Brockenhurst

The opening up of campsites was good news for us. Some people may say it is too early, and will have the same effect as the eat out scheme, except this time it will be known as 'camp out, to spread it about!'.

But Marge thoroughly cleaned, is ready to go and enjoy some fresh air. Tuesday April 20th, our destination, Brockenhurst in the new forest. But little did we know, that our destination would actually be a refuge area alongside the M3 motorway.

Marge was not happy on the journey, three times her engine went into safe mode, and on the third occasion her engine management light came on, so that meant Stop! After a couple of hours, a very nice man from the RAC checked Marge over. His cure, hit her EGR valve with a hammer. Sorry, Marge, no pain, no gain. Problem, still not solved, a, recovery vehicle was called. Whilst we waited for nearly two hours for it arrive, we watched campervans and motorhomes speed by heading south. Sad that our trip had been curtailed.

Marge safely attached to the recovery vehicle at a worryingly acute angle, oh dear, we'd both used the chemical toilet whilst waiting for assistance, and us comfortable on the rear seats of a taxi provided by the RAC, we all set off bound for home, with Marge already booked into our local garage.

The gungy old valve was replaced by a shiny new EGR valve fitted, and a new rubber pipe linking the turbo charger to the intercooler, we hoped Marge was cured. So this morning we set off once again, if a little apprehensive. Marge seemed happy, cruising up hill and down dale, and then, just before the Sutton Scotney service area, the dreaded light came on on the dashboard, Marge was in safe mode! As the engine management light did not come on, after a brief stop, we restarted Marge and continued, and she was fine all the way to the Hollands Wood campsite.

Leaving Marge to reflect, we took a walk down to the village, sitting a while in the afternoon sunshine by the ford, before walking across the road to St. Saviours church.

In the church grounds an Easter cross had been erected from some of the rubbish found in the nearby forest. The sight saddened us, and we hoped visitors to the area would see the cross and think twice about their actions with regard to disposing of their drink's cans, water bottles etc.

Back at Marge, the sun was beginning to sink in the watery blue sky, casting shadows across the forest. In the distance the ponies happily grazed whilst slowly retreating towards the shelter of the trees.

We had been warned upon our arrival at the site, that the ponies were a little nervous, especially last years foals, as they'd had contact with so few people this last year.

Our new gas grill lit, we put sausages on to sizzle whilst we took in the view, and enjoyed the tranquillity of the setting. There are just 22 units on the site, three are tents. As the facilities are closed, you must have your own chemical toilet to stay here.

Tomorrow we will head over to Poole, where, we will take Marge to a garage that cured a problem with our car last year. Hopefully she will soon be cured. We will also introduce her to the house that will hopefully soon be our, new home, after we have sold our house in Longwick. Meanwhile, we will just enjoy our, new found freedom, and raise a glass to the return of normality.