| DATE |
ARTICLE |
CLICK HERE |
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What was New in Previous Years: The website started in 2005 so there are several previous 'What's New' linking to articles and images still on the website. |
What Was New in Previous Years |
| 24 Dec |
A Winter Motorhome Journey: With the Sprinter van and caravan safely in store in the UK, we retrieve our Flair motorhome from Motorhome Medics and sail for Dunkirk. We cross France, head south through Germany and Switzerland and then east across northern Italy, ultimately arriving in the Greek Peloponnese. |
A Winter Motorhome Journey |
| 24 Dec |
What is New in 2011? Eco Camping Batak is new. Located at 1090 m (3,600 ft) in the Rhodopi mountains, on the edge of Lake Batak, it is a great addition to Bulgaria's still small list of really good campsites. English is well spoken by owner/manager Hristo Simeonov and a wide range of outdoor activities are on hand.
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Eco Camping in Bulgaria |
| 21 Dec |
Ian & Judit meet Bessy: Returning to the UK after years of living and working in Budapest, Ian & Judit replace their Land Rover Defender and tent with a motorhome. Many months of research led to the vehicle in which they aim to extend their already extensive travels in Europe and beyond. |
Ian, Judit and Bessy |
| 21 Dec |
Dr Bob & Sandra in Australia: Starting from Perth on a year-long tour, this intrepid couple have crossed the Nullarbor, travelled north from Port Augusta to Tennant Creek and explored NT and Queensland in their Land Rover Discovery, pulling a caravan. Here is their detailed Travel Log. |
February-May 2011
June-August 2011
September-November 2011 |
| 20 Apr |
From Greece to the UK April 2011: An account of travelling by motorhome back to the UK from Greece via Italy, Switzerland, France and Belgium. This is the final stage of a journey that ranged from the top of Norway, through the Baltic Republics and Eastern Europe to Turkey and Greece. |
Greece to the UK April 2010 |
| 18 Nov |
Travel Notes Scandinavia 2011: Following a 5-month, 6,500-mile tour of Norway, Sweden and Denmark by Sprinter van, caravan and bicycle in the summer of 2011, we put together some of the key things a traveller may need to know. |
Travel Notes Scandinavia 2011 |
| 18 Nov |
36 Motorhome Insurance Agents: The need to renew our motorhome insurance encouraged us to resurvey the jungle of motorhome insurers. This led to the revision and updating of our findings. Contact Us to share your experience. |
36 Motorhome Insurers Reviewed |
| 16 Nov |
Ferries between Turkey and Greece: For too many years no ferry has operated between the Greek mainland and Turkey. But about 15 different ferry routes operate between the Turkish mainland and nearby Greek Islands, only 4 of which carry vehicles. Read on . . . . |
Turkish-Greek Ferries |
| 11 Nov |
SitRep Greece 2011: Rose Walshaw, our special correspondent who lives in a village in the southwest corner of the Peloponnese, reports on the current situation in debt-laden Greece from the viewpoint of the ordinary Greek. |
Situation Report Greece 2011 |
| 11 Nov |
Tributes to Ian Hibell: Killed by a hit-and-run driver in Athens on 27 August 2008, world cyclist Ian Hibell still attracts admiration and tributes for a life lived to the full. His nephew and an old friend from the 1960's in the USA share their thoughts on his passing. |
Tributes to Ian Hibell |
| 10 Nov |
Camping in Istanbul Update: Angela and David Lodge give a thorough account of improvements to the motorhome parking area on Kennedy Caddesi. The site provides a hookup, water and dump exclusively for up to 14 motorhomes to overnight within easy reach of the Golden Horn. |
Camping in Istanbul |
| 6 Nov |
Australian Motorhome Tour of Europe: Martin and Pam Williams leave their home in Perth to motorhome from the UK to Greece and back, through 16 countries including the former Yugoslavia. It's good to see Europe through fresh eyes. |
Aussies Up Over |
| 25 Oct |
Return to the UK October 2011: From Malmo in Sweden we crossed the Kattegat to Copenhagen, using the 10-mile Oresunds Link. A ferry from Rodby to Puttgarten began the traverse of northern Germany and into Holland for a ferry to the UK. |
