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).
We do the "Grandparent baby sitting" role, to allow Gary and Susana to do last minute shopping for party items, for Salma's second birthday party, planned for tomorrow. A very enjoyable afternoon, although Salma steadfastly refuses to have her afternoon nap. Gabriel entertains us by practicing his guitar, particularly his rendition of "Happy Birth", which he plans to perform tomorrow at Salma's party. An excellent meal in the evening, clearly, Gary gets his cooking skills from his mother, not me! The final excitement is using Uber for a taxi ride for the first time. A "conventional" taxi company wanted £70 to take us from Windsor to Chertsey (a distance of about 8 miles), an Uber driver did it for £29. Driver polite, car clean, driving safe. What more can you ask, I will use them again.
Sunday, 4th February 2018 Dry, but cold. A quick lunch, then off to Maidenhead to set things up for Salma's Birthday Party. The party is excellent, all of the children seem to enjoy themselves, just about all of the food is eaten, no-one is ill, or injured in the melee, and the parents have a good old chin wag, a resounding success. Monday, 5th February 2018 The weather forecast says it may snow, we escape with just a few flakes drifting across the A1, as we drive home, but, it is very, very cold again.
We leave Chertsey C&CC site at 09:00, and have a totally uneventful drive home.
Bright and sunny, but, bitterly cold. Like most Northerners, I suspect, I tend to believe the hype that we live in the frozen North, and it is so much more pleasant and mild in the South of England, I am beginning to dis-believe this myth!
We investigate the whereabouts of the Catholic Church, so, Kathleen's Sunday Mass requirements are organised, then make our way into Chertsey make our way to Windsor, via Staines, on the bus.
Today is our Grand-daughter, Salma's, second birthday, it is only a few weeks since we saw her, but, she is comming along in leaps and bounds. Grandson Gabriel is at school, but, we have a pleasant evening when he comes home, from school, Grandad doing the homework duties, very enjoyable. I wonder how long before the homework is too difficult for me? Frightening how quickly they grow up! Friday, 2nd February 2018 A dry and sunny morning, but, not very warm.
A little explore of Chertsey, looking for a cake shop (without success), before 11:00am coffee.
After lunch, a very pleasant stroll along the Thames, toward Staines.
On reflection, we should have got the bicycles out and cycled. Despite the fact we are inside the M25, and in the Greater London catchment, we are walking along a mixture of quiet road and Thames Path.
This is a rather beautiful part of England, probably less than ten miles from Central London and perhaps three miles from
Heathrow Airport, but, with plenty of open spaces and probably more wildlife (squirrels, ducks, geese, woodpeckers) than we see on a typical walk at home. It is a pity the houses are so eye-wateringly expensive!
My original idea is to walk to Staines (approximately 3.7 miles, along the River Thames from Chertsey), and catch the bus back. But, instead, we walk as far as Penton Lock, and then retrace our steps to Chertsey, to clock up 5 miles of walking.
A bright and sunny day, temperatures about what one would expect, for January in the UK, ie 6-8C, altogether a very pleasant day. Lazing about and reading books, or, Private Eye, in my case, until lunch time. After lunch, the bicycles are unloaded. This will be our first bicycle ride for six weeks, due to combination of, poor weather, winter coughs and colds, post Christmas idleness. Peterborough certainly appears to have excellent cycling infrastructure, we are able to ride from the campsite to the city centre (3 miles) on tarmac cycle track / shared path, without once going on the road. In total we cycle approximately 9 miles, not bad for our first day back in the saddle after a six week break.
It is the first time I have ever been to Peterborough, I am pleasantly surprised, initial impressions are very favourable, the campsite is clean and well organised (as you would expect from the Caravan and Motorhome Club), the Nene Valley Country Park around the site, is well organised and attractive, and, the town centre is pleasant with a good selection of shops (if you like shops).
The site is large, and there are many activities available in the Nene Valley Country Park, so, I would suspect the site is popular with families, which in turn, probably means it is busy during School Holiday times, but, it is pleasantly quiet during our stay, just as we like it! Wednesday, 31st January 2018 After yesterday, which was rather pleasant, weatherise, today is dull, and, it begins to rain just as I am in the middle of packing up (ie disconnection TV aerial, rolling up EHU cable etc. We have a leisurely departure (10:00) and make our way the approximately 100 miles to Chertsey.
