin shows where I was staying in the van.

No, I don't think Uber can get you there!

This is as far as it's possible to get by car.. beyond here the path is mostly narrow with some sheer drops,

not unlike the route in to Scoraig. You might be able to go part way by mountain bike..

We walked from our viewpoint camp above Las Negras village.

Good rest spot above Cala San Pedro, the beach and castle clearly visible behind us..

The first place you come to as you descend the path to the cove is the 16th century castle..

In this breathtaking location, it was built to defend the bay from North African pirates

who frequently raided this coast line. Already I could see a few alternative dwellings nestled

around its crumbling but exceedingly thick walls.

This signpost welcomes the traveller to the village and lays down a few simple courtesies..

I stand by the first of the natural springs..

Guests and residents use this area for drinking water, and bathing in the open bath.

There is another spring by the community centre building.

I pass the first substantial dwelling on the way down the track..

Obviously there is plenty of sun here all year around for solar power, and wind too,

though the cove provides shelter from the stronger winds on this coast.

Entering the main valley.. there is a very peaceful feeling, reminiscent of Aldous Huxley's

utopian novel 'Island'..

Children practice martial arts in a clearing..

Looking down to the idyllic beach, we've found a piece of paradise.. again!

Even though it's a Spanish holiday weekend, it's not very busy..

People enjoying the beach at San Pedro..

clothes are very optional here..

The castle as seen from down on the beach..

Playful sparrows on the beach, so tame they ate from my friend's hand..

The 'bin lorry' departs for Las Negras..

I found the cove to be extremely clean, and well kept.

Although part of Parque Natural Cabo de Gata-Níjar,

the hippies and temporary residents are accepted by the local authorities..

A rudimentary 'Buddha' meditates on a rockface as I eat lunch in the afternoon sun, after a swim..

A few photos of the dwellings and shelters to be found around the area of the cove..

In this climate all you need is a tarp and some driftwood to create a temporary abode.

It rarely rains here..

The region of Almeria is one of the hottest and driest parts of Spain, and is part desert, and to cultivate any edible vegetables or raise livestock requires a great irrigation infrastructure as is seen around the tomato plantations, inland near Campohermoso. Here however, I saw little evidence of anything more than a few salad vegetables and fruits growing, as the springs could not irrigate anything more. Fishing however, is possible and there are many small fishing craft off these shore every morning. Scoraig however has a much larger settled community of crofters who cultivate many vegetables and also raise cattle and sheep as is traditional in the highlands of Scotland.

Some beautiful flowers edge the path as we leave the settlement..

bear in mind that this was February..

Looking south, back from the castle in the direction of Las Negras..

Climbing out of the cove, the path passes below some spectacular cliffs..
I'd not like to walk this way in the heat of summer, today it was 24°c..

The path winds its way back to 'civilisation'..

Relaxing back at the vans at our vantage point camp

on Ruta San Pedro..

Las Negras is visible behind us to the south..

My diary entry from that day..

Note the February temperatures, and sunrise/sunset times..

How do the residents make a living here? Unlike on Scoraig there is no internet available, and there is also no mobile signal for connection to the outside world. It would therefore not be easy to operate any kind of computer based business from San Pedro. Those who live here are those of independent means, or making a living selling handicrafts of leather and shells to the day trippers and other visitors. Also, mostly in summer stalls selling food and drinks are set up to take advantage of the tourist trade. Throughout the day, many small craft can be seen ferrying visitors and residents back and forth to Las Negras, and also most larger items and supplies are brought in by boat in the is way, much like on Scoraig.

So there are many similarities, but also differences between the two places; in my opinion Scoraig is much more advanced even though both places have existed in an 'alternative' format for a similar amount of time.. since the 1960's. For example there is no school here. Obviously the climate is hugely different here and the near desert conditions make San Pedro a more difficult place to develop. The climate, particularly the summer heat also leads to less activity and an even more laid back approach to life. San Pedro is actually less remote than Scoraig as its not such a long way from the city of Almeria, or the resort of Mojácar to the north. There is a small supermarket/shop in Las Negras where most food items can be purchased, and I daily

saw people bringing stuff back and forth in their backpacks. No one has caught on to the wheelbarrow as a form of transport that I could see!

