Coming Home to Story

Meet Rosie the campervan (aka the Lovemobile) and Teddy the Wonderdog.

Rosie should really be called Plastic Rosie, since a string of them – bought in an Amsterdam flea market – festoon the dashboard, but that would be a bit undignified.

Chris and I bought Rosie in October 2013 as an early wedding present to each other (the only accommodation we’ve ever jointly owned, as she pointed out rather acerbically). As with so many good things in our life together, it was her idea.

We started out by taking a rented classic Volkswagen T2 to Padstow for a weekend. Fabulous to stay in on the campsite. Steered like a drunken pig on the road. “No way will I drive one of those things across Europe,” I declared.

But when we got back to the depot, I noticed Rosie up for sale. A five year old Volkswagen T5. Two careful owners. Low mileage. Lovely specification. Perfect condition. Well under £30k. An hour later and the deal was done.

“I knew we’d get her,” said Chris. “I saw you smiling as you walked past.”

A phrase involving the words smart-arse, remember, and no one likes a, came to mind but remained unspoken.

Then came the fun of making her ours with new bedding, pots and pans, mugs and plates, knives and forks, etc. Pride of place went to the Lego mascot given to us by our friend Christopher Goscomb.

We managed a week away in Derbyshire at Easter (with Teddy who was then just five months old) and a few long weekends before the summer, when we expected to spend the whole of August in France. Those plans were abandoned when Chris fell ill last July and Rosie has sat motionless on the drive, attracting envious and admiring comments ever since.

So, this summer, Teddy and I are heading off in Rosie on the trip that Chris and I never made. A whole month in Brittany for snoozing in the sun and gentle walks (both of us) writing and drinking wine (me) barking and chasing the girls (Ted).

Attention les Français!

Boys on tour.