We collected Betty!
Betty was running perfectly with a few funny sounds on start-up but the main thing was that we made it to Mr and Mrs Gee’s house…one of the stops we were meant to make last year. A lovely couple of days with them and then back on the road.
Although one ‘hiccup’ with the engine…being the engine-savvy girl that I am (NOT) I’m going to pass on describing what had happened as it won’t make sense! So we headed back to the restorers on our way to Kent. He did his thing and we were on our way. Stayed overnight in the campsite in West Witterings where I honestly felt at my lowest on the trip last summer because of the issues we had with the van, cash flow, no money to pay for the campsite, raiding the kids pocket money to pay for the pitch…made me very aware of those less fortunate than us and those that financially struggle day to day. I’ve always been very humble and thankful that we are comfortable but it really did bring it home.
But on a happier lighter note this year!
We’re at a super holiday park near Sevenoaks. And we set up everything without a hitch…are we getting the hang of this now?! Betty looks so pretty in the dappled sunlight.
Next on the agenda, the ferry from Dover to Dunkerque. The furthest she will have been.
Saturday, 2 July 2011
Sunday, 26 June 2011
UK trip update
Dad's Surprise Birthday Party!
I wasn't able to blog about it as the first weekend we were here was my Dad’s surprise 60th Birthday Party. And he’s an inquisitive man! I even deactivated my Facebook account just in case one of my friends mentioned something on my Wall about the journey back and the party etc! The ironic thing is I don’t think that any of my Friends have noticed. Except one. My Dad. But oh, we've laughed recounting how we've been watching our step, what we’ve said, did we let it slip inadvertently?…watching and rechecking our email distribution list…was dad on it?… and even the odd white lies, getting paranoid that he knew that we were arriving.
It was a wonderful party and he was genuinely surprised by our arrival. He had a suspicion that something was going on…for instance, Mum, the woman who rarely has her phone switched on let alone out of her handbag had it by her continually for days before!
A great evening, the kids were so well behaved and the guests were great with them too. But Dad had a brilliant time and has had a super birthday I think! Well done Mum for organising it all x
I'm unable to post pictures at the moment as we're on a roaming dongle thingey (!) but I'll post a few pictures of the trip when we're back in Oman or if i get on wifi.
I wasn't able to blog about it as the first weekend we were here was my Dad’s surprise 60th Birthday Party. And he’s an inquisitive man! I even deactivated my Facebook account just in case one of my friends mentioned something on my Wall about the journey back and the party etc! The ironic thing is I don’t think that any of my Friends have noticed. Except one. My Dad. But oh, we've laughed recounting how we've been watching our step, what we’ve said, did we let it slip inadvertently?…watching and rechecking our email distribution list…was dad on it?… and even the odd white lies, getting paranoid that he knew that we were arriving.
It was a wonderful party and he was genuinely surprised by our arrival. He had a suspicion that something was going on…for instance, Mum, the woman who rarely has her phone switched on let alone out of her handbag had it by her continually for days before!
A great evening, the kids were so well behaved and the guests were great with them too. But Dad had a brilliant time and has had a super birthday I think! Well done Mum for organising it all x
I'm unable to post pictures at the moment as we're on a roaming dongle thingey (!) but I'll post a few pictures of the trip when we're back in Oman or if i get on wifi.
Back in the UK!
Well, it has to take a trip back to the UK to get me blogging again! Where HAS the time gone!?
So the title has changed slightly. A bit of background history for you...Betty is the name of our 1972 early Bay VW camper. It's been a labour of love since we bought her 4 years ago. The saga that is Betty Red would have been a super subject for my blog had I been writing it at that time. Now is not the time to recount all that has happened as we have drawn a line under it all and moved on.
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But in a nutshell:
- We have been through a strip of her lovely chrome accessories by the first restorer;
- Subjected to a string of lies coming from said restorer telling me the van was all good and ready with me booking a train ticket to collect what I thought would be a completed restoration;
- Said restorer getting into serious financial trouble and doing customers out of thousands (won't say how much we lost but we were relatively lucky - one guy with a gorgeous restored splitty lost at least 24,000);
- Hubby going to collect the van and having to push it on the trailer himself;
- An ensuing but failed court case to regain all losses including one 2 litre engine paid for in full;
- 4 engine explosions and 7 recovery trucks in the 4 weeks we were at home last summer, which tested our marriage and our sense of all rationality.