For comparison you might like to read my original article on kayaking to Scoraig in 2013,

just click here:

On Scoraig 2013

Take care, and see you soon!

On the Sergio Leone Trail | Rodalquilar Gold Mines | España 2019

2019-03-04T12:31:00.001+00:00

On location.. At the church from, 'The Good, the Bad and the Ugly'

Cortijo del Fraile

The diary entry from the day of the epic journey..

The sea glistens at La Isleta as we prepare to hit the road for the day..

Stopped off for a break en route at Albaricoques

Albaricoques, or 'Aguas Calientes' from 'For a few Dollars More'..

On location with Rio..

The same street as featured in the film.. Lee Van Cleef as Colonel Douglas Mortimer,

and Clint Eastwood as Manco..

The scene of the standoff with the Mexicans..

You can see how much has changed since 1965..

Some legends now name the streets..

The modern sign.. Looking like a scene from 'Breaking Bad'

Paul leads the way onward into the desert valley..

We stopped at a ruined outpost in search of the 'well' from

The Good, The Bad and The Ugly but could not find it.. An amazing location none the less..

Lots of water storage but no sign of the well..

Fascinating ruins with bamboo ceiling construction..

We approach the church location at 'Cortijo del Fraile'

Blondie and Tuco ride past the church..

A few scenes from this location from the information board..

The sign reads 'Rodalquilar' we will pass through the old gold mines to get there..

Another agave lined track..

The Agave plants originated in Mexico..

The sturdy pita stalks were often used in construction..

Passing through the mining area..

The surface is hard and dry, very rough and stony..

These hillsides were mined for gold from around 1914 - 1966

Driving into the mineral processing area just outside Rodalquilar..

In the 1960's this area produced 90% of Spain's gold..

Parked for the night on the track to San Pedro at Las Negras..

This really was an epic drive from the coast at La Isleta del Moro,

then heading inland to Albaricoques to see the locations there.

The drive through the valley to reach the church location at Cortijo del Fraile

then led us on into another area of interest.. passing through the extensive old gold mines..

Finally coming back onto surfaced roads to enjoy the drive to the coast again at Las Negras,

to our viewpoint camp on the track to San Pedro village.

A varied route with so much to see, definitely one of the best of the trip!

Hiace Automatic Transmission/Gearbox, problems & solutions

2019-02-24T14:34:00.001+00:00

Hiace automatic transmission sump..

I’m writing this article because it could save you a lot of money, time, stress, and needless disruption when travelling, and get you out of some seemingly mysterious problems single-handedly and back on the road.. 👌🏻

At the time of writing this, I’ve been living and travelling in the Hiace for seven years now, and in that time I’ve come upon most problems we can have with the auto-gearbox on the Hiace. Mines a 2.8D 3L engine type by the way. I’ve also had to go through quite a bit of stress and problem solving along the way, so I want to share what I’ve learned..

So in my experience so far, there are five transmissions problems that can occur, three of which you can fix at little cost and hassle to yourself. Two are roadside fixes if you have certain things in the van with you..

1. Symptoms: The gears start to slip and lose drive in the higher gears at speed, dropping into lower gears.

Problem cause: The transmission oil has leaked out of the system, so there’s not enough pressure to engage the higher range gears properly. Often the gearbox sump gasket which is made of cork, has depleted and the oil has slowly dripped out to a point where you lose drive. It has also been reported by another owner that a leak occurred where the gearbox cooling lines connect to the side tank of the radiator via rubber hoses.

Check the dipstick to confirm this is the cause (procedure below).

