A Week to Remember

This past weekend was unique in that the days were not only DRY but also sunny. Was this spring or just an unexpected interlude?  Whatever, I was determined to AT LAST get out in my motorhome. It didn't matter where I went I just wanted to go somewhere.
I did find a seemingly especially suitable campsite in Somerset that I could add to my website. I was hopeful that on the journey home I could stop off to see some friends in that “neck of the woods”.

I began preparations. Would you believe it things did not go well.
As I had given the van a thorough clean there was very little in the motorhome. I needed to replenish even the basics such as tea, sugar and tins of produce for emergencies. This I did as well as stocking up additional consumable items.
My next task was to ensure I had suitable clothes especially for wet weather and enough for several days just in case I wished to extend my trip.
It was as I started this chore that I slowly began to realize that all was not well with my daughter.  The upshot of this was that my going away would not be prudent.  So I abandoned the notion.  Instead I worked in the garden.

 I was extremely disappointed that I was thus thwarted (the language is the result of seeing some Shakespeare) but at least I used the time productively and get much satisfaction looking at the garden.

As events so transpired it appears extremely fortunate that I did not go away in the van. My wonderful dog Ruby who is instrumental in all my motorhoming activities (she does campsite reviews on my website) suddenly became seriously unwell a couple of days ago.  This could well have happened when I was away with her. That would have been difficult for both her and me. As it is, I took her to our vet and the prognosis is not good. This weekend I will forever remember. It appears that someone is looking out for us. At least we are both at home in familiar surroundings. 

Going out in the van without her will not be the same.  How Amber will fare is yet to be seen.  The next few weeks are going to be very distressing.

 

Where's the Sun!!!

My intention to post weekly has much in common with the sun. On the odd occasion, about once a month the sun can be glimpsed through the clouds: likewise about once a month I manage to find the time to add a new post to this blog.
Despite valiant efforts I have found it difficult during these winter months to find a subject about motorhoming that is of sufficient interest. The weather has been so awful that though I have wanted to go away for a few days the prospect has not been appealing with all this rain and then the snow followed by bitterly cold weather.
It has been awkward enough taking the dogs out at home with all the conveniences on tap. Firstly it takes so long getting togged up to take them out.  Then there is the slog over such soggy ground that walking is not pleasurable and is positively arduous.  Then on our return there is the futile cleaning of the dogs so at least some of the dirt and mud remains outside.  Some hope.
Astonishingly there was a day when the sky was a strange blue colour with a golden orb hanging over the hills. Yes it was a sunny day.
My husband and I decided to take a day trip in the van. But with a couple of urgent task to do first this did not happen.  We decided to take a rain check and go out the next day.  Big mistake. The sky was its usual grey and down came the rain.
This interminable wet weather has disheartened me immensely.  The longer it continues so I feel less and less like going out. The new watch word is “Watch the sky” as opposed to “Watch this space”.

ipod

All the visitors have gone together with the hurly-burly comings and goings. Gradually the routine is reverting to its usual gentle daily proceedings. Very recently I discovered a book lying around. It wasn’t mine and I did not recognize it as belonging to one of the family. I assumed someone left it behind.  The title was intriguing, so I turned to the back cover to read the synopsis. Even more intriguing. Yes, sometime I will read this book.

As a consequence of this small insignificant action I began to ponder about how much things have changed over the past few years. Technological developments have hugely increased the number of appliances available as well as the complexity of just about everything. 

Whether this is for the best is still a subject of sometimes fierce debate. Without a doubt it is changing our lives. The current “new” device a kindle is having a wide-ranging impact on the book industry.  If kindles force books to become obsolete then incidences like mine will not happened.

It has to be admitted that kindles do allow us motorhomers to take lots of books away with us but without taking up a lot of space and being heavy. A counter argument to this is that kindles cannot be used unless they are charged. This results in a greater dependence upon electric hook up.

As with all technological advances there are pros and cons.  The difficulty is trying to assess what is beneficial for you.  