But we get the update on Friday that the restorer is happy with the van (apart from putting 340 fewer miles on it than he had hoped in order to really run it in to see that the engine doesn't explode again...).
BUT...
...someone has reversed into the van on a petrol forecourt.
I laughed.
It would have been hysterical and uncontrollable laughter had I not been in the middle of Boots chemist in Uckfield. Most of you know the complete nightmare that has been the evolution of Betty Red. Who, in my mind 4 years ago was a wonderful vision of happy family camping and general hippydom that I so love.
I’m a firm believer in what will be will be and I am wondering….and I hope the next 5 weeks with Betty will completely and utterly and truly prove me wrong…I am wondering if we are pushing and forcing something that shouldn’t be. Oh and I’ve found out this week that there is now a VW camper restorer in our old home town of Uckfield.
Watch this space but we’ve had nothing but bad luck with her and if this trip does not work out then a decision has to be made.
So the title has changed slightly. A bit of background history for you...Betty is the name of our 1972 early Bay VW camper. It's been a labour of love since we bought her 4 years ago. The saga that is Betty Red would have been a super subject for my blog had I been writing it at that time. Now is not the time to recount all that has happened as we have drawn a line under it all and moved on.
- We have been through a strip of her lovely chrome accessories by the first restorer;
- Subjected to a string of lies coming from said restorer telling me the van was all good and ready with me booking a train ticket to collect what I thought would be a completed restoration;
- Said restorer getting into serious financial trouble and doing customers out of thousands (won't say how much we lost but we were relatively lucky - one guy with a gorgeous restored splitty lost at least 24,000);
- Hubby going to collect the van and having to push it on the trailer himself;
- An ensuing but failed court case to regain all losses including one 2 litre engine paid for in full;
- 4 engine explosions and 7 recovery trucks in the 4 weeks we were at home last summer, which tested our marriage and our sense of all rationality.
But we get the update on Friday that the restorer is happy with the van (apart from putting 340 fewer miles on it than he had hoped in order to really run it in to see that the engine doesn't explode again...).
BUT...
...someone has reversed into the van on a petrol forecourt.
I laughed.
It would have been hysterical and uncontrollable laughter had I not been in the middle of Boots chemist in Uckfield. Most of you know the complete nightmare that has been the evolution of Betty Red. Who, in my mind 4 years ago was a wonderful vision of happy family camping and general hippydom that I so love.
I’m a firm believer in what will be will be and I am wondering….and I hope the next 5 weeks with Betty will completely and utterly and truly prove me wrong…I am wondering if we are pushing and forcing something that shouldn’t be. Oh and I’ve found out this week that there is now a VW camper restorer in our old home town of Uckfield.
Watch this space but we’ve had nothing but bad luck with her and if this trip does not work out then a decision has to be made.
Saturday, 25 June 2011
This is a post I've avoided writing... :-(
As I've mentioned before, expat life is pretty transient, much like the Armed Forces. I'm not sure I'll get used to it....and so another string of friends and acquaintances are leaving over the next few months. I get a bit cross when I start to get to know someone and they leave! That's you, Adamson/Fitzgerald/Yelland!
But it hurts a little more when a close friend is leaving. I'm still in touch with The Other Mrs. Mitchell, who is now in Germany ... hopefully a summer visit in our campervan! Miss you, darling!
This time round, it's Domestic Goddess who's off...you gorgeous woman and friend...she leaves in June to return to the UK, at least for a few years before the next adventure whisks her and her family off. I think she has become so accustomed to expat life that she's already looking forward to the next stint! A break in fresh and green UK first and then who knows!
I remember meeting her less than a month after we had moved here. I knew I'd love it here but I still felt very isolated and nervous about living in a completely different culture. So meeting her came at the right time!
