Gordon My Gofar: July: Ashbourne Woods. Devon.

Just one night away this time. High temperatures caused us to head for the shade of woodland. The Ashbourne site proved to be a quiet, with all we needed for the short break period. However...we both noted the lack of animal/bird wildlife...for as established woodland we'd expected more. The trees offered friendly faces though!

Why Gordon?

'Gordon My Gofar' (Registration GMG) has been chosen as a replacement for Wilby Fyne because the restrictions caused by the Covid-19 pandemic have resulted in an increasing desire to further socially distance ourselves...and it has proven to be extremely difficult to park a big white motorhome in secluded places. Stealth parking is simply not what Wilby Fyne does best!

In contrast Gordon, which is a 'Horizons Cavarno 2' (converted Ford Transit) is a similar size to our first van Julian, so can easily get into places that Wilby Fyne can only dream of reaching! However, of course Gordon has some up-to-date features that Julian lacked...including power assisted steering, cruise control, a more smoothly operated bed system, a modern re-fillable gas bottle and the luxury of a cassette toilet instead of a porta potty!

Does size matter? Obviously Wilby was more like a travelling hotel room, with kitchen and shower facilities included...so undoubtedly storage and comfort are reduced within the smaller van. On balance though...as we simply weren't using Wilby at all and want more than ever to be able to get out during the continuing pandemic there's simply no contest! Gordon can and will meet our current needs.

Gordon isn't the only change that we've made as a result of Covid-19. For several years we'd been members of the National Trust...but, as we now aren't comfortable with entering enclosed spaces, and the advance booking of visits goes against our wish to 'just get up and go' when the weather and mood suits us we've cancelled membership and instead enrolled as members of the Somerset Wildlife Trust...which seems more suited to our current requirements.

Another thing that's changed is that we're feeling more inclined to take day trips, as after all we don't want to use public camp site facilities and nor can we safely and freely mix socially with others. It seems that with a small van that can park in a quiet spot...with a handy loo and on-board provisions, our current needs are best met. No-one knows what the future holds...but Covid-19 isn't going anywhere for quite awhile yet so we need to live with it.