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A van named Frank
  • Molly O'Mara
  • Tobias König

A van named Frank

Road tripping with our campervan Frank, from Zurich, Switzerland to Esposende, Portugal! Later up to Bilbao and over on the Ferry to Ireland! Returning on a ferry to France and slowly back to Switzerland.
Let’s see how it plays out. Read more
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  • Trip start
    April 12, 2021
    A van named Frank
    2

    Ciao ciao, Hittnau

    April 12, 2021 in Switzerland ⋅ ☀️ 0 °C

    We decided, despite the fresh snow (again!) and the comforts of a warm house it was best to get going! So we left behind the snow of oberland Züri and headed west to Lauterbrunnen.

    Right music for the right weather 😉 we’ll probably play jingle bells on arrival to Portugal 😎Read more

  • A van named Frank

    Lauterbrunnen life

    April 13, 2021 in Switzerland ⋅ ⛅ -2 °C

    Doing some final prep before we drive to the border tomorrow!

    Final prep also included a few games of pool at our friends hostel and helping him assemble a trampoline. Who wouldn’t jump at the opportunity ?! 😉Read more

  • A van named Frank

    Vive la France 🇨🇵

    April 14, 2021 in France ⋅ ⛅ 1 °C

    We made it across the border to France!!
    and we found Frank (our trusty steed) a lovely spot to park up for the night, nestled in by an old quarry
    Nothing to hear but silence and the occassional gust of wind. Blue skies dappled with clouds slowly fading with the setting sun...and did a rabbit just hop by?

    The taste for adventure is strong, but this evening we settled on a pot of pasta and zucchini sauce..👩‍🍳

    Here's to our 1st night in the camper in a new country!🚐    Read more

  • A van named Frank

    French highways and byways

    April 15, 2021 in France ⋅ ⛅ 9 °C

    Now I know its probably the corona talking but havent we all been hearing way more birds sing-songing and chit-chatting then before,? This morning, holding a hot cuppa coffee we were treated to a private concert of the dawn chorus! And what a tweet it was!

    The frosted ground crunched beneath our feet as the sun slowly warmed up, and we packed up and drove onwards...and there the rabbit appeared again hopping across our path.

    The day was spent driving across France,
    with many a second glance,
    over rivers, towns big and small,
    Château-d"this&that", petit lacs they have it all.
    picnic stops, fields with rocks,
    And now a würst-kase-salat, and a disc or two to throw.    Read more

  • A van named Frank
    Spot the chateau...🏰
    Spring is all aroundWinding roads along the wayCan you spot Frank?🧐

    The rusty blackbird

    April 16, 2021 in France ⋅ ☀️ 10 °C

    We headed further south west, destination “le Merle roux” - to the beautiful home / bnb of a friend of the family. Here we were welcomed with a glass of wine under the sun (but sheltering from the wind) overlooking the fields of green, brown and the golden yellow rape (with its ever changing yellow-shades under the passing clouds). We will hang on here a bit, in this idyllic home and garden, lending some hands and muscles to setting up their permaculture garden....and enjoy the homemade tarte-tatin 🤤 and all those other delicious foods - finally!! The air is fresh, the frogs are croaking in the creek below, and a new flock of birds with song surrounds us, and spring is springing all around 🌸🌼
    Today we eat and rest and breath it all in, the sights and sounds.... Tomorrow we have our Hay-Day....    Read more

  • A van named Frank
    May hay while the sun shines
    Hay👋🏻Farm handImportant tea breakBreak timeThis is what 1.5tons of hay layed out looks like...More hay for another day

    This is our Hay day

    April 17, 2021 in France ⋅ ⛅ 10 °C

    So today we said we were at the disposal of le Merle roux, two able bodied 30-somethings, ready to do some work! Little did we know what it would take to move 5 x 300kg of hay bales from A to B...that’s about half a Frank-campervan, we’re talking 1.5 ton, that’s a lot of hay (already starting to decompose...so prob heavier in reality?!)

    What ensued as a result of tired arms, loads of fresh air and a solid work routine was some ideas for our permaculture rap....which rolled off the tongue...like hay from each wheelbarrow load...

    Three tons are too heavy
    So take it slow and steady
    Because the hays okay
    With some days delay
    Peel and shove it,
    whether dry or in decay
    Feel and love it,
    just make sure its done before May.

    *drops fork.

    Fin.    Read more

  • A van named Frank

    Up with the sun

    April 18, 2021 in France ⋅ ☀️ 2 °C

    It’s rather beautiful, with sleepy heads, to wake up to a blood orange sun rise.
    Somehow gives our tired muscles the energy to peal and roll and toss more hay for a day!

