Hubbards Hills - 12th September

We got Tallulah just 2 weeks before the end of the school summer holidays; so by the time we had got her all kitted out Simon was back at school.   This meant we had to wait for his days off before we could go anywhere. 

Simon only works 4 days a week now and is off Monday one week and Friday the next, giving us a long weekend every fortnight.   It would be great if we were able to go away properly.

So, our first real day trip out was on the 12th of September and we went to Hubbards Hills in Louth.

Hubbards Hills is an area of natural beauty and free for everyone. It was purchased for the people of Louth in 1902 after a wealthy Swiss man left money in his will.  You can read more about its history here: http://www.hubbardshills.co.uk/

It was a lovely warm day and we really enjoyed walking around the park.  

 

 

 

There were some lovely trees with huge exposed roots.   We did a kind of circular route which took us up very high above the trees and you could look right down to those roots. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

There was also a really lovely stream and a pavilion.

 

 

 

After so much walking around and exploring it is wonderful to get back to Tallulah and to get the kettle on.

 

 

We were even able to sit outside in some late summer sunshine.   Days out in Tallulah look like they are going to be fabulous if this day is anything to go by.

Jilly

First trips out and getting equipped.

We were so excited to have Tallulah and couldn't wait to try and get out in her before the school holidays were over and Simon was back at school.  First however we had to get her equipped.  A task that would take quite a few shopping trips and a fair bit more cash!

The plan was to make sure that she had everything in her that we would need so that we would always be ready to go.  We didn't want to have to be always loading her before we could set off and then unloading her when we got back.

This meant she needed everything from bedding to cups and plates etc.  We even made sure the washroom was equipped with toothbrushes , toiletries etc.  All that we need.  She has quite an inventory now.

It was great fun going to different shops and choosing things for her.  A bit like  furnishing your first home but on a mini scale.  

We made trips to Peterborough, where my friend Ed saw her for the first time and Coralie had her first ride.  There was a very quick trip to Leicester too so that Saskia and baby Morra could have their first go in her.  We went to a Caravan equipment shop in Crowland, and some more shops in Spalding.  Simon got pretty good at manoeuvring her in shopping centre car parks. We also went to a few more shows before the summer was over. 

She is now fully equipped with a Snooper Satellite navigation system specially designed for motorhomes and my favourite thing of all..... she has a MIFI device so we can get an Internet connection where ever we happen to be.  In theory!  It has worked so far. 

On one of our shopping trips we stopped by the river near Crowland for a spot of lunch.  Here are some photos.

One of the things that is so lovely when we are out and about in Tallulah is that we can just pull over wherever we want and get the kettle on. 

No to mention that there is no need to go in search of a loo!

*  For my Merikan friends a "loo" is a bathroom.

22nd August - Collection Day, Tallulah comes home.

The 22nd of  August was a bright, sunny day and we were up with the larks.  Excitement bubbling over.  The day before, I had paid the balance of the money to secure Tallulah and now we were off to collect her.  

Oh yes, forgot to say her name is Tallulah!  We spent ages deliberating over the choice of a name. There was never any doubt that she is a girlie but choosing a name we both liked was still difficult. We narrowed it down to a choice of 2, Tallulah or Gwendoline.  Tallulah won.  

Anyway......

A friend of ours, Max, took us to the station in Grantham so we could catch the train to Nottingham. We chose not to drive as that would have meant me driving the car home and Simon in Tallulah.  We wanted our first drive to be together.

We arrived in Nottingham at 11am.  I had fretted and worried the whole journey!  So worried that somehow it was going to all go wrong.  In the event it all went really smoothly.  Fullers had sent a car and driver to collect us from the station.  They are a little way out of Nottingham and the drive took about 20 minutes. 

We were greeted  by the nice salesman and over the next half an hour he went through all the paperwork with us while we drank several cups of coffee.  Finally it was all done and she was ours!  

We were taken out to see her and one of the service people spent an hour with us going through exactly where everything was and how it all worked.  There was so much to remember that we even took notes!  She looked perfect and we couldn't wait to drive her away.  

We left there about 2pm for the drive home. We couldn't stop smiling as we drove along.  We wanted to try her out a bit so we decided to take a scenic route to give us a bit more time.   I was loving the new elevated  seating position.  You can see so much more than you can in the car.   We also got to try out her windscreen wipers as by now it had begun to rain.

We wanted to try out some of her facilities so decided to find somewhere to stop for lunch.  We headed for Beaver Castle which we thought we could also have a look round.  As it happened the castle was not open that day. 

Still, the car park was empty and had a nice view so we figured it was as good a place as any for lunch.    We hadn't been there long when a man and woman on bikes came into the car park.  We could see them admiring her and they actually came over to chat to us and to ask about her. They were very impressed. 

We had our lunch, just shop bought sandwiches and cake.   Then it was time for the first photo call......in the rain!  Here are some of the photos.  Isn't she beautiful.

She is a Wildax Aurora built on a Citroen Relay chassis.  She is 4 years old and has 13,000 miles on her clock.   She has 4 travel seats and sleeps 3.   She is Tallulah.  Let the adventures begin.

Jilly

Vital statistics

Whilst we were waiting  for our van to be ready   I kept going back to the Fullers website to remind myself of exactly what we were getting.  It was these photos that made us go and see her in the first place.

Come for a guided tour.

 

Notice that she originally had a personalised number plate.  This has now been changed.

 

 

 

 

She is a  Wildax Aurora,  Citroen Relay conversion.  She was first registered in 2010.  She is 6 metres long, 2.5 metres wide and 3 metres high.  She weighs 3.5 tonnes, which makes her a fairly petite baby in motorhome terms.

She is perfect for our needs.

Jilly