Back to Blighty |
| 2 Oct |
In Sweden 2011: Following our 12-week, 4,700-mile (7520 km) journey north along the coast of Norway, we turn east from Narvik heading into Arctic Sweden. This is the beginning of the return to the UK. |
In Sweden 2011 |
| 2 Oct |
Travellers and Dogs: In 'Reflections', within 'Ramblings', we have added an article in which we consider the one-sided relationship between the traveller, the dog and the dog owner, based on personal experience! Our thoughts are followed by comments from interested readers. |
Travellers and Dogs |
| 30 Sep |
Kate's Camps in Greece: Cycling North from Turkey to Tromso in northern Norway with fellow-Australian Jacqui, Kate noted for us the campsites they used in Greece - campsites open in February when they passed through. Later tragedy struck for Kate, while Jacqui added Nordkapp to her route. |
Kate's Camps in Greece |
| 28 Sep |
MagBaz vs MMM: After several years of voluntary unpaid work as 'Travel Consultants' for the UK's MMM magazine, we have resigned in protest at their editorial policy. Read the email we sent to the current editor, Daniel Attwood, explaining our reasons. Ironically, the final trigger was their treament of our proposed article 'Halcyon Days', now on our website. |
Divorce!
MagBaz vs MMM
Halcyon Days |
| 23 Sep |
New Turkish Road Tolls: Don Madge describes the new card system for paying road tolls in Turkey. This is the 26th article to date in the Don Madge Collection. |
New Turkish Road Tolls |
| 20 Sep |
Phil Letts in Turkey: Phil describes a journey out to Turkey via Romania and Bulgaria and back to the UK via Greece and the Pyrenees in his Peugeot Elddis Sunseeker motorhome, adding his reflections on motorhoming in Turkey. |
To Turkey and Return 2011 |
| 20 Sep |
Tour d'Italia 2011: Keith & Jenny Dear describe their motorhome tour of Italy in the summer of 2011. Their enthusiasm reveals a new-found love, one to be returned to! |
Tour d'Italia 2011 |
| 18 Sep |
The Wilsons Out East: Brenda & Adrian in their Fleetwood Fiesta motorhome travel to Turkey via Bulgaria and return via Greece. Their 8-month journey contains many challenges and surprises and includes work on their new hillside property in Bulgaria. But should they have climbed Ayers Rock? |
Brenda & Adrian in Bulgaria and Turkey 2010-11 |
| 11 Sep |
New Federation for Turkish Campsites: Koray Tezcan writes to tell us of a new Federation for campsites in Turkey. It's the UKKF with a useful website (in Turkish, English, German and French) which, among much else, lists campsites throughout Turkey. |
New Turkish Campsite Federation
UKKF |
| 11 Sep |
The Henry Love Page: Motorhomer and classically-trained chef, Henry has updated his page with fascinating information on Norwegian fish, particularly the Lofoten catch, and its use in the Basque country and Italy. Try his Salt Cod Tongues recipe! |
The Henry Love Page Update |
| 10 Sep |
Pippins in Spain and Portugal 2011: Rosemary and Andy Newton write a daily account of their autumnal motorhome tour of Spain and Portugal. |
Pippins in Spain and Portugal 2011 |
| 6 Sep |
Stopovers on Farms, Vineyards, etc throughout Europe: Here are links to schemes that allow and encourage free stopovers for motorhomes on vineyards, farms and other businesses in Britain, Germany, France, Spain, Italy, Switzerland and Belgium. |
Stopovers on Farms, Vineyards, etc |
| 28 Aug |
The Road to Norway 2011: Following a motorhoming winter in Bulgaria, Turkey and Greece, we returned to the UK to explore travelling with a van and caravan. Setting off in May for a long summer journey north through coastal Norway, we are north of the Arctic Circle in Narvik, via the Lofoten Islands. |
In Norway May/June 2011
In Norway July 2011
In Norway August 2011 |
| 28 Aug |
Brownfools Update: The closure of Brownhills' Swindon branch is reflected in an update of the wonderfully ironic and incisive Brownfools website. All this recalls the three illiterate and deeply insulting emails we received within 12 minutes from Brownhills 'Customer Service' in June 2009. |
The Brownfools Website
The Brownhills Fiasco |
| 25 Aug |
