Today is our last day in the van until March.  We’ve had three weeks trying out all the gizmos, sorting out the chores (lucky Deane gets loo duty while Will is our daily sweeper),  working out how small we can fold clothes and figuring out how to step into our new ‘lounging outfits’ without getting the bottoms wet in the showers. Many card games have been played to while away the long dark evenings, and the occasional burnt toast has fully tested the smoke alarm but all in all it has been very successful and we feel confident that both us and the van can survive the European adventure.

It seemed only fitting to  see out our last New Year in London in true London style and go to the fireworks.  We started the night by seeing Charlie and the Chocolate Factory at the Theatre Royal (Will’s reward for all his hard work in piano this year – including a recital at the Sutton Music Festival) and then after some nifty blagging, made it into the viewing area for the grand finale.  It was spectacular and a fitting end – although Bompas and Parr’s scratch and sniff fireworks didn’t seem to work!  The four hour trip home is another story but not one for today.

Of course  there has been even more eating and being merry.  After leaving the lovely warm hospitality of Sue, Rob Mia and Charlotte, we were treated to a delicious Boxing Day feast with Rod and Liz (as if we needed more food!!) and then an equally divine Christmas Buffet at Deane’s brother Darren and Helen’s on the 27th.  We appreciated Darren and Helen hosting again this year – it would have been a tight squeeze in the van!  In fact – we have been extremely well fed and  entertained at the Coulsdon Ross-Dreher household while we have been staying locally – especially enjoyed the last roast that William self-invited us to!  Thank you!!   Great to catch up with Johnny, Amanda and Beth too – next time will be in NZ!!  

It has rained non stop and blown a gale continuously and unfortunately we’ve only managed a few walks and rides but  on one walk we found a tree of remembrance – a silver birch covered in crosses and poppies remembering five RAF crew members killed when their plane  (Avro Anson NK407) went down on this heath in September 1944.  Quite a touching thing to stumble across.   

And so today we move back into a proper house!  It has been a fun filled Christmas break and I think I’m going to miss the simple life of the van for the next couple of months….