Friday, 8th June 2018
Cooler and a more cloud today, but, since Kathleen has declared today to be a "no walking" , "no cycling", "take it easy day", plus, it is major hair care day, that is no hardship.
"Normal" campsites have electricity included in the pitch price, it is unusual (in the UK) for it to be metered and charged as an extra. This proves to be a draw back today, several hours wielding a 2.5Kw hair dryer, followed by 1Kw hair straighteners, rapidly consumes all of our credit. Kathleen is forced to break off half way through the drying and straightening routine to go and put more money on the meter.
At home, our electricity supplier is pestering us to have a "smart meter" installed, on the basis that it will save (us) energy. Clearly whoever thought that slogan up does not have a female partner living in the house. All a smart meter will do is allow you to see your money being consumed, it will not, in itself, reduce the consumption!
Since today is a "relaxing day", we have lunch "out", at the Golden Lion Hotel, and, very enjoyable it was.
Saturday, 9th June 2018
Yet another sunny day, it will be a shame to leave!
Uneventful 120 miles to home, where it is not so sunny and not so warm!
Saturday, 9 June 2018
Thursday, 7 June 2018
Maryport Marina, weather kind, so, we stay
Wednesday, 6th June 2018
Sunny and forecast for 20C, but, still a stiff breeze from the NE.
On the promise of todays pleasant weather and the forecast for the next few days, Kathleen books us in for another three days. Most of the other vans have left, is it us, we wonder, so, we are down to ourselves and one other van.
No sooner have I thought the place is emptying, than two vans arrive, so, we are back up to four.
Today, we cycle Sustrans Route 72, for just over seven miles, to the south, to Workington. The name does not conjure up attractive thoughts, in my mind, but, Workington, whilst it is no Cheltenham, or Bath, is a rather pleasant place.
The afternoon passes sitting in the sun, eating ice-cream and drinking cool beer, plus, a long chat with a pair of passing cyclists (Brian and Jan) who, it turns out, are also Motorhomers, and are staying just up the coast at Allonby. They are so impressed with the Marina, they say they may move to here tomorrow.
Thursday, 7th June 2018
Another beautiful day.
Kathleen is up for another cycle ride, but, "something different". She falls for this every time, I look up on Google, "cycle rides near me", and com up with a likely ride which some "Road Warrior", on a £3,000 carbon frame bike has posted, as a "easy ride".
Today, is no exception.
We set off on a 22 mile ride, which is a circuit, from Maryport.
The first ten miles is easy going, along the coast to Allonby, only problem, we are riding into the wind.
At Allonby, turn inland and head for Westnewton, slightly uphill, but, no problem.
This is Kathleen, at Westnewton, roughly ten miles in, and still smiling.
This is before the "undulating" bit. Undulating is the word I use to describe hilly, when convincing Kathleen to attempt a particular route.
A slight hiccup at Aspatria, where we miss our turn off, but, after a sandwich stop, we are back on track, and, it is definitely hilly.
You will note, there are no further photographs, this is because:
a) I am too busy peddling to take them
b) there is no way Kathleen would allow the world to see her sweating up a hill!
After 19 miles, we come upon a pub, time for a cooling shandy.
The barmaid, a healthy 20 something year old assures us, "Maryport is just down the road, about a mile".
She clearly has omitted to notice:
a) we are not in a car
b) we are two 70 year olds, not 20 something, like her
c) we have already cycled 19 miles
It is definitely more than a mile! but, we make it, sitting eating Magnums, in the sun, it is already beginning to turn into "not too bad".
Sunny and forecast for 20C, but, still a stiff breeze from the NE.
On the promise of todays pleasant weather and the forecast for the next few days, Kathleen books us in for another three days. Most of the other vans have left, is it us, we wonder, so, we are down to ourselves and one other van.
No sooner have I thought the place is emptying, than two vans arrive, so, we are back up to four.
Today, we cycle Sustrans Route 72, for just over seven miles, to the south, to Workington. The name does not conjure up attractive thoughts, in my mind, but, Workington, whilst it is no Cheltenham, or Bath, is a rather pleasant place.
The afternoon passes sitting in the sun, eating ice-cream and drinking cool beer, plus, a long chat with a pair of passing cyclists (Brian and Jan) who, it turns out, are also Motorhomers, and are staying just up the coast at Allonby. They are so impressed with the Marina, they say they may move to here tomorrow.
