26th August 2013

Yes, I know its been over a month since the last blog update. One or two people have even noticed the lack of updates (yes, really) and asked me what is going on.

Fact is, poor Ruby has been stuck on the storage site since we came back from our last trip. I have been down there a couple of times to cut the grass and to make sure no mice have decided to take up residence.

Apart from the fact that we have been working there has also been quite a bit of socialising with friends and family.

Things will be different next month though. We have the second half of September free to do more or less what we want motorhome-wise. We have two choice - have a couple of weeks in France or stay in blighty and head off towards Devon. Normally this would be no contest and the ferry would be booked to take us over the Channel.

Whats making us think about Devon is the fact that we have to pay £30 extra for the dog on the ferry plus pay £40 or so for a French vet to check her over and give her a worm tablet before we come back. This is in addition to the ferry fare which, although a bargain, means we have to pay about £140 altogehter before we start having any fun. I reasoned that £140 pays for several nice lunches and / or stays on campsites in the UK.

The other factor making us think about Devon is that one council in particular in that neck of the woods ( details here ) has seen the light and realised that motorhomes are good for the local economy and started allowing motorhome users to sleep overnight in the car parks they control. Sure, we have to pay £5 for the privelige but at least its a start. Contrast this to nieghbouring Cornwall County Council who already ban overnight sleeping in motorhomes in all their 242 car parks and have gone so far as to impose £70 'fines' for anyone even setting a wheel in some of their car parks betwen about 11pm and 8am. Needless to say we will not be spending any money in Cornwall!

Another thing in favour of a UK holiday is the excellent Britstops scheme which I have mentioned before on these pages. I have had a look at the book and it seems there are several farm shops, pubs etc in Devon that welcome motorhomes and allow overnight parking. In return for this all we have to do is go and say 'hello' to the owners to let them know we are on the premises, we are not under any obligation to buy anything but we will probably spend a few quid at each site.

We were going to have a few nights at Thetford Forst C&CC site next week but as the little angels don't go back to school just yet we are still in peak season till about 2nd September and I am just too mean to pay the £23 a night they want.

Right, thats about it for this time. I don't even have any photos to post to help relieve the boredom. Tune in in a couple of weeks time and I will have enough photos and drivel to keep you going until Christmas.