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Bliss Ventures

Bliss Ventures

I am Bliss, descended from wolves, a 4000 year lineage of Siberian Huskies. I’m travelling the World in our self converted campervan Ivy with my Mum & Dad (Vikki & Darren). I love to be in nature seeking adventure. The spirit of my ancestors with me. Читать далее🇬🇧Isle of Wight
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    • Bliss VenturesПутешественникIvy’s Maiden Voyage
      11

      ❤️ In a relationship with Air Con

      28 июня 2024 г., Италия ⋅ ⛅ 36 °C

      We are expecting it to be hot today, so we think it’s best to head up back towards the mountains for all our sakes. The best place to be in 36℃ is inside Ivy with the aircon running, keeping us all comfortably cool. The drive today was predominantly across vast flat areas of wetlands, that were being farmed like rice paddies. Miles and miles of nothing much to look at except for the wetland birds we’d never seen before. As we neared the lake that we were heading to it started to get much busier and more interesting. The stop I had originally planned was absolutely rammed with cars, but by some miracle I squeezed Ivy into a space. The lake had people all around it enjoying the water and the sun. Lots of Bikini clad young women that Darren was trying oh so very hard to pretend he hadn’t even noticed 😂 Bliss had a dip of course and we went for a walk around the lake away from the main beach area. It was quite a bit quieter on the path, we didn’t walk too far though as it was way too hot, but Bliss was able to get into the lake a few times along the way so she was fine. I saw a massive fish jump out of the water and then totally unexpected we saw two freshwater turtles 🐢 🐢.
      We came across a cafe so Darren unusually had a cold beer, and I a bottle of sparkling water. This is the first time in 66 days of travel we have visited a cafe! One bottle of beer and Darren is slightly sozzled, honestly he’s such a cheap date 😜 and a total amateur.
      We were getting hot now so we went back to Ivy, got in and just started driving as it was just too hot to sit and try to figure out where to go next. We need Air con and we need it now!!

      We drove long enough to cool us all down and then found our next Park4night spot to try. It was a simple car park next to a beautiful big lake, clearly a popular area so we might not be able to stay there. Lakeside parking is generally pretty busy it seems, especially this time of year, but we are pleasantly surprised to find it relatively empty. We parked up and got Bliss out who by now knew that there was water nearby, and she wanted in!! Like now! We had to cross a fairly busy road to get to it. Down a ramp we find a tiny little private area that we were able to get to the waters edge and sit for a while on a grassy bank looking at the lake. Bliss had freedom to go in the water when she wanted and laid out on the grass just gazing out at the lake too, I just love seeing her looking so content. We had a paddle in the water which was surprisingly warm and full of little fish that would nibble at your legs. While we were currently in Italy, the opposite bank of the lake is Switzerland 🇨🇭 We stayed there for a couple of hours waiting for the sun to dip below the hills before heading back to Ivy.
      Bliss demanded her dinner with just a look 👀 so she got her way. We had dinner ourselves and relaxed for the evening, the road in front of us was quite busy with noisy motorcycles and cars but gradually got quieter as it got later and darker. Fingers crossed for a peaceful night without a visit from a police man 👮 intent on moving us along 🤞.      Читать далее

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    • Bliss VenturesПутешественникIvy’s Maiden Voyage

      Vineyards of beautiful Italy

      27 июня 2024 г., Италия ⋅ ☀️ 29 °C

      We got up late after our long drive yesterday, and enjoyed a slow morning, getting ourselves ready to move on between numerous coffees.
      The drive today was so so pretty, much more picturesque than we’d expected, and hilly rather than mountainous for a pleasant change. We were feeling quite relaxed as we meandered through the Italian countryside at a leisurely pace. Hazelnut trees planted in rows everywhere which I conclude (with no evidence whatsoever ) indicate that this must be the home of Nutella. They stretched for miles. And then there are vineyards also spanning across vast areas, explaining (I conclude again) why the wine is so cheap, so good and so plentiful here.🤪
      We were almost at a place called Asti which I’m guessing ( possibly concluding even 😇) gave its name to the sparkling white wine. It would be really very rude indeed not to try some while I’m here wouldn’t it?
      Looking further we can see when we are astride the rolling vine covered hills the high French-Italian Alps in the far distance. Huge snow capped mountains that we know we are going to be navigating through very soon. Excitement with a fair dose of trepidation is what we feel at the prospect of the journey ahead of us.
      Along the way we found a shop to get a few bits, and of course some Asti.
      We haven’t travelled very far today as we are feeling relaxed and chilled by the easy leisurely pace of the day, so we were soon looking for an aire. It’s a simple place that we are able to fill our water tank and sleep for tonight. I warmed up a spag bol that I had made previously and we tried our best to chill in the 30℃🌡️ heat of the afternoon. Bliss went to her favourite place under the van ,and laid out in the shady wind tunnel Ivy provides beneath us.      Читать далее

