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The next 15 months

We definitely needed a plan! We had c. 15 months until the end of our tenancy at the London flat and 5 1/2 months until “R” day. Sounds like a long time doesn’t it!? The only thing we were sure about at this stage was that we would jump in the van and hit theContinue reading “The next 15 months”

So what’s in a name?

Back at home in Paddington we sorted an on-street parking permit and with the exception of maybe twice in the next 15 months we always managed to get a slot on the road outside the flat. The Smart car was also there and they made a lovely couple. Big Blue’s document / info pack andContinue reading “So what’s in a name?”

Some nerdy Camper Van porn

The camper is a 90 T350 long wheel-base, 5 gear, manual, 2.4 ltr turbo diesel (love it when we talk dirty). It has a mid height roof, is a converted Transit minibus and bright Blue. It has three seat-belted seats in the front (driver’s plus a double) but none in the rear. The cab isContinue reading “Some nerdy Camper Van porn”

Winchester – 6th to 9th October ’18

Sunday was another crisp sunny day so after brunch we set off on a lovely country walk down into Winchester. With its beautiful buildings, various historic city wall gates and amazing Cathedral, Winchester is a stunning and compact city in Hampshire; a great place to spend a few Autumnal days. In the late afternoon sun,Continue reading “Winchester – 6th to 9th October ’18”

Big Blue’s first outing

The following Saturday we set off by train again, laden with the same big bags of bedding etc, confident that all would be well and ready to have that maiden weekend trip. “Big Blue” (got to change that name – I daren’t google it!) was all ready to go so we had another good lookContinue reading “Big Blue’s first outing”

Dejected, not deterred

On the Saturday morning train back to London we were unanimous that we had to cut our losses on the deal. I contacted the proprietor to let him know and despite his protestations that’s what we did. It meant losing the deposit but that was a price we were willing to pay for the lessonContinue reading “Dejected, not deterred”

The hunt for a Camper Van was on

We knew roughly what we wanted and how much we wanted to spend on a first time buy. Early October was end of season so a good time to be looking. We poured over the various sales channels and eventually found the machine that dreams are made of. It was a white, recently converted FordContinue reading “The hunt for a Camper Van was on”

Then September arrived

On the 4th September 2018, I received a letter from the CEO to congratulate me on my 40 years in the company… s**t… really? Any way it got me thinking. I reflected on my Dad who retired and closed his business on his 70th birthday and then (in the nicest way) largely vegetated and had a well-earned restContinue reading “Then September arrived”

Some historical context

With the house in Woodbridge rented out, we moved to London to “take the sting out of work” and properly “do” London. We chose Paddington by the canal and Little Venice as it just felt like the perfect spot; close to the station for my regular commute out of London, central enough to be walkableContinue reading “Some historical context”

So why “story1544”?

15:44 was literally a moment in time one Saturday in late summer 2018. It was raining, we’d hunkered down in a Hackney bar after having browsed Broadway Market, had a couple of drinks and got amusingly (in our opinion) “creative”. We had a giggle, lots of ideas flowed but none stuck… except the 1544 bit!Continue reading “So why “story1544”?”