Welcome to my channel, here you find some first builds of my campervan from 2016 and how I modify it later to suit. Also some instructional videos which are concerned about maintenance and the odd adventure thrown in for good measure 😊👍
@@JobeCouture Ahh I understand, I am not surprised that if you are sensitive that you felt or heard things at Mametz, have you visited other places and found other paranormal activities?
Haha nice video James! Good to chat to you down at the kitesurf club on Saturday about Iveco’s briefly. What an unbelievably small world. Turns out I was already subscribed to your channel from your van content about 5 years ago. This just appeared on my subscriber feed. Madness!
David sorry I have placed your reply on the comments above yours and there is a link so you can listen to the piece of music that you are interested in, regards James
Walk there with my friend a few years ago then suddenly we felt like someone was watching us from the woods I don’t know how to explain it but I vividly remember someone yelling out “advance” in the distance, And cold and eerie feeling that we had that day was something I never forget but still R.i.p to all the soldiers who fought and die there ❤
It certainly made for an eventful few days, thankfully all back to normal again, minus the washing machine that unfortunately did not make it back to life 😕
I don’t doubt it’s a very eerie place,more so with what happened there,however I don’t buy into paranormal activity,and if anything just leave the fallen be
Hi, I love RU-vid diy videos done by real people! We were struggling to join the sofa to the corner unit! Watching your video explained it better than the ikea manual, thanks. 😅
Hey thanks for that, you know it's one of things when you buy something and I say to myself "should I film this?" or just get on with it, and it's the fact that I go to RU-vid when I need advice that tells me if it wasn't for them I'd be struggling right now, so it's my absolute pleasure if it's helped in some way, regards James
I bet you're Dad would have preferred to be singing "Happy Birthday" rather than packing up and moving to safety, I took the dog a walk this morning on the park and there was a couple of small dead fish! just shows the volume of water that was flowing through.
It is a debilitating feeling that's for sure but we are working through it and getting sorted now, still without power as they need to be tested first, regards James
Hi mate, used to live in Rhyl, not far from where you parked on the seafront, did my initial stint as a boy soldier at Kinmel Park camp (now a business park), if you haven't been already, visit Bodelwyddan Church, some interesting ww1 headstones, the camp is where they had the riots in 1919, stay safe bud
Hi Steve one the BSMs of my old Regiment did his training at Kinmel Camp he was RA he known to all as Baz Key, St Marys is a beautiful church where the Canadians and a few others are, I think the nurse buried there succumbed to the Spanish Flu , it is one of the few grave yards where the heads are doubles and triples which seem to be unique to the area. Kind regards James
Hiya pal, we got our warning a bit late, we were led to believe that it should pass OK, but the next message was telling us there is a trickle coming over the wall, well that trickle became a river very quickly and we just jumped in the van and went, luckily nothing damaged, not allowed back on the camp yet, no power because of the flood.
Why have you changed it? I have a humming noise in the rear axle when I accelerate. Could it be the bearing? Thank you very much, your videos are very helpful
Hi, it was a seal that had started to leak and as we put in new seal we put in new bearing too just to be on the safe side, is it a humming or whining (meaning is higher pitched and happens at say 50mph onwards?) if so it could be crown bearing (I think that's the name) which could break or it will last the lifetime of the van but continue making the noise, regards James
It looks like an ambulance, starting in 3rd gear is when it is most noticeable. I have changed the valve, checked the group, balanced the transmission and it continues to do so. I only have to change the wheel bearings that are rusty. Thank you very much for answering. Greetings 👋
Wow James talk about lump in throat moment, amazing drone footage of the battlefields of The Somme and The Ypres Salient, absolutely awesome work and well put together too mate. 👏
Hi Nigel thank pal, Tracy said the same that it was very emotional for her at the end, I guess I get caught in the moment when composing and putting my narrative in, regards James I subbed to your channel too
On my last motorcycle trip I spent night on the grass field next to Flat Iron Copse Military Cemetery. The bare fields seen in the video besides the grass part were cornfields then. During the night I was woken by something walking past and brushing my tent several times. In the morning I could see "paths" off flat grass leading up towards Mametz Wood. A pretty weird feeling I asure you. I told myself it was wildlife animals that did that. 😅
Hi Steve glad you liked it, I had a few hours of footage which I thought might look good all stitched together and it's all of the same subject and landscapes 👍
What an amazing journey and series, brilliant footage and excellent narration, need to go back to the start to watch them all again. Best wishes to you all for taking the time to create these uploads, really enjoyed them. Learnt so much and you provided views of many of the places I have read about which is awesome. An emotional journey throughout and handled with the respect as one would expect, many thanks, great work!