Despite the fairly constant rain, it is an easy run, even the M25 is moving at a steady speed, so, we arrive at Chertsey Camping and Caravan Club Site (N51 23'27" W0 29'21") before the 13:00 booking in time.
We have been to the Chertsey C&CC Site several times. For essentially a "city" site, (we are only a few miles from Central London), it is rather nice, but, being also just a few miles from Heathrow Airport, one of the busiest airports in the world, some aircraft noise is to be expected. Not enough to spoil our enjoyment, or keep us awake. The weather brightens, with full sunshine for a while, but, by evening, it is very cold. Today is our Wedding Anniversary (31 years), after getting booked in and set up, we head to the Kingfisher for a celebratory meal. Definitely a good choice, very pleasant surroundings, right by the River Thames, and a good choice of dishes, some unusual items and, some more traditional meals.
This is not going to be a very exciting post, for the next few days we are going to be travelling almost continually. Our last day in the UK, for a couple of months starts with a wet morning but, eventually "improves" to be bloody freezing, with only occasional rain.
We leave Chertsey C&CC site and make our way along the southern M25 to Canterbury, New Dover Road Park and Ride. Being the dutiful husband, I have checked out the Mass times in Canterbury, so, that is Kathleen occupied for the evening. If there is anything in this Religion "game", and or course, assuming the Catholics are the "chosen ones", then I should be sitting pretty, having ensured Kathleen can always attended Mass. The route from Canterbury to the Channel Tunnel check-in is, shall we say, "interesting", a real cross country route. But, as usual the check-in is slick, and, we are soon on the 11:30, heading for Calais. Out of the tunnel and 65 miles to the Aire at Baie de Somme. The Aire is on the Toll section, so, we have to pay the toll (6Euro) for that section to stay there. For once, the place is deserted, we are the only ones there. We are too tired to care about that, (well I am), and I at least have a sound few hours sleep. Sunday morning, drizzle, dry after Rouen, then, a little sunshine, followed by more drizzle, but, a mild 12C
300 miles to Poitiers Futurscope (N46 39.813' : E0 22.094'), not exactly palatial, water, electricity are extra (by the hour and litre, 2euro/hour for Electric and 2Euro/100Litre for the water), at least it is secure I suppose, and, not far off the main road. A pretty exhausting day for me, driving almost none stop from 8:00 until 16:30, but, Kathleen does the dutiful wife act and produces a Chicken Curry, a can of beer and a bottle of wine!
Not a good start to our trip, doubtful weather and "Storm Doris" means gale force winds, but, reasonably mild, and not too much rain. There is plenty of evidence of small branches blown down from the trees, and, overnight, the noise of the wind blowing through the trees on the campsite is quite loud, enough to keep Kathleen awake, although, I cannot say I noticed it, until Kathleen woke me up to tell me about it! I am not sure about this new fangled naming of storms, before, we just used to have the odd windy day, now, we have storms, and News Presenters staggering about Blackpool seafront in the wind and rain.
These few days are spent visiting Gary, Susana, Gabriel and Salma, for "Grandchildren bonding" time. Gabriel of course is at school, but, we see him in the evening and take him to his Karate Class. Salma, is coming along wonderfully, hair has grown, some teeth are there with more coming, and she is mobile (a combination of crawling and shuffling along on her bottom).
We get to check out the (soon to be, we hope) new house, and, meet new neighbours to be. Plenty of work to do, but, I am sure it will be beautiful when it is all finished! Finally Kathleen and Salma have a joint, slightly delayed birthday party, a 1st birthday and a 70th birthday.
Saturday, 11th February 2017 We exchanged our "Tesco Vouchers" for a Tunnel voucher, some weeks ago, ready to book a crossing. Then, the dreaded "medication review" for Kathleen threw a spanner in the works. Changes of medication, blood pressure monitoring, blood samples combine to mean, no booking can be made. But, today, we bite the bullet and book, given the minimum 14 day notice period, we are on for 25th February 2017, Spain, and sunshine (we hope), here we come. Previously, we have always been light on planning, ie, we did not really do any, but, this trip, with only one driver, I feel a bit more "pressured" and therefore inclined to have at least a vague plan. First, a four day stop-over to see grandchildren Gabriel and Salma, and their parents (Gary and Susana) of course. We cannot get into our "usual" stop over (Queens Acre, Oakley Green, Windsor), so, we will be staying at Chertsey Camping and Caravan Club site.
