MEETING OF CALIFORNIA VANS SUSSEX

I left for Sussex the next morning and the weather turned cold, wet and windy.  It stayed that way all weekend preventing much getting together on the farm where all of us camped out.  A shame because a hog roast had been organized but people had to flee to their vans to eat it having been drenched while waiting in line for the food.  Still it was great for me to get information and hints from all the nice neighbours there.  These VWs are so well made but there’s quite a bit to learn about how to best manage them.  There were wonderful outdoor accessories to buy and I stocked up on colourful “whacky practicals” all collapsible useful items like a teapot, bucket, pot and bowl.  Now I’m all ready for the road.  Have to take a photo of those when I use them

England

Wales looked so well with the blossoms of the rape creating fields of yellow carpets and the tender green buds on the trees.  There were lovely old white washed houses with rough walls along the quiet roads and the farmers were busy in their fields and out and about in their tractors.

I took the long road down to Taunton in Somerset to visit friends Christine and Bob who live in a lovely old house (1820’s) that has so many interesting nooks, crannies and tiny rooms.  It is decorated beautifully and very comfy.  This is the first time I have ever been in this part of England and am most unused to the busy motor ways and the amount of traffic all around Cardiff and Bristol.  Earlier all through Wales there were many tempting little places to stop but on the motor way one just keeps going – not even hard shoulders so no nice break or a chance to check the map.  That’s one of the problems about driving alone.

LIMISTER, SOMERSET

Great Dinner

My next stop was not too far away just to Liminster where my friend Chris lives.  We meet up in Chiang Mai, Thailand every year.  She lives in another beautiful old stone cottage where we had a most excellent, convivial meal with seven of her friends.  Chris is an artist and has surrounded herself with great colours and paintings.  I’m being spoiled.  Afterwards we all went to a play and returned for a lovely dessert and yet more wine:)

SLEEPING IN BRANDY

ROSSLARE HARBOUR

The first night sleeping in the camper is cool and not too great.  The port of Rosslare loomed up dark and deserted. There were no other people parked there and no facilities for campers.  Strange, I expected more from a busy port but then I have never had a camper before.    I decided to go for a pint and the nice barman said he wouldn’t notice if I just parked and slept outside so crawled in for a short night’s sleep before taking the early ferry to Fishguard in Wales.  The day started well with sun shine and calm seas and the Stena Line ferry was large and nice.  Settled in with a good coffee for the three and a half hour crossing.

Hello to Wales

BRANDY ON THE MOVE

THE START

I've finally done it - since I'm getting older I was ages wondering how to continue having an adventurous old age so now I have bought a new VW California Camping van in Ireland and the plan is to meander in it for the months that I am not in Chiang Mai, Thailand - my other home.   I'm not thinking of driving an awful lot as I love to let the day fall on me so the thought is to just see one European country per year and try to learn the language and culture there staying just in one area for as long as I am enjoying it.  To stay in little villages more than the cities and to have lots of time to absorb, to feel and enjoy.  I'm looking forward to the sun, the freedom, the food, the vino and meeting old and new friends

First Day

I've named the new camper Brandy and am now all packed up and hopefully have not forgotten anything important  as I don’t plan to return to Ireland until Oct.

 Goodbye to the house and Kenmare and off for Rosslare in the south east of Ireland to catch a ferry to Wales.  The plan is to go to a meeting of enthusiastic owners of these wonderful vans who have a forum known as the “Cali Club” and they are getting together in Sussex in the south of England next weekend.  There should be up to 100 of these vehicles at the largest get together ever in these parts so I will be able to get lots of tips for my new lifestyle.