My Ghost in the passenger seat

Yorkshire April 2024.

I was really looking forward to a ‘Road trip’ holiday in my wonderful Honda CRV Hybrid, Evie, as you know darling my birthday in April and yours in June were our traditional holiday times and often a road trip to Europe. I don’t really feel able to do Europe anymore, as much as I would love to see our beloved Alps again, so Yorkshire it is. I am not in a rush so I decided to break the journey half way, I am so pleased I did, even on a Saturday the motorways were hell.  Endless coned off lanes, nobody working of course, congestion and frequent crawling along only to speed up then crawl again for no apparent reason. 

I had booked a country pub in Crick, The Wheatsheaf, a charming village with a large narrow boat marina and community. I had allowed plenty of time to explore, hah, by the time I got there all I wanted was a pint and to crash out before dinner. I had a super meal, rack of lamb in charming company, the couple at the next table were talking to a guy at the bar about motor homing in Spain. Yes dear, of course I could not resist chipping in, so pleased I did. They had sold the house, bought a narrow boat here for summers and took the motor home and the dogs to Spain every winter. I told them of our travels Lin and that I keep thinking about a van, ‘Go for it, life is too short’ they said. Damn it, I spent a lot of the trip looking at van websites!

Sunday night was to be in Knaresborough, a very beautiful scenic town outside Harrogate, shame half of Yorkshire thought so too! The central carpark, with toilets that I had researched was rammed, so I went to the Knaresborough Inn, my stopover, and was surprised it was only a few hundred yards from the centre. I parked up around the back and noticed some chalets that looked modern and very peaceful, I asked a maid about them as she wasn’t the dustbins, she said they were lovely and 20 to 24 were more roomy. Thank my dear, great information, I went to reception and although too early to check in, could I pay to upgrade to a chalet? The very helpful receptionist said it was not a problem and no charge, wow, time for a pint!