Untitled - Beeldbibliotheek

16 CARAVAN DAYSdoes indeed get slowly under way, but itrises intime to a fever of activity. It is Herbert's greatopportunity, with mop and broom and chamoisleather. (I shall introduce Herbert to you shortly :he is driver and handy man.)Inside and out thecaravan must be purged of all the stains of traveland the dust of the road. The first rite is thewashing of the floor, in preparation for which allmovables must be ejected in chaos and put backlater on in their due order.Then stoves, pots andpans, boots and shoes, curtain-rods, candlesticksand brasses must be made to shine. For my partIout the boxesam rotfnd at the back, cleaningand considering the state of the stores, re-arrangingand repacking. It is not until the evening whenHerbert has transferred his energies to the harnessthat peace descends upon the camp.Much depends upon the country and the roads,but generally a hundred miles a week isgoodgoing. Allowing for the many delays which arebound to occur, in watering the horses, shopping,enquiring about camping -ground, perhaps mendingharness or holding up a baker's cart, one doesnot reckon upon travelling more than three milesan hour : and six or seven hours on the roadevery day is rather more than enough.I do notgenerally travel more than five days a week,