Thursday 26th May (Day 2)
Well it is time for Billina to have her annual service and MOT. So by about 4.00pm we had driven to the secure storage where she is kept and swapped vehicles. It was then a short 15 mile drive to an overnight spot. We had selected the Barge Inn at Battlesbridge. However, this was a s-l-o-w journey. We drove quickly at the start but approaching Chelmsford things slowed up. Stop-start traffic. We almost made the A12 when a police car appeared and blocked the road. We all had to find an alternative route. Fortunately knowing the area we were not unduly troubled. Arriving at our destination, though, took an hour - a 15mph average! We parked up by the river and settled in with a cup of tea. Sounds idyllic? Well not really; the river is more mud and abandoned, rotting wooden barges festoon the bank. Sounds horrible? Well 'no'; somewhere in between the two. We were waiting for Chris' brother, Mick, to arrive and then we were going for a meal in the pub. By just before 7.00pm we were comfortably seated, chatting and awaiting our meals. A pleasant meal with wine and good company whiled the time away. Then it was back to the MH for coffee, before good nights and bed.
Friday 27th May (Day 2)
Up prompt for the five mile drive to the company doing the service just outside of Rayleigh. We then strolled a couple of miles into the town centre arriving just before most shops were open. When they did we had a stroll around and eventually went for breakfast in a cafe. We are regulars there as we go once every year! Soon we received a call from Mick who was to collect us and take us to his house to while the time away. There we spent the day watching the cricket and soaking in a hot tub - lovely. By 4.30pm we had collected Billina all serviced and MOT'd. However, my suspicions that the clutch needed replacement proved correct and the cam belt also was due a change so the MH was to be returned next week for this to be undertaken as we are less than twelve days away from our next trip. (This is not going to be cheap but a necessity. We had a cam belt go on a car a few years back and an expensive £3000+ bill was the result, with us not paying fortunately.)