Muddy Marge

Near Swanage

Yesterday evening, it was nice for us to sit down in a cosy warm pub and enjoy a well earned drink.

We had survived our first journey this year. But what a journey, it took us over five hours to reach Swanage, with heavy traffic due to roadworks around Oxford and an accident involving lorries on the A34. Never mind, it gave us plenty of time to familiarise ourselves with Marge II's gears etc.

Yes, Marge II. As much as we loved Marge I, she was a little compact, and as one of us is over 6ft tall, so a little more room was needed. Despite not having the same character as old Marge, we know the new van will still remind us of, and cause us to smile about her namesake. So we are now on our first trip with new Marge, and look forward to taking you along with us on the trips we have planned for this year.

But first some details about Marge II. She is a V.W. Craftervan, Westfalia Sven Hedin conversion. 6 metres long, and 3 metres high, built for the continental market she is left hand drive.

Despite feeling a little nervous about setting off in her yesterday, her roof sparkling from the frozen snowflakes from the previous nights unexpected snowfall, the words of our 15 year old grandson were ringing in our ears, 'don't be phased about something new'.

So a new day has now dawned, and the weather has turned, wind and rain, but we will continue on our way to Poole. Later in the week, we are due to sail to the Isle of Wight, but the wind is due to increase by then, so here's hoping our sailing wont be cancelled.