Some travel days are all about ticking off famous landmarks. Others? They involve fountain pen ink, football fever and discovering that the internet isn’t just for late-night shopping… it’s for collecting your shopping too!
We packed up in Torquay and pointed the motorhome east, beginning our drive along England’s beautiful south coast towards Weymouth. It just so happened to be the day of the Women’s FIFA World Cup semi-final, and you could feel the excitement building everywhere we went.
Every village seemed to be flying St George’s flags, shops were decorated, and even popping into Sainsbury’s felt like walking into a match-day fan zone. England was buzzing, and even though I’m not the biggest football follower, it was impossible not to get swept up in the atmosphere. Mum was especially excited, so we were firmly on Team Lionesses for the day.
A Quick Antique Detour
Our first stop was The Antique Village in Hele, just outside Exeter.
I had visions of uncovering the perfect vintage desk set, perhaps a forgotten inkwell or two, and maybe even a fountain pen hiding amongst the treasures.
Reality?
Nothing quite shouted, “Take me home, Helen!”
Still, that’s half the fun of antiquing. You never know what you’ll find… or in this case, what you won’t!
The Dangerous Stop at Cult Pens
Now this was a stop I’d been looking forward to.
If you’re into fountain pens, notebooks or ink (or if you simply enjoy enabling people with expensive hobbies), you’ll probably know about Cult Pens. I’d done my homework before leaving New Zealand and discovered that while they don’t really have a traditional retail shop, they do have a small showroom alongside their warehouse.
After arriving, one of the lovely staff explained that they are an online store onl, but as I had come such a long way she said to place an online order and come up to the door and ring the bell, they would pick the order while I waited.
Challenge accepted.
So there I was, sitting comfortably back in the motorhome with the air conditioning running, shopping online… while parked outside the warehouse.
Honestly, that may well be the most efficient shopping trip I’ve ever done.
Within about 10–15 minutes my order was packed and ready. The team even brought it out to the motorhome, which was such a lovely touch.
Of course I exercised remarkable self-control…
…well… mostly.
The New Zealand exchange rate certainly tried to keep my spending under control, but there were a few inks that simply couldn’t be left behind.
The haul included:
- Robert Oster Signature
- Diamine Amaranth
- Wearingeul Emma
- Wearingeul Cheshire Cat
- Wearingeul Mad Hatter
- Two exclusive Cult Pens Pearl Series inks:
- Harvest Moon
- Dusk
Let’s just say my fountain pens won’t be going thirsty any time soon.
Rolling into Weymouth
With the important business of ink acquisition complete, it was finally time to continue south to our campsite overlooking the sea at Weymouth.
After a busy day of driving, shopping and resisting buying even more ink, pulling into Pebble Bank Caravan Park with the sea stretching out beyond the motorhome was exactly what we needed.
Tomorrow would be all about exploring the Jurassic Coast.
But for tonight?
A cup of tea, a spectacular view, and perhaps admiring my newly acquired ink collection… just one more time.
(Okay… maybe several more times.)
And don't forget the all important Semi Final game with England playing Argentina!!
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