And so we begin….

Thursday 10th April 2014

Right now we are snug as two bugs in a rug, tucked up in our little 4' x6' bed, our first night in foreign lands, after having taken the Channel Tunnel this morning across to Calais. We are parked on a quiet tree lined road, overlooking a canal, in Ypres, Belgium. There are several other motor homes parked along this stretch, but we really feel we are tucked away on our own. Already we have met some very friendly people, particularly some guys who are running kids activities during the holidays at a community centre just up the road. Having had a chat with them earlier on in the day we popped back again tonight to see if we could use their facilities(!!). We got chatting...as you do...10 minutes later they were knocking at the van, bringing us Simons favourite chocolate biscuits! How lovely is that?

Tuesday 8th April was the day we actually left home, the van now round in shape due to the amount of 'stuff' we have managed to cram into this tiny space, and Harriet waving us off.....we felt like the children leaving home for our adventure!

Our first stop was to visit Simons Godfather, Michael Goffe and his lovely wife Cate, in White Waltham. Michael used to sail with Simons father when they met just after the Second World War. We were treated to birthday cake....yum!....as it had been Michael's 91st birthday at the beginning of the month!!!! and a cup of earl grey tea. We had such a lovely time catching up. It was an incredibly special moment for Simon to draw close to such inspirational, important people. A time we will treasure forever.

 

Happy memories

Having taken photos and said our fond farewells we left for Simons sisters house in Little Marlow. We has hardly parked the van when Nicky, Simons sister, and her daughter Lucy, were out of the gate dying to see our little home.

 

Lucy

There were lots of 'ooooooh's ' and 'ahhhhhh's'....and pleading for us to find a space to fit them in.....!!! Sorry guys, there is just NO room. What a fantastic time we had staying here. We were thoroughly spoilt with roast lamb and all the trimmings…YUM! After a walk along the Thames and a coffee in Marlow with Nicky it was time for yet more farewells and a road trip to Maidstone.

 

Guy and Nicky