Dockray Meadow CAMC Site. (N54.5707 W3.41841)

 Sunday, 15th August 2021

Not a promising start, weatherise, dull, with slight drizzle, for our 100 mile drive to Dockray Meadow CAMC Site, Lamplugh, Cumbria, CA14 4SH.

Slight discussions about why the Sat-Nav brought us the way it did, but, it transpires a section of road is closed, so, approaching via the route we did was the best option.

Site is up to the usual high standard for CAMC sites, although the layout of pitches is somewhat random, buy CAMC standards. For the first time ever, I note Motorhomes and Caravans parked sideways on pitches, never seen that before on a CAMC site! TV signal, even with the aid of EHU bollard booster, is poor. Internet signal from 3 is 3g only, although Tesco/O2 manage 4g.

As always on the first day, not a lot of time to do very much, eat, and a short walk (just under 3 miles), to explore the immediate area are all we have time for.

Monday, 16th August 2021

Lake district weather strikes, cloudy and raining, although it is not cold at 15C.

Rain stops and sun emerges by lunch time. 

We set off on a walk. Based on yesterday evening's walk, and, after discussion, I have carefully researched a potential walk, memorised place names etc. 

Before we even reach the first turn, Kathleen decides to follow a totally different route, for which we have no map, and, for which, I have not even looked at a map. We do just over 7 miles, during which I don't have the foggiest idea where we are.

On our return, as we sit and have a well deserved coffee, in a brief period of sunshine, a you family (Mother, Father, two boys about 7 and 9), arrive in a hired Motorhome. After setting up their van, they depart on bicycles, not for long, they obviously had not bargained for the hills! The boys then discover a frog, and, much amusement is had for about an hour, all without an electronic device in evidence.

Tuesday, 17th August 2021

Heavy overnight rain, and, this morning, the large hill, adjacent to the Campsite is shrouded in cloud.

Believe it or not, between the trees, on the left and the right, there is a large hill. If the cloud lifts, I will try to get a photograph to prove the point!

Well, I waited an hour, and, the hill is visible again, the vagaries of the Lake District weather.

As expected, by lunch time, the rain had gone, and, some blue sky was visible, although, it. was quite windy.

We go walking again, this time following a route where I have studied the map, so, we at least know where we are going! Just over 3.5 miles brings us to Loweswater.

We encounter this rather imposing gateway, as we leave Lamplugh, it is part of a listed building., just opposite a rather imposing Church (St Michaels), which is also a listed building.

Some impressive views, both before, and after we reach Loweswater.

Hebden Bridge CAMC Site ( N53.72025 W1.99074), to home

 Saturday, 17th July 2021

Too hot for driving, 24C when we left Hebden Bridge CAMC Site, not even 10:00, and 27C by the time we approached Tyneside, shortly before lunch.

Uneventful journey, until we reached Carrville on A1(M), Northbound 

There was a serious accident here, two/three days ago (Thursday). Still plenty of evidence of the accident on the carriageway, skid marks, accident investigation markings of vehicle positions etc. The A1(M) North and South bound were closed all day Friday. I took the trouble to check (online) that road was open again, because there are alternative routes we could have taken. But Highways England, said road open, and adjacent road works suspended to aid traffic flow.

Result? two mile tail back, because some numpty forgot to remove the "lane closed" signs, and, traffic funnelling into one lane, for no reason, there was no lane closure! 

How did a Nation of such numpties manage to have an Empire spanning the World? 

Hebden Bridge CAMC Site ( N53.72025 W1.99074), continued

Friday, 16th July 2021

 Full sunshine, 19C, with a promise of 24C.

Today is scheduled as a "cycling day".

We cycle to Hebden Bridge, via NCN66, then, on to Todmorden, still following NCN 66 and the Rochdale Canal.

It is possible to continue to Manchester, only approximately another 20 miles, over the Penines, from Todmorden, but, I cannot convince Kathleen that this is "a good idea". So, just over 13 miles today.

Not sure what I expected of Todmorden, but, it is rather scenic.