The gearbox dip-stick

Solution: first check the ATF (automatic transmission fluid) level. With the ENGINE RUNNING.. Remove the red dipstick in the engine bay (ATF dipstick). There are four notches near the end. The lower two are the cold range, the upper two are the hot range. Clean the dipstick and dip it again.. check the ATF level, it will likely be very low. It should be between the two notches corresponding to the gearbox temp. Hot after driving or cold if it’s just been started.

'Cool' and 'hot' marks on the dip-stick

It is also marked 'Dextron II' for recommended oil.

Next, check the sump gasket and gearbox generally for signs of leaking, tighten the nuts hand tight on the gearbox sump with a socket.

Now top up the ATF level to the correct range.. this is done, through the dip stick hole.. seriously!

Procedure.. ENGINE RUNNING.. remove red dipstick, use a small funnel that fits in the dipstick hole and a plastic measuring jug. Add about 250ml at a time, and after each shot of oil, get in the cab and move the gearstick slowly through all the gears with your foot on the brake. This is to allow the oil to enter all the chambers in the box as much as possible. Then dip, check and repeat this sequence until the oil is at the correct level for the hot or cold temperature of the engine/gearbox. Once it is within the range you are good to go! You should have full power in all gears again. It cost you £30 for a can of ATF!

I use a small funnel to top up the ATF..

The level is specifically accurate only between the hot marks, so next time you drive the van from cold, go about ten miles, then check the level again until you’re confident it’s correct. Driving with too much oil can cause problems if you don’t drain some soonish. Drain oil through the plug in the gearbox sump pan if you need to. Get that gasket replaced (with a rubber one) AND some gasket seal, as soon as you can. Get the filter cleaned when thats being done.

Preventative medicine: so this will never happen in the first place: regularly check the gearbox for leaks, these vans are getting old and that cork gasket will be breaking down. Get the gasket replaced at any sign of depletion. Check for other leaks around the oil cooling hoses and pipes. Regularly check the hot mark levels after driving ten miles, and don’t forget to leave the engine running to get the correct reading.

2. Symptoms: the van is reluctant to shift into 2nd gear and refuses to go up the gears as you drive off, or won’t shift out of first at all.

Problem cause: The kick-down cable has become stuck in the extended position stopping the gears shifting up. This is due to the lubricant and glide in the cable sheath drying out completely over time. (The kick-down cable controls the pressure in the system to hold the gears as the gearbox shifts up . It also causes the box to downshift to a lower gear when you put your foot right to the floor to overtake or on a hill.)

Solution: Lubricate the kick-down cable. Disconnect the kick-down cable from the throttle linkage. Remove the red rubber dust cover. Squirt WD40 or a light oil down the cable sheath. Work the cable in and out by hand, until it frees up and you can push it right in again, until the cable stopper touches the sheath. You may wish to leave the cable propped upright overnight to allow the oil to work its way down the sheath if the problem is not eliminated right away. Reconnect the cable and then adjust it as follows:

Open the throttle fully, then adjust the kick-down cable (with the two nuts) so that it is fully extended at this point. Now, slacken off the tension so that there is still a little extension of the cable possible at this point. This will give you nice firm shifts.. If you slacken it off further there will be more 'slip' in the gear changes, eventually reaching a point where it will not hold the gear firmly. Lock it off using two size 14 spanners. Done!

Loosen one of the adjustment nuts to detach the cable

and remove the end ferrule from the throttle linkage.

These nuts are also used to make the adjustments to the cable tension, and lock it in.

The kick-down cable detached..

Pull off this orange cover..

Put oil or WD40 down this hole and work the cable in and out

until the stopper sits into the hole again..

