Beauvais

This morning at Newhaven the sun was shining, and after discussing this fact with a fellow lady van owner, she informed me she was off with some friends, to a meeting of Morgan and other classic cars which was being held on Saturday just south of Paris, and that we could expect to see the cars arriving for the ferry shortly.

It was not long before we could hear the throaty engines of the classic Morgans approaching, they were a real sight, and some over a hundred years old.

Besides the Morgans, there were other classic cars waiting to board the ferry, Lotus, Mini, Morris, Land Rover and more, some of them were on a car transporter destined for sale at a garage somewhere in France.

And as well as all these wonderful vehicles, there were of course many cyclists, all eager to arrive in Dieppe to begin cycling the 'Avenue Verte' to Paris.

With Marge safely secured on the vehicle deck of  the ferry, we settled into the lounge and enjoyed a coffee, and whilst doing  so, the cheery captain of the ferry came around and greeted us all with a 'bonjour'. The announcement of the public address system said the crossing would be moderate, so to be careful if you ventured outside. Still being on English time, we decided to head down to the cafeteria for a cooked meal at 1 pm (English time), but of course the ferry being French, they were running an hour later, so all the meals had finished. So for John and Angela, it was cold pizza left over from lunch yesterday, boiled eggs, crisps and nuts, eaten hastily as we departed Dieppe ferry terminal. Welcome to France!

As we drove south east from Dieppe, the swallows darted in front of Marge, it won't be long and they will be sighted in gardens back home in England. Now today should have been an easy drive in Marge, her being left hand drive in a country that drives on the right, but no, having mastered driving Marge in England yesterday, suddenly panic, unhappy driver and passenger. So back to basics, water bottle time, line it up with the centre white line, but then oh dear, 'don't drink the water in that bottle' now line the bottle up again! They say it's good to do something scary once in a while!

Tonight we are on an aire with quite a few other vans, including some English.

It is sited just above the town, and early evening we walked down to take a look at the large church, and the cathedral behind it, together they looked quite a sight.

To return to Marge, we had to climb up many steps, so we've decided to nick name tonight's stop 'High Nook', after somewhere we've heard about in south Wales.

This evening, with the sun shining brightly, we sat in Marge with her side door open, enjoying a much needed meal of chorizo and butter bean stew. Tomorrow we will travel south east around the top Paris, hopefully are nerves are now settled, just no one move the water bottle on top of the dashboard!

Newhaven

Margie, Margie here we go again!

With the house fully bleached, it is with excitement, nervousness and some trepidation we set off to take Marge to Italy.

By the time we hit the M25 Marge had settled into a steady rhythm, and bowled along quite happily in the afternoon sunshine, glad to leave the showers of earlier behind. New Marge is left hand drive, but a little trick with a water bottle placed in the holder on top of the dash board resulted in a happy driver and co-pilot.

As we approached the south downs, we were on the last leg of our journey, and just after 6 pm we arrived at Newhaven ferry terminal once again, where we would rest Marge overnight.

After securing Marge in the car park with the other vans, we took a walk into the town centre, spotting various sculptures of cormorants on the way.

Newhaven town turned out to be yet 'another down at heel' coastal town with it's resident drunks, so we decided to walk up to the west quay, where we enjoyed a much welcome alcoholic beverage, and meals of  fish & chips and lamb and mushroom pie. Our holiday had begun...

After the meal we took a gentle stroll back to Marge, accompanied by the background noise of scrunching scrap metal being loaded onto a ship to 'goodness knows where', a harsh sound in comparison to the murmur of the lifeboat as it was  put to bed after a practice night, probably with the crew hoping for a quiet night. The time 8.40 pm and still daylight. Tomorrow evening we will be in France, where it will stay light until at least 9.40 pm, what's not to like?

East Cowes

The wind is still blowing a gale, as it was when we left home on Monday, and it is showing no signs of relenting. Today (Saturday), the rain has returned. So on this note, we have decided once we arrive back on the mainland this afternoon we will head off home, rather than stay away another night.

Yesterday we took a drive to the south east of the island to Sandown. A friend of mine (Angela's), works at Dinosaur Isle on the seafront. She moved to the island many years ago, and not having seen each other for around 25 years, you can imagine the suprise of my friend Sue when I walked in. Even though we always exchange birthday and Christmas cards, it was good to catch up on each other's news, and that of other old friends. Sue and I have known each other for nearly fifty years, we were at secondary school together, and I was a bridesmaid at her wedding, nearly forty years ago now. Where have the years gone? On our departure, we said we mustn't leave it so long to meet up again.

