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.
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.
Storm Eunice on its way to meet you at Bath, and now been issued with a red warning. You might have tie Kathleen and the van down! Take care
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