Back to The Grindstone

The last four months has flown by, in the blink of an eye.

Our first season as assistant wardens at the New Forest Centenary Site finished early last November. We were more than ready for a break. Six weeks winter caravanning followed by some Jellybean time took us into 2019. Six weeks of winter sunshine in Lanzarote to warm our bones and recharge our gin batteries, then four days at home preparing to leave for the new season and our new site.

Carefully stacking stuff in our dining room rendered our dining table almost unusable. Climbing over waterproof membranes, boxes of bits and bobs and anything else I feel I might need in the next few months, just to eat our tea.

Typical that the day we planned to drive in was forecast horizontal rain and hurricane force wind, all after lunchtime. Up and out early doors to try to beat the weather.

Loading the car was a Tetris challenge. Having worked in logistics, The Boss reckoned it would be a piece of cake, with room to spare. Room for a cotton bud or two it turned out.

Full to the rafters we hit the road, lifted the legs and drove quietly out of the storage yard with our home for the summer behind us.

Arriving on site just as the wind started to blow a hoolie and the heavens opened. Welcome to our new home, Longleat.

Should we put the caravan this way round or that way round? Tape measure out measuring the compound, it’s pigging raining and freezing. I just want to get the legs down, crank the heating up and head to The local supermarket for supplies. To keep the weight down on the journey we’d decided against bringing food and gin with us, happen as well really, not sure where it would’ve gone in the car. Still faffing, he dances the caravan round the compound at jaunty angles with the motor mover, eventually deciding to put it the way the previous wardens had had theirs.

There’s no chance the awning is going up in the next couple of days as this weather is forecast to be hanging around. After Lanzarote sunshine it’s a bit of a shock to the system, I won’t be beaten though, still wearing flip flops. I will not put proper shoes on until I start work.

Caravan in place, finally, car emptied, food shopping done. Still loads to do, loads to put away but until the weather gods look down kindly on us, the awning will have to wait for another day and we will have to live with and step over the mess that we call our belongings.