tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-57569519577914523452024-02-07T19:46:01.745+00:00Zero Carbon AdventuresClimbing and travel with lower ecological impactGlyn Hudsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12074378692118107701noreply@blogger.comBlogger189125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5756951957791452345.post-45436045689518349252021-12-29T22:41:00.005+00:002022-01-04T10:18:36.843+00:00Nissan e-NV200 campervan cabin heating (and cooling) <div><br /></div><div>One of the benefits of an EV campervan is a built-in HVAC (heating ventilation and cooling) system. This system runs directly from the HV (high voltage) traction battery and can be used when parked up and sleeping overnight in the van to provide heating, ventilation, dehumidification and even cooling.</div><div>Many conventional campervans have diesel or propane heaters, besides being smelly and a source of carbon emissions these heaters usually heat the air inside the van rather than provided heated fresh air from the outside which results in poor air quality and lots of condensation.</div><div><br /></div><div>In an electric van, the HVAC system works just the same as when the van is being driven, providing warm fresh air with no condensation. If there is a lot of humidity in the van e.g. when cooking or drying wet clothes the A/C can be used in conjunction with heat to provide dehumidification. </div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhpMf0xfZjIAh2s1LOSucwSfZb4EczfIf5OnJDi-TW4_jDMr20oLlwsNHa2Yh2qcfJhnCh_lD3Ng95NECDYWXjHuD2YyjyFWGHiZCIihLnb-ZrkaEFzInw1hwQ3n8AlCXKVaKEwzF5BeqzSYp9XJDVjrnePB1xAbv6_PFCT6IY8lpXgNJ0oZbIoDpn3=s3840" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2160" data-original-width="3840" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhpMf0xfZjIAh2s1LOSucwSfZb4EczfIf5OnJDi-TW4_jDMr20oLlwsNHa2Yh2qcfJhnCh_lD3Ng95NECDYWXjHuD2YyjyFWGHiZCIihLnb-ZrkaEFzInw1hwQ3n8AlCXKVaKEwzF5BeqzSYp9XJDVjrnePB1xAbv6_PFCT6IY8lpXgNJ0oZbIoDpn3=w400-h225" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cosy winter camping in -4 degC in Austria</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEixdbeIK--SMQPupWfTSUIrWZHwr3JbU_TGYN3SaCYAxxwYnPTzi_7GlKUAnPit7YPhDlz8zGEyFklkDdypTzWheh_CECpya-oKVlTV0fRnUH-tuiN85Xjgjgj5wg0hUUsknr9572IM7VBa2jhqaK3VpiIdFR09YpjiC-1nzFvBNfKEK4ypKnOkhHod=s3840"><img border="0" data-original-height="2160" data-original-width="3840" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEixdbeIK--SMQPupWfTSUIrWZHwr3JbU_TGYN3SaCYAxxwYnPTzi_7GlKUAnPit7YPhDlz8zGEyFklkDdypTzWheh_CECpya-oKVlTV0fRnUH-tuiN85Xjgjgj5wg0hUUsknr9572IM7VBa2jhqaK3VpiIdFR09YpjiC-1nzFvBNfKEK4ypKnOkhHod=w400-h225" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Induction hob cooked pancakes for breakfast before a day skiing :-) </div><div><br /></div><h3 style="text-align: left;"><b>Nissan e-NV200 Campervan HVAC operation </b></h3><div>The e-NV200 has a PTC (positive temperature coefficient) resistive heater and an A/C compressor with cabin heat exchanger. Other vehicles may have a different heating system, e.g. the Nissan Leaf had a PTC + heat pump heating system which is a bit more efficient at heating in a mild climate. As far as I'm aware I don't know of any EV vans which have a heat pump. </div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgc4wsmu5e6M7kvkyjmy2XqhDa5aurJG8pj6RLnXJ8NlWjMqYhxLEi2wu_l_75q_rFa6AqGdOvC8YfkUlbiWJ6ULpjoQ6BP_0kBcKzOn-4-O-FG450_MuRZppHK-nvY8ejcCwSoeXOc_11v2R69phsuA5ISYHtmc1HGRE0rhNL2A4-OHmXTqVkakTZk=s1000" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="349" data-original-width="1000" height="112" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgc4wsmu5e6M7kvkyjmy2XqhDa5aurJG8pj6RLnXJ8NlWjMqYhxLEi2wu_l_75q_rFa6AqGdOvC8YfkUlbiWJ6ULpjoQ6BP_0kBcKzOn-4-O-FG450_MuRZppHK-nvY8ejcCwSoeXOc_11v2R69phsuA5ISYHtmc1HGRE0rhNL2A4-OHmXTqVkakTZk=s320" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>For the rest of this post I'll focus on heating in the e-NV200, but the same procedures also apply to cooling:</div><div><br /></div><span><a name="more"></a></span><span><a name='more'></a></span><div><br /></div><h4 style="text-align: left;"><b>a.) When charging:</b></h4><div>E.g. Charging from 7kW wall-box, domestic socket granny cable, campsite hookup or Rapid Charging. </div><div><br /></div><div>Being able to run the heater while charging is a very useful feature of the e-NV200. Unbelievably some vans, like the Peugeot Partner Electric (2013-2019), don't allow the heater to run while charging, this makes the Peugeot Partner Electric very unsuitable for use as a campervan. </div><div><br /></div><div>To turn on the heater while charging: </div><div><br /></div><div>1. Ensure a charging session is active (flashing blue lights on the dashboard), if the vehicle has stopped charging due to the battery being full, disconnect then reconnect the charging connector to restart a charging session. </div><div><br /></div><div>2. Press the orange power button twice (or put foot on the brake and press once). </div><div><br /></div><div>3. Switch on and adjust the HVAC to the required settings. For overnight use I prefer manual heating 16 degC, fan speed 2 and air directed forward. </div><div><br /></div><div>4. The energy drawn by the heater will cause a normal AC (e.g 7kW wallbox / granny cable) charging session to be prolonged indefinitely, with the energy used by the heater being provided by the charging point. A Rapid Charge will stop when the vehicle's HV traction battery is fully charged. </div><div><br /></div><div>5. The van can be locked using the door lock button next the gear selector on the centre console. </div><div><br /></div><div>Important Note #1: using the heater or air conditioning (A/C) when Rapid Charging will disable the HV battery cooling system, therefore unless essential I would avoid using the heater or A/C when rapid charging if you plan to do multiple rapid chargers in a single day or when the ambient temperature is hot. </div><div><b><br /></b></div><div>Important Note #2: If the charging session stops (e.g hookup trips, granny cable is unplugged, wallbox switches off) when the van is switched on, the van will enter 'accessory mode' which will result in the 12V battery rapidly draining. While quite rare, this can be disastrous since the van can only last for about 3-4 hours in accessory mode before fully draining the 12V flat. If the 12V battery is flat, you won't be able to switch the van on, irrespective of the state of charge of the HV traction battery. A flat 12V will require a jump start using jump leads to another vehicle or the use of a jumper pack. To mitigate this issue, I would recommend fitting an audible low 12V battery alarm and an easily visible readout of the 12V battery voltage. A healthy voltage is above 12V, anything less than 12V is a cause for concern, less than 11V may not be able to start the van. </div><h4 style="text-align: left;"><b>b.) When off-grid (not charging): </b></h4><div>For the heater to run when the van is not charging, the van needs to be switched on in 'Ready' mode, i.e ready to drive:</div><div><br /></div><div>1. Depress the foot brake and press the orange power button once. </div><div><br /></div><div>2. Switch on and adjust the HVAC to the required settings. For overnight use I prefer manual heating 16 degC, fan speed 2 and air directed forward. </div><div><br /></div><div>3. The DRLs (daylight running lights) will be lit. To switch these off, you will need to remove the relay or fuse for the DRLs from the fuse box under the bonnet. I've installed a <a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B09D9PPL5V/ref=sspa_dk_detail_0?psc=1&pd_rd_i=B09D9PPL5V&pd_rd_w=MuBp3&pf_rd_p=828203ef-618e-4303-a028-460d6b615038&pd_rd_wg=vgutm&pf_rd_r=2EX8QPMWFQ8EVT5WYYHX&pd_rd_r=7c54b9fa-d8e4-4ced-a761-ec2e90b72b49&smid=ALR1JFJUGBJT7&spLa=ZW5jcnlwdGVkUXVhbGlmaWVyPUExMDA2NlAxQlAyVlA3JmVuY3J5cHRlZElkPUEwOTYxNzcxQVlGQUJXVUcxQjBNJmVuY3J5cHRlZEFkSWQ9QTA1MzMzNDJKRU1NVVI4TEI0RzEmd2lkZ2V0TmFtZT1zcF9kZXRhaWwmYWN0aW9uPWNsaWNrUmVkaXJlY3QmZG9Ob3RMb2dDbGljaz10cnVl">remote control 12V latching relay</a>, so I can remotley switch off/on the DRLs from inside the cabin.</div><div><br /></div><div>4. The energy to run the heater will be provided by the HV traction battery:</div><div><br /></div><div><b>In my experience when running the heater with a 14 degree temperature difference between inside and outside, e.g 2 degC outside and 16 degC inside, the heater will draw an average of 617W. Therefore, 10 hours of use would use 6kWh ≈ 15% SoC reduction in our 40kWh van = approximately 18 miles of range loss, or 1.8 miles of range loss per hour. </b></div><h4 style="text-align: left;">c.) Remote Climate (pre-heat or cool)</h4><div>The remote climate can be activated remotely and will pre-heat or cool the van to 21 deg C. The remote climate will recirculate the air and operate with a high fan speed. Since the air is recirculated, remote climate is not suitable for use when you're inside the van, however it's very useful to defrost the van on winter mornings. Remote climate can be activated in a number of ways:</div><div><br /></div><div>1. Using the button on the key fob, assuming it's within range.</div><div><br /></div><div>2. Using the Nissan Connect mobile app, unreliable in my experience.</div><div><br /></div><div>3. Using OVMS (Open Vehicle Monitoring System), very reliable and responsive but requires <a href="https://shop.openenergymonitor.com/open-vehicle-monitoring-ovms-wifi-3g-europe/">extra hardware</a>. </div><div><br /></div><div>Video of OVMS android app enabling remote climate: </div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/tSvSwI8jLcc" width="320" youtube-src-id="tSvSwI8jLcc"></iframe></div><br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>Glyn Hudsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12074378692118107701noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5756951957791452345.post-9898067791918631932021-11-27T02:04:00.026+00:002021-11-27T02:04:00.337+00:00Battery Upgrade 24kWh > 40kWh Nissan e-NV200 Campervan<p>As you know, our van is a fully electric 2015 Nissan e-NV200 with a 24kWh battery pack, this was the only size battery available 7 years ago. We bought the van 2nd hand 6yrs ago in 2016 and <a href="https://blog.zerocarbonadventures.co.uk/2018/10/electric-campervan-diy-conversion.html">converted it to a campervan</a>. </p><div>The original 24kWh battery gave the van a range of 60-80 miles depending on driving style and road conditions. Despite the relatively low range it's not stopped us clocking up 63,000 miles including several long campervan trips around Europe as far as <a href="https://blog.zerocarbonadventures.co.uk/2019/08/electric-campervan-euro-climbing.html">Slovenia, Hungry</a>, several trips to <a href="https://blog.zerocarbonadventures.co.uk/2019/02/climbing-in-jaen-electric-campervan.html">Southern Spain</a> and many to Northern Scotland. As we've proved and documented in this blog, the van with the original 24kWh battery is quite capable of long-distance travel provided this is done at a relaxed pace, and on the whole we’ve found public charging to be available and reliable even in more remote parts of continental Europe. </div><div><br /></div><div>In 2018 Nissan introduced a 40kWh battery pack for the e-NV200 with almost double the energy capacity. Even though our original 24kWh battery pack is still very functional with currently 83% of its original capacity remaining, the prospect of upgrading our van to double its current range at a reasonable cost was very appealing. When the opportunity arose to obtain a 40kWh battery from a salvage vehicle, we decided to go ahead with the upgrade. I enlisted the help of an <a href="https://www.facebook.com/evnorthwales ">EV friendly local garage</a> to help with the heavy lifting to do the physical swap then I did the electrical wiring work myself. </div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-W8f9gTKWY2I/YYNDLWorxhI/AAAAAAAESH4/lUadLL77rxIGt8Yy1L1wJGZw2N64jiKBACLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/PXL_20210622_091123369.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1152" data-original-width="2048" height="360" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-W8f9gTKWY2I/YYNDLWorxhI/AAAAAAAESH4/lUadLL77rxIGt8Yy1L1wJGZw2N64jiKBACLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h360/PXL_20210622_091123369.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Removing the old 24kWh battery</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><span><a name='more'></a></span><h3 style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Part 1 Video:</h3><div>Replacing the 24kWh battery with a 40kWh battery:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="333" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/RmzlNWBnZGQ" width="400" youtube-src-id="RmzlNWBnZGQ"></iframe></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><h3 style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Part 2 Video:</h3><div>Installing a CAN bridge in the correct location, I obtained the CAN bridge from <a href="https://dalasevrepair.fi/">https://dalasevrepair.fi/</a> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="335" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/W-W7FwTNOnU" width="403" youtube-src-id="W-W7FwTNOnU"></iframe></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><h3 style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Part 3 Video:</h3><div>Disassembling the old 24kWh battery, I still have a few battery modules for sale. Get in touch if you're interested. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="340" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/ZgeQVhmm9mA" width="409" youtube-src-id="ZgeQVhmm9mA"></iframe></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><h3 style="text-align: left;">Resources </h3><div><br /></div><a href="https://docs.google.com/document/d/e/2PACX-1vTA70mUALGeTLl0KeYE9J73TJYCgRago5zu7016zzEFOCtAEhWCWO2Y7LD1ogEa8UNg_g4u6PHNIXZj/pub">Nissan e-NV200 battery upgrade procedure</a><div><br /></div><div>Thanks to Dala's EV Repair for advice and providing the CAN bridge battery translator device.
Dala's battery upgrade user manual is a very useful resource for battery swaps <a href="https://github.com/dalathegreat/BatteryUpgrade-UserManual">https://github.com/dalathegreat/BatteryUpgrade-UserManual</a></div><div><br /></div><div> HEVRA registered EV friendly garage that did the swap: B&K Williams in Caernarfon, Wales: <a href="https://www.facebook.com/evnorthwales ">https://www.facebook.com/evnorthwales </a></div><div><br /></div><div>Salvage battery packs: <a href="https://www.evbreakers.com/">https://www.evbreakers.com/
</a></div>Glyn Hudsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12074378692118107701noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5756951957791452345.post-49245889905135610652021-11-24T01:46:00.013+00:002021-11-24T01:46:00.318+00:00848 miles in a 11.5 year old Tesla Roadster: EV batteries can last a long time! On 18th September 2021 I was involved in a mission to drive a 11.5-year-old 2010 Tesla Roadster with the original battery pack 848 miles across the entire lengths of the UK from Lands End to John O'Groats to prove that EV batteries can last a long time. The car managed the trip easily and did it in 21.5 hrs which is far faster than this car originally did the same trip back in 2011!<div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-B93xe_8ph2c/YYM9uUSy3HI/AAAAAAAESHM/P5rLv3RGF-UYu0QDI00opQhI_XHDOlq9QCLcBGAsYHQ/s1280/thumb.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="1280" height="360" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-B93xe_8ph2c/YYM9uUSy3HI/AAAAAAAESHM/P5rLv3RGF-UYu0QDI00opQhI_XHDOlq9QCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h360/thumb.png" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /><div><br /></div><div>This particular Tesla Roadster is rather special to me, since it was the first EV I ever saw. Back in 2013 I attended a National Trust Hydro and ZeroCarbonWorld EV charge point launch event in Snowdonia, North Wales. I remember being blown away when Kevin told me the car had a range of about 200 miles! This experience sowed the seed from my enthusiasm in electric vehicles.</div><div><br /></div><span><a name='more'></a></span><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Pr2vh8b4Z5E/YYM90y332aI/AAAAAAAESHQ/28VX6HFhtlMoO0ECWx9CfZBSlRx2KNnGQCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/PXL_20210917_183135094.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1152" data-original-width="2048" height="360" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Pr2vh8b4Z5E/YYM90y332aI/AAAAAAAESHQ/28VX6HFhtlMoO0ECWx9CfZBSlRx2KNnGQCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h360/PXL_20210917_183135094.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div><br /><br />In 2011 Kevin Sharpe and David Peilow drove <b>this same Roadster</b> from John O’Groats to Lands End, this was the first ever electric vehicle to ever make this trip which took them 36 hours:<div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/zWX2Ztb02Mk" width="320" youtube-src-id="zWX2Ztb02Mk"></iframe></div><br /><div><br /><br />This car is now owned by my friend Dean a trustee of <a href="https://ZeroCarbonWorld.org">ZeroCarbonWorld.org</a> charity that Kevin founded. I was honoured when Dean asked me if I wanted to help him repeat this cross-country trip 10 years since the original trip. The car is now 11.5 years old still with its original battery pack, the only modifications made to the car is the addition of a Chademo charging kit to allow the roadster to charge from 50kW DC. Big thanks to Neil Wise for fitting the Chademo kit at short notice. <br /><br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEbQcCcSRKwz5Bf2glfmtFIM4f9aoMJzECNqFTrmLISKsRzwRYTa16gfX-3ZVgpivJ147Z4S_RmKF4X4P1rYNB_rjPFnLVul1S5sMZImTEYx5lMPeo9SvcS9fA0uZFLZnDiCMdFB2c8Sg/s1024/IMG-20210917-WA0005.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="1024" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEbQcCcSRKwz5Bf2glfmtFIM4f9aoMJzECNqFTrmLISKsRzwRYTa16gfX-3ZVgpivJ147Z4S_RmKF4X4P1rYNB_rjPFnLVul1S5sMZImTEYx5lMPeo9SvcS9fA0uZFLZnDiCMdFB2c8Sg/s320/IMG-20210917-WA0005.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dean and myself enjoying a pre drive surf in Cornwall!</td></tr></tbody></table></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZovMHDQPYAYJNNNk-BLyvxIkC0vfCu-P9KghvcA9sqKarss0FC1DwZd3UjAGUU4JpDBo5r44YKQfvS6eaR4qLQ-bLYOCrbSb-A-Uk8KfBl6pJ_hwG06DZcyLvkr-zNO9CD1m9SeE7wY8/s2048/PXL_20210916_192446468.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1152" data-original-width="2048" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZovMHDQPYAYJNNNk-BLyvxIkC0vfCu-P9KghvcA9sqKarss0FC1DwZd3UjAGUU4JpDBo5r44YKQfvS6eaR4qLQ-bLYOCrbSb-A-Uk8KfBl6pJ_hwG06DZcyLvkr-zNO9CD1m9SeE7wY8/s320/PXL_20210916_192446468.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Testing the newly fitted Chademo charging kit</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: start;">The aim of the trip was to prove that EV batteries can last a long time and raise money for ZeroCarbonWorld charity that donate EV charging stations.</span><br style="text-align: start;" /><br /><h3>Trip Video</h3></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/lUpvGh3lW9I" width="320" youtube-src-id="lUpvGh3lW9I"></iframe></div><br /><div><br /><h3 style="text-align: left;">Trip Breakdown: </h3><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>6:35am Lands End start </li><li>8:53am, Exter services</li><li>10:45am, Mollie's Diner (Bristol)</li><li>12:40pm, Frankley Moto (Birmingham)</li><li>2:35pm, Lymm services</li><li>4:14pm, Moto Burton in Kendal</li><li>5:26pm, Moto Southwaite Northbound, Carlisle </li><li>6:34pm, Welcome Break Abington</li><li>8:40pm, Broxden Park & Ride Perth </li><li>11:45pm, Kingussie</li><li>1:17am, Skiach Services Dingwall</li><li>4am John O'Groats finish</li></ul><br /><br /><h3 style="text-align: left;">Trip Stats: </h3><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>2011: 36hrs</li><li>2021: 21.5hrs</li><li>Energy used: 190kWh</li><li>Economy: 230wh/mile</li><li>Distance: 848 miles </li></ul><br /><br /><h3 style="text-align: left;">Media:</h3><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><a href="https://www.zap-map.com/epic-zero-carbon-world-road-trip-demonstrates-battery-longevity/">https://www.zap-map.com/epic-zero-carbon-world-road-trip-demonstrates-battery-longevity/</a></li><li><a href="https://electrek.co/2021/09/15/a-tesla-roadster-will-drive-across-britain-to-make-a-point-about-battery-longevity/">https://electrek.co/2021/09/15/a-tesla-roadster-will-drive-across-britain-to-make-a-point-about-battery-longevity/</a></li></ul></div></div></div></div>Glyn Hudsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12074378692118107701noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5756951957791452345.post-62018652446531243082021-11-21T10:30:00.005+00:002021-11-21T10:30:00.327+00:00A Guide to Climbing Trips in Europe by Train<p>My partner Amy recently wrote an article for UKC about how to use trains to go on climbing trips. <a href="https://www.ukclimbing.com/articles/destinations/a_guide_to_climbing_trips_in_europe_by_train-12933?fbclid=IwAR1B2XhFOcMQrwY_DLIBf1vlCaMJ4NHqv9fkwOOfO0hIyZs2x7fp68wzMVQ">Here's a link to the original article</a>. The article was based on the experiances Amy and I have had taking the train to climbing destinations all <a href="https://blog.zerocarbonadventures.co.uk/2014/10/uk-to-turkey-via-overland-transport.html">over Europe</a> and even <a href="https://blog.zerocarbonadventures.co.uk/search/label/ChinaViaTrain">all the way to China</a>! Here's a copy of the article:</p><hr style="background-color: white; border-bottom: 0px; border-image: initial; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.1); border-top-style: solid; box-sizing: content-box; font-family: "Segoe UI", Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Arial, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "Apple Color Emoji", "Segoe UI Emoji", "Segoe UI Symbol", "Noto Color Emoji"; font-size: 16px; height: 0px; margin-bottom: 1rem; margin-top: 1rem; overflow: visible;" /><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "Segoe UI", Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Arial, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "Apple Color Emoji", "Segoe UI Emoji", "Segoe UI Symbol", "Noto Color Emoji"; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 1rem; margin-top: 0px; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 600;"><span class="dropcap" style="box-sizing: border-box; float: left; font-size: 32px; line-height: 1; margin-right: 2px;">I</span>have done quite a few climbing trips by train in the last 10 years and find myself talking to people who are interested in it for different reasons, but who are unsure of practicalities and logistics. I thought I would write an article to share some of my top train tips and suggested trip ideas.</span></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "Segoe UI", Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Arial, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "Apple Color Emoji", "Segoe UI Emoji", "Segoe UI Symbol", "Noto Color Emoji"; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 1rem; margin-top: 0px; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"></p><div class="text-center mx-n3 mx-sm-0" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "Segoe UI", Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Arial, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "Apple Color Emoji", "Segoe UI Emoji", "Segoe UI Symbol", "Noto Color Emoji"; font-size: 16px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; text-align: center;"><figure class="photo popOuter d-inline-block" itemprop="associatedMedia" itemscope="" itemtype="http://schema.org/ImageObject" style="box-sizing: border-box; display: inline-block; margin: 0px 0px 1rem; max-width: 100%; position: relative; width: 567px;"><a class="photoswipe" data-image="https://imgcdn.ukc2.com/i/347105?fm=webp&time=1595783109&s=8808c4cf36e151371a80e52b2e8f6980" data-size="1200x769" href="https://www.ukclimbing.com/photos/dbpage.php?id=347105" itemprop="contentUrl" style="background-color: transparent; box-sizing: border-box; color: #337ab7; text-decoration-line: none;"><picture style="box-sizing: border-box;"><source class="thumb_347105" data-sizeoverride="0" data-src="https://imgcdn.ukc2.com/i/347105?fm=webp&time=1595783109&dpr=1&w=350&s=be4d3386d688e138b1430ba89a54d3f6 350w,https://imgcdn.ukc2.com/i/347105?fm=webp&time=1595783109&dpr=1&w=576&s=0f3c9a5ac7ad401b48321ddbf213885c 576w,https://imgcdn.ukc2.com/i/347105?fm=webp&time=1595783109&dpr=1&w=768&s=1631f9b17f44823fcb79a97ed5b5111e 768w,https://imgcdn.ukc2.com/i/347105?fm=webp&time=1595783109&dpr=1&w=992&s=7fdea758f6a74d3ceae967fc0211cdec 992w,https://imgcdn.ukc2.com/i/347105?fm=webp&time=1595783109&dpr=1&w=1200&s=950b919554fbb1d446f033e9cd29fe5e 1200w" sizes="" srcset="https://imgcdn.ukc2.com/i/347105?fm=webp&time=1595783109&dpr=1&w=350&s=be4d3386d688e138b1430ba89a54d3f6 350w,https://imgcdn.ukc2.com/i/347105?fm=webp&time=1595783109&dpr=1&w=576&s=0f3c9a5ac7ad401b48321ddbf213885c 576w,https://imgcdn.ukc2.com/i/347105?fm=webp&time=1595783109&dpr=1&w=768&s=1631f9b17f44823fcb79a97ed5b5111e 768w,https://imgcdn.ukc2.com/i/347105?fm=webp&time=1595783109&dpr=1&w=992&s=7fdea758f6a74d3ceae967fc0211cdec 992w,https://imgcdn.ukc2.com/i/347105?fm=webp&time=1595783109&dpr=1&w=1200&s=950b919554fbb1d446f033e9cd29fe5e 1200w" style="box-sizing: border-box;"></source><img alt="About to board the ICE 19 from Brussels to Cologne © Glyn Hudson" class="img-fluid thumb_347105" data-src="https://imgcdn.ukc2.com/i/347105?fm=webp&time=1595783109&dpr=1&w=567&s=5bb4427612630515f5546cf7f7625da7" height="363" itemprop="thumbnail" loading="lazy" src="https://imgcdn.ukc2.com/i/347105?fm=webp&time=1595783109&dpr=1&w=567&s=5bb4427612630515f5546cf7f7625da7" style="border-style: none; box-sizing: border-box; cursor: -webkit-zoom-in; height: auto; max-width: 100%; transition: opacity 0.3s ease 0s, filter 0.3s ease 0s; vertical-align: middle;" title="" width="567" /></picture><span aria-hidden="true" class="fas fa-expand popMagnify" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border: none; box-sizing: border-box; color: white; cursor: -webkit-zoom-in; display: inline-block; font-family: "Font Awesome 5 Pro"; font-size: 20px; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 900; left: 6px; line-height: 1; opacity: 0.5; position: absolute; text-rendering: auto; top: 6px;"></span></a><figcaption class="text-center photo-caption" itemprop="caption description" style="border: 1px solid rgb(221, 221, 221); box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 13px; margin-top: -1px; padding: 5px 10px;">About to board the ICE 19 from Brussels to Cologne<div class="small" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 10.4px;">© Glyn Hudson</div></figcaption></figure></div><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "Segoe UI", Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Arial, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "Apple Color Emoji", "Segoe UI Emoji", "Segoe UI Symbol", "Noto Color Emoji"; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 1rem; margin-top: 0px; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "Segoe UI", Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Arial, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "Apple Color Emoji", "Segoe UI Emoji", "Segoe UI Symbol", "Noto Color Emoji"; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 1rem; margin-top: 0px; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;">This article was still in draft form in March, so I put it on hold (because who would want to be thinking about travelling in the middle of a pandemic?). However, 3 months later and I'm starting to hear people talking about their ideas for future trips, wanting to make plans they can dream about and look forward to. Across Europe restrictions are lifting, travel corridors are opening and train services are resuming. The European Commission has also proposed making 2021 the European Year of Rail, to support the delivery of its European Green Deal objectives in the transport field, and the European Council is supporting it. So maybe this is as good a time as any to be sharing a bit of train information and inspiration!</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "Segoe UI", Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Arial, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "Apple Color Emoji", "Segoe UI Emoji", "Segoe UI Symbol", "Noto Color Emoji"; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 1rem; margin-top: 0px; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"><em style="box-sizing: border-box;">*Remember to check travel restrictions and COVID-19 regulations in each country you travel to/through before booking a trip and keep up-to-date while en route - the situation may have changed.</em></p><h3 class="sectiontitle" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "Segoe UI", Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Arial, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "Apple Color Emoji", "Segoe UI Emoji", "Segoe UI Symbol", "Noto Color Emoji"; font-size: 20px; line-height: 1.2; margin: 20px 0px 5px;">How I got into train travel and my motivations</h3><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "Segoe UI", Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Arial, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "Apple Color Emoji", "Segoe UI Emoji", "Segoe UI Symbol", "Noto Color Emoji"; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 1rem; margin-top: 0px; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;">My first international train journey in relation to a climbing trip was actually both for convenience and the pure glee of putting a whimsical idea into practice. I was planning how I would get home from Italy while my partner continued on his European van trip. We would be climbing in Finale Ligure and I saw on Google Maps that there was a local train station right on the coast. A bit of investigation showed me that I could go from Finale all the way to Bristol city centre by train! So a few months later, after a day's climbing and eating dinner on the beach, I strolled into the station, hopped on an evening train to Milan, caught a sleeper, woke up in Paris, took the Eurostar to London and was home in Bristol that afternoon. I had read my book, sorted out photos, chatted with a nice Italian family whom I was sharing the sleeper compartment with, slept, eaten a croissant from a French bakery, looked out the window and arrived back with my mind gently transitioned from holiday to home mode. It was an amazing journey and my partner had headed off to Céüse without me causing him any awkward airport detours.</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "Segoe UI", Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Arial, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "Apple Color Emoji", "Segoe UI Emoji", "Segoe UI Symbol", "Noto Color Emoji"; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 1rem; margin-top: 0px; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;">For that trip environmental motives were far from my mind, if there had been an airport in Finale Ligure I probably would have flown. However, in recent years my attitude has changed as I have learned more about the impact my travel choices have. For those unaware of the carbon differences, here is a graph comparing the travel options between Manchester and Avignon, France (assuming you are not considering cycling with all your climbing gear!).</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "Segoe UI", Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Arial, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "Apple Color Emoji", "Segoe UI Emoji", "Segoe UI Symbol", "Noto Color Emoji"; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 1rem; margin-top: 0px; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"></p><div class="text-center mx-n3 mx-sm-0" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "Segoe UI", Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Arial, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "Apple Color Emoji", "Segoe UI Emoji", "Segoe UI Symbol", "Noto Color Emoji"; font-size: 16px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; text-align: center;"><figure class="photo popOuter d-inline-block" itemprop="associatedMedia" itemscope="" itemtype="http://schema.org/ImageObject" style="box-sizing: border-box; display: inline-block; margin: 0px 0px 1rem; max-width: 100%; position: relative;"><a class="photoswipe" data-image="https://imgcdn.ukc2.com/i/347106?fm=webp&time=1602623654&s=29fe715158433cf07a5d92d7dc15ea82" data-size="1070x525" href="https://www.ukclimbing.com/photos/dbpage.php?id=347106" itemprop="contentUrl" style="background-color: transparent; box-sizing: border-box; color: #337ab7; text-decoration-line: none;"><picture style="box-sizing: border-box;"><source class="thumb_347106" data-sizeoverride="0" data-src="https://imgcdn.ukc2.com/i/347106?fm=webp&time=1602623654&dpr=1&w=350&s=512f27d9b1e73e99962344d7136a8baf 350w,https://imgcdn.ukc2.com/i/347106?fm=webp&time=1602623654&dpr=1&w=576&s=ced466543821fb3ea633eca316c36e07 576w,https://imgcdn.ukc2.com/i/347106?fm=webp&time=1602623654&dpr=1&w=768&s=c102ba7852aeff6a3a3b68c9f3efbf65 768w,https://imgcdn.ukc2.com/i/347106?fm=webp&time=1602623654&dpr=1&w=992&s=6c17afb6fecd5c845025c84d0ea41ca5 992w,https://imgcdn.ukc2.com/i/347106?fm=webp&time=1602623654&dpr=1&w=567&s=065bdb0fd073cbb59b4fecfd0dcfc0ec 1070w" sizes="" srcset="https://imgcdn.ukc2.com/i/347106?fm=webp&time=1602623654&dpr=1&w=350&s=512f27d9b1e73e99962344d7136a8baf 350w,https://imgcdn.ukc2.com/i/347106?fm=webp&time=1602623654&dpr=1&w=576&s=ced466543821fb3ea633eca316c36e07 576w,https://imgcdn.ukc2.com/i/347106?fm=webp&time=1602623654&dpr=1&w=768&s=c102ba7852aeff6a3a3b68c9f3efbf65 768w,https://imgcdn.ukc2.com/i/347106?fm=webp&time=1602623654&dpr=1&w=992&s=6c17afb6fecd5c845025c84d0ea41ca5 992w,https://imgcdn.ukc2.com/i/347106?fm=webp&time=1602623654&dpr=1&w=567&s=065bdb0fd073cbb59b4fecfd0dcfc0ec 1070w" style="box-sizing: border-box;"></source><img alt="Carbon Emissions from Manchester to Avignon (per person, one-way) © zerocarbonadventures" class="border-0 img-fluid thumb_347106" data-src="https://imgcdn.ukc2.com/i/347106?fm=webp&time=1602623654&dpr=1&w=567&s=065bdb0fd073cbb59b4fecfd0dcfc0ec" height="278" itemprop="thumbnail" loading="lazy" src="https://imgcdn.ukc2.com/i/347106?fm=webp&time=1602623654&dpr=1&w=567&s=065bdb0fd073cbb59b4fecfd0dcfc0ec" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; cursor: -webkit-zoom-in; height: auto; max-width: 100%; transition: opacity 0.3s ease 0s, filter 0.3s ease 0s; vertical-align: middle;" title="" width="567" /></picture><span aria-hidden="true" class="fas fa-expand popMagnify" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border: none; box-sizing: border-box; color: white; cursor: -webkit-zoom-in; display: inline-block; font-family: "Font Awesome 5 Pro"; font-size: 20px; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 900; left: 6px; line-height: 1; opacity: 0.5; position: absolute; text-rendering: auto; top: 6px;"></span></a></figure></div><span><a name='more'></a></span><div class="text-center mx-n3 mx-sm-0" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "Segoe UI", Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Arial, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "Apple Color Emoji", "Segoe UI Emoji", "Segoe UI Symbol", "Noto Color Emoji"; font-size: 16px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "Segoe UI", Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Arial, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "Apple Color Emoji", "Segoe UI Emoji", "Segoe UI Symbol", "Noto Color Emoji"; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 1rem; margin-top: 0px; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "Segoe UI", Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Arial, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "Apple Color Emoji", "Segoe UI Emoji", "Segoe UI Symbol", "Noto Color Emoji"; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 1rem; margin-top: 0px; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"><em style="box-sizing: border-box;">Source: <a href="https://blog.zerocarbonadventures.co.uk/2020/07/transport-carbon-emissions-which-is.html?utm_content=link1&utm_campaign=articles_id_12933&utm_medium=articles_post&utm_source=ukclimbing" rel="noopener" style="background-color: transparent; box-sizing: border-box; color: #337ab7; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">https://blog.zerocarbonadventures.co.uk/2020/07/transport-carbon-emissions-which-is.html</a></em></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "Segoe UI", Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Arial, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "Apple Color Emoji", "Segoe UI Emoji", "Segoe UI Symbol", "Noto Color Emoji"; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 1rem; margin-top: 0px; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;">I now actively try to avoid flying. However, because of all the reasons I got pleasure from that original train trip, opting to travel by train doesn't feel like a second rate alternative to me, it's actually something I look forward to and get excited about in its own right!</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "Segoe UI", Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Arial, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "Apple Color Emoji", "Segoe UI Emoji", "Segoe UI Symbol", "Noto Color Emoji"; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 1rem; margin-top: 0px; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;">So I hope this is of interest, whether you're wanting to become more carbon conscious with your travel, looking for an alternative to airport lounges or doing shifts behind the wheel of a van, or just intrigued and fancy adding a new element and experience to your next trip away- whenever that may be!</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "Segoe UI", Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Arial, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "Apple Color Emoji", "Segoe UI Emoji", "Segoe UI Symbol", "Noto Color Emoji"; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 1rem; margin-top: 0px; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"></p><div class="text-center mx-n3 mx-sm-0" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "Segoe UI", Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Arial, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "Apple Color Emoji", "Segoe UI Emoji", "Segoe UI Symbol", "Noto Color Emoji"; font-size: 16px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; text-align: center;"><figure class="photo popOuter d-inline-block" itemprop="associatedMedia" itemscope="" itemtype="http://schema.org/ImageObject" style="box-sizing: border-box; display: inline-block; margin: 0px 0px 1rem; max-width: 100%; position: relative; width: 567px;"><a class="photoswipe" data-image="https://imgcdn.ukc2.com/i/347107?fm=webp&time=1602623679&s=cf450a5e3c34a35699e30cb9868f2687" data-size="1622x1081" href="https://www.ukclimbing.com/photos/dbpage.php?id=347107" itemprop="contentUrl" style="background-color: transparent; box-sizing: border-box; color: #337ab7; text-decoration-line: none;"><picture style="box-sizing: border-box;"><source class="thumb_347107" data-sizeoverride="0" data-src="https://imgcdn.ukc2.com/i/347107?fm=webp&time=1602623679&dpr=1&w=350&s=74e3a7c69c3e1844ad72e4fd11091665 350w,https://imgcdn.ukc2.com/i/347107?fm=webp&time=1602623679&dpr=1&w=576&s=9e4e82364c4cf0166b07280c4d8842c1 576w,https://imgcdn.ukc2.com/i/347107?fm=webp&time=1602623679&dpr=1&w=768&s=b77a111226e2d9615bb0b7ec7c4d27c3 768w,https://imgcdn.ukc2.com/i/347107?fm=webp&time=1602623679&dpr=1&w=992&s=e46d6df126045a49d7a9d8b5f845552a 992w,https://imgcdn.ukc2.com/i/347107?fm=webp&time=1602623679&dpr=1&w=1200&s=500f4c8abcb6ea93c0a994680d76f2bf 1200w,https://imgcdn.ukc2.com/i/347107?fm=webp&time=1602623679&dpr=1&w=567&s=a43c9d83ab6c491c721cc21e1fd75da8 1622w" sizes="" srcset="https://imgcdn.ukc2.com/i/347107?fm=webp&time=1602623679&dpr=1&w=350&s=74e3a7c69c3e1844ad72e4fd11091665 350w,https://imgcdn.ukc2.com/i/347107?fm=webp&time=1602623679&dpr=1&w=576&s=9e4e82364c4cf0166b07280c4d8842c1 576w,https://imgcdn.ukc2.com/i/347107?fm=webp&time=1602623679&dpr=1&w=768&s=b77a111226e2d9615bb0b7ec7c4d27c3 768w,https://imgcdn.ukc2.com/i/347107?fm=webp&time=1602623679&dpr=1&w=992&s=e46d6df126045a49d7a9d8b5f845552a 992w,https://imgcdn.ukc2.com/i/347107?fm=webp&time=1602623679&dpr=1&w=1200&s=500f4c8abcb6ea93c0a994680d76f2bf 1200w,https://imgcdn.ukc2.com/i/347107?fm=webp&time=1602623679&dpr=1&w=567&s=a43c9d83ab6c491c721cc21e1fd75da8 1622w" style="box-sizing: border-box;"></source><img alt="Enjoying the view © Glyn Hudson" class="img-fluid thumb_347107" data-src="https://imgcdn.ukc2.com/i/347107?fm=webp&time=1602623679&dpr=1&w=567&s=a43c9d83ab6c491c721cc21e1fd75da8" height="377" itemprop="thumbnail" loading="lazy" src="https://imgcdn.ukc2.com/i/347107?fm=webp&time=1602623679&dpr=1&w=567&s=a43c9d83ab6c491c721cc21e1fd75da8" style="border-style: none; box-sizing: border-box; cursor: -webkit-zoom-in; height: auto; max-width: 100%; transition: opacity 0.3s ease 0s, filter 0.3s ease 0s; vertical-align: middle;" title="" width="567" /></picture><span aria-hidden="true" class="fas fa-expand popMagnify" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border: none; box-sizing: border-box; color: white; cursor: -webkit-zoom-in; display: inline-block; font-family: "Font Awesome 5 Pro"; font-size: 20px; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 900; left: 6px; line-height: 1; opacity: 0.5; position: absolute; text-rendering: auto; top: 6px;"></span></a><figcaption class="text-center photo-caption" itemprop="caption description" style="border: 1px solid rgb(221, 221, 221); box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 13px; margin-top: -1px; padding: 5px 10px;">Enjoying the view<div class="small" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 10.4px;">© Glyn Hudson</div></figcaption></figure></div><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "Segoe UI", Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Arial, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "Apple Color Emoji", "Segoe UI Emoji", "Segoe UI Symbol", "Noto Color Emoji"; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 1rem; margin-top: 0px; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"></p><h3 class="sectiontitle" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "Segoe UI", Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Arial, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "Apple Color Emoji", "Segoe UI Emoji", "Segoe UI Symbol", "Noto Color Emoji"; font-size: 20px; line-height: 1.2; margin: 20px 0px 5px;">First train journeys! Some ideas...