Foxy10 is also a Rapido. Shinier, newer, different and veeeerrry nice to drive. The changeover process was not easy but armed with good information and after doing all the research Barbara accompanied me on a 4 day trip to Great Yarmouth and Nottingham to view the two Rapido motorhomes that were 'best fit' to my criteria. Barbara supportive as ever was the perfect foil to my anxieties and worries over this big decision. Especially when I became rather enthusiastic over a brand new Rapido PSV. These are conversions of large delivery vans complete with the big sliding door on the side. This V36 conversion was the best I have come across and for a time I was convinced and really wanted it. They are smaller though and serious compromise would have been the name of the game if I had gone down that route. We talked it over and decided to go on to Nottingham and view the other motorhome, a Rapido 776ff. Well; Oaktree Motorhomes came up trumps. An immaculate vehicle, roomy plus all the storage space I need to continue my fulltime and much loved four season motorhome life.
So, and to cut a long story short, here I am again, back at the beginning of my journey, deja vu. I am Once again staring at a huge shiny white thing on four wheels while at the same time psychological mind, with accompanying fear and horror, is noticing the gaping black hole in my bank balance. Ahhhh well. Live life to the full eh!
Saying goodbye to Sadie was mentally and emotionally hard. The time was right though. She had high mileage, was 12yrs old with developing 'issues' (let's say no more on that one) and needed an easier life. I am just so grateful for the wonderful home and amazing adventures she bequeathed me these past 5 years. Safe journey Sadie. May your wheels roll on and continue to give pleasure for some years yet.
I am currently overnighting here in Wales below the 'Garreg Ddu' dam at the 'Elan valley' visitor centre. A lovely flat grassy area where for £2.00 they tolerate 'responsible and sensitive to the surroundings' wild camping. Rain is the 'in' thing here. 1830 millmetres per year as compared with London, 595 and Endinburgh 676 millimetres. Tanya and I did receive our share of it on our resevoir/hill walk this afternoon. But spoil our first night out wild where cooking has been involved it did not. All went extremely well with my bacon, egg, onion, mushroom, nut and wild rice Paella. I'm now sitting in the swivelled round drivers seat, feet up on the generous bench seat with cup of tea close at hand on the fancy folding and move anywhere pedestal table. I tell you, it is most comfy indeed. Unfortunately, and in this respect Foxy10 is the same as Sadie, there is no maid to do the washing up. I do however; have a double sink..... wooooohooooo.... which as yet, I cant quite figure out whether it is an advantage or not.
Tanya is settling into her new home too. We've still some work to do on organising her travelling seat and she has forgiven me the first attempt which unceremoniously collapsed depositing her neatly half in and half out of the passenger door pocket where she had to stay uncomfortably wedged in until I found a conveniant lay by to pull into.
..........
I knew it would'nt last, the good fortune with Foxy 10. We've hit our first major problem which requires a trip back to Oaktree Motorhomes at Nottingham. Because I am wild camping most of the time my large fridge runs mainly on gas. It has its own little burner which does 'stuff' to the refrigerant gas which in turn keeps the fridge cool. A gas burner has an exhaust which is vented to the outside. Unfortunately some of that smelly and decidedly unhealthy exhaust emission is leaking inside Foxy's habitation area. Not good. Not good at all. I was plagued with fridge 'incidents' during Sadie's life. Now it looks as though the theme is going to continue with Foxy 10.
I'm due at Oaktree Motorhomes August 8, just over a week from now. Meanwhile I guess it's going to be a week of overalls on to give Lloyd and Emily a hand renovating their large listed building X pub here in Talley, Carmarthenshire. I think I am down for paint stripping tomorrow.
Oh boy! ...... Oh Joy!
(Smiling really ..... !)
