You know the feeling? It’s Christmas Eve. You can’t sleep. Has Santa been yet? Does he know you’ve been naughty? Will he leave you anything? Stomach twisting thoughts and feelings gnaw away. All excited about what might be, or what might not.
An event free journey over to our usual Black Horse site, a few miles north of the tunnel. Nicely rounded off with a huge plate of pie, roastas, thick gravy and sticky toffee pudding (separate plates) at the Black Horse Inn. One minor blip to overcome on our first leg – find a garage with some LPG. Apparently non to be found in Dorset and Hampshire. Cobham Services did the trick. All other on board necessities previously seen to, before setting off. Beastie had had a full “Habitation Service/Check” two weeks before and passed with flying colours. So, as we strolled (or should that be rolled) back to site all seemed well in our world. Expectations running high as we contemplated and chatted about the places and people we’d see and meet on the other side of La Manche – tunnel crossing booked for following morning 10.20am. It was still early. Film planned and an early night. Magic!
Then, before you could say abracadabra, the carpet got pulled from beneath our feet. Mary-Ann turned a tap on. No water. Just a pump frantically farting. Tiny drops of water spitting and spluttering forth. OMGA. Tried the other tap. Just the same. Tried the loo. Just the same. Out with the manuals. Where’s the pump and tank? Parts of Beastie’s inners get scattered. The supposed culprits exposed.
Pump’s working fine, but I can see through the clear filter cap that no water is reaching it. Remove the big round red screw cap from on top of the tank and peer in. Eyes straining to see something that should be there, but clearly isn’t. That can’t be – I spent fifteen minutes pumping 120 litres into Beastie’s stomach yesterday morning.
Both brains discombobulated. Torches expose nothing damaged or leaking from beneath Beastie’s belly. Decision made for an even earlier night and even earlier wake up call to give us enough time to re-fill and check things once more . . .
TBC . . . .