There was a post on a Motorhome Facebook page last weekend with a photo of a motorhome jammed into a narrow sidestreet.
I felt their pain. The stress in these situations is apalling. We've never been jammed as closely as that one was, but it is truly awful. Not only are the roads narrow but there are usually no signs to help get you out, you don't really understand how you got there in the first place and there are usually low balconies to look out for as well. In our case it's bound to be the navigators fault, but the driver gets the blame. Get my drift? Anyway, I was concerned at the way some of the comments went after the photo. Along the lines of what an idiot and should have got a decent sat nav. Come on guys, show some empathy here. The most accurate and wonderful expensive, mutts nuts sat navs in the world won't necessarily save or avoid the situation. Most European towns and villages were built when people walked, not motored anywhere and in some areas sign posts are as rare as hens teeth or indecipherable.
The motorhome in the picture is about the right size for european travels and so how can this type of situation be avoided? We look out for signs warning that anything greater than 3.5T can't go. If you see one of those turn around. They are a circular sign with a 3.5T in the middle and a red ring around the edge. Mike and I have some hair raising stories of these towns, one of which was Aguilas in Spain on marathon day. Once we managed to get out of our pickle Mike was nearly physically sick. The other was in the Cinque Terra in Italy and the guide books advise the area is best explored by train. We didn't know this. If you end up in such a predicament it doesn't make you a numpty. All it means is that some people like to be spontaneous, they don't necessarily have every twist and turn in the road planned and examined prior to departure. Surely motorhoming is all about the freedom and flexibilty to go wherever, whenever you like. Yes, sometimes there will be navigational errors, but live and let live is what I say and isn't it great to be able to offer the locals some free entertainment?
Below is a photo of a Wildax Cutie out in the 'wild'. This vehicle would take you through that gap unhindered.
I felt their pain. The stress in these situations is apalling. We've never been jammed as closely as that one was, but it is truly awful. Not only are the roads narrow but there are usually no signs to help get you out, you don't really understand how you got there in the first place and there are usually low balconies to look out for as well. In our case it's bound to be the navigators fault, but the driver gets the blame. Get my drift? Anyway, I was concerned at the way some of the comments went after the photo. Along the lines of what an idiot and should have got a decent sat nav. Come on guys, show some empathy here. The most accurate and wonderful expensive, mutts nuts sat navs in the world won't necessarily save or avoid the situation. Most European towns and villages were built when people walked, not motored anywhere and in some areas sign posts are as rare as hens teeth or indecipherable.
The motorhome in the picture is about the right size for european travels and so how can this type of situation be avoided? We look out for signs warning that anything greater than 3.5T can't go. If you see one of those turn around. They are a circular sign with a 3.5T in the middle and a red ring around the edge. Mike and I have some hair raising stories of these towns, one of which was Aguilas in Spain on marathon day. Once we managed to get out of our pickle Mike was nearly physically sick. The other was in the Cinque Terra in Italy and the guide books advise the area is best explored by train. We didn't know this. If you end up in such a predicament it doesn't make you a numpty. All it means is that some people like to be spontaneous, they don't necessarily have every twist and turn in the road planned and examined prior to departure. Surely motorhoming is all about the freedom and flexibilty to go wherever, whenever you like. Yes, sometimes there will be navigational errors, but live and let live is what I say and isn't it great to be able to offer the locals some free entertainment?
Below is a photo of a Wildax Cutie out in the 'wild'. This vehicle would take you through that gap unhindered.
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