Devizes Camping and Caravan Club Site (N51.356511 W2.072076) and Home

Thursday, 7th October 2021

Dry and mild start to the day, 15C, with a promise of 19C, if the forecast is correct. 

Cannot convince Kathleen to risk drowning, by cycling along the Kennet and Avon Canal (NCN4), to Bradford-on-Avon, so, I go myself, whilst Kathleen reads her book. 

Just over 16 miles, and, I did not quite make it to Bradford-on-Avon Town.

On reflection, not sure Kathleen would have enjoyed it, some sections were very uneven, some rather muddy, and, a few rather narrow,

with a canal to potentially fall into, in fact, all of her pet hates about Cycle Tracks.

The upside was, it is traffic free, and, I saw lots of interesting things.

There are several of these swing bridges, along the canal, they have to be opened for boats to pass. They swivel and are pushed open by one person. 

I notice, that the passing canal boats are usually being steered by the man (husband), while the woman (wife) hops off and operates

the locks and the bridges.

Hadn't seen one of these bridges open, until today, when I happened to arrive at a bridge, just as a bait was about to go through.

Plenty of wild life too.

In the afternoon, we walk to Caen Hill Locks.

This is a series of 29 locks, 16 in the steepest section, which raise the canal by 237 feet over a distance of two miles.

Friday, 8th October 2021.

Similar to yesterday. Dry, cloudy, mild at 15C, with a promise of 18C. 

In the event, the promise of 18C was never realised, cloudy all day, with occasional drizzle.

No "fun" activities today, packing, ready for an early start tomorrow.

Saturday, 9th October 2021

We are up early (06:15) for an early start.

It is still dark, and, a typical autumn morning, cool (10C), damp, and foggy.

Remaining outside stuff packed away, in the dark, thankfully, I had previously purchased re-chargeable head torches (one each), much to Kathleen's amusement, but, they came in useful this morning.

We are at the Motorhome service point for 6:50, and, at the exit barrier for spot on 07:00, which is the time from which it will open.

Very foggy drive, on mostly small "A" roads, with a stop for breakfast at about 10:00, then, more small "A" roads, until we join the M69 at Coventry, then, onto M1 at Leicester.

Other than the morning fog, and one small hold up for road works, an easy drive of about 300 miles. 

Interestingly, this was not the Sat-Nav's preferred route, it came up with a longer route (340 miles) taking in more motorway (M4, M5). No doubt, it would have been quicker, if travelling by car, and, making full use of motorway speeds. So, for the Motorhome, Kathleen's route was more direct, and, certainly more varied.   

Devizes Camping and Caravan Club Site (N51.356511 W2.072076) Continued...

Tuesday, 5th October 2021

Overnight rain. Dry and sunny this morning, although windy, 12C, with a promise of 14C.

Bicycles are out, in anticipation.

As the day were on, wind strength increases, no cycling today.

A totally lazy day of browsing the Internet, and, eating chocolate.

Wednesday, 6th October 2021

Dry and sunny, 16C. A nice day for my birthday.

We cycle to Melksham ASDA, for Bread, butter and Wine.  Just over 9 miles.

There is a cycle route, along the towpath of the Kennet and Avon Canal (NCN Route 4), but, Kathleen was concerned she may fall in the canal, so, we risked the A365. 

I did seek to re-assure her that I would ensure her Debit Card did not get wet (see below), but, to no avail.

Difficult choice, drown or be run over?

As a birthday treat, Kathleen brings her Debit Card out of storage, and, takes me for lunch at the Brewery Inn.

A pleasant walk (1.7 miles) along the towpath of the Kennet and Avon Canal, to the Brewery Inn. 

A very pleasant lunch, and a couple of pints, then a walk back in the sunshine.

All with my lovely wife.

Brilliant way to spend my birthday.

Leave Windsor, arrive Devizes.

 Sunday, 3rd October 2021

Another cool morning only 10C.

Kathleen takes herself off to church while I pack up, then, watch a cartoon version of the Adamms Family with Gabriel and Salma.

Farewells to Gary, Susana, Gabriel and Salma.

Not a lot of traffic on the 80 mile drive, roughly half on M4, remainder on "A" Roads, to Devizes, probably all searching for petrol/diesel.

Lots of parked cars on the final approach, not too much of a problem to us, but, pleased I am am not towing a large twin-axle caravan!

Devizes Camping and Caravan Club Site N51.356511 W2.072076, our second visit here, first was 2012. 

