And Away We Went

Finally - after the repairs, the saving up and all that rain, we've acutally spent a night away in our little caravan and it was ever so much fun. Ok, maybe there were a few teething problems (losing things, no water, no gas!) but on the whole we have fallen in love with our little bav (what the Woodhouses have always called caravans apparently-?).

Getting it off our steep drive and simply hitching up was the biggest achievement to be honest so we didn't venture too far and headed for a nice little site in an old Peak District quarry to enjoy a hazy summer's afternoon.

It wasn't a bad site but the lack of views from the pitches (we were tucked under the huge quarry walls in a dip) made it feel a bit claustrophobic and to be honest I'm with Lucy; a farmer's field would be much more up our street.

Mind you it was in one of the best parts of the White Peak and close to one of my favourite villages, Parwich, which is a lovely place to be.

After all the tricksy stuff to do with legs, hitches and jockey wheels was sorted, the boys and daddy explored the playground while mummy faffed around for half an hour making it feel a little cosier.

And oh and I loved this bit so very much; playing house with all the bargain treasures and useful bobs I've been gathering up.

Come early evening our little men were beside themselves with excitement about getting their beds ready, which lasted all of five minutes when they were in them so it was back to the playground for a bit more whooping and whizzing about until dusk.

I don't think our two have ever stayed up so late before, it was after dark when silence finally descended and we got some sleep. And we would have had a lovely old lie in if it hadn't been for the terrific thunder storm that woke us all up at dawn with violent rumbles and hammering rain. But oh was it cosy tucked up in our bav, I've never been more pleased not to be in a tent let me tell you!

I think the morning was my favourite time, the four of us curled up under duvets, chatting and laughing. A cup of coffee and a bacon sandwich would have made it perfect but this was a definitely a trial run and we've got a list as long as your arm to sort out ready for a next trip in a couple of weeks time.

What a thrill (and a relief) to finally be mobile. There'll be no stopping us now!