Last camp night....for now!

As a "bookend" to our first 4 months of living in a van, all be it a van with a name (Hugo), we had decided to have a beach bonfire to celebrate. We mentioned this to our neighbours yesterday and hoped that they would come. Jasper, Maya and I spent the morning finding resources and then set about creating our yet to be blazing beach beacon.

Fast forward to 6:30pm tonight and as we were about to light the fire, a different guest turned up, Lilo, also German. Beers, some fizz too, crisps in hand all added to what we hoped would be a nice night. Then, Gabi, Norbert and Paul turned up with some Italian bitter shot style drink that Norbert had take a fancy to. The fire got going well due to some good preparation and much fun was had. A very pleasurable evening. Jasper and Maya said it was their best night ever!

I learnt some more German, Gabi acted as translator for all, Clare learnt to go steady when paddling in the dark!!! Norbert continued to spread the fun,

and Paul had a great night having never toasted marshmallows before on an open bonfire. In fact, Paul did seem to eventually munch his way through quite a few marshmallows. In fact he got so proficient at it, he developed his own technique to stop his face from burning whilst toasting.

It enlightened me though to why doing this trip now is really worth while. If we had waited until the children had left home, yes we could have done so much more, more restaurant trips, more drinks with friends etc, but actually, having fun toasting marshmallows on a bonfire or kite flying as per yesterday are very child friendly activities to do. And having shared that fun with adults Gabi, Norbert and Paul, it has been a real pleasure, with them having as much fun as Jasper and Maya....if not a little more!

I think the people of the trip have really made it for us so far!

Ed