    Another 1.5 tons later and it’s time to rest in the afternoon sun.

    And at the end of the day we could take a dip/wash our clothes off in the river creek at the end of the garden.    Read more

  • A van named Frank
    Le barbeque
    Found an english book in the "rusty blackbird house" for a quick read

    Brb...PCR & BBQ

    April 19, 2021 in France ⋅ ⛅ 19 °C

    We took our PCR test today so we can cross into Spain in the coming 72hours....awaiting the results our lovely host Ingrid decided to stoke up and smoke up the BBQ and we could enjoy the day and evening dining and chatting al fresco. The breeze even felt a tad warmer than previous days. Summer is on the in.
    We’re going to miss this charming home and our unexpected (and wonderfully fortuitous) time here 🌸🏰🌼🌾    Read more

  • A van named Frank

    All clear

    April 20, 2021 in France ⋅ ☁️ 15 °C

    Phew, we’re negative! Have our paperwork and 72hours to cross into Spain...should be grand.

    We’re gonna spend a last day in this slice of heaven before hitting the road tomorrow morning...

    Hard to leave such a charming place, the colourful landscape, the sunrises and yummy meals and our lovely host and her two cats...😻😺

    But we already know we will be back again to see the garden in full bloom🌸    Read more

  • A van named Frank
    1

    Dune du Pilat

    April 21, 2021 in France ⋅ ⛅ 15 °C

    So, trivia time.... where is highest sand dune in Europe?

    Well, its here. In France. And well, it’s rather brilliant. Lovely sand altogether. And a fine pile of it. Soft on the toes. And a bluetiful view out to sea sea sea. 🌊 they even built a staircase so you can walk up easy. And descending such a steep slope was great craic and over far too quick compared with the ascent...

    And how good is it to see the sea?? It has been far far too long between trips!

    Oh that Atlantic breeze feels goooood!!    Read more

  • A van named Frank
    Nice spot all the same
    Frank set up for the nightAnd some disc golf practice!

    Gora Euskal Herria

    April 21, 2021 in Spain ⋅ ☁️ 17 °C

    Over the hills and far away, we crossed into the Basque Country - lush and green and hilly and like a whole other world again.

    It was a day of scenery changes. From departing the French countryside, driving past huge Atlantic pine plantations on the way to the coast, stopping for a walk up the sand dune, back through highways and cities and ports (Bayonne) along the coast and back inland and up and over past the Spanish border we arrived at a campsite. Empty aside from us and one other van who pulled in later... ideal! And amidst the Pyrenees, who could ask for more? Ok, maybe a couple of cervezas watching the sun disappear behind the mountain. Check👌🏼🍻

    The only sounds, that of the birds, the wind rustling the leaves on the Oak trees and the rusty bells on the sheep grazing in the fields around.

    Feeling a touch of Irish in this landscape too...    Read more

  • A van named Frank
    1

    Dip in the sea

    April 22, 2021 in Spain ⋅ ⛅ 15 °C

    We made it! How long did we long for this: sand under the feet, enjoying a beer and pintxos in an actual bar, refreshing in the atlantic ocean..

    On the way to this almost surreal dream we passed beautiful hilly basque landscapes, the breathtaking bay of san sebastian and windy atlantic coastline roads, only to end up above the rusty beach of Zarautz.. Here we give Frank and us another breather and suck up the sun, the sea and all the energy.Read more

  • A van named Frank

    The rocky trail to the turquoise waters.

    April 23, 2021 in Spain ⋅ ☀️ 21 °C

    Today we took a different set of steps down to the sea...not for the faint hearted...but the reward was worth it: a secluded swim spot at the bottom if rocky cliffs...
    The small exhibit above indicated (with the little spanish we could understand..the pictures helped) it used to be an old mine or something that shuttled the stuff out to boats by those rocks in the sea....
    regardless, now for us, it was a hidden gem to bathe in the crystal clear cold waters and lay on the black stones after like seals...

    and to end the day another special sunset... and some good chats with another pair of swiss van peeps...    Read more

  • A van named Frank

    Another day in paradise

    April 24, 2021 in Spain ⋅ ☁️ 20 °C

    Today we wandered many a road, down to the town for some supplies (including some clothes pegs...essential!). Upon our return the sun was still strong so we descended the 400 odd stairs to the beach where we relished in the cooool Atlantic sea.
    Still pinching ourselves it’s only April and here we are swimming away in the sea for a good half hour and then throwing frisbee on the beach....
    Of course after such Atlantic action we decided to cook up a rather delish piece of steak and some tabouleh...👌🏼🧑🏼‍🍳👩🏻‍🍳 dining by the setting sun.... those sunsets will never ever get old!!🌅    Read more

  • A van named Frank

    Off the beaten crack...

