The next adventure

OK, I’ve been working on this for a while… been travelling up to Edinburgh to look at flats – and nothing has really ‘gelled’. And there’s nowhere else that I have been drawn to, either. Which had me puzzled. If you recall, my original plan was to go and live with my son (and his girlfriend) in Edinburgh to help him with his expenses.

All of that fell through, leaving me without a concrete plan.

Now, I have also had an intention in my journal to ‘own my own home, debt free’. It would be a real miracle to get to that point… but it has come true. Not QUITE how I envisaged it, and I may need to rewrite that particular intention, but I do, indeed, own my own home now.

Through the generosity of Sue and Andy Lander, who are two of my great friends and really wonderful people, I now own a G registered RV. Or ‘camper van’ – also known as ‘Bessie’ or ‘The Tiggermobile’.

She needs a bit of work doing, and my stepfather is working on that at the moment – but in a few weeks I will have a fully working camper van that just needs a bit of work on the interior before I set off on an adventure that will take in Edinburgh (David). And Stoke (Jonny). And dance venues. And all sorts of other places. Have camper van, will travel.

Is it going to be luxury? Nope. Spartan, possibly.  We’re not in Winnebago territory here. Is it going to be fun? Oh yes. I asked my friend, Heather, if I was bonkers – she chose the word ‘free spirited’ although, secretly, I think she also thinks I am bonkers too.

So, quite apart from the intention to own my own home, debt free (check) I also had an intention written down to ‘be prepared for something different’ (check) and ‘to be a wanderer/ in transit – roaming lifestyle’. I wanted to have a river at the bottom of my garden and to be near the sea, near the country and near to town. Looks like the Universe took a look at the list and said ‘bet he wasn’t expecting this answer’.

So, here goes. As I say, we should have the van on the road in a few weeks, and I then need to kit it out with more storage and refurbished upholstery before Tigger, Snuff and I take to the road.

The Tiggermobile (not forgetting Snuff)

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Sorting the brochures

I brought a whole load of brochures and souvenirs back with me from my travels… and decided that, really, the photos were the best souvenirs… and the rest of it might as well be thrown away. I’m going to need to be travelling light for the next part of my adventures anyway – so a few kilograms of maps, tourist guides and miscellaneous papers probably don’t feature highly in my ‘must keep’ section.

So, into the recycling bin with those… but I did take a photo of the tickets I’d accumulated, including a 3D ticket from China, my pass to Uluru and Kata Tjuta in Australia (including the admonition ‘please don’t climb the rock’, my pass to the Great Wall, my train ticket to Lhasa, and a Ceroc Hong Kong publicity card. Lots of memories….

 

Meanwhile, in other news, the next part of my adventure is starting to unfold. I’m waiting for some news to come back before I know, but it’s starting to feel exciting again… (what, you thought I’d stopped? I don’t think so…)

Wedding of the year

(no, not THAT one)

Sometimes, adventure and fun is to be found closer to home… I was in Cambodia for the Royal Wedding…. but I made sure I got back for this one….

All weddings are special – but my friends Mandy and Di made this one fun. How could it be anything else?

The registrars held their breath at the traditional question ‘does any person here present know of any lawful impediment’….and I’m sure there was a whispered question of ‘where are the grooms…?’ Since they are both members of the local Morris crew, they had plenty of folk on hand for a suitable procession… and for dancing on the green…

They danced ‘Morecambe and Wise’ style back up the aisle… and joined in the Morris too (Mandy having learned to catch right handed, as there’s no room for southpaw catching in a right handed Morris team).

And I even managed to get an award for floristry… not sure how I let that happen, although I think my contribution was along the lines of ‘why don’t we put that bit of ivy on the corner of the table’. And Di’s ex husband was on hand to wish the happy couple well.

There are special moments in life, and I know this was a special moment for Mandy and Di. But it was special to me, as their friend, to see so much love, and forgiveness, and happiness, and joy, and simple riotous good fun. And people in silly costumes.

God bless you both…. xx