Camping in Turkey: Our popular detailed list of Turkish campsites has expanded to 54 with thanks to Rose Walshaw following her 6-week tour in the spring of 2011. |
54 Campsites thoughout Turkey |
| 25 Aug |
Phil Letts' Campsites in Turkey: Phil lists and describes the campsites he used motorhoming in Turkey in the summer of 2011. He also includes some campsites en route to Turkey from Germany to Bulgaria. |
Phil's Campsites in Turkey |
| 25 Aug |
Ingrid's Campsites in Romania: Ingrid Hyttilä from Finland lists and describes the campsites she used caravanning in Romania (and Bulgaria) in the summer of 2011. |
Ingrid's Campsites in Romania |
| 17 Aug |
Another Use for a Rape Alarm: Among eight uses for a rape alarm in a motorhome, Christine Strawson shows how it can be used in securing the cab doors. It's a development of Martin Wiltshire's use of the windchime! |
Another Use for a Rape Alarm |
| 13 Aug |
Nearly 100 LPG Stations in Greece: After many years with almost no LPG outlets, Damian has sent us a map, list and downloadable SatNav POIs for 98 stations throughout Greece including Crete. |
98 LPG Stations in Greece |
| 10 Aug |
Travelling with Long-term Medical Problems: We have written these notes in response to queries from long-term travellers (actual or anticipated). Just about all health and other services assume that you are either resident in the UK or resident in another country. Sometimes, long-termers can be seen as neither! |
Medical and Dental Treatment for Long-term Travellers |
| 10 Aug |
Andy & Mandy in Morocco: The Lawrences are experienced motorhomers accustomed to towing a car behind their Autotrail. However, they left the car on the Spanish mainland for their one-month tour of Morocco. |
Andy & Mandy in Morocco |
| 6 Aug |
Rose & Alf Walshaw in Turkey: Travelling in a 4wd Lada and sleeping in its rooftop tent, Rose & Alf make a 6-week tour of Turkey. Reaching as far east as the Kurdish city of Diyarbakir, this intrepid couple write of travelling as it really is. |
Rose & Alf in Turkey
Images of the Walshaws' Tour |
| 2 Aug |
The Road to Norway 2011: Following a motorhoming winter in Bulgaria, Turkey and Greece, we returned to the UK in early April to find a new way of travelling with a van and caravan. Setting off in May for a long summer journey north through coastal Norway, we are now nearing the Arctic Circle. |
UK to Norway 2011 |
| 2 Aug |
Swiss Road Tolls: Adding yet another useful article to the 25-strong Don Madge Collection, Don clears up confusion over the complex, two-tier Swiss Road Toll system. |
Don Madge on Swiss Road Tolls |
| 21 Jul |
Campingplatzfűhrer of Grand Ömür: Thanks to Ed McKinney and the Owens, we gather together reports on the appalling behaviour of the woman who 'manages' the only campsite in lovely Edirne in Turkey, between Istanbul and the Bulgarian border. |
Campingplatzfűhrer of Grand Ömür |
| 21 Jul |
Ferries to Cyprus: Don Madge and David Parkinson help put together information on taking a motorhome to and from Cyprus by freighter ferry. It's not easy and it can be expensive. There is also a link to a petition for the return of the weekly ferry from Piraeus to Haifa (Israel) via Rhodes and Cyprus, stopped in 2001. Sign it! |
Ferries to Cyprus |
| 21 Jul |
Woman Alone on the Road: Writing from Ephesus, Ann Speirs describes travelling alone to Turkey via Hungary, Romania and Bulgaria in her Chausson motorhome. Nanna to 3 young children, Ann plans a journey next spring to Greece via Albania. Inspirational! |
Woman Alone on the Road |
| 15 Jul |
The Don Madge Collection Grows to 24: Don adds two more articles to his Collection - a detailed account of his motorhome tour of Scandinavia and news from Greece that the new ferry port in Patras is open at long last. All it needs now is an access road! |
Don in Scandinavia
New Port for Greece |
| 15 Jul |
The Henry Love Page: Now arrived in Istanbul, Henry writes about where to camp in and around that mega city, along with some ideas on how to cook fish when in Norway! |
More on the Henry Love Page |
| 7 Jul |
The Death of a Greek Gentle Man: John Foster has written a moving account of the life and death of neighbour Nicos in the hill village of Mystraki. The effect of Nico's unexpected and premature death on the life and future of the village teaches us about the erosion and loss of traditional Greek values. |
