Musings on Technology

I'm not a huge fan of technology. I don't have an I-phone for example, hardly watch TV, and I can barely use a microwave without help, usually from Jasper. But whether I am a fan or not, technology is all around us and I have to admit that it has been incredibly useful both in planning this trip, and whilst we are on it. Without technology we would not have been able to plan the stop over points for the first 6 weeks so quickly. The research that was done on the internet was a few simple clicks, and campsites, places, points of interest were all at the ready. As and when we have added details to our initial spreadsheet notes so that we can keep a record of where we have been, and plan (vaguely) where we are going next. Without technology we wouldn't be able to record all of the wonderful things we have witnessed and experienced. We all take photos of things that are important to us, and each of us sees a different view of the sights that we have visited. Jasper and Maya's photos are really quite different to mine or Eds. And on my camera, I can make little movies, and I do, mostly of silly moments, but sometimes they become cherished memories such as the one of Jasper and Maya on a beach somewhere in Portugal with a washed up wooden pallet that they tried to salvage and float. At almost 5 minutes, it's a touch OTT, but it's such a picture of innocence and then discovery that the moment will never be recreated. 

On an almost daily basis I use my phone as a point of contact to phone family and friends (yes, I actually use it as a phone!!!) and also to send text messages, again mostly to family and friends. Without this technology a trip such as this would of course be possible but not as easy. It's very reassuring to receive a phone call or message to let us know that everything is OK back in Blighty! New friends that we have made along the way are also now mobile phone contacts, so we are in regular communication with Ann and Bob AKA: Sharon and Andrew, and therefore we can find out who is winning their Scrabble championships! 

The internet can be a very useful tool when researching new places. It can also be a disadvantage as you can see too much, too much is revealed, the discovery is made for you if you are not careful. We haven't yet avoided anywhere because of this, but certain cities have been portrayed to us in a bad light, and we've found it hard to shake that negative feeling.

On our IPad we have an app that is linked to the out of season discount camping card (ACSI card) that we bought. The app is a great tool as it has an interactive map with all the campsites easily identified. It also has a feature called "reviews", where, yes, you've guessed it, campers leave reviews of the sites. Some of these reviews have been really useful when making decisions about one site or another, but now that our choices are somewhat limited, we really don't want to read reviews that say "avoid at all costs" when it's the only site within miles!!!

I'm a fan of Facebook. Not a huge user, but I like the fact that I can see what is happening in the world that I have left behind. "Liking" pages such as BBC news and BBC sports, helps give us certain snippets of information, and of course having family and friends linked via Facebook means we can stay in touch without directly making contact. If it weren't for Facebook, then we wouldn't have had the chance to meet up with Ray and Ann in Portugal, and also make contact with Lesley and John. Do I "like" that friends can see when I add some photos that probably mean more to family? Yes; some of our friends are our Somerset family as they have been there through thick and thin. You know who you are! We have also made new friends with people and they are also registered on Facebook, so we can see where Vivian and John are staying now too!

And of course there is this blog, a rather easy way to communicate with everyone and anyone who wants to read all about it! Above all, my favourite bit of technology has to be Maya's hairdryer!!! She got it last Christmas as she asked Father Christmas for, and I quote, "A little pink hairdryer that actually works". A travel hairdryer is what she received, and I am so glad that she chose (ahem!) to bring it along with her. That's my girl!

The only problem with all of this technology is that it uses electricity and some of it inevitably needs charging, and on days when we are not on an electric hook up on a campsite, using technology does indeed cause us a few issues!

Over and out! 

Clare 

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