This is the eternal dilemma for all motorhomers;- convenience with all that modern technology has to offer or back to nature simplicity.

Not easy.

For me, I would be lost without my ipod.  Why? Not for the music I have on it because I don’t have much.  What I would miss is all the podcasts that I download regularly as well as the talking books.  Having an ipod means that I do not need to take a radio or CD player or CD’s and only a very few novels. That is a whole overhead locker now unused. Though I have to charge my ipod regularly it is not too onerous because it holds a charge for several days .

I have had my ipod for some time so it is very basic. I would find the newer models surplus to requirements. I am not interested in playing games on it or storing photos or videos.

I would never have thought of getting an ipod but for my daughter. She arranged to get me one for my birthday and showed me how to use it. I have not looked back since.

This is the problem with all devices:- trying to decided which ones best suit you without spending a fortune and getting to grips with them once you have them.

 

 

 

 

Wet, Wet, Wet

No this is not a boy band appreciation page it is merely a comment on the recent weather. I say recent but it seems that it has been raining intermittently for many many weeks if not months. I have a recollection that whilst we were away in Poland during the summer enjoying lovely hot sunny weather, comments were made about the exceptionally wet summer in Britain. How lucky were we!

A beach in Poland

In recent weeks blue sky has been as scarce as hens’ teeth. The cloud cover has been obstinately low and dark and we have experienced every kind of rain from mizzle (a mixture of drizzle and mist) to unremitting deluges. In fact there was one occasion when every single road out of the village was flooded.  Deciding that discretion was the better part of valour I did not attempt to drive through the deep water and returned home and informed people that I was flooded in. Fortunately this situation was soon rectified though caution is needed as the roads are still very drenched.

Out walking with the dogs is not very enjoyable. Wellington boots are de rigueur. (We have used them so much recently that we have found it necessary to purchase new ones for all the family). Walking over the fields is like skating as the probability of slipping and sliding about and ending up covered with mud is high.

In other fields there is a musical accompaniment. With each step there is a wheeeeze as your foot sinks into the ground and the sodden earth slithers over your boot. Then as you pull the other foot out there is a squeeeelchhhh as the soggy earth clings to your footwear and oh so reluctantly slides off, leaving a thin coating of brown droplets clinging on.  Short walks become marathons and everything becomes coated in mud.

Campsite beside a river

This prolonged spell of wet weather has quenched my desire to go out in the van.  I am a bit wishy-washy in the rain especially in the van.  Space to dry wet clothes is limited and the dogs odour when wet is pungent. In the confined space of the van it is overwhelming and not very pleasant.

I can only sit here and imagine how challenging campsites must be finding this prolonged wet spell. It must be taxing times for them especially those which operate with a proviso “depending on the weather”. Similarly those sites close to a river must be finding these times worrying.

I do hope there is an improvement in the weather in the New Year. I hope that my wish to go away for a few days can at last be realized.

.An Important Day

Whilst walking the dogs this morning I was reflecting on the sad fact that since my return from Poland in September I have not been away in my motorhome. As my eldest daughter is visiting us from overseas for the holidays it does seem inevitable that it is going to be a few more weeks before there is an opportunity for me to go out in the van.

So unequivocally it is going to be 2013 before I am off visiting pastures new.

So another year rapidly fades away.

This train of thought rattled on flagging up the impending years 2014, 2015, 2016. Unexpectedly at 2016 my mind came to a sudden halt and I did a quick calculation.  1976 to 2016 is a span of 40 years.  Astonishingly it is nearly 40 years since my memorable bus trip from London to Sydney.

In a flash it occurred to me that a way to mark this significant event would be to go back to Australia.  I could travel around in a motorhome and possibly meet up with some of the other passengers who were on that amazing trip. It may even be possible to find a motorhome exchange. Instead of renting a motorhome I could find one that belongs to an Australian to use and in exchange they could use mine to tour Europe.

Definitely a proposal to seriously consider. With 3 years to plan and save it could materialize.  
Something special to look forward too.

