Flying solo

Sun_Addict

Happy travelling from me too! I've got a Jack Russsell - love her to bits, such a character! Glad CD has a friend and super glad all is sounding good in your world.

please-let-me-be-lucky

Congratulations Divo Four on being a published writer :T. Clever like his Mum!!

Safe journey Xx

*Robin*

'Morning Diary and Gentle Readers, :hello:

Not quite en route yet; being a tad naughty coming on here when there's so much to do before leaving, but I am an artist at distraction activity.
Wanted to visit some of your diaries, dear friends, before disappearing into RL for a while, but the first two - Lucky and Sun.A's current pages - both moved me to tears.. First sad ones because I'd give anything to be in your club, ladies, and second happy ones because your dear surviving husbands are both doing so well despite the after-effects of their individual crises. For some reason it's really important to me that you can all enjoy each others' presence (oh Sun.A - Buddha in your garden, how lovely.. ).
The words came out wrong when trying to write a post on each of your diaries; didn't want to bring the mood down so will let out the angst here where it doesn't matter.

DH was so good at sorting out everything ready for our periodic journeys. Even when he wasn't travelling himself, he took pleasure in ensuring nothing was left to chance - which did make it much easier for me and the youngsters.
In one of the last 'photos I took of him before DH got so ill so quickly, he is surrounded by luggage which he'd laid out on the drive in the order it was to be packed in the van. He is unaware I'm watching, as he checks that the tent has it's correct compliment of poles and pegs.
That picture is one of my favourites, even though DH's face is hidden because he's looking down and the 'photo was taken from above. The sun is shining off his thick, curly grey hair - how I miss running my fingers through it; never met another man with such a head of fine, soft hair as DH.. :A

Divos One and Four will be here later, attempting to do DH's job.
Think they're also going to have to change a wheel on the chariot - didn't like the look of it when car arrived, it screeches on the road and the steering pulls to that side. Last night when dogs and I walked past, said tyre definitely looked flat on the bottom - reckon the wretched thing's got a slow puncture. Great start.
Am less than enamoured of this car. It's got all the bells and whistles expected on modern vehicles, but noise in the back suggests one shocker is on the way out, and the questionable tyre fouls a plastic cover inside the wheel arch. Tbh I think my ancient van is in better mechanical condition, but am committed to this car so hope Divo One can do something with it - otherwise we have to add visiting the local garage to our exit strategy. Which could make travel-time rather tight.
Owner insists her garage checked the car and it's fine, but she was a bit funny when she realised I'm planning to bring back quantities of vino and finest olive oil..
Yes, I have bought breakdown cover - if necessary we'll travel on the back of a recovery truck, because there are simply no dog-friendly tickets for a later ferry until August!

Spends:
Breakdown cover - £78

please-let-me-be-lucky

Oh Robin, I didn't mean to make you sad . Much love Xx

Dansmam

Hugs Robin x
Glad you can miss him on here, I try to think of my lost people as holding my hand, walking arm in arm, cheering me on. He is, I'm sure x

Sun_Addict

Hugs from me too. Never worry about what you might post on my diary, you wouldn't bring down the mood - there for the grace of God go I. I remember reading your diary when you first started it, some time before Mr SA became ill and thinking how sad it was, little did I know what was about to happen to me. You are a real inspiration to us in diary land with how you've coped so well. Have a safe journey x

chevalier

Hope you have a good journey, and all goes to plan.
chev

*Robin*

Good morning World! :hello:

Thanks to everyone for your kind words and good wishes.. :beer:*
*No beer for me though, am driving.

You didn't upset me, Lucky, it was just memories bubbling up.. Dansmam is right in thinking that talking about DH here does help - he's been gone too long for RL friends to be comfortable mentioning his name (sad, but we all do it, don't we?)..

Sooo. Chariot has one of those 'get you to the garage' toy spares, which means another side-trip to the tyre shop to have an inner tube fitted (a bodge but this car is already costing me far more than expected). As soon as Divo Four wakes up I'll be off to do that.
Divo One couldn't adjust the panel in the wheel arch. He shrugged and said it wouldn't damage the tyre, Owner's garage obviously left it like that because the screws are new (yes, we did check there is no contraband hidden behind it!).
The lads locked down the caravan and DS1 is coming back to collect my van, he's chuffed because it's a lot cheaper to run than his family 4x4, lol.

Sun_Addict wrote:

I've got a Jack Russsell - love her to bits, such a character! Glad CD has a friend

JRT's are endearing characters, aren't they? The four-legged spring up into one's arms is particularly cute, though a bit alarming when not expected! :rotfl:
LP isn't the brightest, though. He keeps pinching CD's favourite chair, then snaps at her when she wants to share it. Doesn't realise she can't see at all..
He also spends an inordinate amount of time attending to his bits which is a tad concerning - wondering if he's got mites because I've never looked after a male dog who washes one part so often and the rest of his fur not at all?
Another appointment today is with Dear Vet for final health checks, so will ask her opinion.

That's it, DS4 is up, I'm off..

*Robin*

Good morning One and All, :hello:

Quick update from the top of a wet mountain, in the middle of a wind-turbine forest.
Good run until it started raining, when we discovered chariot's mismatched wipers simply do not [wipe]. Guess Owner hasn't used 'em since about January, so probably doesn't know they aren't just ineffective but make visibility much worse than having no wipers at all. Unfortunately - from my PoV - one of car's 'tricks' is that it turns on the wipers automatically when a sensor detects rain (and I can't override it... Aaargh! :mad:).

As the light faded it felt too dangerous to continue driving even slowly, so we stopped at the first hotel willing to accept canine guests. Lucky to get their last available room; place is packed with travellers sheltering from the deluge.
It's very nice, posher and pricier than I'd normally choose but still cheap by UK standards, so DS4 and I have just been enjoying some unaccustomed luxury.
Facilities include a spa, and for kids they have the best soft-play centre I've ever seen - three stories tall with a 360' view from a cupola at the top, reached by climbing a sculpted tree which is the centrepiece. Divo Four wasn't the only adult who couldn't resist.. :rotfl:
Not that there's a view right now. Well, not much beyond the gardens anyway. From previous journeys we know the scenery around here is spectacular and there's plenty of wildlife, but am pretty certain DS isn't going to get any decent 'photos of eagles circling today..

Brightspark87

Hi robin wow so much to catch up on! you seem to be positive and I am so happy for you.

PS I love the sound of that soft play centre what a treat - a form of 'escaping' and returning to childhood x