</h3><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "Segoe UI", Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Arial, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "Apple Color Emoji", "Segoe UI Emoji", "Segoe UI Symbol", "Noto Color Emoji"; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 1rem; margin-top: 0px; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"><em style="box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 600;">Note: Example prices, times and services as of Feb 2020 (pre Covid-19).</span></em></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "Segoe UI", Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Arial, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "Apple Color Emoji", "Segoe UI Emoji", "Segoe UI Symbol", "Noto Color Emoji"; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 1rem; margin-top: 0px; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"><em style="box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 600;">As of July 2020, Eurostar are planning to increase the frequency of their London-Paris trains from 1 a day (since April) to 6 a day, and Spanish operator Renfe and French National Railways (SNCF) have reintroduced their cross-border services between France and Spain.</span></em></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "Segoe UI", Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Arial, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "Apple Color Emoji", "Segoe UI Emoji", "Segoe UI Symbol", "Noto Color Emoji"; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 1rem; margin-top: 0px; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;">I arguably jumped in at the deep end with my train journey from Italy, but trips don't need to include sleeper trains and multiple changes. You can get to a surprising number of European cities direct from London on the Eurostar, and go from home to the crag in less than a day.</p><h3 class="boxtitle" style="background-attachment: initial !important; background-clip: initial !important; background-color: white; background-image: none !important; background-origin: initial !important; background-position: initial !important; background-repeat: initial !important; background-size: initial !important; background: none white; border-top: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; display: inline-block; font-family: "Segoe UI", Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Arial, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "Apple Color Emoji", "Segoe UI Emoji", "Segoe UI Symbol", "Noto Color Emoji"; font-size: 17px; line-height: 1.2; margin: 0px; min-height: 32px; padding: 10px 0px 0px; position: relative; text-shadow: none; width: auto;">France</h3><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "Segoe UI", Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Arial, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "Apple Color Emoji", "Segoe UI Emoji", "Segoe UI Symbol", "Noto Color Emoji"; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 1rem; margin-top: 0px; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;">France is a good first trip to consider. Have you ever been driving south from Calais on the toll road and seen the Eurostar zoom past you at 186 miles per hour? If you would normally take your car or van to France, taking the train will definitely reduce your travelling time and maximise your climbing time - what's not to like?</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "Segoe UI", Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Arial, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "Apple Color Emoji", "Segoe UI Emoji", "Segoe UI Symbol", "Noto Color Emoji"; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 1rem; margin-top: 0px; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"><u style="box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 600;">Example - Seynes/Buoux by train</span></u></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "Segoe UI", Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Arial, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "Apple Color Emoji", "Segoe UI Emoji", "Segoe UI Symbol", "Noto Color Emoji"; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 1rem; margin-top: 0px; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 600;">Home > London</span> by UK train</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "Segoe UI", Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Arial, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "Apple Color Emoji", "Segoe UI Emoji", "Segoe UI Symbol", "Noto Color Emoji"; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 1rem; margin-top: 0px; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 600;">St Pancras International, London > Avignon</span> 5hrs 49min by Eurostar who normally run a direct service in summer (though they have announced this will not be running in 2020), otherwise you can choose to change in Lille* or Paris. From £99 return in 2nd class</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "Segoe UI", Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Arial, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "Apple Color Emoji", "Segoe UI Emoji", "Segoe UI Symbol", "Noto Color Emoji"; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 1rem; margin-top: 0px; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 600;">Avignon station > Car hire</span> in a few strides! Then onwards to the crag (an hour's drive)</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "Segoe UI", Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Arial, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "Apple Color Emoji", "Segoe UI Emoji", "Segoe UI Symbol", "Noto Color Emoji"; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 1rem; margin-top: 0px; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"><em style="box-sizing: border-box;">*Top tip: Changing in Lille means you just change platform - simple! Changing in Paris means using the metro or a taxi to change stations - so you need to allow more time, but good if you want to add some sightseeing into your plan!</em></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "Segoe UI", Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Arial, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "Apple Color Emoji", "Segoe UI Emoji", "Segoe UI Symbol", "Noto Color Emoji"; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 1rem; margin-top: 0px; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"></p><div class="text-center mx-n3 mx-sm-0" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "Segoe UI", Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Arial, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "Apple Color Emoji", "Segoe UI Emoji", "Segoe UI Symbol", "Noto Color Emoji"; font-size: 16px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; text-align: center;"><figure class="photo popOuter d-inline-block" itemprop="associatedMedia" itemscope="" itemtype="http://schema.org/ImageObject" style="box-sizing: border-box; display: inline-block; margin: 0px 0px 1rem; max-width: 100%; position: relative; width: 567px;"><a class="photoswipe" data-image="https://imgcdn.ukc2.com/i/347108?fm=webp&time=1602623711&s=049fa8df1a3a48a63edd74f0af27952f" data-size="1218x921" href="https://www.ukclimbing.com/photos/dbpage.php?id=347108" itemprop="contentUrl" style="background-color: transparent; box-sizing: border-box; color: #337ab7; text-decoration-line: none;"><picture style="box-sizing: border-box;"><source class="thumb_347108" data-sizeoverride="0" data-src="https://imgcdn.ukc2.com/i/347108?fm=webp&time=1602623711&dpr=1&w=350&s=463efa3a3decb3b3a91c57259d98c565 350w,https://imgcdn.ukc2.com/i/347108?fm=webp&time=1602623711&dpr=1&w=576&s=93a186293ad0745e1d2c43169ea1daf4 576w,https://imgcdn.ukc2.com/i/347108?fm=webp&time=1602623711&dpr=1&w=768&s=27a37d425a49fae605004dd31a13191b 768w,https://imgcdn.ukc2.com/i/347108?fm=webp&time=1602623711&dpr=1&w=992&s=b1b3986b8da1de91ade8bfeb691e3db7 992w,https://imgcdn.ukc2.com/i/347108?fm=webp&time=1602623711&dpr=1&w=1200&s=244e91bc6fe1d7570e418dcde7c14a33 1200w,https://imgcdn.ukc2.com/i/347108?fm=webp&time=1602623711&dpr=1&w=567&s=9e4934b11ad2f28448d71170b4a38edb 1218w" sizes="" srcset="https://imgcdn.ukc2.com/i/347108?fm=webp&time=1602623711&dpr=1&w=350&s=463efa3a3decb3b3a91c57259d98c565 350w,https://imgcdn.ukc2.com/i/347108?fm=webp&time=1602623711&dpr=1&w=576&s=93a186293ad0745e1d2c43169ea1daf4 576w,https://imgcdn.ukc2.com/i/347108?fm=webp&time=1602623711&dpr=1&w=768&s=27a37d425a49fae605004dd31a13191b 768w,https://imgcdn.ukc2.com/i/347108?fm=webp&time=1602623711&dpr=1&w=992&s=b1b3986b8da1de91ade8bfeb691e3db7 992w,https://imgcdn.ukc2.com/i/347108?fm=webp&time=1602623711&dpr=1&w=1200&s=244e91bc6fe1d7570e418dcde7c14a33 1200w,https://imgcdn.ukc2.com/i/347108?fm=webp&time=1602623711&dpr=1&w=567&s=9e4934b11ad2f28448d71170b4a38edb 1218w" style="box-sizing: border-box;"></source><img alt="Travelling at 300km/h (186m/h) on a French TGV. © Glyn Hudson" class="img-fluid thumb_347108" data-src="https://imgcdn.ukc2.com/i/347108?fm=webp&time=1602623711&dpr=1&w=567&s=9e4934b11ad2f28448d71170b4a38edb" height="428" itemprop="thumbnail" loading="lazy" src="https://imgcdn.ukc2.com/i/347108?fm=webp&time=1602623711&dpr=1&w=567&s=9e4934b11ad2f28448d71170b4a38edb" style="border-style: none; box-sizing: border-box; cursor: -webkit-zoom-in; height: auto; max-width: 100%; transition: opacity 0.3s ease 0s, filter 0.3s ease 0s; vertical-align: middle;" title="" width="567" /></picture><span aria-hidden="true" class="fas fa-expand popMagnify" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border: none; box-sizing: border-box; color: white; cursor: -webkit-zoom-in; display: inline-block; font-family: "Font Awesome 5 Pro"; font-size: 20px; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 900; left: 6px; line-height: 1; opacity: 0.5; position: absolute; text-rendering: auto; top: 6px;"></span></a><figcaption class="text-center photo-caption" itemprop="caption description" style="border: 1px solid rgb(221, 221, 221); box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 13px; margin-top: -1px; padding: 5px 10px;">Travelling at 300km/h (186m/h) on a French TGV.<div class="small" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 10.4px;">© Glyn Hudson</div></figcaption></figure></div><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "Segoe UI", Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Arial, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "Apple Color Emoji", "Segoe UI Emoji", "Segoe UI Symbol", "Noto Color Emoji"; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 1rem; margin-top: 0px; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "Segoe UI", Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Arial, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "Apple Color Emoji", "Segoe UI Emoji", "Segoe UI Symbol", "Noto Color Emoji"; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 1rem; margin-top: 0px; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"></p><div class="text-center mx-n3 mx-sm-0" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "Segoe UI", Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Arial, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "Apple Color Emoji", "Segoe UI Emoji", "Segoe UI Symbol", "Noto Color Emoji"; font-size: 16px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; text-align: center;"><figure class="photo popOuter d-inline-block" itemprop="associatedMedia" itemscope="" itemtype="http://schema.org/ImageObject" style="box-sizing: border-box; display: inline-block; margin: 0px 0px 1rem; max-width: 100%; position: relative;"><a class="photoswipe" data-image="https://imgcdn.ukc2.com/i/347534?fm=webp&time=1602623714&s=5601048aed9c8158e56a091f173964ef" data-size="1252x1356" href="https://www.ukclimbing.com/photos/dbpage.php?id=347534" itemprop="contentUrl" style="background-color: transparent; box-sizing: border-box; color: #337ab7; text-decoration-line: none;"><picture style="box-sizing: border-box;"><source class="thumb_347534" data-sizeoverride="0" data-src="https://imgcdn.ukc2.com/i/347534?fm=webp&time=1602623714&dpr=1&w=350&s=d6693acc0a772954f889f904807bc028 350w,https://imgcdn.ukc2.com/i/347534?fm=webp&time=1602623714&dpr=1&w=576&s=2181a91530789d9e85121a9c73a42415 576w,https://imgcdn.ukc2.com/i/347534?fm=webp&time=1602623714&dpr=1&w=768&s=4b0f86d6861d211ec7a356191f8a9587 768w,https://imgcdn.ukc2.com/i/347534?fm=webp&time=1602623714&dpr=1&w=992&s=401c6daad4b0075f73a12082dbdbf914 992w,https://imgcdn.ukc2.com/i/347534?fm=webp&time=1602623714&dpr=1&w=1200&s=728158af5fff0c2e88c8232334f127ba 1200w,https://imgcdn.ukc2.com/i/347534?fm=webp&time=1602623714&dpr=1&w=567&s=23223bd8cb9f81d20d67d3b9025abe66 1252w" sizes="" srcset="https://imgcdn.ukc2.com/i/347534?fm=webp&time=1602623714&dpr=1&w=350&s=d6693acc0a772954f889f904807bc028 350w,https://imgcdn.ukc2.com/i/347534?fm=webp&time=1602623714&dpr=1&w=576&s=2181a91530789d9e85121a9c73a42415 576w,https://imgcdn.ukc2.com/i/347534?fm=webp&time=1602623714&dpr=1&w=768&s=4b0f86d6861d211ec7a356191f8a9587 768w,https://imgcdn.ukc2.com/i/347534?fm=webp&time=1602623714&dpr=1&w=992&s=401c6daad4b0075f73a12082dbdbf914 992w,https://imgcdn.ukc2.com/i/347534?fm=webp&time=1602623714&dpr=1&w=1200&s=728158af5fff0c2e88c8232334f127ba 1200w,https://imgcdn.ukc2.com/i/347534?fm=webp&time=1602623714&dpr=1&w=567&s=23223bd8cb9f81d20d67d3b9025abe66 1252w" style="box-sizing: border-box;"></source><img alt="Train travel itineraries. © UKC Articles" class="border-0 img-fluid thumb_347534" data-src="https://imgcdn.ukc2.com/i/347534?fm=webp&time=1602623714&dpr=1&w=567&s=23223bd8cb9f81d20d67d3b9025abe66" height="614" itemprop="thumbnail" loading="lazy" src="https://imgcdn.ukc2.com/i/347534?fm=webp&time=1602623714&dpr=1&w=567&s=23223bd8cb9f81d20d67d3b9025abe66" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; cursor: -webkit-zoom-in; height: auto; max-width: 100%; transition: opacity 0.3s ease 0s, filter 0.3s ease 0s; vertical-align: middle;" title="" width="567" /></picture><span aria-hidden="true" class="fas fa-expand popMagnify" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border: none; box-sizing: border-box; color: white; cursor: -webkit-zoom-in; display: inline-block; font-family: "Font Awesome 5 Pro"; font-size: 20px; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 900; left: 6px; line-height: 1; opacity: 0.5; position: absolute; text-rendering: auto; top: 6px;"></span></a></figure></div><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "Segoe UI", Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Arial, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "Apple Color Emoji", "Segoe UI Emoji", "Segoe UI Symbol", "Noto Color Emoji"; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 1rem; margin-top: 0px; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"></p><h3 class="boxtitle" style="background-attachment: initial !important; background-clip: initial !important; background-color: white; background-image: none !important; background-origin: initial !important; background-position: initial !important; background-repeat: initial !important; background-size: initial !important; background: none white; border-top: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; display: inline-block; font-family: "Segoe UI", Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Arial, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "Apple Color Emoji", "Segoe UI Emoji", "Segoe UI Symbol", "Noto Color Emoji"; font-size: 17px; line-height: 1.2; margin: 0px; min-height: 32px; padding: 10px 0px 0px; position: relative; text-shadow: none; width: auto;">Spain</h3><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "Segoe UI", Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Arial, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "Apple Color Emoji", "Segoe UI Emoji", "Segoe UI Symbol", "Noto Color Emoji"; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 1rem; margin-top: 0px; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;">Depending on where you live in the UK, Northern Spain can also be just a day's train ride away! You can travel to Barcelona by high speed trains, hire a car and be at your accommodation that same evening.</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "Segoe UI", Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Arial, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "Apple Color Emoji", "Segoe UI Emoji", "Segoe UI Symbol", "Noto Color Emoji"; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 1rem; margin-top: 0px; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"><u style="box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 600;">Example - Siurana/ Monsant/ Margalef by train</span></u></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "Segoe UI", Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Arial, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "Apple Color Emoji", "Segoe UI Emoji", "Segoe UI Symbol", "Noto Color Emoji"; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 1rem; margin-top: 0px; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 600;">Home > London</span> by UK train</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "Segoe UI", Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Arial, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "Apple Color Emoji", "Segoe UI Emoji", "Segoe UI Symbol", "Noto Color Emoji"; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 1rem; margin-top: 0px; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 600;">St Pancras International, London > Paris </span>2hrs 16min by Eurostar. From £58 return in 2nd class</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "Segoe UI", Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Arial, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "Apple Color Emoji", "Segoe UI Emoji", "Segoe UI Symbol", "Noto Color Emoji"; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 1rem; margin-top: 0px; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 600;">Gare du Nord > Gare de Lyon</span> Paris metro €1.90 (allow 1hr to be safe)</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "Segoe UI", Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Arial, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "Apple Color Emoji", "Segoe UI Emoji", "Segoe UI Symbol", "Noto Color Emoji"; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 1rem; margin-top: 0px; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 600;">Paris > Barcelona</span> 6hrs 39min by TGV. From €78 return in 2nd class</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "Segoe UI", Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Arial, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "Apple Color Emoji", "Segoe UI Emoji", "Segoe UI Symbol", "Noto Color Emoji"; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 1rem; margin-top: 0px; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 600;">Barcelona > Car hire </span>in a few strides! Then onwards to the crag (1-2hrs drive)</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "Segoe UI", Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Arial, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "Apple Color Emoji", "Segoe UI Emoji", "Segoe UI Symbol", "Noto Color Emoji"; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 1rem; margin-top: 0px; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"></p><div class="text-center mx-n3 mx-sm-0" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "Segoe UI", Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Arial, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "Apple Color Emoji", "Segoe UI Emoji", "Segoe UI Symbol", "Noto Color Emoji"; font-size: 16px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; text-align: center;"><figure class="photo popOuter d-inline-block" itemprop="associatedMedia" itemscope="" itemtype="http://schema.org/ImageObject" style="box-sizing: border-box; display: inline-block; margin: 0px 0px 1rem; max-width: 100%; position: relative; width: 567px;"><a class="photoswipe" data-image="https://imgcdn.ukc2.com/i/347109?fm=webp&time=1602623719&s=fc543a4ba917dfbf7ef022c9c265674d" data-size="1221x916" href="https://www.ukclimbing.com/photos/dbpage.php?id=347109" itemprop="contentUrl" style="background-color: transparent; box-sizing: border-box; color: #337ab7; text-decoration-line: none;"><picture style="box-sizing: border-box;"><source class="thumb_347109" data-sizeoverride="0" data-src="https://imgcdn.ukc2.com/i/347109?fm=webp&time=1602623719&dpr=1&w=350&s=44610b164560d354c3092d6ce97bbe5a 350w,https://imgcdn.ukc2.com/i/347109?fm=webp&time=1602623719&dpr=1&w=576&s=273914240a839fbf4dab2c169a6005dd 576w,https://imgcdn.ukc2.com/i/347109?fm=webp&time=1602623719&dpr=1&w=768&s=94291461f35908d534be3c90e7c9cc9f 768w,https://imgcdn.ukc2.com/i/347109?fm=webp&time=1602623719&dpr=1&w=992&s=59b10673463153c12498fc3ce160d0e8 992w,https://imgcdn.ukc2.com/i/347109?fm=webp&time=1602623719&dpr=1&w=1200&s=bdd38dcc5c068c150c1e5c15dab7ce27 1200w,https://imgcdn.ukc2.com/i/347109?fm=webp&time=1602623719&dpr=1&w=567&s=1a3e235b2379dd6061c0cfb67a8ec500 1221w" sizes="" srcset="https://imgcdn.ukc2.com/i/347109?fm=webp&time=1602623719&dpr=1&w=350&s=44610b164560d354c3092d6ce97bbe5a 350w,https://imgcdn.ukc2.com/i/347109?fm=webp&time=1602623719&dpr=1&w=576&s=273914240a839fbf4dab2c169a6005dd 576w,https://imgcdn.ukc2.com/i/347109?fm=webp&time=1602623719&dpr=1&w=768&s=94291461f35908d534be3c90e7c9cc9f 768w,https://imgcdn.ukc2.com/i/347109?fm=webp&time=1602623719&dpr=1&w=992&s=59b10673463153c12498fc3ce160d0e8 992w,https://imgcdn.ukc2.com/i/347109?fm=webp&time=1602623719&dpr=1&w=1200&s=bdd38dcc5c068c150c1e5c15dab7ce27 1200w,https://imgcdn.ukc2.com/i/347109?fm=webp&time=1602623719&dpr=1&w=567&s=1a3e235b2379dd6061c0cfb67a8ec500 1221w" style="box-sizing: border-box;"></source><img alt="The TGV Duplex 9715 from Paris Gare de Lyon to Barcelona Sants © Glyn Hudson" class="img-fluid thumb_347109" data-src="https://imgcdn.ukc2.com/i/347109?fm=webp&time=1602623719&dpr=1&w=567&s=1a3e235b2379dd6061c0cfb67a8ec500" height="425" itemprop="thumbnail" loading="lazy" src="https://imgcdn.ukc2.com/i/347109?fm=webp&time=1602623719&dpr=1&w=567&s=1a3e235b2379dd6061c0cfb67a8ec500" style="border-style: none; box-sizing: border-box; cursor: -webkit-zoom-in; height: auto; max-width: 100%; transition: opacity 0.3s ease 0s, filter 0.3s ease 0s; vertical-align: middle;" title="" width="567" /></picture><span aria-hidden="true" class="fas fa-expand popMagnify" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border: none; box-sizing: border-box; color: white; cursor: -webkit-zoom-in; display: inline-block; font-family: "Font Awesome 5 Pro"; font-size: 20px; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 900; left: 6px; line-height: 1; opacity: 0.5; position: absolute; text-rendering: auto; top: 6px;"></span></a><figcaption class="text-center photo-caption" itemprop="caption description" style="border: 1px solid rgb(221, 221, 221); box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 13px; margin-top: -1px; padding: 5px 10px;">The TGV Duplex 9715 from Paris Gare de Lyon to Barcelona Sants<div class="small" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 10.4px;">© Glyn Hudson</div></figcaption></figure></div><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "Segoe UI", Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Arial, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "Apple Color Emoji", "Segoe UI Emoji", "Segoe UI Symbol", "Noto Color Emoji"; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 1rem; margin-top: 0px; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "Segoe UI", Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Arial, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "Apple Color Emoji", "Segoe UI Emoji", "Segoe UI Symbol", "Noto Color Emoji"; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 1rem; margin-top: 0px; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;">If it's winter and you want to increase your odds of sunshine and warm temperatures, and are up for a multi day train journey, Southern Spain is also a great destination.</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "Segoe UI", Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Arial, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "Apple Color Emoji", "Segoe UI Emoji", "Segoe UI Symbol", "Noto Color Emoji"; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 1rem; margin-top: 0px; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"><u style="box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 600;">Example - El Chorro by train</span></u></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "Segoe UI", Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Arial, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "Apple Color Emoji", "Segoe UI Emoji", "Segoe UI Symbol", "Noto Color Emoji"; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 1rem; margin-top: 0px; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;">El Chorro is a perfect choice as it has its own train station, so no hire car required!</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "Segoe UI", Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Arial, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "Apple Color Emoji", "Segoe UI Emoji", "Segoe UI Symbol", "Noto Color Emoji"; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 1rem; margin-top: 0px; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 600;">Day 1:</span> Would be as above, but stay overnight in Barcelona (enjoy tapas, architecture, the beach etc.). There are lots of accommodation choices, from basic hostels to hipster AirBnB rooms.</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "Segoe UI", Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Arial, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "Apple Color Emoji", "Segoe UI Emoji", "Segoe UI Symbol", "Noto Color Emoji"; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 1rem; margin-top: 0px; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 600;">Day 2:</span></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "Segoe UI", Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Arial, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "Apple Color Emoji", "Segoe UI Emoji", "Segoe UI Symbol", "Noto Color Emoji"; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 1rem; margin-top: 0px; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 600;">Barcelona > Malaga</span> 5hrs 56min by AVE €92 return in turista class</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "Segoe UI", Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Arial, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "Apple Color Emoji", "Segoe UI Emoji", "Segoe UI Symbol", "Noto Color Emoji"; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 1rem; margin-top: 0px; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 600;">Malaga > El Chorro</span> 45min, €12.50 return (buy on the day)</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "Segoe UI", Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Arial, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "Apple Color Emoji", "Segoe UI Emoji", "Segoe UI Symbol", "Noto Color Emoji"; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 1rem; margin-top: 0px; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;">It is then a 2km/30min walk to the Olive Branch campsite, passing the Las Encantadas crag if you want to climb before putting up your tent.</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "Segoe UI", Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Arial, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "Apple Color Emoji", "Segoe UI Emoji", "Segoe UI Symbol", "Noto Color Emoji"; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 1rem; margin-top: 0px; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"></p><div class="text-center mx-n3 mx-sm-0" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "Segoe UI", Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Arial, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "Apple Color Emoji", "Segoe UI Emoji", "Segoe UI Symbol", "Noto Color Emoji"; font-size: 16px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; text-align: center;"><figure class="photo popOuter d-inline-block" itemprop="associatedMedia" itemscope="" itemtype="http://schema.org/ImageObject" style="box-sizing: border-box; display: inline-block; margin: 0px 0px 1rem; max-width: 100%; position: relative; width: 567px;"><a class="photoswipe" data-image="https://imgcdn.ukc2.com/i/347110?fm=webp&time=1602623733&s=71c8236b3f5c3b15ca3566934318159a" data-size="1222x661" href="https://www.ukclimbing.com/photos/dbpage.php?id=347110" itemprop="contentUrl" style="background-color: transparent; box-sizing: border-box; color: #337ab7; text-decoration-line: none;"><picture style="box-sizing: border-box;"><source class="thumb_347110" data-sizeoverride="0" data-src="https://imgcdn.ukc2.com/i/347110?fm=webp&time=1602623733&dpr=1&w=350&s=0d47981eb5680de0d6fc162770c00493 350w,https://imgcdn.ukc2.com/i/347110?fm=webp&time=1602623733&dpr=1&w=576&s=3adc0244c87f012a59953c06cd446d75 576w,https://imgcdn.ukc2.com/i/347110?fm=webp&time=1602623733&dpr=1&w=768&s=d7f690b03ae5691110977caec0a51630 768w,https://imgcdn.ukc2.com/i/347110?fm=webp&time=1602623733&dpr=1&w=992&s=5c76d39601e03dddc41081bd5d02991a 992w,https://imgcdn.ukc2.com/i/347110?fm=webp&time=1602623733&dpr=1&w=1200&s=a0d3662bad18bf62c41e4deb58453e89 1200w,https://imgcdn.ukc2.com/i/347110?fm=webp&time=1602623733&dpr=1&w=567&s=aee89651705936f43504e3e603472847 1222w" sizes="" srcset="https://imgcdn.ukc2.com/i/347110?fm=webp&time=1602623733&dpr=1&w=350&s=0d47981eb5680de0d6fc162770c00493 350w,https://imgcdn.ukc2.com/i/347110?fm=webp&time=1602623733&dpr=1&w=576&s=3adc0244c87f012a59953c06cd446d75 576w,https://imgcdn.ukc2.com/i/347110?fm=webp&time=1602623733&dpr=1&w=768&s=d7f690b03ae5691110977caec0a51630 768w,https://imgcdn.ukc2.com/i/347110?fm=webp&time=1602623733&dpr=1&w=992&s=5c76d39601e03dddc41081bd5d02991a 992w,https://imgcdn.ukc2.com/i/347110?fm=webp&time=1602623733&dpr=1&w=1200&s=a0d3662bad18bf62c41e4deb58453e89 1200w,https://imgcdn.ukc2.com/i/347110?fm=webp&time=1602623733&dpr=1&w=567&s=aee89651705936f43504e3e603472847 1222w" style="box-sizing: border-box;"></source><img alt="El Chorro train station © Tiia Monto" class="img-fluid thumb_347110" data-src="https://imgcdn.ukc2.com/i/347110?fm=webp&time=1602623733&dpr=1&w=567&s=aee89651705936f43504e3e603472847" height="306" itemprop="thumbnail" loading="lazy" src="https://imgcdn.ukc2.com/i/347110?fm=webp&time=1602623733&dpr=1&w=567&s=aee89651705936f43504e3e603472847" style="border-style: none; box-sizing: border-box; cursor: -webkit-zoom-in; height: auto; max-width: 100%; transition: opacity 0.3s ease 0s, filter 0.3s ease 0s; vertical-align: middle;" title="" width="567" /></picture><span aria-hidden="true" class="fas fa-expand popMagnify" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border: none; box-sizing: border-box; color: white; cursor: -webkit-zoom-in; display: inline-block; font-family: "Font Awesome 5 Pro"; font-size: 20px; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 900; left: 6px; line-height: 1; opacity: 0.5; position: absolute; text-rendering: auto; top: 6px;"></span></a><figcaption class="text-center photo-caption" itemprop="caption description" style="border: 1px solid rgb(221, 221, 221); box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 13px; margin-top: -1px; padding: 5px 10px;">El Chorro train station<div class="small" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 10.4px;">© Tiia Monto</div></figcaption></figure></div><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "Segoe UI", Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Arial, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "Apple Color Emoji", "Segoe UI Emoji", "Segoe UI Symbol", "Noto Color Emoji"; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 1rem; margin-top: 0px; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"></p><h3 class="sectiontitle" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "Segoe UI", Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Arial, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "Apple Color Emoji", "Segoe UI Emoji", "Segoe UI Symbol", "Noto Color Emoji"; font-size: 20px; line-height: 1.2; margin: 20px 0px 5px;">Train travel top tips...</h3><h3 class="boxtitle" style="background-attachment: initial !important; background-clip: initial !important; background-color: white; background-image: none !important; background-origin: initial !important; background-position: initial !important; background-repeat: initial !important; background-size: initial !important; background: none white; border-top: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; display: inline-block; font-family: "Segoe UI", Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Arial, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "Apple Color Emoji", "Segoe UI Emoji", "Segoe UI Symbol", "Noto Color Emoji"; font-size: 17px; line-height: 1.2; margin: 0px; min-height: 32px; padding: 10px 0px 0px; position: relative; text-shadow: none; width: auto;">Planning & booking</h3><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "Segoe UI", Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Arial, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "Apple Color Emoji", "Segoe UI Emoji", "Segoe UI Symbol", "Noto Color Emoji"; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 1rem; margin-top: 0px; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 600;">Consult The Man in Seat 61</span></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "Segoe UI", Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Arial, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "Apple Color Emoji", "Segoe UI Emoji", "Segoe UI Symbol", "Noto Color Emoji"; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 1rem; margin-top: 0px; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;">Whenever setting out on planning a trip by train I always check out The Man in Seat 61 <a href="https://www.seat61.com/?utm_content=link2&utm_campaign=articles_id_12933&utm_medium=articles_post&utm_source=ukclimbing" rel="noopener" style="background-color: transparent; box-sizing: border-box; color: #337ab7; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">https://www.seat61.com/</a> as it has amazingly comprehensive and up to date information about train travel in Europe and beyond, including suggested itineraries.</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "Segoe UI", Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Arial, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "Apple Color Emoji", "Segoe UI Emoji", "Segoe UI Symbol", "Noto Color Emoji"; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 1rem; margin-top: 0px; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;">He also has a dedicated page at the moment for Coronavirus related train service updates. <a href="https://www.seat61.com/train-travel-in-europe-coronavirus-update.htm?utm_content=link3&utm_campaign=articles_id_12933&utm_medium=articles_post&utm_source=ukclimbing" rel="noopener" style="background-color: transparent; box-sizing: border-box; color: #337ab7; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">https://www.seat61.com/train-travel-in-europe-coronavirus-update.htm</a></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "Segoe UI", Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Arial, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "Apple Color Emoji", "Segoe UI Emoji", "Segoe UI Symbol", "Noto Color Emoji"; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 1rem; margin-top: 0px; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;">He also advises on where and how to buy your ticket(s), though booking platform <a href="https://www.raileurope.com/?utm_content=link4&utm_campaign=articles_id_12933&utm_medium=articles_post&utm_source=ukclimbing" rel="noopener" style="background-color: transparent; box-sizing: border-box; color: #337ab7; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">https://www.raileurope.com</a> (formerly Loco2.com) is often a good place to start. They cover a lot of train operators, meaning you can buy through-tickets for a multi-leg journey in one purchase. However, I often book Eurostar trains direct with Eurostar, purely because you get to choose your seat from a train plan, so you can make sure you get your favourite options re. window/aisle/table seat, forward or backward facing for travel, UK/EU charging socket, proximity to cafe/toilet/luggage rack etc.</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "Segoe UI", Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Arial, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "Apple Color Emoji", "Segoe UI Emoji", "Segoe UI Symbol", "Noto Color Emoji"; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 1rem; margin-top: 0px; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 600;">Book early to save money</span></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "Segoe UI", Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Arial, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "Apple Color Emoji", "Segoe UI Emoji", "Segoe UI Symbol", "Noto Color Emoji"; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 1rem; margin-top: 0px; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;">Doing train travel economically definitely favours the organised. Most train operators have a set allocation of tickets in each price bracket, and when the cheapest ones are gone, they're gone. The key to making sure you get the best price therefore is booking a train when the tickets for it are released. This means planning your climbing trip in advance, knowing which trains you want to take and then having reminders for when each ticket will become available. This may sound complicated but most train booking websites offer a notification service so you are emailed when you can book a train ticket you want.</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "Segoe UI", Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Arial, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "Apple Color Emoji", "Segoe UI Emoji", "Segoe UI Symbol", "Noto Color Emoji"; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 1rem; margin-top: 0px; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;">For example, you can book a Eurostar ticket 6 months in advance, but tickets for onward trains may only get released 3 months in advance. So to get the best deal for your journey, you would book the Eurostar first then your onward train(s) later.</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "Segoe UI", Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Arial, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "Apple Color Emoji", "Segoe UI Emoji", "Segoe UI Symbol", "Noto Color Emoji"; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 1rem; margin-top: 0px; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;">You can still certainly travel last minute, but you may end up paying more.