Holding steady, quietly competent, occasionally heroic
December was not a month of novelty. It was a month of systems being asked to behave — repeatedly, reliably, and without fuss — while we stayed put, rode out weather, and let the rhythm slow. In that context, what follows isn’t about shiny toys. It’s about which bits earned their keep.
Top system of the month
Connectivity (still top of the pile)
Connectivity retains its number-one spot, and not by default. It simply didn’t put a foot wrong. Data wasn’t unlimited, but the ease of spinning up a fresh account, combined with low monthly cost, made that distinction feel academic rather than limiting.
It’s reached the point where connectivity has faded into the background — which is exactly what you want. When you stop thinking about data, hotspots, signal hunting, or contingency plans, the system has done its job.
A quiet, flawless month. The best kind.
Honourable mentions:
- LPG system — calmly took over whenever shore power threw a wobble.
- Back-up electrical setup — essential rather than theoretical this month.
Le Cavaliere’s 6-amp supply tripped with some enthusiasm. Our systems didn’t even raise an eyebrow.
Top 5 Gadgets (reverse order)
5. Garmin Sat Nav
Still solid, still dependable, and still occasionally eccentric.
It handled the run to Le Cavaliere well and earned its keep navigating the hairpins into Menton — no small ask. Its drop from last month’s top spot is more about usage than performance. Staying in one place for three weeks naturally dulls a navigator’s moment in the sun.
That said, leading us up a literal garden path in Le Lavandou rather than to a supermarket hasn’t been forgotten. A reminder that digital confidence should always be worn lightly.
4. Spin Dryer
Unshowy. Utterly practical. Hugely valuable.
Removing excess water from laundry reduced drying time, damp risk, and that creeping sense of moisture that can settle into a small space if you let it. This is one of those bits of kit that never features in glossy brochures but quietly improves daily life.
December was its month.
3. Dual Router Setup (with VPN)
One router pulling in external Wi-Fi, the other (Beryl) handling internal distribution, security, and UK TV access via VPN.
Robust. Predictable. Calm.
It needed a single reset all month, which in real-world terms is nothing. When you stop worrying about data security, regional access, or device behaviour, you’ve crossed the line from working to trustworthy.
2. SodaStream
Used frequently. Appreciated daily. Refilled without drama in Menton.
Cold, fizzy water remains one of life’s small civilising pleasures on the road — especially when you’re not carrying crates of plastic bottles or rationing yourself like it’s a siege.
This is lifestyle tech rather than survival tech, but don’t underestimate the morale value.
1. EcoFlow Delta Pro & River 2
The month’s quiet heroes.
Between flaky shore power and variable supply, these units stepped in repeatedly and seamlessly. No panic. No recalculation. No behaviour change required from us.
Being able to dial down recharge speeds via the app to match the limits of a sulky 6-amp hook-up, without tripping it, was the difference between friction and flow.
This is what resilience looks like when it’s done properly.
Better luck next month
Some kit didn’t fail — it just didn’t get called up.
1. Kayak
Painfully ironic. Le Cavaliere was an ideal bay, and the weather mostly played along. But knee trouble, plus alternative pleasures, meant the kayak stayed garaged all month.
No resentment. Just timing.
2. Awning
It nearly made an appearance. Then the wind forecasts arrived.
Discretion beat optimism, and that was the right call. Sometimes good kit earns its keep by not being deployed.
3. Canon Camera & Kit
Still a passenger.
Since leaving home, the Canon has remained unused, and that’s now a conscious choice rather than an oversight. The phone and 360 camera are covering our storytelling needs with less friction and more spontaneity.
The Canon will have its season again — just not yet.
4. Stick Blender
Still in hibernation. No soups, purées, or culinary experiments demanding its resurrection.
5. Satellite TV
The most stubborn under-performer.
Despite repeated attempts, satellite signal remains elusive. It has worked once since leaving home, which places it firmly in the theoretical benefit category for now.
Not written off — but definitely on notice.
Apps of the month
- Camera+ and Photoshop Mobile
Our default editing workflow. Quick, flexible, and good enough that we’re not yearning for a laptop-centric setup. - ChatGPT
Multiple roles, multiple contexts — from planning and troubleshooting to reflection and writing. Less tool, more collaborator this month. - Insta360 App
Seeing increased use as the 360 camera becomes more embedded in how we capture place and movement. - Camping-Car Park
Instrumental in securing Le Cavaliere — still the standout aire of the trip so far. - EcoFlow App
The unsung control panel. Adjusting charge rates to match supply capacity without tripping breakers turned potential irritation into a non-event.
Special mention
PolarSteps
Used less this month, but for a good reason. Staying in one place for nearly four weeks changes the rhythm of documentation. PolarSteps remains our journey journal — it just doesn’t need daily entries when the story is about settling rather than moving.
Closing thought
December wasn’t about testing limits or chasing novelty. It was about systems proving they could support a slower, quieter mode of living without friction.
Nothing here was heroic in isolation. Collectively, though, it allowed us to stop thinking about the tech — and get on with living.
Which, frankly, is the whole point.
