Bugsy's Roadster

Leaving the fairground area we moved on to the vintage car display. Wilson found this period roadster and declared it to be even cooler than the red Ferrari he'd previously fallen in love with.

He asked me to photograph him standing next to it, cursing that he hadn't brought his Fedora hat with him. 

'I would have looked so Bugsy Malone with this car!' he remarked, and I couldn't disagree. 

What with these constant diversions, I'm sure we're never going to make it to the ferry before dark, but Wilson remains relaxed and has assured me that our next stop will be Poole — gateway to the Channel Islands! 

Reincarnation

Next was a small roundabout ride with aeroplanes — Wilson said it took him back to those happy days before his pilot's licence was revoked. 

I reminded him that he'd never actually had a pilot's licence but he replied with an off-hand 'whatever' and started making very loud airplane engine noises as he took off for a second ride. 

As he whizzed past above my head he called down to me, 'I am like the reincarnation of my Great, Great … Grandfather, the legendary "Blue Baron!"'

Wilson wins a prize!

We were making good time to Poole, Wilson navigating while I drove, and were passing through Christchurch when W suddenly instructed me to take a sharp left into a car park. 

'We're not in Poole yet — why have we stopped?' I asked

W silently pointed to a poster advertising a vintage car show and fun fair in the adjacent park… so naturally, we had to visit it. 

First stop was the Test Your Strength booth, where W's impressive skills with a mallet won him a toy football. 

Something else to find room for in the car…

We're Jersey-bound. Finally.

Following lunch we made our way back to the car, pausing only for Wilson to buy a spare bucket and spade. 

You might be surprised how long it can take to find the 'perfect' bucket and spade, but W is nothing if not a perfectionist, examining the colours in daylight and pretending to dig the shop floor so he could 'test the action.'

I think the shopkeeper was reaching the end of her patience when W finally announced, 'I'll take these, thank you!' passing her the bucket and spade which had first caught his eye in the window before we even entered the shop.

We're now back in the car and about to set off for Poole Harbour, and thence to Jersey. Hurrah!

'Enjoy whatever happens'

I finally dragged Wilson away from the Ferrari showroom and we found somewhere nice for lunch. 

Time was passing, though, and I began to suspect that we wouldn't be in Jersey by this evening. Wilson, however, remains tight-lipped about our schedule, saying that I should just relax and enjoy whatever happens. 

The word 'whatever' troubles me a little...

Dream car...

Having arrived in Lyndhurst, a pretty little village in the heart of the New Forest, we parked up and went in search of lunch. 

It turns out that Lyndhurst is home to a major Ferrari dealership — when we came upon it, Wilson rushed up to the most expensive car on the forecourt and insisted that I photograph him standing next to it. 

'As soon as I'm a millionaire,' he said, 'this is the car I shall have. You can come on holiday in it with me, New Dad, but you're going to have to cut right back on your luggage!'

Photographing W next to his dream car is one thing, but I drew the line when he wanted to go inside and discuss discounts and personalised numberplates with one of the salesmen. Apart from anything else, I was starting to feel very hungry. 

In case you're wondering, he can't decide between WIL50NS and ANT54ME… good to know he's got his priorities right!

We're off!

Wilson has chosen to begin the journey in the back of the car, so he can organise our travel documents. My own research suggested that we wouldn't need passports at any stage, but W has brought them along 'just in case.' I hope the need doesn't arise, because W's passport is just a photocopy of mine with my details Tippexed out and his written in over the top!

Today being Fathers' Day, W gave me a cute home-made card and a CD of Bob Dylan's 1993 album, 'World Gone Wrong' which I shall play on the first leg of our journey from Uckfield to Lyndhhurst in the New Forest, where we shall stop for lunch. 

Since Wilson is in charge of our schedule, I'm expecting a lot of refreshment breaks…