</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "Segoe UI", Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Arial, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "Apple Color Emoji", "Segoe UI Emoji", "Segoe UI Symbol", "Noto Color Emoji"; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 1rem; margin-top: 0px; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;">Also note, buying returns rather than 2 singles will often be a lot better value.</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "Segoe UI", Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Arial, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "Apple Color Emoji", "Segoe UI Emoji", "Segoe UI Symbol", "Noto Color Emoji"; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 1rem; margin-top: 0px; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"></p><div class="text-center mx-n3 mx-sm-0" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "Segoe UI", Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Arial, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "Apple Color Emoji", "Segoe UI Emoji", "Segoe UI Symbol", "Noto Color Emoji"; font-size: 16px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; text-align: center;"><figure class="photo popOuter d-inline-block" itemprop="associatedMedia" itemscope="" itemtype="http://schema.org/ImageObject" style="box-sizing: border-box; display: inline-block; margin: 0px 0px 1rem; max-width: 100%; position: relative; width: 567px;"><a class="photoswipe" data-image="https://imgcdn.ukc2.com/i/347111?fm=webp&time=1602623747&s=d86508a7009ba805656fcde94cd19339" data-size="1222x692" href="https://www.ukclimbing.com/photos/dbpage.php?id=347111" itemprop="contentUrl" style="background-color: transparent; box-sizing: border-box; color: #337ab7; text-decoration-line: none;"><picture style="box-sizing: border-box;"><source class="thumb_347111" data-sizeoverride="0" data-src="https://imgcdn.ukc2.com/i/347111?fm=webp&time=1602623747&dpr=1&w=350&s=d4d214fc9909409d56d181a8b50986b4 350w,https://imgcdn.ukc2.com/i/347111?fm=webp&time=1602623747&dpr=1&w=576&s=4336b2bfe03435a13b4f80acd0490669 576w,https://imgcdn.ukc2.com/i/347111?fm=webp&time=1602623747&dpr=1&w=768&s=b1a7015380c9f55da5b8f380cb02abea 768w,https://imgcdn.ukc2.com/i/347111?fm=webp&time=1602623747&dpr=1&w=992&s=f82aab207aee294d04b900087e3e6f06 992w,https://imgcdn.ukc2.com/i/347111?fm=webp&time=1602623747&dpr=1&w=1200&s=8e9c9829053bf56e1324144a03cf19b2 1200w,https://imgcdn.ukc2.com/i/347111?fm=webp&time=1602623747&dpr=1&w=567&s=3cced4ec234d738a5e61810c370e6a44 1222w" sizes="" srcset="https://imgcdn.ukc2.com/i/347111?fm=webp&time=1602623747&dpr=1&w=350&s=d4d214fc9909409d56d181a8b50986b4 350w,https://imgcdn.ukc2.com/i/347111?fm=webp&time=1602623747&dpr=1&w=576&s=4336b2bfe03435a13b4f80acd0490669 576w,https://imgcdn.ukc2.com/i/347111?fm=webp&time=1602623747&dpr=1&w=768&s=b1a7015380c9f55da5b8f380cb02abea 768w,https://imgcdn.ukc2.com/i/347111?fm=webp&time=1602623747&dpr=1&w=992&s=f82aab207aee294d04b900087e3e6f06 992w,https://imgcdn.ukc2.com/i/347111?fm=webp&time=1602623747&dpr=1&w=1200&s=8e9c9829053bf56e1324144a03cf19b2 1200w,https://imgcdn.ukc2.com/i/347111?fm=webp&time=1602623747&dpr=1&w=567&s=3cced4ec234d738a5e61810c370e6a44 1222w" style="box-sizing: border-box;"></source><img alt="A train approaching Warsaw station (Warszawa Centralna) © Amy Underwood Thompson" class="img-fluid thumb_347111" data-src="https://imgcdn.ukc2.com/i/347111?fm=webp&time=1602623747&dpr=1&w=567&s=3cced4ec234d738a5e61810c370e6a44" height="321" itemprop="thumbnail" loading="lazy" src="https://imgcdn.ukc2.com/i/347111?fm=webp&time=1602623747&dpr=1&w=567&s=3cced4ec234d738a5e61810c370e6a44" style="border-style: none; box-sizing: border-box; cursor: -webkit-zoom-in; height: auto; max-width: 100%; transition: opacity 0.3s ease 0s, filter 0.3s ease 0s; vertical-align: middle;" title="" width="567" /></picture><span aria-hidden="true" class="fas fa-expand popMagnify" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border: none; box-sizing: border-box; color: white; cursor: -webkit-zoom-in; display: inline-block; font-family: "Font Awesome 5 Pro"; font-size: 20px; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 900; left: 6px; line-height: 1; opacity: 0.5; position: absolute; text-rendering: auto; top: 6px;"></span></a><figcaption class="text-center photo-caption" itemprop="caption description" style="border: 1px solid rgb(221, 221, 221); box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 13px; margin-top: -1px; padding: 5px 10px;">A train approaching Warsaw station (Warszawa Centralna)<div class="small" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 10.4px;">© Amy Underwood Thompson</div></figcaption></figure></div><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "Segoe UI", Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Arial, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "Apple Color Emoji", "Segoe UI Emoji", "Segoe UI Symbol", "Noto Color Emoji"; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 1rem; margin-top: 0px; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "Segoe UI", Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Arial, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "Apple Color Emoji", "Segoe UI Emoji", "Segoe UI Symbol", "Noto Color Emoji"; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 1rem; margin-top: 0px; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 600;">Travel to London the night before</span></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "Segoe UI", Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Arial, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "Apple Color Emoji", "Segoe UI Emoji", "Segoe UI Symbol", "Noto Color Emoji"; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 1rem; margin-top: 0px; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;">If you don't live in London, it's worth considering whether travelling there the night before will help with your journey schedule and costs. For example, travelling to London on a Friday night means you can take advantage of an early Eurostar crossing on Saturday morning. Often the early times are less popular, so there's more chance of being able to get a cheap ticket, you'll also have a greater choice of onward trains for the rest of your journey that day, and you'll have more time in hand for fun exploring across the channel or getting to your final destination earlier. It is an especially viable option if you have friends or family in London you can stay with (payment in wine on your return!). Or a double/twin room at Kings Cross Travelodge is around £50.</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "Segoe UI", Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Arial, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "Apple Color Emoji", "Segoe UI Emoji", "Segoe UI Symbol", "Noto Color Emoji"; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 1rem; margin-top: 0px; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 600;">Make a journey timetable</span></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "Segoe UI", Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Arial, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "Apple Color Emoji", "Segoe UI Emoji", "Segoe UI Symbol", "Noto Color Emoji"; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 1rem; margin-top: 0px; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;">I find it's helpful to have a simple spreadsheet with all the info in one place. It's really useful for planning and keeping track of what trains you've booked. Plus, before you travel, print it out or download to your phone so you can refer to it without having to get out and sift through all your tickets. It's useful for everything from helping you find your train on the departure board to working out if you have time to go to the loo before you arrive at your station.</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "Segoe UI", Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Arial, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "Apple Color Emoji", "Segoe UI Emoji", "Segoe UI Symbol", "Noto Color Emoji"; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 1rem; margin-top: 0px; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"><picture style="box-sizing: border-box;"><source class="thumb_347112" data-sizeoverride="0" data-src="https://imgcdn.ukc2.com/i/347112?fm=webp&time=1602623747&dpr=1&w=350&s=58ef6a61e319dffb741a264bdfdcc997 350w,https://imgcdn.ukc2.com/i/347112?fm=webp&time=1602623747&dpr=1&w=576&s=62a8b8667699ef4db942d70ee644ac94 576w,https://imgcdn.ukc2.com/i/347112?fm=webp&time=1602623747&dpr=1&w=638&s=e670c2a9ab109446129a66faeb0d50de 638w" sizes="" srcset="https://imgcdn.ukc2.com/i/347112?fm=webp&time=1602623747&dpr=1&w=350&s=58ef6a61e319dffb741a264bdfdcc997 350w,https://imgcdn.ukc2.com/i/347112?fm=webp&time=1602623747&dpr=1&w=576&s=62a8b8667699ef4db942d70ee644ac94 576w,https://imgcdn.ukc2.com/i/347112?fm=webp&time=1602623747&dpr=1&w=638&s=e670c2a9ab109446129a66faeb0d50de 638w" style="box-sizing: border-box;"></source><img alt="Example Table Headings" class="img-fluid d-block mx-auto thumb_347112" data-src="https://imgcdn.ukc2.com/i/347112?fm=webp&time=1602623747&dpr=1&w=638&s=e670c2a9ab109446129a66faeb0d50de" height="140" itemprop="" loading="lazy" src="https://imgcdn.ukc2.com/i/347112?fm=webp&time=1602623747&dpr=1&w=638&s=e670c2a9ab109446129a66faeb0d50de" style="border-style: none; box-sizing: border-box; display: block; height: auto; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; max-width: 100%; transition: opacity 0.3s ease 0s, filter 0.3s ease 0s; vertical-align: middle;" title="" width="638" /></picture></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "Segoe UI", Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Arial, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "Apple Color Emoji", "Segoe UI Emoji", "Segoe UI Symbol", "Noto Color Emoji"; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 1rem; margin-top: 0px; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 600;">Research your stations in advance</span></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "Segoe UI", Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Arial, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "Apple Color Emoji", "Segoe UI Emoji", "Segoe UI Symbol", "Noto Color Emoji"; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 1rem; margin-top: 0px; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;">If the thought of catching a train feels a bit scary, or you are worried about a connection or just want to feel super prepared, there are lots of resources you can utilise before you even set a foot out the door. There are YouTube videos of people doing tours around stations and walking common platform changes wearing GoPros, you can get station floor plans online and guidelines for the time it takes to walk from the station concourse to various platforms. Doing this research can definitely help give confidence, avoid panic and enable you to lead your friends to the correct platform like a pro!</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "Segoe UI", Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Arial, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "Apple Color Emoji", "Segoe UI Emoji", "Segoe UI Symbol", "Noto Color Emoji"; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 1rem; margin-top: 0px; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"></p><div class="text-center mx-n3 mx-sm-0" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "Segoe UI", Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Arial, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "Apple Color Emoji", "Segoe UI Emoji", "Segoe UI Symbol", "Noto Color Emoji"; font-size: 16px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; text-align: center;"><figure class="photo popOuter d-inline-block" itemprop="associatedMedia" itemscope="" itemtype="http://schema.org/ImageObject" style="box-sizing: border-box; display: inline-block; margin: 0px 0px 1rem; max-width: 100%; position: relative; width: 567px;"><a class="photoswipe" data-image="https://imgcdn.ukc2.com/i/347113?fm=webp&time=1602623751&s=eae491fa1bdbaf5d50dc277819e46832" data-size="1218x814" href="https://www.ukclimbing.com/photos/dbpage.php?id=347113" itemprop="contentUrl" style="background-color: transparent; box-sizing: border-box; color: #337ab7; text-decoration-line: none;"><picture style="box-sizing: border-box;"><source class="thumb_347113" data-sizeoverride="0" data-src="https://imgcdn.ukc2.com/i/347113?fm=webp&time=1602623751&dpr=1&w=350&s=84f0763a2814345bdf66e92020230489 350w,https://imgcdn.ukc2.com/i/347113?fm=webp&time=1602623751&dpr=1&w=576&s=a2ad80a3d18700dee6bc02345b7047ba 576w,https://imgcdn.ukc2.com/i/347113?fm=webp&time=1602623751&dpr=1&w=768&s=7c721f8334418c21b2f58f52f5d00d1a 768w,https://imgcdn.ukc2.com/i/347113?fm=webp&time=1602623751&dpr=1&w=992&s=68fdc1c0e17ddbf268c010e14f63e57d 992w,https://imgcdn.ukc2.com/i/347113?fm=webp&time=1602623751&dpr=1&w=1200&s=5043948925726a15ba2d0f574a3969e0 1200w,https://imgcdn.ukc2.com/i/347113?fm=webp&time=1602623751&dpr=1&w=567&s=9e0a14e9cde01f7fc5186b210846472f 1218w" sizes="" srcset="https://imgcdn.ukc2.com/i/347113?fm=webp&time=1602623751&dpr=1&w=350&s=84f0763a2814345bdf66e92020230489 350w,https://imgcdn.ukc2.com/i/347113?fm=webp&time=1602623751&dpr=1&w=576&s=a2ad80a3d18700dee6bc02345b7047ba 576w,https://imgcdn.ukc2.com/i/347113?fm=webp&time=1602623751&dpr=1&w=768&s=7c721f8334418c21b2f58f52f5d00d1a 768w,https://imgcdn.ukc2.com/i/347113?fm=webp&time=1602623751&dpr=1&w=992&s=68fdc1c0e17ddbf268c010e14f63e57d 992w,https://imgcdn.ukc2.com/i/347113?fm=webp&time=1602623751&dpr=1&w=1200&s=5043948925726a15ba2d0f574a3969e0 1200w,https://imgcdn.ukc2.com/i/347113?fm=webp&time=1602623751&dpr=1&w=567&s=9e0a14e9cde01f7fc5186b210846472f 1218w" style="box-sizing: border-box;"></source><img alt="On the platform at Cologne station (Köln Hbf) © Glyn Hudson" class="img-fluid thumb_347113" data-src="https://imgcdn.ukc2.com/i/347113?fm=webp&time=1602623751&dpr=1&w=567&s=9e0a14e9cde01f7fc5186b210846472f" height="378" itemprop="thumbnail" loading="lazy" src="https://imgcdn.ukc2.com/i/347113?fm=webp&time=1602623751&dpr=1&w=567&s=9e0a14e9cde01f7fc5186b210846472f" style="border-style: none; box-sizing: border-box; cursor: -webkit-zoom-in; height: auto; max-width: 100%; transition: opacity 0.3s ease 0s, filter 0.3s ease 0s; vertical-align: middle;" title="" width="567" /></picture><span aria-hidden="true" class="fas fa-expand popMagnify" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border: none; box-sizing: border-box; color: white; cursor: -webkit-zoom-in; display: inline-block; font-family: "Font Awesome 5 Pro"; font-size: 20px; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 900; left: 6px; line-height: 1; opacity: 0.5; position: absolute; text-rendering: auto; top: 6px;"></span></a><figcaption class="text-center photo-caption" itemprop="caption description" style="border: 1px solid rgb(221, 221, 221); box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 13px; margin-top: -1px; padding: 5px 10px;">On the platform at Cologne station (Köln Hbf)<div class="small" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 10.4px;">© Glyn Hudson</div></figcaption></figure></div><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "Segoe UI", Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Arial, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "Apple Color Emoji", "Segoe UI Emoji", "Segoe UI Symbol", "Noto Color Emoji"; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 1rem; margin-top: 0px; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"></p><h3 class="boxtitle" style="background-attachment: initial !important; background-clip: initial !important; background-color: white; background-image: none !important; background-origin: initial !important; background-position: initial !important; background-repeat: initial !important; background-size: initial !important; background: none white; border-top: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; display: inline-block; font-family: "Segoe UI", Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Arial, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "Apple Color Emoji", "Segoe UI Emoji", "Segoe UI Symbol", "Noto Color Emoji"; font-size: 17px; line-height: 1.2; margin: 0px; min-height: 32px; padding: 10px 0px 0px; position: relative; text-shadow: none; width: auto;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box;">Luggage</span></h3><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "Segoe UI", Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Arial, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "Apple Color Emoji", "Segoe UI Emoji", "Segoe UI Symbol", "Noto Color Emoji"; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 1rem; margin-top: 0px; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 600;">Get a holdall with wheels</span></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "Segoe UI", Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Arial, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "Apple Color Emoji", "Segoe UI Emoji", "Segoe UI Symbol", "Noto Color Emoji"; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 1rem; margin-top: 0px; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;">Obviously if you can fit everything in a rucksack, that's great, but it all depends on the type of trip you're on. After a couple of journeys where my partner and I got powered out carrying a heavy holdall around large stations, we had a lightbulb moment. Whatever you think of wheely bags, they absolutely revolutionise the train travel experience! There does seem to be a stigma around them amongst outdoor folk, but why wouldn't you love something that enables you to glide around with ease, one hand on the handle the other holding your French baguette? The Berghaus mule is now our trusty train trip companion, and it's also great for bringing back wine in!</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "Segoe UI", Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Arial, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "Apple Color Emoji", "Segoe UI Emoji", "Segoe UI Symbol", "Noto Color Emoji"; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 1rem; margin-top: 0px; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"></p><div class="text-center mx-n3 mx-sm-0" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "Segoe UI", Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Arial, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "Apple Color Emoji", "Segoe UI Emoji", "Segoe UI Symbol", "Noto Color Emoji"; font-size: 16px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; text-align: center;"><figure class="photo popOuter d-inline-block" itemprop="associatedMedia" itemscope="" itemtype="http://schema.org/ImageObject" style="box-sizing: border-box; display: inline-block; margin: 0px 0px 1rem; max-width: 100%; position: relative; width: 567px;"><a class="photoswipe" data-image="https://imgcdn.ukc2.com/i/347114?fm=webp&time=1602623753&s=c2ea2086cc25d28a14dd28b1a1ac9bc1" data-size="1222x918" href="https://www.ukclimbing.com/photos/dbpage.php?id=347114" itemprop="contentUrl" style="background-color: transparent; box-sizing: border-box; color: #337ab7; text-decoration-line: none;"><picture style="box-sizing: border-box;"><source class="thumb_347114" data-sizeoverride="0" data-src="https://imgcdn.ukc2.com/i/347114?fm=webp&time=1602623753&dpr=1&w=350&s=80217b29bdad1c808e87be164dd9221f 350w,https://imgcdn.ukc2.com/i/347114?fm=webp&time=1602623753&dpr=1&w=576&s=ac69a98f5626ee701437dd74f5f70b21 576w,https://imgcdn.ukc2.com/i/347114?fm=webp&time=1602623753&dpr=1&w=768&s=3a7cba2793981cfe8d02fecb2385c913 768w,https://imgcdn.ukc2.com/i/347114?fm=webp&time=1602623753&dpr=1&w=992&s=2191171e08f94e913d24b3270d694ea5 992w,https://imgcdn.ukc2.com/i/347114?fm=webp&time=1602623753&dpr=1&w=1200&s=7d1ae185c5356c06dd81834fb0392326 1200w,https://imgcdn.ukc2.com/i/347114?fm=webp&time=1602623753&dpr=1&w=567&s=c525438fd0199dfdc148519824f21fa9 1222w" sizes="" srcset="https://imgcdn.ukc2.com/i/347114?fm=webp&time=1602623753&dpr=1&w=350&s=80217b29bdad1c808e87be164dd9221f 350w,https://imgcdn.ukc2.com/i/347114?fm=webp&time=1602623753&dpr=1&w=576&s=ac69a98f5626ee701437dd74f5f70b21 576w,https://imgcdn.ukc2.com/i/347114?fm=webp&time=1602623753&dpr=1&w=768&s=3a7cba2793981cfe8d02fecb2385c913 768w,https://imgcdn.ukc2.com/i/347114?fm=webp&time=1602623753&dpr=1&w=992&s=2191171e08f94e913d24b3270d694ea5 992w,https://imgcdn.ukc2.com/i/347114?fm=webp&time=1602623753&dpr=1&w=1200&s=7d1ae185c5356c06dd81834fb0392326 1200w,https://imgcdn.ukc2.com/i/347114?fm=webp&time=1602623753&dpr=1&w=567&s=c525438fd0199dfdc148519824f21fa9 1222w" style="box-sizing: border-box;"></source><img alt="Glyn Hudson strolling with the ‘mule’ © Jon Leighton" class="img-fluid thumb_347114" data-src="https://imgcdn.ukc2.com/i/347114?fm=webp&time=1602623753&dpr=1&w=567&s=c525438fd0199dfdc148519824f21fa9" height="425" itemprop="thumbnail" loading="lazy" src="https://imgcdn.ukc2.com/i/347114?fm=webp&time=1602623753&dpr=1&w=567&s=c525438fd0199dfdc148519824f21fa9" style="border-style: none; box-sizing: border-box; cursor: -webkit-zoom-in; height: auto; max-width: 100%; transition: opacity 0.3s ease 0s, filter 0.3s ease 0s; vertical-align: middle;" title="" width="567" /></picture><span aria-hidden="true" class="fas fa-expand popMagnify" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border: none; box-sizing: border-box; color: white; cursor: -webkit-zoom-in; display: inline-block; font-family: "Font Awesome 5 Pro"; font-size: 20px; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 900; left: 6px; line-height: 1; opacity: 0.5; position: absolute; text-rendering: auto; top: 6px;"></span></a><figcaption class="text-center photo-caption" itemprop="caption description" style="border: 1px solid rgb(221, 221, 221); box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 13px; margin-top: -1px; padding: 5px 10px;">Glyn Hudson strolling with the ‘mule’<div class="small" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 10.4px;">© Jon Leighton</div></figcaption></figure></div><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "Segoe UI", Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Arial, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "Apple Color Emoji", "Segoe UI Emoji", "Segoe UI Symbol", "Noto Color Emoji"; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 1rem; margin-top: 0px; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"></p><h3 class="boxtitle" style="background-attachment: initial !important; background-clip: initial !important; background-color: white; background-image: none !important; background-origin: initial !important; background-position: initial !important; background-repeat: initial !important; background-size: initial !important; background: none white; border-top: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; display: inline-block; font-family: "Segoe UI", Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Arial, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "Apple Color Emoji", "Segoe UI Emoji", "Segoe UI Symbol", "Noto Color Emoji"; font-size: 17px; line-height: 1.2; margin: 0px; min-height: 32px; padding: 10px 0px 0px; position: relative; text-shadow: none; width: auto;">Life on board</h3><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "Segoe UI", Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Arial, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "Apple Color Emoji", "Segoe UI Emoji", "Segoe UI Symbol", "Noto Color Emoji"; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 1rem; margin-top: 0px; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;">Generally I have found European train travel very luxurious compared to UK trains, even in second/turista class the seats and aisles are spacious and there are plenty of areas for large luggage. You have ample elbow space to get out a laptop, play cards or lay out a picnic and you can stroll along the carriages whenever the fancy takes you. The cafe/buffet/restaurant cars are usually quite a hub, a full carriage with standing tables if not seating. Going and stretching your legs and practising "A glass of red wine please" in the appropriate language is a nice little outing from your seat! The views are pretty good too and it's always a bonus if you find yourself on the top level of a double decker train. Yes you can get double decker trains! Even if you think you have oodles of time stretching ahead of you when you start your journey it's surprising how quickly it goes.</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "Segoe UI", Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Arial, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "Apple Color Emoji", "Segoe UI Emoji", "Segoe UI Symbol", "Noto Color Emoji"; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 1rem; margin-top: 0px; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;">Like most people I have had some crowded and uncomfortable UK train experiences, sitting on my rucksack in a carriage vestibule. All I can say is don't let this put you off planning a longer journey across the channel.</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "Segoe UI", Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Arial, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "Apple Color Emoji", "Segoe UI Emoji", "Segoe UI Symbol", "Noto Color Emoji"; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 1rem; margin-top: 0px; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"></p><div class="text-center mx-n3 mx-sm-0" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "Segoe UI", Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Arial, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "Apple Color Emoji", "Segoe UI Emoji", "Segoe UI Symbol", "Noto Color Emoji"; font-size: 16px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; text-align: center;"><figure class="photo popOuter d-inline-block" itemprop="associatedMedia" itemscope="" itemtype="http://schema.org/ImageObject" style="box-sizing: border-box; display: inline-block; margin: 0px 0px 1rem; max-width: 100%; position: relative; width: 567px;"><a class="photoswipe" data-image="https://imgcdn.ukc2.com/i/347115?fm=webp&time=1602623763&s=b5afa0d6d8d106478ec5126ba6425e3d" data-size="1222x750" href="https://www.ukclimbing.com/photos/dbpage.php?id=347115" itemprop="contentUrl" style="background-color: transparent; box-sizing: border-box; color: #337ab7; text-decoration-line: none;"><picture style="box-sizing: border-box;"><source class="thumb_347115" data-sizeoverride="0" data-src="https://imgcdn.ukc2.com/i/347115?fm=webp&time=1602623763&dpr=1&w=350&s=c58eb741e1b902a3ef5bfcbd94a98b63 350w,https://imgcdn.ukc2.com/i/347115?fm=webp&time=1602623763&dpr=1&w=576&s=c9c651610e5ac84b84153764cbec29f4 576w,https://imgcdn.ukc2.com/i/347115?fm=webp&time=1602623763&dpr=1&w=768&s=2a7513ea304739e79a876d846902786b 768w,https://imgcdn.ukc2.com/i/347115?fm=webp&time=1602623763&dpr=1&w=992&s=f0f1050ca3cab9b7be3b5f6327b34e2f 992w,https://imgcdn.ukc2.com/i/347115?fm=webp&time=1602623763&dpr=1&w=1200&s=5f816721c16028401ebdc1659a614c15 1200w,https://imgcdn.ukc2.com/i/347115?fm=webp&time=1602623763&dpr=1&w=567&s=135b9a2dd2c143d75fc3108cc3911f5c 1222w" sizes="" srcset="https://imgcdn.ukc2.com/i/347115?fm=webp&time=1602623763&dpr=1&w=350&s=c58eb741e1b902a3ef5bfcbd94a98b63 350w,https://imgcdn.ukc2.com/i/347115?fm=webp&time=1602623763&dpr=1&w=576&s=c9c651610e5ac84b84153764cbec29f4 576w,https://imgcdn.ukc2.com/i/347115?fm=webp&time=1602623763&dpr=1&w=768&s=2a7513ea304739e79a876d846902786b 768w,https://imgcdn.ukc2.com/i/347115?fm=webp&time=1602623763&dpr=1&w=992&s=f0f1050ca3cab9b7be3b5f6327b34e2f 992w,https://imgcdn.ukc2.com/i/347115?fm=webp&time=1602623763&dpr=1&w=1200&s=5f816721c16028401ebdc1659a614c15 1200w,https://imgcdn.ukc2.com/i/347115?fm=webp&time=1602623763&dpr=1&w=567&s=135b9a2dd2c143d75fc3108cc3911f5c 1222w" style="box-sizing: border-box;"></source><img alt="Breakfast in the dining car of EuroNight/EN 447 to Warsaw. Granola was 7.40 Polish zloty / £1.50 (a delicious bargain!) © Glyn Hudson" class="img-fluid thumb_347115" data-src="https://imgcdn.ukc2.com/i/347115?fm=webp&time=1602623763&dpr=1&w=567&s=135b9a2dd2c143d75fc3108cc3911f5c" height="347" itemprop="thumbnail" loading="lazy" src="https://imgcdn.ukc2.com/i/347115?fm=webp&time=1602623763&dpr=1&w=567&s=135b9a2dd2c143d75fc3108cc3911f5c" style="border-style: none; box-sizing: border-box; cursor: -webkit-zoom-in; height: auto; max-width: 100%; transition: opacity 0.3s ease 0s, filter 0.3s ease 0s; vertical-align: middle;" title="" width="567" /></picture><span aria-hidden="true" class="fas fa-expand popMagnify" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border: none; box-sizing: border-box; color: white; cursor: -webkit-zoom-in; display: inline-block; font-family: "Font Awesome 5 Pro"; font-size: 20px; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 900; left: 6px; line-height: 1; opacity: 0.5; position: absolute; text-rendering: auto; top: 6px;"></span></a><figcaption class="text-center photo-caption" itemprop="caption description" style="border: 1px solid rgb(221, 221, 221); box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 13px; margin-top: -1px; padding: 5px 10px;">Breakfast in the dining car of EuroNight/EN 447 to Warsaw. Granola was 7.40 Polish zloty / £1.50 (a delicious bargain!)<div class="small" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 10.4px;">© Glyn Hudson</div></figcaption></figure></div><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "Segoe UI", Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Arial, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "Apple Color Emoji", "Segoe UI Emoji", "Segoe UI Symbol", "Noto Color Emoji"; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 1rem; margin-top: 0px; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"></p><h3 class="boxtitle" style="background-attachment: initial !important; background-clip: initial !important; background-color: white; background-image: none !important; background-origin: initial !important; background-position: initial !important; background-repeat: initial !important; background-size: initial !important; background: none white; border-top: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; display: inline-block; font-family: "Segoe UI", Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Arial, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "Apple Color Emoji", "Segoe UI Emoji", "Segoe UI Symbol", "Noto Color Emoji"; font-size: 17px; line-height: 1.2; margin: 0px; min-height: 32px; padding: 10px 0px 0px; position: relative; text-shadow: none; width: auto;">Making the most of travelling overland</h3><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "Segoe UI", Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Arial, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "Apple Color Emoji", "Segoe UI Emoji", "Segoe UI Symbol", "Noto Color Emoji"; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 1rem; margin-top: 0px; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 600;">Leave the station!</span></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "Segoe UI", Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Arial, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "Apple Color Emoji", "Segoe UI Emoji", "Segoe UI Symbol", "Noto Color Emoji"; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 1rem; margin-top: 0px; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;">If you have a train change or are spending the night somewhere on a multi-day train journey why not embrace it? Visiting the places where I am changing trains is possibly my favourite part of train travel. They feel like mini trips within a trip! Unlike airports, train stations are often very central in a town or city, so you can do some pretty cool things right off the platform. Most stations have a left luggage facility, so you can unburden yourself of a heavy rope and rack for a small cost and go explore. I have had tapas in Barcelona, espresso in the sun in Alicante, gone for a run round Warsaw, had a swim in the harbour in Copenhagen, had pizza in Naples and wandered the cobbled streets of Cordoba all before onward trains. If your schedule allows, why not intentionally book trains that give you a few extra hours in a place where you want to explore and need to change trains anyway?</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "Segoe UI", Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Arial, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "Apple Color Emoji", "Segoe UI Emoji", "Segoe UI Symbol", "Noto Color Emoji"; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 1rem; margin-top: 0px; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;">You can even check out a local climbing wall, perfect if you want to top up some strength on the way. A quick trip to Vauxwall climbing wall in London sometimes works well before getting on the Eurostar, as it's only a few stops on the Victoria line from St Pancras International.</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "Segoe UI", Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Arial, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "Apple Color Emoji", "Segoe UI Emoji", "Segoe UI Symbol", "Noto Color Emoji"; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 1rem; margin-top: 0px; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"></p><div class="text-center mx-n3 mx-sm-0" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "Segoe UI", Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Arial, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "Apple Color Emoji", "Segoe UI Emoji", "Segoe UI Symbol", "Noto Color Emoji"; font-size: 16px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; text-align: center;"><figure class="photo popOuter d-inline-block" itemprop="associatedMedia" itemscope="" itemtype="http://schema.org/ImageObject" style="box-sizing: border-box; display: inline-block; margin: 0px 0px 1rem; max-width: 100%; position: relative; width: 567px;"><a class="photoswipe" data-image="https://imgcdn.ukc2.com/i/347116?fm=webp&time=1602623769&s=4960dc324288fdcd766c326e4cb1c092" data-size="1224x822" href="https://www.ukclimbing.com/photos/dbpage.php?id=347116" itemprop="contentUrl" style="background-color: transparent; box-sizing: border-box; color: #337ab7; text-decoration-line: none;"><picture style="box-sizing: border-box;"><source class="thumb_347116" data-sizeoverride="0" data-src="https://imgcdn.ukc2.com/i/347116?fm=webp&time=1602623769&dpr=1&w=350&s=954296e1a496093a41bc6cc33c039ef1 350w,https://imgcdn.ukc2.com/i/347116?fm=webp&time=1602623769&dpr=1&w=576&s=ef1c888131e481d41f1f9c9f0e9efd3c 576w,https://imgcdn.ukc2.com/i/347116?fm=webp&time=1602623769&dpr=1&w=768&s=29b029d3cf7b51874a9c8902656f0dee 768w,https://imgcdn.ukc2.com/i/347116?fm=webp&time=1602623769&dpr=1&w=992&s=353aa88d232905f227fabb95582f4023 992w,https://imgcdn.ukc2.com/i/347116?fm=webp&time=1602623769&dpr=1&w=1200&s=5822119156e10d69b7b4c36b53797bbd 1200w,https://imgcdn.ukc2.com/i/347116?fm=webp&time=1602623769&dpr=1&w=567&s=b222bb14ff098f187ec7476ac8ac284b 1224w" sizes="" srcset="https://imgcdn.ukc2.com/i/347116?fm=webp&time=1602623769&dpr=1&w=350&s=954296e1a496093a41bc6cc33c039ef1 350w,https://imgcdn.ukc2.com/i/347116?fm=webp&time=1602623769&dpr=1&w=576&s=ef1c888131e481d41f1f9c9f0e9efd3c 576w,https://imgcdn.ukc2.com/i/347116?fm=webp&time=1602623769&dpr=1&w=768&s=29b029d3cf7b51874a9c8902656f0dee 768w,https://imgcdn.ukc2.com/i/347116?fm=webp&time=1602623769&dpr=1&w=992&s=353aa88d232905f227fabb95582f4023 992w,https://imgcdn.ukc2.com/i/347116?fm=webp&time=1602623769&dpr=1&w=1200&s=5822119156e10d69b7b4c36b53797bbd 1200w,https://imgcdn.ukc2.com/i/347116?fm=webp&time=1602623769&dpr=1&w=567&s=b222bb14ff098f187ec7476ac8ac284b 1224w" style="box-sizing: border-box;"></source><img alt="Exploring Naples between trains © Glyn Hudson" class="img-fluid thumb_347116" data-src="https://imgcdn.ukc2.com/i/347116?fm=webp&time=1602623769&dpr=1&w=567&s=b222bb14ff098f187ec7476ac8ac284b" height="380" itemprop="thumbnail" loading="lazy" src="https://imgcdn.ukc2.com/i/347116?fm=webp&time=1602623769&dpr=1&w=567&s=b222bb14ff098f187ec7476ac8ac284b" style="border-style: none; box-sizing: border-box; cursor: -webkit-zoom-in; height: auto; max-width: 100%; transition: opacity 0.3s ease 0s, filter 0.3s ease 0s; vertical-align: middle;" title="" width="567" /></picture><span aria-hidden="true" class="fas fa-expand popMagnify" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border: none; box-sizing: border-box; color: white; cursor: -webkit-zoom-in; display: inline-block; font-family: "Font Awesome 5 Pro"; font-size: 20px; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 900; left: 6px; line-height: 1; opacity: 0.5; position: absolute; text-rendering: auto; top: 6px;"></span></a><figcaption class="text-center photo-caption" itemprop="caption description" style="border: 1px solid rgb(221, 221, 221); box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 13px; margin-top: -1px; padding: 5px 10px;">Exploring Naples between trains<div class="small" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 10.4px;">© Glyn Hudson</div></figcaption></figure></div><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "Segoe UI", Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Arial, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "Apple Color Emoji", "Segoe UI Emoji", "Segoe UI Symbol", "Noto Color Emoji"; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 1rem; margin-top: 0px; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"></p><h3 class="boxtitle" style="background-attachment: initial !important; background-clip: initial !important; background-color: white; background-image: none !important; background-origin: initial !important; background-position: initial !important; background-repeat: initial !important; background-size: initial !important; background: none white; border-top: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; display: inline-block; font-family: "Segoe UI", Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Arial, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "Apple Color Emoji", "Segoe UI Emoji", "Segoe UI Symbol", "Noto Color Emoji"; font-size: 17px; line-height: 1.2; margin: 0px; min-height: 32px; padding: 10px 0px 0px; position: relative; text-shadow: none; width: auto;">Travel insurance</h3><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "Segoe UI", Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Arial, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "Apple Color Emoji", "Segoe UI Emoji", "Segoe UI Symbol", "Noto Color Emoji"; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 1rem; margin-top: 0px; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;">Even if you are the type of person who normally doesn't bother with insurance, it's worth considering. As with flights or ferries, trains can be late or cancelled, unplanned things can happen. If you have left a decent chunk of time for your connection, you may just miss out on leaving the station for a Belgian beer in Brussels, but the worst case scenario is missing an onward train. It's then all down to the type of ticket you have, and whether you can just hop on the next available train or whether the ticket was tied to a specific train and you now need to buy a new ticket.</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "Segoe UI", Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Arial, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "Apple Color Emoji", "Segoe UI Emoji", "Segoe UI Symbol", "Noto Color Emoji"; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 1rem; margin-top: 0px; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;">If your train is cancelled or delayed it's worth checking whether you can get a full or partial refund for that ticket from the train operator. This will often mean completing an online form on their website and uploading a photo of your ticket as proof. But they will not usually compensate you for other associated expenses (i.e. buying a new ticket for an onward train), which is where an insurance claim would come in. If you are getting climbing insurance anyway (like BMC) general travel insurance will often also be included as standard. Personally I have only had one missed train connection experience (due to a late train), but was grateful when I realised that my climbing insurance covered me.</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "Segoe UI", Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Arial, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "Apple Color Emoji", "Segoe UI Emoji", "Segoe UI Symbol", "Noto Color Emoji"; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 1rem; margin-top: 0px; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;">If you need to make a claim you will likely need proof that your train was delayed/cancelled - the train company may give you a letter on the train/platform or you can ask for one from a Customer Information Desk at the station.