Yes! it’s back to camper vanning … motorhoming? Well, nearly, but technically not. This Adria Twin on a Fiat Ducato base is strictly speaking a van conversion, but it has the features of a motorhome in a very small space; fixed bed at the back, sink, hob, fridge, wet room with toilet, sink and shower. Dining space and swivel front seats, four belted seats in total and lots of storage space. Looking at the number plate, you might think we’d call him ‘Mix-Up’, but we’ve settled for ‘Ducky’ instead. (Fiat DUCato, see?)

How did this happen? Well, towards the end of last year, I began looking for another van. Jean had expressed an interest in ‘doing’ Scotland in a campervan, and it’s something I’ve always wanted to do. But investigating the possiblility of hiring a van led to a dead end since no-one would insure me, so thoughts turned to the possibility of owning one again, and there was the option of a further advance following the loan for the teeth job! I didn’t want to go as big as Harry (Citroën Flash 04) but didn’t want to go back to having to clear the tea / dinner table in order to make up the bed! The Adria Twin is (or was) reckoned to be the outstanding example of design of motohome facilities ‘squidged’ into campervan space, so I looked at several. (I did, in fact, look at a ‘Harry’, but it was old and tatty, with the shower door missing, and anyway, it was sold before I came to a definite ‘no’.) When Jean came with me to look at Ducky in Cheshire, she said ‘I love it!’, so deposit was paid before Christmas but it was left at the dealer’s pending agreement on a suitable date for ‘handover’.

Then on Saturday, January 24th, Rachel drove us over – with Ava for additional support – to collect the van from Northwich; we had lunch at the nearby pub, and drove back in separate vehicles, of course. Parking up on the drive at 141, I was surprised how much drive space Ducky took up – I thought he was smaller than Harry … well, he is, but only a bit!

Next day, Sunday 25th January: Rachel and Ava were still here, and we were joined by Chris, Michelle and Sean (Grandson) for lunch, which was followed by a little ‘Welcome, Ducky!’ ceremony involving a bubbly brew from Limoux! Some readers will remember Limoux!

I suspect some people thought I might smash the bottle over Ducky’s headlights – but that sort of silliness was never going to happen.

(Yes, there was food, sandwiches, but we’ve eaten it / them!)

Now there’s talk of getting a little car – Smart? – to tow behind the van! Rachel spent two days out with me last week looking at possibilities. No decision yet, so really it’s just a case of …. watch this space!