"Our meeting with Berni and Carl" Great Torrington Travelogue by Geoff_Wright

Berni and I have been VT friends for some years now. It all started one Christmas time, when someone (I can't remember who now), was asking on the Forum about Christmas cakes or something. I usually make my own Christmas cake, and that includes plenty of Brandy. If my memory serves me correctly the mention of Brandy got Berni 'going' in the Forum, and my arm was twisted so much that I had to send her a piece of our cake. No other VTers have ever tasted my cake, but that was when we first became friends.

Last year Berni and Carl came down to Cornwall for a few days holiday, and Mary and I were really looking forward to meeting up with them somewhere. I can't remember if we had actually agreed on a meeting place, but usually it's Jamaica Inn, not far away from home, or indeed home here in Altarnun. It was not to be, however, as Berni was not feeling well, and she and Carl returned home prematurely. It was a great shame, as we had really been looking forward to meeting them both. A second chance was to materialise in February this year when Berni and Carl decided on a short trip to North Devon. Logging in to VT one morning, and there was an email from Berni asking if there was a chance that we could all meet up somewhere.

North Devon in mid Winter is a rather bleak place, and between where we live and Ilfracombe there is little of interest at this time of year. Anyway, we decided that Great Torrington might be worty of a visit, not being too far from either Ilfracombe or Altarnun, and it was a place I had never visited. Looking it up on various websites I noticed that it had a number of pubs, and t was decided that we would eventually end up in one of them (at least)!

We set off on our 45 mile journey in good time, intending to park in the main car park in Torrington, and meet Berni and Carl there. Everything went well until just after Hatherleigh (on the Torrington road), when the car's temperature gauge just shot up straight into the red, and steam began billowing from underneath the bonnet. Luckily we were in a small hamlet, and we were able to stop and ask someone for some water (I had an empty fruit juice bottle with us - one of the larger ones). We telephoned Berni to say what had happened, and that we might me a little late, but we'd try our best to get there. It was only a few more miles. Having decanted the water, we proceded on our way, but within a few miles, and now in the countryside, the engine overheated again. Not long after we had stopped, and opened the bonnet, a lady driver stopped, and offered to take me back down the road to a small garage. She actually lived next door to the garage, and was really very helpful, explaining to the owner that we did need assistance. She was on her way to her part time job, but went out of her way to help - how very nice. Anyway, the garage owner put a 20 litre drum of water into his van, and we set off back up the road, where someone else had stopped to offer assistance. After about 10 minutes, we drove back to the garage, where the mechanic checked the engine and cooling system as best he could. We left it running for ages, and it still never overheated. So, off we went again, finally reaching Torrington about half an hour late! And it began to rain!

We tried phoning Berni, but her phone was switched off, so we had no idea where they were. We knew they had arrived because we found their car, with a Perterborough sticker in it!! We walked up and down the main street, looking in all the shops, and eventually went into one of the pubs, asking if anyone had seen a couple matching their description. The barman said to try in the local Pannier Market, where, at the end, there was a little restaurant. We assumed by his remarks that he (or someone) had seen Berni and Carl near the Market. So off we went, and found the market. There at the very end was an outside seating area, and there (we thought) was Berni and Carl! 'Berni' was sat in her wheelchair, shortish grey hair and glasses. Sat at the table was 'Carl', drinking his coffee. Well, we were just so glad to see them, that we gave Berni a big hug and a kiss, and shook Carl's hand. We sat down with them and started chatting, but I forget just what we first said, probably something about meeting them at long last. I said that we knew they were here (in Torrington) because we had seen their car in the car park, to which 'Carl' replied: "what car? We sold our car ages ago". Ever had that feeling of alarm bells ringing? I asked how they got there (from Ilfracombe, to which 'Carl' replied: "well my wife came in her wheelchair, and I drove my electric buggy" And now I spotted his buggy, parked against the wall. Oh dear! We felt such utter fools, having pounced unannounced on this local, defenceless couple, and tried to explain our situation. At tis point the gentleman (now obviously not Carl) told us that they had seen a couple, the lady in a wheelchair goint into the Torrington 1646 exhibition building which was in the car park. So we fot up and said our farewells to these total strangers, but not before the lady demanded another kiss and cuddle from me, haha!! They weren't the least bit embarrassed by what had happened, unlike us!

We went back to the car park, and entered the Torrington 1646 exhibition building, where we discoverd that Berni and Carl were doing to guided tour, which would take about another half hour. Over an hour later they finally emerged, and we met at long last. It was now well past 2 pm, and we decided to have a meal somewhere, and of course, a long chat. We found a nice pub, and managed to get halfway into the door, only to discover that they had stopped cooking meals. The landlady directed us to another pub down the road, about 300 yards I suppose. This looked good, as it clearly catered for disabled customers. No problem with access then, but, oh dear, they had stopped cooking too. The only other place was the pub we first asked about Berni and Carl, back into the town centre. So I ran back there and found that they were still able to provide a meal for us. So, there we were, back where it had all started, and enjoying a great meal - although by this time the restaurant was actually closed!

We chatted about all sorts of things, as you do, and then it was time to leave. I think it was still raining. Saying our good bye's in the car park, and now hugging the real Berni, and shaking the real Carl's hand, we returned to our vehicle. It wouldn't start! It sounded like the starter motor was jamming, but I now think that one of the cylinders had water in it, and it was acting like an hydraulick lock. Eventually the car started, and we waived goodbye, and headed home. The homeward journey was absolutely fine, no overheating, but we actually ended up having to have a new engine!

So there it is! Our meeting with Berni and Carl at long last. A couple of days later I noticed something on the Misc Forum about meeting people, only to find that they were not the person you actually thought they were. I was very tempted to respond, but felt too embarrassed at the time. I have often wondered if Berni was somehow involved in setting that forum question?? It just seemed such a coincidence.

March 23rd, 2007. Today I was extremely saddened to hear of Berni's passing. We all knew that it was to be expected, but these things are never really 'expected', and when they do happen, it is very painful. Mary's and my thoughts are now with Carl and his family.

Today was the day we got our car back from having its new engine fitted.....