Wyatts Covert CAMC Site, Denham, (N51.5934 W0.50826) contd

Saturday, 29th May 2021.

 Sunny with a cloud, but, no rain, 20C.

Plain to see it is a Bank Holiday week-end, lost of new arrivals, and, site is almost, but, not quite full.

Yesterday was cycling, so, today is walking.

We set off to walk to Denham Village (there are several "Denham", Denham Green, Denham Garden Village, Denham Village, and Upper Denham, being those we have encountered, so far).

True to form, we are "distracted" by a public footpath we spot as we walk along Tilehouse Lane.

It takes us on a very scenic route, which, according to my homing pigeon instinct, will eventually bring us to the A412.

Despite Kathleen's scepticism, we do eventually emerge on the A412, near Village Lane, where we cycled yesterday.

Other than the busy A412, we have managed to walk through quiet country lanes, and public footpaths.

It is very warm, and, thirst, plus the desire for a toilet stop, means we are in search of a suitable pub.

Although we did not pass any pubs as we

cycled through Denham Village, yesterday, the information, back at the Campsite, claims, there are pubs there. 

Sure enough, we come upon The Falcon Inn, Denham Village, which allows for a toilet stop, and, a suitable refreshing alcoholic drink.

Sunday, 30th May 2021

After yesterday's heat and sunshine, a disappointingly cool and murky morning, 21C is promised for later.

The 21C does in fact arrive, by shortly after 10:30, a lazy day (for me), Kathleen does household chores, ie washing our clothes, I suspect I will hear more of that.

Wyatts Covert CAMC Site, Denham, (N51.5934 W0.50826) contd

Thursday, 27th May 2021

19C,and sunny. The best weather we have had, this trip, if not this year! How long will it last?

We need a few groceries, a walk is planned, to include passing the shops in Denham Green.

There is a bridle path, which I recall we walked along on a previous visit. It heads in the general direction we want to go.

Sure enough, we arrive at the A412 (which passes through Denham Green), but, it a busy road to walk along (no footpath). 

Memory from last trip, says we should cross the road and go straight ahead, but, the way is barred by HS2 works.

There is a path through the trees, which, appears to head in the right direction, off we go, with Kathleen in the lead.

We eventually run out of path, and, we can no longer see or hear the road.

I am so pleased I was not in front!, but, needless to say, "getting lost" is still my fault. Apparently, I 'told her which way to go", as anyone knows, you do not "tell" a McCaffery anything, particularly a "McCaffery woman". Life is such fun ;)

We eventually find our way back to the main road (A412), and, do the sensible thing, ie follow the road. Sure enough, we come to Denham Green and the COOP Supermarket.

After lunch, we make the most of the sunshine, and sit reading books.

Later, we explore another nearby bridle path. About a mile in, it becomes very wet and muddy. 

Kathleen has spent quite a while cleaning her shoes, after this morning's "adventure", so, no repeat this afternoon, we turn back.

Friday, 28th May 2021

Cloudy, but, mild, and, most importantly, not raining. 19C is promised for today.

During Covid lock-down, I began to do various CycleChat Challenges, to relieve the boredom, and, provide a reason to get out in the fresh air and do some exercise. One of the challenges is ABC of Town and Village names. I am currently at "H", with "I" needed next.

I notice that there is a place called Iver, not too far away.

I use Cycle-Routes website to plot a suitable route, and load it into my Garmin Edge. It is all rather clever, the Cycle-Routes Website, will automatically transfer the GPS Route to Garmin Connect, and Garmin Express will automatically loads it into the Garmin Edge.

Off we go, 13 miles of quiet roads, or, Cycle Paths, plus, a stretch along the Towpath of the Grand Union Canal.

Actually, the technology does not work quite flawlessly, the Garmin plots our route fine, but, it does not record my statistics, distance, speed etc, so, I have to rely on Kathleen's Runkeeper log. There must be a way, next time!

I get my Cyclechat Challenge photographs, with Iver Village, and, a bonus "bike on a bridge", as we go over the M25 Motorway.

