A light hearted and (I hope) amusing record of some of our Campervan Trips.
It is mainly intended to inform friends and family where we are, plus, to keep our children updated on what is happening to their inheritance.
I do try to include details of Camp Sites and Aires, we visit. Checkout the "labels" listed in the right margin,
Please comment if you feel inclined, at least then I know I am not talking to myself (again).
The start of a short break. We should, normally, be having two months in Europe at this time, but, Kathleen's persistent health problems mean we cannot make it. So, three days in the English Lake District will have to do. Nice place, but, a bit of a poor substitute for two months in France and/or Germany! Approximately 90 uneventful miles, to Camping and Caravan Club, Windermere Site. (N54 21.656 W2 48.138).
The site is as you would expect, from one of the two major UK Clubs, clean, tidy, friendly and helpful staff. No adverse reflection on the site, but, it is not "our kind of site", a bit too big, and, rather remote (particularly if you are in a Motorhome).
We begin our visit with a walk to the nearest village, Staveley, a little under two miles of pleasant walking, along a well defined path or lane, through the fields. Coffee and an excellent fruit scone with jam, as a reward.
Wednesday 12th September 2018 Sunny with showers, mild A substantial walk, almost two miles, to the nearest bus stop, or, to be precise, a place where the bus will, at the discretion of the driver, stop for you. Since it is not an "official" bus stop, we have to guess at the arrival time, but, sure enough, a bus to Kendal does arrive and picks us up. It is not the service we were waiting for, but, who cares? I recall visiting Kendal as a child, but, far too long ago to remember, either the place, or, quite why we went there! Kendal is a rather interesting place to wander, lots of little courtyards etc, and, not too many shops, my kind of place. Unfortunately, it is rather busy, and upsets Kathleen's equilibrium, so, it is a short visit. Thursday 13th September 2018 Torrential overnight rain, followed by a cool and showery day The original plan was to take the bus to Windermere. The windy, wet and cool day dampens Kathleen's enthusiasm somewhat.
After consulting Google Maps, I suggest a walk to the Sun Inn, Crook, for lunch (2 miles away along tarmac surface). Failure, Sun Inn not open for lunch, despite what the website says. We walk from the Sun Inn to Staveley, (2.5 miles) much grumbling. I Phone ahead to Eagle and Child, Staveley, to ensure they are open for lunch! Moderately good lunch then walk back to the van, across the fields, get caught in rain shower. Friday 14th September 2018 More rain overnight, and, still raining this morning. An uneventful drive, to arrive home shortly after lunch time.
Monday, 9th July 2018 The day begins cloudy, and, for once, in many days, indeed weeks, does not turn out to be sunny. Warm, humid and looking as if it is going to thunder, but, nothing happens! Time to leave Sandringham.
We drive the 56 miles (not a dual carriageway in site) to Woodhall Spa Camping and Caravan Club Site (N53 9'11" W0 10'9"). Once a wartime RAF and Army Camp, now a campsite. Once settled in, we cycle into Woodhall Spa village. It is like stepping back into the 1940's ! Indeed, there was a "1940's re-enactment" over the weekend we are told. They would not have to do much "re-enacting"! Very quaint. Woodhall Spa is famous for it's association with RAF 617 Squadron (the Dam Busters) of WW2 fame. We knew nothing of this of course, all credit to Google and Wikipedia! Tuesday, 10th July 2018 The day starts cloudy, but, but lunch time, it is sunny, and a rather hot 24C. We cycle to Horncastle and back, just over 11 miles. Horncastle is another place which is like stepping back 50 years. Very nice to see, hardly a National chain present (Tesco and Coop being the only ones I spot). Many small independent retailers populate the high street, however, as is the way with just about every high street throughout the UK, there is a big Charity Shop presence, never a good sign! We have a coffee, and, I have a piece of excellent fruit cake, paid for by Kathleen. Otherwise, an unremarkable place. Very pleasant cycle ride however. Wednesday, 11th July 2018 Yet again, the day begins cloudy, but, no rain, and, by mid-afternoon, it is yet another sunny and hot day. Home, via a cross country route, taking in the impressive Humber Bridge.
