August and it all change🤯

So after much scratching of heads and thinking things through, during the summer we made the decision to change our caravan.  We had found Bill Bailey just too big when touring in the winter. We had considered getting a second smaller van for touring but after viewing a Swift Conqueror 560 we decided we could cope with a slightly smaller van all year.  The 560 is a 7.5 metre van with a mid bathroom and a fixed double bed in the back.  This layout gives us the feeling of having separate rooms as opposed to Bill which felt like one big room.  The new van being slightly shorter and a little narrower makes all the difference on the road.  So after a trip to Norwich Caravans the new van was ordered and the date for the swap over was set for Thursday 3 August. We booked a couple of days leave and had a day owed so we would have from the Tuesday through to Sunday to take down awnings, empty Bill, swap vans and put our life back together before going back to work. This was all planned with the belief that we would be moving to Cambridge site at the end of August, or so we thought. 

So August arrived and we started to clear Bill of belongings, took down the awning and filled up Micks van and everyone's awnings with our possessions. Just to add to the pressure we went to Wells on the Wednesday to see Darna & Keith, Helen's sister and her partner.  We had a great day but had to get on with the move as soon as we were back. 

So Thursday arrives and we tow an empty Bill Bailey down to Norwich Caravans, only to be told the salesman had forgotten to get the workshop to fit the motor mover to the new van.  So off we went to walk the dogs on the beach whilst the workshop guys set about the world record for motor mover fitting. We were a bit stressed out by now!  Anyway the job got done and we picked up Swifty our new van and drove him back to West Runton. On approaching the site we got stuck in the single track lane meeting a load of cars who couldn't or wouldn't reverse to let us pass. To make matters worse we had a guy behind us who was leaning on his horn.  Words of advice were given and eventually the line of cars were backed up and we got into the campsite lane. I was a somewhat stressed out by now and was looking forward to getting back onto our pitch and getting set up. However no sooner than we got the van onto the pitch Angie came over and told us that there was some bad news. We were off to Normans Bay Campsite in East Sussex to start work on Monday 14 August due to staff shortages. That'll teach us for taking the awning down before the end of the season 😂

Sprinty newly installed on our pitch

So we now had a few days to set the new van up and then get ready for a move to a new site.  We urgently had to buy a new awning  which thanks to West Runton Caravan accessories shop we managed. We also managed to sell our Dometic awning and some other bits to campers. 

From the left: Julie & Dave, Angie & Mick, Lorraine & Gary, Helen & Richard

It was sad to leave the West Runton team we've made some great friends.  We will be meeting up in Spain during the winter apart from Dave & Julie who are off to hotter climes.

Ready to roll - almost

Out the gate for the last time😢