Teesdale Barnard Castle CAMC Site (N54.546386 W1.941264) and home.

 Wednesday, 17th August 2022

More like 'normal' UK summer this morning 12c and sunny with cloud, but, it turns into a 'hot' UK summers day, 19c my lunch time.

I can't convince Kathleen to go cycling, "too many hills", is the cry, "but you have electric assistance now", is my reply. But, to no avail.

Instead, we walk to Egglestone Abbey.  I am sure I have been here, many, many years ago, with my parents.

Almost 5.5 miles, a fairly easy and very pleasant walk, along the River Tees.

The only excitement is when we encounter a herd of sheep making their way along one of

the narrower sections of the route. We assume there will be a shepherd and/or dog guiding them, but, no, they are out on their own. We manage to herd them past us, clearly, all of this Sundays watching Country File have not been wasted.

Back to Barnard Castle, in time for lunch, and, it is Market Day, so, fairly busy.

 I do have a recommendation from my pal, Bill, for a place called Rise, but, Kathleen doesn't want breakfast type food and is looking for something 'plain'. 

We choose The Raby Arms Hotel, not our best decision of the day, inexpensive, but, Works Canteen standard food. Although, the staff are very pleasant, which, I note, after the event, is what most of the reviews say.

Should have taken Bill's recommendation... next time. 

Just received a message from Bill, with a pub recommendation in Cotherstone. Amazingly, that was my 'other' walk idea for this morning!

I think we will be back here, so, I will save them for next time.

Thursday, 18th August 2022.

Cloudy. grey and a few spots of rain, as we pack final bits to leave, just the sort of day you feel pleased you are going.

Lengthy discussions with Kathleen, yesterday, about not rushing, but, taking a leisurely approach, with a view to leaving about 10:00 - 10:30. Complete waste of time, we are driving out the gate by 08:45.

But, we have had a great time, it has renewed our enthusiasm for the Motorhome, after the disruption of Covid.

Just over 40 miles home, via the 'scenic' route, totally uneventful, but, busier than I expected, where are all of these people going at 08:45 in the morning?, can it be that place called 'Work"?

Fountain Hill Farm CL to Teesdale Barnard Castle CAMC Site (N54.546386 W1.941264)

Monday, 15th August 2022

Despite the weather forecast, we have another sunny day at Fountain Hill Farm CL, but, temperatures have fallen, it is only 16c.

We feel we have plenty of time, no need to rush, just over 100 miles, and, most of that motorway, well, A1(M), what passes for motorway, in the UK.

Even dawdling along at 55mph with the trucks, it looks like we will be in danger of arriving too early, we leave the A1(M) at Scotch Corner and join the A66, westbound. 

With a few miles, just before the turn off for Hargill House CAMC Site the traffic grinds to an absolute halt. We don't move at all for about ten minutes, then, inch forward a few yards at a time.

I soon becomes apparent what the problem is, the road is blocked ahead, presumably a collision, there are even people, including children, wandering about on the road. 

The only way we are getting any movement is that, by chance, we are at a junction, and many people are taking the opportunity to turn off. 

The left turn is signposted Richmond, which I know is the wrong way for us, and the right turn is unsigned. Kathleen has the map, but, is no help, as, she can't find her glasses. 

So, I take a guess, the satnav is saying turn right in eight miles, and, this unsigned road is a right turn, I decide to go for it. 

It turns out to have been a good call, surprisingly, the SatNav does begin telling me to "turn around when possible" and settles in to directing us to our destination. Road is a bit narrow and twisty, but, eventually, it brings us on to the A67, and, then to Barnard Castle, and so to Teesdale, Barnard Castle CAMC Site.  N54.546386 W1.941264.

Still warm, when we arrive, 23c, but, by 18:00, we have light rain

Tuesday, 16th August 2022

Isn't it amazing how quickly we acclimatise, 16c this morning, with. high of 19c forecast, so, what we would normally accept as a normal summers day in the UK, but, it feels rather cool, after the recent heat.

We need some supplies, so, a walk into Barnard Castle, before the forecasted rain starts.

We take the scenic route there, very pleasant, but, walk back along the road, a bit noisy, the scenic route is preferable.

Obviously, we did not take the shortest route, the CAMC literature says half a mile to town centre, we managed to clock up just over three miles!

After lunch, a little thinking about if we will do any cycling while we are here.

It is very 'undulating', is the downside, but, we do have electric bikes now.

A quick Google turns up a possible route (part of Teesdale Way), along a dis-used railway line.

An explore, on foot, to locate the possible route, gives us another walk, and, it stays dry!

Among other things, we find a shorter

(although steeper) route into town, and, what, in good weather would probably be a very pleasant Nature Reserve walk through Deepdale Wood (yes, Deepdale of Young Offenders fame).