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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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  • A van named Frank

    Go go chasing waterfalls

    May 27, 2021 in Portugal ⋅ ☁️ 25 °C

    So it’s been a while between footprints. But not because we haven’t been taking some big steps...

    This last week was a week off Mata Atlantica and a week of exploring northern Portugal once more.

    We spent our first 3 nights outside of Frank since we began.... (SHOCK!) at a Quinta and some wine with lovely views....but suddenly the next days became more magical as we got to camp again (as the happy campers we are)! Franks back and in the Gerês National park. It’s breathtaking here....we arrived after a mission of a journey!! We are no 4x4 but we surely tested the limits on some roads that turned out not to be roads as we reversed the way back out. Well done Tobi!!
    And these roads are narrow! My gosh. It was an adventure...

    And finally hours later and many detours/desvios we arrived at camping Ermina and it’s all we could have hoped for....
    A friendly welcome and a hand drawn map to the nearest waterfall, who were we to say no ;)

    It didn’t disappoint as we swam below our private waterfall...in crystal clear waters, fresh but not glacial !

    Hand picked a fresh bouquet of wild flowers as we wove through the cobbled streets up and around and between the local village and into the forest. MAGIC.

    And home for the best nights sleep. Peaceful surrounds, fresh air, lush landscape and some waterfalls can do a lot for a person!    Read more

  • A van named Frank
    21

    Gerês

    May 28, 2021 in Portugal ⋅ ⛅ 22 °C

    And so we wanted to do a bigger hike today, but also to enjoy the stops on the way.

    From the landscape in this rocky highland, whose huge boulders of granite, so shapely, could almost seem like sculpted art... and the wild flowers in all colours and textures... and then the olive oak cork birch and all the trees, such old trees up on top of these hills, growing in over and around these massive boulders, some with fountains coming out...fit for faeries!

    But of course every magic adventure needs some magic pools of wisdom and water....so there were also many a waterfall. Waterfalls and streams and clear water! Drinking water, that flows as though from nowhere to there now where you walk and the fountains that pop up here there and everywhere. Are we in Switzerland? .....well, maybe because there were also cows, oh the cows some as big as buffalos... Beautiful rusty brown colouring with big horns and soft fur, dingling bells and a happy demeanour (but who wouldn’t if this was your home/place of work right?)

    This is Northern Portugal, and their one National Park and from this first short impression this place is magic. We’ll be back. Oh we will!    Read more

  • A van named Frank
    Day office with free town wifiThe local piscinaBunnies, dasies, sunsets and AldiLaundry day

    Esposende

    June 11, 2021 in Portugal ⋅ ☀️ 22 °C

    Even as the Atlantic seas batter the shore, the charming seaside town of Esposende is captivating. It’s been our home spot of recent, due to the free camper site nearby with all our emptying and filling facilities at hand…because as of January this year Portugal put a ban on wild camping with heavy fines….
    Still, it’s pretty nice to return to our “flat” that is Frank, under the oaks of the camper area, with an Aldi across the field for any snack needs, watching the Portuguese families come and go on their mini holidays, or the bunnies (so far we’ve counted a family of 4) sit in a field of daisies admiring the setting sun!

    Esposende has lots of restaurants and cafes, which at some we’ve become regulars….plenty of green spaces and a beautiful board walk across the Cavado river mouth (which leads into the Atlantic)…beaches and shady spots under the trees…and now it’s June, oh the sun it shines and all the blue waters turn ever bluer!

    We’ve taken out a monthly pass for the local swimming pool, cause some days that Atlantic is so wild even a mermaid would struggle to swim…and the piscina is lovely altogether. Salty outdoor pool which looks over the river. Sure it’s something out of a resort, but it’s actually just the local town pool! And we can shower - vanlife hack 😏

    Sometimes we also park up by the boardwalk, open the window to the river and dunes, login to the free wifi and do a bit of home officing....find penguins uploads- another vanlife hack 🚌

    Esposende - their slogan: privilege of nature.    Read more

  • A van named Frank

    Sunsets before the storm

    June 15, 2021 in Portugal ⋅ ⛅ 21 °C

    It’s was another evening of Euros football, easily forgotten while watching the sunset over the river Cavado as it meets the sea. A storm was brewing….winds were blowing….the camera couldn’t resist capturing ;)Read more

  • A van named Frank

    Parque Natural do Litoral Norte

    June 16, 2021 in Portugal ⋅ ⛅ 20 °C

    Day trip within Esposende to the beautiful empty beach of Praia de Ofir in the natural park here….