Preventative medicine: when doing some maintenance on your engine.. disconnect the kick-down cable from the throttle linkage and squirt some oil down the sheath. This should eliminate the possibility of it happening. 👌🏻

3. Symptoms: the transmission will not shift into overdrive (top gear). Sometimes it will, sometimes it won’t, then it won’t at all. You switch o/d on and off on the gearstick to no avail. You’re stuck driving at 45mph the rest of the day 🙄

Problem cause: there is a solenoid on the left side of the gearbox which is operated by that switch on your gearstick. It’s job is to let the ATF fluid pass into the overdrive chamber when o/d is switched on. It’s failed and is stuck in the closed position.

The o/d solenoid is located on the left hand side of the gear box (passenger side)

Solution:

a. Get the solenoid replaced.

b. Bypass the solenoid so its always ‘on’. I wrote an extensive post on this previously.. here’s the link..

o/d solenoid by-pass

You can drive with it bypassed indefinitely but I do recommend replacing it.. on journeys with long hills you may wish to accelerate to a higher speed with the o/d off. The torque converter in the gearbox works hard about 45mph on a hill if you are accelerating and can cause the ATF to overheat. If you can switch off the o/d you can eliminate this problem. I’ve had this issue in Spain on long steep motorways etc but never in the uk.

4. Symptoms: The ATF temp light comes on when driving. Usually it’ll happen on a hill. Pull over as soon as you can!

Problem cause: the temp has risen in the ATF in the gearbox to an unsustainable level. It can be due to low ATF level, or inefficiency in the vehicle cooling system (the gearbox oil is cooled through a heat exchanger in the side radiator tank).

Solution: firstly, pull over as soon as possible, if you don’t the increased temp will start to also overheat the radiator and engine etc causing bigger problems. Second, at the roadside, leave the ENGINE RUNNING. Then simply wait, usually about five minutes until the light goes out. You can now drive on but if your on a hill, stop again if you need to if the light comes on.

Soon after your trip, have the entire cooling system flushed out and get it cooling as efficiently as possible.

You can add an additional ATF cooler (as well as the radiator side tank one), or as I have done, bypass the radiator and cool the ATF in the airflow in front of the radiator with a separate oil cooler. This eliminates a cycle of heating as the engine temp and gearbox temps are regulated separately. You can debate this endlessly as to which is the best system! But mine works well in practice.

The ATF cooler mounted in front of the radiator..

This one came off a Mercedes car

Preventative medicine: flush your cooling system, get a new radiator fitted, add an additional ATF cooler, or bypass the radiator altogether (separate cooler).

5. Symptoms: the gearbox seems to slip more and more often, especially on hills, then after time you lose drive in certain gears, even reverse. You’ve kept an eye on leaks and ATF level and all these things are ok.

Problem cause: The gearbox internals have actually worn out.

Solution: this will involve an extensive gearbox rebuild at quite a cost, but it’s worth it as afterwards it’s like having a new gearbox and your van will go on for years.

Preventative medicine: (you really don’t want this to happen so.. always check and keep your ATF level correct. Once a year drain the ATF and refill. Also remove the sump pan and clean or replace the filter.

Things to keep in the van on a trip to get you out of any gearbox related problems:

1. A 5 litre container of ATF. Any Dextron II or III or more modern oil will do.

2. A funnel and jug, or other method of adding oil through the dipstick hole.

3. A socket set and basic tool kit. (2 x size 14 spanners for kick-down cable.)

4. A ‘can do it myself’ attitude 😄

So I’m very happy to share this info and experience with the other Hiace Camper owners out there. (Some of the solutions will no doubt help other automatics as well.) I hope you never have to deal with these problems, but this will make your trip go a lot more smoothly if you have a gearbox issue, and save you a lot of cash too.

A final word.. you could avoid all of these problems by buying a van with a manual gearbox in the first place!! Old autos are going to have issues as the years go on, but I don’t plan to part with mine 😄

Have fun and see you soon 👋🏻

Hiking at Cabo de Gata | España 2019

2019-02-19T13:30:00.001+00:00

Lunch time on the ridge on Sunday afternoon..

