Wolverley Campsite Part 3

 

 

So, after the less-than-satisfying lunch at The Lock Inn, I decided to head over the lock to the Tea shop for a suitable stomach filler. 

The Tea shop had an Open sign facing the tow path. As I approached the building, I spotted a narrowboat approaching the lock. It was about the size and colour as Levant, although it had a cruiser stern so couldn't be our old boat. I decided to video its entry into the lock. 

Despite a good approach, the helmsman left it too late to slow the boat down. On putting her into reverse gear, he skewed the tiller the wrong way and the boat caught the lock gate and side of the chamber as she entered.

So many memories of cruising the relatively peaceful (compared to France) English waterways, came flooding back. I still yearn for life afloat.

Having watched the boat safely through the lock, I took the path to the garden behind the Tea shop, entered, and purchased the largest slab of Victoria Sponge I have ever seen.

The cake provided an amusing ice-breaker when I pulled it out of my bag as I sat down to afternoon tea with the Small Motorhome Group back at camp. I was informed that all new members were expected to provide cake to the rest of the group on the first occasion of afternoon tea. As my cake was so large, the group didn't see that this was a problem. The following comments of Hell freezing over and pistols at Dawn helped the group who had an even more frustrating lunch at the Queens Head, regain their composure. I made my mind up to stay an extra night to help cement the relationships that were forming.

On Thursday, the game of Kubb took place right beside Levant II. The pitch was a very generous size. The game really belongs on Discworld, given that tgedisputes it generates are akin to all out Civil War. It was fun to watch but, with my peculiar lack of eye-hand co-ordination, I would have made little difference to the defeat of the Women's Team except perhaps to widen the margin of loss.

Friday's packing left me tired and in need of some peace on the drive home. I didn't get any, thanks to the rear door and sat nav failures. Alf added to the stress.

He hated the campervan on this trip. I haven't taken him out in it since last October and he's decided it is a scary thing. Normally, he hunkers down on the back seat, in his seat belt safety harness, and goes to sleep. He spent most of the time, both on the journey to, and the journey home from, Wolverley, with his tail between his legs and panting. 

It's been a steep learning curve for both of us, not least the emotional fatigue that comes with spending time in the company of a group of people who know one another and with whom you are the Newbie. I'm sure it will get easier. I will learn from the mistakes and, on the whole, the pros far outweigh the cons.

Next Stop - St Neots Huntingdonshire.