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2020 - UK - Yorkshire & Cotswolds
The
Covid
19
lock
down
lasted
from
March
until
the
end
of
June.
We
had
plenty
of
jobs
around
the
house
to be getting on with and it was actually quite enjoyable having some spare time for a change.
Priscilla
was
to
be
part
exchanged
for
our
new
motorhome
and
so
we
spent
quite
sometime
ensuring
that
she
was
100%
and
thoroughly
cleaned
both
inside
and
out.
Everything
was
taken
out
and
stored
in
the garage, the shed and the spare bedroom.
Our
new
motorhome,
that
we
ordered
last
November,
eventually
arrived
at
the
dealers,
Go
European,
in
June.
Two
months
later
than
originally
expected.
Although
still
locked
down,
one
was
allowed
to
drive
to
a
supplier
to
collect
orders
placed.
That
seemed
to
give
us
permission
and
so
we
agreed
a
switchover
date.
The
dealership
was
in
Gailey,
near
Stafford.
It
was
an
early
start
so
that
we
were
able
to
drive
there and back in a day. It was wet and cold but we were excited.
As
before,
the
roads
were
deserted
and
it
was
an
enjoyable
journey.
It
was
sad
to
say
‘goodbye’
to
Priscilla as she had been a key part of our lives for the past six years.
We
were
downsizing,
quite
significantly.
Although
he
new
camper
van
is
plated
at
4.25
tonnes
it
actually
weighs
less
than
3.5
tonnes.
This
was
deliberate
because
there
are
so
many
weight
limits
now
in
Europe
plus
speed
restrictions
over
3.5
tonnes
plus
a
ban
on
overtaking
on
motorways
for
mile
after
mile.
We
also
wanted
something
smaller
that
would
enable
us
to
reach
the
small
villages
and
something
that
we
could
park
easily
in
the
majority
of
car
parks.
The
plan
was
to
use
the
camper
van
like
a
motorhome
but
also like a car.
Below are some photos of the old and new side by side, on a rather wet day!
We
were
delighted
with
the
drive
home.
The
new
Malibu
van
drove
just
like
a
comfortable
car
and
inside. there were no rattles or squeaks.
Once
home
we
had
an
opportunity
to
get
all
the
little
extras
done
before
the
campsites
were
permitted to re-open.
We
added
solar
panel,
dead
locks
to
all
the
doors,
shelves,
extra
curtains
and
all
those
little
things
that mak it your own home from home.
From
July
3rd,
campsites
were
allowed
toopen
for
business
and
we
were
off.
Our
first
night
stop
was
with
friends
in
Rutland,
who
are
Carthago
owners.
They
have
a
delghtful
house
and
grounds
with plenty of room for parking motorhomes.
(below) At Tony and Helen Herridge’s house in Ashwell, Rutland.
L-R Me, Tony Herridge, Desnee, John and Sue Dockrell (their Carthago in the background)
Our
next
destination
waas
our
usual
visit
to
Gargrave
in
Yorkshire
to
meet
up
with
Adrian
and
Debbie.
Unfortunately,
they
could
not
get
time
off
work
and
because
of
recommended
social
distancing,
they
had
to
sit
outside
the
camper
van.
Here
we
are
on
site
at
Seat
House
CL.
It
was
still
cold and wet! Not what you expect in July!
(below)
Debbie
and
Adrian
under
the
awning.
The
awning
deliberately
sloping
to
ensure
the
persistent rainwater runs off to the side!
In April, there was great excitement.
Our
new
baby
grandaughter,
Aoife
Jean
Elizabeth,
was
born
on
7th
April
to
Brain
and Alexa in Lambertville USA.
Of
course,
we
were
desperate
to
go
and
visit but Covid 19 prevented all travel.
We
had
airline
tickets
booked
for
June
but
unfortunately,
those
flights
were
cancelled
in
May.
It
would
be
2021
before
we
will
be
able to fly transatlantic again.
Luckily,
we
now
have
technology
to
provide
video
communication
and
we
have
had
to
content
ourselves
with
watching
Aoife
and
Harry
grow
up
without
being
able to take an active part in their lives.
The following day we saw this amazing rainbow (right)
As
you
can
see,
the
end
of
the
rainbow
was
by
the
fence
in
the
next field to the campsite!
We
searched
for
the
‘pot
of
gold’
but
it
was
nowhere
to
be
found. Maybe the story is just a rumour!
We
travelled
home
via
the
Cotswolds
to
see
Desnée’s
niece,
Victoria, and family in Shipston-on-Stour.
We
stopped
over
at
the
Camping
and
Caravanning
Club
campsite
at
Chipping
Norton.
Then
used
the
van
as
a
car
to
drive
up
to
Shipston
and
parked
in
the
town
centre
car
park!
Yes, the plan works!
Victoria
has
opened
a
cafe
called
The
Three
Ewes
in
the
middle
of
Shipston.
She
and
Paul
were
getting
it
ready
to
open
after
being
shut
down
for
three
months,
Fortunately,
for
them,
the
café is more of a hobby than their sole means of support.
On
our
way
back
home,
we
called
in
to
Tackley,
Oxfordshire
to
visit
Reg
and
Angela
for
lunch.
Angela
is
Victoria’s
sister,
Desnée’s
niece.
Reg
is
an
ace
pizza
chef
and
they
have
a
pizza
oven
in
their
lovely
rear
garden.
Reg
showed
us
how
to
make
our
own
pizzas
and
how
to
cook
them
in
the
oven.
They
were
excellent!
It was good to see them both.