We are booked on the tunnel, 12:30am Saturday, ie, just after midnight, so the plan is, after exiting tunnel, drive to Baie-de-Somme Aire on the A16, about 60 miles, then sleep. So, if all goes as planned, the map on the right is the first leg of our journey, with a stop-over to visit Gary and Susana and do some grandchildren bonding of course. Next, head for the Somport Tunnel (weather permitting), hopefully two overnight stops should do it, before the tunnel. Somport Tunnel Route, perhaps, I will not show this to Kathleen in advance?
We have the obligatory "Garden Photograph" to give Claire something to aspire to in her "looking after the garden" role, during our absence. Tuesday, 21st February 2017.
We get away pretty much on time, ie 9:40, so far, nothing of significance appears to have been left behind. So far the only thing we are aware of leaving behind is a loaf of bread, it's absence was discovered at our lunch stop. For once, an easy drive south to Chertsey, not one traffic hold up, well, not until we reach the M3 junction on the M25, so, 290 easy miles, to arrive at Chertsey, Camping and Caravan Club Site at approximately 17:00.
Sunday, 14th February 2016 We have a new grand-daughter, Salma, born 1st February 2016.
Salma lives in Windsor, with parents, Gary and Susana, and older brother Gabriel.
For some reason, there is a lack of campsites in the immediate area around Windsor. At this time of year (February) in the UK, we would not consider anywhere without EHU, no point in freezing!
I do find two small, CL type sites, (Newtonside Orchard Campsite, Old Windsor) including one which Gary had also noticed, very close to where they live (Queens Acre Caravan Site, a C&CC Certified Site).
Unfortunately, both were full, even the "full size" C&CC site at Chertsey is showing on the website as being fully booked. Fortunately, we do manage to get in there. The perils of half-term!
The journey South is uneventful, and reasonably pleasant, except for the interminable roadworks and speed restrictions on the M1. Monday 15th February 2016 A bitterly cold day, with heavy frost in the morning. It is quite possible to take the bus to Windsor, from Chertsey, but, Gary and Gabriel come in the car to give us a lift, which is very thoughtful and kind of them.
The day is spent admiring, nursing and generally fussing over the new arrival, Salma, and, why not indeed, she is a little beauty.
Tuesday 16th February 2016
A visit to the Royal Horticultural Societies Gardens at Wisley, with Gary and Gabriel. Plenty of things to keep Gabriel amused, especially throwing stones onto the ice of the many ornamental ponds. For the "grown-ups" a very pleasant lunch. We do actually have a shrub similar to this one in our garden at home, I do hope it does not grow as large as this one! At this time of year, when it is cold outside, and, most plants are not at their best, the moth and butterfly house is a warm attraction. Kathleen given the choice between walking in a cold garden and overcoming her dislike of moths to walk in
the tropical warmth of the moth and butterfly house, chose the latter!
Wednesday 17th February 2016 We make the journey to Windsor by bus, and meet up with Gary, Susana, Gabriel and Salma. Salma is off to have her passport photograph taken, at only 17 days old. She is clearly destined to be a globe trotter, like the well travelled Gabriel
We head off to visit Windsor Castle, with Gabriel. No photographs are allowed inside, although how they enforce this rule in this age of mobile phones with cameras, is anyone's guess. Gabriel is impressed with the numerous exhibits of swords, guns, various other weapons and suits of armour, but, not so interested in the rooms and rooms of portraits and antique furniture. After a pleasant meal back at Gary and Susana's, we head back to Chertsey on the bus. As is often the case, we find that travelling in a strange area, in the dark, has it's pit falls. At Staines, we are too late to spot the bus-stop we should get off at to catch the connecting bus to Chertsey. Not too much of a hardship, we travel on to Staines bus-station so, no harm done.
Thursday 18th February 2016 Dry and cold today, another bus ride to Windsor, to spend our final day of this visit with Gabriel and Salma (Gary, Susana and Susana's mother will be there too of course!). Friday 19th February 2016
A pleasant drive home, subject only to the inevitable roadworks on the M1.
