Getting to that list, finally...

At last I have a list to work to. It covers two pages and has over 40 'things' on it.

After our 'so what's left' sesh, I was so put off by the number of things still left to organise that I actually starting adding things to it that I had already done, just to show myself how much progress I've already made and, pitifully, to make myself feel better.The list has been helpful actually because it has brought a certainty to what I have to get done by next weekend. There's no room left for 'getting round to it', there's only what's first, what's next now.

Since making the list I have made real progress and every time I get something done, my confidence increases. For example, there was a real 'high five' moment just before lunch when I finally got the water heater working on gas. Might not sound like much to the veterans, but, to me, it was the final tick in a very large box to satisfy myself that I really do know how to operate all of the appliances. Until that point, I was pretty much relying on the weather to be unseasonably kind.

I had a bit of a restless night last night worrying about the van and whether it really does have a problem. That combined with a 15 year old's 'sleepover' ensured that I was kept awake most of the night and by the time Jack Frost laid his white dust this morning, I was totally obsessed . I had a look under the bonnet first thing and checked the oil. That was reassuringly fine, as was the absence of any noticeable leaks. To my eye, the engine bay and underneath looked exactly ordinary and oil/incident free. I went for another drive and instantly smelled the burning oil smell again however. I got out and smelled the exhaust fumes but could not trace anything untoward. I got back in and sniffed at the heater like a suicidal maniac desperate for carbon and noticed minute traces of burning oil. Mrs. F, as usual, thought I was mental and paranoid and suggested that that is the smell associated with diesel engines on cold days. She may well be right because having never owned a diesel vehicle before, I've no idea what to expect. I shall just have to keep my eye on the engine oil throughout the trip and keep everything else crossed at the same time.

I started the chore of working on the list and found that I was soon ticking and getting rid of boxes quicker than an impatient 'Deal or No-Deal' contestant. I was actually enjoying myself and only took a break to go for a joy ride in my friend's new Rolls Royce Phantom (like the one Alan Sugar owns). What a car. I quickly worked out however that I could have bought my van six and a half times with the money he spent on that car. I wonder if he will have six and a half times as much fun it than we'll have in our van?

Using the list as my master, I ordered the EHIC documents, I organised the first aid kit, I sorted the tool kit, Mrs.F packed some of the food, I wired up a Euro adapter with reverse polarity and I tried very hard to order a Camping Card International. I went to the Caravan Club website and, after seeing nothing obvious, I entered a search for 'how to buy a Camping Card International'. The results did nothing more than reveal links to documents containing reference to the CCI; nothing told me how to get one. I persevered and clicked every page relating to 'overseas' until finally I found a statement which said 'Where can I buy a Camping Card International (CCI)? - Please contact the travel information officer to obtain this for £4.50. Please note that if you take out Red Pennant travel insurance a CCI will be included in the package.' Gee, thanks. This didn't tell me who the travel information officer is/was or, crucially, where to contact him/her though, did it?

I really am not a fan of the CC website. All of my experiences have ended in frustration and been a complete waste of time. I feel as though further visits will be like watching a remake of Titanic and expecting something other than a sinking. I even tried (foolishly) to check whether I had received a good deal on my Ferry booking. I am going out Dover - Calais and back Bilbao - Portsmouth. The site doesn't support different outs to ins so I'll never find out. Even when I spoke to P&O and asked for a CC discount, they told me to book through the Caravan Club itself which I now know I can't do. I'll ring them tomorrow to get my CCI and at the same time I'll ask if I can book a Ferry over the phone. Even if I can, it's not much use for full time workers like me who only find the time at the weekend when they are closed. If I'm feeling particularly grumpy, I might point out how rubbish I think their website is and how it is all very well offering me a teapot or tie on their site, but what I'd prefer is something I actually need. I might even point out how surprised I am that they don't even have a chat room for their members.

I'm still a little bit worried about the amount of work still to do, getting it weighed and sorting breakdown insurance are a couple that spring to mind, but, overall, I think we're gonna be ok cometh the day. Mrs. F even had a drive today; the lights were on all the time and despite a frantic use of indicators, the lights stayed on thoroughout.

If only Christmas wasn't going to get in the way...