Inevitably there is much to consider not the least of which is what to do with my trusty companions. No not my daughter who has in the past often accompanied my but the dogs Ruby and Amber. In 3 years time Ruby will be 14 years of age. A great age for a Labrador. Amber wil be 10. A not insignificant age for a Labrador. Whatever their age or the circumstances I will not be able to take them to Australia because of the quarentine laws, even if they managed the journey.

Also it will be strange travelling about totally on my own. On several of my trips in the UK and Europe my daughter has come with me. Whether she has come or not I have always had the company of the dogs. What a great comfort are they. Though I may be the only human on some of our outings when the dogs are with me I do not feel alone. I have no reservations travelling about with the dogs for company. I am not sure what I feel about travelling around just on my own.  A new challenge.

Driving a motorhome

There are many different types of motorhomes. Many of them are bigger than a car for obvious reasons. When it comes to driving a motorhome it can be a unique experience.

I have had a driving licence for more years that I care to count. In fact I still have the old A4 size green one. (How this can be taken as any kind of identification staggers me. It looks like a document that has been cobbled together on an old “John Bull” printing set. Does anyone remember them????)

Anyway according to my driving licence I can drive a whole range of vehicles including quite large vans.
So I can drive my motorhome.
Unfortunately this does not make the driving of it any easier.

When we first got the van my husband just loved driving it. However he did not much enjoy staying in it. As for me I did not especially enjoy driving it but I just loved going away in it. Bit like "Jack Sprat" but not nearly so convenient.
So initially I did not drive it very much, just now and again to get the feel of it.

Gradually it dawned on me that if I wanted to go away more often I was going to have to bite the bullet and go on my own.  This of course meant that I would have to drive the van myself for the whole of the journey.
So one fine day I took the plunge, loaded the van, took the dogs and set off.

I went to a campsite just a few miles away. I carefully selected the time and route so that there would be little traffic.

All the way there my heart was in my mouth. It was such a relief to arrive. I enjoyed my few days stay but then I had the drive back to contend with. That too I managed, but again during the journey my heart was working overtime. Parking outside the house was such a relief. However I did feel I had achieved something exceptional.

My husband too was relieved that I had returned home safely.  I think that deep down he was a bit disappointed.  Now there was nothing to stop me going again.

In Good Company

What a surprise! The Queen herself was looking at motorhomes in Bristol this week.(For pictures of this event go to http://www.thisisbristol.co.uk/pictures/Queen-visits-Bailey-Caravans-factory-Ashton-Vale/pictures-17393336-detail/pictures.html ) So the motorhoming faternity are now in the very best company.

I wonder if she was tempted to buy one!!!
Probably not enough room for all her dogs!!!

Mind you with the weather we have been having just recently trips away in a motorhome are rather wet affairs.  Yet again I was planning on a few days away during the latter part of this week. I was all set until Wednesday. I had to leave the village to collect some provisions.
BIG problem
This was impossible.
ALL the roads out of the village were flooded.
I was reluctant to propel my way through the water.
Firstly I might flood the engine. Secondly I might get through ok but I might not be able to get back. Given the choice I would rather get stuck at home.

On reflection I would not like to drive my wonderful motorhome through deep water. What would happen if it seeped into the van? Not a happening that I wish to contemplate.

So my Wednesday proceedings had to be completed on Thursday which scuppered plans to go away. Listening to the news that evening I was convinced I had made the right decision. There were floods everywhere and heavy rain was predicted over the next couple of days.
My imagination went into over-drive. Going away could just be a VERY wet occurrence. But I could so easily get bogged down in the soft wet ground and in the worst case scenario my precious van could get swept away with the floods.

So with “discretion being the better part of valour” I decided to stay home. One day soon I will get away.

Another surprise this week was a hire reservation for my van next June. (I have my van registered for hire with a company.) .Last year I did not have a single booking. I had rather assumed that my van was no longer favour of the month. Seems not. At least now I will have some money to pay for the minor repairs that need doing.
I wrote an article about hiring out your precious motorhome. It was published in MMM summer 2012 edition. I will put it on my website www.motohomemeanderings.co.uk.

