Clith-Torq-Clith

Beez Neez now Chy Whella
Big Bear and Pepe Millard
Thu 30 Aug 2018 22:57
Clitheroe, Highbridge, Plymouth, Torquay, Plympton and Back to Clitheroe
 
 
 
IMG_0002  IMG_0004  IMG_0005
 
We both woke at five and after a quick cup of tea set off for Highbridge as we need to drop in one of Eva’s settee cushions that has a crease (we initially thought was due to being a packing crease). Then on to our storage unit in Plymouth – IF – the car behaved, if not, limp to Torquay, swap cars and head to the storage unit afterwards as we had filled the car with ‘stuff’ to ease the weight of towing down with our borrowed car. I said that I would do at least three quarters of today and Bear would do the first half pulling Eva back to Cornwall on the morrow. As we left the Wicked Witch optimistically informed us that our journey would be just shy of five hours, she didn’t know that we planned to keep at a steady fifty five, heating on full blast and stop every hour to top up with water. Each time we stopped Bear leaning over, bottle in hand was a common sight. Just for a change in tension the offside tyre pressure light came on – so a pit stop at an actual Air and Water made things feel very grown up. At the first few stops Bear kept asking if we needed to change drivers but as the car was behaving, temperature staying steady, I didn’t want to jinx things and was happy to keep going. Having the heat on full blast whilst helping the radiator keep steady was interesting for us. Not at all bad when we had left as it was only eight degrees but soon enough outside had risen to eleven and Bear was in charge of getting the sunroof just right so the sun wasn’t blasting the top of my head and the wind wasn’t too fierce. I did have to redirect my side to stop my right foot burning preferring the heat at chest height. We made it to the storage unit, having not too bad a session through the M6 and M5 roadworks at half past one or put another way, eight hours of staring at the temperature light and a quick stop to deliver Eva’s cushion. We sat and ate our picnic lunch before offloading ‘stuff’ and heading to see Rachel and the boys for a quick hug before driving to Torquay as our temporary steed was not due back from its MOT until half five.
 
 
IMG_0011  IMG_0008  IMG_0009
 
Arriving at Hyundai Torquay, pleased to be here. Adam took out poorly car to the workshop and passed a few comments at the blast of heat he had felt. Oh, no sympathy from us, his five minute ordeal..........Huh. A bit of time to spare Bear settled to chat and I took the opportunity to get my stomps done. Simon’s trusty steed passed its MOT with flying colours and we followed Adam from the garage at twenty past six. Simon’s car has an older version of connector for towing lights but a phone call to a friend and the ever able-to-sort-us-out-son had located a mate who could lay his hand to a convertor or “knock us one up”. This meant a journey back toward Plymouth but this time to Plympton.
 
 
IMG_0014
 
We followed Adam’s lead through the start of the skinny bit of road just beyond the garage and whack. A big 4x4 had pulled in for him but no sooner than he had passed than it launched out at us and took out the wing mirror – less than twenty feet Bear had been behind the wheel. I get the feeling that when the men arrive with the white, snugly fitting outfits I won’t complain as the buckles are clipped into place......
 
 
IMG_0015  IMG_0016
 
IMG_0017
 
At Adam and Jenny’s a very welcome cup of tea and a chance for an impromptu hug from Faye and WIlliam who were keen to show off their trampoline. We were impressed by them and also at how the grass seeds have sprouted into a lush green area.
 
 
IMG_0018
 
True to his word, after we had enjoyed another cuppa, Adam’s mate duly arrived with our much needed convertor. We were treated to Faye and WIlliam in crocodile and unicorn onesies and were offered a bed for the night. Tempting though the offer was, it would mess things up as Eva’s pitch was booked out for the rest of the year once we moved off in the morning. So, after hugs all round we got back to our journey, Bear at the wheel at eight o’clock. We swapped drivers just south of Dudley and as Bear snored happily I tucked in behind a lorry who became my pathfinder through the closed junctions on the M5. Once on the M6 I had another stretch of closure, this time I tucked behind a Belle Vue coach who sadly left me at Manchester. During the first set of miles ‘off’ the motorway I began humming We’re on a Road to Nowhere and at the more stop than start bit through the thirty mile speed limit section on the M6 I was humming Road to Hell. 
 
 
IMG_0020  IMG_0021
 
Thirty miles from Clitheroe a little light pinged on. Now I don’t give a damn how tight the men in white coats do up the buckles, I guess having a little flexibility to cuff my nose might be nice.......... When we finally arrived at our destination I checked the lights on Simon’s trusty steed and all look well but I was simply too tired to check to see if it was due to a brake light. We can depend on Eva’s light for the return journey on the morrow.
 
 
IMG_0025  IMG_0022
 
Leaving the car outside as the camp site gate snaps at eleven not to open again until seven in the morning, we bimbled toward Eva. My watch telling us a ridiculous time, Bear carrying the cushion the caravan shop had ‘loaned us’, bed hastily rebuilt we snapped our eyes shut at three...........relief........
 
 
 
 
ALL IN ALL TALKING HEADS OR CHRIS REA ???
                     KEPT SEEING THE SAME THINGS.....