Winterizing the Motorhome

Usually it is late November; sometime after the clocks have gone back; that I begin the process of winterizing my motorhome.

This year is very different.

I have just returned home after a trip away.
It was not an exploration or discovery outing but a business trip made much much easier because of the motorhome..
Unfortunately things took longer than expected so I did not have the opportunity to continue investigating various campsites.

Yes I know it is only the end of August.  If the rest of the year is anything indication September is going to whizz by then it will be October when the adventure begins.



September is going to be a busy month.

First I have a college reunion. This will be interesting and fun but time consuming.

Second I have to apply to various literary festivals to continue to promote my books.



Third I have to winterize the motorhome.

Fourth I have to complete preparations for a special trip.

On the 1st October I am off on the adventure of a lifetime which, even my vet, who is South African, agrees looks amazing.

I am off on a 35 day motorhome tour of Southern Africa.

Besides the practical preparations; international driving licence, malaria tablets etc I have lots of reading to do.
September is going to be a very very busy month

On Returning Home

I may travel about in a tin box but I do like some comfort namely electric hook-up, toilets and showers as the bare minimum.

Being out in the motorhome is such fun for a variety of reasons.



However being on a campsite, even one with facilities and when out walking in the countryside I find the  phone signal and wifi are generally poor.

This might be due to the fact I need a new phone; being some distance from the signal or even heavy demand from other campers. For whatever reason communication is patchy.


It is frequently possible to "connect" but because it is so slow I usually cannot be bothered.  With no TV either I tend to travel about in my own little bubble contacting people when I can.

This is wonderful but does create a slight problem.

When I finally get home there is a long list of tasks, some quite urgent.

At least it keeps me busy.
Oddly enough having so many demands encourages me to go away again and escape.
The only thing I really miss is catching up with friends.

This time though it is a bit different because I have a special big trip coming up so I MUST complete the necessary preparations.  More about this later

Read of the Month (August 2019)

August's Read of the Month is slightly different to the usual suggestion.

Rather than a book it is a......... I am not sure how to describe it;
it is less than a book but more than a pamphlet.  I think the best description is a "Journal".  It reminds me of a collection of articles or stories or thesis; similar to a scientific journal.

Yet I think in the light of current happenings it is appropriate.

My Read of the Month is "Positive News",

 It IS a collection of articles. 

All of them are of happenings and events where people have made a valuable contribution.  The sort of of stories that rarely make the news in the usual outlets; TV, radio and newspapers because they are "good news" items so not considered newsworthy.


It is produced quarterly with each edition having a number of in depth stories.  This makes it easy to read.  (In fact one of the stories I feel is particularly relevant to me.  I am investigating it further). 

I have also discovered it is available to purchase off the shelf in Sainsburys.  It may even be in other  stores. When I visit other shops I will check it out.

Do buy a copy.  It makes very interesting reading

Countryfile Live 2019

What excitement!

After a great deal of deliberation I eventually decided to promote and sell my book at the Countryfile Live Show at Blenheim Palace from Thursday 1st to Sunday 4th August.

It was eye-wateringly expensive.

Being a fan of the TV programme Countryfile and thoroughly supporting the emphasis it places on valuing the countryside and the people who live and work on the land I had high expectations of having a unique and rewarding experience at the Countryfile Live Show.  

I assumed my product “Wonderful Walks from Dog-friendly Campsites Throughout the UK” a book of countryside walks would be viewed as compatible with the ethos of the programme and so be an acceptable product for inclusion in the show and would complement the other small country rural business stalls.




I am sorry to report that it was not the experience I had hoped for.

Yes there were lots and lots of people

I would assert at least 50% of the passing crowd did not even register our presence.


That was because we were so far away back from the main pathway it was impossible to engage with the passing throng.  It did not make much difference even when those of us who could moved forward.




It was not all bad.  for the first time ever I sold some of Rita's book and quite a few of my first book in addition to several of my "Walk" book.

Also one of the Countryfile presenters Adam Henson passed by . 
He was  particularly interested in the stall next to mine;
Stainswick Farm. 
It was one of the few farm stalls. 
They grow rapeseed and bottle the oil which they then sell. 
He came to talk to them and photos were taken
If you look carefully you can just see him between the two girls.
(I was a bit slow with my camera).

Positive News

I imagine many of you are like me and find the news as presented in newspapers, on TV and radio very depressing.   

There seems to be nothing but conflict of all kinds.  

The exception is usually events involving the Queen and her family.  Then we are inundated with every minute detail.  

Enough already.

A friend of mine agreed with me.  She too feels the same.  

In order to  inject a modicum of equilibrium into the situation she subscribes to a publication called “Positive News”.  

She was very persuasive and mention some interesting ideas.  

I decided to look into it and eventually subscribed to it myself.

It is a quarterly publication and the summer edition had just been circulated so that was the edition I received the other day.

I was surprised to discover the format was similar to a quality journal not a newspaper.  The paper was good quality and the spine was unexpectedly stiff making it a bit like a large paperback book.  

The content however was definitely newsy; but in a manner which celebrates achievements.

As indicated it is a substantial publication so I am still working my way through it.  The article which especially interested me was the one examining democracy and how a town council involved people in re-vitalizing their community.  It was very interesting and uplifting.  This is typical of the stories in this news publication.  

Reports are from all over the world and cover all events, not just political.

I notice the Patron is Sir Martyn Lewis CBE.  A television news presenter and journalist.  To me this indicates the journalistic aims of the publication are vigorous.  

For more information go to https://www.positive.news/