The Last Goodbye

We awake this morning not believing our campervan trip is almost over.  We pack up the last of our belongings, sort out the items that we can leave at the campsite and give Betty a final clean down.   

The Christchurch campsite is unlike any other we have been to.  It is extremely busy, but most significantly has a gloomy sad atmosphere.  To put this in perspective the majority of the other campsites have been hugely friendly, lots of laughter and happy faces.  At Christchurch there are silences in the kitchen, its very quiet and no one is smiling – everyone has come to the end of their trips too and are feeling as bad as we do.  In the kitchen there are piles everywhere of food stuffs and other practical items labelled – ‘Free to good home, leaving today’.   

Mrs M leaves the badminton set, not herself for a good home...

As we go into the kitchen to do our final washing up it is awful – I notice they even have a big box of tissues on one of the benches – they are obviously well prepared.

We can’t believe how much of a brilliant time we have had – especially after our infamous first day where we got stuck in the mud.  Neither of us though we would last the full 8 weeks without having to have an emergency stay in a B&B when we had totally had enough of camping.  Conversely we have loved every single second and would recommend it to anyone – we have even investigated the possibility of getting our own campervan when we return home!

At 10am, campsite check out time we take our final pictures with Betty and then it is time.  It's time to power down for the last time and make the final drive to the Apollo drop off centre near to the airport.   

We are met by the friendly Apollo ladies who again must be used to emotional goodbyes to campervans and RVs – again ample supply of tissues in the office!  We say our final goodbye to Betty before giving her keys back to Apollo and doing the handover paperwork and then its time to go to the airport.

Goodbye Betty – you have given us the trip of a lifetime!  

Mrs M