 

Hebden Bridge CAMC Site ( N53.72025 W1.99074), continued

Wednesday, 14th July 2021

No overnight rain,  to the best of my knowledge. The morning starts very similar to yesterday, dry, mild (16C), but overcast. The forecast is for sunshine with cloud and 21C.

A cycle ride to Sowerby Bridge, approximately 5 miles away, via route NCN 66. Sowerby Bridge is disappointing, rather busy, and, a bit run down, the smartest part we see is a Wetherspoons. But, the ride along route NCN 66 is very enjoyable. 

From Sowerby Bridge, we cycle along the Rochdale Canal Towpath, to Hebden Bridge. 

With a coffee (and bacon sandwich) stop at, The Secret Cafe (turn off the canal, at bridge 4, and go into what looks like a Victorian Factory area (which it probably was!), there are lots of small Units, one of which is the Secret Cafe, very pleasant.

Onwards to Hebden Bridge Town, and then, return to Hebden Bridge CAMC Site, via our walking route of yesterday.

Just over 11 miles in total, and, we even manage to cycle up the hill, from Mytholmroyd to the Campsite.

 

 

Thursday, 15th July 2021

Sunny start to the day, and 17C, with a promise of 21C.

I have agreed to give Kathleen a rest from the cooking today, and, we plan to "eat out". 

It is an interesting proposition, since, while Kathleen has prepared breakfast each morning, ie, put cereal in a bowl, I have cooked/prepared the "main meal", each day so far. But, after 34 years, I know when to keep my mouth shut!

Finding somewhere to eat turns out to be a problem!

A combination of Google and reviews of this site, suggest that The Robin Hood Inn or The Hinchcliffe Arms are promising. Accordingly we walk (steadily uphill) to Cragg Vale. The Robin Hood is open, but, not serving food until late afternoon. We walk on to The Hinchcliffe Arms, which turns out to be down a very steep hill, only to find that it is "under new management" and will not re-open for another two weeks.

Plan B, we walk back up the hill from the Hinchcliffe Arms, and then, down the hill to The Shouder of Mouton, at Mytholroyd. No joy here, pub is open, but, staff have failed to turn up, so, no food!

We have now walked almost five miles, and, still have not found a pub serving food!

An elderly chap, enjoying a coffee, outside a coffee shop, by the bridge, suggests The Dusty Miller, we try that, closed!

We give up and take the bus to Hebden Bridge. At last, we find food being served.

After a pleasant lunch, we walk back, along the Rochdale Canal, and enjoy Magnums from the Sainsburies in Mytholmroyd.

We have walked approximately nine miles today!

 

Hebden Bridge CAMC Site ( N53.72025 W1.99074), continued

Monday, 12th July 2021

 It has poured with rain overnight. This morning, it is a mild 16C, but, still persisting down. One consolation, it is rain at home too!

With rain, rain, and more rain, we had a lazy day of reading. 

I am now about a third of the way through (there are 800+ pages!), Barack Obama's Memoir book "A Promised Land", he has become President, and, the great sub-prime mortgage financial crisis is in full swing. Still cannot quite make my mind up about the guy, he "seems" OK, but, I constantly remind myself, he is a Politician.

This the first book I have read, using an eReader (a Kobo Libra H20). It is working out better than I thought it would, still not quite a "book experience". Big advantage is that books can be bought/exchanged online, and, there is an appreciable space and weight saving. Pleased I went for the 7" screen model, rather than the 6" screen, indeed, the 8" screen may well be even better. Like, Barack, the jury is still out, on if I think it is "a good thing" or not. Time will tell.

Tuesday, 13th July 2021

Even more rain, overnight, but, morning dawns, mild 16C (with 19C promised), overcast, but, dry.

After being cooped up all day, yesterday, we go overboard, and walk just under 8 miles.  

We followed the cycle path/walking route (NCN 66), to Hebden Bridge, and, return by a slightly different route along the Rochdale Canal towpath.

Hebden Bridge is approximately 3 miles away, so, we must have walked about a mile, along the Rochdale Canal, towards Manchester (24 miles away, according to the milestones).

