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The Adventures of Nellie The Dorset Publications Camper Van Nellie, who got her name from the Nissan Elgrand that she is, and who also happens to be rather large, wearing her long, black skirts to cover her โoversized thighsโ, is the Dorset Publications travelling campervan! This summer she took us to the Isle of Wight. She had friends with her too. โLady Jโ, the rather posh Jaguar belonging to my sister and her proud husband and also the โMatrixโ, my Mum and Dadโs new automatic Hyundai car. The latter was especially bought for the occasion as Dad is having a few difficulties with his knee. These are the same knees which won the 100 yards East Yorkshire Sprint Championship in 1949 at the age of 14! Dad even came 3rd in the whole of the Yorkshire Championships. It seemed to be running in the family as Dadโs grandfather was the 10 Mile Yorkshire Champion. He was only 4โ 11โ and told that he was too small
Lady J & Nellie, by Martin Budden
Lady J, Matrix & Nellie at Dinosaur Isle
Family breakfast on clubhouse verandah for rugby, so took to cross country running instead. Unfortunately, with my Dad, that is where the sportsmanship era ended, as both my sister and I will now tell you that walking to the nearest coffee shop is what we do best! Anyway, Nellie with my Mum, Dad, sister and my brother-in-law in Lady J and the Matrix all set off in convoy for the Isle of Wight for a week. We lost โLady Jโ at the first hurdle, as Nellie and the Matrix both managed to get on the early ferry, by chance, leaving Lady J standing at the port as we sailed away! We were not to be floundered and took a slow drive around the Isle until we all met up again and then made our way to where we were staying - Rookley Country Park in the centre of the Isle of Wight. Sue and I had chosen it, as much to our Mumโs โincredulityโ, it had a fishing lake for Dad and a swimming pool for Hayden. The youngest and eldest were therefore well catered for. Mum has had a lifetime of fishing with Dad. In addition to his running skills, and having also played football for Hull