Friday, 6th July 2018 Nature does it's bit, for the most important day of the week, ie "hair care day", it is a cool start, so hair-dryer wielding is made more bearable. By the time we are walking to the bus-stop, to catch the bus to Kings Lynn, it is a very warm 24C. The bus stop locations and timetable here appear to be a closely guarded secret. Kathleen, as is her way, asked at reception for directions to the nearest bus-stop, on Thursday evening. We followed the instructions, so we would be prepared for today. We did find a bus-stop, but, it was a long way off, and, involved walking along the busy A149, not pleasant, although, we did find a quieter and more pleasant return route, through the woods, which brought us out at the Campsite entrance. Not content with the instructions we had been given, I consulted the OS map, and decided there was a nearer bus-stop. Basically, at the site entrance, ie where the entrance drive meets the small road which is also Cycle Route 1, turn left, walk to the junction with the A149 (about 3/4 mile), turn left, and walk to the small group of cottages and Social Club, there is a bus stop there. It would appear there are a choice of two buses at this stop (34 and 36).
Kathleen rarely if ever accepts that I can actually read a map, but, amazingly, she agreed to follow my route, and, even agreed it was much shorter, and easier than the route we were given at Reception. Kings Lynn, is a reasonably pleasant place, a rather quaint Medieval section, with the nicely preserved buildings. There is the inevitable Church, or, Minster, in this instance, "stolen" by Henry VIII, or, re-assigned to stop the Pope interfering in International affairs, depending on your point of view, and which version of History you got
at school. There is also a modern shopping centre, a very good range of shops, if you like that kind of thing, but, otherwise, an act of vandalism, in my humble opinion. We have a very pleasant light lunch, paid for by Kathleen, followed by the inevitable trail around the shops, I meet several bored husbands, and, Kathleen acquires a new "top". For our return journey, we return to the bus station. There is a bus (35) boarding. My reading of Google etc, tells me it will take us where we wish to go, but, not to exactly the same bus-stop. I am trusted again, twice in one day, not sure I can handle this. It turns out to be an even better choice than this morning. The bus turns off the A149 and heads for West Newton, passing the Caravan and Motorhome Club site. There is a bus-stop at the entrance to the site. Get off there, walk through the site, between pitches 75 and 77, there is a walkway, to a gate, go through the gate, follow the well defined path and, you are at the Camping and Caravan Club site in 5 minutes. Saturday, 7th July 2018 Another sunny day
We have "done" Kings Lynn on the bus, so, today, we decide we will cycle there (and back of course). The route follows Sustrans Cycle Network Route 1 from the entrance of Sandringham Camping and Caravan Club Site , via Castle Rising, to Kings Lynn. The cycle route is mostly off road, and of good quality, definitely well signposted! We pause for Lunch in Castle Rising, on our return journey. To round off our day, England beat Sweden to go to Semi-Finals or the Work Cup (Football). Sunday, 8th July 2018 Yet another hot and sunny day 27C
Sunday, means church for Kathleen. We cycle to Dursingham, St Cecelia RC Church. Having got our bearings, we take the short route, three miles, not eight! Kathleen treats me to coffee and cake after she emerges from Church. If this is the effect church has, perhaps I should encourage daily attendance? A leisurely Sunday lunch, and reading our books in while sitting in the sun.
The brilliant weather continues, dry, sunny and hot (22C), for an uneventful 216 mile drive to Sandringham Camping and Caravan Club Site, N52° 49.095' E0° 29.596'. The only problem with going to almost anywhere in this part of the UK is the roads! You think you are almost there, as you leave the A1(M), but, then you have 70 miles (or more) or roads which do not seem to have been updated since the Romans built them for chariots! The A17 and A149 almost exclusively single carriageway, with large volumes of traffic. We arrive mid afternoon, so, sitting in the sun followed by evening meal and red wine is the order of the day. The site is typical Camping and Caravan Club, clean, organised, helpful and friendly staff. First impressions are that it is a bit "remote", but, we will explore tomorrow, and review that opinion, perhaps. We discover early in the morning, there appears to be an enormous population of Wood Pigeons, the noise of them "cooing" at dawn is enough to wake even me! Thursday, 5th July 2018 Another scorching hot day, 29C! Before the heat builds up, we go on our cycle ride. We thought Norfolk was a flat county, but, we appear to have chosen the area with hills! Cycle to Sandringham, via the attractively named Donkey Pond Hill Lane, then on to Dursingham, for lunch at the very pleasant Coach and Horses. Just over 11 miles, which is more than enough in this heat! We have had a pleasant lunch, and, found the Catholic Church, for Kathleen, on Sunday. I do hope we can remember the short way back (ie 2.5 miles rather than 7 miles). There appears to be a distinct lack of road signs in this part of Norfolk. Afternoon spent lying in the sun.
