Saturday. Finally, on 16th March, the van passed its MOT at the second attempt. After weeks of welding and a new wheel bearing (and thousands of pounds) I went straight from the garage to Lower Wenselydale CMC site just outside Leyburn.
The van steering was much better after the wheel bearing change, and she was all shiny clean with new leisure batteries so all seemed well.
Sadly, the 240v sockets and electric heating wouldn't work. As I had no gas left, that meant no hot food/drinks or heating. I went up to the village (approx 20 min walk) and had a pint of Theakston's in the Kings Head/Arms to commiserate.
No hot food on offer in the village, so a quick trip to the Co-op for provisions and I got in to bed at 6.30 to keep warm. Outside the birdsong was incredible. The site is based in an old quarry and the limekilns are still there. I was on the top level so could see the across the dale.
Sunday 17th
After a quick phone call with fellow van-owner Paul, I had a few more ideas to try - however I idly turned the hotplate on again in forlorn hope - AND IT WORKED! After some searching in the Vantage owners FB page I also managed to get the electric heating to come on (and stop the flashing gas warning light in the bargain). No idea why the 240v sockets weren't working the day before, I must have just jiggled the right switch/fuse.
Life seemed so much better, and later that day I had a pint of Timothy Taylor's in the Black Swan to celebrate.
First however I walked up to the Leyburn heritage railway station (Wensleydale Line) and had a trip up to Leeming Bar and back. On the way I chatted to some lovely people who were very inspiring - they had spent 2 years driving around the coast of the UK, and also been site wardens, something I had considered.
At Leeming Bar we had a short tour around the Station Master's house which was set as it had been in the 1920s.
This time I was able to get a hot meal in Leyburn - a mahoosive home made corned beef hash, which came with baked beans and 2 fried eggs on top. Most unexpected.
The sun came out in the evening so I sat in the doorway of the van, did a bit of birdspotting (jackdaws, rooks, great tits) and felt all the despondency of the previous months melt away.
This is the life.
