So here we are, another 12 months on, still alive, still well, but getting very frustrated about not being able to get out and about. I finally cracked and decided to have a few days away. Just to make some sort of “purpose” to the whole expedition, I decided that:
- I would take the opportunity to “run in” my new, new tent (my first “air” tent , ie inflatable tubes rather than poles, etc) and sort out my well established array of storage boxes and where they might be positioned. This new tent is laid out completely differently internally relative to my faithful old Wynnster Curlew 6. All with a view to planning/doing (hopefully) a bumper year of travel in 2022, including more Scotland ( Outer Hebrides perhaps ?) and various classic race meetings at Spa ( Belgium), Le Mans ( France) and Silverstone. Not forgetting other stuff in other bits of the UK.
- I needed a steam train “fix” after 12 months denial.
- It would be good to see my Uni pals Val and Pete, residing in Bexhill.
- A bit of nostalgic motoring around Kent and Sussex would be good for the soul. As it turned out there was more of this than I initially imagined……..
Once again out came the spreadsheets, campsites booked, deposits/payments paid, a few more new camping bits and and pieces ordered, travelling schedules worked out, etc, etc
I packed the car, spare clothes ( expecting it to be cold and wet in September……), box of food and other stuff. All with a view of essentially staying in my own little semi-“bubble” as much as possible.
First stop was the Camping and Caravan Club site at Folkestone, handy for the Hythe terminus of the Romney Hythe and Dymchurch Railway (RHDR). Nice site, mainly filled with “oldies” in camper vans – I was one of the few tents !
One amusing aside. Just as I arrived at the site, my Tesco mobile chirped up and decided to welcome me to France……
I’d allowed a bit of time to try and get organised, first stab seemed to be sort of all right…….Last September in Scotland I got really very cold and wet, so was determined for that NOT to happen again. So YES, it is a carpet you can see in the sleeping bit ! My old air bed/lilo thing went in the dustbin as well, so now I’ve got one of these new fangled self-inflating mattresses, extra wide and extra deep. Then there is the insulating inner sleeping bag liner as well – must be getting a bit nesh in my old age – I agree, without reservation. Oh, and more blankets, just in case. I had really packed for a cold and wet end of September, but mother nature decided otherwise……. YES IT WAS REALLY SUNNY AND WARM FOR MOST OF THE DAY !!
