Look Back At 2024

2024 started well with lots of plans for the coming year, a mix of trips at home and in France, our first home trip was a pub stop at The Red Lion in Cradley, Herefordshire, a country pub but with a Turkish menu, we had a thoroughly good night followed by a lovely day in Malvern.


January slipped into February and a trip to Charmouth in Dorset staying at a Camping and Caravanning Club site at Monkton Wyld, we had a lovely week but as the week went on Izzy was not her self, sleeping a lot and not really eating, returning home at the end of the week we thought she would improve at home, she didn't, by the end of that week we took her to the vets, she had some antibiotics and an injection to improve her appetite, which initially worked but after a few days this wore off so back to the vets, after having a ultrasound scan they found growths on her spline.
On the 29th February she had stopped eating and drinking and on the advise of our vet we had to make the worst decision a dog owner has to make; to have our wonderful, faithful friend put to sleep.
We were both devastated.



March was Adeles birthday, we went to our favourite pub stop, The Pheasant at Neenton then out to Tittestone, Clee Hill.
Our Easter trip had been booked for months, we were going to France, we had to change our details on Le Shuttle to remove Izzy from our booking and cancel the AHC, both were very understanding.
The trip to the Loir Valley was good but upsetting at the same time, we visited many places we have been before when the kids were little but all the time we were missing our friend and companion, our sixteen nights in France ended with a lovely meal at Le Crotoy and our first taste of oysters.








Throughout the spring and summer we had many mini breaks, Wilmcote in Warwickkshire, Rhayader in Wales, Stratford-upon-Avon, Rhos-on-Sea in North Wales to name a few.
Whilst being away we both had a very honest and frank discussion, having lost Izzy I was adamant that I didn't want another dog but I really hadn't taken Adeles feeling into account, it had been a couple of months, we both desperately missed our Izzy, Adele wanted another doggy companion.
So after some research we looked at getting a rescue dog but most of the centres wouldn't allow us to have one as we had cats so she found a family that had some Patterjack puppies, we went to have a look, just a look and came back with Archie, an eight week old Patterdale Terrier / Jack Russell cross.



We had to get him his vaccinations so had to wait a few weeks before we could take him on is first trip.





We had our now annual stay at Ross on Wye, right beside the river Wye, always a lovely break. Archie soon found his adventurous side and settled into vanlife fairly well although didn't travel as well as Izzy did.
His first main trip was to Sea Palling in Norfolk, it was also his first time on the beach and the first time off the lead, we all had a Wonderfull time.



The rest of the summer was taken up with pub stops and the odd local weekend away.
Before we knew it October was here and our Autumn trip to France, we had a great 10 days touring the Normandy D-Day beaches, we started at Pegasus Bridge then travelled along the entire landing beaches and up to Barfleur before making our way back to Calais.










November came and went, and before we knew it, it was Christmas and New Year we had hoped to get away but it never happened.

We didn't get as many nights away this year, partly due to having to wait for Archies vaccination to take effect and partly down to helping our daughter decorate her first home.

2025 is just around the corner, we have promised ourselves more weekends and mini breaks also more trips to our beloved France.
Sitting here writing the diary blog we have looked back at our Youtube playlists which bought some tears when watching videos of Izzy but also some wonderful happy memories.

Here's to many more in 2025.

Nige, Adele and Archie xXx

benivanadventures 2024
Miles: 5027 

Ave MPG:  31.6mpg

Fuel Cost: £223.50 

LPG £45.26 


Nights: 56 

Camp Fees: £477.11 

Camp Ave per night: £8.52




 


 

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