M/H “TE PAPA”

 In March of 2012, we added to our ‘fleet’ of wandering homes, Motor Home “Te Papa”.

She is a 2003 Swift Kon-tiki 600, and to us, perfect luxury. Having been all year round cruising live-a-boards since 2001, we had for a year or two now, felt we would sometimes like a land home. We can not however imagine being stationary for very long, so initial thoughts of mobile homes, apartments and holiday homes just did not really fit the bill.

After much talking and soul searching, we decided that a motor home would suit, but the model we chose would need to tick the boxes which we had set as priorities. Firstly, having spent 100 days in New Zealand, living in a Toyota Hiace Camper between December 2011 and March 2012 (a most amazing experience of which we report on this site), moving everything aside to put up the bed on a night time, whilst reversing the process in the morning, our home had to have a permanent double bed. It would also have to have full bathing and toiletry facilities including a shower, plenty of cupboard space and a full cooker/oven for full time living, and swivel driver and passenger cab seats to give that extra comfort. On our return from New Zealand, the search was on.

 

 

It was not long at all before we found the perfect model, ticking all boxes and offering so much more. Remarkably, despite being in mint condition, with only 19700 miles on the clock, she was well under book price. Some casual, though searching questions of the existing owners whilst viewing her, left us feeling pretty certain, that due to personal financial problems, they needed to sell their much loved motor home relatively quickly. A further reduced offer was made, reluctantly accepted, where upon we became the proud owners.

 

 

Whilst in New Zealand, where they have a passion for motor homes, especially self builds from old coaches, we were fascinated the way they gave their vehicles a name, just as we do boats. One couple who we became friendly with on a camp site, explained that whilst it was totally unofficial, one of the local clubs operated a register of motor homes and their names. As a result, just about everyone named their home. We so loved this idea that we decided we wanted to give our new acquisition a name. Also whilst in New Zealand we were fascinated by the history of the Maoris, so whilst in Wellington we spent a whole day in the most amazing museum we have seen. It was the National Maori Museum called “Te Papa”, literal translation, “Our Place”. Very simple but significant so with the greatest respect to the Maoris, we have borrowed ‘your place’ made our home “our place” or in its original title,

 “TE PAPA”.

We travelled in her from UK, to “Market Lady” in Greece in spring 2012 enjoying a brilliant ten day holiday. She sat in the boat yard whilst we spent the summer sailing in the Ionian then when “Lady” was hauled out for the winter, we took a month to tour, whilst making our way back to the UK. We spent the winter living aboard her and loved it, being comfortable in our own home travelling around visiting friends and family. It was as readers will no doubt recall one of the worst winters UK has known for many years.

  In May 2013 “Te Papa” was very heavily loaded with materials for a serious refit to “Market Lady”, when we set off to return to Greece. Due to all the items we were carrying, this was to be a relatively fast journey which we did in three days, travelling through France, Belgium, Germany, Austria, Slovenia, Italy, then ferry to Greece

This year we will be living aboard “Te Papa” whilst we carry out the extensive refit of “Market Lady”,

then,

travelling to Portugal in her at the end of 2013, where we shall enjoy winter aboard her in the Algarve.