The Emu has landed!

Sunday, May 18, 2014
Folkestone, Canterbury, England, United Kingdom
Day Four and the flight may be over but the jet lag is not! Peter's typing this while Kathy snoozes on the bunk - it's 9:15 am and we had a good night's sleep but our bodies are still telling us it's around midnight.
 
We arrived at Heathrow at 2 pm and got through immigration and customs in a trice! Very efficient . Nick, our chauffeur (sounds good doesn't it?), was waiting to whisk us away to the Red Lion Pub in Dunkirk. Unfortunately when we got to the pub he held out his hand for payment. So plebeian. 
 
Had a wonderful night's sleep at the the Red Lion but agreed one night was the limit. Not quite 3 star but nevertheless homely and welcoming. What is it about pub food that people like so much over here? The chicken korma was certainly tasty but the portion size was gargantuan. Very much US style 'super size". Anyway it was tasty and filling and went down well with a local bitter. 
 
On Saturday morning Linda from Select First Motorhomes picked us up for the short trip to the van's home base. Graham was waiting for us with handover checklist in hand and the next hour and a half were spent in crawling over the vehicle and learning its many systems. Experience with yacht systems is definitely a plus. The vehicle is in very good condition with many upgrades that make it super-liveable. A huge gas tank installed under the van holds enough gas for our entire trip particularly as most of it will be done in warmer weather . By the way it's 24C here today and will be the same tomorrow. We have a very new satellite system which uses one button to lock onto any number of channels. The problem here being you have to search for the few that you want to view. She is fully alarmed with every door and hatch automatically armed when you lock up. We were not expecting it but all the lighting has been changed to LED, the warm glow type, so the interior feels pretty cosy!
 
How do we refer to our home for the next few months? Spanish for motorhome is "casa
rodante" or "autocaravana". Both a bit of a mouthful. So we'll stick to colloquial French . . . . "Le Van". 
 
Our first drive from Dunkirk to the campsite took us right into the centre of Canterbury to an Aldi store. I was very nervous about driving an LHD vehicle in the UK but as it turns out it was no problem at all. I guess the good weather and the fact that it's a weekend helps. Made a few wrong turns but all was righted when we started using the "Sheila" on TomTom GPS. 
The Black Horse Farm campsite is terrific . Very well laid out in lush green countryside. Great amenities and no need to use the onboard facilities yet. Fish and chips with a crisp glass of French Sauv Blanc from a local food van saved us from cooking. 
 
So, now it's Sunday am and as soon as Kathy wakes from her slumber we'll be off to Canterbury to see the Cathedral and do a bit more shopping . . . . more later . . . .
Just realised we're now into Wednesday evening and this still hasn't been posted. So, here's a précis of what we've seen and done. Two days wandering around Canterbury was glorious. Magnificent balmy weather has England out in summer dress. The Cathedral is truly awe inspiring. And talks we had with one of the guides and later one of the clergy were welcomed as they put into context much of what we were seeing. Of course we are still shopping for essentials to last us over the next few months so both times we returned to our campsite laden with shopping bags.
 
Yesterday, our good (very) friends, Sheila and Peter, from Cape Town picked us up and took us for a drive down to Rye, a coastal town about an hour's drive from Folkestone . Yet another magical town full of historic buildings and a river (the Rother) which, when we were there was all but empty of water with all the yachts and pleasure craft high and 'in the mud'. Later we had tea and a good discussion about what to see and do when we hit Scotland. Thanks Peter, thanks Sheila.
 
We still can't stay awake after 10 pm so we're up pretty early and today, Wednesday, we spent the morning fighting with banks, cell phone providers etc just to get one of our phones running. Long boring story! We've also booked our next two campsites and will depart Black Horse tomorrow morning. The rest of the day was spent in Folkestone. Hmmmm! Great lunch and coffee . . . but . . . Oh and another thing if you're ever tempted to catch the 3:42 bus from Folkestone to Canterbury, DON'T! It's also the school bus.
 
We have to tell you, however, that it is currently raining dogs, cats and rabbits - the latter in the majority, and the weather is now rapidly declining. Off to buy wellies tomorrow!
















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Comments

Dolly
2014-05-22

Oh Dad it looks so wonderful! I'm taking on a slight shade of verdigris... :)

Veronica Mortimer nee Evans
2014-05-25

Sheila and Pete gave me your blog address as I so enjoyed your last trip. Must admit I am a paler shade of green and a bit greener seeing my sister with you.
Trust you have a really great holiday and looking forward to joining you on your travels which I will share with Noel ..... Veronica

Pierre
2014-05-27

Hi Peter & Kathy, Very impressive van ! I see you both have hit the ground running
Enjoyed the photos and description of your travels. Hope you have a good trip up north to Scotland. We pray for good weather on your trip!!
Love Charl & Cheryl

2025-02-10

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