Diary updates, sorry..

censored for personal content 🚷

Parked next to 'The Purple People Eater' at the village..

A few peaks to climb lay ahead..

Mooi on Sunday's route.. The vans already far below..

Enjoying the scene these palms gaze at every day..

Paul points out the return paths..

Heading down into a strong wind..

On Monday we approach the first summit..

Keeping out of the wind near the first summit..

Paul, Mooi, and Rio at the first windy summit..

About 1/2 an hour later after some scrambling,

Rio and I on the second summit..

A ten minute break on the way down again..

Rio takes a power nap..

The view looking back down the valley toward the Cabo de Gata lighthouse..

We had a good couple of days hiking here and plan to meet up again

in a week or so to do some of the coastal walks further into the natural park area..

Feet up for a day I think!

Cabo de Gata, Níjar | España 2019

2019-02-14T10:27:00.001+00:00

The end of the road? The limit of my journey this winter, Sierra de Cabo de Gata..

Life changes.. day after day..

Cabo de Gata, my most southerly destination..

I will return north east, and further explore the natural park area in the coming weeks.

The current camp is just south of Almadrava on the road to the lighthouse.

The view along the coast, south of Mojácar, bound for Carboneras..

Passing through Carboneras, after turning west again..

Rio takes in the passing scenes, new and remembered..

Local industries represented.. a fishing boat, and poly tunnels, origin of the EU's tomato supplies..

We finally reach the coast again at El Cabo de Gata village, and refill the water tanks..

My final stretch of road for this trip, it'll be slowly back north from here on..

Looking west from the sierras, in the direction of El Cabo de Gata, and Almeria city beyond..

The sunset over the southern Mediterranean Sea, for the first time on this trip!

Here, I have reached the physical limit south, of my travels this year,

But the adventures are long from over - there are still many weeks travelling north again ahead..

I've been thinking, if there's anything anyone would like to know, about any aspect of the

travelling life, or the van in general, please do ask..

I have made out a list of topics for some more philosophical posts related to this lifestyle,

so soon I'll be doing more pieces of this nature..

So if you have any ideas or thoughts you'd like me to cover, comment, or end me a message 👌🏻

Have a good day, wherever you are,

Bye for now 👋🏻

Mountain Retreat | Do you really need 4WD? | España 2019

2019-02-12T08:09:00.001+00:00

Is it really worth having a 4WD van for all the times you will use it?

Camping down a steep track..

Journal notes..

That's the way we came..

We climbed the hill behind the camp..

Every window commands awesome views..

A peaceful evening, moment by moment..

Next day we hiked to the other side of the valley.. View towards Carboneras, and beyond...

Enjoying our 'veranda'..

It's a common question, is it really worth having a 4WD van, considering you do most of your travelling on roads?

The answer for me anyway is yes, especially if you enjoy solitude and remote places..

Even up here on the main route, some days I saw a couple of hikers, a mountain biker, or the odd farm vehicle,

But down a steep dead end service track like this, not a soul will disturb my peace..

It's also of course an adventure getting here..

There's nothing like crawling up a stony track with low gears whining, four soft tyres biting into the dirt..

Then settling into the silence, gazing onto expansive vistas,

and dark silent nights, only the sound of the wind..

See you again soon 👋🏻

Ruta Trans-Cabrera, Sierra Cabrera, Almeria | Espania 2019

2019-02-10T11:22:00.001+00:00

The main route ascends a ridge as we continue to climb..

An amazing weekend so far.. 😄

The Sierra Cabrera, near Mojácar.. the starting point for this trip is Sopalmo..

The start of the track, just beyond Sopalmo..

Climbing the first slopes into a desert/mountain landscape..

I turn to look back after a steep curve..

Hazy views expand outwards toward the Mediterranean..

We stopped for lunch and a walk just off the main route..

Spanish cycling team in training near the summit geo-point..