Morning Paul , I can't begin to express how gratifying it is to read such comments, it takes a lot of hard work to remember to pause what your doing when on holiday and remember to film and then at home begin the process of piecing it all together to make a storyline. I'm just glad that some have found it of interest, I really appreciate it, regards James
@@manconthemove that sounds like a plan mate, I'm just editing the full drone video of the western front that I've covered it's half hour long already and I've cut it down but still got more footage to add lol I hope all goes well with the operation pal, take it easy buddy
I heard that foncqevilliers was known as funkyvillas by the troops. They often changed the names of places because they found pronouncing them in French very difficult
I can quite imagine, being ex service myself we did make other names up for places if we struggled with pronunciation, my Great Grandfather was WW1 Royal Garrison Artillery and they called Mouquet Farm "Mucky Farm"
It's good to see the traditions being honored. It's sad to see not many young people participating. Thank for posting this. According to my DNA test I'm 46% Scottish, 6% Irish and the rest Scandinavian
Thank you for your kind words and that's a fair mixture of DNA heritage "some Viking in there for sure", and with you saying Scottish and Irish it's a strong possibility that your family originated as part of the Viking migration, settling in Scotland and through to Ireland, there were plenty of young people around, cadets and school children but as part of the Poppy Parade I didn't get a chance to reflect that fully, but the street of Ypres were lined with applauding crowds which was a great measure of respect to witness, regards James
Hi James, this is turning into a bit of a quest, 114 seems to be the only battery that fits the timeline but I have definitely see 6 battery somewhere, maybe a mistake, the other odd one is 32 we're held in reserve and did not go into action until Nov, odd, 12 coy originally were at tynemouth and I know that's where he did his training maybe I'll have to have a seance at his graveside 😮 Cheers once again
Hi Steve it can be a minefield "pardon the pun" I'm sure that 114 Battery were mentioned in my Great Grandfather's war diary, I think they borrowed the new 60 pounders from them at the battle of Serrés (Somme). Or something like that. If I can help in any way let me know but do keep in touch and let me know how you get on, it would be nice to know. Regards James
When you laid the wreath there was a real gust of wind, followed by the sunlight casting shimmers of light over the memorial, very poignant! And as always a really interesting upload, crammed a lot in even if the weather was not playing ball! A lovely tribute for Tracy's Great Grandfather too! Many thanks!
Yeah I thought that too when (although it was windy) the wreath blew at that moment, it was an amazing day and it was interesting to learn how the war was fought by different people from other angles. Regards James
Hi thanks for the watch of the video, and ref the brackets they came with the kit, I imagine you could source them separately of get someone to make them for you, regards James
Great videos mate, where did you get your info regarding 14th battery? My grandfather served with 6th seige battery, 12 Coy and I've been trying to find out where they were in August 16 when he was injured (she'll burst at gun), any info would be appreciated
Hi Steve thank you for your kind words ref the videos, I am at work at the moment but I'll put another reply on here with some helpful links to help you research your Grandfather when I get home, regards James
Hi Steve I have found some more info about your Grandfather 79031 Gunner James Fredrick Burling. He was indeed injured by a Shell explosion on the 29/8/16, He was also diagnosed with Shell Shock 02/9/16, He was sent back to the UK 05/9/16. He was deemed unfit to continue service but it states he was a good soldier prior, his injuries stating "Burns of Eyes" He was as you say in 12 Coy, 68th Heavy Artillery Group On his Medal Card it says RGA 32 Div, No mention of 6th Siege Battery but did operate a 6 Inch Howitzer so continue your research with 12 Coy, 68 HAG & 32 Div and see what you come up with, he was injured in the Somme so that gives a location to work with. Good luck with your quest and if you want his medical discharge docs I can send them via email. regards James
Another really interesting upload, very poignant too. Something about the cemeteries that just makes you stop, think, feel sad and glad all at the same time, glad that we are remembering them still, and hoping they are glad that we are. Shown me a few places I have not seen before in this episode, some places I will add to the list, great narration and footage as always, many thanks!
