Shaftesbury and home to Whilton - 23rd Sept ‘19

Going home day today. Pack up was a long one as we were getting Brunnehilda ready for her 2 week “holiday” in Shaftesbury. The leave time of this site was particularly early as well - 10.30am!

Every day’s a school day and another lesson was learnt today - always make sure the jockey wheel is square on when you are hooking the car up. We couldn’t get the car down onto the hitch as the jockey wheel bracket was stopping me dropping the van down low enough. After 10 mins, a lot of kicking the wheel and a lot of words used that Harry would have said ... “don’t say that Grandad!”, we sorted it!

See pros and cons list for East Fleet Farm Club Site below. We left at 10.32 and arrived at Blackmore Vale at just gone midday. We had a chat with Paul and Pete and left them with Brunnehilda for a couple of weeks. It felt very strange driving off down Sherborne Causeway and leaving her on the forecourt! She’s in good hands though!

Lunch at the Salt Cellar on Gold Hill in the centre of Shaftesbury. I had the creamy fish soup and it was about as nice a bowl of soup that I’ve every tasted! This pescatarian thing is working out well!

After a coffee stop in Abingdon, we arrived home at about 4.30. No putting Brunnehilda to bed at Whilton Marina this time - straight home to unpack. Including putting Isabella in our bedroom for storing - what will Kim say with another woman sharing her bedroom???!

Until the next time ....

Pros and Cons of East Fleet Farm:
Pros:
1) Great position right by Chesil Beach / The Fleet
2) Well stocked shop
3) Fabulous toilet and wash facilities - especially everything being all together in one cubicle
Cons:
1) No 4G and rubbish WiFi
2) Staff & guests unfriendly. Lack of eye contact and no “hellos” - albeit begrudgingly in most cases
3) Pitch right next to the playground - very noisy especially if sitting out. Ok if they’re your kids but not so good if they belong to someone else!
4) The request to park our “foreign van” facing the hedge - the caravan equivalent of being out on the naughty step
5) Showers don’t stay on - need pressing every 30 seconds or they turn themselves off 

The First Full Day

We slept like babies in our Knaus Sudwind van (aka Brunnehilda) last night. The only excitement being me having to climb over Kim at 5 am to get to the toilet - far from graceful but I’m sure I’ll get better!? It certainly makes going to the loo a team sport!


The first breakfast of toast and cereal was a real feast. Then lots of checks to make sure Brunnehilda was fully functional. As you would expect with a fine piece of German engineering - she didn’t disappoint. Both “problem” items we found were tactfully explained as user errors by the ever patient BMV team of Mark, Pete and Paul. Getting us “caravan ready is clearly another team sport!

The deed was then done and a vast amount of money changed hands - although I suspect the 30 minutes on the phone to HSBC was slightly overkill? As if to celebrate the official change of Brunnehilda’s ownership,

Paul kindly booked us into the Salt Cellar https://thesaltcellargoldhill.co.uk/in Shaftesbury for a pot of tea, an egg and bacon roll and a view of Gold Hill that money can’t buy?



Back to the site for a lesson in motor moving. It sounds very easy but I’m sure it’s not - all to be revealed tomorrow.

We treated ourselves to an afternoon / evening visit to Weymouth. The journey through Sherborne was delightful. The first glimpse of June sunshine for a long time.

Once we arrived we convinced ourselves that a long walk would more than compensate for the fish and chip supper we had our hearts set on.
So we set off from the car park to the North Quay, a pit stop for a coffee and a pint of Timothy Taylors and then up and down Weymouth Beach.

Weymouth Beach huts

Seagull enjoying a jellyfish

Culminating at Fish and Fritz (according to Trip Advisor the best one in town). Fritz and TA didn’t let us down. Although it’s fair to say that fish always tastes better when eaten overlooking the sea on a calm and sunny evening. http://www.fishnfritz.co.uk/

Back to Brunnehilda in time for bed. To tea or not to tea that is the question? Early morning gymnastics may be too big a price to pay?!