The view from the 960m summit.. There's now an ugly military radar station up here which speaks automatically through a loudspeaker if you get too close. There's also generators and fans going so it too noisy to stay the night.. Amazing views in all directions though, including right down to Cabo de Gata in the south east - I could see the two extinct volcanos at Los Escullos.

The Altimeter app is quite accurate 👌🏻

This descent is very steep, at 30% gradient..

I had the van in low range with hubs unlocked using 2nd gear low to support the brakes on the way down..

We descended to this great spot to camp for the night, or two!

Rio enjoying his freedom at the 500m camp..

I enjoy the view from my van step..

The sunrise on Saturday morning..

Clouds drifting in from the sea on a morning breeze..

Sunrise sets the Hiace aglow!

Out walking on Saturday, I pause to take in the view from another angle..

Can you spot the Hiace?

Route information and map from Wikiloc..

Thanks to Kay and Gerry Kay for recommending this trip to me, it's been well worth it 👍🏻

Now that I am up here I will explore more of the walks

and move to another camp spot when I find the best one..

We will complete the route right down the north side to Turre on Monday, perhaps..

See you soon! 👋🏻

Playa de Macenas, Mojácar | Espania 2019

2019-02-09T15:01:00.001+00:00

I know where I'd rather live..

Just a couple more days in February.. 😁

A private sunny 'garden' behind the Hiace..

A walk to Mojácar..

The view looking back.. 1/2 an hour or so along this path gets me to Mojácar..

A view on Mojácar playa from the sea wall..

'Fairy Castles' look back toward the vans.. busier than last year here..

A couple of nights here is a welcome change from the busyness of Garrucha Port area.

Great having a full fridge again,

I tend to only shop every ten days as part of my travelling budget.

Nice and peaceful here, and there are many great walks to explore song the coast..

More soon 👋🏻

Svensson pays a visit.. | Espania 2019

2019-02-06T11:56:00.001+00:00

Jimmy paid a visit on his way back from Morocco..

The latest from Hobo’s log..

Left to right, myself, Paul, Jimmy..

Having a beer at the back of Jimmy’s Hiace.. Tony, Paul, myself..

Left to right.. Jimmy’s Hiace, Paul’s Peugeot, and Tony’s Transit..

Good private spot to wash my hair. The silver post in the middle has four showers for washing sand off your feet..

Rio’s happy enough to carry his own ‘doggie bags’ 😄

Great to see Jimmy again..

we ended up with quite a gathering with the four vans, four men, two ‘wives’, and a dog..

I’ll be due a quiet weekend I think..

Those mountains look good.. 🤔

Old friends, and new, Garrucha | Espania 2019

2019-02-04T09:08:00.000+00:00

The wind has dropped.. Another beautiful morning!

A day in my life..

Bacon ‘n cheese croissants for breakfast! 🥐

Lookin’ good 👌🏻

It’s always great to see old friends again, especially when it’s a few weeks sooner than expected.. and..

Really nice to have a ‘hello’ from followers of my travels online, who are parked just behind me here. Always plenty to talk about and good craic!

Garrucha, Andalusia | Espania 2019

2019-01-31T11:28:00.001+00:00

A ghost ship returns for a refit..

Thoughts, facts, and ponderings.. 🤔

Chasing through the palms..

A short walk from where I’m parked up.. 😲

The beach here is something else..

As the sun goes down thoughts turn to dinner..

Moving on again brings a new start and excitement every time..

The pleasure of the drive, and that feeling, passing through strange and dusty places..

Then life is renewed exploring and living in a fresh environment..

This time a peaceful centre, while everyday life and work carries on around us in the port..

See you soon..

Mist dissolves Time | Espania 2019

2019-01-29T08:01:00.001+00:00

‘El Toro’ - King of the Castillo

My days..

Camp at sunrise 🌅

Breakfast cooked outdoors in the sea air..

Enjoying quiet days slowly passing,

A cormorant breaks the silver,

Mist dissolves time..