Another Season draws to a close

It seems forever since we opened our CL, I never guessed the sheer amount of work it would entail over the years. It has been enjoyable to meet lots of travelers from different backgrounds, even some from Todmorden, now who was that, ah yes the soggies, then crossing the water to meet up with Mel and Christine who were life savers in a time of need, hee hee. This year has brought many new friends and I have been forced to supply wine etc then forced to drink imported wine and beer. Quite established a taste for red and now. So brew more red than white. Bury black puddings never put in an appearance these days just not found locally. I guess we shall have to travel north and stock up. We have a list, need haggis, cloutie dumpling, tablet, Bury black puddings for a start. Maybe I should take a trailer.

We did manage a 3 week 2500 mile tour of Europe again this year before the season got into full swing. We shall probably be looking for animal sitters again next year so we can get away.

This season was very slow starting but August was frantic. Only the one rally this year, could do with more next year. The weather was variable, garden a dead loss and really struggled to find fruit for my wine. It has been a year of trying lots of new recipes for bread, cake and pizza, on the wine front the apple and clove was a resounding success. Major work on the motorhome this year involved removal of the fixed gas tank for an overhaul, moving the leisure batteries to a better location and am in the throws of rewiring most of the habitation electrics which were originally done with undersized wire, thus losing as much power in heat as I actually needed.
Next on the list is air ride suspension, which I am told is now available for the front of a merc sprinter for the first time. Solar power has been increased to 320W and kept the batteries fully charged all last winter even though I used it daily. Will I ever actually retire? I doubt it, unless the day comes when I can no longer walk to the car or drive the van. I would miss it all.
I am currently setting up a vinyl cutter/plotter to produce signage for the site; who knows I might even venture into van names etc.