Start here….

This is a blog is about  our travels and adventures in a Mazda Bongo, an unconverted campervan.

It’s a 2.5 litre diesel, with eight seats which fold down to make a bed and an elevating roof which creates a space for two more.

We live in West Yorkshire and have a one-year-old baby. He comes with us and usually sleeps in a little tent in the roof.

Andrew

 

Update: We now have two little ones: Boy, now three, and girl, nearly one. So sleeping in the Bongo is even trickier.

9 thoughts on “Start here….”

  1. We go to France every year for the last 20 years or so. We adopted a place up from La Rochelle called Carnac. Up until last went we to the same site, opposite the standing stones which was a small family site. This year we stayed at a site in Guinnes/La Bien Assise which we found fab.
    When we were there we visited three blockhouse war bunkers then into Belgium to visit Brugge then elped to visit an uncle’s grave in the maple Canadian cemetery. Thanks for reading.

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    1. We Used la bien assise guines France.excellent site well maintained etc staff first class,handy for Brugge etc,we drive a Mazda bongo diesel and a stand alone awning,we have also just returned from lake Windermere we stayed at park cliffe camp site.good site but a wee bit remote and bar and restaurant were closed as was the shop but they would open up on request

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  3. Hi and thank you! Your photos are amazing, and some excellent tips (I’d never heard of a ring converter – it’s on the list!)
    We are just starting to plan a very similar jaunt. We’re in Leeds, so have got as far as booking the hull ferry, and doing a lot of gazing at a big map. We’ll be in our unconverted bongo with awning, plus a 4yr old and 2 yr old, for 6 weeks. Looking at Rotterdam down to dolomites with a couple of stopovers ?lux ?somewhere in w germany. Then Lake Garda (although a sidetrack to your recommendation nr venice sounds worth a thought), then tuscany, back up across alps into provence then pootling around france for a bit. sailing back from calais.

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    1. Thanks for your kind comments. I think the P&O ferry from Hull is a great idea; takes the strain off for the first day and you get a good rest. Will you do a blog as you go or post some photos on the Bongo pages on Facebook?
      My only other piece of advice is don’t try to go too far. I think we did too many miles and had too many hours on the road. I am sure the little ones will let you know when they have had enough of sitting. oh, and take lots of euros, it can get expensive. Let me know how you got on when you get back.

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  5. Hi Andrew,hoping to do Devon and chedder gorge in September in our eight seated aft unconverted bongo.will post you pics and tales.of to the red squirrel camp site up at glen Coe in aug 24th for weekend with other bongo club members ,would you like me to share the experianced with yourself?
    Regards Gordon bryson

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