We were both a little apprehensive as we set off in a taxi to go and collect the ‘van’ (aka the Beast) from Toddington.   Neither of us have ever driven anything quite that big (7.5 metres long, 2.5 metres wide).  Nikki doesn’t like the Tesla, she says it’s too big, she drives a Fiat 500, and we reckon you could fit two of those in the van we were collecting.  After a very smooth (and quick) handover from JustGo we were ready to head back home.  

Nikki said it felt a little like when she had James, and you walk out of the hospital with a brand new baby not having passed an exam or received a certificate, and with no real idea what to do.  Driving off in this (almost new) 80K motorhome felt similar.  Steve drove us out of JustGo heading home, the idea was to swap over half way, but in the end Steve drove all of the 60 miles back to Wimbish, perfect driving, very relaxed, like a dream, and our fears of being able to handle ‘the beast’ melted away.  It proved, at least, that one of us could drive it. We do have a new catch phrase though ‘tail tail tail’ as the van is very long and as you corner the back end goes in the opposite direction to the front end.

We arrived back at around 6pm, and thru to 10.30 packed the van (with a break for a take-away curry).  Clothes space is the main issue, quickly solved by packing some in a box in the ‘garage’ of the motorhome which is huge.  

Neighbours and family came to view the beast and, despite his best efforts, Steve couldn’t find anyone to swap places with him and resigned himself to the fact he was going.