Dog Tired

As I did not go away I have spent the time sorting out my photographs. (As ever this takes longer that expected.) I came across this photograph which I thought was entertaining. Hope you like it.

To Have or Not to Have

Having electric hook up is essential for me. I do not need it for a TV because when I am out and about in my motorhome watching television is not on the agenda. I prefer to read and listen to the radio or listening books. I did eventually get a TV for my daughter as she was studying film and media. I have found that setting up an aerial is not always successful and is very time consuming, however I have to admit that the TV is very useful for DVD’s.

Huge technological advances in recent years have only increased the need for electric hook up. All of the items, such as laptops, cameras, phones etc. that are deemed indispensable, require charging. Generally this can only be done via electric hook up. And of course now the ipod has replaced the radio and CD player. The podcasts that can be downloaded are especially useful but, a computer with internet as well as a means of charging the ipod, necessitates access to electricity.  So, nowadays, electric hook has become an essential requirement.

This can create a problem if wild camping or the campsite is in an especially rural area. So what to do?
Finally I decided to get a solar panel.

 It took me so long to take the plunge partly due to the cost but also because I found it VERY difficult to find out what system would suit MY requirements. Now don’t get me wrong there is a lot of information about solar panels but I did not understand the interaction between watts and volts. No matter how much I read about the subject I just did not feel able to make a viable decision. So I put it off.

Fortunately Mike Smart of “mobile leisure vehicle services” who services my motorhome is very knowledgeable.  I asked his advice. Now I have a solar panel and inverter. It works brilliantly. Wherever I am I can take photos, view them on my laptop and listen to my ipod.

Ruby's TV Debut

Having completed a campsite review on my recently established website www.motorhomemeanderings.co.uk   I was debating which one to do next.  As I had extensive notes on “Bush Hill Campsite” I thought that would be a good choice. I was mulling over my impressions of the campsite and why I choose to stay there when In a flash of inspiration I realized that my reasons for going to Bush Hill Campsite would make an interesting blog entry.

My youngest daughter is interested in film. As a consequence we all became keen viewers of the TV show “Over the Rainbow”. This was where Andrew Lloyd Weber was looking for a singer to play Dorothy in his new show.   The format is, as you probably all know, each week the contestants would sing and one would be eliminated.  In the middle of one of the programmes it was announced they were also looking for a Toto, (the dog that accompanies Dorothy on her journey through Oz.) My daughter thought that our 2 dogs Ruby and Amber would be good candidates for this, so she looked up the information.

The auditions were being held at the Kennel Club HQ in Warwickshire. We decided to go. Whatever the outcome it would be a unique experience. As Bush Hill Campsite was only a few miles from the Kennel Club HQ we decided to use it as a base.

The morning of the auditions we set off to the Kennel Club HQ. Fortunately the car park was huge which was just as well as the queue zigzagged along the front of the building. Because we were not as early as I had planned (I’m afraid a perennial problem I have), I joined the end of the long queue together with my daughter and Ruby and Amber.  All the humans and dogs were friendly. Despite the enormous number of dogs in such close proximity in the queue, they were, without exception calm and well-behaved. There was no snarling, barking or fighting.  Occasionally there was a muted growl when one dog invaded the neighbouring space of another.

Slowly, slowly slowly the queue inched forward.  When we got to the entrance, after giving our details, we were given a number to stick on our clothes.

We then found ourselves in a huge warehouse type room with row upon row of chairs snaking across the whole area.  We settled ourselves and then had a good nose around.

Facing us were other potential “Toto’s” and their owners. Even though the dogs were just a couple of feet apart they sat quietly by their owners. In addition there was much “coming and going” as dogs were taken out to the “dog park” for exercise and relief‼  Throughout all this the dogs remained composed and biddable. Model animals.

There were dogs of all kinds, shapes and sizes: some big enough to ride on others so small they were carried in handbags.  Irrespective of the type or size, everywhere the owners were interacting with their dogs. Often it was just a steady gentle pet but in some instances the exchange was more active and intense.

