SU CHEETHAM & THE HIACE

About 6 weeks before we go away for our annual month off, we start the countdown for all the jobs that need sorting, the main one being to pick up our very first campervan conversion from Jonny.

As you can see she (why are cars and vans always female?) she is a blue Toyota Hiace.  We are both excited and nervous about what it will be like to use.  Our first and last weekend away before the “the big summer getaway” is spent at the Stonehenge Campsite.  The weather is glorious; the campsite is small with around 5 spaces for campers. 

The local pub is walkable from the site and after a lovely dinner we walk back over open fields, enjoying the peace and quiet until a giant stag flies past us and activates the dog into life……………

Back at the campsite, its time to figure out how the bed works – takes two of us at our first attempt but we get there.  The wine and the chocolates come out of the on-board fridge and so we snuggle up, plug in the portable DVD and chill out for the night.

Sunday morning is so bright and sunny that we are up early, the chairs are out and we get to open the sun canopy – it’s great to actually write that sentence when you live in the UK!  Next, time to test the cooking facilities.  Kippers on toast and two mugs of tea. Life doesn’t get much better than this.

Time to take Tilsta the dog for a walk on the surrounding public footpaths.  Some might charitably call Tilsta well built, Paul calls her a chunky chick, our friend simply calls her  “The Chubster”.  Anyway, after a short walk, it’s too hot for her so she throws herself into a near by stream and sits down, her tail looking vaguely like a rudder. 

When we finally coax her out of the water, her inclination to continue the walk is zero, so we give up and go back to the campsite and start to pack up.   Note to self: remember to unhook the electric hook-up cable before you drive off! 

By the time we get home, the floor of the van is covered in mucky dog prints and the bed has a suspicious layer of dog hair on it – so our lovely camper still unnamed as I write this is trashed and lived in within 24 hours of taking ownership. 

I am already turning into a GWG – girl with gadgets – in terms of kit for the van.  Not only am I house proud, but I am now van proud.   Anyways, its back to my upteen lists to get ready for the next time