Yes, I am obsessed, Kathleen already told me ;)

Now, or course, we have to find our way back. The route here was quite complicated, with lots of turns, we (well, I) decide, the easier option is to make our way to Uxbridge, then,

follow the canal back to The Bear on The Barge Pub, at which point, turn. off towards Wyatts Covert.

All goes well, we even come upon a pub (The General Elliot), by the canal, in Uxbridge, where we stop for lunch.

We have been here before, some five years ago, when out cycling with Gary.

I have a little fun, trying to emulate Doug's photographs, taken, I assume, using a timer.

My camera has a timer function. I manage to get it to work, but, I think I need to work on the steadiness of the camera stand, obviously, balanced on my cycling helmet does not surfice.

 

Wyatts Covert CAMC Site, Denham, (N51.5934 W0.50826) contd

 Wednesday, 26th May 2021

Cloudy, and no blue sky, but.... it is not actually raining.

We risk a cycle ride along the Grand Union Canal, approximately ten miles.

We initially set off North, towards Gerrards Cross, but, after the last ten days of rain, the towpath has deep puddles and many muddy sections, not to Kathleen's liking, fear of wobbling and falling in the canal. 

A reasonable concern, how would I retrieve the bike? Perhaps I should stick a length of rope and a hook, in my backpack, just in case?

We turn around and head more or less South, towards Uxbridge.

Coffee and cake is consumed.

Lots of bridges, along the Grand Union Canal, so, too bike a temptation to miss, for the Cyclechat "My Bike on a Bridge" challenge, actually, they are mostly "My bike in front of a Bridge", but, that appears to be allowed.

Tilehouse Lane, at the entrance to the site, is a gold mine for "My Bike in Front of a Gate", Cyclechat Challenge photographs.

We also get an "incident", not sure if this unfortunate person has been involved in a Road Traffic Accident, or, if they have simply taken ill, whichever, a significant Police presence, but, no ambulance in sight.

 

Morn Hill CAMC Site to Wyatts Covert CAMC Site

Monday, 24th May 2021

Morn Hill CAMC Site contd....

At 08:00, the sun is shining, the birds are singing. 

At 08:30, it is pouring with rain, again. 

A stop off at Tesco (Winchester) to replenish the food stuffs.

Then approximately sixty miles (M3, M25, M40) to Denham, Wyatts Covert.

Unbelievably bad weather, considering it is almost the end of May!

At best, it is dull, at worse, torrential rain, and, even hail stones!

I don't like so called "smart" motorways, with no hard shoulder,  at the best of times, but, in poor weather, they can be even worse, not the place to breakdown, like this poor chap on the M3, who has lost a wheel!

Poor visibility on M25

Rain and hail on the M40 SB!, in May

Wyatts Covert CAMC Site, Denham, (N51.5934 W0.50826)

A site we have visited before. The last time, we enjoyed lots of cycling along the Grand Union Canal, hopefully, weather will allow us to do so again!

The weather forecast is for warmer and dryer weather over the next few days... watch this space

Tuesday, 25th May 2021

Wyatts Covert CAMC Site, Denham, (N51.5934 W0.50826) contd

It is not raining when we wake up! The weather forecast says no rain until 13:00, but, at 10:00, just as we are thinking of going out walking!

The rain eventually stops, and, we manage a five mile walk of exploration, without any rain, this is remarkable.

The forecast 13:00 rain does not arrive, and, there are even brief periods of sunshine! I am tempted to get the seats our and emulate Doug, catching a few rays, but, I am wary of tempting providence.

We have been to Wyatts Covert before, but, it was 5 years ago, and memories of lay of the land are dimmed. 

We do not find the Grand Union Canal on our wanderings today, but, we know it is within walking cycling distance. Also, the small road leading from the site (Tilehouse Lane) is closed in one direction, because of HS2 works.

Now 19:00 and, no rain since 10:30, I think this is the longest period with rain for about ten days!

  

  

Morn Hill CAMC Site (N51.06208 ; W1.25846) contd...

