We stayed at Reculver until the beginning of April enjoying the sea and all the delights it washed up on to the shores. Slowly the weather warmed and we started to see the bulbs growing and blooming before we travelled on from the coast to inland.
Due to lack of funds we could not go too far so only went into and around the Canterbury area. Mostly we were wild camping finding woods to hold up for a few days. It was a glorious time as spring slowly started to fade into summer and the days got longer giving us more natural light to work by. We even took to using candles to read by as the light began to fade before heading for our beds at the end of a day.
Troy enjoyed this time walking in the woods, collecting and learning about the natural habit and all the flora and fauna we came across. His reading improved to such an extent he read Harry Potter and the Philosphers Stone in just a week, a real achievement for him.
As summer slipped her shoes off to walk barefoot across the land we found ourselves yearning for company, so decided to visit the local campsite in Canterbury for some well earned R and R. We often stop by to say hello to friends we have made, who like us pitch up every now and then. For us it means we can have a bit of electricity, the use of the computer and DVD player, a well earned shower and the use of a washing machine. It can get tiresome washing by hand, but I would not change my life for anything as I have so much more freedom these days.
Whilst at the site my faithful kettle decided it had had enough and the lid lost its screw and the spout blew it top. I have to say I felt sorry for it as it has brewed many a cup of tea, coffee and soup for me over the past six years, so it must have been in need of a rest. Well I managed to fix it up to boil until another could be purchased. Not that I would have gone without as a saucepan would easily boil up water without much fuss, but a kettle is such a delightful thing and lets you know when it has done it's job. So now I am now the proud owner of a hand painted enamel kettle with a ginger tom playing with a ball of wool. This was painted by Martin Leman, who at the time of purchase I knew nothing about, who has painted several pictures of cats in many guises.
I was over the moon when I received it as it fits right in to our motorhome, and nestled on the stove looked as though it had been there all its life. I look forward to years of happy boiling.
Our dogs have grown, and I am now the proud owner of an elegent collie lurcher and a very small staff who get on like a house on fire. I am very lucky with both as they are good natured although Talin, the lurcher does bark a lot and very loud at that. So he tends to frighten people, which is no bad thing when you live in a van and wild camp alot. They both love to be out of doors and can't wait to get out for a long run every day, which keeps both Troy and I fit.
Here's Troy in the middle of the University of Kent's Labyrinth. We have walked this many times as the dogs hare around across the open field in front of it. As you look out across you can see Canterbury Cathedral towering over the city. We have found many labyrinths on our travels across the British Isles, most of which follow this basic design. I like the feel of finding oneself as you meander round the twists and turns until you reach the centre or the core of your very being.
During one of our stays on the Canterbury Campsite we encountered this very unusual motorhome. Yes it is a plane, and the gentleman who owned it had converted it into a caravan of sorts. A bit cramped for my liking but he was happy with his lot, and it caused quite a lot of interest from other campers during it's stay on the site. I hasten to add he towed it behind his car, and did not drive it away. Though Troy and I thought it would be funny to see him take off from the site and fly it out.
Well summer danced her way through until she met up with autum and as the Harvest moon approached we suddenly started to see an abundance of mushroom and toadstools appear. As is our want we started to look out for them as they gathered in groups around fallen trees and leaves. We had to be careful not to step inside a fairy ring in case we were whisked off to fairy land. Anyway as the days passed drawing nearer to the full moon we realised they were gathering for their harvest ball, to celebrate and give thanks for their crops they had gathered ready for the winter. Pretty much like we use to do when we did not rely on the super markets to do our harvesting for us. It was lovely to watch as they grew and multiplied until after the full moon when suddenly they were gone, so our theory was right they were here just for the festival and then moved on to the next place and next party.
Well now autum has started to slide away making way for winter to don his cloak and shroud us in cold and dark days and nights. We are drawn inside early now and as the light begins to fade earlier and earlier. We are making the most of the daytime though regardless of the weather, as the dogs still need to stretch their legs and run as far as they can. We find oursleves back at Reculver beside the north sea, which throws up new delights each day. So much beach combing to be done and new finds along the shores, we relish this time and await the snow as the next full moon is upon us. Although as I write this tonight she is hidden from view by the blanket of cloud which blots out the light she would be shinning down on us from on high.
I wish you all a happy time and look forward to reading your comments, although I hope not to receive some of the more unpleasant ones I came across on my last blog.
So for now I bid you farewell and sweet dreams.