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    • Bliss VenturesПутешественникIvy’s Maiden Voyage

      Crossing into Italy 🇮🇹

      26 июня 2024 г., Италия ⋅ ⛅ 23 °C

      We thought that getting away from the coast and through the mountains back inland might be easier if we took a motorway toll road. I’m not particularly fond of motorways ( even less so tolls) but agreed that it would be a lot quicker and easier so that’s what we did.
      This was no ordinary motorway! What an absolute feat of civil engineering. It was literally just huge tunnels through the mountains followed by huge bridges over the valleys and then a tunnel and then a bridge over and over again, all at high speed. Mix that up with road works and the abundance of artic lorries all in a massive hurry, and you are describing my idea of one hell of a stressful drive!
      Eventually Darren found a place on Park4night that looked okay and we exited the motorway and found ourselves back on winding mountain roads that took us finally to a pleasant village aire next to a large rock strewn river with glacial blue water. There were a few other motor homes there and a park full of noisy children behind, but it was just nice to stop and rest. We went for a short walk around the village before settling down for the rest of the evening. Thankfully the noise of playing kids stopped as the daylight faded and with Ivy all closed up and secure we could have been anywhere.      Читать далее

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    • Bliss VenturesПутешественникIvy’s Maiden Voyage

      Ivy enters the Monaco Grand Prix

      26 июня 2024 г., Монако ⋅ ⛅ 25 °C

      We were up early expecting a long day of driving as we plan on an epic day making our way along the coast. To begin with we didn’t have any phone signal so we just drove in the rough direction of the coast. At first it seemed okay but then there were unexpected consequences! We found ourselves driving high up along the edge of a huge gorge and then through a small tunnel that had been carved out of the rock face, it didn’t feel like it would be big enough for us to pass but we squeezed through. Winding around the edge of the gorge on a somewhat narrow road was really not what either of us expected, but it was spectacular and although quite nerve wracking I do kinda think we might be getting a little used to these extraordinary roads now. After another long downhill drive the roads began to get busier in tune with the number of houses. We soon found ourselves on the long sweeping esplanade of Nice, very posh and very busy. The traffic was quite heavy, three lanes wide with traffic lights every hundred yards so I had to concentrate hard. I couldn’t really look at the views around me too much as driving took all of my attention but Darren was telling me all about the expensive cars, yachts, hotels and everything that he was seeing along the promenade. The wealth here is obvious though, everything and everyone was pristine. After passing by the beach side international airport we eventually left Nice behind.
      We carried on and drove into Monaco which was a continuation of the opulence of Nice but on an even grander scale. I hadn’t realised before, but Monaco is its own country so Ivy will get to wear another flag today!
      The way you drive into Monaco is simply crazy, more akin to entering a huge multi-storey carpark with a long sweeping tunnel. Really strange and like nothing I’ve ever experienced. We didn’t stop in Monaco, but we wouldn’t have been able to even if we wanted as there was nowhere at all for a car let alone a 7m long van. Actually we were very much out of place there, we didn’t see any other motorhomes at all, it seemed mainly populated with Ferrari’s, Porsche’s, Aston Martin’s and the like… so you can probably understand why I had to be so careful!      Читать далее

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    • Bliss VenturesПутешественникIvy’s Maiden Voyage
      1
      Bottomless pit1

      Spooky coincidences?

