Friday 14th February

Departure day.

Husband and I spent the night at Ashwell site, not far from home, so that I could check I had everything and didn’t have too much! We ate out at a nearby pub, The Three Tuns in Ashwell. I gave Husband a few items to take back home – I would come to regret returning series 4 of the West Wing as I finished series 3 far too quickly. I enjoy the series so much; I must be on the 4th or 5th run through of the 7 series box set.

NB – my brother’s name is John – he is also known as JW (Jay Dub) – probably best not to explain why!! 🤣

Setting off for Potters Bar, we dropped the motorhome at my brother’s so he could load his stuff into cupboards and drawers while we visited Husband’s Step-Mother, Ann, in her care home; this sadly turned out to be the last time I would see her.

Having said farewell to Husband for what would be the longest time we’d been apart – 5 weeks – 😢, my brother and I sat down for a cuppa and a last bit of work for him before setting off on our adventure.

Elaine, JW’s wife had wanted to wave us off from work but the timing didn’t seem to work so we didn’t organise anything – what were the chances then just as we began turning away from the High Street to glimpse her and Margaret (her Mum) driving back from their lunch and having time to wave too? 😍

I drove the first leg, stopping at Dartford Services – in the lorry park – for a quiet, picturesque lunch (not) – and then it was over to JW for his first drive in a while.

We arrived and checked in at Blackhorse Farm Caravan & Motorhome Club site near Folkestone. As we got out of the motorhome we noticed the loss of one hub cap – how annoying, an ugly wheel to look at for 7 weeks!! Elaine was asked to scour the High Street near the library where I vaguely remembered hearing a noise – nothing found.

After circling the site twice(!) we chose a pitch and got set up – it’s one night, but choice of pitch is important! As a treat, we had JW’s favourite meal – ham, egg & chips – in this case butcher’s ham and M&S fat chips, which were yummy! Followed by ‘cookie’ (sponge pudding) and custard.

Mileage – Storage to Ashwell to Potters Bar to Folkestone = 96 miles