Norden

This morning we awoke to a still life painting of the new forest.

The ponies were rummaging the dry and exhausted ground, whilst birds fretted in the dust. Despite the sunshine, the morning air was fresh, cleansing out lungs. We realised how lucky we were to be away in such a beautiful place.

Our trip over to Poole was productive. We met with the owners of the house we are buying, and then took Marge to the garage. Diagnosis, new turbo required, but not to worry we could continue on our trip with not too much to worry about, just the inconvenience of Marge's engine might go into safe mode for a minute or two. As you get older, problems seem to become more of a worry. We'd travelled around Scotland with Marge unhappy at times, and that didn't stop us from continuing, so why worry now?

Late afternoon we took a walk from Ham Common to the beach at Rockley Park. The sea water sparkled like diamonds in the afternoon sun and the trees lightly waved in the breeze. Amongst the heathland a welcome splash of colour from the gorse punctuated the landscape.

Tonight, we are staying once again at the Halfway House pub at Norden.

Upon our arrival we were greeted by a herd of young reindeer in an area at the rear of the car park. Their curiosity satisfied, they skipped off into the nearby woodland.

By now the heat of the day had slipped away, and as we sat in the pub garden enjoying a pre-dinner drink, we planned our onward trip. Tomorrow, before heading west, we hope to return to Poole to kayak at Hamworthy beach. The sun now, is just slipping towards the horizon, the sky alight. Hopefully, we will enjoy many more sunsets whilst we are away.

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.

Longwick

Thirty-eight days ago, we left home bound for Scotland. We did not know what lay ahead of us. The guide books show you all the interest and beauty of a region, but the real-life experience takes you above and beyond. We have covered 2,831 miles, experienced highs and lows, tears and fears, and enjoyed spectacular views and landscapes.

There's been drama and excitement, thrills and hills, (remember driving Bealach Na Ba Marge, after two days of nerves building up to it). We loved visiting Scotland, but know we barely scratched the surface, so we plan to return, after all, there are still the islands to visit, and of course we want to return to Skye.

As for Marge, she says, it's been a blast! Good, because we will be off to Dorset for a few days soon, and of course you'll be coming with us, and we hope all her followers will come along as well.

For now, Marge is parked on home turf, beside the Virginia creeper that was green and fresh when we left, now fiery red, gold and yellow, a sure sign it's autumn.

Chester

A cool damp start at Kendal this morning. For

Angela it was a hurrah, no handwashing of underwear to do before we left, soon something called a washing machine would be at her disposal. Most of our drive this morning was on the M6, after so many miles on small interesting roads it seemed a bit of a bore. But not to Marge, she was more than happy cruising along. We stopped at Warrington, (the least exciting town in England), for John to buy trousers at Decathlon, but they only had a size smaller than he normally takes and were a little compromising.

Our destination Chester, where we stayed on the way up, we were saddened that this time we couldn't visit John's daughter because of a local lockdown.

There are not so many vans here as five weeks ago when we stayed. We walked into the city, along some of the old Roman red sandstone city walls, and took a look at the outside of the cathedral.

By six o' clock the centre was becoming busy with young women, all keen to get in four hours of drinking before the bars closed at 10 pm. Today has been the coolest since we left home, but the young women of Chester are tough, dressed for a balmy summers evening with barely a stitch on.

John lived in Chester as a teenager after leaving home, and spotted a shop (which many years ago sold jeans and tee shirts) he worked in part time on Saturdays whilst training to ba a Radio Technician at a local RAF Station.

Our last supper in Marge tonight was tinged with a little sadness, if we could have taken her abroad, we would be away for another four weeks at least. But we must return her home tomorrow, as there are jobs waiting for us. We are grateful that despite Covid that we've been able to take Marge on yet another journey. Travelling opens your mind, makes you aware of an energy, that makes you aware at that present moment in time. We love being in Marge, life always seems so much simpler. What do you think Marge, shall we just keep driving?

Kendal

Yesterday evening we had a really fantastic meal in the Sun Inn. John's late father gave us some money last Christmas which we put in to our Marge fund.

Time to treat ourselves we thought, and raise a glass to him.