      25 июня 2024 г., Франция ⋅ ☁️ 17 °C

      I didn’t have a great nights sleep as I was woken by horrible stomach cramps...food poisoning! I think it was probably caused by handling Bliss’s raw chicken 🍗 and not washing my hands properly! Another lesson learned, again!
      It was a slow start in the morning as I was feeling rubbish, my stomach was churning and cramping still. About midday I was finally ready to get going as it was too warm to just sit around all day. We head off and were soon driving around another large turquoise lake, I was taking it steady as I really wasn’t feeling good. All of a sudden Ivy’s satnav came up with a warning ⚠️ saying loud and clear “Slow down, accident ahead 150m.” Not a warning we’d ever received before. So I slowed Ivy right down and proceeded with caution, expecting to come across some kind of obstruction. There didn’t seem to be anything at all…. But then out of nowhere it happened!
      Next thing I know, the car behind us overtook us at speed and swerved sharply inward as it passed Ivy’s bonnet. Once in front of us it slammed its brakes on! I in turn had to slam Ivy’s brakes on and swerve abruptly to the left in order to not hit this car which was now in front of me. We came to a stop just centimetres from a collision.
      The car had strangely broken down and wouldn’t start now. After my heart recovered to a less rapid rhythm I reversed a little, pulled out and drove around it. We were right on a tight curve in the road and we needed to move so we weren’t causing an obstruction. We moved around the corner and parked up feeling a bit shaken by our near miss, and also a little spooked by the fact that Ivy had warned us to slow down for an accident ahead when there wasn’t one, but at the exact spot where she had said that there was we very nearly had an accident ourselves!! And would have for sure if it weren’t for that message. It was a bit of a strange coincidence at the very least and if I were more superstitious I would say someone from the spirit world was looking out for us… but I’m not so coincidence it has to be.
      We sat for a while next to the turquoise water of the lake before continuing on our way. We arrived at the first park up that we had chosen but it was a tiny fenced area with a resident van already there. We squeezed Ivy in and got out with Bliss to have a look around, in the resident van was a very large and seemingly angry German shepherd that was barking ferociously at us. It was not a friendly welcome so we thought we’d try another spot further down the road, but that quickly turned into a quagmire of mud so we abandoned the idea of that particular spot too. As we left two large livestock guard dogs chased us off. Not going well this is it!
      We got back on park4night and headed to the next spot not too far away. It was a windy, steep road that took us uphill.
      We ended up settling at the top of a random dead end road in the end, that was near a treetop adventure park and winter ski slopes complete with chair lift. Quite high and much cooler which was a nice relief.
      We discovered when we went for a walk that it was a pretty wooded, grassy place with lots of wild flowers, Darren picked another little posie of flowers and presented them to me romantically. We had to tread carefully as there were great big sink holes amongst the trees that we couldn’t see the bottom of, not that we dared to look too closely. Somewhat less romantically, Darren announced that he could easily get rid of me down one of those holes and no one would ever know or ever find me! 😂
      Unsure of whether we’d be allowed to stay for the night we settled down, and thankfully we had a peaceful, quiet evening with no one but the owls for company.      Читать далее

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    • Bliss VenturesПутешественникIvy’s Maiden Voyage
      1
      1

      Turquoise lakes - Lavender fields

      24 июня 2024 г., Франция ⋅ ☁️ 23 °C

      We left the marina heading inland a little. We needed to get a little further up the coast but wanted more countryside rather than busy towns and over populated tourism. We drove through miles of lovely countryside with sometimes lavender or sunflower fields offering contrast to the lush greenery. Until it changed again and we found ourselves on roads surrounded by huge rocky limestone cliffs. We then by chance drove along a road that was skirting a very large lake with the most beautiful turquoise water, there were though unfortunately lots of people and height barriers across all the parking places 🤬. So frustrating because we really wanted to stop and visit this location as it was quite special. We could see there was the opportunity to hire a canoe or pedlo and take it out on the water between the walls of the massive gorge. We would have definitely wanted to do that, but alas parking Ivy anywhere was simply not going to happen 😢.
      We carried on around the lake taking the road up the side of the gorge until we came across a place that at last we were able to stop overlooking the lake, so we pulled in and turned off the ignition . As we arrived we immediately noticed a couple with a lovely white northern Inuit dog. We had a chat with the couple who were from Belgium but spoke very good English. The man was suitably impressed with Ivy ( describing her as his dream) so Darren gave him the full tour. The lady was quite taken with Bliss, while I was equally taken with her dog. A beautiful dog no doubt, but a bit aloof, whereas Bliss was her usual friendly self, wanting to play and frustratingly being ignored. ☺️
      The view of the lake was stunning, we just wished we could have gone for a paddle boat ride with Bliss. Never mind, maybe we’ll come back one day in the future when it’s not so busy. Ivy’s maiden voyage is a whistle stop tour by design, where we’re to find out one way or another if this is the life for us. So we’re not spending anywhere near enough time in each area to truly appreciate all they have to offer. This is one of those places that clearly has a great deal on offer and deserves to be revisited properly.
      It suddenly started to get overcast and then started raining so we retreated back into the sanctuary of Ivy. We continued on our way and settled at a village aire that we came across. We went for a quick walk around the village streets with Bliss when we arrived. There was a pigeon that was sitting on the side of the road on someone’s doorstep, that we didn’t see but unfortunately Bliss did! Before we had a chance to stop her she pounced and had the poor thing in her mouth. One shake and a moment later the poor thing was dead. 😢
      If there’s one thing I would change about Bliss it’s her predatory nature, but she is a husky and unfortunately that’s just what they are evolved to do.
      We went back to Ivy, parked in this somewhat unremarkable but functional parking area, settled in for the night and tried to figure out our where to next.      Читать далее

