Paignton to Merley East Sussex

Said our farewells to Heather, all set to go, flat Battery!  rang the RAC who came within half an once we finally got through on the phone. The wonderful guy not only got us up and running he also did a quick fix to the TV. Thanks Gary . Lovely sunny day for us to set off.

Filled up near Doncaster with LPG 65p ltr took 32ltrs and diesel  £1.20 ltr took £50.

Nice camp site at Merley all cosy, electric hook up, emptied waste and filled water.

Woke to -4  and a white world but sun was shining and after scrambled eggs on toast, all chores completed set off for next stop.

Went to Arundel for provisions and photo opportunity of the castle. Perfect parking and excellent driving by the skipper.

Thursday 24 - Monday 28 November Paignton

Drove from Awsworth to Paignton after wee detour and arrived at Ian and Heather 's 4.30 quite unexpectedly a day early whoops that  was the beginning of a hilarious few days together. Great hosts, tour of the area, lots of laughs, freezing cold walks, Devonshire cream teas, more laughs and good company.

1 empty gas cylinder at 2am so Tony had to be the hero of the hour and go out to turn on the other one. But at least we now know 1 cylinder lasts one week.

Frustrating time trying to book site for Tuesday,  either closed or had to register to go into site for details. Finally got one booked with Ian's help £16.80.

Christmas lights in Exeter and great carvery at Smugglers Inn, Dawlish,   £10.50 large £8.50 over 60s.

Watched  Strictly come dancing and saw Ed Balls finally go out.

Thanks Heather and Ian for showing us around and sharing great laughs. See you back 'home '.

Wednesday 23 November 2016

Thanks for your comments and emails,  it's lovely to keep in touch with everyone.

Today we went to Oaktree Motorhomes for Bessie's makeover. It took all day, but well worth it. The friendly team were very patient and helpful,  nothing was too much trouble and we even got our name put on,  so we are now officially The Grape Escape. Oaktree have exceed our expectations .

 It's dark now but will take a photo in the morning before we head off to Ian and Heather in Paignton Devon.

Tuesday 22 November 2016

We said farewell to Pat and Les and started off on our solo adventures.

Drove to Hogs Head in Awsworth, around the corner from oaktree Motorhomes for the night in the pub carpark so we will be at the dealership first thing for couple of repairs to Bessie before we head off to our friends Ian and Heather in Paignton, Devon.

Plenty of room and nice and quiet. Huge menu, big meals at reasonable prices, I had turkey salad with enough meat and salad for two meals, Tony had gammon steak which was delicious  £6.95 each we shared a treacle pudding  £3.50. Pint beer £3.15 each.

Got talking to a lovely couple from Coventry who are caravaners,  who motorhomed around America and going to Australia in January to motorhome for 6 weeks. We were talking so much a queue built up and we're asked very politely to move to the lounge bar and were given a free drink.

Great start to the Grape Escape.

Sunday 20 November 2016

Ian and Sally friends of Pat and Les came over to check out Bessie nice to catch up with them and they brought 6 fresh laid eggs for us and Pat and Les from their chickens. Yummy.
Went to the local indoor bowls club to watch Paul Pats(son in law) play, good game, came 2nd.
Had very generous roast lunch with choice of about 10 puddings, sadly dinner was huge couldn't fit any more in.

Watched tennis final from O2 stadium  Murray vs Djocovic,  Murray had the win and stayed No 1.

First Dinner in Bessie at Grange Park

This is belated photo of our first dinner just  Bessie at Grange Park with Pat and Les

Saturday 19 November 2016

Stunning day, crisp but sunny with clear blue skies. Cooked first breakfast of bacon and eggs, packed up to leave 10.30, Tony drove off chocks successfully so another first accomplished.
Drove back different route to Lincoln visit quaint little village of Burton with 700 year old Yew hedges, gorgeous countryside.
Back at 69 Mr and Mrs Fixit strike again, sorting out TV, dash cam and immobolizer.  thanks zone much, couldn't have done it without you.
Watched fantastic point for point tennis semi with Murray and Raonic,  Murray eventually winning. Followed by rugby NZ 21 - Ireland 9 good to see ABS back on winning form.
Another successful day in Bessie thanks Pat.

Friday 18 November 2016 Grange Park, Messingham

Spent yesterday sorting out heating after a cold night, having been swamped with so much new info we got brain fag and couldn't work the heating, which had worked so well the night before. So had a very cold night with a one bar electric heater borrowed from Pat and Les.

Rang Oaktree Motorhomes  and a very helpful Jason and Dave got us sorted, now fully up to speed on the whole heating system and hot water wheew.

It has been quite a stressful time with so much to learn and take on board, and can understand the words on Pat and Les motorhome Ruby sticker saying 'Adventure  before dementia '!

 Had our first fill of diesel £1.11 per litre best prices at supermarkets.

Our first trip overnight at a good campsite here on a golf course with great facilities. Had our first dinner party in Bessie tonight, Pat brought the chicken kebab entre and we cooked the main, which was meatballs in sauce cooked in oven bag with stir fry veg and noodles. The bag started to crumble so required surgical assistance for recovery to be able to be served. Pat again came up with the extraction method, she sure knows stuff.

Meal enjoyed with a lovely drop of Spanish red wine from Aldi for under £4 per bottle.

Have kept up with new from NZ  and the latest 7.8 earthquake, hope everyone is OK and no damage.

Wednesday 16 October 2016

Big day fitting out Bessie, everything we brought over plus everything  we had to buy has gone in with room to spare, wheeeww!  After our worries of 'payload' our Bessie has provided us with plenty so very pleased and relieved. Thanks to big sister Pat for all the little extras, tips and space saving ideas for getting Bessie ship shape and homely

Biggest issue was trying to get breakdown cover as she is 7.04m long and being over 7m no one would give us cover except  RAC and we had to join the camping and caravan club but that not a bad thing. So alls well that ends well and we have full cover for UK and Europe,  thanks to the RAC.

So with all the extras we wanted and great handover from Jason at Oaktree Motorhomes with many notes taken, we are almost ready to go.

12 November 2016 - 1 month retired

Tony has celebrated his first month of retirement and is wondering where the time has. We have done so much since packing up the house and flying over here to UK and almost ready to pick up our Bessie on Tuesday.

Have been staying in pat and Les's Autotrail Dakota which has been a good learning curve for our adventures head.

Made the most of a stunning winter day and took the bus into Lincoln for some signtseeing of historic tourist spots, many buildings dating back centuries.

As you will see in the photos Tony has decided to grow a beard for the first time in his life, so far this is a work in progress .

For me it's been lovely to spend some special time with my sister. Pat and Les have both been extremely helpful in getting two novice motorhomes geared up for the pick up day.  so between them and Elizabeth and Paul in Tauranga we should have a good idea of what lies ahead. Thanks to everyone for travel tips and ideas which we hope to put into practice along the line.

Finding and buying necessasities

This week we have been looking for all the things needed for inside,outside and most important trying to get someone to Insure us. Huge job and very time consuming.

However most accomplished, major one being the Insurance cover wheew.

So just a few more essentials then ready for collection on 15th.

Next week we can have a bit more of a relaxing time in prep for our big fit out and first venture in convoy with Pat and Les.