Thursday, 7th June 2018
Another beautiful day.
Kathleen is up for another cycle ride, but, "something different". She falls for this every time, I look up on Google, "cycle rides near me", and com up with a likely ride which some "Road Warrior", on a £3,000 carbon frame bike has posted, as a "easy ride".
We set off on a 22 mile ride, which is a circuit, from Maryport.
The first ten miles is easy going, along the coast to Allonby, only problem, we are riding into the wind.
At Allonby, turn inland and head for Westnewton, slightly uphill, but, no problem.
This is before the "undulating" bit. Undulating is the word I use to describe hilly, when convincing Kathleen to attempt a particular route.
A slight hiccup at Aspatria, where we miss our turn off, but, after a sandwich stop, we are back on track, and, it is definitely hilly.
You will note, there are no further photographs, this is because:
a) I am too busy peddling to take them
b) there is no way Kathleen would allow the world to see her sweating up a hill!
After 19 miles, we come upon a pub, time for a cooling shandy.
The barmaid, a healthy 20 something year old assures us, "Maryport is just down the road, about a mile".
She clearly has omitted to notice:
a) we are not in a car
b) we are two 70 year olds, not 20 something, like her
c) we have already cycled 19 miles
It is definitely more than a mile! but, we make it, sitting eating Magnums, in the sun, it is already beginning to turn into "not too bad".
Tuesday, 5 June 2018
A short break to Cumbrian Coast
Monday, 4th June 2018
Generally, people visit Cumbria for the Lake District. While browsing the internet one evening, I came across some reviews of a small Site at the Marina in Maryport. It sounded rather good, so, we decided to go there for a few days.
A little last minute food shopping, and then an uneventful 120 mile drive to Maryport, using our new Nozatek 7" Truck Sat-nav, £35 off eBay. No issues, so, it appears to work!
It is dull and damp when we leave home, we arrive, at Maryport, around lunch time, it is warm, sunny and windy.
The site at the Marina is clean and well organised, the reception staff are outstandingly friendly and helpful.
Maryport, the town seems a pleasant enough place, although it is clear it is "faded grandeur", it's glory days have long past.
We indulge in a five mile walk along the coast (of Solway Firth), north, toward Silloth.
The coast is probably best described as unspoilt, ie, it is undeveloped, other than a lengthy Promenade come sea wall, which stretches from Maryport to the Golf Course.
A coffee in the Aquarium Coffee Shop, followed by sitting in the sun, reading our books, back at the Marina.
Tuesday, 5th June 2018
Sunny with a forecast for 20C, but, there is a really strong NE wind blowing.
Kathleen is not happy at the propect of cycling in the wind, fair-weather cyclist I tell her, this is enough to spur her into action.
We cycle north, along the coast, following Sustrans Route 72, straight into the wind, beyond Allonby to Mawbray, 5 miles south of Silloth. I did have a little plan to cycle to Silloth, but, I cannot convince Kathleen to continue, into the wind.
We cycle back to Allonby and have a simple, but, very good lunch sitting in the sun at the local improbably named Baywatch Hotel. I can report, there were no bikini clad babes, or, musclebound Lifeguards.
Just over 17 miles in total, much easier on the return, with the wind behind us.
Generally, people visit Cumbria for the Lake District. While browsing the internet one evening, I came across some reviews of a small Site at the Marina in Maryport. It sounded rather good, so, we decided to go there for a few days.
The site at the Marina is clean and well organised, the reception staff are outstandingly friendly and helpful.
Maryport, the town seems a pleasant enough place, although it is clear it is "faded grandeur", it's glory days have long past.
The coast is probably best described as unspoilt, ie, it is undeveloped, other than a lengthy Promenade come sea wall, which stretches from Maryport to the Golf Course.
A coffee in the Aquarium Coffee Shop, followed by sitting in the sun, reading our books, back at the Marina.
Tuesday, 5th June 2018
Sunny with a forecast for 20C, but, there is a really strong NE wind blowing.
Kathleen is not happy at the propect of cycling in the wind, fair-weather cyclist I tell her, this is enough to spur her into action.
We cycle back to Allonby and have a simple, but, very good lunch sitting in the sun at the local improbably named Baywatch Hotel. I can report, there were no bikini clad babes, or, musclebound Lifeguards.
Just over 17 miles in total, much easier on the return, with the wind behind us.
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