Commons Wood CAMC Site, Welwyn Garden City (N51.780297, W0.189203) Continued

Friday, 4th June 2021

Mild, but, grey and cloudy, rains started at 10:00. Only showers, according to the forecast.

Looks as if the forecast is wrong (what a surprise), raining steadily all day.

Saturday, 5th June 2021

Bright sunny day, but, not too hot (21C).

Kathleen is game for a cycle ride, since we both sat about doing absolutely nothing, yesterday.

I have a little plan, Knebworth is within cycling distance, and, that will give me the "K" for my Cyclechat Towns and Villages Challenge.

We cycle to Knebworth, stop for lunch, then cycle back, just under 20 miles, mostly on Cycle Paths. 

I know the map says 17.96, that is due to User/Garmin malfunction, a small amount missed at beginning of ride, corrected from Kathleen Runkeeper recording.

There is slight dissent in the ranks, but, nothing major.

Sunday, 6th June 2021

The day starts dull and cloudy, then, it rains. Fortunately I had picked most stuff away yesterday, so, did not get too wet.

Unfortunately, the rain follows us to Norfolk, and, it starts raining en-route, then, again, more steadily mid-afternoon.

117 Miles to Norfolk Broads CAMC Site, Ludham, NR29 5NY (N52.70036 E1.51371), a mostly "cross country" route, very little motorway, A505 and A11 for most of the way.

 Our fancy new Sat-Nav (Garmin Camper 780), has a facility to tell you, miles in advance, of any traffic hold ups. Very clever. But, it doesn't actually achieve much, if there is no way to avoid the delay, it just makes you annoyed earlier.

There are massive hold ups on the A11, for little or no evidence of any actual work happening, similarly, the A47, except there, there is absolutely no sign of work, just a big hold up.

The site is almost full, first impressions favourable, clean, tidy and quiet.

  

Commons Wood CAMC Site, Welwyn Garden City (N51.780297, W0.189203).

Wednesday, 02/06/2021

Commons Wood CAMC Site, Welwyn Garden City.

Another sunny day, even warmer than yesterday at 27C.

Today is Gary's birth day, 49! where did those years go? 

Still doing my Cyclechat ABC Village and Towns Challenge, well, it gives a reason for a cycle ride (assuming, a reason to enjoy a ride on a bicycle is required?).

The next letter I require is "J", so, I plot a route to Jersey Farm.

A problem, or, user error?, with the Garmin, it fails to give instructions for the route, and, it would appear it cannot follow a route, and, record the activity distance, at the same time.

Not to worry, my homing-pigeon like navigation skills get us to the desired destination.

Some excellent cycling infrastructure in Welwyn and Hatfield, continuous, well maintained, no broken glass or other debris, South Tyneside Council take note.

It is so good, you could almost imagine you are in the Netherlands, except, the traffic does not give way to cyclists, here in UK.

I had actually plotted a circular route, back to the campsite, and, the Garmin had "come to life" by the time we reached Jersey Farm.

Kathleen was not up for taking any risks however, so, we took the "safe" option to navigate back the way we came, so 12.53 miles recorded.

There had been a problem at the site, apparently some clientele (presumably, the men) had not been obeying the Covid Rules, when using the facilities, so, the Wardens had closed the Male Facilities. 

A bit like being at school, I suppose, one person miss-behaves, and the who class get detention. There were mutterings of

discontent, threats to cancel Club membership etc. 

By the time we returned, after our cycle ride, facilities had re-opened.

A difficult choice, what are the wardens to do, if people will insist on ignoring the fairly simple rules?

Thursday, 03/06/2021

My phone says it is 18C, at 08:00, but, it feels slightly cooler than that, still very nice.

After yesterday's cycling, today is scheduled to be a walking day, but, first, a FaceTime call to wish grandson Gabriel a happy eleventh birthday. In the event, didn't get Gabriel, but, son, Gary, so, was able to wish him a belated happy birthday, for yesterday. Perhaps, I will get to speak to Gabriel tomorrow? ;)

Google maps comes good, to find the Morrisons supermarket, approximately two miles away, ingredients for this evenings salad duly purchased.

An otherwise lazy day, sitting in the sun. Weather forecast says we may get rain tomorrow.

  

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

 Monday, 31st May 2021

Hazy start to the day, but, by 10:00 bright sunshine, and 21C.

A Cycle ride, to Hayes, just over 16 miles, there and back. We follow the route we took to Iver, but, at Cowley Lock, we stay on the canal towpath, past West Drayton and on to Hayes. The quality of the towpath is excellent in this area.

I forgot to take camera, so, will have to extract some stills from the video footage.

The route begins nice and quiet, and easy, downhill on Tilehouse Lane.

A tried section on a track alongside A412, not so quiet, then, into Village Lane and through Denham Village.

