Lancashire part 2

3rd July 08 We were met at Manchester airport by P & Quack in the little blue car. P being so organised had prepared a flask of coffee. Unfortunately in all of the excitement we didn’t stop for the coffee, instead we decided to pour it on our journey. P with her steady hands (not) had the flask, I got the short straw of holding the cup. One successful cup for Mal, now onto mine. Ooopps!! Coffee all over me….welcome home!! P made some great bacon butties, we then headed down to my Mum’s. We decided to stay for a while, if we went home we felt sure the lure of bed would prove too much - mum made us a nice lunch. Then we headed off to see the Wilson’s then it was over to Ormskirk. We unpacked quite a lot & went to bed at 11pm (5am in US time). 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16th July 08 We had arrived back to Hymer telling us our Motor home (MH) was not going to be delivered for at least a week! The next week or so was spent doing a mix of things – household chores, gardening, cleaning, tip runs & admin. We visited a number of our family for tea the Wilson’s, Holly & Phil, my Mum & Michael. P also passed her driving theory test – well done! 17th July 08 Well the day had arrived!! The new home was being collected from Hymer. We picked up P & Quack then headed off to Preston (they were taking the little blue car back with them). We had our ‘induction’ into the Motor home from Andy at Hymer. Then we were let loose on the open road! Mal drove with precision & expertise, whilst I sat in the passenger seat in a cold sweat clenching my hands. First stop Ormskirk to load some of our essentials, second stop the Wilson’s, whereby we were joined by Helen & Chris for a ride to Asda for diesel. Dropping Helen off invited an inquisitive Woggie into the MH. Chris scooted off for some supplies & whilst I poured him a coke he opened the crisps! He was so excited & had no end of questions. We departed Dingle Road much to Bob’s (Helen’s neighbour) dismay as he had wanted to have a look inside, but was on his way out……we promised to return. Next stop my Mum’s…..they thought the MH was great. Mal had to entice Margaret out from behind the wheel, she was so enamoured by it all. Final destination P & Quack’s campsite. As we approached the driveway I felt sure we would never get such a big beast down it – Mal & Quack told me different! After a lot of tooing & frowing Mal successfully positioned her into our (commissioning spot).We excitedly set about unpacking our belongings in our new home! We tried out every item & found a couple of snags (a return trip to Hymer was required). Our first night in the MH was a success, the bed was of ample size & comfy, with our cosy duvet & feather pillows we were very snug. 18th July 08 Today we carried on unpacking & had a date booked with Holly & Phil camping in Skipton – how exciting! We set off late afternoon to collect Phil from Colne. Once all aboard we made our way to skipton. We set up camp & got the chilli on, Holly arrived at 7.20pm, we enjoyed our chilli & cracked open a bottle of Frexenet (our new champagne on a budget). We played cards & roulette until the wee small hours, I won a fortune (plastic money of course). We had an interesting episode of running out of ice….not to worry there was a pub nearby, so off Holly set plastic food bag in hand to beg ice at the pub – she returned with a bag full of ice! Next we ran out of water….only having just collected the MH we had no hose…..so with empty coke & water bottles Mal & Phil set about trying to fill up with water – this was no easy task at about 1.30am after consuming a copious amount of alcohol. Mal told me later he had been worried due to the lack of light they might fill up using the tap which they clean the bog out with….but assured me they didn’t – welcome to our new life!! After plenty of don revvies we retired for the night after getting our visitors settled. 19th July 08 We had a reasonable sleep, although the rain on the roof proved a bit too much to allow me to sleep soundly. It was bacon butties all round. After breakfast we cleared up & decided to veg out & watch a film. At approx 1pm Holly & Phil got on their way, closely followed by the Silverfox & his moll. We headed back to our commissioning spot. Getting parked – well Chris (Quack) was out so, Mal decided P & I could guide him into his spot! Something I was not happy with. Anyway after a lot of manoeuvring & some choice language (from me) P & I successfully got him in position – never again! But I doubt I can enforce that one….. P asked if we would go to asda with her later (she is learning to drive & wanted to drive the little blue car) – we agreed. We had plans to go out later to a do at the golf club. Off we went to asda at 5pm, P proved to be quite elusive on the isles, I spent most of my time looking for her! Finally we checked out & set off for our campsite. Arriving back to a welcoming Chris who instructed us to drop the bags in the kitchen. As I walked into the kitchen I was greeted by a lot of familiar faces who chorused ‘Surprise’. My Mum appeared to say “you are not going to the golf club, we are all going out for a meal”. Mal & I were shocked but pleased everyone had gone to so much trouble. Whilst everyone enjoyed a drink, Mal & I went off to shower & change. Once suitably washed & brushed up Mal & I joined the party. We went to a super restaurant & enjoyed great food, champagne, whilst chatting endlessly. Then all back to P & C’s to continue the party. People started to mill off to bed, I finally went at 2am leaving Helen & Neil with P & Chris. We ended up with 6 of us in the MH – Sam & Chris (Mal’s nephews) just couldn’t possibly stay in the house when there was our MH outside. 20th July 08 I think most people got up a little tired. Mal, P & I cracked on with bacon butties all round. After everyone was fed they started to depart. Mal & spent a lazy day pottering around the MH. 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27th July 08 We spent the week commissioning the MH. Collecting stuff for the MH from Ormskirk, buying bits & bobs. We cooked for P & C, them returning the favour. Mal tried booking the MH in for the satellite & other items fitting – no success at the moment! 28, 29, 30, 31st July & 1st August 08 This week was similar, still commissioning the MH. But Mal did get booked in for the additional bits fitted. We also had Sam & Chris (Mal’s Nephew’s) to stay for 2 nights, we had a day trip to Lytham St Annes where we played crazy golf & ate ice cream. The boys watched numerous films, whilst enjoying popcorn & sweets. We went for 2 walks with Fearn & Bracken (P & Chris’s Springer spaniels) where the boys saw deer & rabbits, they thoroughly enjoyed it. 2nd August 08 We had planned to have Mum & Michael round for tea, but Mum wasn’t well so we cancelled it. We spent the day reading, cleared the garage out (in the MH) & doing the washing. In the afternoon we took Fearn & Bracken for a walk with P. We got lost in the woods; I got stung on the face by some nettles – thanks P (she flung them back in my direction)! My advice, if P asks you to go down to the woods today – say NO!! Her sense of direction is poo…. The dogs decided to bathe in what appeared to be sewage hmmmm lovely. After bathing the ‘kids’ (dogs) we got ready to go out. We had decided to go out for tea to the Indian. 3rd August 08 Got up at 9am & proceeded to catch up on my diary whilst listening to the archers. We are doing a mini carvery for tea in conjunction with P & Chris. Popped down to catch up with my Mum. Spent some of the afternoon watching F1 in Hungary, Lewis didn’t win! Mal & I cooked Sunday lunch for P & Chris then played on the Wii. Tomorrow we are off to Cartmel for a couple of days.