Agy van is going on tour!

Agy is going on tour! This means turning Agy into our home on wheels again, rather than her being a builders van and static home. 

The washing is on the line, which means only one thing… The Octopus needs wrestling again. 

If you have no idea what I’m talking about, I’m sure I wrote about this last year, but trying to fit a sheet to a fitted bed in a campervan that is tucked in a corner, quite high up….. It's like wrestling an octopus! The only way to do it is to lie on the bed, but lifting the mattress and fitting the sheet is a whole work out on it’s own! As you can see it is elegance personified.

But it is totally worth it, the cupboards are packed with sound deadening skill and we are ready to go. The ferry is booked, the neighbours informed ( they will be keeping an eye on the house while we are gone) and all we have to do is fill up the water tank. We have an hour before we need to leave for the ferry, so plenty of time. Except...it is pouring out the bottom as fast as it goes in. Ah, the valve is open, no problem, we can fix that. Valve closed, try again, still it pours out! Now it’s getting urgent, we’re planning to be away for a while, so we are going to need water! In the end we decide to just leave and sort it out later, the ferry won’t wait for us.

For some unknown reason the local Council have decided the best time to do all the major roadworks on the island is as the tourist season starts and lockdown finishes, so after multiple traffic lights and diversions we make it. Red Funnel here we come.

There is something very special about a journey always beginning and ending with a ferry, it feels like a proper holiday, properly away. 

It seems (from all the messages we had) that the weather wasn’t so good on the North/big Island. It was dull, and a bit spitty with rain as we boarded, but nothing to cause any concern. We had a very calm crossing, but as we disembarked the rain started to bucket down… we’ve got used to Island weather!

Our first stop is to see my dad. It's been almost a year and that’s been hard, just like everyone else who hasn’t been able to see family, so I’m both excited and a bit emotional. My sister and niece have been amazing visiting dad, taking him shopping and when allowed, going out for a drive, or even a walk. I know he is Ok, but I needed that hug and to see him myself.  

Turns out, I was worrying for nothing, he's doing well and was very pleased to see us. It was heavenly to be able to sit and chat, have time to be together and catch up on all that has and hasn’t happened.

Those of you who know dad will know he has been woodturning for many years, he’s very good and has made us, and many others, beautiful gifts over the years. He told us he had stopped turning now as he gets too tired (the church sales where most things were sold have stopped), but Ian was interested in having a go, so off they went to the shed. Dad instructing, Ian practicing. Before long a square bit of wood was round and many shavings were made. Ian wasn’t bad actually!

Before heading off we were able to see Ian’s brother at the pub we were staying at.  Agy had her first passenger; Dad had an appointment in town, so we were able to drop him off before heading off. I think he liked it!

Oh, and the water? We needed to press a button as we closed the valve! Dad supplied the water, so we were good to go.