    A lovely big sand bank where on the one side you can jump in and be tossed around by the Atlantic, and the other, where you can sit with the fishermen as they do their magic at the mouth of the Cavado river!

    A wooden boardwalk leads you back in through the dunes and sand flowers…and one can gawk at a few lucky souls who have houses here (future goals!)

    A sure spot to have some peace on the beach in summer as it seems the majority of people don’t stray out too far from main entry to the beaches in Portugal. A win for us wandering few…

    Of course, a beach day like this can then only end with fresh summer rolls!    Read more

  • A van named Frank

    Porto part II

    June 17, 2021 in Portugal ⋅ 🌧 17 °C

    Wandering once more the streets of Porto in the unseasonably cold and wet…but warmed by family reunions for Molly and her cousin Niamh.
    Up and down small alleyways and weaving paths, or inner city escalators (nice!) - overlooking rooftops or sheltering from the torrents of rain…

    It’s the second time we’ve spent a few nights outside of Frank since we began…and this time we felt pretty ok about it what with having a shower and toilet and doors to close haha…and well, cause the water pump had broken and we couldn’t get a new one till Monday so we’d have no running water anyway! Good save by tripping to Porto!    Read more

  • A van named Frank

    The old and the ancient

    June 24, 2021 in Portugal ⋅ ☀️ 25 °C

    Small day trip walk from the land at Mata Atlantica down to our camper in esposende taking in the ancient Dolmen and the Castro de São Lourenço which boasts the most amazing views over the town and sea below.
    It was a hot one, but we took a little off road path on our descent which took us over a small stream under the cover of trees…

    There’s a heap of ancient stuff around here…    Read more

  • A van named Frank

    Ponte de Lima

    July 2, 2021 in Portugal ⋅ ☁️ 20 °C

    I know, we’re awful for the regular updates these days,….it’s summer, and there’s a bigger story of adventure to come another time involving northern Portugal and ourselves and some comrades! For later…back to now….

    1st of July weekend. Summer is here. But then also was some grey rainy weather. Classic Atlantic. This was our first time visiting the oldest village of Portugal - Ponte de Lima.

    We stayed on the land of some people we met through workaway and who were working on some interesting garden and construction projects on their land here in the North and we wanted to know more. They renovated an old workman’s house in the old water mill…so cool!!!

    They’re chill, both having worked previously for ICRC and told us to park Frank up no bother…and So we spent a four day weekend in the comforts of their sprawling garden…which included a small river (reminding us both a bit of the houses with rivers we grew up in)! And goats, chickens, veggie gardens…and a shipping container office for the lady of the house to do her home officing from :) The roosters cockadoodledooo each morning non stop was the only downside, that same rooster also tried to attack me a few times… But luckily their lovely Labrador came to my defense ;)

    We ate with them a few times in their self build outdoor kitchen and with their current work away volunteer Johnny (a chef), and we went kayaking and attempted stand up paddling on their little river! Wonderful.

    Of a Friday we wandered into Ponte de Lima for the Switzerland Euro 2020 games (victory was unfortunately not to be theirs…) ! But the vibe overall was great. The village itself is like a little medieval town, old bridges and buildings, all well kept and a very quaint old town. We of course found a bar or two while on our exploration mission …. Tobias took the role of in house DJ at the Che Guevara pub much to everyones delight.

    The rest of the time spent in conversation or wandering around the river greeting the goats and having a kayak paddle!

    To be further explored and now a favourited point on our map!    Read more

  • A van named Frank

    Beach day!