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!
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".
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.
Wednesday, 9th May 2018 Mild and sunny, well, as mild and sunny as it can be, in Calais at 06:00 in the morning, in early May!
The Motorhome area has filled up somewhat overnight, at Cite Europe, but, we have no difficulty in getting out. We arrive at the Tunnel Terminal in plenty of time and are put on an earlier shuttle, at no extra charge. All goes smoothly and we arrive at Ashford at 07:30, UK time. Amazingly, a clear ride along the M25, heavy traffic, but, no actual hold-ups, a stop for lunch, and, we are home by 15:30, 380 miles later.
Sunny and dry in Versailles, but, we have seen everything we want to see here, and, we are not really "city people", so, we decide to head for our old favourite Camping St Claire, Neufchatel-en-Bray (N49 44'14" E1 25' 40"). It is approximately 95 miles, and an easy drive on a combination of free motorway and excellent quality "N" and "D" roads. The only tricky bit was joining the A13, where the sat-nav called it exactly right, telling me to get in left hand lane and turn left to join the A13 toward Rouen. Even although the visible direction signs were saying right hand lane for A13! the sat-nav was right, there was a very small sign, not visible until you were making the actual turn, saying "A13 Rouen". Definitely a junction you would not have got right, if working from a map!
We arrive at Neufchatel-en-Bray to brilliant sunshine, Kathleen is soon in full "relaxing" mode.
Saturday 5th May 2018
An absolutely beautiful day, 9C at 08:00 and 22C by lunch time, full sunshine and blue skies. We go cycling, 20 miles along the Cycle Track towards Dieppe, as far as the village of Saint Vaast-d'EquiqueVille. We see two large groups of English cyclists, presumably, off the ferry at Dieppe.
Two villages along the cycle track, only about two miles from Neufchatel-en-Bray is a village called Mesniers-en-Bray, with a magnificently restored chateau, now, an Agricultural College, if my schoolboy French is correct.
Can't resist a few of Camping St Claire, the owner keeps it absolutely pristine. We (well Kathleen) manages a little relaxation, eventually, after waiting on Kathleen, I manage a little sit down too. Sunday, 6th May 2018 Even hotter than yesterday, blue skies and 27C ! Kathleen does here Sunday Church session, while I sit in the square, in the sun, and people watch. It is too hot for cycling today, sitting in the sun, eating ice-cream, drinking cold beer and reading a book. Barbecue in the evening, Kathleen is very adventurous and eats some French sausages (as well as some steaks). Monday, 7th May 2018 Another 27C, blue sky day.
We get out to do our cycling, before the heat builds up, 8.5 miles, along the cycle track, to Beaubec-la-Roserie, which appears to be a beautiful village, but, without a bar!. So, 17 miles, for the round trip. This being our last night here, we treat ourselves (or, to be more precise, I treat Kathleen) to an evening meal at the site Bistro. They have an indoor section, incase the weather is poor, or an outdoor terrace.
Given the excellent weather, we opt for the terrace, and have an excellent meal, including dessert and a bottle of wine for 40Euro, which I think is pretty reasonable.
Tuesday, 8th May 2018 Looks like another scorching 27C day at Neufchatel-en-Bray, and it is still sunny 24C when we arrive at Cite Europe, Coquelles, Calais.
Kathleen does the hair care routine, so, that takes up half the morning. In the meantime, I pack up "the gear", and we have a leisurely morning of sitting in the sun, drinking coffee. Checkout time is 12:00, and we leave just before that to drive the 100 miles approximately to Cite Europe (N50 55' 57" E1 48'48"). It is the first time we have used Cite Europe as a stopover before the Tunnel (we normally use Gravelines). Cite Europe has the advantage that we do not need to drive the 15 or so miles north, to Gravelines, and it is only a very short distance to the Tunnel Terminal. There is a large Shopping Mall, with shops, restaurants, and, if required toilets. Parking is free, and, security appears good (will confirm that in the morning, if we are still "intact"!).
