4-5/05/2014 : First Overnighter - Forest of Dean

We booked 1 night at Deanwood Campsite, at Yorkley, Forest of Dean to ensure we were match fit for our adventure across the channel. Daughter, who will be accompanying us, is hoping for a "slick operation" en France. We collected Frank Saturday night. Sunday morning Mark rode with his club. Jo got the last bits ready to load Frank ready for a quick get away when the cyclist returned. We hit the road sat up high and  unable to go very fast we pottered along, very relaxing. Great views of the countryside!

Arrived at the site, located our pitch and set about setting up. 'Try not to look like complete numpties' said Jo! We got out hook up leads, turned on the gas bottles, water, electricity - all looking like we had been at it for years - until we discovered I couldn't get the hob to light, partly because we forgot to pack any matches, and we hadn't brought any cash to buy any, and partly because I couldn't remember which knobs had to be turned which way! Jumped on the bikes, went up the road and joy of joys, not only a shop but a cash machine as well. Still couldn't get the hob to light or the water to heat up - cue a phone call to Bob, Frank's previous owner. He talked me through everything that he had already told us at handover, and bingo, all was well.








Did a bit of exploring and then cooked our first meal in the van, accompanied with a bottle of bubbly to celebrate the start of something we have been talking about for years.











Slept well, woke up and felt a bit chilly so tested the heating - got that working as well. Jo then announced that as well as being exclusively responsible for the toilet cassette, I was also in charge of making tea in the mornings, which would be served to her in bed!!





We had a lovely morning, and after breakfast in the van went for a cycle in the forest before returning and packing everything away. Next up, a visit to Ross on Wye, before driving Frank back to the storage area. All in all we had a great try out couple of days. The site was excellent, probably not what we would normally choose, but it was a good location to make sure everything worked before going to France.

Mileage travelled : 102