'Jeez, I love my old V Dub but she is going to bugger my shoulders before this trip is over!'
Dimps smiled inwardly at her sister's protestations. Ada had sighed this same lament at every corner. Each crie de coeur was accompanied by an irritated brush of her hand across her face to as she tried to tame the wayward silver grey tendrils that were escaping from a careless bun at the nape of her neck. This ritual had started as soon as they had hit the winding roads up the Berwyn. That had been approximately ten minutes after they had left their childhood home in Llangynog now they were nearing Buxton!
Dimps altered her position slowly so she could see the traffic behind in the wing mirror on her side. She winced at the arthritic pain in her hip but was heartened to see that Mabs was holding up well as part of their little convoy in her clapped out old Renault Traffic. 'Ten four good buddy,' she mused to herself. She could also see Cedric in the passenger seat, looking for all the word like he was in charge of the Satnav. Ada had pooh poohed the notion of such technology so Dimps had nervously taken charge of an old Ordnance Survey Landranger map of the Peak District presented to her by her no nonsense sister. Cedric on the other hand was so relaxed about the directions he had time to lick his private bits in readiness of any female companionship at the campsite. Mabs had been clear from the get go that if she was going to agree to this ridiculous adventure at her time of life then her Cat was coming too.
Dimps wasn't sure who's idea it had been to recreate their scandalous road trip 50 years on! They were all still as silly as geese it seems. This time though there was no Mam and Dad to hurt with the shame of it all. The villagers had been cruel in their gossip about loose girls. Tittle tattling about how no good would come of it . . . them gallivanting off on their own like that. Their brother Idris had tried to calm the waters by telling Mam that her daughters were 'just weird that's all'.
Dimps smiled again. Weird sisters, the nomenclature had stuck with them and bound them together over the years. Especially in the early days when they had tried to establish an independence far beyond the normal expectations for women in their small Welsh village.
All three had broken free and had lived a full life. Mabs hadn't married but had a worldwide family from a life time of voluntary service overseas. She only seemed to need Cedric full time these days though. Dimps marvelled at her stamina, even now. Ada, bereaved early in marriage, had finally been encouraged by her own son, to retire from the private girls' school she had been head of for near on half a century. Dimps worried that Ada had been hit badly by losing such an important role in life but needn't have worried. Ada had thrown all her organisational skills into planning this trip like a military manoeuvre. Every detail was researched to make it as faithful a recreation of their first youthfull adventure. That trip, all those years ago when Dimps was only 18, the baby, and Mabs only a year older. Ada, the ringleader, had convinced Dimps and Mabs if not their parents, that she was old enough to act as their chaperone at the age of 21!
This time round they hadn't got lost between Nantwich and Sandbach but the route from Congleton to Buxton and the lack of power steering was taking its toll on Ada's shoulders and back. Nevertheless she had been determined to plough on to their destination at Castleton despite Mabs grumbling on the mobile phone to Dimps every so often about the need for a toilet stop, and Dimps herself desperately needing to stretch her arthritic bones or she would cry.
At last, they had checked in and parked up in their adjacent plots in the most beautiful campsite just outside Castleton. Woo hoo Dimps thought, hook ups! She seriously hoped Ada wasn't going to insist on authenticity and ban electricity or she may have to get very cross. No its ok, Ada was in favour of the modern improvements, including it seemed a new fangled tripod hanging BBQ type thing 'Wow, Dimps come and see this,' Mabs had exclaimed. Dimps was still trying to dismount the van without making too much noise. Getting old, for some reason, made you vocal when you sat down or stood up.
'What the bloody hell is that Ada?' she said once she had composed herself and mopped the sweat from the back of her knees with her hanky.
'This,' said Ada, 'is what I shall be cooking up a storm on this week. Your taste buds won't know what's hit them.' Not convinced, Dimps stretched her weary body again with the obligatory groan. 'I am off for a wee. Shall I get anything from the farm shop?'
'No need, I have brought everything we need for the next few days . . . including,' Ada stretched into the cool box, 'ta dah! A box of the red stuff. Get the glasses Mabs, let's have a tipple, the sun's well over the yard arm.'
'Wait for me! I must have a widdle before I do anything. Pour me a big one and we will toast the weird sisters when I get back.' Dimps would have loved to skip to the toilet block. She was so happy. Life was lonely sometimes and the menopause had been unkind to her for far too long. If she hears another bright young thing call her flushes and anxiety attacks power surges she swears she will deck them. But this, this trip well she felt 18 again. She won't skip though 'cos her hip will retaliate on the bench bed tonight. Secretly she is hoping it will be a warm night so she can sleep outside under the stars on the soft garden lounger she had insisted on bringing, 'cos it had the most wonderfully thick cushions to cradle her aching bones.
