Menonday Meanderings

I told you on Friday that The Grey and I departed Havant last Tuesday. First, we stopped half an hour up the road for a grocery restock. From there, another twenty-minute drive took me to The Sustainability Centre near Droxford. I had hoped to have some lunch there. However, it turns out the cafe is closed on Mon/Tues. Oh well, I enjoyed a wee walk in the woods and a look around the info centre/gift shop, where I had a nice natter with the lady at the desk. I then made up a salad roll and boiled the kettle in Grey to have sustenance before taking to the road again.

While planning at the weekend, I had thought to go due west and into the New Forest. But one of the joys of being a free agent on wheels is that such plans can change with the mere turn of the steering wheel! I had realised as I sat chewing that roll that I really wanted to be heading a tad more northward even as I headed west, so recalibrated on Park4Night, discovering five-star reviews for a car park in the centre of Marlborough. Something I might normally try to avoid, but what the heck...

The 90-ish-minute drive was so very scenic (if a tad hair-raising in places). The road was mostly along ridges with fantastic views over the countryside, and as we entered Wiltshire, it really was breathtaking. Sadly, nowhere to properly park up when in a behemoth van, but I still managed to properly appreciate the drive while continuing in motion.

The town of Marlborough, although a very significant one in English history, is actually not that large and retains a sense of village-like rural even in the centre. The car park is just behind the main square but is alongside the chalk stream River Kennet, Coopers Meadow (populated by sheep), surrounded by trees and had an extra large spot to park just for Grey! At £7:70 for a 24-hr stay and having toilets (20p entry) AND a surprise EV charging point right there, it seemed a tiny slice of heaven. Everyone was saying hello, and sitting by the rippling river was enough to soothe any nerves! I quickly realised on Tuesday night that I wanted to stay for Wednesday night, too... and then through to Friday morning!!! The 5G reception allowing me to get this work done was a bonus factor.

On Wednesday morning, I plugged in the Thurs/Fri posts before heading off in search of lunch. I found a tapas bar! Alcohol-free Estrella is very refreshing with a plate of patatas bravas and mixed green olives. When I asked for no garlic, the chef came out to see me and discussed alternative sauces, as the aioli he makes has quite a bit of garlic. We settled on a chilli concoction. Oh, yummeroonies...

It was a real treat, and the staff was very attentive - highly recommend Tipi-Tapa to anyone! Then I had a gander at the square/main street. One or two chain shops, but mostly independent or at least SW local businesses. Lots of varied architecture all the way from the 16th century right up to the mid-20th century. The whole town is on a hill (or two), and nothing seems straight!

Although there is a high tourist attraction, this place manages to not actually feel like a tourist town. This, it was put to me, is partly due to there being quite an exclusive school in the town and the residency being, on the whole, quite affluent. 

One thing I know is that I felt welcomed by everyone I spoke to, whether on the street or in the shops, and it made me have very warm feelings and a desire to leave some of my own moolah here. I dropped into Seasalt Cornwall, as they had their 50% sale on. I had actually been planning to pick up something from the Chichester branch on that bus ride Friday, but their racks were rather less well-supplied. At this one, there was rather more choice, and I picked up a jazzy pair of 'culottes' (which were exactly the full length on me!) and a tunic top. They are the sort of clothing that will see one out.

I then found my way to the Mobility Centre, mainly because I wanted to purchase a helping hand (picker-upperer)... but got distracted by their range of rollators. The old one I have been using, inherited from Dad, was never great in the first place and has become almost more a liability than proper assistance (though still better than the stick for longer walks). I have been saying for most of this year that I needed to upgrade - to four wheels, properly sized and fitted with a seat. Linda assessed me very quickly and picked one out for me. I had several walks around their big showroom and could feel the difference immediately. I did try a couple of others, just for comparisons... but really, she had done her job well. It's a German model and has a really solid build to it but is no heavier than the tripod for lifting into Grey. It has, in addition to the excellent seat and bigger, smoother-running wheels, lots of safety reflectors, proper foot controls for mounting pavements and kerbs, and a holder for the walking stick/umbrella. Three hundred quid later, I was walking out fully equipped! (I did have to return my tripod to the van before going back to collect it, and that itself confirmed quickly the wisdom of my decision.)

So, the message to those towns that insist on preventing vans beyond car size from parking is that you are missing out on potential boosts to your local economy. Marlborough has won my heart - and my money!!!

More soon!