This morning after some rain during the night, the sun shone, picking out the autumn leaves of reds, russets and rust in the nearby trees. Before we left the lake district, we wanted to return to Glenridding, where we have camped a couple of times in the past. Because the bridge was being repaired, we had to drive the long way around. Glenridding was busy, the warm dry weather bringing people out. The mountains clearer than we'd ever seen them were enhanced by a vibrant blue sky. Around six years ago, Angela had bought a pair of walking shoes in the outdoor shop here, and has worn them so much the tread had worn away. We were pleased to see that the outdoor shop was still open and went in for a replacement pair, sadly they no longer sold exactly the same shoe, but the alternative ones were just as good. Happy, we left with new walking shoes, hopefully to last for many years. Then we bought pies from the grocers for our lunch, packed a rucksack and set off to walk up Helvellyn, height 950 metres.

Tackling the steep sides, crossing mountain streams, stopping to look at inquisitive sheep we felt invigorated. The views back to Glenridding were stunning. But we have cannot lie, we didn't walk to the top, just a third of the way. But we did cross mountain streams and speak to sheep and take in stunning views. By the time we'd returned to Marge the weather had begun to change, cloud skimmed the top of the mountains and the rain fell lightly.

Next stop Ambleside, a short jaunt over the Kirkstone Pass, at 454 metres. Marge and Angela weren't prepared mentally, but hey after travelling over the Bealach Na Ba in the Scottish Highlands, 626 metres, how bad could it be. Bad enough. Outside many churches there are banners saying Try Praying, so Marge did, and for a change luck was on our side, all the way up in third gear, meeting downward traffic just the right time near a passing place. Stopping at the top at the Kirkstone Inn, we lifted Marge's bonnet, she seemed a little warm, and so did Angela. Now for the downward journey. Near to Ambleside, the forever helpful lady who gives us directions told us to take a sharp turn right, which we did, until Marge pulled up. No way am I, 2.2 metres wide, we are not going down there, reverse! Ambleside was also busy. John bought a jacket in one of the outdoor shops and then it was destination Kendal.

Tonight, Marge and her mates have a lovely view of the beautifully maintained cricket crease at Kendal Cricket Club. It is five pounds to stay here in a van overnight. We wanted to stay on our way up, but there was a match on so it wasn't possible. Our legs still not tired from walking we sauntered in to the town.

The shops a nice mix of high street names and independents. We were pleased to see that the town was thriving, with only one empty unit. Since we left home John has been hankering for a Chinese take-away. Sadly, the Scots seem to not be a fan, but fortunately the Cumbrians are. So, another night off cooking for Angela.

Tomorrow we will head to Chester, sadly nearly home now Marge.

Pooley Bridge

We were glad we moved Marge from under the oak trees yesterday evening as this morning we could hear the acorns falling on the other vans like a round of bullets being fired.

A slow start to the day, washing some clothes, showering, cleaning out Marge and filling her water tank, all jobs that needed doing before setting off. Our Scottish guide books no longer required, we packed them away and left for England. On route we talked of our favourite places in Scotland and both agreed the Isle of Skye was top of the list, and that we would return there again one day. Soon we were on the M6, a little daunting after travelling the 'slow road' for so long. Marge, we're proud of you, all those narrow roads and pinch points, you handled them well. Eleanor Roosevelt said, 'women are like tea bags, you don't know how strong they are until you put them in hot water', which we tend to do quite regularly with Marge.

Our destination today was Pooley Bridge in the Lake District, where we found a parking area for ten pounds a night, before paying, we noticed a campervan in a nearby pub car park, and after enquiring, yes Marge could stay if we used the pub. So, we booked a table for seven o' clock in the restaurant. Better ten pounds spent towards a meal we thought.

A walk out took us to Pooley bridge, which collapsed in December 2015 as a result of storm Desmond causing the river Eamont to flood. A major rebuild is being undertaken and the new bridge is looking very smart.

We walked along the road a little to take a look at lake Ullswater, and then returned through the woods from where we could see Marge happily nestled in the corner of the pub car park.

In the past we have canoed and sailed on the lake, so our visit here has brought back some memories. Tomorrow we will head to Ambleside, so it looks like another overnight stay in the lakes Marge.