Domesticity

A beautiful country cottage within doggy walking distance of the sea and not far from the famous St Andrews golf links. East Neuk of Fife countryside with the charming and historical university town of St Andrews only 4 miles away. A laid back and gutsy lady called Barbara in residence in said beautiful country cottage, who by the way cooks up a mean rhubarb crumble. Well; I think you can see for yourself can't you? The temptation to return to conventional domesticity, to a static as opposed to a wandering life, is quite strong.

Barbara and I have separate journeys to travel and are agreed now is not the time for either to dramatically change course. Compromise of both our present time hard fought for individual positive lifestyles is not the desired agenda. Enhancement of both our lifestyles through sharing times together wherever and however seems to be more of a feasible plan. Hmmmm: did I say plan just then? OK; lets just look at that for a moment. I think I will change the word 'plan' to 'process'. Yup, sounds healthier to me. For now we sit back, enjoy what is and just trust the process. There, that feels a whole lot better. What do you think?

Barbara, incidentally, loved her week sharing Sadie with myself and Tanya. She fitted in well. Amusingly so as she is physically on the smallish side. This holds many benefits when living in close proximity to a male of the species with all his many, and well known, unsavoury characteristics. Especially when that 'living with' happens to be in the confined space of a motorhome. Also, any woman who without fuss or complaint delves competently into the intricacies of chemical toilets immediately gets my vote. Overall it worked well with Tanya relishing double the attention.

Life never stands still though and the day of parting soon dawned. Barbara left early, taking a few tears with her, (Awwwww! I was sad too.) for a pre arranged meeting leaving me to load up Sadie, turn the key, fire up her engine and roll onward to our next destination, Ireland.

Well I did turn the key. I then heard the distinct and stomach sinking sound of starter solenoid kicking in but no juice left to turn starter motor. Sadie had been sitting for a week quite comfortably in Frank and Bernice's very tidy farmyard, just across from, and viewable from, Barbara's cottage. For once though she was not plugged into mains electricity nor had she had her engine running for the whole week. That equals no top up charging of battery. Not a problem for a good battery but definitely problematic for a tired battery which it now seems Sadie is the proud owner of.

"Damm, guess you don't want to leave either eh Sadie! Whaddya reckon Tanya?"

Tanya raised her head from where she was curled up ready to travel on the passenger seat. She gave me a querying disdainful look, shuffled round and curled up again as if to say, 'no good asking me, I'm a dog, just sort it will you n leave me in peace!'

So I did. This was a highly efficient, highly mechanized arable farm with farmer Franks son busying himself just round the corner preparing the Gi-normous self propelled potato harvester for the forthcoming potato lifting season.

My years of selling agricultural machinery were on stony Cotswold land. Not good for potatoes. The size and technical wizardry of this machine enabling clean and scuff free potatoes to reach the consumer fascinated me. For a few moments I forgot completely why I had clambered up the steps to the machines cab where Franks son was engrossed in setting up the monster machine's computerized controls.

It was not long however before this highly skilled and without question helpful farmers son was backing up to Sadie in a big green John Deere tractor. Jump leads were quickly attached and without further ado Sadie sprang into life.

I had already left a parting gift with Bernice in gratitude for Sadies parking spot but more grateful thanks and a cheery wave were given as we finally drove out of the farmyard and hit the open road.

More expense. But for now the Battery will have to suffice and should in theory be no problem as Sadie will be on the move, and therefore charging said tired battery, for the foreseeable future.

Ireland and my new Grandchild 'Kaden' await.