89 HI THERE, BIG BOY...

Once we have confirmation of the dates for the Black Forrest Gateau, we can plan our route and start to think about where we will stay at each stop. According to our friend who completed the trip a few years ago, we can stay in hotels and hostels for a few quid a night. Can we do any better, though?

We saw our friends Tony and Julie recently, they like the idea of going to the South of France with us but don't fancy the drive. They have just bought a cracking motorhome, a proper coach-built beast, so suddenly, the thought of driving across Europe for a couple of weeks may be more appealing!

This got me thinking: If we do this again in the future, could we do it in a camper van or motorhome? The short answer is yes, and the long answer is yes, but it would cost an absolute fortune if we did it the way I would love to do it.

First, I would need to buy a motorhome and, as I've had a Euro Millions Lottery win in this fantasy, it would be time to go big or go home.  They don't get much bigger or better than the aptly named Big Boy by Brabus.  

I mentioned Brabus in one of the very first posts on ARMCOB. They are Mercedes tuning arm that creates ridiculous creations based on standard vehicles. In this case, they have turned a regular Actros truck into an out-of-this-world mobile mansion.

It is a whopping 40 feet long and 8 feet wide, providing 323 square feet of luxurious living space via dual slide-outs on either side that expand the bedroom to 15 feet wide. The vehicle has two 43-inch 4K TVs, a PS5, and a premium audio system.  The kitchen has a dual sink, an oven, a dishwasher, and a full-size fridge. There's a second smaller wine fridge and a built-in coffee machine.

There are two full-sized beds, one at either end of the living room, with two sofas upholstered in quilted leather. The front cab seats are also upholstered in quilted leather. Brabus added matte wood and Alcantara accents throughout the cabin to continue the luxury feel.

The exterior is black.  All black.  Very, very black, which makes it look sinister - something I approve of!  It is powered by a mighty 12.8-litre six-cylinder turbodiesel engine that generates a whopping 530 hp.  It is limited to a top speed of just 56 miles per hour.

So, how much of my Euro Millions will I need to splurge on this incredible machine? A cool £1.2 million. As I said, it is a fantasy, but what a machine. For now, I'll stick with the Abarth…or try and bunk in with Tony and Julie!!!