For those of you not following us on Facebook (amajor break if you're interested) we were unfortunate enough yesterday to have the van broken into whilst it was parked up in Alicante. As well as a smashed passenger quarter light window, a few things were damaged inside as the thieves helped themselves to both of our laptops, our older son's very expensive camera (containing his whole holiday's worth of photos plus some essential for his college art course), our television, reversing camera monitor, dash camera and a whole bag of plugs, leads, chargers and adapters. Just for good measure, the robbing gits also broke into our hire car which was parked adjacent - another smashed window - and pinched our daughter's kindle from the boot.
We have spent today attempting to clean up glass (without the hoover because they nicked the adapter we need to use it) and trying to get a police report filed so that we can provide evidence to all the necessary insurance companies, not that we are covered for everything as insurance companies put a limit on claims. We didn't take out extra cover because we were sick of paying half our income to insure every single eventuality and sometimes you play the odds and lose. I'm very glad I took out separate hire car insurance though as I'm sure the hire company will try and charge me 83 million euros for the broken window. I will find out tomorrow.
All day we have been making further discoveries that more items are missing; we can now add to the list two out of four of our waterproof jackets (Nathanial's being a pretty pricey one) and, the final straw in my eyes THE BLOODY GAS ADAPTERS, AARRRGGGGGGHHHH !!!!!!!!!!! (Sorry Mike and Ann)
We will need some time to gather our thoughts, do some sums and make some decisions about what we need/can afford to replace and what additional security we can use.
I am typing this from my daughter's laptop, which she sensibly left in the villa, before she, Ethan and Steev fly home tomorrow and we will be reduced to a tablet for internet use (which isn't really up to the job of blogging). So it may be a while before we can post again. I will see if I can get blogger on my smart phone for quick updates as and when we can find wifi.
We are due to leave the villa at the weekend and now need to decide where to go next to restore our faith in humanity and regain our travelling confidence.
So sorry to hear of your troubIes and hope that you can restore your faith in humanity very soon. We're not far from you and although it's not much, if there's anything we can do to help, please call by.
ReplyDeleteThanks Wendy, that's really kind of you. We're all ok, just getting the van organised to hit the road again and get the flock out of Spain!! x
DeleteSorry to hear about your troubles, without making light of them, at least you are all unharmed, well physically anyway.
ReplyDeleteIvan
Thanks Ivan, yes, we are all fine and the adventure continues, just in a less hi-tech fashion!
Deletehope you are feeling a bit better how awful to have your time with the "big ones" spoilt. Last time you was robbed it was when a hire car was being used, makes one think doesn't it I know I can add 2 + 2 and get 6 but think on before you ever hire a car again. We are all thinking about you and send our love xxxx
ReplyDeleteYes, it's true we were robbed from a hire car before but I took the sticker off this one, I think it was the Beitish regs of the van and the fact it's a camper that made us a target this time but all we can do is learn the lesson and move on! Lots of love xxxx
ReplyDeleteThat's bad news,I know it's awful to come back and find you've been robbed.I know that this won't stop the adventure! So a Happy new year to you all.
ReplyDeleteHi Stephen, thank you and a Happy New Year to you too :)
ReplyDeleteReally really sorry to hear this. It would temporarily shatter us I know. We have travelled in a van abroad for years and years and never had a problem. Keep your faith in humanity. Roland, Claire and Doris.
ReplyDeleteThanks chaps, we have had the window repaired today so feel better now the obvious evidence is gone. We are still slowly discovering more things missing as we repack from the villa (hair clippers?!!) but are keen to get back on the road tomorrow. We know that 99% of the worlds population is lovely, it's just that we seem to bump into the other 1% on a fairly regular basis lately!
ReplyDeleteSo sorry to hear about the break-in, we had this done to us a few years back and we were 'asleep' inside it !! I don't need to tell you what a rake of aggravation the aftermath is, but if it's any consolation, we weren't fulltiming then and it didn't put us off. So, hope you get sorted with everything so you can get back to enjoying the adventure 😄
ReplyDeleteThank you Eric, we're not put off, we just need to wise up! It will be interesting to see how the boys manage without their gadgets and the tv but I'll be ok, I brought my knitting! ;)
ReplyDeleteBar-stewards, bar-stewards, bar-stewards.
ReplyDeleteVery sad about the pictures, other stuff can be replaced over time and we hope that the seething anger will fade.
We've only left Twernt when on a campsite and kept ourselves within sight/hearing distance at all other times, Our son had his VW van robbed in Belgium in a similar situation to yours but we've also heard of break-ins on campsites so it's a case of minimising the risk in every way that you can without impeding the lifestyle.
Don't let them win! Come on down to Vera and Tilley will lick the boys better. The sun still shines a lot and I prescribe getting rat-assed for the big people! (what do you mean you're allergic to alcohol? It's a medicine!). :)
Wish the people who did this could sit down and understand what you are doing with your family, maybe they might then get off their lazy arses and earn a few € to try and bring up their families that way you are. Wish you fun, happiness and safety as you travel on x
ReplyDeleteI've only just found your blog by reading twernt on tour and clicking links - I do love blogs....I am really sorry that something this grim has happened to you. I hope that you can put it behind you and the insurance company are sensible so that you can carry on your adventures. As a former teacher I think what you are doing is so much better for your children's education that being sat in classroom being part of government's statistics. I really enjoyed reading about your travels so far ( but not the break in bit) and look forward to reading more. I hope you find somewhere and some people to restore your faith in humanity.......head for Greece is my advice where your lovely children will be fussed over and you will find a wealth of kindness, Good luck and safe travels. ( ps- our piece of wood- never used- is a rounder's bat for who knows when you need to have a game?)
ReplyDeleteHi Maggie, thanks for such kind words and for reiterating our view that we aren't harming the kids by taking them out of school. We have pretty much had our faith restored now and are planning a trip to Greece in May!
ReplyDeleteBeth x