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    • Bliss VenturesПутешественникIvy’s Maiden Voyage

      Unexpectedly pleasant.

      23 июня 2024 г., Франция ⋅ 🌬 25 °C

      We planned to get up early this morning and take advantage of having the beach to ourselves for a swim, but the sea felt pretty cold and we were too chicken to take the full plunge. I went for a knee deep paddle and called that it! Darren ventured in up to his navel but he also wimped out.
      It wasn’t too long before people started arriving to spend the day, spreading their towels, buckets and spades and other beach essentials out. As it was a beautiful sunny Sunday we couldn’t really blame them for that. For us though it was time to get back on the road so while I prepared Ivy for the trip Darren took Bliss for one last dip in the lovely cool water. I was just about done with Ivy when Darren came back all flustered saying we’ve got to go now! Guess what she did? Bliss... in front of a beach full of people who might I add were not impressed decided to have her morning poo in the sea!!! In front of everyone, all staring at Darren disgusted like he’d done it!! He couldn’t pick it up obviously as it was in the water so he just did the walk of shame back to the van. Mortified 😂 Needless to say, we left, sharpish!

      We drove further along the coast, passing lagoons with the surprise of seeing wild flamingos 🦩, long avenues of beech trees leading to towns and villages each with their own unique charm. We were hoping to park at a place Darren had found in a bay further along but when we got there the road down was closed. We parked up where we were and walked down to the bay to see if there was any other way down, but once we arrived we realised immediately we didn’t really like the feel of the place anyway. Whilst the tiny beach area was really nice, complete with a resident swan, there were loads of kids, life guards, parents and grandparents and it all felt unfriendly somehow. Like it was theirs alone and we weren’t welcome. Bliss certainly wasn’t allowed on the nice part of the beach, and tbh the thought of her repeating what she’d done earlier today here was simply horrifying.

      There was another place not too far away that was quite a new parking area and it didn’t have any reviews on the app. We thought we’d try it anyway as it was getting late. On first inspection it seemed it was just a large gravel car park by a small marina, nothing special at all, but could be okay to sleep for the night. It’s funny how you arrive somewhere and sometimes you just know instantly it’s not right and sometimes you have to just sit for a while and soak up the essence of a place before you know if it’s worth staying or not. This place was not particularly pretty but it was quiet, felt peaceful and safe so we stayed. I’m glad we did, as it grew darker the sunset came down over the rocks on the far jetty, as the light faded one of the rocks looked like a huge bust of Jesus complete with a thorny crown in silhouette . Behind us, a few streets back was some kind of gas burning chimney flare that had flames coming out of the top of it every few minutes. That lit up the rocks and the boats that were moored in the marina in a lovely fireplace like orange glow. Bats started their evening antics, flying around the sky in front of us putting on a show of all their best moves. We were the only people there, it just felt so calm and safe. We laid on the couch together with the side doors open enjoying the show with a cool evening breeze and a complete lack of any pesky flies or mozzies. The park up turned out to be altogether much nicer than it had first appeared.
      Once it was fully dark though we were ready for our bed so secured the doors and windows and settled down for a peaceful night’s sleep.      Читать далее

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    • Bliss VenturesПутешественникIvy’s Maiden Voyage

