Newhaven

O.K. blog followers, get ready to shake, rattle and roll, Marge is on the road again, this trip, destination Portugal. Life can take you anywhere, if you seize the day.

At three thirty this afternoon, we left our home in Longwick, taking a last look at the garden, which has demanded many hours of our time over the last two weeks, to prepare it for our absence. The falling apples, a reminder that it is now late summer, and that when we return in November, winter will be upon us.

On route to Newhaven, we reminisced on the same date last year, when we sat off in Marge 1, heading for Spain, we knew after that trip, that we would want to return again and again to Europe, to explore and discover. Despite worrying times, we hope travelling there will be fairly easily in the future.

Changes are already happening though, this year, we have had to buy driving permits for France.

This evening we walked out by the water to The Hope Inn. Moored in the shallows, was a huge platform, which will be used to site wind turbines at sea. As we approached it, it seemed that it was sited in the car park.

Nearby, we spotted a young seagull, which was trapped by some fishing line it had swallowed, and now caught on a wooden structure high above the water. It frantically tried to free itself, to no avail. Despite being a nuisance, and known as flying rats, no one wants to see a bird or animal in distress, so John telephoned the R.S.P.C.A.

We then went into the nearby pub for a meal, expecting a man or woman to turn up in a small van with R.S.P.C.A. on the side. Time went by, and the lifeboat came by, surely not! But it passed by not noticing the bird. Suddenly, blue flashing lights bounced around in the dimming light, and low and behold the fire brigade arrived. After taking a look, it was decided a seagull in distress was not worth the risk to their lives. They spent a good hour, watching it struggle to free itself, and then left. Goodness knows what the cost of dispatching the fire brigade was, perhaps we'll find out John, they've got your name and mobile number!

Tomorrow morning, the ferry leaves at nine, so we'll be in France by two o' clock. Our aim is to be over near Nantes by Friday, and head to Northern Spain quite quickly.

Cheltenham Race Course

At the pub this morning, the young man cleaning out the animal pens, came across to chat. He intended to buy a long wheeled base Mercedes sprinter van, and convert it himself. He told us, for the last two years, he had been studying trading on the stock market, and that on the wall at his home, he had plans and information regarding building his van. We told him, just buy a van, and set off!

Today we are at Cheltenham racecourse, for a German based VW beer and drinking festival. Today's entertainment, tribute acts. The festival, has been on since Thursday, and the highlight was Saturday night, when the punters dress in Lederhosen, and sing German beer drinking songs, whilst drinking copious amounts of alcohol. When we arrived at the campsite this morning, the couple behind, were sat outside their van, still dressed in their Lederhosen!

After a couple of trips around the exhibitors stalls, we returned to Marge for lunch. All around us, the ritual of 'packing up the van' was going on. We were astonished at just how much some people packed into their small T4/5/6 vans. That's the great thing about Marge, she turns up, and is ready to go, and when it's time to leave, a turn of the key, and she's off.

Just after five thirty, this afternoon, Kylie, and her backing singers appeared on stage, (a tribute act of course). We'd never seen so many men, including members of the crew and security staff, surge forward in one go. It's amazing the effect, three semi-clad young women can have. Outside the marquee, there were a lot of dog faced wives and partners!

Later this evening, we will return to the marquee for the headline tribute, E.L.O.

We have had a good couple of days away, and are reminded of a slogan we saw on a van in Cheltenham yesterday.

'Don't count the days, make the days count!'

Cheltenham Race Course

A week ago, we had just returned from taking one of our grandsons Jack to Dorset, staying at the Ridge Farm campsite near Wareham. Luxury, Marge on a proper campsite with facilities, all very nice, but you don't get the views, and can't choose your neighbours.

(Please note non-alcoholic lager) 

Although the trip was to deal with some issues in Poole with our rental houses, we still afforded time for some leisure pursuits, including a maiden voyage on the river in Wareham, for our new inflatable canoe, bought especially to fit into Marge.

The mention of this trip, is also a record, that we changed our gas cylinder in the van. They usually last about  a month, so this one should see us through until we return to France in September, where the refill cylinders are much cheaper. 

This weekend we have come to Cheltenham to attend Dubtoberfest, a VW festival at Cheltenham racecourse.

But tonight, we have returned to the House in the Tree, pub near to the racecourse. We stayed here the same time last year. They have a small grass overflow car park, ideal for campervans, which they welcome.

The pub is very popular with families, as they have a large play area and a petting zoo. 

Tomorrow, is John's birthday, so this evening we enjoyed an excellent meal in the pub. Bean and vegetable chilli, and steak and ale pie. We had never seen so much steak in a pie! Both meals were excellent, and despite being quite full, we couldn't resist sharing the cheeseboard. 

Our table had been booked for eight o' clock, but was ready slightly earlier. Next to us two tables of four. At the table adjacent were Mr and Mrs Glum, who we'd seen arrive. After their meal, they set to playing cards with the other equally glum couple with them, perhaps a decider as to who paid the bill!
On the other table, four people who arrived in a classic Rolls Royce, neither of them smiled either. The wife of the car owner, a little rotund, revealing anatomy a builder should only be allowed to do, but surely not a lady who drives around in a Rolls Royce! Our conclusion of these four couples, money doesn't buy you happiness! 

Tonight, nestled in the countryside, we can hear the nearby M5 motorway. Is there no escape from noise pollution!

Longwick (Home)

On our last evening in France, we couldn't resist one last walk out.

The cockerels and chickens, in the rear garden of the nearby supermarket, were all cosy in their house, they made us smile, the cockerels reminding us of the one at Brindisi in Italy, who used to wake us at five thirty in the morning.

Opposite the aire, was a traditional Normandy house. The plants up on the ridge of the roof, looked like they may well have suffered from the recent hot spell.

Tuesday July 9th, has come around, where have the last nine weeks gone? We are asked, 'are we glad, or sad, to be coming home?'. Well there's only one answer to that question. Going through border control at Dieppe ferry terminal, we were asked by a member of staff where we'd been. Replying one of the countries we'd visited had been Italy, she was very keen to know if we'd bought wine or tobacco products there. Questions answered, Marge was then stopped for a quick look over, as were all the campervans, normally they only select a few.

The ferry was a lot quieter than when we came across, After lunch and coffee, we retired to the sun deck for a doze, before arriving back in England, and the final drive of this trip.

Marge is now safely parked up on the drive. How she remained unscathed, after all the near misses with other drivers, walls, barriers and rocks, we don't know! Someone must have been watching over her.

Back home now, we must deal with the list of jobs and problems that were waiting for us.

A few times in the last few weeks, we thought we might have to head home early, but fortunately, all turned out well in the end. In September, we'll be taking Marge to Spain and Portugal, she loves all things continental! We hope you'll join us as well.