The site is 100 metres from Kennet and Avon Canal. Wardens had even taken my joking Booking - "Additional Requirements: Some sunshine please" to heart and allocated us a sunny pitch (assuming sun shines of course).

Perhaps, the Caravan Club is going to have to up it's game, contactless checking in, no need to even go into reception, fees automatically taken on day of arrival. Plus, free WifI which actually works!

Monday, 4th October 2021

Torrential rain for most of the night, and, only 10C this morning, but, clear blue sky, and sun is shining.

Hair maintenance this morning (Kathleen, not me), which means, no way is a cycle helmet going to be worn, today.

So, a five mile walk along the (Kennet and Avon) Canal, a slight detour to Seend Cleve, to check out the Brewery Inn.

A drink at The Barge Inn, Seend, and a picnic lunch, sitting on a lock gate, by the canal.

We manage to do all of this, without getting wet, but, the rain starts again, in late afternoon.

 

Devizes Caravan Club Site, Seend, nr Devizes, Continued

Wednesday 30th May, and the weather is still superb!

After yesterdays cycle ride to Devizes, in deference to Kathleen's age, we avoid the hill on the way to Devizes, and head in the opposite direction, towards Bath.

This is much easier going, more or less level and a good smooth towpath.

Cycling for softies.

One or two very nice canalside pubs, but we resist the temptation to stop (for now).

We soon reach Trowbridge, with it's rather attractive Marina.

Eventually, we arrive at Bradford-on-Avon, a very pleasant small town.

Here we pause for our picnic lunch, and meet two fellow campervanners, Michael and Jenny.

They are staying at the same campsite as us, so have peddled the same distance.

It emerges that Michael has been cheating however, since he has an electric bike!

We have a little explore of the town which is very quaint, before retiring to a pub for a much needed refreshing drink.

I try to persuade Kathleen to cycle the remaining nine miles to Bath.

She is not having any of that, pointing out that it is nine miles there, and nine miles back, so it is really 18 miles extra.

Instead we head back to the campsite.

Resisting the "Barge Inn" as we pass. Although, quite why we resisted, I am not sure, since we have clocked up a very reasonable 19 miles.






Friday, and we travel to Bath on the bus. Kathleen needs to have her vitamin B12 injection, and we expect there to be an NHS "walk in centre" there.

We find the NHS Walk in Centre, what a palaver. This is supposed to be a National "service", but they are not willing to give the injection without a referral from our Doctor, even although Kathleen has the prescribed ampoule with her. A suggestion that the phone our doctor to confirm it is a genuine request is brushed to one side, too high tech presumably. What hope computerised national NHS patient records? Eventually, they relent, and agree to give the injection. 

We do not realise it, but our problems are just about to start.

Whilst administering the injection, the Doctor notices some marks on Kathleen's leg, and ventures the opinion that they are some form of allergy. He prescribes an antihistamine type drug. 

While we wait for the bus back to Devizes, we have time to kill, so we decide to have a coffee, and Kathleen takes one of the antihistamines, big mistake. By the time we arrive back at the campsite, ie about an hour later, she has difficulty breathing, and pains in various joints.

Friday, we are supposed to travel to Marlow, but, Kathleen, in my opinion is not well enough to stay away from home, so, instead we drive home.

The plan was to visit Gary, Susana and Gabriel for Gary's 40th birthday and Gabriel's second birthday, so, instead I get up crack of dawn and drive to Windsor on Saturday morning.

Not a particularly pleasant drive, since the rain is back!

Over the remainder of Saturday and Sunday, I manage to fit in, Gabriel,s 2nd Birthday Party, a meal, at Gary's favourite seafood restaurant, to celebrate Gary's 40th Birthday, and the opening of many presents by Gabriel.

Devizes Caravan Club Site, Seend, nr Devizes

29/05/2012

We did not expect to be staying here, but, since we are we take advantage of the excellent cycling along the canal.

I am in desperate need of a haircut, so we cycle the five miles or so along the canal to Devizes.

After an initial false start, ie heading in the wrong direction!, we are soon peddling toward Devizes.

Now, I usually manage to convince Kathleen to take part in these cycling outings, using the argument, than canals do not go up hills.

I will not be able to use that line again, we soon encounter a flight of some 20 or so locks, and the canal rises steadily over a distance of about a mile. We arrive panting at the top of the hill.

Devizes is a quaint place, I soon find a Barber Shop, for a quick haircut, and then we have a little wander, stopping for coffee and cake.

Seeing these signs outside of a Butchers Shop, could not resist a photograph, clearly, a butcher with a sense of humour.