I was beginning to look for a nursery for C and one of the ladies who has been here for years gave me her number. I called and we hit it off instantly. She took my son and I to the nursery, which was run by a lovely Yorkshire woman (also soon to return to UK I think...). We then met for a coffee in Azaiba and I met two other girls who would become firm friends along the line too (Mrs. K and The Other Mrs. Mitchell). And that, as they say, was that.
Despite only knowing each other for a couple of years now, we soon learnt to recognise when each other was feeling less than happy here. When she answers 'oh, you know, plodding along,' I knew she wasn't exactly bouncing with the joys of spring! We'd have a chat and a rant and then it all seemed a bit better, to me anyway, just to know, if nothing else, that I still had a genuine friend here.
She has a great knack of reducing me to tears too! That sounds awful! But I think we are similar emotional creatures and react in similar ways to certain things. All she has to do is listen, genuinely listen and I end up crying on her shoulder or ranting in her ear.
But we've had some fun too, honest! Kids parties, Wii games nights, glamorous dressing up for many Balls, less than glamorous dressing-down and roughing-it camping at the beach, grown-ups' birthday parties (a huge number 40 made out of carrot cake for Hubby!) ... I know that I could write so much here but I can't remember some of the things we have got up to ... which makes me sad as now is the time to remember everything now that she is leaving.
And I've avoided writing this to the point that DG has left and returned to UK shores. Maybe it's not sinking in and won't do until I get back to Oman and she's not around :'-(
On the upside, I am in the UK and we might go camp on their drive for a night (in the van) and to finish it off, we're off to see The Other Mitchells in Germany!
Some friends are just so worth hanging on to, no matter how far apart they are...
As I've mentioned before, expat life is pretty transient, much like the Armed Forces. I'm not sure I'll get used to it....and so another string of friends and acquaintances are leaving over the next few months. I get a bit cross when I start to get to know someone and they leave! That's you, Adamson/Fitzgerald/Yelland!
But it hurts a little more when a close friend is leaving. I'm still in touch with The Other Mrs. Mitchell, who is now in Germany ... hopefully a summer visit in our campervan! Miss you, darling!
This time round, it's Domestic Goddess who's off...you gorgeous woman and friend...she leaves in June to return to the UK, at least for a few years before the next adventure whisks her and her family off. I think she has become so accustomed to expat life that she's already looking forward to the next stint! A break in fresh and green UK first and then who knows!
I remember meeting her less than a month after we had moved here. I knew I'd love it here but I still felt very isolated and nervous about living in a completely different culture. So meeting her came at the right time!
I was beginning to look for a nursery for C and one of the ladies who has been here for years gave me her number. I called and we hit it off instantly. She took my son and I to the nursery, which was run by a lovely Yorkshire woman (also soon to return to UK I think...). We then met for a coffee in Azaiba and I met two other girls who would become firm friends along the line too (Mrs. K and The Other Mrs. Mitchell). And that, as they say, was that.
Despite only knowing each other for a couple of years now, we soon learnt to recognise when each other was feeling less than happy here. When she answers 'oh, you know, plodding along,' I knew she wasn't exactly bouncing with the joys of spring! We'd have a chat and a rant and then it all seemed a bit better, to me anyway, just to know, if nothing else, that I still had a genuine friend here.
She has a great knack of reducing me to tears too! That sounds awful! But I think we are similar emotional creatures and react in similar ways to certain things. All she has to do is listen, genuinely listen and I end up crying on her shoulder or ranting in her ear.
But we've had some fun too, honest! Kids parties, Wii games nights, glamorous dressing up for many Balls, less than glamorous dressing-down and roughing-it camping at the beach, grown-ups' birthday parties (a huge number 40 made out of carrot cake for Hubby!) ... I know that I could write so much here but I can't remember some of the things we have got up to ... which makes me sad as now is the time to remember everything now that she is leaving.
And I've avoided writing this to the point that DG has left and returned to UK shores. Maybe it's not sinking in and won't do until I get back to Oman and she's not around :'-(
On the upside, I am in the UK and we might go camp on their drive for a night (in the van) and to finish it off, we're off to see The Other Mitchells in Germany!
Some friends are just so worth hanging on to, no matter how far apart they are...