From Sandown, we journeyed north, stopping on the esplanade at Ryde. Despite the ferocity of the wind,the hovercraft service to Portsmouth was running, just a ten minute journey to the mainland. 

Our overnight stop last night, was at The Folly Inn, East Cowes, right beside the river Medina. A friendly pub, the bar maid born in Aylesbury, just down the road from where we live.

Seduced by the offer of fish and chips, and live music later in the pub, we abandoned our planned meal of chorizo with butter beans, to enjoy yet another drink. After yet another stressful day, driving on the islands narrow roads, we decided it was time to relax and enjoy a good night out.

Chale

'Don't come a knockin', if the van's a rockin' they say. That is certainly the case, the wind is relentless, buffeting the van all day and all night.

Yesterday, one of us was 59, best make this year count then! Some lovely birthday cards adorned our breakfast table, and we were impressed to see our six month old grandson had learned to write already! 

We took a drive down to Freshwater bay, the wind gusting really strongly, churning up an angry sea. Wrapped up in our waterproof clothing, we took a walk up onto Tennyson Down, the sea air was brisk, but at the same time exhilarating. After the walk, Cornish pasties for lunch.

The afternoon involved some pretty hair raising driving, as we found ourselves on some very narrow country roads on route to The Garlic Farm.

the aroma as we stepped out of Marge of garlic was fantastic. In the farm shop, we enjoyed looking at all the different products, and tasting the many samples. We asked a member of staff, if all the products were made on site. Originally they were, but as the product range expanded, and the farm became more popular with tourists, production had to be transferred to the mainland, as planning permission for expansion was refused because the local people didn't like the smell of the pickling process. It seems a shame that the much needed employment for the islanders was lost.

Garlic's purchased, we retired to the cafe for some much needed coffee and cake.

Then a photo opportunity with the resident peacocks, (we counted six in total). Seeing the peacocks reminding us of France, where we saw some once alongside a cycleway.

The stop for the night was The Wight Mouse Inn, at Chale.

The area at the rear for the campervan was spacious and fairly level. Once again we had a view of the coast. 

After spending most of the day eating  too many treats, we opted for a fairly light evening meal, ham, egg and chips and for the birthday girl, plaice fillet cooked in garlic butter with new potatoes and salad, accompanied of course by a very large glass of Australian shiraz. A perfect end to the day. 

Hulverston, Isle of Wight

We arrived in good time at Lymington, for our sailing to the island. The wind singing through the rigging of the nearby sailing boats, the air filled with dozens of musical notes. 

A banner on a nearby wall, advertised the islands garlic farm, a place we must remember to visit, as we have had a special request from home to bring a bulb back.

The ferry crossing was quite uneventful, considering the wind. We were a little concerned though, when the announcement over the tannoy for 'all drivers to return to their vehicles', was followed by 'and all foot passengers disembark over the side!'.

Despite the wind, we were able to take a walk around the medieval town of Yarmouth, taking advantage of our inner child to enjoy some of the attractions.

The stop for the night, The Sun Inn at Hulverstone. The village is set back off the Military Road, which runs along the south of the island. Some challenging driving to get here, as the village roads are very narrow, but well worth it for a pretty thatched pub, with views to the coast and behind over the rolling countryside.

A couple of drinks in the warmth of the friendly pub, then back to Marge, for a tasty evening meal of pesto pasta, with chorizo, peppers, courgettes, olives and tomatoes. We love this campervan life!

Poole

Ideal weather for ducks yesterday (Tues). A miserable drive to Poole in torrential rain, the reason to view a flat for sale, but we decided it wasn't for us, and have decided we would rather go for another house to add to our portfolio. 

But, despite the weather Marge is spacious and watertight (unlike previous Marge). 

Parking at the rear of one of our properties, we enjoyed a tasty, hot bowl of minestrone soup for lunch. Whilst we ate, Mr Fox sauntered by, it's funny how the increased sightings of these animals makes you not give them a second glance.

The afternoon was an improving picture, as the clouds parted to reveal a perfect cornflower blue sky. 

The overnight stop for Marge, was one of her regular resting places, the Brittany Ferries ferry terminal, not a very glamorous setting, but it always feels very continental. And further more, the chance to use the lovely hot showers, what's not to like! 

A walk up to Poole quay for a meal, with the wind increasing from the west, It was a case of hats on and t-shirts tucked into our underwear to keep the draught out. Here's hoping our sailing to the Isle of Wight will not be too rough.

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.