    April 25, 2021 in Spain ⋅ ☁️ 17 °C

    Who doesn't love to feel alive alive oh? This route certainly did that for us....clambering over, under and through rocks, cracks and boulders, never straying more than a few meters from the waves crashing in...it was quite the adventure route from camp to a small harbour village the next hill over..
    The route back was equally challenging as the walking path quickly became a sheeps trail which turned into brambles and gorse..we found a way, with a few scratches..
    The highlight aside from the slate and cliff landscapes pouring into the sea, had to be the 8 brown donkeys we met along the way who were only to happy to have a scratch and a pet from Tobi-animal-lover !    Read more

  • A van named Frank

    Lekeitio

    April 26, 2021 in Spain ⋅ ☁️ 17 °C

    Left Zarautz this morning and drove more wonderfully windy coast roads make a brief stop at the small fishing town Lekeitio, a favourite holiday destination of Mollys parents and where the Camino Voyage (Naomhoig na tinte) folk from Ireland with their currach docked for a night...
    We had a late brekkie at a small taberna and then went in search of the tabac shop, where the friendly shopkeep pointed us towards the chapella shop 🤠 and some other local lady escorted us to the store...talk about lovely locals....

    A splendind quick visit and our last stop in Basque Country!    Read more

  • A van named Frank

    Battery man ‍🦲

    April 26, 2021 in Spain ⋅ ☁️ 15 °C

    It was a long day, that required much of our own battery power to keep us going....as we left Lekeitio we headed towards what would have been a most beautiful campsite on the edge of the world (it seemed) with its own tiny beaches, however upon arrival we were greeted by the sheep and no sign of it being open...

    We had driven from Basque Country into the Asturias and it seems that the Covid restrictions were different?!

    We departed (hoping to return another time) and headed to a rest stop (which the caravan part was also closed🧐) in Llanes to meet up with some fellow campervaners that we had planned to meet at the previous camp. There we hatched a plan to drive to a different camp in the Picos de Europa, an hour or so away. And in the Cantabria region of northern Spain. Beautiful. Let’s go! Each prepared for take off, but Frank wouldn’t start.... poor Frank seemed to have used up all his battery too....😔

    After a few attempts to jump start, and some help from some kind strangers/truckers in the rest stop (with our broken Spanish) who seemed to know much more then we, and a few phone-a-friend sessions, still we couldn’t get that engine to start...so then it was time for a brief call to the insurance in Switzerland, and within 30mins a pickup truck arrived and a man (with a really friendly face, we saw later when his mask was off in the safety of his car😷) with his super charger battery pack arrived got Frank’s engine revving again. Talk about efficiency. He and Tobi spoke (bravo Tobi with an impressive command of Spanish when talking batteries and cars and engines!?👏🏻) and it was clear, the battery was kaput.
    So, without much delay we tailed him back to his workshop and there as quick as anything swapped the old for a new and Frank was back up and running!! Thank you battery man!

    Ready to continue our journey to the Picos, and Frank is as powerful as ever. 🔋🚐    Read more

  • A van named Frank

    Los Picos de Europa

    April 27, 2021 in Spain ⋅ ☁️ 11 °C

    After the day that seemed like three days, we arrived last night, at sunset (9pm!!) in a campsite with our fellow Swiss companions Corinne & Philipp (see their travels here -https://findpenguins.com/2k1puembvvvj7/trip/606…) and Julia... we had hoped to spend some days together...but as the weather got steadily worse and colder and wetter, they left for warmer (hoffentlich) pastures...and we stayed one more day...so Molly could have a swim in the pool in the rain (feels warmer that way) ☔️🏊🏼‍♀️ and Tobi could whip up a nice fresh tabouleh in our cosy Frank (happily sheltered from the rain!)
    It’s un poco a pity the weather is so shitty in Los Picos.... but there ye have it , the rain in Spain falls mainly on the plain....    Read more

  • A van named Frank

    Into the west

    April 28, 2021 in Spain ⋅ ⛅ 13 °C

    Giddyup! Heading west once more after leaving the rather wet and dreary Picos (we’ll be back!)...we drive, on, and on, through some spells of sunshine and some rain showers and some very quiet coastal stop-offs. Lunch over a beach, new wild flowers a begging and a view for the soul...later a game of frisbee in three secluded shores separated by rock formations... and a spontaneous dip to rescue said frisbee...by night we finally arrived at the pier in Foz. Perfect for a night before we head down further in Galicia!Read more

  • A van named Frank

    April showers....

