Tuesday 4 March 2008

The Great Escape


Today I have a streaming nose, watery eyes and a throat that feels full of cut glass. To say nothing of my brain which has been reduced to scrambled eggs. What is it about colds that make us all feel the absolute pits? So to distract myself, I’m thinking Escapism.

It started at the weekend when Himself and I had a coffee down at Mylor Harbour before taking Mollie for a walk. Actually, he had a glass of wine and I had a coffee and he didn’t walk Moll, I did. But while we were imbibing, I saw a postcard ad for renting VW camper vans.

For some time I’ve been hankering after a holiday, to no avail. 1) We can’t afford it, 2) There is Moll to think about and we don’t want to put her in kennels and 3) If we could afford it, I don’t like hotels or B&Bs. 4) We can’t agree on the kind of holiday we’d like so we end up not going.

But this website – Campers in Cornwall made my heart leap in anticipation. Well, it gave a bit of a flutter, because I don’t expect we’ll actually get anywhere with this idea – but I can hope.

I don’t propose that we go anywhere far in a campervan, but we could explore, we could sleep in it, we could cook in it and we could take Moll. It would be like being back on the boat, except for the obvious absence of water.

It’s not cheap but what is nowadays? I got enough money for my birthday to pay for a weekend which would be all we’d need. So – go on, have a look. See what you think.
I can just see us trundling along the open roads, parking up for a picnic and a swim.

Of course there is the slight problem of how to convince Himself of this wondrous idea. Any ideas greatly appreciated.

20 comments:

Zinnia Cyclamen said...

I had that cold last week, it's a horror, I hope you're beginning to feel better. I'm not convinced of the wonders of campervans myself, it's the other way round in our house, Top Bloke periodically tries to persuade me that it would be fun. But I'd certainly be willing to give it a go for a weekend. Maybe the way to go with the convincing is to say that it's what you want to do with your birthday money, do you think that might work?

Flowerpot said...

zinnia - sorry you;ve had this vile germ as well but trust you are improving now. That's a good idea - yes it might well work...

Philipa said...

The age old threat of 'do what I want or you'll never have sex again' often has a way of biting one in the arse, especially when the threatened smiles cheerfully and says 'ok then :-)' so I wouldn't recommend that one. What about accentuating the positives - you're paying and he can come if he wants but you're going, and if he does come along he can bring his cornet and in the middle of a field he can play it as much as he likes. Apart from that it's back to the age old promise of sexual fulfillment - you could always tell him that sex in a camper van has long been one of your fantasies. Of course that would mean you'd have to have sex with him but.. it might be a laugh!

Flowerpot said...

Philipa - I could doubtless bribe him with sex or cornets. both would certainly clinch the deal. Good thinking - though I might have to ban the cornet!

Anonymous said...

In theory it sounds fabulous! You've made me think about planning a holiday, I promised I'd take Amy somewhere and she keeps talking about France.

Sorry about your cold. I still wake up with a dicky throat and my cold was weeks ago! I do hope you start to feel better soon. Take care of yourself and keep warm.

Crystal xx

Cornish Dreamer said...

What an innovative idea, and an excellent one with Mollie.

sorry to hear that you've now got a cold. I hope you feel better soon. If you need anything, let me know and I'll get it on my way home this evening.

RT

Flowerpot said...

Crystal - I hope you plan something lovely for you and Amy. Yes, I'm keeping warm.But my brain has entirely stopped functioning which means I can't work!

Flowerpot said...

RT - many thanks but I think I've got everything at the moment - I'll ring if not, that's very kind.

Akelamalu said...

Sorry you're feeling so vile Flowerpot. :(

Book the campervan, tell him you have a surprise for him and just make him go. He'll love it when you get there!

Aoj and The Lurchers said...

That sounds wonderful!! I always fancied hiring a Gypsy caravan....one day!

the rotten correspondent said...

You could tell him there's an undiscovered cornet store down the road "a bit".

I think it sounds like such fun, flowerpot! I love road trips!

Flowerpot said...

Ak - the element of surprise has something about it. I might just do that!

AOj - yes there's an element of romance about it isnt there?!

RC - an undiscovered cornet store - I like it!

Lane Mathias said...

It's a brilliant idea. I love camper vans.

maybe suggest a tour of jazz pubs in the south-west and to take his cornet because of the likelihood of impromptu jazz sessions with fab musicians needing his input:-)

Anything's worth a whirl fp. You've got to go:-)

Elaine Denning said...

In a camper van, he'll be able to blow his whatsit as loud as he likes! I reckon it's a great idea!

Hope you feel better soon. x

Ellee Seymour said...

I think it is a great idea, you can go anywhere on a whim.
Re the cold, why not try taking echinacia? I take some each morning and never have a cold, but always get sniffly if I decide not to. I stop taking them after March, I just take them during the winter on a daily basis.

Katherine and Pippa said...

How about you suggest camping (in a small tent) - the V dub will look like serious luxury after that.

It looks very nice anyway to me but I guess that is a question of taste and eccentricity.

Kate

Grump said...

I have had many a good holiday in a VW camper van. Very comfy. If you're going west and southward. Try the cliffs near Porthcurno and Treen. If you get to the top of Treen Village where the road goes to the left, there is a converted barn to your right. That was mine. It is called Long barn. The Logan rock is a fine stone and we used to rock it.
The Logan rock pub is a must for lunch diner or a pint.
Cheers Mark x

Flowerpot said...

lane - that is a wonderful idea. My god, he;d leap at the chance.

MissU - yes, he would - that's what worries me!

elleee - echinacea is a very good idea. I must go and get some.

Flowerpot said...

Katherine - we have a tent which we have camped in but he doesn't like camp sites. This might be somethign to do with the fact that they're usually quite a long way from a pub...

grump - thanks for the recommendation and for Long Barn too. We will have a recce and get back to you!

Penny Pincher said...

I know JUST what you mean - it was in my retirement planning to own a campoer van to just up sticks and trundle off for an overnight break away - I think the whole idea sounds blissful. even if it is just a dream for a while the whole idea can be very enjoyable.
I'd love to volunteer to board your dog while you away as she looks a real pet.
Sorry about the 'cold' I do hope it's not like our Devon version which turns into a cough and then seems to hang around for a month or more ...