Skipton, Niffany Camping and Caravan

Wednesday, 6th March 2019

Torrential overnight rain, cloudy, but dry this morning, and a mild 11C.

Kathleen will not "brave" the walk along the canal, into Skipton, "too muddy". The walk along the road is perfectly fine. The reviews for the site, say a 40 minute walk, they must walk exceedingly slowly, at Kathleen's pace, it is 20 minutes, for normal people, I would say 30 minutes maximum.

Skipton, is a pleasant and bustling place, Market day on a Wednesday.

In addition to the market, we manage a very pleasant canal side walk.

We have a very enjoyable lunch, no meat, because Kathleen is observing Ash Wednesday, a day of abstinence, the price entrance to heaven it would appear. Only problem is, it means no wine tonight! 

Starting from Skipton, we walk along the canal, until the tow path becomes too muddy, then, along the road, to arrive back at the van, just as the heavens open with torrential rain.

We had planned to move on to Tamworth, tomorrow. Thought we better check site has spaces, just in case. Amazingly, it is full. Apparently, it is Crufts Dog Show at Birmingham NEC, and not only the site we had selected, but, all nearby sites are fully booked.  Damned nuisance. Accordingly, we decide on Kidderminster.

Thursday, 7th March 2019

Rain all night, and, still raining this morning. We have already decided to move on to Wolverley Camping and Caravan Club site (52.40833, -2.243976), near Kidderminster.

We pack up, and locate Jeanette (owner) to pay. This is the first time we have actually seen her, since we arrived, which I think is very trusting of her.

Approximately 150 miles, mostly motorway, and, pouring with rain all of the way.

All looks good, although, nothing really looks good, in pouring rain!

The usually friendly welcome from CCC Warden, and we are given directions to the pub and the canal, I am sure both will be of value, if it ever stops raining!

The rain does not really stop, but, briefly, it eases to be just a

light rain failing, allowing us a brief stroll to check out the location.

of the pub (The Lock Inn), and the adjacent Staffordshire and Worcester Canal.

Skipton and Leeds, Liverpool Canal

Tuesday 5th March 2019

Not a bad day, considering it is early March, in UK. Dry, a bit of sun and a bit of cloud, 10C.

Totally uneventful drive of just under 100 miles to
Niffany Farm Caravan and Camping (N53.959569, W2.04724). As we were warned, there is a swing bridge over the canal, which is, shall we say, an interesting manoeuvre. If approaching from Skipton, on the A6069 (Broughton Road) it is a relatively easy, right turn, just the width of the Bridge to think about. If approaching from the opposite direction, it is a very tight, left turn, requiring a swing out, onto the wrong side of the road, to be sure you are lined up with the very narrow bridge. Best to drive past, turn around and approach from Skipton!

Niffany Farm Caravan and Camping seems rather nice, certainly, every pitch has a view. There is a substantial stone building, housing showers, toilets and a Games Room, Bar area. 

The owner had told us in advance, she would be "busy with the lambing" and for us just to take pitch 9. That proved rather

interesting, the numbers appeared to go from 1-7, then 10 - whatever. After a five minutes fruitless searching, Kathleen's patience (now, there is a contradiction in terms) was exhausted, so, we too pitch number 4.

Mush to our surprise, we are not the only people here, another Campervan and a Caravan are already parked up.

A quick sandwich, and we head off for a walk. The canal tow path turns our to be too muddy for Kathleen's liking, so, we resort to the road.