Leah and the Rascal. (2024)

14/08/2023

Homemade bike alarm!

14/08/2023

After a very tough sweaty hike I'm about to have my first wash in the Rascal!

14/08/2023

Day three of the trip and I stay the night at a pub, home to a quirky cider barn that has lots of star wars and doctor who figurines and memorabilia and the walls are lined with a mismatch of interesting pieces. Between 14.00 and 20.30 I order two lots of hot food and mango cider hours apart and each time and I am served in a timely manner including the time it took for the hot food to be infront of me no matter how busy it was. The staff had conversation between them and guests flowing all night and four different musicians playing live music from 5pm until 11pm read the crowd well playing a mix of their original songs and chart toppers. The barn was spacious consisting of three different sections, plenty of comfy seats and the hot food was well presented straight from the grill. Across the carpark can be found a very large camping and caravaning field with electric hookup avaliable at the current price of £10 per night or you have the choice of the free carpark which fills up quick. An all round good spot for the night where Thursdays is quiz night and live music plays every Sunday.

14/08/2023

Was at a pub stopover in Cheddar and the rain was coming down hard being extremely loud on the roof of the Rascal. A drunk staggers to his car tripping over his own feet, he groans "bloody shoes". Parked next to me, he slams his door into the Rascal and calls across to his lady friend "bloody van".
He gets in his car, rolls down his window and makes out with the female like he was harvesting for brains in a hurry. He lights a cigarette, chatting a whole lot of nothing and starts his engine. Dropping his cigarette and frantically grabbing it quickly he says "bloody cigarette". Missing a gear he puts it in 1st and begins to head forward into the fence. Fear not, he assured me this was the "bloody gear box". Once reversed out of the space he places it in 1st and stalls the car, "bloody clutch" he shouts.
Finally driving off I hear the noise of his revs rumble down the road and I'm left here alone with nothing but his registration number and my mobile in hand, those bloody laws!

13/08/2023

Radford Mill Farm, tangled up in roots, blues and americana Festival, a festival that attracts a crowd that I never knew existed at a festival scene.
A crowd that tells you to turn the music down at 2pm no matter if it's the subtle sounds of reggae to help keep you and your neighbours sane whilst you hold that peg desperately trying to reach the mallet that you left at the last.
A crowd where your mate Alan daren't be looked for.
A crowd that if you let your hair down too much you should be ashamed of yourself and god forbid a child raised it's voice.
A crowd that has endangered dancers that, to a novice only sees a perfect ex*****on of the Charleston or balboa.
A crowd that is more talented than it gives itself credit for as we sat around the fire under a British sky each chipping in a chorus hoping others would catch a line and sing along.
A crowd that I, at 31 felt too young for but as my first solo festival felt safe and was taken under the wings of a handful of people as they saw me as if I was their own daughter.
It's a beautiful festival in stunning grounds and is highly recommended if you are looking for an intimate experience and only want to escape for up to 11 hours max to then head back to camp for a full night's rest undisturbed ready for reality the next day. It's a festival I'd absolutely attend again when I have a repeat prescription of blood pressure tablets.
See you again in 30 years tangled up in roots, it was a pleasure!

04/08/2023

The Rascal packed with food for an 8 day solo trip. So far so good...

29/06/2023

19th to 20th September 2021 we spend a pleasant night staying in New Dover Road Park and ride to visit the City of Canterbury known for it's link to the well known book The Canterbury Tales by Geoffrey Chaucer.
This is motorhome built parking with fresh water, toilet waste disposal and gated entrance that has 24 hour access also allowing you to leave at anytime.
If there was more or these outside every city, I would stay in one everytime.
We arrived early morning and was able to park away from other motorhomes but close enough to be safe in the huge car park with large bays. Once settled we hopped on the free park and ride bus into the city centre which allows up to 6 people to travel on your ticket also for free.
After a full day in Canterbury, checking out the Cathedral, having a tour of the former prison and doing everything touristy Canterburyhad to offer, we hopped back on the free bus to the Rascal and ditch the trainers for heels to enjoy the nightlife. Back on the free bus we work our way up the town not ending our night until the wee hours of the morning.
Unfortunately we missed the last bus that sets off at 23.25 but with our beer coats on and our liquid pain killers we make the 35 minute walk back to the Rascal.
The car park ables us to nurse our heads by offering a peaceful, safe, quiet area to reset.
Day two back on our free bus we find Chuck and Blade Canterbury and its just what the doctor ordered. After a more relaxed 2nd day in Canterbury we end the day by using the toilet waste disposal and chudder back home.
All this for £8!