</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "Segoe UI", Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Arial, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "Apple Color Emoji", "Segoe UI Emoji", "Segoe UI Symbol", "Noto Color Emoji"; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 1rem; margin-top: 0px; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"></p><div class="text-center mx-n3 mx-sm-0" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "Segoe UI", Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Arial, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "Apple Color Emoji", "Segoe UI Emoji", "Segoe UI Symbol", "Noto Color Emoji"; font-size: 16px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; text-align: center;"><figure class="photo popOuter d-inline-block" itemprop="associatedMedia" itemscope="" itemtype="http://schema.org/ImageObject" style="box-sizing: border-box; display: inline-block; margin: 0px 0px 1rem; max-width: 100%; position: relative; width: 567px;"><a class="photoswipe" data-image="https://imgcdn.ukc2.com/i/347117?fm=webp&time=1602623772&s=1a7020bc333e42162dcf12cbf469842c" data-size="1024x768" href="https://www.ukclimbing.com/photos/dbpage.php?id=347117" itemprop="contentUrl" style="background-color: transparent; box-sizing: border-box; color: #337ab7; text-decoration-line: none;"><picture style="box-sizing: border-box;"><source class="thumb_347117" data-sizeoverride="0" data-src="https://imgcdn.ukc2.com/i/347117?fm=webp&time=1602623772&dpr=1&w=350&s=4ba190d2934c592249a754f8a71a550e 350w,https://imgcdn.ukc2.com/i/347117?fm=webp&time=1602623772&dpr=1&w=576&s=568e7843b3c2bfc4df79f34cceab4e70 576w,https://imgcdn.ukc2.com/i/347117?fm=webp&time=1602623772&dpr=1&w=768&s=8d2a397dd479ed394f5fc3feb83565fc 768w,https://imgcdn.ukc2.com/i/347117?fm=webp&time=1602623772&dpr=1&w=992&s=21a40deefecb7c4f19b6fc39e575e9b4 992w,https://imgcdn.ukc2.com/i/347117?fm=webp&time=1602623772&dpr=1&w=567&s=5602115b1c63abfffb2814d2e8c6f891 1024w" sizes="" srcset="https://imgcdn.ukc2.com/i/347117?fm=webp&time=1602623772&dpr=1&w=350&s=4ba190d2934c592249a754f8a71a550e 350w,https://imgcdn.ukc2.com/i/347117?fm=webp&time=1602623772&dpr=1&w=576&s=568e7843b3c2bfc4df79f34cceab4e70 576w,https://imgcdn.ukc2.com/i/347117?fm=webp&time=1602623772&dpr=1&w=768&s=8d2a397dd479ed394f5fc3feb83565fc 768w,https://imgcdn.ukc2.com/i/347117?fm=webp&time=1602623772&dpr=1&w=992&s=21a40deefecb7c4f19b6fc39e575e9b4 992w,https://imgcdn.ukc2.com/i/347117?fm=webp&time=1602623772&dpr=1&w=567&s=5602115b1c63abfffb2814d2e8c6f891 1024w" style="box-sizing: border-box;"></source><img alt="Latour-de-Carol, arriving to snowy conditions in the French Pyrénées © Glyn Hudson" class="img-fluid thumb_347117" data-src="https://imgcdn.ukc2.com/i/347117?fm=webp&time=1602623772&dpr=1&w=567&s=5602115b1c63abfffb2814d2e8c6f891" height="425" itemprop="thumbnail" loading="lazy" src="https://imgcdn.ukc2.com/i/347117?fm=webp&time=1602623772&dpr=1&w=567&s=5602115b1c63abfffb2814d2e8c6f891" style="border-style: none; box-sizing: border-box; cursor: -webkit-zoom-in; height: auto; max-width: 100%; transition: opacity 0.3s ease 0s, filter 0.3s ease 0s; vertical-align: middle;" title="" width="567" /></picture><span aria-hidden="true" class="fas fa-expand popMagnify" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border: none; box-sizing: border-box; color: white; cursor: -webkit-zoom-in; display: inline-block; font-family: "Font Awesome 5 Pro"; font-size: 20px; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 900; left: 6px; line-height: 1; opacity: 0.5; position: absolute; text-rendering: auto; top: 6px;"></span></a><figcaption class="text-center photo-caption" itemprop="caption description" style="border: 1px solid rgb(221, 221, 221); box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 13px; margin-top: -1px; padding: 5px 10px;">Latour-de-Carol, arriving to snowy conditions in the French Pyrénées<div class="small" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 10.4px;">© Glyn Hudson</div></figcaption></figure></div><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "Segoe UI", Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Arial, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "Apple Color Emoji", "Segoe UI Emoji", "Segoe UI Symbol", "Noto Color Emoji"; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 1rem; margin-top: 0px; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"></p><h3 class="boxtitle" style="background-attachment: initial !important; background-clip: initial !important; background-color: white; background-image: none !important; background-origin: initial !important; background-position: initial !important; background-repeat: initial !important; background-size: initial !important; background: none white; border-top: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; display: inline-block; font-family: "Segoe UI", Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Arial, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "Apple Color Emoji", "Segoe UI Emoji", "Segoe UI Symbol", "Noto Color Emoji"; font-size: 17px; line-height: 1.2; margin: 0px; min-height: 32px; padding: 10px 0px 0px; position: relative; text-shadow: none; width: auto;">Travelling further afield</h3><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "Segoe UI", Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Arial, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "Apple Color Emoji", "Segoe UI Emoji", "Segoe UI Symbol", "Noto Color Emoji"; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 1rem; margin-top: 0px; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 600;">How far can you go?</span></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "Segoe UI", Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Arial, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "Apple Color Emoji", "Segoe UI Emoji", "Segoe UI Symbol", "Noto Color Emoji"; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 1rem; margin-top: 0px; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;">So there are lots of fantastic climbing destinations within easy train reach in France and Spain, but further afield is certainly do-able too. I have been to Norway, Sicily (where the train goes on a ferry!), Morocco and my furthest trip has been to Russia, Mongolia and China (starting from Bangor, North Wales). Generally the further away you go, the more exciting the train travel part is, and so it definitely feels less like a journey to get to your final destination and more like an adventure!</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "Segoe UI", Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Arial, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "Apple Color Emoji", "Segoe UI Emoji", "Segoe UI Symbol", "Noto Color Emoji"; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 1rem; margin-top: 0px; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;">It's amazing to read that even in the current climate new services are opening. Czech operator RegioJet started a new overnight service between Prague and the Croatian coastal town of Rijeka in June, which has now increased to a daily service due to overwhelming popularity. The options for train adventures just keep increasing!</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "Segoe UI", Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Arial, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "Apple Color Emoji", "Segoe UI Emoji", "Segoe UI Symbol", "Noto Color Emoji"; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 1rem; margin-top: 0px; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"></p><div class="text-center mx-n3 mx-sm-0" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "Segoe UI", Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Arial, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "Apple Color Emoji", "Segoe UI Emoji", "Segoe UI Symbol", "Noto Color Emoji"; font-size: 16px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; text-align: center;"><figure class="photo popOuter d-inline-block" itemprop="associatedMedia" itemscope="" itemtype="http://schema.org/ImageObject" style="box-sizing: border-box; display: inline-block; margin: 0px 0px 1rem; max-width: 100%; position: relative; width: 567px;"><a class="photoswipe" data-image="https://imgcdn.ukc2.com/i/347118?fm=webp&time=1602623774&s=67aa6b73fae246cf68ec65c79ba1bf11" data-size="1228x819" href="https://www.ukclimbing.com/photos/dbpage.php?id=347118" itemprop="contentUrl" style="background-color: transparent; box-sizing: border-box; color: #337ab7; text-decoration-line: none;"><picture style="box-sizing: border-box;"><source class="thumb_347118" data-sizeoverride="0" data-src="https://imgcdn.ukc2.com/i/347118?fm=webp&time=1602623774&dpr=1&w=350&s=22aee8f47a57ed84eddd9f040c324471 350w,https://imgcdn.ukc2.com/i/347118?fm=webp&time=1602623774&dpr=1&w=576&s=a6fae52d2b4bb2682a919591bdd23932 576w,https://imgcdn.ukc2.com/i/347118?fm=webp&time=1602623774&dpr=1&w=768&s=b708289a98e2cdcc271c4dd81d978e7e 768w,https://imgcdn.ukc2.com/i/347118?fm=webp&time=1602623774&dpr=1&w=992&s=0bebdd3cf6051f1ced702fdc0ec29bbd 992w,https://imgcdn.ukc2.com/i/347118?fm=webp&time=1602623774&dpr=1&w=1200&s=2f3c744de86a52809e4c270638f26cd7 1200w,https://imgcdn.ukc2.com/i/347118?fm=webp&time=1602623774&dpr=1&w=567&s=d9a7c546b028e06e48eb246b396c0cdc 1228w" sizes="" srcset="https://imgcdn.ukc2.com/i/347118?fm=webp&time=1602623774&dpr=1&w=350&s=22aee8f47a57ed84eddd9f040c324471 350w,https://imgcdn.ukc2.com/i/347118?fm=webp&time=1602623774&dpr=1&w=576&s=a6fae52d2b4bb2682a919591bdd23932 576w,https://imgcdn.ukc2.com/i/347118?fm=webp&time=1602623774&dpr=1&w=768&s=b708289a98e2cdcc271c4dd81d978e7e 768w,https://imgcdn.ukc2.com/i/347118?fm=webp&time=1602623774&dpr=1&w=992&s=0bebdd3cf6051f1ced702fdc0ec29bbd 992w,https://imgcdn.ukc2.com/i/347118?fm=webp&time=1602623774&dpr=1&w=1200&s=2f3c744de86a52809e4c270638f26cd7 1200w,https://imgcdn.ukc2.com/i/347118?fm=webp&time=1602623774&dpr=1&w=567&s=d9a7c546b028e06e48eb246b396c0cdc 1228w" style="box-sizing: border-box;"></source><img alt="The 006З to Ulan-Bator, Mongolia © Glyn Hudson" class="img-fluid thumb_347118" data-src="https://imgcdn.ukc2.com/i/347118?fm=webp&time=1602623774&dpr=1&w=567&s=d9a7c546b028e06e48eb246b396c0cdc" height="378" itemprop="thumbnail" loading="lazy" src="https://imgcdn.ukc2.com/i/347118?fm=webp&time=1602623774&dpr=1&w=567&s=d9a7c546b028e06e48eb246b396c0cdc" style="border-style: none; box-sizing: border-box; cursor: -webkit-zoom-in; height: auto; max-width: 100%; transition: opacity 0.3s ease 0s, filter 0.3s ease 0s; vertical-align: middle;" title="" width="567" /></picture><span aria-hidden="true" class="fas fa-expand popMagnify" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border: none; box-sizing: border-box; color: white; cursor: -webkit-zoom-in; display: inline-block; font-family: "Font Awesome 5 Pro"; font-size: 20px; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 900; left: 6px; line-height: 1; opacity: 0.5; position: absolute; text-rendering: auto; top: 6px;"></span></a><figcaption class="text-center photo-caption" itemprop="caption description" style="border: 1px solid rgb(221, 221, 221); box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 13px; margin-top: -1px; padding: 5px 10px;">The 006З to Ulan-Bator, Mongolia<div class="small" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 10.4px;">© Glyn Hudson</div></figcaption></figure></div><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "Segoe UI", Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Arial, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "Apple Color Emoji", "Segoe UI Emoji", "Segoe UI Symbol", "Noto Color Emoji"; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 1rem; margin-top: 0px; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "Segoe UI", Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Arial, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "Apple Color Emoji", "Segoe UI Emoji", "Segoe UI Symbol", "Noto Color Emoji"; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 1rem; margin-top: 0px; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 600;">Common concerns</span></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "Segoe UI", Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Arial, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "Apple Color Emoji", "Segoe UI Emoji", "Segoe UI Symbol", "Noto Color Emoji"; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 1rem; margin-top: 0px; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;">I often hear that time, money and 'faff levels' are the key barriers to taking the train. I can understand all of these, but I have a few points for consideration to leave you on.</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "Segoe UI", Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Arial, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "Apple Color Emoji", "Segoe UI Emoji", "Segoe UI Symbol", "Noto Color Emoji"; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 1rem; margin-top: 0px; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;">With regard to time, for trips you can do in a day by train, how much time are the alternatives (flying/driving) really gaining you if you consider things door to door? How will you utilise that extra time? Will you be climbing or will you be sleeping after a long drive or an early start getting to the airport? If it is an afternoon's climbing, is that worth the additional carbon emissions?</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "Segoe UI", Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Arial, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "Apple Color Emoji", "Segoe UI Emoji", "Segoe UI Symbol", "Noto Color Emoji"; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 1rem; margin-top: 0px; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;">For destinations further afield that require multi day train journeys, I adjust my trip calendar to accommodate it. In a nutshell, I will make it into a longer trip, taking the time off to make it worthwhile. If you are someone who thought you didn't have the time to travel by train, it's worth considering: could you roll the time you would spend on a couple of shorter trips into one longer one by train? I find longer trips actually really work for climbing, as often the first few days are spent getting to grips with the logistics of the area, the crags and getting fitter, before you get into your stride.</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "Segoe UI", Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Arial, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "Apple Color Emoji", "Segoe UI Emoji", "Segoe UI Symbol", "Noto Color Emoji"; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 1rem; margin-top: 0px; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;">There's no denying that trains are often a lot more expensive than flying. It's a shame that the cheapest way also carries the highest carbon cost. The top tips for booking will hopefully allow you to get the best possible train ticket prices going, and the above suggestion of doing fewer but longer trips is also great for getting the best value for money. However, I do think it really comes down to personal decision making in how you want to spend your disposable income, and if you choose to do a trip by train (for whatever reason) the bargain flight ticket to wherever becomes irrelevant and you just set about planning a train trip which you can afford. In case it helps anyone look at their own budget, I thought I would share my general circumstances - for the past 10 years I have had a yearly income between £15-20 000 a year, have a shared mortgage and no dependents - apart from a crazy spaniel. I have been able to make train travel work within my circumstances, so I suppose I just wanted to say it is possible to budget for without being a millionaire.</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "Segoe UI", Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Arial, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "Apple Color Emoji", "Segoe UI Emoji", "Segoe UI Symbol", "Noto Color Emoji"; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 1rem; margin-top: 0px; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;">It's worth noting that I definitely view the train journey as part of the trip, and think there is value to be had in the experiences you get during the journey, from the people you meet to the extra places you have the chance to explore, plus often being able to arrive at your destination rested and ready to go is valuable too.</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "Segoe UI", Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Arial, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "Apple Color Emoji", "Segoe UI Emoji", "Segoe UI Symbol", "Noto Color Emoji"; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 1rem; margin-top: 0px; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;">With regard to the 'faff level', yes it probably will take more time to plan compared to buying a single plane ticket or hopping in the car. Hopefully though the above top tips can help make doing it for the first time easier. I must say it becomes a lot less daunting after the first time!</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "Segoe UI", Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Arial, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "Apple Color Emoji", "Segoe UI Emoji", "Segoe UI Symbol", "Noto Color Emoji"; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 1rem; margin-top: 0px; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 600;">Bon voyage</span></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "Segoe UI", Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Arial, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "Apple Color Emoji", "Segoe UI Emoji", "Segoe UI Symbol", "Noto Color Emoji"; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 1rem; margin-top: 0px; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;">Whenever you decide to hop aboard a train for a trip, I wish you safe and smooth travels and fun adventures.</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "Segoe UI", Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Arial, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "Apple Color Emoji", "Segoe UI Emoji", "Segoe UI Symbol", "Noto Color Emoji"; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 1rem; margin-top: 0px; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"></p><p><span face=""Segoe UI", Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Arial, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "Apple Color Emoji", "Segoe UI Emoji", "Segoe UI Symbol", "Noto Color Emoji"" style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px;"></span><span face=""Segoe UI", Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Arial, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "Apple Color Emoji", "Segoe UI Emoji", "Segoe UI Symbol", "Noto Color Emoji"" style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px;"></span><span face=""Segoe UI", Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Arial, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "Apple Color Emoji", "Segoe UI Emoji", "Segoe UI Symbol", "Noto Color Emoji"" style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px;"></span><span face=""Segoe UI", Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Arial, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "Apple Color Emoji", "Segoe UI Emoji", "Segoe UI Symbol", "Noto Color Emoji"" style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px;"></span><span face=""Segoe UI", Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Arial, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "Apple Color Emoji", "Segoe UI Emoji", "Segoe UI Symbol", "Noto Color Emoji"" style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px;"></span><span face=""Segoe UI", Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Arial, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "Apple Color Emoji", "Segoe UI Emoji", "Segoe UI Symbol", "Noto Color Emoji"" style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px;"></span><span face=""Segoe UI", Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Arial, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "Apple Color Emoji", "Segoe UI Emoji", "Segoe UI Symbol", "Noto Color Emoji"" style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px;"></span><span face=""Segoe UI", Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Arial, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "Apple Color Emoji", "Segoe UI Emoji", "Segoe UI Symbol", "Noto Color Emoji"" style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px;"></span></p><div class="text-center mx-n3 mx-sm-0" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "Segoe UI", Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Arial, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "Apple Color Emoji", "Segoe UI Emoji", "Segoe UI Symbol", "Noto Color Emoji"; font-size: 16px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; text-align: center;"><figure class="photo popOuter d-inline-block" itemprop="associatedMedia" itemscope="" itemtype="http://schema.org/ImageObject" style="box-sizing: border-box; display: inline-block; margin: 0px 0px 1rem; max-width: 100%; position: relative; width: 567px;"><a class="photoswipe" data-image="https://imgcdn.ukc2.com/i/347119?fm=webp&time=1602623779&s=92bfcf4db236e7d9e963cd44355db4bd" data-size="1228x819" href="https://www.ukclimbing.com/photos/dbpage.php?id=347119" itemprop="contentUrl" style="background-color: transparent; box-sizing: border-box; color: #337ab7; text-decoration-line: none;"><picture style="box-sizing: border-box;"><source class="thumb_347119" data-sizeoverride="0" data-src="https://imgcdn.ukc2.com/i/347119?fm=webp&time=1602623779&dpr=1&w=350&s=c6bf036be8d8859c72995557bd35fdec 350w,https://imgcdn.ukc2.com/i/347119?fm=webp&time=1602623779&dpr=1&w=576&s=53e60ef93c1140b4eaad8a00022d9f7a 576w,https://imgcdn.ukc2.com/i/347119?fm=webp&time=1602623779&dpr=1&w=768&s=17f300384d07b49d89d5cd031d3ce117 768w,https://imgcdn.ukc2.com/i/347119?fm=webp&time=1602623779&dpr=1&w=992&s=fa49cfb5c228a02777cf7b34ff64075f 992w,https://imgcdn.ukc2.com/i/347119?fm=webp&time=1602623779&dpr=1&w=1200&s=cee4810c2d7ca060ad19e5387c678e26 1200w,https://imgcdn.ukc2.com/i/347119?fm=webp&time=1602623779&dpr=1&w=567&s=bad441fc98abdb44920b4dbcad71133d 1228w" sizes="" srcset="https://imgcdn.ukc2.com/i/347119?fm=webp&time=1602623779&dpr=1&w=350&s=c6bf036be8d8859c72995557bd35fdec 350w,https://imgcdn.ukc2.com/i/347119?fm=webp&time=1602623779&dpr=1&w=576&s=53e60ef93c1140b4eaad8a00022d9f7a 576w,https://imgcdn.ukc2.com/i/347119?fm=webp&time=1602623779&dpr=1&w=768&s=17f300384d07b49d89d5cd031d3ce117 768w,https://imgcdn.ukc2.com/i/347119?fm=webp&time=1602623779&dpr=1&w=992&s=fa49cfb5c228a02777cf7b34ff64075f 992w,https://imgcdn.ukc2.com/i/347119?fm=webp&time=1602623779&dpr=1&w=1200&s=cee4810c2d7ca060ad19e5387c678e26 1200w,https://imgcdn.ukc2.com/i/347119?fm=webp&time=1602623779&dpr=1&w=567&s=bad441fc98abdb44920b4dbcad71133d 1228w" style="box-sizing: border-box;"></source><img alt="The 070ЧA to Krasnoyarsk travelling through Siberia © Glyn Hudson" class="img-fluid thumb_347119" data-src="https://imgcdn.ukc2.com/i/347119?fm=webp&time=1602623779&dpr=1&w=567&s=bad441fc98abdb44920b4dbcad71133d" height="378" itemprop="thumbnail" loading="lazy" src="https://imgcdn.ukc2.com/i/347119?fm=webp&time=1602623779&dpr=1&w=567&s=bad441fc98abdb44920b4dbcad71133d" style="border-style: none; box-sizing: border-box; cursor: -webkit-zoom-in; height: auto; max-width: 100%; transition: opacity 0.3s ease 0s, filter 0.3s ease 0s; vertical-align: middle;" title="" width="567" /></picture><span aria-hidden="true" class="fas fa-expand popMagnify" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border: none; box-sizing: border-box; color: white; cursor: -webkit-zoom-in; display: inline-block; font-family: "Font Awesome 5 Pro"; font-size: 20px; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 900; left: 6px; line-height: 1; opacity: 0.5; position: absolute; text-rendering: auto; top: 6px;"></span></a><figcaption class="text-center photo-caption" itemprop="caption description" style="border: 1px solid rgb(221, 221, 221); box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 13px; margin-top: -1px; padding: 5px 10px;">The 070ЧA to Krasnoyarsk travelling through Siberia<div class="small" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 10.4px;">© Glyn Hudson</div></figcaption></figure></div>Glyn Hudsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12074378692118107701noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5756951957791452345.post-21315197875733526642021-11-04T01:33:00.002+00:002021-11-04T02:11:34.106+00:00European EV Road Trip Part 2: AC Charging Cables <div><i>This post was written from the perspective of a Welshman travelling from Wales in the United Kingdom to mainland Europe. </i></div><div><br /></div>Following on from my previous post in this series <a href="https://blog.zerocarbonadventures.co.uk/2020/07/european-ev-roadtrip-part-1-rfid-apps.html#more">European EV Road Trip Part 1: RFID, Apps and Planning</a>, this post will cover what EV charging cables and accessories we've used while travelling around Europe in an EV.<div><br /></div><div>The first part of the post will cover what cables I would recommend for a normal EV car travelling in Europe, while the 2nd part of the post will cover the charging setup I use in our <a href="https://blog.zerocarbonadventures.co.uk/2018/10/electric-campervan-diy-conversion.html">e-NV200 EV self-converted camper van</a>. </div><div><div><br /></div><h2 style="text-align: left;">European EV Charging Cables (AC)</h2><h3 style="text-align: left;">The Short version (TLDR): <b>No, special cables required! </b></h3><div><br /></div><div>Just use the normal (Type-2) EV charging cable that came with your EV, that will work on all public AC charging stations in Europe. DC Rapid charging doesn't require any cables since the cables are attached to the rapid charging unit. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FVelx-GQDL4/X4Ix9Tv7s6I/AAAAAAADqe0/fi2PoEEO-80IKMshx3loEu2npvl5lB0MgCLcBGAsYHQ/s1840/IMG_20190716_191534.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1380" data-original-width="1840" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FVelx-GQDL4/X4Ix9Tv7s6I/AAAAAAADqe0/fi2PoEEO-80IKMshx3loEu2npvl5lB0MgCLcBGAsYHQ/w400-h300/IMG_20190716_191534.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">EV Charging Station in Hungary<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span><a name='more'></a></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><h3 style="text-align: left;">The Long version:</h3><h4 style="text-align: left;">Public Charging</h4><div>You may read online that a Type-3 charging cable is required in France, this is not true any more. France has joined the rest of Europe in adopting the normal Type-2 (IEC 62196-2) standard. I have seen a couple of older public charging stations in France that still have Type-3 sockets, but these units also always have a Type-2 socket. <b>Don't waste money buying a Type-3 cable. </b>If you really want a Type-3 cable I have a new an unused one I would like to sell! </div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-K2lLzDCeHqQ/XyWdhfTIQgI/AAAAAAADlm4/hAxEyeaeQzE4_Zg8e4OTn3WSLXFMG3fRgCLcBGAsYHQ/s480/type_3c.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="393" data-original-width="480" height="164" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-K2lLzDCeHqQ/XyWdhfTIQgI/AAAAAAADlm4/hAxEyeaeQzE4_Zg8e4OTn3WSLXFMG3fRgCLcBGAsYHQ/w200-h164/type_3c.png" title="Type-3 connector no longer required in France" width="200" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Type-3 cable no longer required in France</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><h4 style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Domestic Sockets</h4><div>If staying with friends / relatives / accommodation where you think you may be able to use a domestic socket to charge it's a good idea to have an adaptor to use a portable EV charger (granny cable). </div><div><br /></div><div><b>Do not use a travel adaptor. </b>Regular travel adaptors are not designed for sustained high current and many don't have an earth pin so won't work at all for EV charging. </div><div><br /></div><div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-iW6MDR4-skI/XyWgfflG5dI/AAAAAAADlnQ/4QsVdXxGyAgF4laeJPI98xaTlBWpnqeWQCLcBGAsYHQ/s828/41vrej2vojl._ac_sl1000_.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="828" data-original-width="786" height="134" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-iW6MDR4-skI/XyWgfflG5dI/AAAAAAADlnQ/4QsVdXxGyAgF4laeJPI98xaTlBWpnqeWQCLcBGAsYHQ/w127-h134/41vrej2vojl._ac_sl1000_.png" width="127" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Don't use a regular travel adaptor<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The best solution is to use a wired adaptor to convert a euro schuko socket to a UK three-pin plug, then use your standard granny cable:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-T4K2Tz8CrII/XyWgnSq92bI/AAAAAAADlnY/ni3lueS87ykk0lUlKRV8eAsKn8lG85tHACLcBGAsYHQ/s480/IMG_4590_clean_480x480.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="480" height="246" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-T4K2Tz8CrII/XyWgnSq92bI/AAAAAAADlnY/ni3lueS87ykk0lUlKRV8eAsKn8lG85tHACLcBGAsYHQ/w246-h246/IMG_4590_clean_480x480.jpg" width="246" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Euro plug > UK 3-pin socket adaptor from ToughLeads<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">These adaptors can be purchased from <a href="https://www.toughleads.co.uk/collections/ev-electric-vehicle-extension-leads/products/standalone-european-scandinavian-ev-charging-adaptors-compatible-with-all-evs">ToughLeads</a>, I would recommend the Schuko/French (CEE 7/7* universal plug this works in all European countries, apart from Switzerland. I've personally used a CEE 7/7 plug to charge from domestic sockets in France, Belgium, Germany, Austria, the Netherlands, Spain and Italy without any issues. </div></div><br /><i>*CEE 7/7 plug was developed to work with Type-E sockets (France, Belgium) and Type-F (Germany, Austria, the Netherlands, Spain and Italy ), it has grounding clips on both sides (to work with Type F sockets) and a female contact (to accept the grounding pin of the type E socket).</i></div><div><br /></div><div>Switzerland is the outlier which requires a slightly different <a href="https://www.iec.ch/worldplugs/typeJ.htm">Type J</a> socket. </div><div><br /></div><div>If you're competent wiring plugs/sockets then making your own adaptor using a <a href="https://uk.rs-online.com/web/p/mains-plugs-sockets/8245585/">CEE 7/7</a> plug, <a href="https://www.screwfix.com/p/mk-masterseal-plus-ip66-13a-1-gang-weatherproof-outdoor-unswitched-socket/41160">IP66 3-pin socket</a> and a length of <a href="https://www.cef.co.uk/catalogue/products/2015129-2-5mm-3-core-ho7rnf-rubber-flexible-cable-cut-length-sold-by-the-mtr">3-core 2.5mm Ho7</a> flex is an option. Be sure to use ferrules to properly terminate the multi strand cable and a <a href="https://www.screwfix.com/p/lap-ms6860d-socket-tester/91596">socket tester</a> to test the adaptor. </div><div><br /></div><div><h2>European Campsite EV Charging </h2></div><div><br /></div><div>Charging an EV from a campsite on the continent can be slightly more involved than in the UK. </div><div><br /></div><div>Campsites in the UK have blue 'commando' CEE sockets on 16A RCBO. Campsites in mainline Europe have a mixture of blue 'commando' CEE sockets and domestic euro plug schuko, often fused at a lower current, 6A is not uncommon on French campsites! </div><div><br /></div><div>A standard portable EV charging cable (granny cable) draws 10A and is usually non-adjustable. Some EV's have a way to adjust the charging current in the car but most don't. All EVs can charge as low as 6A but an adjustable EV charging cable is required. I use an <a href="http://shop.openenergymonitor.com/evse">OpenEVSE</a>, several other adjustable portable EV chargers are available e.g juice-booster. </div><div><br /></div><div>Even if a campsite hookup is fused to 16A it's still a good idea to only draw as low current as possible and avoid charging at peak times to avoid any issues. Often campsite hookup wiring is suboptimal and assumes most users will draw nowhere close to 16A for prolonged periods. </div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-a2XP1kTQHa8/X4I-6jB2OvI/AAAAAAADqfQ/EojOhbK_KhwOcIup0ZdDrW_fjuDqc5PRgCLcBGAsYHQ/s1839/IMG_20190718_133732.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1298" data-original-width="1839" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-a2XP1kTQHa8/X4I-6jB2OvI/AAAAAAADqfQ/EojOhbK_KhwOcIup0ZdDrW_fjuDqc5PRgCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/IMG_20190718_133732.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ez5X7DMjDmg/X4I_ABg2rAI/AAAAAAADqfY/BF9PhowrLdYL4pgggR6shKCyfkRBDwbXQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1840/IMG_20190718_133652.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1380" data-original-width="1840" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ez5X7DMjDmg/X4I_ABg2rAI/AAAAAAADqfY/BF9PhowrLdYL4pgggR6shKCyfkRBDwbXQCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/IMG_20190718_133652.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;">'suboptimal' c</span>ampsite hookup In Hungary<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><h2 style="text-align: left;">My e-NV200 EV Campervan Charging Setup</h2><div style="text-align: left;">Here's a video of my OpenEVSE based charging setup:</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/DztARahbQLY?start=947" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NW4TJiyV5ew/YKL3ubdzjzI/AAAAAAAD-1A/aIrY2wPcJIwORDM5ir4QLgDP0YErS7GnQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/openevse-travel-kit.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1314" data-original-width="1600" height="526" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NW4TJiyV5ew/YKL3ubdzjzI/AAAAAAAD-1A/aIrY2wPcJIwORDM5ir4QLgDP0YErS7GnQCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h526/openevse-travel-kit.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-a34cHCV2Qhg/YKL4Kzk9F0I/AAAAAAAD-1I/ejB1NwZqy0I_eFkMx-2cmJgHcV0O8RoIACLcBGAsYHQ/s1008/main2__69423.1594302121.1280.1280.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="696" data-original-width="1008" height="442" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-a34cHCV2Qhg/YKL4Kzk9F0I/AAAAAAAD-1I/ejB1NwZqy0I_eFkMx-2cmJgHcV0O8RoIACLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h442/main2__69423.1594302121.1280.1280.png" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div><br /></div><div><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #404040; font-size: 14px;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><h3 style="text-align: left;"><br /></h3><h3 style="text-align: left;"> </h3></div>Glyn Hudsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12074378692118107701noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5756951957791452345.post-53982535727897352152020-07-18T02:10:00.005+01:002021-11-04T02:10:09.133+00:00European EV Road Trip Part 1: RFID, Apps and Planning I've been getting a number of questions from people who have seen our <a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCmAA-dXNnQ47tKkdRvrgdtQ">EV campervan European trip videos</a> asking what apps and RFID cards we used to activate charge points. I will attempt to answer these questions in this post. I will also do a <a href="https://blog.zerocarbonadventures.co.uk/2021/11/european-ev-road-trip-part-2-ac.html">'part 2' post on cables and accessories we used to charge an EV safely from campsite hookups and European sockets</a>.<br />
<br /><i style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;">Note: his post was written from the perspective of a Welshman travelling from Wales in the United Kingdom to mainland Europe, YMMV.</i><br />
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Activating Charge Points (RFID and APPs)</h3>
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<b>TL;DR</b></div>
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<b>In general mainland Europe has much better interconnectivity (roaming agreements) between charging providers than the UK, for many countries a single <a href="https://chargemap.com/">ChargeMap Pass RFID</a> will activate almost all charging points.</b></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rapid charging on Fastned network in Germany, one of the best charging networks in Europe </td></tr>
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This table is not meant to be an exhaustive list of all the EV networks, cards, apps etc. But rather based on our experience over several long trips around Europe in our EV camper van. We have personally used every app and RFID on the list below.<br />
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Our e-NV200 EV van is an old 24kWh model which has a range of about 70 miles, so on a <a href="https://blog.zerocarbonadventures.co.uk/2019/08/electric-campervan-euro-climbing.html">3500 mile road trip</a> we've done our fair share of public charging!<br />
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<iframe height="990" src="https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/e/2PACX-1vTnFYxhAy9xT_RCOyavtFLG6WA34mGlrgmBk6j48wK2uUR7drgspe_kDr1S1opC33gyfFPDP4yzV_kE/pubhtml?gid=0&single=true&widget=true&headers=false" width="900"></iframe>
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<i>To download a copy of this table in .pdf format, <a href="https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1fLJ-OCSGoceuqzGzuGntHLkBRr4estn8StO34DWe0Kk/edit?usp=sharing" target="_blank">follow this link to view the Google Sheet spreadsheet</a> then choose file > save as pdf.</i><div><i><br /></i><div>For an exhaustive list of charge cards / apps and costs see <a href="https://allchargecards.com/">AllChargeCards</a> website and <a href="https://www.chargeprice.app/">Chargeprice.app</a>.<br />
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<b><span style="color: red;">Important note regarding France:</span></b><br />
In March 2020 <a href="https://www.electrive.com/2020/03/01/izivia-shuts-down-189-of-217-fast-charging-stations-in-france/">due to a technical issue Izivia (Corri-door network) shut down 90% of its rapid charge stations</a>. This is a significant issue since Corri-door is the leading motorway rapid charge provider in France, we have in the past made <a href="https://youtu.be/bV0E-Nc-qr4">extensive use of this network</a> on our trips. Hopefully this issue will be fixed soon, but as of July 2020 the units are still down. This is mainly an issue for low range EV's with Chademo connectors (like our e-NV200!), longer range EV's with CCS won't have an issue since <a href="https://ionity.eu/">Ionity</a> high speed rapid charge network now has good coverage in France and includes some Chademo stations. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rapid charging at EasyCharger hub in Burgos, Spain</td></tr>
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Planning </h3>
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While a bit of planning goes a long way, I've found that it's easy to over plan beforehand which results in a rigid schedule. Part of the joy of road trips is spontaneity, even in a 24kWh van we've found that there are plenty of charging options to not require too much planning (apart from Spain outside Catalonia!). I prefer to do a little overview planning at home before leaving, to scope out the general route we hope to take and the general charging options, but usually don't make any firm plans. </div>
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Each morning while on the trip I would spend about 30min planning the route we plan to drive on that particular day. Doing the planning last minute has the advantage of the user comments on the charge maps and live charger status being up-to-date and relevant and I can take the current weather conditions into account. My planning usually goes as follows: </div>
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1a. Use <a href="https://abetterrouteplanner.com/">A Better Route Planner</a> (ABRP) to automatically plan the charging stops. ABRP is a very useful tool since it automatically takes into account elevation which is very important in mountainous regions. It's also quite good at automatically estimating range and charge time for a particular vehicle. I've found with careful driving it's usually possible to improve on the ABRP estimates. </div>