Then, alongside the really busy, and noisy, A40, for a short distance.

To Uxbridge, where we join the canal (Grand Union) towpath. Much quieter, except for walkers and worse still, dog walkers.

We pass this old sailing barge, goodness knows how that got under some of the bridges we have passed?

Passed, West Drayton, which looks very smart, at least the small section we pass through does.

When we get back to the site, new neighbours, arrive, shortly after our return, a couple, in caravan with two small boys. 

Although driving a UK registered car, they are clearly not Brits, cannot quite recognise the language they speak to each other. 

The elder boy is called Gabriel, like our grandson, the younger is called Alexanjra. Yes, I know that looks wrong, but, he insisted it was with a "j" and not a "d", we was very specific about it, although, he is only 4 years old.

Kathleen asks the youngest how old he is, he, with no inhibitions (as children are), then, asks her age, and expresses amazement that she is 74, that is almost 100 he says! Some training clearly needed if a career in the Diplomatic Service is to be a possibility ;)

Tuesday, 1st June 2021

Full sunshine and 25C. Hot for driving. 

Today, we head for Commons Wood CAMC Site, Welwyn Garden City (N51.780297, W0.189203).

First, a food shopping trip, by bicycle, only 2.4 miles, to Denham Green and back, but, hard going up a long hill, with two full panniers of wine, milk, potatoes etc. 

I am sure we could have done this shopping at Tesco Extra, Hadfield, in the Retail Park, where Kathleen managed to buy some new clothes. "Essential" purchases, you understand.

Only 43 miles, some delays due to HS2 works disrupting traffic. 

Fortunately, once through that, most people seemed to be going in the opposite direction, to us, particularly on the M25, which was in full "car-park mode", anti-clockwise, ie in the direction of Heathrow. But, we should be grateful for small mercies, at least there was no hail storm, this time!

Neufchatel-En-Bray, Camping St Claire, Welwyn Garden City, Commons Wood, and Finally, Home (April 17th - April 21st)

Friday, 17th April 2015

A leisurely start, to let the early morning traffic clear, all of those people going to some place called "work", I don't know what they see in it myself.

An easy 139 miles, negotiating Rouen like we have done it before (which of course we have), to our old regular, Camping St Claire, Neufchatel-en-Bray.

I know, I always sing the praises of this place, but, it really has a lot going for it.

The owner and his wife, keep the place pristine, it is only 14Euro (£10.50) a night, plus, it is an easy two hour drive from here to Calais.

Finally, if all that is not enough, for the dog owners, there is, I am told, a convenient vet in the town, who will do the necessary for travelling dogs, cheaper than the Vets in Calais.

First task is to book ourselves a ferry, for our return trip. Many people we have met on our travels swear by the Caravan Club. If my experience is anything to go by, I cannot endorse that. I first check on old favourite ferrysavers, and find a price of £69, Dunkirk->Dover, for van and trailer. Caravan Club come up with a price of £109! When I point out, I can get a better price myself, they come up with £63 for the same crossing I found on Ferrysavers. So, I have "saved" £6, but, I had to do all of the work, plus, I had to do the transaction via telephone, because their website cannot deal with booking for Campervans with Trailers. The last I find amazing, what is a car and caravan, except a car with a big trailer?

Moan over, time for a glass of Red!

For a blow by blow account, until the Camera runs out of memory:

Marboue to Neufchatel-en-Bray, Part 1 of 15
Marboue to Neufchatel-en-Bray, Part 2 of 15
Marboue to Neufchatel-en-Bray, Part 3 of 15
Marboue to Neufchatel-en-Bray, Part 4 of 15
Marboue to Neufchatel-en-Bray, Part 5 of 15
Marboue to Neufchatel-en-Bray, Part 6 of 15
Marboue to Neufchatel-en-Bray, Part 7 of 15
Marboue to Neufchatel-en-Bray, Part 8 of 15
Marboue to Neufchatel-en-Bray, Part 9 of 15
Marboue to Neufchatel-en-Bray, Part 10 of 15
Marboue to Neufchatel-en-Bray, Part 11 of 15
Marboue to Neufchatel-en-Bray, Part 12 of 15
Marboue to Neufchatel-en-Bray, Part 13 of 15
Marboue to Neufchatel-en-Bray, Part 14 of 15
Marboue to Neufchatel-en-Bray, Part 15 of 15

Saturday 18th April 2015

A sunny day, but, cool compared to what we have been used to at about 16C, the penalty of being so far north I suppose.

Once breakfast is over, and the debris from last nights pizzas and wine drinking is cleared away, I get the folding bicycles out, and we go cycling along the "Voie Vert", for a very pleasant 15 miles.

The cycle track here was always very good, but, it has been even further improved.

There is a better tarmac surface, a couple of new cafes (in restored trackside buildings from the railway days), and a new picnic area with toilets, picnic tables. There is even an undercover picnic table, in case it rains!.