Thursday, 23 June 2011
UK trip update - day 6
Reading the UK papers today reaffirmed the fact that we are in a bit of a bubble in Oman. It is often said that you should give yourself a break from the news and all media etc for, say, a day a week to avoid the depression, oppression, gossip, hate, the general negativity of the majority of the news making the headlines…why not use this time to be positive and constructive…reconnect with the present (I’m a believer in this but often find myself with Al Jazeera on, or the Oman Times in front of me). We definitely have unintentionally broken that media habit since being in Oman. I think that contributes to the relaxed and calm lifestyle that we find ourselves in.
Anyway, one headline today in the UK tabloids:
I’m supping a glass of warm, rich Wolfblass now and intend to finish it with a flourish.
Big news…I’m starting new job in September. I haven’t been mentally ready really up intil now. I’ve been using and relishing the time for me, developing skills, doing things for me. I realised last year that I needed a creative release otherwise I get frustrated and pent up.
However, I am ready (am I????) now to work fulltime again and in my new profession. Going back to Albom’s book again; he wrote down something that his old professor told him.
Any stories of your favourite teachers, whether at school, college, in life in general?
If anyone is interested the book is called ‘Tuesdays with Morrie’, by Mitch Albom published by Anchor Books.
Anyway, one headline today in the UK tabloids:
‘red wine increases breast cancer risk’…groan…I have not missed all this scaremongering whatsoEVER!!
I’m supping a glass of warm, rich Wolfblass now and intend to finish it with a flourish.
Big news…I’m starting new job in September. I haven’t been mentally ready really up intil now. I’ve been using and relishing the time for me, developing skills, doing things for me. I realised last year that I needed a creative release otherwise I get frustrated and pent up.
However, I am ready (am I????) now to work fulltime again and in my new profession. Going back to Albom’s book again; he wrote down something that his old professor told him.
“Devote yourself to loving others, devote yourself to creating something that gives you purpose and meaning.”I'm honestly quite nervous, a little anxious, worried my kids will lose out on my attention and patience. teaching can be hard work, draining, frustrating. But I need to take a check every now and then to remember what I am doing. Giving something back. Offering something. Contributing to the community. And where would we be without teachers.
Any stories of your favourite teachers, whether at school, college, in life in general?
If anyone is interested the book is called ‘Tuesdays with Morrie’, by Mitch Albom published by Anchor Books.
Wednesday, 22 June 2011
UK trip update - Day 5
Time to start the road trip! Well, it’s the three-fifths version of the Mitchell Road Trip…just missing Daddy Mitchell and Betty Red!
I knew one of the things I wanted to do was to wander round the lanes of Brighton. Not sure what I was expected with two tired kids in tow. We were all tired and cold so it wasn’t much of a walk. We did pass a cupcake shop a couple of times and three pairs of eyes lit up!
So we finished up with a cupcake pudding on the beach. I was exhausted after only 2 hours sleep – C is really suffering with a cough and cold…he really is susceptible to anything respiratory. I suspect there’s an element of his wheeziness still that he had back in Oman, so he’s back on the Ventolin for a bit. So we were all tired but it was worth the effort, we cought some gorgeous cupcakes from a shop on the Meeting House Lane and ate them on the beach. We loved it. More often than not it’s so worth making the effort even if things seem tiresome or a bit too much…it was drizzling and very blustery but it felt so good! We just love the beach and the sea and somehow our sprits always get lifted when we see the sea.
So three tired but very happy Mitchells on a breezy, pebbly beach. We could have done with a 4th Mitchell but I wonder if he would have found it as fun as us!
And then finally it’s back to Uckfield – we met with two old school friends of Bear’s but others appeared! I popped into the school and bumped in to a few staff that I knew from when I did my teaching placements, the same time my little girl was at school here. I feel like I missed out on a period of Bear’s school there, almost that we left too early. But it’s changing quite a bit apparently. I miss them more than I realised and Bear just slotted back into place with the girls. As one of the mums said, it was like we never left.
I knew one of the things I wanted to do was to wander round the lanes of Brighton. Not sure what I was expected with two tired kids in tow. We were all tired and cold so it wasn’t much of a walk. We did pass a cupcake shop a couple of times and three pairs of eyes lit up!