    July 9, 2021 in Portugal ⋅ ☀️ 21 °C

    It’s all umbrellas and wind stoppers here…the Atlantic coast is rarely still. Always pack a jumper….

    Though it does make for all the more fun when attempting a game of frisbee!!

    The swims as always are delicious and salty ;)Read more

  • A van named Frank

    Lima! Lima!

    July 16, 2021 in Portugal ⋅ ☀️ 32 °C

    A first time in the Lima Escape camping and it didn’t disappoint.
    A little land mass set between two bridges and the curves of the river Cavado….

    It was HOT HOT HOT as temperatures soared to 37C 🥵 and not a breeze about….little could be done but laying, or bathing in the river…..even Frank needed to be decked out to allow some of the heat build up to escape….

    We did make some campervan friends of an evening and it seemed everyone was delighted to pull up their chair and sit around socially distanced, under the pines and share stories over a few glasses…. 😌    Read more

  • A van named Frank

    Ermida fest!

    July 18, 2021 in Portugal ⋅ ☀️ 30 °C

    We returned to our favourite camp spot in the Gerês national park...this time with the Mata Atlântica crew for a few days of nature goodness!!

    Upon arrival, temperatures were soaring once more so it was off to the Cascata Rajada waterfall for some fresh dips...

    The sunday also happened to be the last day of the village summer fest...which consisted of mainly us and the megaphone speakers!    Read more

  • A van named Frank
    2

    A dog named Ermida

    July 19, 2021 in Portugal ⋅ ☀️ 27 °C

    2nd day was even more of a beauty, because we had the most amazing dog accompany us for our adventure...we named her Ermida..... she joined us happily as we zig zagged up and down dusty rocky trails to the Frago do Justa lookout and then onto some undiscovered pools in the valley!
    It's still amazing just how green the trees are up in this high hot rocky land...

    We spent the day dipping, adventuring further up and down the river, rock hopping to discover endless pools..and finally returning to the little casa restaurant in the village for a home cooked meal.

    A magic day!    Read more

  • A van named Frank

    Río Tera

    July 20, 2021 in Spain ⋅ ⛅ 30 °C

    We wove through the Gerês National park all the way to the Spanish border crossing, into Galicia and onto Castilla y León where a free spot for campers exists next to the Río Tera! Very cool find!! There’s also a small “beach bar” which serves food and cold drinks! Ideal for weary travellers who forgot to do a grocery shop before arriving ;)
    A dip below the river weir and we’re refreshed once more and can enjoy a few card games and an Estrella!
    Happy days!    Read more

  • A van named Frank

    On the road again

    July 21, 2021 in Spain ⋅ ⛅ 22 °C

    Guess the songs? The video is X5 speed, 36seconds…overall a 3hr60min drive 🤓🤨 but captures some of the roads and routes from our drive to Picos de Europa! We’re back and this time the sun shines and the weather is fine 😎

    Staying at a cute campsite with very chill hippy vibes…We could imagine running a place like this! Plenty of space, each camper given a VIP treatment to find a spot with enough privacy and nature. There also happens to be a smoker-bbq, so we will dine on site and try the smoked beef and some copas de vino ;)    Read more

  • A van named Frank

    Mountains passes to cliff grasses

    July 23, 2021 in Spain ⋅ ⛅ 21 °C

    A long and winding road lead us all the way from the site in Picos north towards Santander area. This gave us plenty of time to think….it had been a hard evening as we struggled to find a single place to take a PCR test that would enable us to arrive in Ireland within the cursed 72hr window….difficult when the ferry trip alone takes 26hours…the time left is not much to play with. Oh and the Spanish don’t seem to do any sort of testing after 2pm 🤨 a solution still wasn’t found as we headed off north in the hopes for a test….

    It was still morning and the valley was covered by a thick cloud blanket, like staring into a sea of clouds, magic! We descended down the ever winding roads into white abyss and out the other side towards the Atlantic sea …..later we found a perfect spot atop a cliff with a few other wild campers. Sunset in the evening to our left, sunrise in the morning to our right. A very dreamy spot in the north of Spain, one we’d happily visit again!

