Lady Sage and I

Two whole days off work, a Lady ready for a road trip, a few friends enthusiastic about the chance of a catch up and beautiful sunshine!

At 5pm on Sunday 28^th September having completed a glorious day of Story telling and laughter at the work shop, I climbed aboard Lady Sage, threw my bags across the front seats and, turning left out of the Craft Centre, I headed North on a three night adventure.

Over 700miles of fuel were safely stored in the fuel tank, I had water, nibbles, chocolate and wine to last the duration, the road beckoned and I had all the time in the world to get there.

To be totally honest I was only planning on going as far as Chester to see Lou but as I started the winding route through the glorious hills of Wales with their golden bracken catching the setting rays of the sun I felt I could drive forever.

I have driven this route many times. I have driven it in an Ian Snow van on a mission to get to the Llangollen Eisteddford, I have cruised it in the Jaguar, I have even raced it in the Tigra taking corners at optimum speeds, slowing for the villages and racing along the straights, but I have never driven it at 35 miles an hour in a high seated minibus, peering into gardens, spotting both large and tiny pull ins and eyeing pub car-parks with renewed fascination.

The late September light was also amazing. Pink and orange wisps of cloud hung above the purple heather covered hills, treacle thick sunlight poured down the slopes of the Welsh high mountains to disappear into deep shadowed green valleys below. Russet coloured leaves spiralled lazily from the overhanging trees to gather in piles at the side of the road that swirled as I passed. Each lay-by had a beauty of its own, some had far flung views to die for, others had privacy and seclusion, tracks leading into the edge of the forestry were tinted with oranges and greens, the grey dirt track hinting at pathways to be explored.

Everywhere I looked was an adventure, crying out to me. I could have stopped a hundred times along the way but the promise of a delicious curry, an evening of chat and mutual admiration beckoned and so I drank in the sights and carried on driving.

At Lou's I relived the drive up, Lou matching my enthusiasm about colours and seasons. We dined, we drank a glass or two of wine, Rohan was on form even allowing me to read to him as we cwtched down on the cushions of his room. Once he had settled for the night Lou and I put the world to right, discussed my ideas for Story Telling, made plans for her caravan in Forge and talked about everything and nothing as only friends can.

In the morning, having pushed trains through paper and mobile phone tunnels and around roundabout plates with Rohan on the kitchen table, Lou and I departed into our different spheres and I continued my two day adventure.

I was due for lunch at Debbie and Johns in Helsby but not until mid day so I pulled into the amazing park in Saltney and made a morning plan. Half an hour of Tai Chi inside the van with the heating on low, was followed by half an hour of sewing. As the sun rose over the trees around me the temperature soared and I ventured outside for a walk.

People meandered past with prams and dogs as I worked out gently in the brilliant outdoor gym they have there,

On the Walking machine I stretched tendons and muscles.

I warming up tremendously on the bicycle, as my cardiovascular workout pumped blood around my body.

And on the weights I surprised myself by lifting my entire body off the floor (with the help of some strategically placed fulcrums!)

I strolled along the 400m circular running path. I used the bathroom facilities next door to the café. By the time I returned to Lady Sage I was glowing and ready to move on.

The drive to Helsby was delightfully pleasing, again the views from my vantage point and my relaxed speed gave me an insight into previously hidden worlds. Every mile made me fall more and more in love with Lady Sage.

At Debbies and John (who also own a camper van) we discussed life on the road, we sat in the bus and admired her attributes. We discussed routes and stopping points, the joys of the hills, the bliss of an indoor loo!! Lady Sage and I still need to fine tune a few points!

We went out for afternoon tea at the new vintage coffee house down the road,

savouring the chocolate cake

and admiring the non matching pottery that due to its non conforming oddity matched perfectly.

Back at the house I discovered John's massage chair and with gentle music supplied via Johns I-pad, and covered with a soft blanket from Debbie, I dozed away an incredibly enjoyable half hour before rejoining the family in the lounge to begin another conversation, this time on the joys of fitness and stretching!!