Nicos Kiriopoulos |
| 3 Jul |
Dr Bob's View of the World: Dr Bob & Sandra have recently motorhomed in Portugal and Morocco, toured in Singapore and caravanned in Australia. Here are some of their many fine images of their far-ranging travels. |
Dr Bob in Morocco
Dr Bob in Portugal
Dr Bob in Singapore
Dr Bob in Australia |
| 2 Jul |
The Pippins in Switzerland 2011: Rosemary & Andy Newton tour Switzerland in their Rapido Motorhome. Rosemary's excellent Travel Log gives a daily account of this fascinating journey. |
Pippins in Switzerland 2011 |
| 22 May |
Images of Travels: Covering our return to the UK on the Patras-Ancona ferry, the changeover from Flair motorhome to Sprinter van and caravan, time out in Denmark and the beginning of our journey north through Norway. |
Return to the UK
Kangaroos and Cliffs in Denmark
Southernmost Norway |
| 22 May |
LPG Update for Greece: One good change in Greece is that LPG stations are now being developed. Barry and Ruth Ward bring news of a new station has opened in Patras. |
Gas in Patras |
| 21 May |
Turkish Campsites Update: James & Sheila Reid made an extensive motorhome tour of Turkey in April and May 2011. They report fully on 13 of the campsites they used and clarify the position of camping in or near the major cities of Ankara and Istanbul. |
The Reids Turkish Camping Update |
| 20 May |
Halcyon Days in Greece: Although rejected by the MMM (see entry below), Margaret's article captures the essence of winter days motorhoming in the far northeast of Greece. Something a long way from the ethos and the editorial policy of this dealer and advert-dominated magazine! |
Halcyon Days in Greece 2011 |
| 20 May |
Travel Consultants for the MMM - Not: Following a major difference of opinion with the Editorial Staff of the Motorhome Motorcaravan Monthly magazine, we are no longer serving as their voluntary Travel Consultants for a range of Balkan Countries, Overland Routes to Greece and Long-term Motorhoming in Mainland Europe. But You can still Contact Us through this website! |
No Longer Any Link! |
| 20 May |
Briarfields in New and Safe Hands: Briarfields campsite, very convenient for the M5, Cheltenham and Motorhome Medics, is now in the caring hands of Scott & Jo Sanderson. They bring a friendly and relaxed atmosphere and further improvements, including free WiFi and special rates for those discerning people who are the Medics' customers! |
New Look Briarfields in Cheltenham |
| 20 May |
Images of Singapore and Australia: Dr Bob & Sandra share many images at the beginning of their third visit to Singapore and on to the roads of Western Australia. |
Images of Singapore
Images of Western Australia |
| 20 May |
Travels in Australia: Dr Bob & Sandra, having crossed the Nullarbor and reached Port Augusta, meet a kangaroo on the road in the early hours of the morning. Only one party escaped relatively unscathed! |
Was it Bound to Happen? |
| 31 Mar |
The Kindness of Strangers: Margaret links an incident cycling in Bulgaria in the days of the Iron Curtain with our continuing experience of kindness in the villages of modern-day Bulgarila. |
The Kindness of Strangers |
| 23 Mar |
The Green Card: Prompted by a query from Anji and Peter Sprinks, we have put together what we hope is a comprehensive coverage of this tricky subject. What is a Green Card? Where do you need one? How do you get one? Must it be Green? |
Use of the Green Card in Continental Europe |
| 23 Mar |
Overnight Parking in Greece: Also known as 'Stopovers' and 'Night Halts' (and the rather silly 'Wild Camping'), we have added to the list of sites we have used. This supplements Pete Jenkins' list of over 130 co-ordinated and Googlable places and yet more contributions from John Hughes and the Pippins. |
Overnight Parking in Greece |
| 23 Mar |
Campsites Open All Year in Greece: Taking time out during a sunny Greek winter, we have updated our list of campsites known to be open all year in this land of ancient gods (and modern eurozone problems). |
Campsites Open All Year in Greece |
| 17 Mar |