25/06/2023

22nd to 24th August 2021 we tackle a further journey than ever before of 4.5 hours to Alton Towers.
Coped up in the cab, knees to the dash and hands gripped to the wheel like we was in a roller coaster cart filled with adrenaline for our adventure to begin.
Our journey definitely had its ups and downs with a few unexpected corkscrews as we headed off once the sun had rose.
After a close shave with a lorry on the motorway we thought it would be best to stop at a service station to eat, top up the tank and remind ourselves that theres no rush. Back on the road, as we passed the half way point the Rascal was thirsty and we needed a well deserved stretch. Stopping at a petrol station I jump out feeling soothed by the idea of only having 2 hours of driving left. Heading to the back of the Rascal with petrol pump in hand my heart stopped and that soothing feeling fell out of me like my skin had melted to the ground.
The petrol cap was missing and I thought the trip was over before it had really begun, panic drifted in as I worried either something would kick up into the petrol tank breaking the engine or it would become ignited and we would be no more.
After a wishful phone call to the last petrol station the Rascals cap had been collected and kept behind the till.
Being low on petrol I needed to fill up but I definitely didn't chance filling it all the way and the whole journey back on ourselves was filled with fear expecting at any moment to be engulfed in flames.
As we rolled up to the petrol station something felt different. It wasn't until I got to the till I was able to put my finger on it.
We was at the wrong petrol station, this ride was not over.
Going even further back from where we came we got the cap and started our gruelling 4 hour journey again.
With only 10 minutes of driving left before we arrive at the amusement park I thought what else could go wrong. Feeling like we arrived in Alton by the skin of our teeth 2 hours behind schedule I filled up the tank one last time. As the litres dial flashed by I looked down at the tank and thought to myself it must be full now, in that moment petrol erupted out of Rascal covering me as i knelt there defeated on the ground like a wounded warrior.
The final leg of the journey was traveled in silence until we had reached...the final destination!

I highly recommend this campsite as the land offers the opportunity to spend a day wandering the rolling hills of the countryside into the woodlands and petting all the animals that live here all year round.

24/06/2023

The Rascal and I catching those rays!
Beautiful wide grassed area with endless views of the sea.
Close to the cliffs edge runs a continuous path leading into the friendly town of Broadstairs with great food and bars overlooking the golden beaches.
If you walk up hill in the opposite direction it will lead you through the glorious King George V park into the bustling town of Ramsgate offering seal tours and the Ramsgate Tunnels which allows you to enjoy a bite to eat in their underground bunker and look at old artifacts without having to book a tour.

Unfortunately no motorhomes and caravans between 18.00 and 6.00am.

23/06/2023

20th to 21st July 2021 we stay off grid on our doorstep due to living above our means since having the Rascal and trying to itch that fresh travel scratch.
My second life lesson is learnt...Happiness can be basic.
Food ️✔️
View✔️
The Rascal ✔️(optional for others as this one is mine!)

Personal opion as not seen otherwise but only achievable for Campervans and motorhomes due to needing to be discreet. Access to the beach down mutliple choice of steps close by for those late night fires and smores on the beach.

23/06/2023

4th to the 6th June 2021 We take a trip to Arundel. A town that is like something from a fairytale with flowing streams home to pearly white swans amongst other wildlife, a magnificent castle surrounded by picturesque grounds lined with blooming flowers and quirky second hand antique shops that remind you how old they are as they creek with every step.
This was our first off grid experience in the Rascal with the choice of paying for over night parking in the nearest car park for £10 a night or if your lucky get a spot with the other motorhomes on the side of the road by the river for free.
Both great options with the same great experience, I'm just disgustingly stingy!
We turned up late at night, with no street lamps and itching to get in bed excited to see what this place had to offer in daylight.
We drove along this long road past tens of motorhomes parked in silence one by one close to the river to get a feel for the area. We made it to the end of the road and had a spot in mind back on ourselves away from the other motorhomes. Whilst turning in the road the Rascal cut out and panic set in as we sat in the pitch black in the middle of the road preying no cars would speed through and crash into us.
In that moment close to midnight it was like Arundel's fairy godmother had come to save the day as a fellow motorhomer appeared out the darkness from nowhere and gave me my first off grid advise...Safety in numbers!

Worth a mention for food on this trip is Partners cafe and LG CAFE.

23/06/2023

Purchased and cleaned, it was now time to become a member of the caravan and motorhome club and book our first getaway in the Rascal. 26th to 28th May 2021 we visit our close friends in Southampton.
Highly recommend this small camp spot on a gated field between the drive way of the farm and the sheep field. Only a max of 5 EHU pitches avaliable with grass pitch personally being my prefered spot due to the privacy and view of the sheep every day from your bed. Perfect for the safety and freedom of children or quiet, private nights if your luckly enough to be the only one booked in.
Negative being if booking when the weather is wet and with the field being on a slight slope towards the sheep field there is a possibility your need help driving out.
But all in all a beautiful spot with a sheep at the main entrance seperate from the others that greets you like a dog.

23/06/2023

Once the Rascal was home it was time to clean it, check all the electrics and make some upgrades etc.
Everyone loves a before and after photo!

23/06/2023

On 15th May 2021 my parents and I traveled to Grantham, UK to collect a 1990 Bedford Rascal.
Filled with excitment and plans of extreme adventures, what took 3 hours there took 5 hours back but I was now the proud owner of a glorified tin can driving no more than 50mph on the motorway in torrential rain with my defeated right windscreen wiper bent and visable from the drivers side window.
My Mum and I giggled the whole journey back as my Dad driving behind us watched on most likely in fear as we chuddered up hills barley reaching 30mph, driving between large lorries with the pressure of the wind so strong I felt like I was in the scene of the Knight bus from Harry Potter and if I went above 50mph the whole thing would shake and I could feel the speed wobbles rolling in.
Not forgetting the heavy downpour of rain that allowed me only to see a few metres ahead.
But boy, did we laugh and so it began!

Leah and the Rascal.

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13/08/2023

04/08/2023

29/06/2023

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