Friday, 21st May 2021

Difficult though it is to believe, todays weather is worse than we have had so far, ie, raining, windy and cold!

Highlight of the day, there is a burger van comes to the site in the evening (18:00 - 20:00).

Cheese burger and Chips for me, and Chicken Kebab (with salad) for Kathleen means that Kathleen does not have to "slave over a hot stove, cooking a meal" (her words). Not Cordon Bleu food, but, by Burger Van standards, very good; generous portions; good chips; all hot (not the salad obviously); reasonable at £13.

I also treated Kathleen to a White Chocolate Magnum. I am too generous.

Saturday, 22nd May 2021

Overnight rain, again, but, briefly, dry in the morning, rain is back by 10:00.

The weather forecast did promise a dry but cloudy day today, they lied.

Another day of reading books, and/or surfing the internet.

Sunday, 23rd May 2021

Today, we were supposed to meet up with Gary, Susana, Gabriel and Salma for Sunday lunch at a nearby pub, followed by a walk in the countryside.

The weather forecast was dreadful, and, since they have a 50 mile drive to get here, I decided yesterday, to cancel and hope for better weather later this coming week.

When we woke up this morning, dry and sunny, damn, I thought, I have cancelled, and, it is going to be a nice day.

Wrong! 09:30 and it is pouring with rain, just as forecast!, and, the rain continues sporadically until 17:00, then, it becomes persistent.

 

Morn Hill CAMC Site (N51.06208 ; W1.25846) contd...

Tuesday, 18th May 2021

A dry and sunny start to the day, but, the forecast is more(!) rain. 10c and 15c forecast.

We take the short bus ride into Winchester (only about two miles). Only a short walk from the site, to the bus-stop (No 64 bus)

Winchester is mostly a quaint old place, but, the shopping area has, like many town centres, seen better days. Many empty premises and a surplus of charity shops.

Never-the-less, Kathleen manages a little retail therapy, and, is extra pleased when she discovers the chosen item is only half the ticket price.

A muffin, toasted tea-cake and coffee in Costa Coffee, something we have not done since February 2020!

There are numerous Military Museums, but, not really our scene, so, we stroll through a couple of parks and around  the area called Peninsula Barracks.

According to the plaque, William the Conqueror built a castle here, in 1069, this was besieged by Oliver Cromwell in 1645. Charles II had a Palace, designed by Sir Christopher Wren, built here in 1683. This

unfortunately burned down in 1894. The existing buildings were built in 1896-1903, as Barracks. 

The MOD subsequently used some of the buildings to house Military Museums, and, the rest was converted to Private Dwellings (and, very nice they are too!).

We have enjoyed a pleasant visit to Winchester, and, surprise, surprise, it has not rained!

Catching the bus back to Morn Hill proves a slight challenge. 

We got off the bus just outside the Bus-Station. 

It seemed reasonable to assume, that the bus would leave from the bus-station.

Wrong, no sign of the 64 service in the bus-station, so, we walk to the stop where we got off, the good news is, this is where the return bus lives from. The bad news is, a number 64 was just leaving, as we arrived.

With half an hour to wait for the next bus, (impatient) Kathleen elects to walk to the next bus stop. This turns out to be a good half mile up a very steep hill! All is not lost, the bus does arrive.

We get back to Morn Hill, and the van, with minutes to spare before there is a rain and hail storm.

Wednesday, 19th May 2021

Surprise, surprise! it is rain again overnight and this morning. Sun eventually appears by 09:30.

A sad day today. Funeral for niece, Andrea. Due to Covid restrictions, the funeral was live streamed via Zoom. A very fitting tribute to a life cut so suddenly short, she was only 41. 

A short bus trip into Winchester in the afternoon.

The wait for the bus back to the campsite provided an excuse (if an excuse is ever needed), to visit "The Crown and Anchor", beside Winchester Bus Station. It is the first time I have been IN a pub, since February 2020, due to Covid restrictions. Bit of a work up to be honest, track and trace formalities, masks, one way systems.... not relaxed in the least.