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1.b If I'm not happy with the charge points ABRP automatically choose (see point 2) or the trip is in a location with sub-optimal rapid charger availability e.g <a href="https://youtu.be/KQbjKyNTXoM">Spain outside Catalonia</a>, I fall back to manually planning the charging stops using <a href="https://www.plugshare.com/">PlugShare</a>.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Gt77oOZhSg0/XxJHNmnzUwI/AAAAAAADk0o/jUe3qYbS5yoZLryfHBBvq9sVnC_flzNYQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/Screenshot%2B2020-07-18%2Bat%2B01.49.46.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="717" data-original-width="1600" height="286" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Gt77oOZhSg0/XxJHNmnzUwI/AAAAAAADk0o/jUe3qYbS5yoZLryfHBBvq9sVnC_flzNYQCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/Screenshot%2B2020-07-18%2Bat%2B01.49.46.png" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">PlugShare route planner</td></tr>
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2. Use the charging map most used in a particular country to check charge point live status and user comments. <b>This is a very important step</b>; on all our European road trips we've hardly ever turned up at a charge point to find it's not working, this is because we've always checked live status and user comments before arriving at the charge point.<br />
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It's important to use the charging map that most other EV drivers use in a particular country e.g <a href="https://chargemap.com/map">ChargeMap</a> in France and <a href="https://www.electromaps.com/mapa">Electromaps</a> in Spain (see table above). The map should also provide info regarding what app / card is required to activate the charge point and what the cost is. I think it's also important to 'check-in' on the charge map app when successfully charging and leave a comment which may help others, especially in remote locations.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IG2arzDTxTA/XxN9XHRleAI/AAAAAAADk5M/lD4gYSgcmZI86cKR4HQ8MYRE_l0-rsSNACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/Screenshot%2Bfrom%2B2020-07-18%2B23-52-45.png" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1202" data-original-width="1206" height="394" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IG2arzDTxTA/XxN9XHRleAI/AAAAAAADk5M/lD4gYSgcmZI86cKR4HQ8MYRE_l0-rsSNACLcBGAsYHQ/s400/Screenshot%2Bfrom%2B2020-07-18%2B23-52-45.png" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Live availability status and cost on Chargemap in France</td></tr>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yVUca6PwqTs/XxN9XBJS1qI/AAAAAAADk5Q/r4nYB8VwMO4kezUTBmz-TZxpGtPTFcnbwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/Screenshot%2Bfrom%2B2020-07-18%2B23-51-34.png" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1196" data-original-width="1212" height="393" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yVUca6PwqTs/XxN9XBJS1qI/AAAAAAADk5Q/r4nYB8VwMO4kezUTBmz-TZxpGtPTFcnbwCLcBGAsYHQ/s400/Screenshot%2Bfrom%2B2020-07-18%2B23-51-34.png" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chargemap user comments, Google Translate can be useful for this! </td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Tv1tG-RMQPY/XxOAjiQj0nI/AAAAAAADk5g/XZ12G4dVWn0TQ2VjRho0nb1eL8yXa9RggCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/Screenshot%2Bfrom%2B2020-07-19%2B00-06-32.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1396" data-original-width="1600" height="558" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Tv1tG-RMQPY/XxOAjiQj0nI/AAAAAAADk5g/XZ12G4dVWn0TQ2VjRho0nb1eL8yXa9RggCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/Screenshot%2Bfrom%2B2020-07-19%2B00-06-32.png" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">User comments on ElectroMaps in Spain</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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I also use PlugShare a lot since it works worldwide and I like the interface, however not all charge points in all countries are listed. If I have the time I usually add missing points and fix incorrect info myself on PlugShare.<br />
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In part two of this series I will share my experience charging our EV campervan from domestic sockets and campsite hookups around Europe and what cables and adaptors we use. </div>
</div></div>Glyn Hudsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12074378692118107701noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5756951957791452345.post-4501972246541974212020-07-03T17:19:00.003+01:002021-05-10T11:40:02.892+01:00Transport Carbon Emissions: Which is best? Plane, Train, Car, EV? <div>
Travel is at the heart of the outdoor community. Travelling to explore new places and experience new things is very enjoyable and has many positive benefits. However, it's undeniable that the way we choose to travel can significantly contribute to climate change which is <a href="https://www.newscientist.com/article/mg24332483-600-special-report-how-climate-change-is-melting-frances-largest-glacier/">damaging the outdoor environments that we love</a>. I recently read a very well written article by Rosie Watson: <a href="https://adventureuncovered.com/stories/building-a-sustainable-outdoor-community-after-covid-19/">Building a sustainable outdoor community after COVID-19</a>. Quote: </div>
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<span face=""helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #1c1e21; font-size: 14px;">"COVID-19 has driven the message home to appreciate the local, but more importantly, climate science is telling us clearly that flying for adventures or sport cannot be justified. Therefore, flying for adventures should not be communicated as a desirable behaviour within our culture, no matter how intrepid or boundary-pushing the trip was."</span></blockquote>
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The impact of travel varies significantly depending on the chosen mode of travel, I often get asked by friends and family what is the difference in carbon emissions for different forms of transport. This is a topic that I'm very interested in, I always try to include a comparison chart embedded in each of my travel related blog post. However, these charts are difficult to reference therefore this blog post will be dedicated to the cause! <br />
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I created this chart myself since most of the online carbon calculators are not very accurate. Here is a <a href="https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1y8m-z7dzpQEhTquiRpvdGOf3eaNYZkw4OCGD81ruT1s/edit?usp=sharing">link to my Google Spreadsheet</a> so you can follow my calculations and data sources for yourself and modify to fit your specific journey.</div>
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I choose the journey between Manchester to Avignon as an example since it's a common journey for UK climbers to reach the French climbing destinations. It's also a journey which can easily be made by train or plane since Manchester has an airport and mainline train station. This makes calculations easier. Valence is one stop earlier on the train and Marseille is one stop later. </div>
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Here are the assumptions and details for each transport type:</div>
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Flight</h3>
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<li>Assuming <span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10pt; text-align: right;">254 gCo2/km, i</span>ncluding aviation multiplier</li>
<li>Excluding any driving to the airport or hire care at destination.</li>
<li>2hr flight + 2hrs check in/out = 4hs</li>
<li>Cost estimate (per person): £45 one way including check-in bag </li>
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Van </h3>
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<li>Assuming 158 gCo2/km, official European average efficiency for diesel vans manufactured in 2018. Older vans will be significantly worse. </li>
<li>Assuming 2 people occupancy and a Eurotunnel crossing, ferry crossing will be higher carbon. </li>
<li>16hrs driving + 2hrs break (15 min every 2hrs) = 18hrs </li>
<li>Cost (per person): £80 fuel + £40 tolls = £120</li>
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Car </h3>
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<li>Assuming 120 gCo2/km, official European average efficiency for petrol / diesel passenger cars manufactured in 2018. Older cars will be significantly worse. </li>
<li>Assuming 2 people occupancy and a Eurotunnel crossing, ferry crossing will be higher carbon. </li>
<li>16hrs driving + 2hrs break (15 min every 2hrs) = 18hrs </li>
<li>Cost estimate (per person): £50 fuel + £40 tolls = £80</li>
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EV</h3>
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<li>Assuming efficiency of 3.5mi/kWh, this is what we average in summer in our e-NV200 campervan cruising at 60 mph. More efficient EVs e.g Tesla Mode 3, Kia e-Niro, Hyundai Kona should be able to average more like 5 mi/kWh in summer. </li>
<li>EV carbon emissions in UK and France were calculated separately using the electricity grid carbon intensity for each country. France has a very low carbon intensity (gCo2/kWh) since much of its energy comes from nuclear, the UK is not bad since we get almost half of our energy from wind. Driving an EV in Poland would result in higher EV emissions since Poland still generates a significant amount of its electricity from coal, but is still better than petrol/diesel vehicle.</li>
<li>Assuming 2 people occupancy and a Eurotunnel crossing, ferry crossing will be higher carbon.</li>
<li>16hrs driving + 2hrs charging = 18hrs (Tesla Model 3) </li>
<li>Cost estimate (per person): £0 - £25 charging + £40 tolls = £40 - £64 </li>
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Tesla Model 3 charging stops*</div>
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<i>*Obviously not everyone (myself included) can afford a £40k Tesla or £32k VW ID3, however, I included the <a href="https://abetterrouteplanner.com/?plan_uuid=15856d70-8da3-4b2d-ab4e-5817009506d7">screenshot from AbetterRoutePlanner</a> to illustrate the viability of EVs on longer trips with modern current EV technology. No doubt this technology will become more affordable. This journey is totally possible with EV with less range, we've successfully travelled all over UK & Europe in our 2ndh hand 2014 <a href="https://blog.zerocarbonadventures.co.uk/search?q=nissan+leaf">24kwh Nissan LEAF</a> and <a href="https://blog.zerocarbonadventures.co.uk/2019/08/electric-campervan-euro-climbing.html">e-NV200 24kWh self-converted camper van</a> which can be bought 2nd hand for about £7-£9k. </i></div><div><i><br /></i></div>
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Train</h3>
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The lowest carbon and most enjoyable / relaxing ways to travel long distance. The trains in Europe are in my experience very reliable and are a joy to use. Baggage capacity only limited by what you can carry, a hold-all with wheels is very useful since there is often a bit of walking to do between platforms. </div>
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<i>Top-tip: if you can't get a direct TGV from London to Avignon (they only run during the summer and not during a pandemic!) choose to change in Lille as opposed to Paris. Changing trains is Lille is as simple as walking across to a different platform, while changing in Paris requires travelling a few stops on the metro between stations.</i> </div>
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<li>Assuming electric high speed train using 30Wh per km per person. A train journey on a diesel train will be significantly higher, fortunately most of the European train network and main lines in the UK are electrified. </li>
<li>Train carbon emissions in UK and France were calculated separately using the electricity grid carbon intensity for each country. </li>
<li>Time: 2hr 10min from Manchester to London then 5hr 50min from London to Avignon. Worth allowing 1hr 30min for the change and check-in in London. Total: 9hrs 30min </li>
<li>Cost estimate (per person): Manchester to London: £30, London to Avignon:£50. Total = £70</li>
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Glyn Hudsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12074378692118107701noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5756951957791452345.post-74775346248859221962020-04-28T00:24:00.006+01:002020-07-04T00:23:45.862+01:00DMM Article: Do Climbers Dream of Electric Vans?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://dmmclimbing.com/">DMM</a> a local climbing hardware manufacturer recently published an article I wrote about my electric campervan. Read the original article on <a href="https://dmmclimbing.com/Journal/February-2020/Do-Climbers-Dream-of-Electric-Vans">DMM's website here</a>.<br />
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Growing up in Snowdonia North Wales DMM has always been one of the local companies I admire the most: their ethos of in-house designing and manufacturing state-of-the-art climbing hardware resonate with me. The DMM factory being located on the shore of Llyn Padarn a leisurely 5min bike ride of my house. 10 years ago when I started my <a href="https://openenergymonitor.org/">own company</a> I was keen to where possible manufacture locally to keep transportation energy to a minimum. This is worked out well, we still manufacture all our electronic energy monitoring and EV charging hardware in a factory in Bangor, local manufacture has lots of benefits.<br />
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It was an honour to write an article for DMM. The reception of the article was very positive, hopefully it will help inspire others to lower the ecological impact of travel. Here is a copy of the article:<br />
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<b>Do Climbers Dream of Electric Vans?</b><br />
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Travel is an intrinsic part of climbing. Weekend trips and swapping the winter gloom for Spanish sun is all part of the mix. Climbers enjoy visiting new areas and experiencing different cultures further afield. Glyn Hudson, based in north Wales, has been on a mission to reduce his carbon footprint, and that includes getting to and from the crag.<br />
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Walking down from the crag I look forward to our first proper evening in the van. We’d enjoyed good climbing conditions at Dunkeld, with great views of Scottish wild forest and rolling hills, but now the sun has set and the air temperature is falling, I can feel winter is coming. Pulling out my phone I remotely turn on the van heating. I must admit this is one of the luxurious perks of having a fully electric van. Converting our van had been a two month all consuming project. After many evenings sacrificed to wiring, sawing, felting and fabrication it felt great to be finally on a climbing trip and reaping the benefits of all the hard work.<br />
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The van doesn’t look out of place in the popular forest car park. It is a non-assuming white Nissan e-NV200, exactly the same size and style as its estranged diesel brother the Nissan NV200. The only really noticeable difference is the charging flap on the front that covers the ports where we plug it in to charge the battery. On the move though, it does sound different. Without an engine electric vehicles are refreshingly quiet; just the sound of the tyres on the road surface and wind noise at higher speeds. Arriving late the night before we had been thankful to be able to stealthily manoeuvre into a free flat spot, without feeling guilty about disturbing the other van dwellers and forest creatures.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://dmmclimbing.com/getattachment/Journal/February-2020/Do-Climbers-Dream-of-Electric-Vans/electric-van-charging.jpg?lang=en-GB" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="534" data-original-width="800" height="426" src="https://dmmclimbing.com/getattachment/Journal/February-2020/Do-Climbers-Dream-of-Electric-Vans/electric-van-charging.jpg?lang=en-GB" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rapid charging in Spain</td></tr>
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Finally, reclined in my swivel seat, a chilled beer from the fridge in hand, layers stripped off in a pleasant 20 degree preheated van I can reflect on what has led us here. As climbers who enjoy the outdoors, I think we all have an affinity with the natural world and care deeply about its conservation, so we and future generations can continue to enjoy it. I’m not going to discuss climate change at length, only to say that David Attenborough recently gave a keynote speech at a climate talk to say that we’re facing “our greatest threat in thousands of years… if we don't take action, the collapse of our civilisations and the extinction of much of the natural world is on the horizon… time is running out"[1]. We need to start making big changes now.<br />
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However, there is reason to be positive. The 2018 IPCC (Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change) report states that it’s still possible for us to keep global sea level rise under 1.5 deg C, avoiding most of the catastrophic climate effects, if we can reduce carbon emissions by 45% by 2030 [13]. The report goes on to say this reduction is totally possible with the technology available today. I find this very exciting as we have the tools we need to make the required changes without having to live in a cave.<br />
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Transport is one of Europe’s biggest sources of CO2 emissions, responsible for over a quarter of all greenhouse gases [2]. So this is a major area where change is needed. Nothing can beat walking, cycling or taking an electric train, but if you want the flexibility of a personal vehicle for transport then electric vehicles (EVs) are currently the lowest carbon option. It goes without saying that flying should be avoided as it emits the most emissions per mile compared to other forms of transportation.<br />
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Electricity to power EVs can be 100% renewably generated from solar and wind, and therefore an EV has the potential to be 100% zero carbon to run. Due to the efficiency of electric motors they are also 3x more efficient than internal combustion engines (ICE), so even if they are charged from electricity generated by non-renewable energy, they are still lower carbon than an ICE. Put simply, if you had two cans of diesel, used one in a diesel generator to charge up an EV (not that I would recommend this!) and used the other to fill up an ICE, the EV would travel further[4]. Happily though, a diesel generator is not a current reflection of the UK grid. In 2018 on average, renewable energy provided about 30% of the UK grid, and sometimes over 50%. In Scotland, renewable energy (mainly from wind) produced over 100% of Scotland’s electrical energy demand in November 2018 [3]. At home we charge the van from our solar PV and a green electricity provider.<br />
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It is even true that EVs are still the lower carbon option when you take into account the embodied energy required to create the battery. Unlike diesel or petrol, which can only be burnt once, EV batteries can be repurposed for energy storage solutions, and then finally at end-of-life the lithium and cobalt can be recycled [9]. Over its lifetime, taking into account production, an EV will emit 6x less CO2 than a comparable ICE car [14].<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://dmmclimbing.com/getattachment/Journal/February-2020/Do-Climbers-Dream-of-Electric-Vans/Tesla-Norway.jpg?lang=en-GB" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="534" data-original-width="800" height="426" src="https://dmmclimbing.com/getattachment/Journal/February-2020/Do-Climbers-Dream-of-Electric-Vans/Tesla-Norway.jpg?lang=en-GB" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rental Tesla in Norway</td></tr>
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A separate but equally compelling argument for EVs is that they have zero tailpipe emissions. Having enjoyed breathing in the fresh forest air earlier today, I’m now painfully aware of a diesel car idling nearby. Many areas of the UK regularly have illegal poor air quality levels which is linked to serious health issues.<br />
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Back to more immediate concerns, dinner. We have kitted the van out with an induction hob, a mini fridge and a 12v thermos kettle we can use to boil water. The kettle takes about 10 mins to boil, but with a bit of forethought with switching on, it can be ready to make cups of tea or an AeroPress coffee as soon as you stop at your destination (or on the move if you have an obliging passenger). It’s also handy for making pasta (on the menu tonight) and washing up. With a huge battery already on-board we didn't have to worry about installing a leisure battery.<br />
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We can even keep the van’s heating on all night with only a moderate impact on range. If plugged into a campsite hook-up or EV charge point we wake up the following morning fully charged. However, since on this occasion we’re ‘wild’ van camping, we can swing by a nearby EV ‘rapid charger’ to top-up before starting the drive back to Llanberis. It takes 20 mins to top up the van’s battery to 80% and in this instance will cost us nothing because EV chargers are currently free in Scotland and powered by low carbon renewable energy.<br />
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<b>So all good in theory but are they practical?</b><br />
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How far will they go? Our van is a second hand 2015 model with a 24kWh battery with 57,000 miles on the clock and is still showing 100% battery capacity. We get 60-80 miles of range, depending on temperature, weather conditions and our driving style.<br />
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We travelled home from Scotland to Llanberis (approx 400 miles) with 7x 20min-30min stops in motorway services. With a coffee addiction and an overly excited spaniel who loves his exercise, this is something that actually works fine for us. It is a more leisurely way of travelling, though we would probably have stopped at least 3-4 times in my old diesel van anyway.<br />
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Admittedly, our 2015 EV is not suited for all e.g the keen Londoner who wants to leave late on Friday to be in Scotland ready for a Scottish winter alpine day on Saturday. However, the technology for these use cases is already here; the new version of our van with a 40kWh battery can do 100-150 miles and new EV cars such as the Hyundai Kona, Kia e-Niro, Renault Zoe and and Tesla Model 3 have 200-300 miles of range, considerably more than most people’s bladder range! Like most people we only make these longer journeys a handful of times per year. Day-to-day around home in north Wales: going to work, climbing in the Pass, Orme or the local indoor wall the range of our van is more than sufficient to never have to worry about it.<br />
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<a href="https://dmmclimbing.com/getattachment/Journal/February-2020/Do-Climbers-Dream-of-Electric-Vans/Transport-Emissions-(gCo2_km).png?lang=en-GB" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="371" data-original-width="600" height="246" src="https://dmmclimbing.com/getattachment/Journal/February-2020/Do-Climbers-Dream-of-Electric-Vans/Transport-Emissions-(gCo2_km).png?lang=en-GB" width="400" /></a></div>
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<b>How much do they cost?</b><br />
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While EVs currently have a higher upfront cost, this is made up for by the very low running and maintenance costs. Public chargers are currently free in Scotland and charging from home will cost around 1.5p - 3p per mile. A full charge of our van costs us £1-£2 of electricity if charged overnight with an off-peak tariff [6]. The trip to Scotland (800 mile round journey) cost less than £20. The same trip in my old diesel van would have cost approx £140. EVs are also tax free and need hardly any maintenance. There is no engine oil to change or clutch, gearbox, turbo, exhaust... to replace. In swapping my partner’s diesel Citroen C3 car to an electric Nissan LEAF, and then my diesel Citroen Dispatch van to the e-NV200, we worked out that on average an EV will save us around £1000/yr compared to an ICE car, or £2000/yr compared to an ICE van, therefore saving us £3000/yr in total.<br />
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We paid £9500 (inc. VAT) for our 2nd hand 3-year old Nissan e-NV200 with 30k miles and did a DIY campervan conversion. There’s no doubt that the high up front cost of an EV is a big hit, however since the overall lifetime cost of ownership will be lower than an equivalent ICE vehicle, EVs are more of a financing issue rather than an affordability issue. Leasing, contract purchase, loan and/or 2nd hand purchase are all options.<br />
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All EVs come with an 8yr or 100,0000 miles battery warranty and there are many real-world examples of EV batteries achieving double this mileage [10][11].<br />
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How and where can you charge? We charge the van overnight at home. Plugging the van in every couple of days cumulatively takes less time than filling up with diesel once per month, actually saving me time [5]. If charging at home was not possible a newer EV with larger battery would only need to be charged once per week which could be done at work or while doing the weekly shop.<br />
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The UK already has a decent (and rapidly expanding) EV charging network. Using the public charging network can seem daunting at first but there are good apps out there such as PlugShare.com and Zapmap.co.uk which map them all out and assist you in planning a long journey. As the network includes different providers, having to download multiple apps and sign up to various sites is a bit of a pain. However, most rapid EV charging stations are now moving over to using contactless card payments, just like a petrol pump.<br />
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<a href="https://dmmclimbing.com/getattachment/Journal/February-2020/Do-Climbers-Dream-of-Electric-Vans/van-dinner-nissan.jpg?lang=en-GB" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="510" data-original-width="680" height="300" src="https://dmmclimbing.com/getattachment/Journal/February-2020/Do-Climbers-Dream-of-Electric-Vans/van-dinner-nissan.jpg?lang=en-GB" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://dmmclimbing.com/getattachment/Journal/February-2020/Do-Climbers-Dream-of-Electric-Vans/solar-van-charging.jpg?lang=en-GB" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="510" data-original-width="680" height="300" src="https://dmmclimbing.com/getattachment/Journal/February-2020/Do-Climbers-Dream-of-Electric-Vans/solar-van-charging.jpg?lang=en-GB" width="400" /></a></div>
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<b>Can we get to all the crags?</b><br />
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So far in 3 years of EV driving we have clocked up 73,000 fully electric miles and have never yet to run out of electrons. We’ve been on multiple trips to NW Scotland [12], London, Paris (Font) [7], and even Ceuse in the French Alps [8]. We’re currently looking forward to taking our EV campervan on a climbing trip to southern Spain and the Austrian Alps later this summer. (has this passed? i.e. was it summer 2018? GLYN: it was summer 2019, I’ve added an update below)<br />
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<i>Update: Since writing this article Glyn and his partner Amy, and their dog Bailey, have successfully taken their electric van to Hungary (via the Austrian alps and Osp in Slovenia), Jaén and Chulilla in Spain and Seynes in France.</i><br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OXm7JIjAcIg/XqdntoOq5PI/AAAAAAADc7I/P-BThmMbRIY7pwlJKK0ecOOABm3CQ8pVQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/electric-van-road-trip.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OXm7JIjAcIg/XqdntoOq5PI/AAAAAAADc7I/P-BThmMbRIY7pwlJKK0ecOOABm3CQ8pVQCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/electric-van-road-trip.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b>Bio</b><br />
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<i>Glyn Hudson runs an energy monitoring company, <a href="http://openenergymonitor.org/">OpenEnergyMonitor</a> and is an enthusiastic advocate of living within our ecological limits. A keen climber for 17 years, he attempts to live-by his sustainability principles. This includes climbing trips further afield, avoiding flying. Previously, Glyn has used trains to reach climbing destinations in France, Spain, Italy, Norway, Morocco, Greece, Turkey and China. Glyn keeps a blog of his adventures at <a href="https://zerocarbonadventures.co.uk/">https://zerocarbonadventures.co.uk</a>.</i><br />
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For more information on the van conversion see Glyn's blog post: <a href="https://blog.zerocarbonadventures.co.uk/2018/10/electric-campervan-diy-conversion.html">Nissan e-NV200 campervan conversion</a>.<br />
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<b>References</b><br />
[1] https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/amp/science-environment-46398057.<br />
[2] https://www.transportenvironment.org/sites/te/files/publications/2018_04_CO2_emissions_cars_The_facts_report_final_0_0.pdf<br />
[3] https://twitter.com/HomeEnergyScot/status/1072770564681551872?s=19<br />
[4] https://insideevs.com/tesla-model-s-charged-by-diesel-generator-cleaner-than-ice-wvideo/<br />
[5] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TWCtB5qaX4c&t=547s<br />
[6] https://www.octopusev.com/octopus-go<br />
[7] https://blog.zerocarbonadventures.co.uk/2017/12/north-wales-to-fontainebleau-via.html<br />
[8] https://blog.zerocarbonadventures.co.uk/2017/07/ceuse-2017-nwales-to-french-alps-in.html<br />
[9] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rdqtFXyDLIo<br />
[10]https://www.facebook.com/candctaxis/posts/the-2nd-100-electric-nissan-leaf-we-added-to-our-fleet-is-affectionately-named-w/1863314977272516/<br />
[11] https://insideevs.com/highest-mileage-tesla-now-has-over-420000-miles/<br />
[12] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-cVlfmcwlAg<br />
[13] https://report.ipcc.ch/sr15/pdf/sr15_spm_final.pdf<br />
[14] https://twitter.com/AukeHoekstra/status/1083705012080074753</div>
Glyn Hudsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12074378692118107701noreply@blogger.comLlanberis, Caernarfon LL55, UK53.1180329 -4.12754953.0989724 -4.1678895 53.137093400000005 -4.0872085tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5756951957791452345.post-56299561775159136032020-02-11T01:39:00.004+00:002020-08-31T13:56:11.803+01:00Chuilla Spain via Electric Campervan in time for ChristmasRather bizarrely our Christmas holiday hit the local news! Myself, my partner and our dog traveled to a <a href="https://blog.zerocarbonadventures.co.uk/2014/04/chulilla.html">famous climbing area called Chulilla</a> near Valencia in Spain over the festive period. What caught the attention of the Daily Post is that we travelled there and back in our electric van. It’s a second hand Nissan e-NV200 with a 24kWh battery that we have converted into a camper. This was the <a href="https://blog.zerocarbonadventures.co.uk/search/label/env200">3rd road trip we’ve done in Europe</a> since <a href="https://blog.zerocarbonadventures.co.uk/2018/10/electric-campervan-diy-conversion.html">converting it</a>.<br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AMslWUQffME/XkX0pXoZcnI/AAAAAAADT0U/yl0dchWRKasSqKb-d1zJ5zuBYZMJzMpQwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/Daily%2BPost%2Bartical%2B1.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1197" data-original-width="1600" height="478" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AMslWUQffME/XkX0pXoZcnI/AAAAAAADT0U/yl0dchWRKasSqKb-d1zJ5zuBYZMJzMpQwCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/Daily%2BPost%2Bartical%2B1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Our van is an early Nissan e-NV200 model with a small battery (24kWh) compared to new electric vehicles (EVs), which have ranges of 200+ miles (longer than most people’s bladder range!), but the fact that even low range EVs like ours can do long journeys shows how extensive the charging infrastructure in the UK and Europe actually is.<br />
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At home a range of 70-80miles is more than enough for our local commutes. We could make the 3500 mile return trip to Spain using rapid chargers, which refill the battery in 20-30mins. We took 4.5 days to do the journey from North Wales to Spain, but did it in a leisurely way, taking time to explore along the way, going for runs/walks with the dog and often staying places longer than the time needed for charging!<br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tJdKzqqB1yA/XkX0pcRBkOI/AAAAAAADT0Q/PwJDQu6Yhc07Y0cdYzjaXYgeIF8DxQ__gCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/Daily%2BPost%2BArtical2.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="867" data-original-width="1600" height="346" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tJdKzqqB1yA/XkX0pcRBkOI/AAAAAAADT0Q/PwJDQu6Yhc07Y0cdYzjaXYgeIF8DxQ__gCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/Daily%2BPost%2BArtical2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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The Daily Post put a focus on cost in their headline. We paid £130 for electricity for the return journey, using the public charging networks. This certainly isn’t bad, but when charging at home on an off-peak tariff the same amount is enough to drive the van 13,000 miles, or more if charging for free from our solar PV!<br />
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However, although the low running cost is a bonus, we primarily decided to get an electric vehicle because:<br />
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<li>We liked the fact that there are no tailpipe emissions, so good for local air quality</li>
<li>They are 3-4 times more efficient than diesel/petrol vehicles, so with the same amount of energy they will travel 3-4 times further. </li>
<li>They are capable of being powered by zero carbon energy. </li>
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We have a domestic solar PV array at home and are with a green energy provider, but the grid electricity mix is also getting cleaner - National Grid released a statement that 2019 was the cleanest year on record for Britain as, for the first time, the amount of zero carbon power outstripped that from fossil fuels for a full twelve months (48.5% generated by zero carbon sources, compared to 43% generated by fossil fuels).<br />
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From a driving point of view, It's really easy and smooth to drive, instant torque, no gears (totally linear acceleration) and regenerative braking that helps slow you down and puts energy back in the battery.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Enjoying Christmas in Chulilla Spain</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HYIInAEMqZM/XkIIgA56MhI/AAAAAAADTl0/7R6F_vMrLbkRwrJrpNilEd0pme99rU-HwCKgBGAsYHg/s1600/Screenshot%2B2020-01-11%2Bat%2B15.19.44.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1140" data-original-width="957" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HYIInAEMqZM/XkIIgA56MhI/AAAAAAADTl0/7R6F_vMrLbkRwrJrpNilEd0pme99rU-HwCKgBGAsYHg/s400/Screenshot%2B2020-01-11%2Bat%2B15.19.44.png" width="335" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Route we drove, taking a detour to climb a Saynes in France on the way home</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-R9CFVTqNt9g/XkIJGTV1tVI/AAAAAAADTmE/9bE6QJ1ACUoP5F0tMsWECSDe-I3xFMEtQCEwYBhgL/s1600/IMG_20200106_165356%2B%25282%2529.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="221" data-original-width="317" height="277" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-R9CFVTqNt9g/XkIJGTV1tVI/AAAAAAADTmE/9bE6QJ1ACUoP5F0tMsWECSDe-I3xFMEtQCEwYBhgL/s400/IMG_20200106_165356%2B%25282%2529.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Free rapid charging in Catalonia Spain</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-o1n_6nPh4ds/XkIJHtbW7tI/AAAAAAADTmI/lzrSvWM5mIIV-W4uzhla3kNnv1K8-EPRwCEwYBhgL/s1600/IMG_20200108_180234.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1119" data-original-width="1600" height="278" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-o1n_6nPh4ds/XkIJHtbW7tI/AAAAAAADTmI/lzrSvWM5mIIV-W4uzhla3kNnv1K8-EPRwCEwYBhgL/s400/IMG_20200108_180234.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Moonlight, van + dog and Saynes in France</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Christmas day van scenes </td></tr>
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Chulilla Climbing </h3>
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I don't have many photos or videos of climbing since there was mostly only two of us and it's not possible to take any good photos while belaying. However, here's a photo of some slack liners which shows the awesome rock walls of Chulilla which are so good for climbing. </div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QsTmSpIkKAs/XkX3NDA_FzI/AAAAAAADT08/BWtJSS6WgTg6Q3cDn3SoE6ay-wnDMbd8ACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/DJI_1125.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QsTmSpIkKAs/XkX3NDA_FzI/AAAAAAADT08/BWtJSS6WgTg6Q3cDn3SoE6ay-wnDMbd8ACLcBGAsYHQ/s400/DJI_1125.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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Even though I don't write much about climbing on this blog any more (I find it rather dull to read just climbing blogs!), however I still very much enjoy actually climbing! The climbing in Chulilla is fantastic, the routes often long are technical and interesting. </div>
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Three climbing highlights stand out for me: </div>
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1. Getting really excited arriving in Chulilla on Christmas eve after 4 days on the road and heading out to go climbing in the dark without any guidebook, I set off up the first route I found. It felt like a good adventure in the dark, 35m later of technical bridging and lay backing I clipped the chains on <i>Super Zeb 7c</i> (I found out the name and grade later!). It was a fantastic experience questing up and unknown route in total darkness apart from my headlamp. Just by coincidence this route was put up by a friend of ours towards the end of my <a href="https://blog.zerocarbonadventures.co.uk/2014/04/chulilla.html">last trip to Chullia (via train in 2014)</a>, it was great to climb it as the first route of this trip! </div>
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2. I was please to onsight my first <i>8a</i> <i>El Cachalote</i>, although the grades in Chulilla are a bit soft and the climbing suits me it was still nice to battle really hard and scrape my way up this awesome route. </div>
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3. On the last day I climbed <i>Los Caminantes </i>7c an epic 40m long enormous tufa route, the climbing was interesting all the way but never totally desperate although I find this sort of full body tufa climbing style very tiring! It was a memorable experience, here's a great photo of the route taken from the guidebook:</div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5ZcKof5YCQI/XkYAEPdFeoI/AAAAAAADT3A/AVwbwLwDMcU2lqOcSAJBFjdlayt6Uvj_gCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/e7f51be9dbe015dadad5712b9980b225.0.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1307" data-original-width="1003" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5ZcKof5YCQI/XkYAEPdFeoI/AAAAAAADT3A/AVwbwLwDMcU2lqOcSAJBFjdlayt6Uvj_gCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/e7f51be9dbe015dadad5712b9980b225.0.jpg" width="490" /></a></div>