These are all new additions, since our last visit here, approximately one year ago.

We cycle in the direction of "Forges des Eaux", which about 18 kilometres (11 miles)away, although, we don't actually go all of the way there ( we have done in the past, when the legs were younger).

One of the couples who are our neighbours, head off in the opposite direction, toward Dieppe, which is about 34 kilometers (20 miles) away. I have frequently tried to talk Kathleen into attempting this, but, without success.

Our neighbours, on their return, report that the cycle track does not actually go all of the way to Dieppe, the last few miles being on the road, so, perhaps it is not such a good idea after all.

I think, however, I will still keep working at getting Kathleen to cycle to the end of the cycle track!










 Sunday, 19th April 2015

Bright and sunny, but, with a brisk wind from the north, not very warm, only 16C.

Kathleen is off to church.

After three months of heavy relaxation, we decide to spend the day, taking it easy!

Monday, 20th April 2015

A leisurely drive to Dunkirk with a little last minute, wine shopping.

Kathleen cannot resist a final few bottles of her favourite Rose wine, but, the bottle are loose with no boxes.

Kathleen's solution, is to put them in the bed, to stop them rolling around and rattling.

At the ferry port, unusually, in our experience, they actually check the van for "stowaways". This involves a Security man searching the van, quite what he thinks of a British Pensioner who takes her wine to bed with her, he does not say.

Back in the UK, the M25 is actually moving, even the Dartford Crossing has only slow moving queues, thanks, presumably to the new toll system.

Once we are sure we can make it that far, Kathleen rings the Caravan Club Site, Commons Wood, at Welwyn Garden City. They are, as always, extremely helpful, and arrange to be available to check us in at our estimated arrival time of 08:00pm.

Tuesday, 21st April 2015

Except for a puncture, in one of the trailer tyres, an uneventful journey home. Fortunately, we carry a spare wheel for the trailer, so, other than the half hour delay, to change the wheel, no problem.

A very pleasant surprise on our return, daughter Claire has cut the lawns regularly, in our absence, so, we are not faced with the usual major grass cutting job!

For those who cannot resist, the journey from Neufchatel-en-Bray to Dunkirk, then, Dover to Welwyn Garden City.

Neufchatel-en-Bray to Dunkirk, Part 1 of 30
Neufchatel-en-Bray to Dunkirk, Part 2 of 30
Neufchatel-en-Bray to Dunkirk, Part 3 of 30
Neufchatel-en-Bray to Dunkirk, Part 4 of 30
Neufchatel-en-Bray to Dunkirk, Part 5 of 30
Neufchatel-en-Bray to Dunkirk, Part 6 of 30
Neufchatel-en-Bray to Dunkirk, Part 7 of 30
Neufchatel-en-Bray to Dunkirk, Part 8 of 30
Neufchatel-en-Bray to Dunkirk, Part 9 of 30
Neufchatel-en-Bray to Dunkirk, Part 10 of 30
Neufchatel-en-Bray to Dunkirk, Part 11 of 30
Neufchatel-en-Bray to Dunkirk, Part 12 of 30
Neufchatel-en-Bray to Dunkirk, Part 13 of 30
Neufchatel-en-Bray to Dunkirk, Part 14 of 30
Neufchatel-en-Bray to Dunkirk, Part 15 of 30
Neufchatel-en-Bray to Dunkirk, Part 16 of 30
Neufchatel-en-Bray to Dunkirk Part 17 of 30
Neufchatel-en-Bray to Dunkirk, Part 18 of 30
Neufchatel-en-Bray to Dunkirk, Part 19 of 30
Neufchatel-en-Bray to Dunkirk, Part 20 of 30
Neufchatel-en-Bray to Dunkirk, Part 21 of 30
Neufchatel-en-Bray to Dunkirk, Part 22 of 30
Neufchatel-en-Bray to Dunkirk, Part 23 of 30
Neufchatel-en-Bray to Dunkirk, Part 24 of 30
Neufchatel-en-Bray to Dunkirk, Part 25 of 30
Neufchatel-en-Bray to Dunkirk, Part 26 of 30
Neufchatel-en-Bray to Dunkirk, Part 27 of 30
Neufchatel-en-Bray to Dunkirk, Part 28 of 30
Neufchatel-en-Bray to Dunkirk, Part 29 of 30
Neufchatel-en-Bray to Dunkirk, Part 30 of 30, boarding the ferry

Then Dover to Welwyn Garden City, or, until the memory runs out!

Dover towards Welwyn Garden City, Part 1 of 5
Dover towards Welwyn Garden City, Part 2 of 5
Dover towards Welwyn Garden City, Part 3 of 5
Dover towards Welwyn Garden City, Part 4 of 5
Dover towards Welwyn Garden City, Part 5 of 5



July 7th, 2010 - July 10th 2010

 As we were packing up to leave Stenay, an English chap and his wife (Ray and Jan), engaged us in conversation. They too were planning to move on, and head for Charlville-Mezieres.

