In the last few days, we passed the Alps from Turin via Sestriere, La Grave, Les Deux Alpes and Alpe d'Huez to Albertville. And it was snowing a lot, finally. On the streets we had exactly the conditions I was hoping not to see during our travels: A mixture between snow, sludge and some ice. In fact, I had been checking a lot of alternative tyres for our travels in winter. Fortunately, all the alternatives where either too expensive (because of the need of different rims) or not suitable for our weight. So we still drive with our Michelin XZL off-road tyres - and they are great! 

Two days ago, we drove up the twenty-one hairpin turns to Alpe d'Huez without snow chains and without using any differential locks, while passing many cars that had to stop in order to put on snow chains. An unexpected and fun experience! We were also able to drive down in snowy conditions without chains. However, as Max is really heavy, we still use the chains on steeper descents.

We are impressed by the capabilities of the Iveco Daily 4x4. See for yourself 😃:

The strong chemicals that are used in regular mobile home toilets are quite a horror to us – and certainly to mother nature.
 
So we have installed a composting toilet from Nature’s Head. It runs without water. By separating the urine from the stool, it is also completely odorless. A little fan makes sure that really no smell can develop inside the cabin. 
 
When you feel you have to take a dump, you simply open a flap – and there you go! The container for the stool is filled with hacked coconut fibres that come in blocks. These fibres are mixed with the stool and create a fluffy compost that can be disposed at any compost heap. It is enough to empty the container every few weeks. In order to do this, however, you have to take out the whole toilet. 
 
The urine flows into another container that can easily be taken out when full. You simply pour it into a regular toilet and flush it away.
 
When we recently cleaned our alternative toilet in the cleaning room, an interested mobile home owner asked us about it. He was thrilled to learn that there is an environmentally friendly version for doing your “business” on the road. And so are we! 
 
The Nature’s Head model is the second chemical-free toilet we have installed, since our first choice did not convince us at all. Although there is certainly room for improvement, it is the best option we have found on the market so far. It’s quite worth the investment of about 800 CHF.