And reading a comment like this makes the hard work worth the while, I really appreciate the feedback and I am glad there are new places that you want to visit, I never tire of walking through the cemeteries, to be shoulder to shoulder with our heroes has for me no finer honour to be in their presence, regards James
Crikey, what an upload, and so poignant, that you have that connection at the end, must be so proud to stand in the footsteps of your heroic family member, proper pulled the heart strings that one, and he would be so proud that you went to visit that spot, to remember and pay tribute! Makes one consider, what I would do in that situation, would I be strong, brave, be afraid or all of the above. Legends and heroes every one of them!
Hi Paul it was an amazing moment, I have seen documentaries where relatives have been brought out to connect with their ancestors past and seen how it overwhelms them but never thought I could be so lucky to have the same experience, thank you for your kind words and understanding regards James
Hi Craig, thank you for your kind words, and I can see why you keep returning to the Somme, there is so much evidence of the battle from a over 100 years ago still visible in its landscape, regards James
Loving your seat covers, James. Where did you get them? In regards to the seat, in other installs Ive seen, the "tophats" the big extentions on the back that stick oout of the seat are normally cut off and put under the swivel plate. It shows that on the kiravans site
Hi thanks for the advice ref the swivel seat I have sine corrected it, and the seat covers are off ebay here is the link regards James www.ebay.co.uk/itm/265739905303?mkcid=16&mkevt=1&mkrid=711-127632-2357-0&ssspo=8S-q7Y6HSt2&sssrc=2047675&ssuid=&widget_ver=artemis&media=COPY
Really enjoyed Episode 1, so was glad to see Episode 2 pop up. Love the narration, camera/drone work, a real insight to how things took place fro many angles, but also from a perspective we can relate to. I enjoy the background of the places you are showing, ties in with all the stuff I read but have not been able to visit yet, so reminds me why I must get out there. Love the respectful nature you guys have, empathy and no bias. Many thanks for taking the time to create/share/upload, I look forward to any future uploads. Merry Christmas to you all!
Paul I really enjoyed your comment, to know that this is how people feel about viewing the finished product makes the hard work of filming and drone flying all worth the while. Its not always easy on our holiday when I say can I just go back and film this before we stop for lunch etc but I am lucky to be with like minded people. Thank you again for your kind words and I hope to see you out here getting the experience for yourself one day. Merry Christmas & Happy New Year! regards James
Excellent video James and a fitting tribute to your falling comrades! Without who's sacrifice the world we live in today would be a different place. "ar dheis de go raibh a anam dilis"
Thank you for your comment Mick "may his holy soul be on the right side of God" I feel so saddened that it took so many lives to get what we take for granted today Regards James
Brilliant video and content James. Loved it. You could spend months exploring this area and still not see it all. You've done these lads proud brother 💚💚💚
"Everyone was a brother." Sure. I commemorated one boy from my little school here and his brother just outside Ypres. Killed within a month of each other. Good work with this video. Thank you.
Thank you for your kind words and yes those names on the panels very quickly become people to me when I stand and observe the sheer magnitude of the sacrifice given, regards James
