Hi

I love the helpful lists on here - setting off checklist, how to keep it clean instructions.

So please can you help with this one? Buying an Eriba is where it starts - but then there are all the other things you need/have to do to be equipped with the basics - in our case this is essentials plus what you need if you are planning to go to Spain. We do want to travel light

Here is my list, but I'm sure I have missed lots - and what about going beyond basics? Any advice and recommendations from experience would be very welcome!

For the Car

Towbar
Mirrors
Essentials for continental driving (warning sign, fluorescent jackets,breathalysers)

Paperwork

Insurance
Club memberships (Caravan, Camping and Caravan, Eriba)
Ehic
Pet Passport

Outside the van

Awning (does this need a floor covering? What about a light?)
Nose weight gauge
Spirit level
Wheel clamps
Hitch lock
Extension Leads (what length, and how many)
Caravan Feet/chocks
Watercarrier
Wastemaster
Gas or propane - not sure which?
Tools - hammer, drill, what else?
Torch
Camping table and chairs

Inside the van

Glasses, Crockery & Cutlery
Cooking implements - Pans, utensils, Electric Grill, Slow cooker, Cadac?
Food and drink essentials
Bedding - mattress topper, quilt, pillows, sheets and covers
Towels
Radio (not having a tv - will a long wave radio be best for the continent - we like Radio 4/world service?)

Personal stuff

Clothes, toiletries, medicines, laptop, Kindle, knitting
Do we really need Crocs? (Husband totally anti!)

Dog

Bed, food, anchor for long lead, bowls

I'm sure there must be more...........

Interesting about the breathalisers, this is no longer enforced in France however most ferry ports try to scare you into buying them it is necessary to take your vehicle registration documents.

A Kindle or similar, reduces weight and space by not taking loads of books.
An ACSI guide and card

Definitely propane. (Always gassing whereas Butane fails when cold).

One levelling ramp.

A floor covering is not necessary for inside the awning but a door mat might be useful. (Many campsites cut grass without collecting the clippings!)

two pairs of driving glasses

Crocs are good ,for showers ,no nasty foot infections eeeee

First aid kit

Cork screw

You will need a 25 metre EHU cable, also a 25 metre tv cable and get your wine in a box, it saves weight and easy to store. If your going to use your gas fire get two extension tubes, otherwise when it's windy it will keep blowing the flame out.....

tea tool, kettle and a mug milk, t bags. oven gloves
co alarm/ fire alarm, batteries
knife, scissors, sewing kit, super glue, door retainer to ensure eriba door stays open,
rubbish bags, freezer bags, pan pegs, spare bulbs/fuses
extension lead with all needed chargers plugged in,
screw drivers gas spanner, levelling blocks
polish and micro fibre cloths to gain 4miles per gallon extra while towing

Just heard from Jason that our Troll arrived with them today! Just planning when we can pick up - need to get the insurance sorted now! Have been pretty fed up that it is late arriving - but can feel the excitement bubbling up now :-)

Thank you for all your comments - I will update my list. Still need a bit more advice on the radio please - anyone manage to get the world service or even Radio 4 while abroad?

Quote: Jams22 wrote in post #12

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Still need a bit more advice on the radio please - anyone manage to get the world service or even Radio 4 while abroad?

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Zitat

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On Monday 18 February 2008, the BBC World Service stopped analogue shortwave transmissions to Europe. The notice stated, "Increasing numbers of people around the world are choosing to listen to radio on a range of other platforms including FM, satellite and online, with fewer listening on shortwave."[64] It is sometimes possible to pick up the BBC World Service in Europe on SW frequencies targeted at North Africa. The BBC's powerful 198 kHz LW, which broadcasts the domestic BBC Radio 4 to Britain during the day (and carries the World Service during the night) can also be heard in nearby parts of Europe, including the Republic of Ireland, the Netherlands, Belgium and parts of France, Germany and Scandinavia.

On Wednesday, 10 December 2008, BBC World Service and Deutsche Welle started broadcasting a joint DRM digital radio station. It broadcasts a mix of English-language news and information programmes produced by each partner, and is aimed at an audience in mainland Europe. The station hopes, among other things, to stimulate the production of DRM radio receivers.

Former BBC shortwave transmitters are located in the United Kingdom at Rampisham, Woofferton and Skelton. The former BBC East Mediterranean Relay Station is in Cyprus.

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http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BBC_World_Service#Europe

On the internet you can find radio 4 here

http://www.internetradiouk.com/bbc-4/

and here

http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio4/on-air

and the world service here

http://www.bbc.co.uk/worldserviceradio/on-air

Many thanks - we often listen via wifi at home - but hadn't realised the transmission position had changed and had imagined a radio would be OK. We shan't be getting a dish in the short term at least :-)