      Mediterranean sunrise and sandy bay

      22 июня 2024 г., Франция ⋅ 🌬 25 °C

      Darren woke me up with a prod again at an unGodly hour to watch the sunrise. After cursing him just a little I managed to raise an eyelid, followed five minutes after by the other one. It was worth waking up for though, quite beautiful and full of promise.
      After a couple of coffee’s we drove back down the wiggly winding road looking for a place where we could top up the water tank. Not too far away was a vineyard with a water tap, so we filled up and continued our journey back along the coast in search of a beach. Not too hopeful of getting a spot where we could park for the night close by we tried anyway and found a place down a tiny track. The kind of place only a local would know about. Right on the beach itself in a small bay tucked behind a caravan park. One of the very few places where we could take Bliss onto the beach. It was the perfect spot apart from the other people who were there, not loads of them, but enough. We would of course have preferred it if it were just us, but we made the best of it. Bliss was just so excited about being at the beach, we had to immediately go in the sea. I went in for a paddle with her and was surprised by how warm the water was. I would have liked it a few degrees warmer to entice me to swim if I’m being perfectly honest ,but it was a lot warmer than the waters surrounding the Isle of Wight at this time of year, and is way clearer and altogether cleaner looking and more inviting.
      We spent the rest of the afternoon and evening relaxing, drinking some wine and lying on our bed looking out of the rear doors at the Mediterranean Sea. In the evening when all the people had gone home and there was just us and one other camper a bit further along, it was lovely just listening to the gentle waves coming in and watching bats darting around the sky as the sun went down. It reminded us a lot of when our kids were young and we used to take our battered old transit camper to Bembridge, which at that time you could park on the beach just like this. After the kids had gone off to sleep (eventually!) there’d just be us and the romantically rhythmic sounds of the waters lapping at the shore. So I reminisced and mourned for our passing youth a little while, reflecting on just how lucky we are to be reliving it again in our autumn years, still in love.      Читать далее

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    • Bliss VenturesПутешественникIvy’s Maiden Voyage

      Three countries in one day

      21 июня 2024 г., Франция ⋅ ☀️ 24 °C

      We start the decent on our way out of Andorra and into Spain, very steep decent at first so we did stop to check our brakes weren’t getting too hot. About an hour later we are still going downhill and our diesel tank is still on full. We can’t believe how long and how far you can keep driving downhill. We decide to head for the coast, it’s hot so we keep driving, making the most of Ivy’s air con whilst clocking up the miles and in the hope the coast will be cooler. We drive all day with a few stops for Bliss to stretch her legs and do her business. Today we have driven from France, through Andorra, into Spain, back into France and finally we settle on a coastal peninsula almost at the border of Spain again! Another very long but very interesting journey.
      Towards the end the drive along the zigzagging coast through the coastal towns was busy with people sat along the streets outside of cafes and clubs, live music emitting from the bars and a jolly holidaying atmosphere. Hundreds of boats moored in the bays all along the coast.
      Happy to drive away from the busy tourist area we find ourselves upon a cliff top peninsula with a great view of the Mediterranean Sea. As it got later it did become busier with other campers arriving to stay the night. We were lucky to have arrived when we did or we wouldn’t have had such a great space. We sat outside drinking coffee and watching hundreds of swifts feeding on the evening insects. As it grew dark we found the light from the seamark beacon flashing its warning to the boats, and the full Moon was a lovely reddy orange colour which we later found out that it was called a strawberry moon. It felt somehow homely being near the sea again. You can take the girl out of the island, but you can’t take the Island out of the girl ( or something like that 😜)      Читать далее

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    • Bliss VenturesПутешественникIvy’s Maiden Voyage
      What the hell is this road marking about?

      Andorra (New Country Day)

      21 июня 2024 г., андорра ⋅ ☁️ 12 °C

      Leaving our park up and heading up steep and winding roads I am hoping we make it before the diesel runs out! We have left it as long as possible so we can take advantage of the really cheap fuel on offer in Andorra ⛽️
      I’ve not been looking forward to going to Andorra if I’m honest as I’ve heard it’s a busy place and that’s proving to be true. We were expecting to have to show our passports at the border crossing but we were just waved through by the officials. We’re not actually stopping here but just driving through. Mainly so that Darren can collect a new flag sticker for Ivy! And just so we can say to anyone remotely interested…”Oh yes, Andorra… we’ve been there! “ 😜
      The drive was interesting though, busy top brand shops, restaurants, hotels, ski resorts, and epic mountain tops surrounding the whole area. Once we reached the top and started the decent on the way out of Andorra we were looking out for signs to say we were in Spain 🇪🇸 again. A couple of hours later and our mini break in Andorra was over.      Читать далее

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