    April 30, 2021 in Spain ⋅ ⛅ 15 °C

    To wrap up the month, we've been chilling here at our most recent secluded paradise right on the shore...at camping a Vouga in Galicia!

    For the last two days of April, rain was on the cards, but as luck would have it, the days have been sunny and so much of our time has been spent between frisbee down on the beach, swims between the small coves, searching for seashells and reading for hours (we got a few crime novels off the bookshelf here at the Campingplatz, initially to pass the few rainy days...luckily books are great companions for all weather) ...its also a treat that we could "eat out" at the restaurant here and sink our teeth into a fine fresh seafood platter, which of course tastes even better while gazing out to sea....

    Between having the lulling sound of waves lapping the shore on repeat, the birds singing and calling to one another at the change of day and the ever changing colour palette of the landscape which is mesmerising, be it in the middle of the night as the full moon crosses the sky over the velvety navy sea, or at dusk when the land is cast in hues of pinks and oranges, or first thing with a coffee watching the world warm up, silver to gold....

    This is bliss.    Read more

  • A van named Frank
    1

    Féile na Bealtaine - happy May Day!

    May 1, 2021 in Spain ⋅ ⛅ 14 °C

    1st of May. Summer is truly on the in.

    We hope the sun is shining down wherever you are.....

    We woke as fog was slowly rising of the sea under the morning sun...that mystic mist, what legends and stories are made of!

    Molly has kept up ancient celtic pagan Bealtaine tradition, washing her face (bathing in) the 1st of May morning dew.....and where better to carry out such a ritual then here in Galicia, with its many cultural ties to the celtic Irish (not to mention the west of Ireland-esque landscapes).

    For dinner we dined locally, not 50meters from the sea and but 5 mins walk from camp, on a Mero fish caught but hours before...mmmmmm tasty!

    A delicious last meal in Spain as tomorrow we hope to cross into Portugal because borders are officially open once more!!

    We will return to Northern Spain once things open up a bit more and we can truly experience their rich lively culture!    Read more

  • A van named Frank

    Bem vindo a Portugal

    May 2, 2021 in Portugal ⋅ ⛅ 9 °C

    We made it to Portugal!!!!!We can hardly believe it, the smoothest border crossing yet! And this country already has our minds blown with the beautiful nature....spending the 1st night in Lamas de Mouro camping at the entrance to Peneda-Gerês National Park with a bottle of their locally made Alvarinho...a little fizz and chilled perfectly in the babbling brook.
    We weaved the winding roads in and around the granite hills covered in yellow gorse and lilac heather, meeting on occasion wild cattle with huge horns (almost gazelle like) and wild horses and cute foals....some Northern Portugal safari...amazing!    Read more

  • A van named Frank

    Mata-Atlantica

    May 3, 2021 in Portugal ⋅ ☀️ 19 °C

    The days will be spent between here and there from now on as we arrive at destination Mata-Atlantica....And my, it’s a wild and wonderful plot of land.

    Updates will trickle in from here, but sit tight. There’s much more to share and show...

    Love from Portugal 💚🚌    Read more

  • A van named Frank
    1

    Oh my Porto

    May 10, 2021 in Portugal ⋅ 🌧 13 °C

    Monday; it was forecast to rain all day, and so we made a city excursion to Porto and it’s beauty did not disappoint.

    In actuality it was a day of sunshine and showers as we wandered up and down cobbled streets, finding cute spots to eat, and enjoy chats with a few Swiss friends who were in town!

    Just loved the variety of building facades, all unique tiles and colours and then the red tiled roofs...all popping or appearing a different levels...gorgeous!

    Looking forward to another visit soon.....    Read more

  • A van named Frank

    Feliz Aniversário Tobias 🥳

    May 16, 2021 in Portugal ⋅ ☁️ 16 °C

    Happy birthday to youuuuuuuuu......

    🥳🥳🥳

    Tobi turned 36, and what better way to celebrate then on the land at Mata-Atlantica!

    The day was spent between sipping on cervejas 🍻 with a small crew of friends and playing at the 1st disc golf open 🥏🥏

    Then in true birthday style we had a cake with candles and singing in chorus....the lemon-drizzle cake was homebaked (in Franks omnia oven - 1st time trying and a success)!🎂

    Oh and not to forget a surprise concert on the accordion 🪗 by the friendly neighbour who happened to drive by! .....

    All in all, a proper celebration in the sunny forest, kept cool by the atlantic breeze equals a birthday fit for the nature boy himself! 🤴

    For he's a jolly good fellow, and so say all of us!

    Happy birthday Tobi!    Read more

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