So we finished up with a cupcake pudding on the beach. I was exhausted after only 2 hours sleep – C is really suffering with a cough and cold…he really is susceptible to anything respiratory. I suspect there’s an element of his wheeziness still that he had back in Oman, so he’s back on the Ventolin for a bit. So we were all tired but it was worth the effort, we cought some gorgeous cupcakes from a shop on the Meeting House Lane and ate them on the beach. We loved it. More often than not it’s so worth making the effort even if things seem tiresome or a bit too much…it was drizzling and very blustery but it felt so good! We just love the beach and the sea and somehow our sprits always get lifted when we see the sea.
So three tired but very happy Mitchells on a breezy, pebbly beach. We could have done with a 4th Mitchell but I wonder if he would have found it as fun as us!
And then finally it’s back to Uckfield – we met with two old school friends of Bear’s but others appeared! I popped into the school and bumped in to a few staff that I knew from when I did my teaching placements, the same time my little girl was at school here. I feel like I missed out on a period of Bear’s school there, almost that we left too early. But it’s changing quite a bit apparently. I miss them more than I realised and Bear just slotted back into place with the girls. As one of the mums said, it was like we never left.
Wednesday, 8 June 2011
Still here...?
I think so.
Maybe in body, maybe not in spirit!
Where has the time gone since I last posted? The last one being the last day of hubby's Everest Base Camp trip. I've always had the blog in my mind but I have everything and nothing to write about it seems! Well, I seem to have expended myself writing about hubby's adventures up a little hill! I just have nothing to say, espeically after writing about trekking to EBC! When I think of something to say it's usually on a subject I don't really want my blog to be about... Plus I haven't really had the impetus or the time...
Key points in the Mitchell shack:
* Another dear friend in Oman is preparing to up and leave back to the UK (a post on that later);
* Back at Boot Camp. Ouch, it's hot. 38-42C at 07.45. Hoping it'll get the endorphins going again;
* Only one migraine in 4 months. Is masha'Allah the right phrase to use here??? I haven't been taking the supplements or the chili tea regularly, maybe not-so-regularly is enough...?
* It was the Vesak full moon last night (it looked gorgeous last night. I took a few pictures but was rushing so nothing to do it justice)...went to a meditation class to take try and experience the extra energy..I didn't experience anything out of the ordinary and in actual fact it was just nice to stop and focus on one thing.
* Made an evening dress for me and in the middle of one for my friend. I L-O-V-E it when the creative flow finds me! I'm painting again too!
So even the above is already out of date - Vesak was mid May! And the last session of Boot camp was today! And I had another migraine....
Might just post this and start afresh! Missed you all, hope you're all ok.
Right, off to update myself with all your news!
Maybe in body, maybe not in spirit!
Where has the time gone since I last posted? The last one being the last day of hubby's Everest Base Camp trip. I've always had the blog in my mind but I have everything and nothing to write about it seems! Well, I seem to have expended myself writing about hubby's adventures up a little hill! I just have nothing to say, espeically after writing about trekking to EBC! When I think of something to say it's usually on a subject I don't really want my blog to be about... Plus I haven't really had the impetus or the time...
Key points in the Mitchell shack:
* Another dear friend in Oman is preparing to up and leave back to the UK (a post on that later);
* Back at Boot Camp. Ouch, it's hot. 38-42C at 07.45. Hoping it'll get the endorphins going again;
* Only one migraine in 4 months. Is masha'Allah the right phrase to use here??? I haven't been taking the supplements or the chili tea regularly, maybe not-so-regularly is enough...?
* It was the Vesak full moon last night (it looked gorgeous last night. I took a few pictures but was rushing so nothing to do it justice)...went to a meditation class to take try and experience the extra energy..I didn't experience anything out of the ordinary and in actual fact it was just nice to stop and focus on one thing.
* Made an evening dress for me and in the middle of one for my friend. I L-O-V-E it when the creative flow finds me! I'm painting again too!
So even the above is already out of date - Vesak was mid May! And the last session of Boot camp was today! And I had another migraine....
Might just post this and start afresh! Missed you all, hope you're all ok.
Right, off to update myself with all your news!
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