Last Sunday we left Bexley, together with Jackson and Isabel, and started the long drive, while towing a caravan, to Truro, in Cornwall. It was a very slow but sedate drive. Nothing more than 60 mph. No passing other vehicles in the fast lane. Just a gradual passing of vehicles in the slow lane, no doubt with everyone behind us, feeling very frustrated. Caravan drivers! After negotiating quite heavy traffic on the M25, we then took the M4, and M5, until we arrived at the dual lane highway, the A30, which took us to the turnoff into Truro, eight hours in all.
We stayed in the most fantastic campsite, expensive for sure, at nearly £30 a day. The grounds were spacious and well laid out and we had our own tap, and grey water waste outlet. The facilities, the best we have ever encountered, contained separate toilets with handbasins, and shower rooms with toilets and handbasins. And they were all large and wonderfully heated. Around the very large site there was a dog walking path, with trees bordering the path on both sides. The photograph below, looking towards our caravan, was taken from the path.
Cornwall itself? I was again brought back to reality with a jolt. Forget about any romantic ideas of Cornwall, based on stories, films and travel shows. This part of Cornwall, contains haphazard developments spreading out over the area, linking villages and towns together, with carparks, huge supermarkets, and heavy traffic. Although it was half term, it was winter time, and still the place seemed to be heaving with people. Forget about visiting in summer time. Forget about any time really. I feel a bit sorry for the people, born in Cornwall, as it must hurt to see their area being changed beyond recognition, by the tourists who continually flock there.
The plus side of being in Cornwall, was the warmer weather, with flowers out, way ahead of the eastern parts of England. Camellias and daffodils were in bloom. Magnificent.
We had a lovely few days there, and the caravan was very warm and comfortable, with so much more room than the motorhome. Two adults and two children fitted in very well, with room to spare. Jackson and Isabel slept on the couches, although they complained about the buttons digging into their sides as they tried to sleep, so must remember to bring some overlays next time. We tried the oven each night, and became very adept at cooking puff pastry in different dishes, the result of a new caravan cookbook from Aaron and Kylie. The downside was the amount of gas the oven used, as we went through a full bottle of gas. Perhaps having an oven is an expensive luxury in a caravan.
The even longer trip back was made in heavy rain, but the car with the caravan sitting tightly behind, never missed a beat. The positive side of pulling a caravan, is that one travels sedately, without zipping in and out of lanes. Passenger comfort is great, with two children being able to read and use mobile devices in the back, without feeling carsick. No swaying car.
The top of the M4, where it meets the M25 was slow going, as was the M25 on the north side. But we did appreciate the new speed restrictions, with cameras, as people drove slowly and sensibly in the rain and heavy traffic. Although it was slow, at least the traffic was moving, and not just a giant car park.
All went well on the journey until we hit a very large and unseen pothole by the junction of the M11, which caused the handle of the jockeywheel to fall off, and losened the electrical cord. Well at least we think it losened the electrical cord, because it fell off at the tolls, damaged and unusable, so we limped back slowly, for the last few miles, using only the car brakes. Thank goodness for having a very good tow car.
As we drove through the gates into our storage area, we breathed a sigh of relief. It was dark of course, being 7.30 at night. And still raining heavily. But not to worry. We knew what had to be done, quickly, and we had two willing helpers as well. Walter unhitched the caravan, and I got the motormover ready, with Jackson and Isabel ready to put steadies down and do all the other jobs.
Then the socket fell off the motor mover handle, into the biggest and dirtiest puddle, under the caravan. We tried to push the caravan forward, so that I could retrieve the socket, but the caravan was firmly stuck in the deep pot holes. Walter very calmly hitched up the caravan to the car again, so that he could move the caravan forward, in order that I fish around in the giant puddle, to find the missing socket.
So with cold hands, and knees, I finally got everthing sorted, and Walter directed the caravan back towards the hedge, hitting a branch along the way. Luckily no damage there. Jackson lowered the steadies, Isabel emptied the caravan of the important items, and Walter and I put the locks on. Finally we were on the way to Bromley, where a delicious spagetti bolognaise dish, wine and non alcoholic beer awaited us. Plus Emma, Steve and the dogs of course. Good to be home.
The muddy puddle, photographed the next day when it was light.
We are still very happy with our caravan, the extra space inside is a real bonus, and towing it has proved to be very easy, due to the Al-ko chassis and the anti sway device we had installed on the caravan. We do miss the flexibility of a motorhome, in that we always had our lunch and lounge room on board with us, as we travelled around. But the extra space, plus a lovely car to drive around in, certainly makes up for the nomadic lifestyle of the motorhome.
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