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It was also great to hangout with a number of good friends in Chulilla, I love how climbing brings people together. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5xObnEJWUlthbIunKdbkskvq8r27ir3vkq_iS96584gmzMwJtuGrGptTwKJ9wwAqwEad4bGPId3_Vi8olWCqkx0SWh9gFbJDDXAT1AK4RbaWK_IlDFN_3l3ovC0C8uZVtxVRCNUYZ1sc/s1600/IMG_20200103_213322.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5xObnEJWUlthbIunKdbkskvq8r27ir3vkq_iS96584gmzMwJtuGrGptTwKJ9wwAqwEad4bGPId3_Vi8olWCqkx0SWh9gFbJDDXAT1AK4RbaWK_IlDFN_3l3ovC0C8uZVtxVRCNUYZ1sc/s400/IMG_20200103_213322.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Feast in the e-NV200 electric camper van :-) </td></tr>
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<h3>
Video Blogs</h3>
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Here are some video blogs from the trip: </div>
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<b>Part1:</b></h3>
<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/pvLTl_JqrWo" width="560"></iframe>
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<b>Part2:
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<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/bV0E-Nc-qr4" width="560"></iframe>
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<b>Part3:
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<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/KQbjKyNTXoM" width="560"></iframe>
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<b>Part4:
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<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/iQHvUkCvzjI" width="560"></iframe>
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<b>Part5:
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<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/6QjC9u_TZbM" width="560"></iframe><br />
<br /><br /></div><h3 style="text-align: left;">Costs</h3><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bs1e2Kd4dLg/X0zzB3gMKRI/AAAAAAADnxo/bpcnwPEacKEtnl_siIVp-_CWBDmcqdX9wCLcBGAsYHQ/s838/Screenshot%2Bfrom%2B2020-08-31%2B13-53-04.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="650" data-original-width="838" height="397" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bs1e2Kd4dLg/X0zzB3gMKRI/AAAAAAADnxo/bpcnwPEacKEtnl_siIVp-_CWBDmcqdX9wCLcBGAsYHQ/w512-h397/Screenshot%2Bfrom%2B2020-08-31%2B13-53-04.png" width="512" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><h3 style="text-align: left;">Emissions </h3><div>
Several people have asked us why who choose to drive all the way to Spain rather than put the van on the ferry from the UK to Spain. The reason for driving all the way is that driving an EV is *much* fewer emissions than putting the van on a ferry. For the same reason why take the EuroTunnel instead of the ferry from UK>France.<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bcmfpocT7L0/XkIICEZk4iI/AAAAAAADTlo/--CY8WPwErEQnUyQl87Oq82Es3Mx3kwMQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/Transport%2BEmissions%2B%2528gCo2_km%2529.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="371" data-original-width="600" height="385" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bcmfpocT7L0/XkIICEZk4iI/AAAAAAADTlo/--CY8WPwErEQnUyQl87Oq82Es3Mx3kwMQCLcBGAsYHQ/w625-h385/Transport%2BEmissions%2B%2528gCo2_km%2529.png" width="625" /></a><br /><br /></div><div>
However, if I was driving a diesel van it's only slightly worse to take the ferry, therefore it's probably a good idea, especially as the emissions are out at sea which is better from a local air quality perspective. The van emissions is per vehicle can can be divided by the number of passengers, while the flight emissions are per person and include the aviation multiplier. The reason the EV emissions very between countries is the carbon intensity of the electricity (Co2/kWh) varies depending on the electricity generation mix of the country. In France electricity is mainly generated from nuclear so the carbon emissions are very low. In the UK we get a lot of energy (almost half) from wind power.<br />
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These are the figures and sources I used to produce the graph above:<br />
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<br />Glyn Hudsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12074378692118107701noreply@blogger.com46160 Chulilla, Valencia, Spain39.6555013 -0.891948400000046639.6493888 -0.90203340000004661 39.6616138 -0.88186340000004659tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5756951957791452345.post-26963279671921543272019-08-21T23:59:00.001+01:002020-07-04T00:25:08.738+01:00Electric Campervan Euro Climbing Roadtrip: UK > Austria > Hungary<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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This summer we went on a long trip European trip in our e-NV200 electric campervan. The main motivation for the trip was to attend a friends wedding in Hungary. We took the opportunity to make trip out of it and visit some climbing locations along the way. I made some video edits of the trip, mainly to try to show what its like to travel around Europe in a fully electric van, a 24 kWh Nissan e-NV200.<br />
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On the way we climbed in:<br />
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Austria (Zillertal): <span style="color: #0b5394;"><a href="https://www.ukclimbing.com/logbook/crag.php?id=10782" style="background-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.075); box-sizing: border-box; font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "Segoe UI", Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Arial, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, "Apple Color Emoji", "Segoe UI Emoji", "Segoe UI Symbol", "Noto Color Emoji"; font-size: 12.8px;" title="">Ewige Jagdgrunde</a> </span>/ <a href="https://www.ukclimbing.com/logbook/crag.php?id=19394" style="background-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.075); box-sizing: border-box; font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "Segoe UI", Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Arial, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, "Apple Color Emoji", "Segoe UI Emoji", "Segoe UI Symbol", "Noto Color Emoji"; font-size: 12.8px; text-decoration-line: none;" title=""><span style="color: #0b5394;">Bergstation</span></a> - awesome granite crack climbing, wish we had longer here. The bouldering in this area looked fantastic. Sadly it started raining. The Zillertal area had an <a href="http://www.climb-europe.com/rockclimbingshop/Zillertal-sport-climbing-and-bouldering-guidebook.html">excellent guidebook</a>.<br />
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Italy: <a href="https://www.ukclimbing.com/logbook/crag.php?id=10741" style="background-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.075); box-sizing: border-box; font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "Segoe UI", Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Arial, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, "Apple Color Emoji", "Segoe UI Emoji", "Segoe UI Symbol", "Noto Color Emoji"; font-size: 12.8px;" title=""><span style="color: #0b5394;">Napoleonica</span></a> - amazing location high above Trieste, a bit hot and polished<br />
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Slovenia: <a href="https://www.ukclimbing.com/logbook/crag.php?id=3547" style="background-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.075); box-sizing: border-box; font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "Segoe UI", Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Arial, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, "Apple Color Emoji", "Segoe UI Emoji", "Segoe UI Symbol", "Noto Color Emoji"; font-size: 12.8px;" title=""><span style="color: #0b5394;">Misja Pec</span></a> / <a href="https://www.ukclimbing.com/logbook/crag.php?id=3546" style="background-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.075); box-sizing: border-box; font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "Segoe UI", Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Arial, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, "Apple Color Emoji", "Segoe UI Emoji", "Segoe UI Symbol", "Noto Color Emoji"; font-size: 12.8px; text-decoration-line: none;" title=""><span style="color: #0b5394;">Osp</span></a> - Totally awesome, been on my wish list to visit for many years. Did not disappoint. Great climbing in a beautiful location and nice campsite. Keen to return when temperatures are a bit cooler.<br />
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<b>Part 1: Wales 🏴, England 🏴, France 🇫🇷, Belgium 🇧🇪, Germany 🇩🇪, Austria</b><br />
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<b> Part 2: Italy 🇮🇹, Slovenia 🇸🇮</b><br />
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<b>Part 3: Croatia 🇭🇷, Hungary 🇭🇺</b><br />
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<b>Part 4: Austria solar PV EV charging & reflecting on the trip...</b><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">EV charging costs Vs Diesel van, if we charged the van at home 3500 miles would cost £42 of electricity.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">EV charging networks we used </td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our Route</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small; text-align: start;">Zillertal Austria</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small; text-align: start;">Zillertal Austria</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Free EV charging all over Hungary</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Doggy enjoying the trip</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">EV Rapid Charging in Germany</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fastned EV charging station with solat PV roof</td></tr>
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<br />Glyn Hudsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12074378692118107701noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5756951957791452345.post-60483250515837562052019-07-01T00:22:00.003+01:002020-07-04T00:26:00.758+01:00Tesla Trip to S.Fance & Céüse Recently we were lucky enough to be to invited to a friends wedding in the south of France. The most obvious mode of transport would be to hope on a plane, however being aware of the environmental impact of flying I've managed to avoid flying for the past 5yrs. A single return flight to the South of France would emit 75% of a persons annual carbon allowance if we are to halt the effects of climate change.<br />
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Train travel and EV travel are very low carbon in comparison to flying, especially in France where most of the electrical energy is generated by low carbon sources (mostly nuclear).<br />
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A train is a very good option for travel to the south of France, it's possible to get a direct train from London to Marseilles, we've done this trip via train several times before. It's very quick an easy. However, we were keen to squeeze in a days climbing in the alps and would require a car to travel around and reach the wedding venue.<br />
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Our Nissan e-NV200 EV campervan is currently in a bodyshop getting new rear doors and a bumper after being rear-ended last month. The E-NV200 is totally capable of making a trip to the south of France (<a href="https://blog.zerocarbonadventures.co.uk/2019/02/climbing-in-jaen-electric-campervan.html">we drove across France on our way to Spain</a>). However, with a 24kWh battery and 70 mile range it would have taken us 2.5-3 days from N.Wales to travel to the south of France; obviously not ideal if only going for a short period. We were very lucky that my in-laws kindly offered to lend us their Tesla Model S for the trip, we did not need much persuading to take them up on this very kind offer! Since the Tesla is a 2015 model it's got free supercharging which meant our total fuel cost for the trip was less than £5 (charging at home). It's possible to <a href="https://www.evrent.co.uk/tesla_home/">rent a Tesla Model S</a> for £80/day with free supercharging.<br />
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Driving a Tesla long distance is very smooth and easy, the in-built sat-nav automatically navigated us to supercharging locations and told us how long to charge in each location. The Tesla Models S60 has a range of 200 miles, we found this to be plenty, we often felt like we wanted a break from driving before the car needed charging! Most supercharging stops where less than 30min after 3hrs of driving at 80 miles when road conditions allowed with A/C running since it was over 30 deg C outside! Autopilot was engaged taking control of accelerating / braking and steering while on the motorways, this made the drive very easy and relaxing.<br />
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Here's a video edit of the trip:<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Supercharging! This particular location had a free swimming pool we could use while we waited for 20min!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-poCDHv60uL4/XRlDQ0ycKiI/AAAAAAADBcw/c6ROIIHNecYS6S0yb8CSxdzrCrLbB1C-QCEwYBhgL/s1600/IMG_20190624_215328.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-poCDHv60uL4/XRlDQ0ycKiI/AAAAAAADBcw/c6ROIIHNecYS6S0yb8CSxdzrCrLbB1C-QCEwYBhgL/s400/IMG_20190624_215328.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Super fast charging...389 mi/hr! </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-t2yIAdYoQ8s/XRlDQaZY2KI/AAAAAAADBck/x_aO8OFcM4s0deTj_uOb0NkD3ey8MidjgCEwYBhgL/s1600/IMG_20190624_091315.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1372" data-original-width="1029" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-t2yIAdYoQ8s/XRlDQaZY2KI/AAAAAAADBck/x_aO8OFcM4s0deTj_uOb0NkD3ey8MidjgCEwYBhgL/s640/IMG_20190624_091315.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tesla auto route planner</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mpMQKEfo1HM/XRlDPwQ47aI/AAAAAAADBcg/3eYNLSb-yX0HMZFgv7IEaAzDXs4VP0ozwCEwYBhgL/s1600/IMG_20190621_125253.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mpMQKEfo1HM/XRlDPwQ47aI/AAAAAAADBcg/3eYNLSb-yX0HMZFgv7IEaAzDXs4VP0ozwCEwYBhgL/s640/IMG_20190621_125253.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Charging in Cesue campsite, added 170 miles of range for 3 EUR during our say! </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZCDdbaN86xw/XRlDP1fdvbI/AAAAAAADBcc/qR8S7xgjSSMATUlf_a4pra9SrM5x8uwKQCEwYBhgL/s1600/IMG_20190621_202832.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZCDdbaN86xw/XRlDP1fdvbI/AAAAAAADBcc/qR8S7xgjSSMATUlf_a4pra9SrM5x8uwKQCEwYBhgL/s640/IMG_20190621_202832.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cesue camping</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-k2263uOZwP8/XRlDQkx3-sI/AAAAAAADBco/K0t0T--leDgr5kWr5P4j5NSS5DQcWXjvgCEwYBhgL/s1600/IMG_20190624_170254.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="202" data-original-width="269" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-k2263uOZwP8/XRlDQkx3-sI/AAAAAAADBco/K0t0T--leDgr5kWr5P4j5NSS5DQcWXjvgCEwYBhgL/s320/IMG_20190624_170254.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hot ambient temperature! </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FOaRA5xA10Q/XRlF3jUNPpI/AAAAAAADBdQ/d6Bivz4d5BEgxrDi5htAoopG5_Z6fDIoACLcBGAs/s1600/map.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="205" data-original-width="309" height="424" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FOaRA5xA10Q/XRlF3jUNPpI/AAAAAAADBdQ/d6Bivz4d5BEgxrDi5htAoopG5_Z6fDIoACLcBGAs/s640/map.png" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Map of the trip captured by <a href="https://teslafi.com/">TeslaFi</a></td></tr>
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<i>Trip stats: 2400 miles | 292 Wh/mile | 3.42 Mi/KWh</i><br />
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<br />Glyn Hudsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12074378692118107701noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5756951957791452345.post-27571278903819060442019-02-18T00:53:00.002+00:002020-07-04T00:26:33.894+01:00Climbing in Jaén, Electric campervan trip to Southern Spain (2500 miles)I love rock climbing, however living in North Wales means it's almost impossible to enjoy climbing outside for half of the year during the winter, it's wet cold and generally miserable. Climbing indoors at indoor climbing centers is fun but no substitute to the real thing. For this reason it's a real treat to travel somewhere sunny and warm during the winter months to go rock climbing. I've managed to avoid flying for 5 years, instead in recent years opting to take the train to <a href="https://blog.zerocarbonadventures.co.uk/2015/01/el-chorro-nye-spain-via-train.html">Spain</a>, <a href="https://blog.zerocarbonadventures.co.uk/2018/01/climbing-in-morocco-talamboteakchour.html">Morocco</a> or <a href="https://blog.zerocarbonadventures.co.uk/2016/01/sicily-escaping-rain.html">Sicily</a><br />
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At the end of last year (2018) we <a href="https://blog.zerocarbonadventures.co.uk/2018/10/electric-campervan-diy-conversion.html">converted a Nissan e-NV200 electric van into a fully electric campervan</a>. We figured this winter would be a good opportunity to go away for a trip to the van. Traveling in the van rather than the train would allow us to take our Spaniel dog with us. Sadly due to last minute change of dates lack of ferry doggy cabin availability meant we had to leave our dog behind :-(</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Great Van Camping Spots In Jaen</td></tr>
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We had heard about a new (for us) climbing area near Jaén in Southern Spain,<a href="https://thesendtrain.com/2018/09/30/the-van-trip-part-2-siurana-margalef-el-chorro-akchour-reguchillo/"> some good friends of our</a>s visited recently and gave the area high praise. Also, being in Andalucia it's south enough to have a good chance of being warm and sunny, a very important criteria for us!<br />
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<h2>
2500 miles in an Electric Campervan</h2>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-oTKHGhgG_T4/XGnlG1xH5SI/AAAAAAAC208/22p2HcRbr6kLJ912AK2j-VqnCQ-TMbKmwCLcBGAs/s1600/full-map.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1310" data-original-width="802" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-oTKHGhgG_T4/XGnlG1xH5SI/AAAAAAAC208/22p2HcRbr6kLJ912AK2j-VqnCQ-TMbKmwCLcBGAs/s320/full-map.png" width="195" /></a></div>
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The van is a fully electric 2015 Nissan e-NV200 with a 24kWh battery pack, with a summer range of approx 80 miles and 70 miles in winter. It takes 20min-30min to re-charge using a public rapid charging station. The newer (2018) version of this van has a 40kWh battery, giving a range of 140 miles.</div>
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<h3>
France</h3>
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Our original plan was to drive from North Wales to Portsmouth then get a ferry to Bilbao in Spain then drive to Jaén in Southern Spain. However due to bad weather our ferry to Spain was cancelled, and we were forced to get a ferry to St-Malo in Northern France and then drive all the way to southern Spain. The unexpected drive through France was very actually very straightforward and was cheaper and faster than the ferry. Here's a video blog of the trip:<br />
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<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/9auizkdhDl4" width="560"></iframe>
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Spain </h3>
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It's currently early days for EV's in Spain, the public EV charging infrastructure is not nearly as developed as other European countries. The north of Spain and Catalonia have decent public charging options, however the centre and south of the country is quite space. This made our trip in our low range EV van rather challenging. It was however, just about possible! The charging infrastructure in Spain is improving very quickly, even in the weeks before our trip two new rapid charging stations opened along our route with may more locations currently being built due to open later this year. Here's a video blog of the trip:</div>
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<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/nrDrTKVuojI" width="560"></iframe><br />
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<h3>
Cost</h3>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-sPCjKKKxbvY/XGn2NoVLaiI/AAAAAAAC21Q/lig1NdbDzW8g-mUAwRRYjFD4DdxoF_hJgCLcBGAs/s1600/cost.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="475" data-original-width="1192" height="254" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-sPCjKKKxbvY/XGn2NoVLaiI/AAAAAAAC21Q/lig1NdbDzW8g-mUAwRRYjFD4DdxoF_hJgCLcBGAs/s640/cost.png" width="640" /></a></div>
<h3>
Mobile Apps & Charging Networks</h3>
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Here are the mobile apps we used on this trip to find and activate public charging points:</div>
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<a href="https://play.google.com/store/apps/developer?id=Chargemap">Chargemap</a>: located and activate charging points in France. Recommend ordering Chargemap RFID pass </div>
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<a href="https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.enredats.electromaps">Electromaps</a>: locate charging points in Spain </div>
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<a href="https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.xatori.Plugshare">PlugShare</a>: most major charging points worldwide, good desktop route planning tool </div>
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<a href="https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.shasha.elevationprofile">Elevation Profile</a>: very useful in Spain to check elevation between charging points</div>
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<a href="https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=es.ibil.android">Ibil</a>: activate Ibil chargers in Spain </div>
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<a href="https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=es.easycharger.app">Easy Charger</a>: Activate Easy charger units chargers in Spain: </div>
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<a href="https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.o2e.moveox&rdid=com.o2e.moveox">EDP MoveOn</a>: activate EDP chargers in Spain </div>
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<a href="https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=es.iberdrola.recargaverde">Iberdrola</a>: activate Iberdrola chargers in Spain </div>
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<a href="https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.Turbo3.Leaf_Spy1">LeafSpy</a>: Detailed info of the vans battery pack e.g. temperature, charging rate and energy remaining</div>
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<h2>
Climbing! </h2>
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The climbing around Jaen was awesome. We mostly climbed at <a href="https://www.ukclimbing.com/logbook/crag.php?id=22825">Reguchillo</a> and <a href="https://www.ukclimbing.com/logbook/crag.php?id=23785">Cuevas negras</a> crags. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-LXQCnDjuW_I/XGn_Og4AGXI/AAAAAAAC234/JcZYoXMnZ-I9Cnmcu63BkAH4WATuFH9VgCLcBGAs/s1600/DJI_0333.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-LXQCnDjuW_I/XGn_Og4AGXI/AAAAAAAC234/JcZYoXMnZ-I9Cnmcu63BkAH4WATuFH9VgCLcBGAs/s640/DJI_0333.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.ukclimbing.com/logbook/crag.php?id=23785" style="font-size: medium; text-align: start;">Cuevas negras</a></td></tr>
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Reguchillo has some really nice climbing especially in the upper sectors, it faces due south so gets the sun all day until 5:30pin in February. At the beginning of the trip it was chilly so climbing in the sun was great, however we had a few days towards the end when it was too hot to climb in the sun, even in February! My favourite routes at Reguchillo were <a href="https://www.ukclimbing.com/logbook/c.php?i=478036">Lola Flores 8a</a> , <a href="https://www.ukclimbing.com/logbook/c.php?i=436797">Nano 8a</a> was also very good although I ran out of time to redpoint. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-GtQpAlE7MlI/XGn_juil1AI/AAAAAAAC24k/68diLGSx4qohr62gDlCMDf4xYc8WRlnMQCLcBGAs/s1600/DJI_0001%2B-%2BDJI_0021.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="555" data-original-width="1600" height="220" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-GtQpAlE7MlI/XGn_juil1AI/AAAAAAAC24k/68diLGSx4qohr62gDlCMDf4xYc8WRlnMQCLcBGAs/s640/DJI_0001%2B-%2BDJI_0021.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Reguchillo</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ZGGHTKXdoS4/XGn_k50oCxI/AAAAAAAC24s/ffhzxE7aTa8gH4mtqsovnPVaIc0b5IN2ACLcBGAs/s1600/DJI_0271.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ZGGHTKXdoS4/XGn_k50oCxI/AAAAAAAC24s/ffhzxE7aTa8gH4mtqsovnPVaIc0b5IN2ACLcBGAs/s640/DJI_0271.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Reguchillo</td></tr>
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Cuevas negras faces north and does not get any sun. It was a bit chilly climbing in the shade, however the quality of the climbing was worth the effort. Cuevas negras was my favourite crag, almost every route there was totally amazing. The highlight were <a href="https://www.ukclimbing.com/logbook/c.php?i=436999">Aceituna Air Space 7c</a> and Aromas de <a href="https://www.ukclimbing.com/logbook/c.php?i=436998">Kalymnos 7a+</a></div>
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<h2>
Useful Jaen Info</h2>
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<li><a href="https://goo.gl/maps/2GGWeG732q52">Water tap location</a></li>
<li>Don't try to drive up to Reguchillo, staying in the van on the dead end road below the crag is fine</li>
<li>If climbing at Cuevas negras or Otinar there is an awesome van camping spot <a href="https://goo.gl/maps/BfXepYZzrXL2">here</a> </li>
<li>If not in a van some friends of ours stayed here at a <a href="https://www.facebook.com/pg/kubataclimbershome/about/">great climbing house accommodation in town</a></li>
<li><a href="https://goo.gl/maps/oDq7k71a9Qq">Cafetería Engelberg</a> is a good cafe easily accessible in town, however WiFi is poor</li>
<li><a href="https://goo.gl/maps/PxHGyMXA8iT2">La Cafetera</a> cafe has amazing Wifi, 80Mb/s solid 5Ghz connection! Didn't mind me staying all there day working.</li>
<li>We charged our van every few days in one of two underground <a href="https://www.plugshare.com/location/179580">carpark1</a> <a href="https://www.plugshare.com/location/179633">carpak2</a>. Charging was free and parking fees were pretty cheap. Usually a few euros which is good value considering how hard it is to part at street level in Jaen. </li>
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Glyn Hudsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12074378692118107701noreply@blogger.comJaén, Spain37.7795941 -3.784905699999967537.7293941 -3.8655866999999677 37.829794099999994 -3.7042246999999673tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5756951957791452345.post-8076895753809604932018-11-20T23:22:00.001+00:002020-07-04T00:26:56.782+01:00Nissan e-NV200 Vs. Peugeot Partner Electric Van Comparison For the last two years, we've been a fully electric vehicle household driving over 40,000 miles around <a href="https://blog.zerocarbonadventures.co.uk/2017/07/mid-wales-electric-car-video-series.html">Wales</a>, <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dGyKztu1Myc">Scotland</a>, <a href="https://blog.zerocarbonadventures.co.uk/2017/12/north-wales-to-fontainebleau-via.html">Paris</a> and the <a href="https://blog.zerocarbonadventures.co.uk/2017/07/ceuse-2017-nwales-to-french-alps-in.html">French Alps</a> without burning any petrol or diesel, saving us a substantial amount of money and reducing emissions. We charge our vehicles overnight from a green energy electricity tariff and I often charge at work directly from solar PV.<br />
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As you can tell, I'm totally sold on the benefits and practicality of EVs, even living in rural Snowdonia range and public charging has not been an issue. I discuss these issues in depth in my <a href="https://blog.zerocarbonadventures.co.uk/2017/05/zero-carbon-future-low-carbon-present.html">Zero Carbon Future post</a>.<br />
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We've been driving a 2014 24kWh Nissan LEAF and more recently a 2015 24kWh Nissan e-NV200 both of which we bought 2nd hand. We recently <a href="https://blog.zerocarbonadventures.co.uk/2018/10/electric-campervan-diy-conversion.html">converted the e-NV200 to a campervan</a>, it's been a super fun project. We've got some exciting EV campervan trips planned soon!<br />
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Since we got our first EV, 8 of our friends who live within a 10-mile radius in Snowdonia have also made the transition. I'm happy to say that recently my dad has decided to swap his 14yr old diesel pickup for an electric van! He decided to go with a Peugeot Partner Electric van since it has 3 seats in the front. With the help of Jonathan from <a href="http://eco-cars.net/">eco-cars.net</a> we managed to purchase a 2015 Peugeot Partner Electric in an auction. I picked up the van a few days ago.<br />
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While I temporarily have two electric vans in my possession I thought it would be a good opportunity to conduct a range test and a brief comparison between the two vans. They both have the same size battery pack although Nissan quotes the total battery size (24kWh) while Peaugot quotes the usable capacity (22kWh), in reality, they both have a usable capacity of 22kWh. Here's the short video I made, I couldn't resist putting in some climbing clips, it was a stunning day in N.Wales :-)<br />
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In summary, the e-NV200 used 5% less energy to travel the same distance, however, in my opinion, this is close enough to call it even. They're both great vans, however, my preference unless 3 seats are a priority is for the Nissan e-NV200.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nissan e-NV200 Vs. Peugeot Partner</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Llyn Peninsula looking stunning in late autumn light</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The crag in the video is a newly developed sport climbing quarry on the Llyn Peninsula called Tyddyn Hywel</td></tr>
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<br />Glyn Hudsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12074378692118107701noreply@blogger.comLlŷn Peninsula, United Kingdom52.8962101 -4.504079899999965252.5897946 -5.149526899999965 53.2026256 -3.8586328999999653tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5756951957791452345.post-23056627315281011212018-10-19T03:07:00.001+01:002022-01-18T14:05:37.025+00:00Electric Campervan DIY conversion: Nissan e-NV200Recently I've been working hard on converting a Nissan e-NV200 24kWh electric van into a campervan. I'm happy to report that the conversion process is nearly finished.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blog.zerocarbonadventures.co.uk/2019/02/climbing-in-jaen-electric-campervan.html">Reaching southern Spain after driving the e-NV200 campervan from North Wales UK</a></td></tr>
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I used to own a diesel Citroen Dispatch campervan which I converted myself many years ago. This van served me well on many trips, however, as soon as we <a href="https://blog.zerocarbonadventures.co.uk/2017/05/zero-carbon-future-low-carbon-present.html">got a Nissan LEAF electric car </a>a couple of years ago I <a href="https://blog.zerocarbonadventures.co.uk/2017/05/for-sale-citroen-dispatch-campervan.html">sold the Dispatch campervan</a>. I couldn't justify the high cost of running a diesel van compared to an EV and driving an internal combustion vehicle just felt old and wrong. The future is certainly electric. Switching to an EV is one of the most effective ways of reducing personal CO2 emissions, see my blog post <a href="https://blog.zerocarbonadventures.co.uk/2017/05/zero-carbon-future-low-carbon-present.html">Zero Carbon Future (low carbon present)</a>.<br />
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In an ideal world, we would be a single (or no car!) household, we managed for 12 months car sharing, however, it was sometimes very hard to arrange car sharing around work etc. We're now back to the luxury of being a two-car household. However, we are now a two EV household! A Nissan LEAF and a Nissan e-NV200 electric van. Running two EV's has not been a problem, even with a single home charging point and not guaranteed home parking/charging spot. Both EV's charge fast at 6.6kW, therefore, it only takes a couple of hours to charge to 80%, therefore, there is plenty of time in the evening/overnight to charge both EV's if required.<br />
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The Nissan e-NV200 is a great little van, it's basically the same as it's diesel counterpart, the NV200 but with the electric battery and drive-chain from a Nissan LEAF. Being electric is so nice to drive, no other van can match its instant acceleration and smoothness. Around town and on A roads the range from the 24kWh e-NV200 is very similar to the LEAF; about 80 to 90 miles in summer. At higher speeds on the motorway, due to higher drag, the van consumes about 10% more energy and suffers 10% less range than the LEAF. The 2018 version of the e-NV200 with a 40kWh battery gets has a range of approx150 - 120 miles.<br />
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The van can recharge from a DC rapid charger in approx 20 min making long trips possible, see our <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dGyKztu1Myc">trip to Scotland (860 miles)</a> and trip to <a href="https://blog.zerocarbonadventures.co.uk/2019/02/climbing-in-jaen-electric-campervan.html">Southern Spain (2500 miles)</a>.<br />
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Over the period of a couple of months, I've converted the van to a campervan. Being an EV campervan has a number of advantages:<br />
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<li>No leisure battery is needed, there is already a massive battery under the floor! </li>
<li>Heating/cooling climate control system can be left running overnight </li>
<li>The van can charge from a standard campsite hookup</li>
<li>Can be powered by 100% renewable energy from solar PV </li>
<li>Zero tailpipe emissions</li>
<li>Smooth, quiet and responsive driving </li>
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<b><u>See here for a full <a href="https://photos.app.goo.gl/CmbCeMN6rBCoMBT87">Photo album of the campervan DIY conversion process</a></u></b><br />
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Spreadsheet bill of materials listing all the parts I used and the size of the custom rock-and-roll bed:<br />
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<iframe height="500" src="https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/e/2PACX-1vRotnD3eV0kx_P8g9av3VRM4-mbULygmRfNGR2FsDeud0IrIr27nK1DHUoJODd4FINR0hJwjUsWuwQe/pubhtml?gid=1904242282&single=true&widget=true&headers=false" width="800"></iframe>
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Video edit of our first trip in the converted EV campervan, 860 miles (1,384 km) to Scotland. Since then, we have also been on a climbing <a href="https://blog.zerocarbonadventures.co.uk/2019/02/climbing-in-jaen-electric-campervan.html">trip driving all the way to Southern Spain in the </a>van (2500 miles).<br />
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<iframe allow="autoplay; encrypted-media" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/dGyKztu1Myc" width="560"></iframe>Glyn Hudsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12074378692118107701noreply@blogger.comScotland, UK56.490671199999987 -4.202645800000027547.764661199999985 -24.856942800000027 65.216681199999982 16.451651199999972tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5756951957791452345.post-33266719573326495912018-08-02T19:54:00.005+01:002021-11-06T12:37:11.941+00:00Exploring Norway by Train & Tesla!<i>Norway, a country of stunning coastlines, impressive mountain ranges, extensive wildernesses, 24hr daylight and the world’s hardest sport climb. A place that generates 98% of their energy via renewable sources and is the world leader in EV adoption. A land of top-notch cinnamon buns and the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hygge">hygge</a> culture, creating spaces and moments of cosiness, comfort and contentment.</i><br />
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Visiting Norway is something that we had been talking wistfully about for the past few years. Our honeymoon seemed like the perfect excuse to finally splash out (we knew a trip to this amazing country would be more expensive than a typical European adventure). So this summer we made it happen.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Paddling back after a day climbing at Flatanger, still baking hot and super sunny at 9pm!</td></tr>
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Here's a short video edit playlist of our trip:<br />
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<h2 id="overlandtrain">
Overland Train</h2>
As with all our trips, we started by consulting the excellent train travel knowledge database that is <a href="https://www.blogger.com/www.seat61.com">The Man in Seat 61</a> and adapted one of his suggested UK-Norway schedules. We made our outward journey quite relaxed to allow us to have half a day in London and spend some time in Copenhagen (our top recommendation is going for a swim in one of their free, outdoor, harbour <a href="https://www.visitcopenhagen.com/copenhagen/islands-brygge-harbour-bath-gdk482346">swimming pools</a>, possible due to the work they have done improving the water quality over the last 15 years), before arriving in Oslo on the fourth day of travel. We opted to make the return journey more efficient, leaving Oslo on a Sunday evening and arriving home in North Wales early on Tuesday evening. The return journeys for two people, plus 3 Airbnbs (Cologne and Copenhagen on the way out, and then just Cologne on the way back because we took a sleeper train) was near enough £1000 in total (£250 one person one way). Our decision to go was relatively last minute, especially for the train ticket world. Booking tickets more than a month in advance would definitely help reduce this cost!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our train journey</td></tr>
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*<em>Travelling via train emits 80-90% less carbon than flying [http://www.seat61.com/CO2flights.htm]. The international 'safe' level of emissions per person is around 2T/yr to contain global temperature changes at or below 2 deg C which will 'hopefully' keep runaway climate change and subsequent rise in sea levels at bay. Return flight from London to Málaga will emit 2/3T of carbon per person. 6.5T to Auckland Australia or 2T to New York. [Only Planet, Ed Gillespie 2014]</em><br />
<em><br /></em> The journey was smooth and pleasurable. European trains are so spacious in comparison to UK trains, with ample luggage storage, which is especially appreciated when you are travelling with climbing, mountaineering and camping equipment, plus other ‘essentials’ such as red wine, nuts and pesto (we had been warned of the high prices in Norwegian supermarkets for these items!). Leaving Germany for Denmark marked the start of new train territory for us, and was rather exciting as it involved going on a ferry from Puttgarden in Germany to Rødby in Denmark. The train boards the ferry, then passengers go upstairs for the crossing to eat ice creams and drink coffee on the deck, enjoying the views before the ferry docks on the other side and the train continues on its journey. The bridge connecting Denmark to Sweden was another pretty spectacular section and as soon as we entered Norway, our books dropped to our laps as we watched the forests and lakes go by in the evening light.<br />
