Polstead CCC Site, Suffolk,... Contd. and Home

 Wednesday, 23rd February 2022

Today begins, actually, sunshine, dry, and, calm. A bit chilly at 3C, but, the weather forecast promises 11C.

By 10:00, the temperature is up to a reasonable 10C, and, we go for our first cycle ride of the year.

Just over 10 miles, to nearby Hadleigh and return.

Google maps suggests there is a route, avoiding the main A1071, but, although we make it most of the way there without going on the A1071, we end up on there for last 1-2 miles, not pleasant.

While we were looking for the supermarket in Hadleigh, I noticed a signpost to Lower Layham, which, I know from yesterdays walking, is a possible route back to the Campsite. We return via this much quieter route, through Lower Layham, then, on to Polstead Heath, a couple of miles further, but, much more enjoyable.

A photograph of my bike in front of a water tower, for no reason, other than, it is one of the amusing(?) challenges in on the CycleChat Forum.

Thursday, 24th February 2022

It is raining again.

The plan is to stop off at Newark, Milestone CAMC Site.

By the time we reach Newark, we re-think. It is cold and wet, and, only 12:00, we decide we may as well push on and go home, as sit in the van, in the rain, at Newark.

Approximately 280 miles, and we are home, at 16:15.

No problems, except massive queue for fuel at Grantham, I haven't seen or heard any News today, and, later, learn that Russia has invaded Ukraine this morning. Not sure if queue for fuel are panic buying, or, something more mundane, ie, tills broken down?

Polstead CCC Site, Suffolk (N52 1'31" E0 53'40").

 Sunday, 20th February 2022

Not raining this morning, just cloudy and windy, which, I suppose, given the weather over the passed few days, sounds rather good.

I have checked out the nearest pubs, as you would expect, we have a choice of The Brewers Arms, or, The Cock Inn.

We decide to walk to the Cock Inn, and, possibly have Sunday Lunch there. 

Google Maps says it is 1,75 miles, the signpost outside the campsite says a more optimistic 1.25 miles. Our circular route gives us a total of 4.2 miles, so, I think Google Maps is the winner for accuracy.

A pleasant walk, although, in places very wet, a little wading required in one section. 

Not a problem if you ignore the comments from behind. I don't understand the problem, I did offer to give her a Piggy-back through the water.

We meet a local couple, en-route who tell us the Cock Inn is closed, due to a power cut, as a result of Storm Eunice, so, it is going to be, Kathleen to the rescue, with a homemade Sunday Dinner.

We are in American Airbase territory here, but,

the only evidence I have seen so far is this rather out of place car, it is certainly a long way from Glendale, Arizona.

Monday, 21st February 2022

Storm Franklin arrived overnight, and, is still here this morning. According to the BBC, it should begin to die down by lunch time. In the mean-time we have leaden skies, 8C, and, a howling gale.

Tuesday, 22nd February 2022

It is not raining, the wind has died down to a stiff breeze, there is even a little sunshine!

Not wanting to waste a spell without rain, we go walking.

We manage 6.66 miles (a rather ominous number), all along very quiet country lanes.

We reach the village of Lower Layham,, before deciding it is time to make our way back to the Campsite.

Unfortunately we do not encounter a hostelry to quench our thirst, although, I do discover, too late, that there is a pub (The Queens Head), in the village, of Laytham, we just did not pass it, I also learn, afterwards, it is irrelevant, the Queens Head does not open until 6pm today.

Mostly dry underfoot, except. one rather large flooded area in Popes Green Lane.

This of course, is "my fault" for bringing us this way. The small detail that Kathleen has been

striding ahead and dictating the route since we set off is not relevant.

All in all, a very pleasant outing, we even manage to get back before the rain begins again.

Penn Hill CL, Bath (N51 23'35" W2 24'8").

Tuesday, 15th February 2022

 It is raining, again.

My first task for the morning is to clean the mud from our shoes, after yesterday evening's "short cut" through the mini forest. 

But, not before Kathleen has stood in the doorway and clapped her shoes together, scattering bits of mud over the immediate area outside the door, just where you step, before entering van. 

Count to ten, say nothing, life will be much easier.

I find a large coconut mat, attached to a wooden

pallet, behind our water and electric service point, so, I drag that into position as a first stage "feet wiping station".

Today, in daylight, but, still raining, we take the "sensible route" to the Park and Ride, only 0.7 miles, so, no big deal. Bus every ten minutes into Bath City Centre, and, the final stop is only five minutes walk from the Abbey.

We meet up with Susana, who has travelled here by train, then, off to the Abbey, for the Concert at 13:00.

A thoroughly enjoyable time, listening to the Concert, followed by a brief time to see and talk with Gabriel, before he is whisked off with his fellow choir members to their Youth Hostel accommodation.

Wednesday, 16th February 2022

More rain, overnight, but, not raining by daylight (only because it is blowing a gale). 

Last night, TV would not work on "3" router, or, using one of our Phones (Tesco/O2) as a "hot spot", speed too low for video. So, no soaps for Kathleen. Tempers are becoming frayed.