Thursday, 20th May 2021

It is not raining, but, it is overcast and cool. I think we need a bit of global warming!

We walk to the village of Easton, the rain holds off, and starts just as we return to the Van.

The purpose, in addition to bit of exercise and fresh air,  is partly to check out the distance and location of The Chestnut Horse, pub, which is destined to be our lunch venue on Sunday, possibly, with Gary, Susana and the children. 

Quite doable at just over 2 miles, and, we manage a 5.8 mile walk, in total, including a wander around the village of Easton, which is a very pleasant place, and, very quiet.

While having a little look around the Church (St Marys) Kathleen met a lady who hailed from Ponteland, and, had retired here. 

We find two pubs (The Cricketers and The Chestnut Horse), but, no coffee shop (which we were told, did exist).

  

 

Windsor to Morn Hill CAMC Site (N51.06208 ; W1.25846)

Monday, 17th May 2021

Up early to see Gabriel and Salma off to school, for the last time this visit.

These photographs were taken by Susana, but, we discover that Salma has taken to helping herself to Susana's iPhone, and, taking

photographs!

Like so!

Only 50 miles today, but, most of it in a rain and hailstorm of Tropical proportions.

Morn Hill CAMC Site, Winchester, Hampshire (N51.06208 ; W1.25846)

An unusual CAMC site, in that, there are no hard standing pitches, and, tents are accepted. The lack of hard standing pitches is a bit of a concern, given the amount of rain we have had, and, are still having. 

 

To Windsor

 Wednesday, 12th May 2021

The usual garden photograph, before we leave, to set the standard. Plus, a few more to illustrate the changes taking place with new fence, mostly being undertaken by neighbour Steve, although, I have lent the sweat of my brow to the effort.

Approximately 280 uneventful miles. A bit of sunshine, a bit or rain, typical of the weather we have been having recently.

We find Gary & Susana's new house, without a problem (it is our first visit). 

Parking the van is a bit of an ordeal, but, possible.

Absolutely wonderful to see the family (Gary, Susana, Gabriel and Salma, after so many months of Covid restrictions.

Everyone looking well and happy, the children have grown so much.

The new house is excellent.

Thursday, 13th May 2021

Not blessed with good weather, cool, and, showers, some very heavy, throughout the day.

Two (walking) laps of Bray lake with Gary and Susana, followed by lunch sitting outside a cafe by the lake (it stayed fine for the duration of lunch). 

Playing in the garden with Salma, after she returned from school, followed by collecting Gabriel from school after one of his activity filled days, with an 18:00 finish.

Friday, 14th May 2021

More overnight rain, and, a cloudy day forecast.

Saturday, 15th May 2021

Another indifferent day, weatherise. 

A full day, In the morning we attend Gabriel's Saturday morning football session, they draw 1-1, which is an improvement on being beaten. Gabriel does not manage to score, much to his disappointment, but, he puts in a valiant effort.

We are dutiful Grandparents and freeze on the touch line, whilst shouting encouragement.

Horse riding in the afternoon (Gabriel and Salma, not us grandparents!). 

Myself and Gabriel begin making an Airfix model of a Red Arrows training jet. Airfix models appear much more complex than I remember as a ten year old!

Table tennis in the evening with Gabriel, he tells me I am "quite good", I think, he is being kind.

Sunday, 16th May 2021

A heavy work day today, but, enjoyable because lots was achieved, and, I was in good company.

In the morning, work with Gary and Gabriel to fill skip with rubbish and rubble at the "old" house. Gabriel worked extremely hard, encouraged, no doubt, by my stories of how children his age (11), used to be sent up chimneys, down coal mines etc. His efforts were redoubled when he thought he may be getting paid minimum wage for his labours.

In the afternoon, a little relaxation, playing table tennis with Gabriel, followed by weeding, grass cutting, and strimming, with Gary, Gabriel and Kathleen.

In the meantime, Kathleen had Salma at the park, and, even, a little try at skate-boarding!