My first trip of many, many more, on the Norfolk Coast.

Hellooooooo, I'm back,

What a fabulous time me and my sis had, I didn't want to come home. Unfortunately, we had to. What a life, I could just go off and then stop when the fancy took me. My family always said I have gypsy blood.

So, how did we manage on the maiden voyage and where have we been?  No problamo, no problamo, no problamo and to the Norfolk coast. How beautiful. We pay all that money to travel abroad to see the wonderful scenery, when really it's all on our own doorstep. England is quite breathtaking, and I've only just started exploring. I know, we go for the sun, but the weather has been beautiful this week, I have the burnt nose and white panda eyes to prove it.  It was probably the wind, talking of wind.......  No, I won't go into that, but all I have to say is that a camper is quite a small enclosed space.  :)  

We stayed at a camp site called ' Woodhill Park', near Cromer, which has the most spactacular panoramic views of the sea. How breathtaking is this? The picture was taken just a few hundred yards from the site. Unfortunately there is no way down to the beach. The nearest beach access is about a mile treck to nearby West Runton. You can just see it in the distance,  There are lots of coastal footpaths to treck along,  but you need comfy boots or trainers, and if you get a bit tired, there's a great coastal hopper service. So, walk there, bus back. Simples.

The actual campsite is perched, more or less, on the top of a cliff. This picture was taken from the same spot as the sea view, so not far away from the cliffs. The facilities at the site were very good, but it was very quiet and I wouldn't want to take kids there. It was nearly too quiet for me. I don't know if I'd be comfortable being so close to the cliffs with kids. 

This shot was taken of the countryside, looking inland, again from the same spot. I think it may be the tailend of West Runton.


So, what did I learn?

1 - Don't try to light a disposable bar-b-que with a lighter. What happens? You get burnt fingers and end up in a BAD mood. ( have HUGE cooks matches now)

2 - Take some ear plugs to cut out any strange background noises. Any noise out of the ordinary, so to speak and I just lay there, getting more and more demented, ask my sis, she'll vouch for that.

3 - Remember to take the camera. Visited some lovely places and couldn't take a single pickie. Cromer pier was lovely, that deserved a photo. So did a few other places.

4 - REMEMBER THE SUN TAN LOTION, even if it has been raining for three months.

5 - .............there isn't a five. It was easy and if any ladies out there are wondering if they can do it, well the short answer is, YES, you CAN. ( but expect to struggle when you get back in your car, I felt like my bum was on the road.)


Hope you tune in for my next adventure, which is in three weeks time. This time it's a bit more of a challenge, we're going to North Devon. A place called 'Damage Barton', which is situated between 'Woolacombe' and 'Ilfracombe'. Can't wait. ( I have a funny feeling I may go off before then though)
Must put the awning up for that trip, more space.

Thanks for popping by and happy camping. ( that's if you are a camper, and if not, why not? ) But have a nice day anyway.

Jools.  xxx

My first trip looms. ( at long last )

Hi guys,

Well, it's my maiden voyage tomorrow and I'm so looking forward to it. I was worried in case I found driving, or more to the point REVERSING, difficult in the camper, I only have a little car. Honestly though, it's great, folk just get out of the way :)  Seriously, I reversed it into my tight parking bay no problem, and then into the bay at the storage place. I even landed the wheels on four paving slabs,  whoop. Must get used to the jargon though, the man directing me was foreign I think. Hard right down, little left, hard right down, ease off, come on..... seriously, WHAT?    I feel so liberated though, might burn my bra. ( oh, that's been done hasn't it. )

I only hope I can get to grips with the rest of the van. I know they do a handover, but honestly, how much of all that was I supposed to digest. Flick this switch for the pump, that one for the hot water, this for the fridge when travelling, then this one when parked, that one for....... Oh, and if you want to run on mains do all this instead.  Ahhhh...... When he got round to the third option, running on gas, I think he noticed the glazed look.

Thank god I'm used to researching things THOROUGHLY before attempting them. Once a nurse.......   Some would say it's quite sad, but do I care, nooooo....... I now know how to empty the loo, put up the freestanding awning, prime the heater, etc, etc,  isn't utube fab?


So, just the last minute things then,

Insurance - check.
Breakdown service - check.
Tax - check
Van cleaned inside and out - check
Satnav - check
Telly - check   ( have to get your priorities right)
Grub - check
Clean nickers - check

Think that's about everything, see you when I get back, thanks for popping by.

Wish me luck,

Jools.  xxx

Meet Polly, my new camper.

Hi Guys,

Well, here I go. This is the very first post of hopefully many, about my camper capers. I'm as green as can be, but a very fast learner. I better had be too, because I just bought a twenty foot coach built motor home. No trying out a small one first , just STRAIGHT in at the deepend. I must be a little mad!!!

Anyway, with no further ado, here is Polly, my motor home. It's an Autosleeper Pollensa ( hence Polly ) on a Peugeot Boxer base.

I decided to keep a blog to record my journey along this steep learning curve I think I may have started on. I'll post all the good bits and all the bad bits, some of which are bound to be hilarious, knowing me. Mishaps do tend to follow me.

Isn't it great, but TWENTY FOOT LONG!!!! I'll soon get the hang of it, I hope. I must remember the advice my nephew gave me and take the corners nice and wide. That way I won't mow down all the pedestrians on the footpath. My son-in-law said he's going to sit outside my house with a flask of tea and watch me reverse into my parking space. They of little faith, I'll show 'em.

It's a four berth van, so plenty of room. It has a loo and shower too. Wanted some mod cons, too long in the tooth to rough it now. The upholstery is the usual bright pattern that manufacturers seem to like. It's in very good condition though, so I won't be planning on changing it.

I pick it up two weeks today. So between now and then I have to arrange insurance and find a secure place to park it. I don't think it will fit into my sixteen foot parking space very well.

So that's all for now. If anyone reading this has any advice about ANYTHING pertaining to motor homes, and their use, please feel free to pass it on, PLEASE. 

Thanks for stopping by and do come again. I wouldn't want you to miss all the fun. :)



Jools.  xx