Dr Bob in Singapore: During a whirlwind 2-week stopover in Singapore en route to Australia, Dr Bob and Sandra celebrated the Chinese New Year (of the Rabbit). In this excellent account, you can join them at the Orang Utans' Breakfast, the Chingay Parade, the Jurong Bird Park, the Changi Museum and many other amazing experiences. |
Dr Bob in Singapore |
| 17 Mar |
The End of Another Journey: On Vonitsa Beach in northern Greece, after 8,000 miles motorhoming through 19 countries in northern and eastern Europe in 8 months, we bring our Travel Log to a temporary end. Where next? |
On Vonitsa Beach |
| 17 Mar |
Year Zero: In this Reflection, we propose that travellers, particularly those embarking on travel in retirement, should start at the beginning. Leave any former lives and roles behind and start again at the bottom of the learning curve. Experience life anew! |
Year Zero |
| 20 Feb |
In Northern Greece 2011: Following our 6-week, 850-mile journey into Turkey, we crossed the border into Greece. Our intention is to travel across northern Greece, exploring the lesser known ancient Greek and Roman sites in Thrace and eastern Macedonia (as the Greeks call it). |
In Northern Greece 2011 |
| 20 Feb |
Camping in or near Istanbul: In response to an email from Henry Love, we have gathered information on five possibtilities for camping or overnight parking in or near this amazing city. |
Camping in or near Istanbul |
| 18 Feb |
Newsletter to Friends: A dozen images and captions summarise the diversities and diversions of a motorhome journey across northern Greece through the provinces of Thrace and what Greece calls 'Macedonia'. |
Northern Greece in Words and Pictures |
| 18 Feb |
Cycling Coast to Coast: Cynthia and Martin Webb cycled Coast to Coast across northern England on the Trans Pennine Trail. Read their daily account with 15 photographs. |
Webbs Across England |
| 18 Feb |
Cycling in Singapore: We spent a few days in Singapore in 2000 on the first leg of a 12,000-mile cycling journey round the world. For a summary of the whole journey, click: Round the World 2000. |
Cycling in Singapore |
| 18 Feb |
Flying to Singapore at 10,000 ft: This is a nostalgic account of a 5-day RAF Hastings flight to Singapore for Barry, a young erk on his way to a posting in HongKong (reached in another two days!). |
To Singapore in 5 days at 10,000 ft |
| 2 Feb |
New Year in Greece 2010: Margaret reflects on the past joy of being in the Greek Peloponnese at the beginning of a New Year - with 12 evocative images. |
New Year in Greece |
| 20 Jan |
RevolutionCycle: Simon Evans & Fearghal O'Nuallain have completed the first Irish circumnavigation of the Globe by bicycle. 30,000 km through 30 countries in 18 months. Read, watch the video and listen to the Irish radio interview! |
34 Websites by and for Travellers |
| 20 Jan |
Three Newly Recommended Motorhoming Websites: Adam & Sophie Blacklin plan to travel in Eastern Europe in a new imported motorhome. Lesley & Rob Hale are nearing the end of their year-out touring Europe from northern Norway to southern Greece. Catherine & Chris are now in Cyprus, the 28th out of 47 European countries they aim to visit in their Burstner. |
34 Websites by and for Travellers |
| 18 Jan |
POIs for 41 LPG Stations in Greece: We have updated the LPG in Greece article with links to the excellent free Hungarian website: POI Plaza. We also copy the Google map of Greece which POI Plaza provide with the 41 stations marked. |
Updated Information on LPG in Greece |
| 12 Jan |
The Macfarlanes Tour of South America 2009: Australians John and Judy give a full report of their 2-month motorhome tour of Argentina and Chile in October to December 2009. The article is accompanied by 56 images and a detailed map of their route. |
Aussie Motorhomers in South America
Images of the Macfarlane Tour |
| 12 Jan |
The Webbs Introduction to Spain: Writing from their winter haunt, Camping La Manga just east of Cartagena, Cindy gives some essential advice for a motorhomer planing a winter in Spain. |
Webbs Introduction to Spain |
| 7 Jan |
The Webbs Winter Tour 2010/11: Now part of the Webb Collection, Cindy continues her account of a complete anti-clockwise circuit of the Iberian Peninsula by motorhome. Portugal lies behind Cindy and Martin as they make their way north along the east coast of Spain. |