Roaming amongst all these humans and animals were several TV crews looking for interesting stories to film. When they did find something different or unusual they took the subject to a quieter area of the room to interview. One such crew were taken with Ruby’s mathematical prowess. Following a demonstration the TV were so impressed they asked her to repeat it so they could film her. Then came the unpleasant part, my commentary.  Nevertheless  during one of the reports on the search for Toto it was broadcast on the BBC. It is about 1minute 10 seconds on http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TsJUs8ph1CE . I hope you enjoy the whole video and realize just what a wonderful time we had.

We had to wait a considerable time for our group to be summons to the audition. We filed into an adjacent warehouse where there was a large show ring. We were asked to walk around this. In the middle were the 3 judges looking at everyone for all of 5 seconds it seemed. Some of the participants were approached and asked supplementary questions (Ruby was one of these). Then after a VERY short time they selected just ONE dog to go forward to the next stage – not Ruby or Amber.

How they could decide which of the 25+ dogs to select in such a short time astounded me.  But then when I considered how many dogs they must have looked at over the 2 days they had an impossible task.

I am glad that neither of my 2 dogs made it through as this would have entailed more travelling and probably more waiting around. Nevertheless I am glad that we went to the auditions.  It was a fantastic experience. For me, I found it incredible that so many dogs in such a confined space both in the queue and in the building behaved so well for so long.

NB Bush Hill Farm Campsite is no longer operational. The owners sold the farm and the new owners decided to close the campsite.

Up and Down the A39

Not being especially familiar with North Somerset I looked at a map and decided that the shortest and easiest route to Stowford Farm Meadows campsite was along the A39 even though the satnav suggested a different way. 

So off we set.

Well how wrong I was. When we left the motorway and started along the A39 all went well. The further west we went, the road became more tortuous and the inclines steeper. The van struggled to get up the hills. The hills seemed to go on and on.  In fact there were several occasions when I seriously wondered if we WOULD get to the top.

Much of the time I was inching up in FIRST gear. I would try second gear only to feel the van coming perilously close to stalling.  This I did not want to do as I was convinced that once the van stopped a hill start would be impossible and somehow I would have to turn it around and go down the hill. Not something I wished to do.

The relief at reaching the top was quickly replaced by concern about the brakes. Going down was just as difficult with the road twisting and turning precipitously.

“Would my brakes hold” was a silent mantra. I went downhill almost as slowly as going up. I stayed in second gear to use them to reduce the speed of the van.  Upon reaching the bottom I breathed a huge sign of relief hoping that that was the last of the hills.

Little did I know that this scenario was to continue until we were just a couple of miles from our destination:  AND:   Little did I know that the road was going to get WORSE‼‼

 Some of the bends were so steep and sharp that I only JUST made it round them and it was extremely fortunate that I did not meet anyone coming down. Just thinking about this now brings me out in a cold sweat.  At the time my breathing was exceedingly rapid. I held my breath as we crept round the bends. My breathing was short and sharp as I coaxed the van up. I took big gulps when we reached the top. This was repeated going down the other side. My heart was racing non stop (a quick way to a heart attack) and my palms sweaty. When was this going to stop‼!

The miles crawled by slowly oh so slowly.  After an interminable time and countless hills we only had a few miles to go.  The road ahead looked quite flat.  We could see the buildings of a village.  The campsite was not far from the village. Had we done it?

Then oh no up ahead I could see that the road started to climb. It was only a small incline and at the top was the entrance to the campsite.

Yes we had done it and NEVER NEVER NEVER again will I go along the A39 even in a car. I am just so thankful that I had a motorhome and I was not towing a caravan. Anyone towing a caravan would not have made it.

In fact I now remember there being signs warning caravans not to proceed. At the time I was so intent on getting up and down the hills the significance of these signs escaped me.

Needless to say I did not go home via the A39. I followed the route indicated by the satnav.  Sometimes the satnav is right.