Fair to say, we have been spending a few quid on Lotti to get her kitted out and feeling homely: Bedding, washroom accessories, pots, pans, cutlery, cushions, throws and more. The list seems endless and I must have missed something! But, that’s all part of setting up your motorhome so we have no qualms in that department. We’re well aware that we have bigger expenses to come as we travel.
Having decided on joining the Caravan & Motorhome Club we looked around for somewhere fairly close by to take our first steps staying for a few nights and decided on exploring Carsington Water Reservoir in Derbyshire. Only 30 minutes drive or so from us, it looks a great site with excellent amenities. We have been to Carsington Water many times down the years, but never stayed on the adjacent site. So, 3 nights over my birthday weekend…. booked!
Prior to our fist trip, Lotti was parked on the drive as a temporary location (she’s to big at over 7mtrs to stay there all the while) until our preferred lock-up location was available which wouldn’t be until mid September. Now, bearing in mind, we took off to Iceland on an already pre-planned trip to see family, immediately after buying & getting Lotti home, we now had just 3 days to get her ready for the first outing. Jeez, that was hard work! Of course, we excepted to have to do a lot but not as much as we did. I was so concerned we would forget something or worse, make some silly costly rookie mistakes.
However, we got through the next couple of days getting everything we could in that time, checked, & double checked. We were pretty confident we hadn’t missed anything:
Toilet chemical… check.
Fresh water… check.
Fridge fully stocked & cooled… check.
Food, bedding and clothes all packed… check. We were were finally all set.
We couldn’t contain our excitement as we embarked on our maiden voyage in our lovely new motorhome, affectionately named Lotti. Lotti, in case we hadn’t already explained, was Les’s brainchild of a name simply because, she Costa-Lotti 😐
As it was my birthday and our very first getaway in our lovely new home on wheels it was a special weekend. With the sun gracing us with its warm presence, it felt like the perfect start to our adventures.
The anticipation built as we navigated our way through the roads, eager to reach our picturesque destination. However, the journey wasn’t without its own adventures. Our trusty satellite navigation led us down some unexpectedly narrow country lanes, providing an interesting, if not a little nervy, twist to our drive. Despite the slight detour, it added a sense of spontaneity and excitement to our trip. At least, that’s what I kept telling Les! Lesson number one learnt… don’t trust the sat nav!
Upon arriving at Carsington Water, we were greeted by a lovely lady who couldn’t help a couple of newbies enough, we found a hardstanding spot in shady area to park Lotti, although I must confess, I was not expecting the allocation of pitches to be a simple ‘first come, first served’ basis and as we didn’t arrive at the site unit gone 2pm when everyone else had rocked up and grabbed their pitches, did I soon realised that its dog eat dog when choosing a pitch! Fortunately for us, we were more than happy with the pitches that were ‘left’ unclaimed.
The site and facilities were 1st class. Loads of super clean showers, toilets and the like and by a stroke of luck, we ended up close enough to the shower black to be convenient but not too close to be met with passing traffic or toilet cassettes rattling pass our windows.
The weather was on our side, as it often is on my birthday, offering a sun-kissed weekend that made our first stay all the more perfect. The setting was woodlands, with the reservoir’s glistening waters creating a serene backdrop for our stay.
We set up camp hassle-free, a testament to Lotti’s user-friendliness, not least those auto levellers which had the neighbours at the side of us glued to them as they whirred into position. With everything in place, our friends and family began to arrive, joining us to make my birthday and our first trip even more special. Having loved ones share in our joy and the experience of our new motorhome made the occasion even more memorable.
As we settled in, we discovered the beauty and tranquility that Carsington has to offer. The reservoir provided the ideal setting for leisurely walks, although we didn’t have the time to take full advantage, we will definitely return and make the walk. The picturesque landscape was a treat for the eyes, perfect for unwinding and appreciating nature.
Our brief visit to Carsington Water Reservoir marked not just a new chapter of adventures with Lotti but also a memorable milestone in our lives. The weekend was a perfect blend of celebration, relaxation, and the thrill of exploring a new destination in our home on wheels.
Here’s a few snapshots from our memorable trip:
Our journey with Lotti was off to an unforgettable start, setting the tone for more incredible adventures to come. Stay tuned for more stories and discoveries as we continue to traverse new horizons with our beloved motorhome.
Next trip… Newhall Farm, Southall and Chatsworth in couple of weeks time. Can’t wait!