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Friday, 28th June 2019
Weather looking good again, can this be true, two warm (24C), sunny days in a row?
We are torn between cycling to Great Malvern, or, Worcester. Great Malvern is nearer at just over four miles, while Worcester is about 9 miles away.
In the end, I choose Great Malvern.
Yesterday, I think I finally convinced Kathleen I can find my way, using an OS Map! But, perhaps, today, I should have paid more attention to the contour lines on the map. Great Malvern is nearer, than Worcester, but, it is also up a rather big hill (called appropriately enough, The Malvern Hills! ).
But, we manage the eleven mile round trip, without complaint.
Great Malvern is rather genteel, but, it has a Wetherspoons!
Having said that, it is the poshest Wetherspoons I have seen todate!
After a ringing endorsement, from a local resident, who began chatting to us, as we studied the offerings of "The Red Lion" (which did not appear to be open), we had a remarkably good and reasonably priced lunch in Wetherspoons. It included the largest glass of red wine I have ever been served in a UK pub!
After the uphill ride here, it was a case of freewheeling (almost) all of the way back to the site.
An evening stroll to Hanley Swan, and a relax by, what was once, presumably, the village pond, to round off the day.
Saturday, 29th June 2019
Bright and sunny, 30C is forecast!
Today, we decide to cycle to Tewkesbury. It is a little ambitious, the plan is to take the smaller country roads. The temperature is forecast at 30C, in the event, it reaches 31C.
According to Google, the distance (via the shortest route) is a little over ten miles, quite "doable".
Sure enough, we take the "scenic" and quieter route, but, that turns out to be almost 19 miles THERE.
Discussions during our lunch break, mean a change of plan, we will take a chance and return via the shortest route. According to the OS Map, it is part of National Cycle Route 45 (on-road), it is also the A38!
But, the fact I am typing this means, we lived to tell the tail. Thirty miles in 31C, not bad for two 72 year olds!
As a "reward" we call in at Upton-on-Severn, and, Kathleen buys (well, I actually pay, so, I suppose, technically, that should read "Ken buys yet another waistcoat for Kathleen"), yet another waistcoat
Wednesday, 26th June 2019
A reasonable journey of approximately 240 miles, to Malvern Hills CAMC Site (N52.09674, W2.27805), Guarlford, near Worcester.
The usual miles and miles of "roadworks", and contraflows, with 50, 40 and even 30mph speed limits on several sections of motorway, with no visible signs of any work being done, the joys of travelling in the UK!
Despite the promising weather forecast, a journey of grey skies and occasional rain, amazingly for June, only 12C as we travelled down the East side of the country, rising to a more promising 19C when we had crossed to the West side.
Thursday, 27th June 2019
Hurray! The sun is out! Warm, bright, dry, fantastic, or, in other words, as it should be in June.
A cycle ride to Upton-on-Severn, roughly 11 miles, on quiet lanes and shared cycle tracks. Upton-on-Severn, appears to be a sleepy little place, but, with a bit of "busyness" as preparations for a Jazz Festival at the weekend are in full swing.
Kathleen has a fun time trying on Waistcoats at a Hospice Charity Shop, and, ends up with a "bargain" at £5!, followed by a pleasant lunch.
We get back to the van, to find Kathleen has lost her "favourite" hat. It so happens, our (caravan) neighbours, who have also cycled to Upton-on-Severn and had spotted her hat, on the cycle track, but, not knowing it was Kathleen's, had left it there. So, they volunteered to give us a lift back to collect it. Nice people, from the North East of course (Tanfield)!.
So, Kathleen is happy, re-united with her favourite hat, and, a bargain waistcoat!
Saturday, 8th June 2019
Torrential rain for the whole journey.
Approximately 130 miles, including a quick stop at home, to drop off "wedding attire".
Sunday, 9th June 2019
Starts sunny with a little cloud, followed by lots of cloud, but, no rain!
Sunday, of course, is "Church day" for Kathleen. We cycle approximately 4 miles to York, English Martyrs Church.
