Who? Where? When?

 At last, our Motorhome would be arriving from Italy and we could start travelling. But first she needed a name. As we all know Motorhomes are invariably female, and the obvious first choice was Millie. However, on reflection, I decided this would be a really common Motorhome moniker. We were racking our brains for months, then this happened.

In the 88th minute at the Priestfield Stadium in Gillingham, Georgie Kelly scored the goal that cemented promotion and wrote himself into Rotherham United history. There could only be one name for the Motorhome, Georgie Girl! Ian wasn’t keen at all but I persevered until he pointed out a flaw in my cunning name plan. What if, at some time in the future, it all goes bad with Georgie Kelly. He asks for a massive pay rise and leaves under a cloud. He appears on Twitter saying that Paul Warnes tactics are rubbish. Or, god forbid, he leaves us to join Sheffield Wednesday. So Georgie Girl was out too. 

Meantime, Kathy and Einar decided to get a dog and asked for our help (little white lie!) to name her. Chris delved deep into History, and took inspiration from the early 15th century and Edward Duke of York, who made a very long list of names he considered suitable for dogs. We put forward a few that we liked. Nosewise. Garlik. Pretyman. Norman. And a particular favourite of ours, Filthe. It turns out K and E  were not moved by any of these names. We had to look elsewhere, and decided on a dame name. The front runner being Dame Shirley Bassey. We felt they were warming to it when they sent us another curveball. Dame Shirley Bassey Beagle was to be a boy! Still shunning our list, and Filthe in particular, they decided to call him Samwise. So, our Motorhome was in need of a name, Dame Shirley Bassey was available, it was meant to be.

Name in the bag we had to get some stuff. Things that you need to use your Motorhome. Hours were spent scanning Amazon, followed a few days later by many parcels through the door. My particular favourite is a bright yellow kettle.

Finally we needed somewhere to go for our first weekend. Rother Valley was mooted by Ian, but I didn’t want to go somewhere so close. There is a nice Camping in the Forest site at Edwinstowe. Probably try that at a later date. In the end we decided on Greenhills Caravan Site in Bakewell. Not too far and comes highly recommended by one of Keith’s clients. We booked for the weekend before Keith pointed out that the client loves it because it has a real pub serving real ale! Ian was very happy with his choice.

So all that was left was to collect Dame Shirley herself. Monday morning we drove to Meadowhall and got the train to Honley near Holmfirth where Big Ed picked us up. At the dealers he gave us a quick run through, we signed our lives away, and he gave us the keys to our very own Rollerteam Zefiro 696. 

Ian try’s the drivers seat in Dame Shirley

Driving back from Holmfirth

We arrived back in Rotherham in a monsoon. My main fear was that Dame Shirley wouldn’t fit down our road. I needn’t have worried, Ian fetched her in like a dream. Ian’s main worry was that he wouldn’t be able to turn her round on the car park. He needn’t have worried, he turned her round like a pro, with brilliant direction from a dripping wet Jackie. Soon she was nestled in her final resting place.

Dame Shirley comes home

We plugged her in to the newly fitted outside plug point and proceeded to load up with all our newly purchased swag. We played with all the bells and whistles inside, and the lovely awning outside.

Ian models the awning

We tested out Misty’s chances of getting in and out without lifting. Turns out they are zero

Misty enjoys some quality time in Dame Shirley

So all that is left is to wait again! Wait for Friday and, finally, our first weekend in our brand spanking new Motorhome

Post Script

While I was writing this post Michael Snake Smith and Michael Rat Ihikwe  asked for a massive pay rise, said Paul Warnes tactics were rubbish, deleted all their Millers Memories on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram, and signed for Sheffield Wednesday. How foresighted is Ian?!