On her return she shouted over excitedly, 'The showers are fabulously clean, very modern and they are heated now too.' Ada acknowledged this information with a raised glass. 'Come on my lovely little Dimps, come and have a well earned glass of wine.' Dimps marvelled at the scene of perfect happiness Ada had set out for her return. Camping chairs, and table loaded with cheeses and french sticks and olives and sundried tomatoes and the red glow of charcoal in the fire basket below the griddle hanging on the tripod.
'Come on, Dimps, sit down here in the warm before you fall down honey.' Ada led her to the most comfortable chair and held her gently while she groaned her way down. Safely ensconced Mabs felt it safe enough to give her the glass of wine. The two sisters looked at each other with concern as they noticed how bad their younger sisters' shake was getting. It had been a year since she had been diagnosed with Parkinsons. It seemed reasonably well controlled with medication for now. Nevertheless when she was tired or anxious the tremor got worse.
'Sit there girl and relax. Eat something too it will make you feel better. Have you taken your tablets?' Dimps shook her head as a wave of reality interrupted her youthful joy. 'I'll get them, I want to get Cedric anyway'. Mabs climbed in to the van and returned with Cedric in her arms struggling to fasten a long leash to his collar. 'Are you sure this is going to work?' Ada said unconvinced.
'Oh yes he has been all over with me but I will put him in the travel cage when he has done his business tho.'
Dimps watched the surreal sight of her sister Mabs taking her cat for a walk on a lead as she swallowed a tablet with a gulp of wine. She was sure her doctor wouldn't approve but she just didn't care. This was going to be the best holiday. Just like the first one. 'The other campers are really going to think we are weird now . . . just look at her . . . crazy cat woman!' Ada on hearing this straightened to her considerable height and shouted 'Here's to the weird sisters!' Mabs did a little skip and jump in acknowledgement in the distance! Dimps felt sure she saw Cedric do a little skip too.
She must have dosed off because when Dimps woke up there was a gorgeous smell of home cooking emanating from a large pot suspended above the fire glow. 'Well hello honey, are you ok? Fancy a cuppa it's just brewed.' Mabs handed her a mug of tea and Dimps felt like crying. Her lovely family.
'Trust you to sleep through all the hard work. Right, when you have come round, come and stir the stew for me while I go and get the bowls' Ada disappeared inside the VW and Mabs handed her the wooden spoon. 'I thought a bit of fiz may go well with the stew. What do you reckon?'
Dimps looked at the large bottle of champagne and chastised her sister. 'Mabs you are terrible. I shall be sloshed before 9 o'clock!'
Dimps shuffled forward in her chair and started to stir the stew. 'Hubble bubble toil and trouble' she giggled 'sorry' she called out 'I couldn't resist that'.
From the far end of the camp site a mighty roar went up followed by angry shouts. 'What the heck is that? Oh bugger that made me jump and I've dropped the spoon in the pot, sorry Ada.'
Ada was stood on the step of the camper peering into the distance through her binoculars. 'It looks like a local rugby match going by the rivalry of the fans around the touchlines. Looks like all hells let loose. I wouldn't want to be that referee, he seems to have made an unpopular call I think.' You wouldn't think a local Sunday league game could turn into a battle ground would you? Come on Mabs let's serve up, bring that champagne over here too.'
Raising her glass Mabs said, 'Well, just look at us, all sat round a camp fire with posh nosh. This is a feast, Ada, thank you. Certainly not like the burnt beans on toast Dimps conjured up for us on our first night 50 years ago.'
Dimps slapped Mabs on the arm. 'That's not fair, we had an open fire and a primer stove and none of us had any idea. I am surprised we didn't starve. It's a shame that we have left it so long to do this again 'cos this is great fun.'
'Mmmm' Ada mused, 'I wonder when we three shall meet again?'
'You have got to be kidding Ade! There's no way we can do this in another 50 years time!'
'Dimps . . . I was quoting he Bard you ignoramus. Talking of the Scottish play and battles it looks like the winning team and opposing supporters have commandeered shower block! We won't using them tonight.
They all sat and revelled in the notion of going to bed without washing . . . In the quiet a small mewling noise started to seep through. 'What's that noise Mabs? Is that your Cedric calling you?' Dimps watched as Mabs got up and went off to her van calling, 'I'm coming Cedric, my lovely.'
'Soft as anything that girl,' Dimps said to no one in particular. She was beginning to run out of steam. 'I think I hear my bed calling me, Ada, would you mind if I called it a day I am shattered and I want to be bright as a button for day two of our adventure?'
Her sister rose smiling and helped her to her feet. Taking her in her arms she whispered softly, 'Always did love cuddling you our little Dimps,' tears welling in her eyes. It was such a cruel blow that her little sister should be blighted so badly by ill health so early. Still the weird sisters will look after her for as long as it took. 'Come on little one let's make you comfy.'
Ada and Mabs sat finishing off the champagne in the fading light. They were quiet. The evening was quiet now a battle had been won and a battle had been lost over in the playing field and shower block. Both were musing on what tomorrow would bring and where they would be and who they would meet on their adventure. One thing was certain; they would make sure their little sister and Cedric enjoyed every bit of it.