At 5pm I bade them goodbye and climbed aboard Lady Sage to head for my final destination of the day. 

Jan moved into Trevor Hall sixteen months ago transforming it from a mansion filled with the most eclectic collection of heirlooms and collectables into an astonishing venue for weddings, weekend family get togethers, business meetings and even two antique road shows!

As an entire family we had enjoyed a fantastic Christmas with her, dining in the Great Hall, sleeping in one of the many individualistic bedrooms and walking the frozen grounds. This visit was to be quieter, just the two of us and was held in her private residence of the coach house.

Again we sat in Lady Sage for an hour discussing my plans to become a Story Teller. I read out some poems, Jan marvelled over my story sticks and ideas. We moved to the house and dinned on pasta and sauce, then settled in the huge lounge with its high ceiling where we talked and laughed until the early hours.

At breakfast we picked up where we left off, amazed at how fast the evening had passed, and before we knew it it was mid day. My tentative plan for my last day on the road was to travel back down the valley to Llangollen to pick up supplies for tea and then find somewhere to park up so I could just enjoy the company of Lady Sage.

Jan and I said goodbye, empowering each other with love and belief. In true Lady driver style the Lady and I stalled as I tried to reverse up a slight incline, we laughed, we waved, I left.

In Llangollen I found no where to park! The car parks were full, the coach park was double parked, even the roofs were packed!

The Streets were lined with bikes and cars and the market was in full swing. On the outskirts of town I found a lay-by and pulled in.

I had no plans, no clock to watch, the sun was shining and not a breath of wind could be felt.

I walked the river path back into town, smiling as I passed the seagull sitting happily on a rock in the middle of the stream.

In one shop I picked up some sun dried tomato and wine rich cheese along with two veggie spiced pastry rolls. In another shop I found tiny cherry tomatoes and stuffed olives, in a third shop I tied it all together with some onion baguettes and crisps. I had my lunch and supper, now I just needed somewhere to relax.

Although the drive up had reviled many tempting stop overs, on the way back each one didn't quite provide what I was looking for. I drove on wondering if I should just head to the beach where the Lady and I had our first ever outing but as I reached the far side of Bala the sun broke through the afternoon haze and shimmered off the lake in a breath taking explosion of shimmering light.

I indicated and turned right in one fluid movement, the chandelier swaying gently in the back. I vibrated and shook my way over and through the pot-holed car-park to the green grass beside the willow trees in the distance. I was the only one there.

Water lapped at the edge of the lake 20m away, ducks and gulls floated on the breeze whipped ripples, tiny sails in the distance tacked back and forth. I turned off the engine, opened the doors and spread out my lunch.

(Part 1 written while I sat at Bala Lake)

Part 2 (written this morning)

Sometime later that afternoon, I headed off to the beach at Fairbourne.

 Lady Sage had had her first ever sleep over here during the summer and I was happy to return with her now she was so well fitted out.

As we parked up at the end of the spit, the wind picked up and in the distance rain swept over the sea. By the time the storm hit with its full force the Lady and I were safely tucked into the dunes.

Outside the wind howled and roared, the rain lashed down obscuring the hills across the water, boats strained at their mooring lines but inside all was safe and warm.

The insulation that is tucked into Lady Sage is superb, at one point I got quite warm and dropped the thermal cover over the back doors to allow some breeze in.

I cooked myself a supper of cheese on baguette with cherry tomatoes on my wonderful cooker, I drank a bottle of cooling cider, I pulled my book from my bag and settled down to an evening of total solitude.

Before bed just as the storm passed, I took a late evening stroll to the waters edge drinking in the quiet and reflected lights in the distance. Behind me Lady Sage looked magnificent with her softly glowing windows. I returned to her comforting embrace and slept like a dream all night.

Our first real Adventure was done!

Lady Sage and I …. what more does a girl need?

 May the Adventures continue xxx