Let the fun begin!

[Seef]

Originally Posted by gbaglo

it's filled with edam and shipped back.

[Seef]

Originally Posted by cpaharley2008

What happens to the container? Is it owned by someone who then leased it to you or ETI?

Hi,

The container belongs to a company. After we used it it will be stacked on a lot in the harbour and when time comes it will be picked up and used again.

In fact you just rent the container for the duration of the trip including the return of the container.

Have fun!

Severinus and Yvonne

[Seef]

Another day, another adventure.

The Escape is heading Lisbon and should be about halfway between the Dominican Republic and Portugal.

No time to waste though.

Today we did close a deal on the TV.

It talk some time to make up our mind, partly because there were more then 1 options but mostly because of the somewhat strange TAX rules overhere.

It turns out that if you buy a pick-up it will be considered a business car, but it has to comply with a bunch of rules regarding loading space and Cab space. The loading weight is not the most important thing to consider, but the loading space (in the truckbed and the space in the cab is the most important thing.

I know, if you don't live here your don't understand, believe me, we do neither.

Anyhow: If you buy a Dodge Ram, you're OK, it is big enough to be considered a business truck.

We decided we needed something smaller, Holland is not pick-up truck country so big trucks are considered bad news overhere, as in bad people drive big pick-up trucks.

So a smaller truck is what we need. We decided on a ISUZU D-Max max towing about 4500 KG, good enough for us.

BUT, to make this a business truck overhere in the Netherlands, we have to raise the cabin roof a few centimeters, we need to install a hitch and we need to make sure the truckbed is detachable (Quick release).
All this is fairly standard work for a few garages who sell pick-up trucks.

So it will take 5-7 weeks in all to get the truck on our drive way. No problem, we need to do some work on the Escape too.

Well we're glad we finally found a truck that could be "converted" to a business vehicle, looks good and is not so big like a Dodge Ram.

Have fun!

Severinus and Yvonne

[Sandra L]

Thanks for the update and the interesting information. I have been following the Seaspan Felixstowe, and am amazed at the information on that website. (Thanks again Karen.)

[Seef]

And a new update is available.

Escape just hit Europe!

The Seaspan Felixstowe vessel carrying the Escape, is about to enter the harbour of Lisboa, Portugal.

[padlin]

It was tough waiting 6 days to get ours to go cross country, the waits gotta be killing you.

[Sandra L]

Just a hop, skip and a jump and she's there!

[hotfishtacos]

The ship just stopped in Valencia, Spain. I'm really interested in watching the route to it's eventual home...

Steve

[Seef]

And here we GO!!!!

It turns out the Escape has been offloaded in Cartegna and transferred to another vessel.

I just received that message from the shipping company.

And now we can honestly tell you guys that the Escape 5.0 has landed in the Netherlands (Rotterdam), is offloaded and will be loaded on a smaller vessel which will transfer it to Harlingen where it will arrive on Tuesday morning!

We will be making lots of pictures while unpacking the container.

W'll keep you posted!

Have fun!

Severinus and Yvonne

[Jim Bennett]

This truly is Christmas in July, as you even get to unwrap the present to yourselves.

[Vicki A.]

Oh my gosh, so excited for you!

[amirie]

This whole thread has been so neat to follow--waiting for the offload pictures and when you are ready to go your first journey...All "legal" and converted..

[Sandra L]

Originally Posted by Vicki A.

Oh my gosh, so excited for you!

Me too!

[Sandra L]

Originally Posted by Vicki A.

Oh my gosh, so excited for you!

Me too!

[escape artist]

Hi: Seef... I'm surprised the container made the trip so fast, with all of us along for the ride!!! Happy conversions for the rest of the rigging. Alf
escape artist N.S. of Lake Erie

[Seef]

Hi Guys,

Jipppppppiiiiieeeeeeeee, the Escape 5.0 has finally arrived in The Netherlands!

We unloaded her today in the harbor of Harlingen and after that we put her on transport to the company who will replace the axle and coupler and make sure she will be streelegal overhere.

This was the first time we ever saw an Escape 5.0 in real life. It has been an adventure so far and it is just starting.

When we paid our Escape we accidently transferred a bit too much money but Reace and Tammy did the only responsible thing, they dropped a case of Canadian beer in the storage locker in the stairs.

We only had a quick look but it was everything we have hoped for but we already had to say goodbye real soon and send her off. In a few weeks time we will have all the time in the world to admire her......

The guy who picked her up did bring his truck and trailer and his truck is the same truck we have bought so that gave us a nice impression on how things will look in a few weeks time.

A few pictures of the landing of the first escape in the Netherlands!

Beertime!

[Seef]

Watch for the new "shiny" rims.

And for the happy couple!!

[Seef]

And up the trailer she goes!

[Seef]

And last but not least, a full front view of the ISUZU with our Dave.

Have fun (we know we will)

Severinus and Yvonne

[bouterse]

hartelijk gefeliciteerd