Webbs Winter Tour 2010/11 |
| 7 Jan |
Highe in the Peloponnese: In the chaos of the Patras ferry terminal, Peter Highe ends his fascinating account of an anti-clockwise motorhome tour of the Greek Peloponnese. Among much else, he uses and adds to Pete Jenkins comprehensive list of places for Overnight Parking, with co-ordinates! |
Highe in the Peloponnese |
| 2 Jan |
LPG in Greece and in Montenegro: Danish motorhomers Lars and Erling Anderson have sent a note adding more LPG stations in these two countries, previously known for their lack of this essential gas. |
LPG in Greece
LPG in Montenegro |
| 1 Jan |
In Turkey Winter 2010/11: After a summer-into-winter journey through northern Scandinavia, Romania and Bulgaria, we passed into north-east Greece prior to entering Turkey. The aim is to head south along Turkey's Aegean coastline. |
In Turkey Winter 2010 |
| 1 Jan |
2010: A Year of Two Halves: Our end-of-year letter summarises two journeys - by Sprinter south to Tunisia and the Sahara, and by Flair north to Scandinavia and the Arctic; each journey defined by the Solstices. |
2010: A Year of Two Halves |
| 1 Jan |
Traveller's Rest in SE Bulgaria: On behalf of English friends living in Bulgaria, we describe a property for sale in Svilengrad, very near the borders with Greece and Turkey. Lots of space to park motorhomes or caravans! |
Property for Sale in SE Bulgaria |
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Readers' Comments: So far, 514 readers and users of this website have offered comments and opinions by email. |
514 Readers' Comments |
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61 Fellow Travellers have contributed articles and images to this website, sharing their experience of long-term, long-distance travel by motorhome and/or bicycle. |
61 Fellow Travellers |
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33 Motorhome Insurers: Details are given of 33 motorhome insurers, along with some hints and tips on how to choose a policy suited to your needs. |
33 Motorhome Insurers |
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60 Useful Links: Selected from the many, here are a number of links to websites useful and relevant to the long-term, long-distance traveller by motorhome and/or bicycle. |
60 Useful Links |
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306 Travel Quotations: The collection of travel-related quotations has now reached 306 - so there must be more than one for every occasion! Can you add to the total? |
306 Travel Quotations |
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36 Travellers' Website: These non-commercial websites have been produced by long-distance motorhomers, cyclists and other travellers. Please let us know about any other websites of this type that you can personally recommend. Or perhaps you can recommend your own site! |
36 Travellers' Websites |
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147 Books for Travelling: 16 more books for our travelling in the summer of 2010 brings the total to 147, including some recommended by readers of this website. There are guide books, cook books, fiction and relevant non-fiction. Why not share the contents of your motorhome's bookshelf/ bicycle pannier?Contact Us! |
147 Books for Travelling |
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The Collections of 3 Fellow Travellers: These fellow long-distance, long-term travellers and motorhomers have each contributed a good number of articles to this website; enough to form a personal Collection. Click on their name to see a clickable list of their wide-ranging articles. |
Don Madge Collection (22)
Webb Collection (13)
Dr Bob Collection (9) |
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Our 32 Greatest Cycle Rides: Gathered together here are brief descriptions and links to 32 of what we consider to be the best of hundreds of our cycle rides over the years. The chosen rides add up to 34,730 miles (55,570 km) or an average of 1,085 miles (1,740 km) per ride. |
32 Greatest Cycle Rides |
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