We hired a Bedford Dormerbile camper van

from a friend back in nineteen-sixty-nine.

Circumstances caused us to arrive in Southwold

on a September evening, out of time.

 

We drove all around but no campsite could be found,

aged twenty, we’d been married just a year.

We parked up in what looked like a disused field;

well, nothing in the dark looks very clear.

 

Waking in the morning, we drew back a curtain

to find ourselves on a North Sea Gas site,

workmen all around gave curious glances.

Never again would be park up at night!

 

Closing back the curtain, we dressed in a hurry,

I hid in the back while he drove out shamefaced.

We laugh at it now but what an embarrassment,

Nowhere else have we ever left in such haste!