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I had better start this post by saying a big thanks to all who left a comment on yesterdays post regarding my update for everybody coming across from Blogs of Note (Yes this blog is noteworthy…apparently!) I will get back to you all soon!

I’m still feeling a little surprised that my random scribblings have been nominated for anything, but that’s the way this twisted blogosphere works!

Anyways, enough of blowing my own trumpet – How are you all?

This is kind of an update, part deux, on my plans.

I have been chatting away to some other bloggers who travel and work, and they seem to be convinced that you can make money whilst travelling. One of the guys to do this is WorkingNOMAD, strangely enough he is also a fellow Brit! I have his book on how to live this life, and for only £10 I think it’s a bargain, you can find it here.

So I am going to attempt to be doing some of that. I think a lot of it revolves around writing, which I enjoy anyway so shouldn’t be too much of a stretch.

The other way I am looking to make money is by working in bars or other temporary jobs such as picking hops, strawberries, grapes or anything else that is pickable. Whilst travelling in Europe I do not need any working Visa’s or permits, making this a whole lot easier.

I have been thinking a bit about the route as well.

I have always wanted to travel through Scandinavia. The sheer beauty of the Fjords, lakes and mountains combined with the bizarre isolation has always appealed to me. If anyone knows of anywhere that is a definite must to visit then please leave a comment and let me know.

So I will most probably be heading up there first. The route will take in England, France, Belgium, Germany, Denmark, Sweden, Norway, Finland then back down from Helsinki to Tallinn (Estonia) and back through to Germany.

As I speak German it will make getting a temporary job here a lot easier. This will hopefully bolster my income, allowing me to travel more.

So – What will I use to travel round Europe.

Well, nothing is confirmed yet but I am looking at a 1999 LDV high roof van. It seems to fit all my criteria, as shown below.

My Campervan Criteria:

• Be tall enough to stand up in
• Have a reasonably comfortable bed
• Be diesel powered
• Be 3.5ton gross weight or under
• Have a shower, or somewhere to put a shower / toilet

(Photo Credit)

I am still looking through a few web sites but as soon as I find something I like I will let you all know.

And for those of you who have commented that they don’t think they have the money for this -
My van budget is £1,000
My travel budget is also £1,000

I will explain more about where I am planning to stay in the next post and how I plan to get away with my budget.

Oh and also -7th March – Stop Work, Start Life

(Photo Credit)

Happy Travellin‘
Overland Si

Thought I’d give my life story a rest for one minute to bring you some wonderful linkage to other sites around the blogosphere that may be of interest to you.

First off is “The Journey Continues“.

I found this blog whilst on Blog Search for anything tagged with Overland. Silama, the author is constructing his very own wagon for travelling across, well, anywhere I suppose. I have to say that this is one of my own dreams, construct (or buy) my own campervan / expedition vehicle.

Unfortunately my off-centre mind has now conjured up the image of me perched atop a truck pointing to the distance and declaring in a distinctly pirate fashion “We be a goin yonder thata way! yarrr”

I’m not sure why the pirates came about, perhaps thats another crazy plan that I’ve secretly got lodged in my mind.

Prepare ye’selves for “Pirate Wannabe” blog… coming soon, or perhaps not, still if enough of you ask then i’m sure I could photoshop something, you weirdos! hehe!

… And then this caught my eye….

Perhaps the mightiest beast of all beasts. Based on the Unimog, but almost completely rebuilt is this monolith.

The description of the MaxiMog sums it up really

“The base vehicle is a highly modified Mercedes Benz Unimog chassis with a custom body, completely new power plant, computer controlled suspension, and integrated electrical, hydraulics and electronics systems.
Many of the onboard navigation, power, lighting, communications, computation and electro-optics systems were developed specifically for this vehicle.”