Decided we better organise our next stop over (after calling at Windsor). It is a good job we decided to do it, what a nightmare. 

First choice, Chertsey, CCC, is being refurbished, and not open until October 2022.

Second Choice, Oxford, CCC, is full! (in February).

Third Choice, Cambridge, Cherry Hinton, CAMC, is full!

Fourth Choice, The Willows, Brampton, Cambridgeshire, Independent, not answering their phone and no online booking system.

Finally, we plump for Polstead CCC site, in Suffolk.

This is no fun, roll-on the return to Mainland Europe and just turning up at a site!

Manage to get the TV working, via the Internet, using Tesco/O2 signal on my iPhone. Smiley face has returned.

Thursday, 17th February 2022

Approximately 90 miles to Windsor.

Great to see Gary, Susana, Gabriel and Salma.

Gabriel is home from his School Choir Tour, a little tired, obviously, lots of fun, and, not very much sleeping was had after "lights out".

Salma is at school, half term for her dressy begin until next week.

Plenty of fun time, with Gabriel, and, Salma, plus Gary and Susana, of course.

Friday, 18th February 2022.

The plan this morning is to drive to Polstead CCC Site, Suffolk, but,  Storm Eunice suggests otherwise. There is a Meterological Office Red Alert, do not travel unless absolutely necessary. The wind is already very strong, and, forecast to get worse.

Commonsense dictates that we do not travel, and sit it out here.

Gabriel is scheduled to attend a friend's birthday party and sleep over, so, we don't see much more oh him.

Salma's school is closed, because of the weather, so, we play schools, and spend our time, counting and practicing writing.

By evening, the weather has improved to just a strong wind, although, TV reports are full of extreme weather, snow, wind, rain, wild seas. There are no trains running, many trees down, no ferries running, from Dover.

Saturday, 19th February 2022

The weather has calmed down considerably today, hardly any wind, and, a hint of sunshine. 

Approximately 110 miles to Polstead CCC Site,Polstead, Suffolk. (N52 1'31" E0 53'40").

A pretty boring drive, round M25, then A12 (what a busy and boring road!).

We arrive at Polstead, just after midday. It will probably be a very pretty place, in the sunshine, but, it is raining heavily. Being positive, it is calm.

We are greeted by a very jolly warden who assure us she has selected a pitch for us, which will allow us to get all day sunshine. She is obviously an optimist, as she stands there in her waterproof, rain water running down her face. 

By 16:15, rain has stopped, and cloud is clearing, can we hope for a little sunshine? 

To Bath, to hear/see Gabriel singing in Choir, then... not decided yet

Sunday, 13th February 2022, Poolsbook CAMC Site

 The day begins cloudy and overcast, then, goes downhill from there. By the time we leave home, it is raining steadily, by Thirsk, it is pouring down, and we head south on the A1M in a cloud of spray. 

We have decided to break our journey at Poolsbrook CAMC Site, Staveley, Derbyshire, (N53.257986 W1.352283), so, 135 miles ticked off and another (approximately) 170 to go.

We have been to Poolsbrook CAMC Site before, about 6 years ago. The site is the usual high standard CAMC Site. It is located on the site of a former Colliery, but, all rather attractively reclaimed and landscaped now, with plenty of walking and cycling paths. Unfortunately, the "reclamation" has not been so kind to nearby Staveley, which is a sort of Derbyshire version of Jarrow.

We are only hear for one night, this time, but, Idont think we will be doing any walking or cycling, the rain continues.

Monday, 14th February 2022, Penn Hill CL

It is not raining when we wake up, it even stays dry as we have breakfast, but, right at the time. I have to do the "outside things" ie, disconnect EHU, roll-up cable etc, the rain begins.

Approximately 170 miles to Penn Hill CL, Bath (N51 23'35" W2 24'8"). The rain has stopped, but, it clearly has been raining a lot here. 

Not the easiest CL to find!

There is lots of mud, which is one of Kathleen's pet hates. So, initial impressions are not favourable, perhaps things would have been different if it had been a warm sunny day?

This is a CAMC CL, it has EHU, waste disposal etc, but, no Toilets or Showers, so, it is "use your own facilities.

The owner, Merv, appears to be well over 80, he is very polite and helpful.

Bath has introduced a "Clean Air Zone", our van, being Euro6 classified, incurs no charge, but, never-the-less we follow the route to avoid the Clean Air Zone. Let us just say, that is an adventure in it's own right, some very steep hills, and, some very narrow roads. 

Once we are "set up", we set off to find the Abbey, ready for tomorrow's Choir Concert, in which Gabriel is singing. 

There is a choice of buses, but, unsurprising we decide to walk. It is 2.2 miles, all down hill, but, of course, that means 2.2 miles back, all up hill.

Mission accomplished, Abbey found, all ready for tomorrow.

On the. return trip, someone (not me) makes an executive decision no to retrace our steps. Result, we end up at Newbridge P&R, and, have a very muddy and steep walk through a mini forest, in the dark. Not an exercise we intend to repeat.