Day 10: A false start - for some

Duncan got away on time for his train with Kevin and Wendy accompanying him to the nearest station that got him into the Garre Du Nord for his Eurostar home. He arrived home at 7pm ready for work tomorrow ( and collecting 2 of the 3 dogs and the cat in the morning)

The remainder of the group then waited for the rain to stop before packing up as the plan was to get nearer to Dunkirk to a camp site

 

It turned out that Martyn had parked in the wrong place AGAIN..

 

As we started to leave the Hymer wedged itself into the  clay ground… the vehicles in order of attempts to pull it out were:

  1. Buddy - skid and the Hymer wheels dug in further
  2. Jenks (backwards and forwards) - ditto
  3. Little grey Fergie - not a chance with only 2 wheel drive
  4. International 688 - diff not working so one wheel spinning
  5. By this time the Hymer exhaust was almost in the ground as were the shockers and there were quite a few deep skid marks in the campsite which the owner was tutting at










Then it was apparently time for lunch so the campsite recovery team left us saying they would be back later….

So Martyn started to jack the camper up out of the ground to see if that would help. He got the jack stuck, then the piece of wood stuck and it was sitting precariously about 3 foot in the air at the back when all of a sudden there was the growl of a large engine and wheels and vehicle number 5 came into the site:

 

 5.. New Holland TM150 - all sorted

 



In total it cost 30 euros for the pull-

- out which wasn’t too bad really as we had not bought anything or paid for camping…. We therefore set off a bit late but headed towards the campsite that had been booked this morning. 

 

The weather is still rain rain and more rain

It’s not too cold though - but we definitely need to be able to dry some clothes, towels and bedding out soon.

 

The roof top tent is not as waterproof as expected and Wendy is hoping to move into there now Duncan is safely back in the UK.

 

There have also been 3 attempts so far to stop Sunder’s exhaust from banging about as the rear mount has broken

Jenks is also still bottoming out at every speed bump (and there are loads - most villages in the 30kmp limits)

Robin also now has an issue with his gearbox - struggling to get 2nd gear and thinks the layshaft bearing is failing.

 

Another diversion on the final leg for a low bridge - looked lovely and pretty sure the Hymer would have fitted but the diversion had been taken by this stage - L&L went through as running behind the rest of the group due to waiting ing for a medical appointment that never happened (phone call)

 



Kevin proved it is possible to drive whilst eating a baton (bought from Aldi as we were too late for any Boulangeries )

 


The countryside is looking very lush with oil seed rape ready for harvest, broad beans and turnips well on the way and sweetcorn and potatoes just starting  to shoot  up

 

The campsite was lovely and they were very welcoming  - although Martin parked in the wrong place again and got stuck … again. This time a tow from Jenks got him onto wooden chocks  for the night. Hopefully he doesn’t sink in the night.

 

We had a choice of pitches so tried all of them behind settling on the flattest for everyone

 

Washing machine was used in the hope that the dryer also works or the sunshine comes out.

The rear awning on Jenks has been a must each day as places have not yet been found for everything by any means…

Robin is flipping between his new awning and a tarp Wendy is still full stripes and Steve continues with his poncho.

 

The campsite was hosting a group of teenage cyclist who all looked pretty miserable when told to go and wash but were well- behaved to be fair and kept at a safer distance from the vehicles.

 

Wendy has cleared all Duncan’s kit out of the roof tent this evening and has a heater in there.. Free hook up at the campsite which is great news

 

Robin and Lucy cooked pasta with whatever from the fridges for dinner (with a kick of spice) and then the boys had a concentration hour on their phones while the girlies chatted…

 

The veal in the field next door were cute and very friendly - a bit disconcerting when they creep up behind you though..


Just remembered another amusing story about Martyn - he accused Lucy of leaving one of the overhead cupboards open when he set off so a melon fell out and wedged itself under his foot whilst driving…. Apparently he is very experience at rear football kicks.  The melon met an early end as it was too bruised to eat unfortunately … hey ho


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