After Church, we cycle into central York for a light lunch of coffee and sandwiches, after which, we find our way back to Naburn lock, via a slightly different route, which, I suppose, is a way of saying, we could not find our way back to our original route.
Monday, 10th June 2019
Starts sunny, followed by cloud, and then, rain.
A bus ride followed by a small spending spree, at the nearby Designer Outlet Centre. A suitable indoor venue for a cloudy and cool day.
Tuesday, 11th June 2019
Dismal day, windy, cloudy, cold, and occasional showers.
A little explore of the surrounding area, on foot, of Naburn Lock, Naburn Village and York Marina.
There are lots of wild flowers, to remind us, it IS summer!
The Marina is very smart, and we linger for coffee and cake, rather expensive however, £12 for what would cost £8 at Costa or Starbucks.
There is a Caravan/Motorhome area, right by the river, with excellent views, well worth considering
Wednesday,12th June 2019
Heavy rain throughout the night. Improving to light drizzle by morning, and just cool, rather than cold. Think positive!
Kathleen suggests a trip into York, shop(!), and have lunch. As much as I hate shopping, even I have to agree that, given the weather, it is a good idea.
Thursday, 13th June 2019
Yet another night of heavy rain. This is becoming boring. Cloudy, mild, with just a hint of brightness this morning.
The weather forecast says it is not going to rain until 15:00 today, so, we set off on bicycles, to cycle to Selby, approximately 10 miles away (well, I have not actually told Kathleen this is my intention, such information is shared on a "need to know" basis). The route is rather good, mostly following some of Sustrans Route 65 (Trans-Pennine Route).
No complaints going, Kathleen even spots a deer just off the cycle track. Coffee and cake in Selby. The weather forecast lied, rain starts at about 12:00, as we are peddling back on our return journey, so, we do get rather wet.
Friday, 14th June 2019
This is definitely becoming tedious, rain all night, and, still raining all morning! Eventually, 14:00, rain stops but still thick cloud.
Looks as if the most exciting thing today is going to be Steak and Chips for evening meal!
Saturday, 15th June 2019
Surprise, surprise, we are leaving, rain has stopped, sunny!
Home by lunch time.
Monday, 3rd June 2019
We meet up with my brother, Brian, and his wife, Linda, in their super new Rapido A Class.
We are assembling at Dunstanhill Camping and Caravan Club Site (N55.485454, W1.629158), ready to attend Charlotte and Dan's wedding Newton Hall, on Thursday.
We arrive first, while Brian and Linda get themselves set up, we walk to the coast and Dunstanburgh Castle, this walk has apparently been designated as one of the top 100 walks in the country.
Where to eat, there is a choice of two pubs with food, in Embleton, but, The Black Bull / Sambuca, is closed Monday and Tuesday, so, Greys Inn is the automatic choice. Food is very nice, but, the pub is too busy to be comfortable (plus, too many dogs, ie more than zero, for my taste).
Tuesday, 4th June 2019
Cloudy, but, dry, warm.
We take the bus to Alnwick.
The object of the exercise is to obtain forgotten, but, "essential" hair care items (ie "Three Day Straight", no, I don't know that that is either).
Mission accomplished, we take the bus back, getting off at Craster, to walk the 2-3 miles along the coastal path from Craster to Embleton.
Wednesday, 5th June 2019
Torrential overnight rain, followed by bright and sunny start, but, eventually clouding over and becoming positively cool.
Bus to Seahouses, walk to Brampton Castle, along the beach.
Lunch in Seahouses.
We discover that there are three, not two, places to eat in Embleton, the third being, Dunstanburgh Castle Hotel, and, this is where we eat this evening.
Thursday, 6th June 2019
Thankfully, the weather is kind, mild, sunny and dry for Charlotte and Dan's wedding.
A very enjoyable day, at Newton Hall.
Friday, 7th June 2019
Mild and sunny day.
A "lazy" day, not exactly hung over, but, we (well I) did eat and drink rather a lot yesterday!
Saturday, 8th June 2019
Torrential rain this morning, while we pack to leave.