    We also managed to find a small hospital in Mompia who have testing and lab on site,….we will take the test and pray for results to come back on time!    Read more

  • A van named Frank

    Testing times

    July 25, 2021 in Spain ⋅ ⛅ 21 °C

    Travels, or movement of any kinds these days is not without its challenges. This has been made ever more clear with our struggle to get to Ireland. The last 72 hours have been testing, in more ways than just a swab up the nose.

    Finding the PCR test centre and lab was in itself an ordeal (but we did it! Yay!), since then, the guarantee of getting the results that same evening and then the window for departure closing quickly…we’ve had our work cut out for us. All evening (with very little sleep) and this morning we’ve been attempting to contact anyone to help. Finally we got through to Alvaro, a kind man who listened and helped us out. Turns out they had made typos on both our applications for the PCR by adding a letter and a wrong number to our passport numbers….(classic mistake due to intelligible handwriting) 😒 this meant our data was completely inaccessible until corrected. And it was corrected, and JUST in the nick of time.

    With our tummies both in a twist we could check into the ferry terminal and now we await departure to Ireland.

    As soon as we can put foot and Frank on Irish soil we will be happy!!!

    Travels in these times is always a test, of mental strength and nerves.    Read more

  • A van named Frank

    Fáilte go hÉireann ☘️

    July 26, 2021 in Ireland ⋅ ⛅ 21 °C

    The time is finally here, as we boarded our Ferry - the Connemara, from Bilbao port, Spain to Rosslare harbour, Ireland. Our 26 hour ferry ride takes ourselves and Frank on a voyage over the seas!
    We made some new ferry friends, fellow van folk, Irish and the likes, played some music, drank some Irish ciders and had chats to pass the time on the top deck! It was a lovely way to float from one country to another, and be rocked to sleep in our cabins!

    And then Tobias easily managed the first drive on Irish soil, KEEP LEFT! Like a pro, he brought himself, Frank & Molly back to her Irish home and family all in one piece. What an adventure….

    Let the Irish travels begin!! ☘️    Read more

  • A van named Frank

    Knock knock gnocchi

    July 29, 2021 in Ireland ⋅ ⛅ 15 °C

    Gnoc-gnoc-gnocchi !!!

    Having a blast in a bigger kitchen once again, Tobias spent a whole day cooking up a storm (between the Irish storms…☔️)

     homemade gnocchi with sage for dinner….and a focaccia with tomato (freshly picked from the PolyT) chutney…the parents licked their plates clean and are waiting for the next time he tries out his cooking skills! ….10 out of 10!

    It’s been lovely to be stationary for a bit in Mollys parents house in the dublin mountains. Frank’s parked up and getting a thorough cleaning! And we are both getting some home time with the O’Maras!    Read more

  • A van named Frank

    Happy Swiss National Day

    August 1, 2021 in Ireland ⋅ ⛅ 16 °C

    Spent a portion of Swiss National day exploring an abandoned golf course playing a few holes, disc golf style!
    Fields of gold & green in the Wicklow mountains.
    Irene was a quick learner, and soon the discs were flying high and far…..
    By the end of the course we were down 1 disc, and despite all efforts we couldn’t manage to retrieve it 🤷🏼‍♀️    Read more

  • A van named Frank

    Pitch and Putt

    August 3, 2021 in Ireland ⋅ ☁️ 15 °C

    Taking to a different green today and giving pitch and putt Glencullen a whirl!

    Although Mollys game was a bit hit and miss (4 balls gone), Tobias had a strong improvement hole on hole!

    Of course a day on the green also involved 20mins of hiding out from the torrential rain under the trees …. Classic blustery showers!

    FOUR!!!    Read more

  • A van named Frank

    Empanadas & Crepes!

    August 4, 2021 in Ireland ⋅ ⛅ 16 °C

    Once again at it in the kitchen…team Empanadas!

    And Tobi’s famous crepes!

    Molly had been busy earlier swimming in the Irish Sea off Bray…not photographed because she had to keep pace with her mother in the sea…hard core swimmers!Read more

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