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The perpetual sunset was still in full force when we arrived in Oslo at 10.20pm. Buying 24hr tickets on <a href="https://ruter.no/en/buying-tickets/mobile-ticket-app/">Oslo’s public transport app</a> we hopped on a tram, then got a ferry over to <a href="https://goo.gl/maps/Kf4L9n1XoGH2">Nesodden</a>, a peninsular fondly known as ‘the island’ to its residents, where we were staying with Amy’s friend Anja and her partner Daniel. Getting off the bus and walking to their apartment at 11.30pm felt like it should be 8pm.<br />
<h2 id="teslaelectriccar">
Tesla EV Electric Car</h2>
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The next day we went to pick up our hired Tesla, our transport and bedroom for the trip! It had always been the dream to do our Norwegian road trip in a fully electric Tesla - Norway being a country with such an extensive supercharging network, and so much renewably generated energy. We had been prepared to pay a bit more for the privilege, so it was a pleasant surprise to discover that through using the P2P website <a href="http://leiting.no/">leieting.no</a> we could hire this <a href="https://leieting.no/en/listings/142596-tesla-model-s-85kwh">2014 Tesla model S</a> at the same price as a Ford Focus from a traditional hire company! We paid 14,900 kr for a 17 day rental, approx £100/day, split between four of us £25/day each. Coupled with the road tax exemptions and free public parking for driving an electric vehicle, plus the free fuel from supercharging, it meant choosing a Tesla made complete financial as well as environmental sense.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">2000 miles in a Tesla Model S EV around Norway</td></tr>
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<a href="https://drive.google.com/open?id=1Q4SFb14XXLre_YnQ2Y5yFnzoaVJvcEyw&usp=sharing">Click here</a> for a full-screen Google Map of our trip around Norway.<br />
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Dealing directly with the car’s owner was a great experience for us. He was super helpful and went above and beyond to help us out. When we needed a Norwegian mobile phone number to make use of a ‘start a rapid charge via text’ option (after the charging company’s app didn’t accept our British address or credit card and the helpline wasn’t manned over the weekend) he did this remotely for us. However, we mainly charged at Tesla Superchargers, which were all very smooth experiences. It was incredible to see bays of 30 plus superchargers with two-thirds usually occupied.<br />
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We only occasionally chose to top up at some rapid chargers using a Chademo adapter (included with the car) because we were venturing off the beaten track with some of our adventures. If planning a similar trip, we would recommend applying for these companies’ RFID cards to avoid any issues using mobile apps:<br />
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<li><a href="https://www.fortum.com/products-and-services/vehicle-charging/general-information">Fortum</a></li>
<li><a href="https://gronnkontakt.no/english/">Grønn Kontakt</a></li>
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Having poured over YouTube videos of people sleeping in their Teslas, we opted to buy an inflatable double mattress that would absorb the step between the folded rear seats and the boot. It took a while to fine tune the exact level of inflating to do, but we got there. Too much and the bed ‘burst its banks’ going up at the sides and making a dip in the middle, too little and you could feel the floor of the car when sleeping on your side.<br />
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We certainly got slicker with ‘getting ready for bed’ as the trip went on. Here are a few of the things we learned along the way…<br />
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<strong><br /></strong> <strong>Things we learned while Tesla car camping:</strong><br />
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<li>An electric air bed pump with 12V plug worked a charm, and having a mattress with the air vent/plug in the top centre made it easy to access.</li>
<li>Using the Tesla "Keep Climate Control On" setting kept the interior of the car warm in the night and cool when the sun hit in the morning. 19.5C was our sweet spot temperature, and consumed on average 3-5kWh per night, decreasing predicted range by 15km - 30km (not much when starting with over 400km), depending on outside temperature and how long we slept for.</li>
<li>Being able to have the windows closed and climate control on was also amazing for soundproofing.</li>
<li>Reversing the parcel shelf to make a blackout for the rear windscreen was great for privacy and helping to sleep in 24hr daylight. We had a silver foil screen for the front windscreen and towels/clothing trapped in windows worked well as curtains for the door windows.</li>
<li>Parking on a slight angle (frunk downhill) compensated for the upwards tilt of the rear seats to give a flatter bed.</li>
<li>Having a hanging pocket system strung behind the two front seats was useful for storing phones, kindles, glasses etc.</li>
<li>We kept food and cooking gear in the frunk, which meant breakfast wasn’t dependent on us getting up and packing the bed away. Our friends could get access to coffee, even if we were having a lie in!</li>
<li>The Tesla mobile app allowed us to adjust the temperature during the night, lock the car and open the funk / trunk in the morning.</li>
<li>Norway has some truly epic wild car camping spots! <a href="https://goo.gl/maps/3EAy6xnTYu42">Here's a map/list of where we stayed</a>.</li>
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We had unconventionally invited our friends Chris and Jen on our honeymoon! After a great trip with them in the Dolomites in 2012 we had been trying to coordinate another trip together for years. They were sleeping in a tent, so all of our overnight spots were good for a tent as well as a vehicle. Norway has a <a href="https://www.visitnorway.com/plan-your-trip/travel-tips-a-z/right-of-access/">right to roam</a>. You can put up a tent for the night anywhere in the countryside, forests or mountains (even on private land) as long as you keep at least 150m away from the nearest inhabited house or cabin. The 150m rule also applies to camping cars and caravans. If you want to stay for more than two nights in the same place, you need to ask the landowner's permission, except in the mountains or very remote areas.<br />
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None of us had been to Norway before and our itinerary tried to find a balance of accommodating everyone’s activity preferences, exploring the country and spending quality time in areas without always being on the move. Tricky, but I think we managed pretty well.<br />
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Some stats for EV geeks like me: we drove 3163km / approx 2000 miles using 542 kWh therefore averaged 3.7mi/kWh or 368 wh/mi. </div>
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<h1 id="activites">
Activites</h1>
<h2 id="1trolltunganearhardangerviddanationalparkhttpsgooglmapscgdza4cfrqz">
1. <a href="https://goo.gl/maps/CGdzA4CfRQz">Trolltunga</a></h2>
<i>Near Hardangervidda National Park.</i><br />
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Essentially a long walk from a very expensive pay and display car park (500NOK/day) to a photogenic rock! This was a last minute decision and we picked it as a destination to aim for on our first day driving west. Through the power of instagram it has become a very touristy thing to do. We managed to mostly avoid the crowds by starting late and getting to the rock around 5.30pm (if you are doing this it could be worth asking people who are leaving the car park when you arrive whether you can buy their ticket at a reduced price as it’s valid for 24hrs). Though we did get our picture postcard image of Norway, overall we would not highly recommended it. It’s a 27km round trip with an uninspiring slog up a tarmac road to start, though there are stunning views later on. Probably best enjoyed as a fell run off-season.<br />
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<h2 id="2uskedalenhttpsgooglmapsfeduzzcobtz">
2. <a href="https://goo.gl/maps/feDUZZCobtz">Uskedalen</a></h2>
<i>The Yosemite of Norway.</i><br />
<i><br /></i> Inspired by <a href="http://www.onthebelay.com/en/2017/09/12/climbing-in-uskedalen-the-norwegian-yosemite/">these guys</a> who described the place as the smaller Nordic brother of Yosemite, we next headed to Uskedalen. The beautiful valley and waves of granite did not disappoint. We did a two-star Norwegian grade 4 route called Kolkjereryggen/Akslo Ridge, that went from the valley floor and topped out on the plateau below Ulvanosa (about 1000m ascent) via an awesome, long granite ridge. We <a href="https://www.strava.com/activities/1679963677">walked down a marked tourist trail</a> that took us to the north end of the valley. I took one for the team and did the link up section, running back up the valley to pick up the car. The harder routes on the walls looked amazing, we didn't have time to climb anything else, <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hMAuTXqh6SQ">here’s a video</a> showing what the harder climbing is like, I would love to go back.<br />
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<h2 id="3bergenhttpsgooglmapsct2gtbwsfvt">
3. <a href="https://goo.gl/maps/Ct2GTBWsfvt">Bergen</a></h2>
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<i>The wettest city in Europe!</i></div>
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Apparently, the rainiest city in Europe, though the sun shined for us! We parked on a residential street near <a href="https://goo.gl/maps/fTqqLCp5wSy">Meyermarken garden</a>, a 10min stroll to the harbour via nice quiet back streets.<br />
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<h2 id="4theamperenorwaysfirstfullyelectricferryhttpsgooglmapsrbew4qz847t2">
4. <a href="https://goo.gl/maps/rBEw4qz847T2">The Ampere - Norway’s first fully electric ferry</a></h2>
<i>Between Oppedal and Lavik.</i><br />
<i><br /></i> After <a href="https://electrek.co/2018/02/03/all-electric-ferry-cuts-emission-cost/">reading about it</a>, we were excited that we could legitimately use it on our route from Bergen to Jotunheimen National Park without a special detour.<br />
There are 2 other (non electric) ferries in the fleet that do the crossing, so check the <a href="https://www.norled.no/en/maps-and-schedules/ferry/sogn-and-fjordane/">timetable</a> in advance. For us in 2018, The Ampere was coded as ‘B’ in the timetable. Being in an EV we got a discount for the crossing.<br />
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<h2 id="5jotunheimennationalparkhttpsgooglmaps27xxstgczso">
5. <a href="https://goo.gl/maps/27xXsTgCZso">Jotunheimen National Park</a></h2>
A national park full of the big mountains! Arriving in Jotunheimen in the afternoon we walked 16km into the park to <a href="https://skogadalsboen.dnt.no/eng/">Skogadalsboen</a>, an amazing hut part of the DNT network. Amy had researched and taken a fancy to this. Norway isn’t cheap, and staffed mountain huts are a whole other level of expensive, but if you can accept and switch off to this for a night, it is definitely a cool experience. Cocktails and a cosy candlelit dinner in the mountains was pretty special. The next day was cool and cloudy (a first for the trip), Chris and Jen went up Fannaråken (2068m) and Amy and I decided to <a href="https://www.strava.com/routes/10686102">run 14km</a> up a different valley and then hitched the linking road back to the car.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> Skogadalsboen hut </td></tr>
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UKC did an inspiring <a href="https://www.ukclimbing.com/articles/destinations/the_ridges_of_norways_jotunheim-10153">article on the ridge climbs</a> in Jotunheimen. We had all been considering Storen by the North ridge, a Norwegian 3+ route, but Amy and I felt we hadn’t been moving together fast enough on Asklo Ridge to take on this bigger outing (guidebook time of 17hrs). Asklo had been that awkward/blurred terrain of scrambling with sections of easy climbing up to Severe, which Amy would normally pitch on trad multi pitch days in the UK, but here we needed to be comfortable moving fast together with minimal gear between us.<br />
To anyone on road bikes or even just driving, the 55 along the north of the park in an amazingly scenic road with good tarmac!<br />
<h2 id="6flatangerhometothehardestsportclimbingrouteintheworldhttpswwwyoutubecomwatchvzrtnhdd0gl8">
6. <a href="https://goo.gl/maps/bXZdeqNHkES2">Flatanger</a></h2>
<i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZRTNHDd0gL8">Home to the hardest sport climbing route in the world</a>.</i><br />
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We stayed at <a href="https://goo.gl/maps/eQi3CMKvcsD2">Flatanger Camping campsite</a>, a happy mistake because although it wasn’t the closest to the crag it was great value and had excellent facilities! We took advantage of their indoor lounge and cooking area (complete with an oven - very exciting after a couple of weeks cooking on a gas camping stove) by making pizzas and having some film nights. The campsite owners were very friendly and even had canoes and boats to hire, fantastic for exploring the surrounding fjords. The <a href="https://www.ukclimbing.com/articles/destinations/flatanger_-_climbing_in_the_norwegian_fjords-8634">climbing at Flatanger</a> was excellent, there is lots of climbing at all grade ranges on fantastic rock. I think the highlight for me was Berntsenbanden, a bit like a 7c version of Vector at Tremadog. Sport climbing on steep granite was really cool!<br />
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<h2 id="7innerdalenhttpsgooglmapszxceucncywe2mostbeautifulvalleyinnorway">
7. <a href="https://goo.gl/maps/zxcEUcnCYwE2">Innerdalen</a> </h2>
<i>The most beautiful valley in Norway.</i><br />
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<i><br /></i>Our plan was to break up the journey back to Oslo by <a href="https://www.strava.com/activities/1699991757">climbing Innerdalstårnet</a>, a 1452m peak in apparently the most beautiful valley in Norway. Driving through sheets of rain to Innerdalen, we wondered whether our weather luck had run out. Waking up in misty cloud, Chris and Jen set off optimistically, while Amy and I slept longer, hoping the cloud would clear and planning to catch them up by fell running. Midday came, the cloud hadn’t lifted but we set off anyway, hoping we would be able to catch a glimpse of the stunning scenery at some point! At 1200m the miracle happened, we rose up above the cloud to climb the 200m scramble section (think Tryfan North Ridge) in glorious sunshine with a spectacular cloud inversion all around. The views were all the more special for the delayed reveal.<br />
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Dropping back down into the mist wasn’t such a joy, but we finished the day with coffee and freshly baked waffles and cinnamon buns at <a href="https://goo.gl/maps/iKPhTJyyYLP2">Renndølsetra</a>, highly recommended.<br />
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Glyn Hudsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12074378692118107701noreply@blogger.comNorway60.47202399999999 8.4689459999999646.052253499999992 -32.839648000000039 74.891794499999989 49.777539999999959tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5756951957791452345.post-84979231465589602732018-03-16T02:03:00.000+00:002018-03-16T02:15:58.302+00:00Still having all the fun...just with less impact <div dir="ltr">
This evening I watched a this fantastic film from Salomon. It epitomises everything I enjoy: </div>
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I can relate to the uneasy feeling of doing environmental damage while having outdoor adventures. I made the decision a number of years ago to give up flying, drive an electric car and become veggie...I still travel and climb just as much, just with slight less impact and greater fulfilment.</div>
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Thanks to my friend <a href="http://terryjameswalker.com/">Terry Taylor</a> for posting this video with his own words: </div>
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Nice to see that other people in the industry are aware of their footprint. I'm a professional skier based in France, and drove to the Alps from North Wales in my 24kw LEAF EV, with a seasons worth of kit, 7 pairs of skis, and a house plant called Barbara. The car has been mega in the snow, and we've had the biggest winter in 30+ years. The cold not a massive problem (-28 at times), and remote climate control is amazing! The local charger is supplied from the hydroelectric dam. Best decision I ever made.</blockquote>
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Glyn Hudsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12074378692118107701noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5756951957791452345.post-86551650217753647042018-01-15T13:33:00.003+00:002021-11-06T12:39:03.256+00:00Morocco Overland (Climbing in Talambote/Akchour)<h1 id="climbinginmoroccotalamboteakchour">
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Talambote Valley</td></tr>
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I'm currently travelling at 300 km/hr, sitting on a TGV fast French electric train on my way back to the UK after a couple of weeks climbing and exploring in Morocco. We travelled overland to keep our carbon footprint to to minimum*; first via electric car to London then high speed electric trains through France and Spain and finally a ferry across the Strait of Gibraltar to Morocco.<br />
<h2 id="overlandtravel">
Overland Travel</h2>
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We followed the excellent <a href="https://www.seat61.com/Morocco.htm">Seat 61 London > Morocco train booking guide</a> for advice on booking trains and ferries. Seat 61 is an amazing source of information for everything train related. We have their knowledge to book trains as far as <a href="http://blog.zerocarbonadventures.co.uk/2016/01/sicily-escaping-rain.html">Sicily (see blog post)</a> and even <a href="http://blog.zerocarbonadventures.co.uk/search/label/ChinaViaTrain">China (see blog post)</a>! </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Overland Route to Morocco</td></tr>
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To maximise available time we left home on Boxing Day. Since there were no trains running we drove to London in our Nissan LEAF electric car. We have done this 280 mile drive many times before; there are so many rapid charging options at motorway service stations the journey is straightforward even in our 2013 24kWh Nissan LEAF (80-90 miles of range in summer and 70-80 miles in winter). However, on Boxing Day the weather was terrible: heavy rain and snow and freezing temperatures, which made the journey slightly more exciting than expected and meant we had to stop to charge a little more often than usual.<br />
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The next morning we relaxed into the comfy seats of the high speed electric trains from London to Paris and then Barcelona. We arrived in Barcelona in time to head out for some late tapas after checking into an AirBnb.
The following morning we got a train from Barcelona to Algeciras with one quick change in Antequera-Santa Ana. Since alcohol is hard to obtain in Morocco, in Algeciras we stocked up on NYE celebration supplies (wine and whisky) before boarding the ferry. The alcohol allowance is a litre of wine and a litre of spirits per person. At this point the journey started to slow down. The ferry was 3 hours late departing, we joked that we were already experiencing Morocco! Things seem to happen when they happen in Morocco, following no apparent schedule and generally at a much slower pace!<br />
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On the ferry we met up with our friends Jon and Emily who were bringing their camper van to Morocco from Southern Spain. Eventually we arrived in Tanger Med port and, after a lengthy customs clearance process for us and an even longer one for the van, we finally started the 2.5hr drive in the camper van up into the mountains at 1am! The drive was rather exciting, negotiating roadblocks and detours. Eventually at 4am (5am for us on Spanish time!) we made it to Cafe Rueda near Talambote/Akchour where we would be staying for the next couple of weeks.<br />
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After some much needed sleep we awoke to an amazing sight: a massive wall of limestone bathed in warm, Moroccan winter sunshine.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View from Cafe Rueda</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Panorama view from Cafe Rueda</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6K8SQbSuAdQ/WlwACHLbvEI/AAAAAAACU18/6Y-ABz3I2goj8jTfQVfl42N8diuWsGOCgCEwYBhgL/s1600/IMG_20180107_132345%257E01.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="950" data-original-width="1600" height="380" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6K8SQbSuAdQ/WlwACHLbvEI/AAAAAAACU18/6Y-ABz3I2goj8jTfQVfl42N8diuWsGOCgCEwYBhgL/s640/IMG_20180107_132345%257E01.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Looking back towards cafe Rueda</td></tr>
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<h2 id="toposguidebook">
Topos / Guide book</h2>
The valley of Talambote is located in Northern Morocco, Talassemtane National Park, in the heart of the Rif and near Chefchaouen. Most of the climbing topos for Talambote/Akchour are now published on <a href="http://www.caferueda.com/Rock-Climbing-Morocco/Caiat-Routes">Cafe Rueda's website</a>. A guide book was published in 2016 which I bought from <a href="http://topodumaroc.canalblog.com/pages/commandez-le-topo/32715142.html">here</a> delivered to the UK. Even though the guide book has most of the latest routes it's worth taking a look at the folder in Cafe Rueda full of hand drawn topos and notes, there are a number of new additions that are not in the guide book.<br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vIcVJfTWYzk/Wlv-lV9yAcI/AAAAAAACU1Y/icWHYwn0o6sSglaiDIwsr1pyfP9cMabhACEwYBhgL/s1600/IMG_20180101_205328%257E01.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="681" data-original-width="1600" height="272" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vIcVJfTWYzk/Wlv-lV9yAcI/AAAAAAACU1Y/icWHYwn0o6sSglaiDIwsr1pyfP9cMabhACEwYBhgL/s640/IMG_20180101_205328%257E01.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">La Rueda Wall Topo</td></tr>
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<h2 id="theclimbing">
The Climbing</h2>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-HhtcQsRqo3c/WlwBKu_Q89I/AAAAAAACU2Y/1fmo7t6uH-wwT3iqn8z0TqPXc-xJ--IFQCEwYBhgL/s1600/IMG_20180107_140732.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-HhtcQsRqo3c/WlwBKu_Q89I/AAAAAAACU2Y/1fmo7t6uH-wwT3iqn8z0TqPXc-xJ--IFQCEwYBhgL/s640/IMG_20180107_140732.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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I first heard about the climbing near Talambote/Akchour after reading <a href="https://www.ukclimbing.com/articles/destinations/akchour_-_limestone_with_a_moroccan_twist-8348">Jacob Cook's excellant UKC article</a> and <a href="https://hazelfindlay.wordpress.com/2012/05/07/akchour-valley-morocco">Hazel Findlay's blog post</a>. A few years ago I had a really enjoyable and memorable trip big-wall climbing in Tagia in Morocco (<a href="http://blog.zerocarbonadventures.co.uk/2014/05/morocco-taghia-part-2-climbing.html">see my blog post</a>). I was keen for another Moroccan adventure.
A sunning 400m high limestone wall dominates the vista from Cafe Rueda, however there are also lots of single pitch crag options. The best that we visited being (in no particular order): <a href="http://www.caferueda.com/Rock-Climbing-Morocco/Caiat-Routes/Caiat-Sectors/Ratas">Ratas</a>, <a href="http://www.caferueda.com/Rock-Climbing-Morocco/Caiat-Routes/Caiat-Sectors/Kozy/">Kosy</a>, <a href="http://www.caferueda.com/Rock-Climbing-Morocco/Caiat-Routes/Caiat-Sectors/Triangel/">Triangel</a> and <a href="http://www.caferueda.com/Rock-Climbing-Morocco/Caiat-Routes/Caiat-Sectors/Pinchos/">Pinchos</a>.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hand Jamming at Kozy</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">7b at Gaza</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">7b at Ratas, the best roadside crag</td></tr>
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Most of the climbing in Talambote/Akchour is very well equipped by foreign climbers with well placed bolts and anchors. There are a number of multi pitch routes on the main wall which are partially equipped, but we didn't try any as there were enough fully equipped routes to keep us busy during our two week trip.<br />
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The climbing is varied, the routes on the big wall often have tufa sections, the single pitch crags have a variety of pockets and some sharp edges. Most routes have only recently been equipped and have not had many ascents. Expect some sharp and dirty holds and a bit of loose rock. Sometimes walking and approaching crags can be tough due to the lack of paths and ferocious spiky vegetation!<br />
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The highest and best looking sector on the wall is <a href="http://www.caferueda.com/Rock-Climbing-Morocco/Caiat-Routes/Caiat-Sectors/La-Rueda/">La Rueda Wall</a>. The multi pitch climbing highlight of the trip for me was climbing Sahara 7b 245m.<strong> </strong>6 pitches of excellent sustained varied climbing (5 consecutive pitches of 7a and above) on La Rueda Wall on lovely solid rock.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Luke on Pitch 5 of Sahara</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Luke leading 7b tufa pitch 4 of Sahara</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sahara is number 6 on the topo</td></tr>
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Climbing the standalone pillar of <a href="http://www.caferueda.com/Rock-Climbing-Morocco/Caiat-Routes/Caiat-Sectors/Panabdul">Panabdul</a> was a cool experience. Although unfortunately we couldn't sign the route visitor book since it had got wet:<br />
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<h2 id="thewildlife">
Wildlife and Rest days </h2>
One of the standout highlights of the trip for me was seeing the local wild monkeys up close while climbing Magic Rueda at Eperon Kert on the left hand side of the big wall. The monkeys seem to be concentrated in the rambling sectors between Africa and Eperon Kert. Seeing so many monkeys in the wild so close was an unforgettable experience, it was like being inside a monkey enclosure in a zoo! We even saw a mother monkey carrying a baby monkey on her back while climbing up the wall!<br />
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The scenery around Talambote/Akchour in Talassemtane National Park was stunning. On rest days we went for a number of walks around the area.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-l7K7NhvrxWo/WlwBEKjxgmI/AAAAAAACU2Y/NZzGWxDHWB0ijTmpSR_egtU5A_T-xEg5wCEwYBhgL/s1600/IMG_20180108_145157.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-l7K7NhvrxWo/WlwBEKjxgmI/AAAAAAACU2Y/NZzGWxDHWB0ijTmpSR_egtU5A_T-xEg5wCEwYBhgL/s640/IMG_20180108_145157.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Looking down on Bridge of God above Akchour</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jKNLpgwRho0/WlwCSKvkXZI/AAAAAAACU2w/PMpckdyXrhcaqrKFQLUsaYQobBYdyYyDgCEwYBhgL/s1600/PANO_20180108_144046.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="561" data-original-width="1600" height="224" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jKNLpgwRho0/WlwCSKvkXZI/AAAAAAACU2w/PMpckdyXrhcaqrKFQLUsaYQobBYdyYyDgCEwYBhgL/s640/PANO_20180108_144046.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Looking down on Akchour valley </td></tr>
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<h2 id="weatherconditions">
Weather / Conditions</h2>
We visited Talambote over new year (late December / early January). When the sun was shining the temperature was great for climbing. It was even a bit too hot to climb in the sun for the first few days! We experienced a few days of rain during our visit and a number of overcast and windy days. The temperature on overcast days and at night was actually quite cold. There was even some snow on the higher hills around us! The cold temperatures made living and climbing quite uncomfortable at times. Cafe Rueda has no form of heating, the building is obviously designed more for keeping cool in the summer rather than warm in winter! I would recommend taking sleeping bags to supplement the blankets provided!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Snow on the hills above Akchour!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A sign of bad weather to come, cloud moving in</td></tr>
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Possibly a better time to visit to have a higher chance of good weather would be Spring/Autumn, but be prepared to have early starts when climbing on the big wall since the sun hits it about 12pm and then it's in the full sun all day.<br />
<h2 id="moroccoexperience">
Morocco Experience</h2>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Great to see wind-turbines alongside camels on Moroccan 100 MAD bank note (about £10)</td></tr>
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Travelling in Morocco is quite an experience, leaving Europe is very noticeable,just about everything is different! We found everyone we met to be very friendly and welcoming, even though more often than not people are very poor. I wrote extensively about the experience of travelling in Morocco in the first part of my Taghia blog post: <a href="http://blog.zerocarbonadventures.co.uk/2014/05/morocco-taghia-part-1-travel-people-and.html">Morocco Taghia - Part 1: Travel, People and Landscape</a>. Spending time in Morocco certainly makes you appreciate so many things we take for granted in our everyday lives.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Large parts of the surrounding villages are only accessible via donkey with no running water or electricity</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Carpet and cloth making is a big economy in Morocco. We brought some lovely cushion covers home with us</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Traditional very very sweet mint tea, responsible for mot adults not having many teeth left!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wE0oKqF3BzQ/Wlv94UZyI_I/AAAAAAACU1I/gePW01b2RiMGbNxamAvfnk6lgq2vv2QHACEwYBhgL/s1600/IMG_1256.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wE0oKqF3BzQ/Wlv94UZyI_I/AAAAAAACU1I/gePW01b2RiMGbNxamAvfnk6lgq2vv2QHACEwYBhgL/s640/IMG_1256.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The historic 'blue' town of Chefchaouen is only 20min away from Akchour and makes a very interesting rest day exploration activity</td></tr>
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<span face=""roboto" , sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #757575; font-size: 15px;">* Travelling via train emits 80-90% less carbon then flying [</span><a href="http://www.seat61.com/CO2flights.htm" style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); color: #2196f3; font-family: Roboto, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; text-decoration-line: none;">http://www.seat61.com/CO2flights.htm</a><span face=""roboto" , sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #757575; font-size: 15px;">]. The international 'safe' level of emissions per person is around 2T/yr to contain global temperature changes at or below 2 deg C which will 'hopefully' keep runaway climate change and subsequent rise in sea levels at bay. Return flight from London to Málaga will emit 2/3T of carbon per person. 6.5T to Auckland Australia or 2T to New York. [</span><a href="http://www.lowcarbontravel.com/" style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); color: #2196f3; font-family: Roboto, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; text-decoration-line: none;">Only Planet, Ed Gillespie 2014</a><span face=""roboto" , sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #757575; font-size: 15px;">]</span><span><!--more--></span>Glyn Hudsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12074378692118107701noreply@blogger.comCafe Rueda, CR EL OUED TAGHZOUTE, TAGHZOUTE, AL OUED, TAGHZOUTE 93029, Morocco35.2654959 -5.230973800000015235.252537399999994 -5.2511438000000155 35.2784544 -5.210803800000015tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5756951957791452345.post-463508571484800302017-12-18T01:59:00.002+00:002021-11-06T12:39:49.922+00:00North Wales to Fontainebleau Paris via Electric Car in winterWe recently took a trip to Fontainebleau, a magical forest just south of Paris that contains lots of awesome sandstone boulders which a great for climbing on.<br />
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Unfortunately it was a bit damp (100% humidity!) therefore we didn't do much bouldering. We did however do some tricky boulder trainer ascents and fantastic fell running and forest exploring, the highlight being the awesome <a href="http://www.circuitdes25bosses.fr/carte_interactive.html">25 Bosses Trail (17km, 830m ascent</a>).<br />
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We drove to Fontainebleau from North Wales in our Nissan LEAF electric car (EV), a return trip of 1300 miles (including driving around at our destination) in winter. It wasn't very difficult (even in our 'old' 2nd hand 24kWh EV), however a bit of prior planning goes a long way.<br />
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<i>Electric cars emit significantly less carbon than petrol/diesel vehicles and can be close to zero carbon if charged from renewable sources e.g solar PV / wind. I charged the EV from a 100% renewable tariff at home, the UK ElectricHighway rapid charge network is also 100% matched renewable and the French Sodetral network is very low carbon because of France's extensive nuclear power. See my blog post <a href="http://blog.zerocarbonadventures.co.uk/2017/05/zero-carbon-future-low-carbon-present.html">Zero Carbon Future (low carbon present)</a> for an in-depth comparison of EV Vs. ICE (petrol / diesel). </i><br />
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Earlier in the summer we drove our Nissan LEAF EV to Ceuse in the French alps using the auto-train to transport the car from Paris to Marseilles (see my original <a href="http://blog.zerocarbonadventures.co.uk/2017/07/ceuse-2017-nwales-to-french-alps-in.html">Céüse 2017: N.Wales to French alps in an Electric Car</a> blog post for full details of French charging networks, European charging cables and connectors etc). This trip took pretty much the same route to Paris as before but this time we took the opportunity to film and document the journey. Here is a video edit of trip; apologies in advance if it's a bit long, however I was keen to try and incorporate useful details e.g. how to activate French rapid chargers.<br />
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<br /><b>Winter EV driving </b></h3>
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Driving any car in winter and adverse weather rain, snow wind etc requires more energy. The effects are felt more so in an EV since:<br />
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1. Lithium batteries are less efficient at lower temperatures<br />
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2. Heat needs to be generated to heat the cabin. Since electric motors are over 90% efficient (compared to 20% efficiency for petrol/diesel) very little waste heat is generated, therefore in cold cold weather heat must be generated using alternate means. The Nissan LEAF uses an efficient heat-pump to generate heat, however it still uses some energy from the battery to heat the cabin with results in a few miles less range. <br />
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However the good news is on long EV journeys the effects of the old can be somewhat mitigated:<br />
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1. On a long trip the battery is discharged then re-charged rapidly in 20min using fast DC rapid chargers (50kWh), pumping a large quantity of energy back into the battery causes the battery to warm up therefore after the first couple of rapid chargers the battery is now up to optimum working temperature (approx 25 degC).<br />
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2. The extra requirement for cabin heat requirement can be mitigated by pre-heating. With the Nissan LEAF a smartphone app can be used to turn on the heater while the car is still plugged in. The energy for heating is drawn from the house supply. When the cabin is pre-heated to 22 deg C then very little energy is required to maintain a comfortable cabin temperature during the drive. Each time we stopped to rapid charger we did the same, pre-heat the cabin to a high temperature. After the first 10min of raid charging the charging current starts to drop as the battery filled up and in unable to accept energy as quickly, at this point turning on the heater does not slow down the charging process.<br />
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Rapid Charging </h3>
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We rapid charged mainly using the excellent Ecotricity Electric Highway rapid charge network in the UK and the Corri-door <a href="https://sodetrel-mobilite.fr/">Sodetrel</a> network in France. DC Rapid chargers charged the car to 80% in 20min. We mainly used used <a href="https://www.plugshare.com/#">PlugShare</a> to locate charging points and plan the journey. Plug share has most of the rapid chargers in France although the best charging point map for France is <a href="http://chargemap.com/">ChargeMap.com</a>. I highly recomend ordering a ChargeMap RFID card and <a href="https://moncompte.kiwhipass.fr/">Kiwhipass</a> before leaving, these two cards will let you activate most chargers in France. See my original <a href="http://blog.zerocarbonadventures.co.uk/2017/07/ceuse-2017-nwales-to-french-alps-in.html">Céüse 2017: N.Wales to French alps in an Electric Car</a> blog post for full details of French charging networks.<br />
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Destination Charging </h3>
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I used an OpenEVSE charging unit to allow me connect different plugs e.g. UK / EU / Caravan and to manually set the charging rate based on the plug and location.<br />
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<i>Full disclosure: I'm involved in the development of OpenEVSE open-source charging stations and we are the UK/EU reseller for OpenEVSE via <a href="http://shop.openenergymonitor.com/openevse-deluxe-ev-charge-controller-kit/">OpenEnergyMonitor online store</a>. </i><br />
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See my original <a href="http://blog.zerocarbonadventures.co.uk/2017/07/ceuse-2017-nwales-to-french-alps-in.html">Céüse 2017: N.Wales to French alps in an Electric Car</a> blog post for full details of charging cables and connectors.</div>
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<b>Fuel Cost (electricity) </b></h3>
Calculating actual electricity cost while on a EV trip is tricky since we charged in many different locations and many chargers were totally free. This is approximate how the charging costs for our trip stacked up:<br />
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<li>100 % charge overnight at home before we left: £1.87</li>
<li>1 x Podpoint 7kW charge at Rhug Estate: £1.41</li>
<li>7 x UK motorway Electric Highway rapid chargers (3x on the way down, 4x on the way home): FREE*</li>
<li>8 x French motorway Sodetrel rapid chargers (4x each way)(0.7 EUR/5min): 36 EUR = £31.73</li>
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<b><u>Total EV fuel cost for return trip (1300 miles) = £35! </u></b></div>
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<b>The same journey in my old van would have cost £195</b></div>
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EV's are also have free motor TAX and minimal servicing therefore running costs are very low. See my <a href="http://blog.zerocarbonadventures.co.uk/2017/05/zero-carbon-future-low-carbon-present.html">Zero Carbon Future (low carbon present)</a> blog post for a detailed EV Vs petrol/diesel comparison cost breakdown. We bought our Nissan LEAF second hand for £9k, it's saving me over £3k/yr in fuel costs therefore it will have fully paid for itself in another two years! See my <a href="http://blog.zerocarbonadventures.co.uk/2017/11/llanberis-driving-with-electricity-event.html">slides from the Llanberis EV event</a> which cover 2nd hand EV purchasing options</div>
