{"id":28766,"date":"2018-03-22T16:56:15","date_gmt":"2018-03-22T16:56:15","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/ourtour.co.uk\/home\/?p=28766"},"modified":"2021-06-14T14:48:45","modified_gmt":"2021-06-14T13:48:45","slug":"eight-months-at-home-and-the-road-calls","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/ourtour.co.uk\/home\/eight-months-at-home-and-the-road-calls\/","title":{"rendered":"Eight Months at Home, and the Road Calls!"},"content":{"rendered":"

Flippin’ ‘eck. Would you believe it, we’ve been home in the UK now for eight months!<\/p>\n

Zagan’s wheels rolled to a halt in his storage space up the road back in July 2017, and haven’t rotated much since. As well as regular checks to fire the engine up and turn the wheels a little, we’ve also nipped out in him to use as a base for the evening, while visiting family. The last time was a few days ago. Refilling the water after a winter’s freezing, even though we’d properly drained him down, we were both a tad nervous something would have broken. But hot water flowed from the taps and no leaks sprung forth from the heater, phew. Having had a service, MOT, new front springs, two new tyres, a new starter battery and new stainless exhaust section, Zagan’s ready for action. But what about us?<\/p>\n

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Our shop during the latest snow and ice last weekend. We live behind the shop – note dangerous proximity to the chippy, curry house and pub down the road!<\/p><\/div>\n

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Ju on a wander around the local area, enjoying the fact we had a log fire to return to!<\/p><\/div>\n

With Zagan straining at the leash, why aren’t we giving him the run of his rubber feet? Well, soon we will be. After all, the mountainous wine and beer stash we dragged back up the M1 eight months back has finally run dry (yeah OK, it ran out a while ago)! On a more serious note, each time we go up to the van, old tingling sensations ripple through us. Memories are starting to emerge, more of sensations than places perhaps. Of warmth, sunshine, mountains and blue skies, an ease with life. Of a newness as we moved, of a sort of identity as a ‘traveller’. When we leave the van and head home, these feelings subside, but don’t disappear. I suspect if Zagan was parked outside on the drive and not a mile away, we’d have been off in him long before now.<\/p>\n

We’ve both enjoyed being at home, feeling a community around us, helping out here and there, seeing friends and family, supping a few fantastic beers in the locals, hitting the gym, even running with the local club (the heroic Kimberley and District Striders<\/a> – the ‘drinking club that runs’). But time’s passing and the weather’s changing. The idea of a short tour’s formed, and we’ll be outta here in about six weeks.<\/p>\n

The plan is this:<\/p>\n