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So here we are in the USA .......... The land of the Great Lakes, Niagara Falls, the Grand Canyon and Dunkin Donuts. Some months ago I said to Sarah that I would treat her to a holiday of her choice anywhere in the world to celebrate her significant birthday. I had prepared a short list of my ideas to help her choose but in typical form she pulled the unexpected out of the hat, New England in an RV! A few clicks of the mouse later the trip was booked.
My biggest fault is my need to always over spec and buy the biggest or the best that I can afford. Why book a two berth RV when you can have at least six spare beds on board and a room that slides out of the side of the rig? The accommodation is fantastic and the actual vehicle is a total pleasure to drive, all 30 feet of it! The thrill I feel when we pull over and make a cup of tea knowing I have just 'saved' myself $7 is priceless, the convenience of the convenience is just so convenient I can't tell you, life could not be better having your home in tow.
My travel companion and of course the birthday girl has been a fantastic operator so far, her map reading would make a Dambuster navigator jealous! Her timing when leaning forward to read the map completely blocking the view from the near side wing mirror would get her straight tens on Strictly. I am told we have a fluid itinerary and can do whatever I want ............. as long as it is the same thing that Sarah wants to do! I have come to learn this trip that Sarah reads books properly and I tend to look at the pictures and read from the index backwards, I generally have a gist of what is going on but Sarah is the details person.
I was nervous picking up the RV for the first time, I did not sleep well the night before as I was apprehensive about the trip. I had tried to convince myself that driving on the opposite side of the road in a vehicle that you could prepare and serve a three course dinner for six in would be easy but really I knew it would be a challenge. My nerves were soon amplified during the transfer from the hotel to the RV depot when I discovered the other couple in the minibus, also from the UK, were experts in RV travel. To my delight the wife was a very chatty lady, recently retired, living in Suffolk and maintaining an allotment. The conversation went a bit like this;
Wife "have you driven an RV before?"
Me "no"
Wife "oh"
Wife "you must have a caravan in the UK?"
Me "no"
Wife "oh" (slightly louder)
Wife "have you planned your itinerary with campsites?"
Me "no"
Wife "oh" (even louder and more distressed)
Wife "you have all your maps and campsite books with you though?"
Me "no"
Wife "oh dear, anyway travelling can be such fun, such fun!"
The conversation slowly fizzled out and I continued to stare out the window with my stomach slightly churning.
Today is Sarah's birthday. I accidently left her card, birthday banner and small gift at home, pre occupied with packing my head torch, leatherman and emergency foil blanket, you never know what may happen! Fortunately I managed to buy a generic gift card in Brewster yesterday and wrote a few special words whilst leaning on the steering wheel as Sarah spent a penny on board. It is certainly the thought that counts. Happy Birthday my lovely wife ....................
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Dad Graham
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Leopards and Spots
It just goes to show that leopards do not change their spots