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<i>* All Ecotricity Electric Highway (UK motorway) rapid chargers are currently free for us since we sill have our 52/yr free chargers for being Ecotrcity electricity customers. Next year we will need to pay a very reasonable £0.15/kWh therefore each rapid charge 10%-80% for our 24kWh leaf (20kWh usable) is 14kWh, this would therefore would cost £2.10 par charge. Therefore the 8x charges we used on this trip would have cost us about £16.80 although probable a bit less since we didn't change all the way to 80% on the last charge of each leg since we just required a little top-up to reach our destination. </i><br />
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Accommodation</h3>
We stayed in a lovely little <a href="https://www.airbnb.co.uk/rooms/9088861">airbnb studio flat Milly la Foret</a> which was very reasonably priced and nice and close to all the bouldering. It even has a dedicated outside electric car charging socket, the owner drives a Renault Zoe EV and speaks excellent english. If you are new to airbnb and sign up using <a href="http://www.airbnb.co.uk/c/ghudson13">my referral link</a> you will get £25 of free credits!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">UK LEAF meets French Zoe EV :-)</td></tr>
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Photos </h3>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fontainebleau from above</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Stunning Fontainebleau Forrest</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Euro Tunnel is the best way to travel to France with pets</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bob having a good holiday :-) </td></tr>
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<br />Glyn Hudsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12074378692118107701noreply@blogger.com77300 Fontainebleau, France48.4020962 2.699495800000022428.6529747 -38.609098199999977 68.1512177 44.008089800000022tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5756951957791452345.post-6107646331463434702017-11-28T01:39:00.004+00:002021-11-06T12:40:08.028+00:00New North Wales Bouldering guidebook launch!On Saturday I attended a meetup and party to celebrate the long awaited and much anticipated launch of the new 2017 North Wales Bouldering Guidebook!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.v12outdoor.com/north-wales-bouldering-2nd-edition-pre-order.html" style="font-size: medium; text-align: start;">Now available from V12 Outdoor</a><span style="font-size: small; text-align: start;">.</span></td></tr>
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North Wales has some of the best bouldering in the world. In 2004 Simon Panton published the first proper bouldering guidebook to the area:<br />
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I can remember my excitement 12 years ago (in 2006) getting hold of a copy. I grew up in North Wales and was just starting to lead climb outside. The guide opened my mind to the possibility of bouldering - another style of climbing I could try. Over the proceeding years I've visited almost all areas in the old book and enjoyed climbing many fine problems and visiting some special hidden areas of forrest and mountainside I would not have otherwise explored.<br />
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The old guidebook has been out of print for a number of years. In recent times we've relied on the treasure-trove of information on the <a href="http://northwalesbouldering.com/">NorthWalesBouldering.com</a> website for updated info and the latest news on the endless stream of new discoveries tirelessly updated by Simon Panton. Every visit to the site would inspire me to get out and checkout the new problems springing up everywhere, the enthusiasm of Simon and other pioneers was infectious.<br />
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I was fortunate enough to be on the 'inner circle' of NWB, over the past few years I had the enjoyment of proof reading sections of the new guide. Each time a new .pdf teasingly arrived in my inbox I was blown away by the sheer number of new problems and the quality and thoroughness of the documenting and editing. Whenever I could I tried to visit the new areas and occasionally helped with some photos and corrections. What was obvious was that the new guide was going to be a BEAST! The old guide contained about 1000 problems, the new guide has over 4000 problems weighing in at 1.1Kg!<br />
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On Saturday I attended the launch bouldering meetup and evening party to celebrate the new guidebook. We enjoyed a sunny day out at Porth Ysgo followed by an evening of entertainment at <a href="http://caban-cyf.org/">The Caban Cyf</a>, a fantastic community enterprise office space / cafe in Brynrefail. Top effort to Simon for arranging and an even bigger congratulations for pulling off a monumental effort to produce the finest bouldering guide book North Wales has ever seen. Will it ever be bettered?!<br />
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Here is a short clip of some drone footage I shot at Porth Ysgo on Saturday, unfortunately it was a bit windy (and I was a bit busy bouldering!) so I didn't get as much footage as I would have liked but at least it sets the scene:<br />
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I'm now as psyched as ever to get out and enjoy some of many fine new boulder problems in N.Wales...just as soon as the rain stops!Glyn Hudsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12074378692118107701noreply@blogger.comLlanberis, Caernarfon LL55, UK53.1180329 -4.127549000000044553.0989724 -4.1678895000000447 53.137093400000005 -4.0872085000000444tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5756951957791452345.post-19369745372923248382017-11-14T17:05:00.000+00:002017-11-14T17:05:54.145+00:00Diamond Days<span style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">Here in North Wales the outdoor roped climbing season is pretty much over. Cold, wetness and darkness are prevailing. Ah well, a change of scene is always good. I'm enjoying the Beacon Climbing indoor winter bouldering circuits and looking forward to getting outside bouldering.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">I've finally managed to find some time to edit the video footage I shot climbing on <a href="https://www.ukclimbing.com/logbook/crag.php?id=11077">The Diamond</a> crag on the Little Orme in Llandudno.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">The Diamond is one the best sport climbing crags in the UK. It's a shame due to bird nesting restrictions, tides and conditions it's only really possible to climb on it a few months of the year. These restrictions do make those rare days when all the stars align even more magical. </span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">Here's a short video edit of Luke Brooks</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"> and I climbing on The Diamond towards the end of the summer. </span><br />
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Luke's project is actually <a href="https://www.ukclimbing.com/logbook/c.php?i=145238">S</a><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #111111; font-family: Roboto, Arial, sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.ukclimbing.com/logbook/c.php?i=145238" style="font-size: 14px; white-space: pre-wrap;">kip of Fools 8a+</a><span style="font-size: 14px; white-space: pre-wrap;"> (incorrectly labelled in the video) and my route is </span><a href="https://www.ukclimbing.com/logbook/c.php?i=205169" style="font-size: 14px; white-space: pre-wrap;">The Brute 8b</a><span style="font-size: 14px; white-space: pre-wrap;">. Both us made good progress but didn't manage to send our projects before winter took hold. I'm actually fine with this, I've been really enjoying the process of red-pointing and it's a good motivation to train over the winter to have an open project! Roll on next summer..</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #111111; font-family: Roboto, Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Here's a few photos from The Diamond:</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #111111; font-family: Roboto, Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span></span>Glyn Hudsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12074378692118107701noreply@blogger.comLittle Orme, Llandudno LL30 3AL, UK53.3250481 -3.783671199999957927.803013599999996 -45.092265199999957 78.8470826 37.524922800000041tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5756951957791452345.post-32776485246630201212017-11-05T21:11:00.001+00:002017-12-18T02:00:25.252+00:00Llanberis 'Driving With Electricity' EV Event: My Experience after 20K EV miles Yesterday I had the pleasure of speaking at a <a href="http://www.cprw.org.uk/">CPRW</a> Electric Car event at Electric Mountain in Llanberis. My presentation covered my experience driving an EV and the ins and outs of charging.<br />
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Here's a copy of my slides:<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="true" frameborder="0" height="569" mozallowfullscreen="true" src="https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/e/2PACX-1vSb1asV-UQPQPATZIBy7uHUxKjJX-I_i8S1uxSCmwAE4xBYqsbE-ccOozvFZunR0jxVdE4bJwFNGQpm/embed?start=false&loop=false&delayms=3000" webkitallowfullscreen="true" width="960"></iframe><br />
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Here's a copy of the agenda:<br />
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<br />Glyn Hudsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12074378692118107701noreply@blogger.comLlanberis, Caernarfon LL55, UK53.1180329 -4.127549000000044553.0989724 -4.1678895000000447 53.137093400000005 -4.0872085000000444tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5756951957791452345.post-21452136949936414892017-10-14T17:15:00.004+01:002021-11-06T12:40:41.212+00:00Filming The Future is Electric: Tesla EV in SnowdoniaRecently I was lucky enough to get the opportunity to make a couple of promo videos for <a href="https://white.car/">Whitecar</a> a Tesla EV rental company.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tesla Model X filming on Black Rock Sands Porthmadog</td></tr>
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I first hired one of their Tesla Model S EV's to surprise <a href="https://twitter.com/trystanlea">Trystan Lea</a>. We're both EV enthusiasts currently driving Nissan LEAF's. It was amazing to experience the power, range and high tech features of a Tesla e.g. self-driving auto pilot, self-park etc. Not that had any doubt before but the future is most certainly electric transport! I made a short video of our time with the Model S driving around Snowdonia with a few drone shots.<br />
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Whitecar liked the video so much they asked me to make a similar clip for the Model X. Unable to resist a chance to experience a Model X for a few days I agreed. The filming over two days was a lot of work, I enlisted <a href="https://twitter.com/spikeheap">Ryan Brooks</a> to help me. The weather was terrible for the two days we had the car, super high wind and driving rain! Ryan did an amazing job flying his Mavic Pro drone in extremely challenging environments. Two days of filming generated 85GB's of footage, it took me weeks to review and edit it all.<br />
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I'm very pleased with the result. I look forward to working on more film projects in the future. And yes...the Model X was amazing, one hell of a EV! Here are the final edits:<br />
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This was one of my favourite shots from the video:<br />
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Trystan calculated that in this 5s clip the wind turbines in the background generated 1100x the energy consumed by the Tesla in that time period! </div>
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Here's a few photos from behind the scenes:<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mavic Pro Drone sheltering from the rain!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Testing <a href="http://openenergymonitor.org/">OpenEnergyMonitor.org</a> website on Model X!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nissan LEAF & Model X hanging out on the beach</td></tr>
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Glyn Hudsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12074378692118107701noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5756951957791452345.post-34108145586267120912017-07-27T03:13:00.001+01:002021-11-06T12:41:03.118+00:00Céüse 2017: N.Wales to French alps in an Electric Car! I'm writing this post on a rest day while on a climbing trip in Céüse in the French alps having driven here from North Wales in our Nissan LEAF electric car (EV) fully loaded with 4 people plus camping and climbing gear. As always climbing and hanging out at Céüse was very pleasurable, it's one of my favourite places.<br />
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Here's a little video edit I made of Céüse and the climbing, shot using a DJI Spark mini drone (new toy!):<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">On top (and above) Céüse at sunset</td></tr>
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Driving to Céüse in an Electric Car (EV) </h3>
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On the news today there has been much talk about EV's as the government has announced a ban on petrol and diesel cars by 2040. This is great news. Although I expect no one will want to drive a petrol car long before then after experiencing an EV. The government announcement today has sparked lots of concern from non EV drivers that it's not possible to travel long distance in an EV. I hope this trip will demonstrate otherwise, albeit with a bit of planning.</div>
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We drove a 2nd hand 2014 Nissan LEAF with a 24kWh battery, all new EV's have significantly larger (30-40kWh+) battery, therefore can travel further per charge making long journeys like this even easier. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Journey, EV driving in blue, EutoTrain section in red</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nissan LEAF at 1500m below Petit Céüse</td></tr>
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When I started driving an EV at the end of last year the plan was to 'electrify' and reduce the carbon emissions for our daily commutes to work and local driving around N.Wales e.g. cragging on the Orme, Pass, Tremadog, Gogarth etc. I had calculated that these local journeys added up to account for many more miles average over the year than one or two longer trips away in the van e.g. to the alps. Initially my plan was to keep my van for longer trips.<br />
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However, it soon became apparent that our electric car was capable of much more than just a local run-around. Roll on 8 months and 12,000 electric miles later we have we have now ditched both my diesel van and our diesel car in favour of a single fully-electric 2014 24kWh Nissan LEAF. After experiencing driving an EV it felt like a step backwards to take my van for a long trip. It was difficult to justify the vastly increased carbon and particulate emissions, noisy, less comfortable driving and massively more expensive option of driving my van. See my previous blog post "<a href="http://adventuresplusnorthwales.blogspot.com/2017/05/zero-carbon-future-low-carbon-present.html">Zero Carbon Future, Low Carbon Present"</a> comparing the emissions and running cost of EV Vs petrol / diesel cars.<br />
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We are lucky in the UK that we have a fantastic motorway Rapid Charge network than are able to charge our Nissan LEAF in 20-30min, driving anywhere in the UK is not a problem as long as the increased journey time is taking into account. In my opinion it's a small price to pay for vastly cheaper driving (2p/mile) and much lower carbon emissions. In the last 8 months we've <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-cVlfmcwlAg&t=20s">driven the EV to Scotland</a>, Peak District, Yorkshire, Lake District and London without any issues.<br />
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Trips abroad e.g to the alps typically require long distance driving without many stops. This type of 'mission' driving is not particularly suited to EV's, or humans for that matter (#<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/bladderanxiety?src=hash">bladderanxiety</a>)! Luckily there is a viable option to get to the Alps / South of France in an EV: SNCF run an <a href="https://autotrain.uk.voyages-sncf.com/en/">AutoTrain</a> service from Paris to many destinations in the South of France.<br />
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Looking at the transport options for a climbing trip to Céüse (which has become <a href="http://adventuresplusnorthwales.blogspot.co.uk/search/label/Ceuse">an annual event</a>!), taking the EV + AutoTrain actually worked out more cost effective than taking a train and hiring a car and only slightly more expensive but much lower carbon than driving all the way in a petrol car.<br />
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The AutoTrain compares favorably to taking a passenger train all the way and hiring a car since the EuroStar (London to Paris) component of any passenger train journey is quite expensive and hiring a car in the summer in S.France quite pricey. Taking our own car means we can take as much kit as we can pack..a lot! SNCF is actively targeting the AutoTrain service to EV drives, providing free Rapid Charging at the stations. As a promotion in partnership with Nissan each French Nissan LEAF EV owner gets one free return trip on the AutoTrain! Sadly, the offer does not extend to UK Nissan LEAF owners :-(<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YyMERxb1ZNs/WW_8qv-6WsI/AAAAAAACHEc/_4y1QXOqlGcMHOKfSZQEI-j2_l3SZD-FwCLcBGAs/s1600/139401_1_5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YyMERxb1ZNs/WW_8qv-6WsI/AAAAAAACHEc/_4y1QXOqlGcMHOKfSZQEI-j2_l3SZD-FwCLcBGAs/s320/139401_1_5.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">AutoTrain Nissan LEAF promo photos</td></tr>
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Unfortunately it's not possible to actually travel in the vehicle while it's on the AutoTrain. The vehicles travel overnight on an open sided freight train and passengers need to book onto a separate train. We opted for a night train which was very time efficient. We paid a £179 each-way to transport the EV on the AutoTrain from Paris to Marseilles and £31.50 each-way (per person) to travel overnight on a sleeper train...cheaper than a hostel!<br />
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Although maybe not yet as good as in the UK, France has a reasonable EV Rapid Charge network. Given the time and a (high boredom threshold) it would be possible to drive an EV all the way to the South of France..for free (if you choose the use supermarket rapid chargers)!<br />
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The hardest part of driving an EV in France was obtaining the different Rapid Charging networks and applying for RFID cards to activate the charges. This was not too difficult but does require prior preparation (ordering required RFID activation cards). Best allow at least a few weeks for the cards to arrive. I recomend at last a month, after all this is French administration! See section below:<br />
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<h3>
<u>
Charging an EV in France</u></h3>
<h3>
French EV Chargepoint Map</h3>
The best website (French PlugShare / Zap Map equivalent) for scoping out charging options in France is <a href="http://chargemap.com/">ChargeMap.com</a>. The comments section on each charging point is highly informative and regularly updated by French EV drivers. The Android app for ChargeMap works very well.<br />
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<h3>
French Rapid Charge Networks</h3>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MgRk0uTHtxc/WW_7wf-XGsI/AAAAAAACHEM/c1U9xrKEBKEuXMYULmzsPxkESkfyZqTyACLcBGAs/s1600/DDpLxo2WAAAiybF.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1200" height="480" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MgRk0uTHtxc/WW_7wf-XGsI/AAAAAAACHEM/c1U9xrKEBKEuXMYULmzsPxkESkfyZqTyACLcBGAs/s640/DDpLxo2WAAAiybF.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Homework complete, all the charging passes, cables and Céüse climbing guidebook obtained!</td></tr>
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<div>
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All French rapid chargers have the standard Chademo, type-2 and CSS connectors therefore work exactly the same as in the UK.</div>
<h3>
Sodetral (motorways)</h3>
The 'official' motorway rapid charge network in France is ran by <a href="https://sodetrel-mobilite.fr/">Sodetrel</a>. These are high quality rapid chargers on motorway toll road service areas. A Sodetrel RFID card and account is require to active. Charging costs 0.7 EUR per 5min with a maximum of 4.7 EUR per charge with a monthly 3 EUR fee and 10 EUR to obtain the card. The Sodetrel network is still in it's infancy and not nearly as prolific as Ecotricity in the UK (France is a big place). See video to show charger in operation and my experience of French EV rapid charge network:<br />
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<h3>
KiwhiPass (Supermarkets & car dealers) </h3>
There are also lots of 'free' rapid charging options at Auchan supermarkets, town centres, Ikea stores and Nissan dealerships. These charges are activated using a <a href="https://moncompte.kiwhipass.fr/">kiwhipass</a> RFID card which is currently a little tricky to obtain in the UK, <a href="http://www.kiwhipass.fr/kiwhi-pass-for-our-foreign-users.html">follow these instructions</a>.<br />
<h4>
Fast Public Charging</h4>
Many French public 'fast' chargers use a type-3 socket, although apparently slowly being phased out in favour of the standard type-2 which is used on most UK public EV charging stations. A <a href="http://www.evcables.co.uk/228/Type-3-EV-Charging-Cables">type-3 to type-1 cable</a> is required to charge a Nissan LEAF from a type-3 public socket. I borrowed such a cable but did not use it since we only used rapid chargers while on the move, then charged via a standard campsite hookup at our destination campsite.<br />
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<h4>
Campsite Hookup (medium/slow)</h4>
Charging an EV from a campsite hookup is usually no problem. Most campsites use 16A blue hookups. A 16A hookup to 13A 3-pin adaptor then use a 10A EVSE 'granny-cable' is the easiest way to do it. However, I use my OpenEVSE setup to be able to change at the full 16A and if needed set the current lower e.g. 6A. This is useful if many users are using the hookup and the campsite has got dubious wiring and long cable runs. Having said that I've not had an issue charging at 16A from campsite hookups. However, if speed is not essential I would choose to charge at 8/10A to put less strain on the hookup. Apparently some campsites in France have a 6A restriction, I have not come across this myself. See my DIY OpenEVSE below.<br />
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<h4>
Domestic Socket (slow)</h4>
A two pin (plus ground) 'Schuko' plug is used on the continent. These sockets can actually handle up to 16A as opposed to 13A from UK sockets. It's not a good idea to try and charge an EV via a travel-plug adaptor. Travel adaptors are not generally rated for high currents and often don't have an earth connector that is required by EV chargers.<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/OoM_EOemeiw/0.jpg" frameborder="0" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/OoM_EOemeiw?feature=player_embedded" style="clear: left; float: left;" width="320"></iframe><br />
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I made up my own 'adaptable' EV charging system using an <a href="https://shop.openenergymonitor.com/openevse-wifi-emoncms-ev-charging-station-kit/">OpenEVSE</a> with blue commando sockets to allow a variety of connectors and charging currents to be specified. This always allowed me to charge at the highest available current and also have the flexibility to lower the charging current if required e.g. some campsites:<br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Y_qe9CuVIJc/WXfSqsS4LcI/AAAAAAACHa0/E6txSFDTqAg-nkADjL5gFo874AltSxrHgCLcBGAs/s1600/openevse-travel-kit.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1315" data-original-width="1600" height="524" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Y_qe9CuVIJc/WXfSqsS4LcI/AAAAAAACHa0/E6txSFDTqAg-nkADjL5gFo874AltSxrHgCLcBGAs/s640/openevse-travel-kit.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My DIY OpenEVSE portable variable charge rate setup (6-32A) in 1A increments.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://cdn2.bigcommerce.com/server4400/98a75/products/194/images/886/IMG_20170309_105148_1__63151.1489103490.1280.1280.jpg?c=2" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="487" height="400" src="https://cdn2.bigcommerce.com/server4400/98a75/products/194/images/886/IMG_20170309_105148_1__63151.1489103490.1280.1280.jpg?c=2" width="242" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://shop.openenergymonitor.com/openevse-wifi-emoncms-ev-charging-station-kit/">OpenEVSE</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<h3>
<u><br /><br /><br />
Appendix: Our Journey</u></h3>
<div>
Here is an account of our journey, its rather un-interesting reading but might be useful for someone making a similar trip. </div>
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<b><u>N.Wales to London</u></b><br />
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Casual drive, easily done using Electric Highway Ecotricity network. Possible in 4 rapid charge stops, although I did 5 since London traffic meant I took the long way round the M25.<br />
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NextCharge app ise useful for planning EV journeys, even takes elevation into account!</div>
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<b><u>London to Paris</u></b><br />
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<b>1. London to Folkstone </b><br />
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<i>Early start from London, charged overnight from 3-pin plug at friends house. Free 20min topup at EuroStar Le Shuttle terminal. Located just outside the main entrance. Only 1/2 units was working but one was all we needed! </i><br />
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<b>2. Calais to Aire de Rely Southbound - Corri-door (37 miles)</b><br />
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<a href="https://api.plugshare.com/view/location/82049">https://api.plugshare.com/view/location/82049</a><br />
<a href="https://chargemap.com/corri-door-aire-de-rely.html">https://chargemap.com/corri-door-aire-de-rely.html</a><br />
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<i>I had hoped to get all the way to Arras before stopping, however it's uphill all the way from Calais and car was very heavily loaded, struggled to get more than 3.5 mi/kWh. Quick 18min stop at Aire de Rely topped us up. Costing 2.23 EUR for 9kWh</i><br />
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<b>3. Aire de Rely to Auchan Arras 24/7 (30 miles)</b><br />
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<i>Bit tricky to find on the top story of supermarket car park. PlugShre location has been updated. Luckily a Golf GTE had just finished charging. Free charge. Approx 20min stop. Bought some lunch supplies from the supermarket...mmm cheese. </i><br />
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<a href="https://www.google.com/maps?daddr=50.299046,2.735659">https://www.google.com/maps?daddr=50.299046,2.735659</a><br />
<a href="https://api.plugshare.com/view/location/76581">https://api.plugshare.com/view/location/76581</a><br />
<a href="https://chargemap.com/auchan-arras.html">https://chargemap.com/auchan-arras.html</a><br />
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<b>4. Auchan Arras to Roye (49 miles)</b><br />
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<i>Beautiful little French village with 2x rapid chargers! Renault Zoe EV charging next to us. Nice bakery and Carrefour market closeby. </i><br />
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<a href="https://www.google.com/maps?daddr=49.700073,2.78787">https://www.google.com/maps?daddr=49.700073,2.78787</a><br />
<a href="https://api.plugshare.com/view/location/70821">https://api.plugshare.com/view/location/70821</a><br />
<a href="https://chargemap.com/parking-roye.html">https://chargemap.com/parking-roye.html</a><br />
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<i>Couple of possible Corri-door Sodetal options in Ressons, Vemars and the airport</i><br />
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<b>5. Roye to Corri-Door/Total | Charles de Gaulle (Paris-CDG) (54 miles)</b><br />
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<i>Busy little service station near the airport. ICE blocking the charger, managed to get the owner to move. 26min to get </i>9100kwh costing 3.50 EUR. Water tap and 3-pin socket (laptop topup!) close by. <br />
<i><br /></i><a href="https://www.google.com/maps?daddr=48.999942,2.522858">https://www.google.com/maps?daddr=48.999942,2.522858</a><br />
<a href="https://api.plugshare.com/view/location/121233">https://api.plugshare.com/view/location/121233</a><br />
<a href="https://chargemap.com/station-total-roissy-en-france.html">https://chargemap.com/station-total-roissy-en-france.html</a><br />
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<b>6. Charles de Gaulle Corri-door to Paris Bercy train station (20 miles) </b><br />
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Made it to the AutoTrain station (Paris Bercy) with minutes to spare. Free rapid charger if we needed it, however I was happy to let the car travel overnight at 40%ish to let the battery cool down. 11 rapid chargers over two days the battery was 57 degC, one bar away from red. Unlike Teslas Nissan LEAFs don't have active battery thermal management which is a bit of an omission in my opinion, however it's not usually an issue unless doing many many rapid chargers in a row in high ambient temperature. It was over 30 deg C outside. Maybe I was being overly worried, however I am aware that high <a href="http://batteryuniversity.com/learn/article/how_to_prolong_lithium_based_batteries">elevated temperatures does cause lithium batteries to degrade faster</a>. If the battery was to get into the red zone 70 ish degC? Motor power and charging rate would temporarily be limited (I've head reports of 50 MPH max and slow acceleration). I was keen to avoid this. <br />
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<a href="https://api.plugshare.com/view/location/86842">https://api.plugshare.com/view/location/86842</a><br />
<a href="https://www.google.com/maps?daddr=48.838898,2.382316">https://www.google.com/maps?daddr=48.838898,2.382316</a><br />
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<b><u>Marseille to Cesue (Gap)</u></b><br />
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<i>Since we started this leg on 40% we topped up at a free rapid charger at a Nissan dealer in Aix en Provence. Battery had cooled to ambient temperature overnight. </i><br />
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<i><a href="https://api.plugshare.com/view/location/25087">https://api.plugshare.com/view/location/25087</a></i><br />
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<b>1. Marseilles to Auchan Manosque 24/7 (56 miles)</b><br />
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<i>Another free supermarket charger that works even when supermarket is closed, we found out on the return journey! </i><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-F5b5e55_ALM/WXlBhacKWJI/AAAAAAACHtU/BkCA7f5-DQENMnwPnZU9L_bdLYE5saMlQCKgBGAs/s1600/IMG_20170704_114254.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-F5b5e55_ALM/WXlBhacKWJI/AAAAAAACHtU/BkCA7f5-DQENMnwPnZU9L_bdLYE5saMlQCKgBGAs/s400/IMG_20170704_114254.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Coffee time in Manosque!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<a href="https://www.google.com/maps?daddr=43.851063,5.823973">https://www.google.com/maps?daddr=43.851063,5.823973</a><br />
<a href="https://chargemap.com/auchan-manosque.html">https://chargemap.com/auchan-manosque.html</a><br />
<a href="https://api.plugshare.com/view/location/76993">https://api.plugshare.com/view/location/76993</a><br />
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<b>2. Auchan Manosque to Lidl Gap (60 miles)</b><br />
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<i>Yet another free supermarket charger. On arrival I unplugged Citroen C-zero which had finished charging (I thought), only to find out that the driver had actually not pressed start. He was not impressed since he thought I had unplugged his car before it had finished! Did a big supermarket shop and had lunch. Very hot, 35 degC ish. </i><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy3YOmsT6TEyNkp8ZHSKAaVv3R6oGKz1oPaI0VEwhI45As3CSSmPpGDoRwjtqGXdETmr1mVyINs0nMd32zkIJeRmo-h50c8eZJSos-pLGU1H-wnvVhNCd4PP3QKd2k2WKbcHYJyBme59Y/s1600/IMG_20170704_141351.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy3YOmsT6TEyNkp8ZHSKAaVv3R6oGKz1oPaI0VEwhI45As3CSSmPpGDoRwjtqGXdETmr1mVyINs0nMd32zkIJeRmo-h50c8eZJSos-pLGU1H-wnvVhNCd4PP3QKd2k2WKbcHYJyBme59Y/s320/IMG_20170704_141351.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Thanks Lidl! Very impressed with the store, we did a bulk shop before heading to the campsite.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<a href="https://www.google.com/maps?daddr=44.568115,6.101039">https://www.google.com/maps?daddr=44.568115,6.101039</a><br />
<a href="https://api.plugshare.com/view/location/115336">https://api.plugshare.com/view/location/115336</a><br />
<a href="https://chargemap.com/lidl-gap.htm">https://chargemap.com/lidl-gap.htm</a>l<br />
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<i>Then final leg to <a href="http://www.campinglesguerins.com/">campinglesguerins</a> where we had a 16A electric hook up that we used to charge using OpeneEVSE (see above) when we needed to drive which wasn't very much. But the hookup was useful to charge phones / laptop / done and it allowed us to leave on 100% charge. Hookup cost 3 EUR / night, owner didn't seem to mind us charging the car. I tried to charge the car at off-peak times at a low charging current 8-10A, however on the last day I did charge at the full 16A and there was no problem.</i><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tH-b22MQ5pQ/WXk4c3r-SbI/AAAAAAACHsw/odKyUPRwD4Uwqn1uG7cRFacW_YyEIDozwCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_20170704_174406.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tH-b22MQ5pQ/WXk4c3r-SbI/AAAAAAACHsw/odKyUPRwD4Uwqn1uG7cRFacW_YyEIDozwCLcBGAs/s640/IMG_20170704_174406.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Made it!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<i><br /></i>Glyn Hudsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12074378692118107701noreply@blogger.com05130 Sigoyer, France44.477536 5.976767999999992844.386901 5.8154064999999928 44.568171 6.1381294999999927tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5756951957791452345.post-71870473457207968462017-07-07T17:50:00.001+01:002021-11-06T12:42:51.213+00:00Mid Wales Electric Car Video SeriesLast year <a href="http://www.arloesigwyneddwledig.com/pwyntiau-ceir-trydan/?lang=en">Arloesi Gwynedd Wledig ran a pilot program</a> to install five 7Kw electric car charging points at accommodation and tourist providers in Meirionnydd. <br />
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I got involved using our Nissan LEAF electric car and a Renault Twizy rented from the <a href="https://ecofunkytravelling.com/">Eco Travel Network</a> in the Brecon Beacons to create three short videos to promote the charging points and outdoor activities in the area, it was great fun!<br />
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Even though mid-wales does not currently have many rapid charging facilities (50kW) there are plenty of fast charge locations (7kW) that will charge a car in 3-4hrs. Checkout <a href="https://plugshare.com/">PlugShare.com</a> to view the locations of the charge points.<br />
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Here are the videos we made:<br />
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<h3>
Day 1: Getting There..</h3>
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Day 2: Renault Twizy </h3>
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Day 3: Nissan LEAF</h3>
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<br />Glyn Hudsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12074378692118107701noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5756951957791452345.post-88143520627253068942017-06-11T01:17:00.001+01:002021-11-06T12:42:38.983+00:00Snowdonia From Above<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Recently I acquired a 2nd hand DJI Phantom 3 drone, it's great fun! Really been enjoying shooting some photos and videos around N.Wales with added perspective:</div>
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<br /><br /><br /><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-AzH4yRzBvhI/WTyK2yWS9qI/AAAAAAACFn0/gp7SRif1SX4UiN1xdwMScsN4OKmZsqSpQCLcB/s1600/DJI_0005-01.jpeg"><img border="0" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-AzH4yRzBvhI/WTyK2yWS9qI/AAAAAAACFn0/gp7SRif1SX4UiN1xdwMScsN4OKmZsqSpQCLcB/s640/DJI_0005-01.jpeg" /></a> <br /><br />Llyn Padarn <br /> <br /><br /><br /><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-h9ghFgF50gg/WTyK4Iy8w2I/AAAAAAACFn4/ozwU9C0GtY8FQCgWiCOhG1WyC7zLX9ORwCLcB/s1600/DJI_0002-01.jpeg"><img border="0" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-h9ghFgF50gg/WTyK4Iy8w2I/AAAAAAACFn4/ozwU9C0GtY8FQCgWiCOhG1WyC7zLX9ORwCLcB/s640/DJI_0002-01.jpeg" /></a> <br /><br />Llyn Padarn Swimming <br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzWU_UOg6TPsKqS0ZxkC50CcKT2UqImhFrKC7I_BaBawS_0M0gDW8pJdGeTfMlwGGOpb-tGVMSMEqUpLMgjfNYN_ydEJY_ByeFhAKgTO2JzR0inRsYD_oXgELVZhd7cwaVwdKX7LgsEOQ/s1600/DJI_0025-01.jpeg"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzWU_UOg6TPsKqS0ZxkC50CcKT2UqImhFrKC7I_BaBawS_0M0gDW8pJdGeTfMlwGGOpb-tGVMSMEqUpLMgjfNYN_ydEJY_ByeFhAKgTO2JzR0inRsYD_oXgELVZhd7cwaVwdKX7LgsEOQ/s640/DJI_0025-01.jpeg" /></a> <br /><br />Llanberis Pass <div>
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<br /><br /><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XQbrg4bwKeA/WTyIif5DomI/AAAAAAACFno/sFSIdWdZMBMt2HBlAyMGLL1cnbx7Z3OZACKgB/s1600/DJI_0019.JPG"><img border="0" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XQbrg4bwKeA/WTyIif5DomI/AAAAAAACFno/sFSIdWdZMBMt2HBlAyMGLL1cnbx7Z3OZACKgB/s640/DJI_0019.JPG" /></a> <br /><br />Llanberis 'High' Street! <br /><br /><br /><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9m8163ANSpw/WTyIiRi_vLI/AAAAAAACFno/ArstEC--5-QNTPypLdZDiqI6pe4emC-JACKgB/s1600/DJI_0010.JPG"><img border="0" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9m8163ANSpw/WTyIiRi_vLI/AAAAAAACFno/ArstEC--5-QNTPypLdZDiqI6pe4emC-JACKgB/s640/DJI_0010.JPG" /></a> <br /><br />Elan Valley Hydro in Meirionnydd </div>
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<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5ixZfiX26Lrv8Xn6q_eBfp3yKeVAozJ9wh1bUqRKYFZQySsgU-TkTn_1rMIqkXBNL-tBov17chVwwDSCz7DDq1nYxvuCvTURa9ZTdkVlyMHKnW3srLw40QDZ4tfXABDF3mJ9i0mSmd-U/s1600/DJI_0022.jpg"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5ixZfiX26Lrv8Xn6q_eBfp3yKeVAozJ9wh1bUqRKYFZQySsgU-TkTn_1rMIqkXBNL-tBov17chVwwDSCz7DDq1nYxvuCvTURa9ZTdkVlyMHKnW3srLw40QDZ4tfXABDF3mJ9i0mSmd-U/s640/DJI_0022.jpg" /></a> <br /><br />Dinas Dinlle<br /><br /><br /><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yMU46mR1P54/WTyI4LbfjTI/AAAAAAACFns/44J5VSTdpJk650tI93yVlJ_s2Hsv0Yt7gCKgB/s1600/DJI_0013.JPG"><img border="0" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yMU46mR1P54/WTyI4LbfjTI/AAAAAAACFns/44J5VSTdpJk650tI93yVlJ_s2Hsv0Yt7gCKgB/s640/DJI_0013.JPG" /></a> <br /><br />Menai Bridge </div>
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<br /><br /><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-LFyN-gFbT0Q/WTyI4Ft6MEI/AAAAAAACFns/D5mtYuU__lM7GUyMh_7InFr_LQZ-uy0vwCKgB/s1600/DJI_0015-01.jpg"><img border="0" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-LFyN-gFbT0Q/WTyI4Ft6MEI/AAAAAAACFns/D5mtYuU__lM7GUyMh_7InFr_LQZ-uy0vwCKgB/s640/DJI_0015-01.jpg" /></a> <br /><br />Menai Straits <br /><br /></div>
Glyn Hudsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12074378692118107701noreply@blogger.com