Good to go!
A couple of years ago, I decided to visit my eldest son in Australia; we hadn't met in a long time. Before going, we had talked about making a campervan trip around New Zealand !!, not something I was relishing in my late 60s, completely out of my comfort zone. All-inclusive on the beach is my style.
We eventually landed in Christchurch and picked up the van, looks ok I thought, but I will reserve judgement while looking keen for my son's sake. I had made up an itinerary which was agreed on, similar taste in what we wanted to see. The first day out we went opposite to the intended direction to have a little look at a place that caught our attention in the brochures we had picked up, decided to stay the night. Here we go, I thought, how will the old bones cope with this. Not a problem as the beds were comfortable and I slept surprisingly well, early breakfast cooked in the well-equipped galley and eaten on a picnic table al fresco.
The Comfort Zone
On the road, chatting, joking and generally ocatching up with each other while taking in the sights, there's a beautiful spot for a look at the view, kettle on, chairs out, lunch rustled up and taken while taking in the vista. Back on the road with various stops for whatever we wanted to do. Evening food in a little village pub and great conversations with the bar regulars. Every day after that was basically similar, except for the fact the views, breakfast, lunch and dinner destinations were never the same, the table and chairs out and the kettle on wherever. My son and I, after a day or so, had caught up with each other while having endless quizzes, best top ten this and that, best players in our favourite team, best films etc. I may have rambled on a bit but what I wanted to do was give an idea of how time spent on the road, in any country in your mobile accommodation can be something amazingly enjoyable.
The itinerary was, roughly adhered to, but once moving, it changed to suit our surroundings. Short example being the day we drove through a well-recommended pass, stopped at the other end for a cuppa, looked at each other and knew we were going back through the same pass. I guess that kind of summed up what the Campervan added to the adventure! The flexibility to go at our own pace just made things easy. You get into a natural flow and that applied to everything. From setting up for breakfast, setting up the beds for the night or simply doing the dishes. We had our jobs and knew when to move in or out the van and let the other person get on.
Would i do it again? 100%. Not a day goes by when I don't have a wee chuckle at our many many escapades - if we ever meet remind me to tell you about the nudist camp - or repeat what became our in-jokes. It was an adventure of a lifetime.
Right turn Clyde !!
Arthur’s Pass , New Zealand