Kathleen is now focused on shopping for wine, to take home with us, so we call at Aldi and Lidl on the outskirts of town.

Charleville-Mezieres – Aire

First impressions of this aire, are good.

It is located just outside of a Campsite (Camping Mont Olympe), overlooking a Marina on River Muese.

All of this is within a public park area, with walking paths, rowing boats, tennis courts etc etc.

The aire itself is free, with a charge of 5 Euro / day for electricity (if you want it), there are only four hookup points, but there is parking for 8 vans in marked bays, and room for probably at least as many again in unmarked spaces.

When we plug in our power lead, we find the electricity supply is on, but Kathleen’s Catholic conscience, will trouble her if we do not pay, so I go to reception and pay up our five Euro.

We have a good view over the Marina, from our van.

When we arrive at around lunch time, five of the eight marked bays are occupied.

By 16:00, there are 12 vans there. The secret seems to be with these places, you have to arrive not later than about 15:00 to get a space.

We set off to buy bread for lunch, as we walk past the campsite, I notice a campervan we had seen yesterday, at Stenay.

The couple in it had very kindly explained to us how to get into the Aire, at Stenay etc, and where to get bread. They were able to tell us again, where to get bread in this new place. We do not know their names, only that they are from Whitehaven. So, they shall be known to us as “the English couple who knew where to buy bread”.

We return with bread and also a little treat, Apple Tart, to find that Ray and Jan (another couple who we met at Stenay) have arrived.

The park area, campsite and aire are effectively on a large island in the River Muese. There is a pedestrian bridge over the river to make a short walk to the very attractive town centre.

Kathleen keeping cool by a fountain in Charlesville-Meziers.

Shopping street in Charlesville-Meziers.

Ducal Square in Charlesville-Meziers, where we rest with a cool beer.












Thursday and we leave Charlesville-Meziers, saying goodbye to Jan and Ray.

We pass an aire at Catillon-sur-Sambre, it looks pleasant, by a canal.

We are pretty sure this is where Joan and Bryan a couple of nights ago. But it has no facilities at all, so we continue on to the next aire we have picked out.

Le Cateau Cambresis – Aire

The Aire at Le Cateau Cambresis is a fairly typical basic overnight stopping place with some facilities.

It has marked parking bays for five vans, with space for probably one or two more at a push.

There are four Electric hook-up points, with free Electric and free water.

It is beside a busy and noisy road and about five minutes walk into a town which has seen better days.

Things follow a familiar pattern, we are the only ones there at 14:00, then another British van arrives (Andy and Shiela from near Plymouth), and then  one by one four French vans, so the place ends up full.

Andy and Sheila walk into town to eat in the evening and tell us there is a good restaurant in the Hotel, there.

Friday, it is getting near the weekend and the need to find a church becomes Kathleen's obsession.

The plan is to stay on an Aire at Escalles (south of Calais), but when we arrive there, the Aire is full.

We set off for our second choice, which is north of Dunkirk. As we pass Dunkirk, we stop and ring Norfolk Line to see if we can get on a ferry today, instead of 09:00 Sunday morning. It is now about 14:45 on Friday, and they tell us we can go on the 18:00 this evening, with no extra charge other than the usual £10 fee for changing a booking.

When we arrive at the check in, they are still checking in vehicles for the 16:00 ferry, and since it is not full, they put on that, soon we are on the dockside, going through the usual search of the van by Immigration, looking for illegal immigrants, pets etc

Welwyn - Caravan Club Site

We arrive at Dover, at 17:00 UK time. We decide to make an overnight stop, rather than drive the 350 mile shome, having driven for most of the day already. The M25 and Dartford Crossing are there usual traffic jam, and we make it only as far as the Caravan Club site at Welwyn by 20:00, but by 21:00, we are all set up, and eating Spaghetti Bolognaise cooked by Kathleen's fair hand.

Saturday, and we have a leisurely drive home. As lunch time approaches, Kathleen expresses an interest in having a bacon sandwich.

This is such an unusaul request from her, that I begin eagerly watching out for truck stops which may provide a decent bacon sandwich.

Before I succeed in finding one, Kathleen changes her mind (well it is a woman's perogative) and declares a desire for a pub lunch.

So we stop off at Retford for a pub lunch, just to keep the "holiday spirit" going a little longer.

Kathleen even kindly offered to pay for lunch, out of our "holiday fund". Since we both contribute equally to this, I failed to see how this could be contrued as a "treat" to me by her, since I was paying half anyway!

The end of another trip!

Very enjoyable, particularly enjoyed Germany, and would recommend it.