Hebden Bridge is a pleasant little place, presumably, once a thriving industrial place (in the days of weaving, clog making etc), but, now, a "heritage centre", just about every shop is a coffee shop/craft shop/antique shop/cafe, I didn't notice a single "real" shop, ie, one selling meat, groceries, etc.

A picnic lunch, in the park, followed by coffee and cake, in one of the many coffee shops.

We then walked back via the Rochdale Canal towpath.

To Hebden Bridge CAMC Site (N53.72025 W1.99074)

 

A "quickie" break. It is the new style requirement, during these Covid times, foreign travel is either not allowed, not advisable, or, carries a risk of being stranded or quarantined. 

For traditions sake, the usual garden photographs, although, given that we will only be away for a week, Claire should not need to cut the lawns or, otherwise act as head gardener.

I usually do just a single photograph, but, this year we have some major changes in the garden.

Neighbour on our right (Steve) has elected to remove the overgrown conifers (thank goodness), and, erect a fence. Lots of hard work, but, a big improvement.

Yesterday, we returned home after a cycling outing, to find that neighbour on the left (David), had a chap "trimming" his conifers. Actually, trimming is a mild description, they have had at least a metre chopped off. 

Because of the direction of sunshine, etc, they were never really an issue to us, but, reducing 

their height has made our garden feel much more "light" and "open". 

In addition, because, by agreement, I used to trim David's conifers every couple of years, from our side, this will mean I barely have to climb a ladder to do so, and, as Kathleen never tires of reminding me, I am getting too old to climb ladders etc.

 

11th July 2021.

Hebden Bridge CAMC Site (

N53.72025 W1.99074).

Cloudy with sun, as we leave home, but, it soon becomes, just cloudy. Mild at 19C, however.

Totally uneventful  journey of just 127 miles to Hebden Bridge CAMC Site, other than the usual complaint that I am driving too fast. We are on motorway for most of the way, and, I have cruise control set to 55mph, which is "truck speed". 

But, we arrive at about 12:30, one of the first new arrivals. The site is pretty full, and, there are not many pitches left, which meet Kathleen's exacting standards, of space, light, and quietness. So, now, my "fast" driving and prompt arrival is a bonus.

The site is small, with only 42 pitches, and no "facilities" (an unusual option, for us), but, it is the usual high standard of CAMC tidiness and good order. The site is actually at a village, called Mytholmroyd, (who thought that name up?), which is about 1 mile away, Hebden Bridge itself is approximately 3 miles walk/cycle ride away, along the canal.

There are, supposedly, three pubs: The Robin Hood, which appears to be some distance out of the village, The Shoulder of Mutton Closed, according to Google, and The Hinchcliffe Arms. So, plenty to explore.

After our evening meal, went for a 2.5 mile exploratory walk. First discovery, Google lied, The Shoulder of Mutton is most definitely open.

Then, we came across this road sign.

I think it has somewhat dented Kathleen's enthusiasm for cycling. I did point out, it says LONGEST gradient, not STEEPEST gradient. Not sure I have convinced her.

We also came upon this sign, or monument, to "The Coiners". Had no idea what it meant, but, Google/Wikipedia to the rescue. They were effectively 18th Century counterfeiters, they filed the edges of gold coins, melted down the filings, and made new coins. Sort of Quantitive Easing, 18th Century style, naughty, naughty, only Governments are allowed to do that.

Norfolk Broads CAMC Site (N52.70036 E1.51371), continued...

 Friday, 11th June 2021

Sunny with cloud, 24C, but, with a stiff breeze. Despite the cloud and the breeze, it is very warm.

A combination of having cycled a lot this week, plus the breeze, means we opt to walk.

Five and a half miles.

we manage to make a more or less circular walk, to Ludham Bridge, then, follow the river and footpath to How Hill.

Brief stop for picnic lunch and ice cream.

Then follow a small lane to Johnson Street (Ludham), then back to Ludham Bridge.

How Hill is an interesting place, a mooring place (free) for people cruising the broads,

very attractive grounds and forest walks (free). 

Donations accepted of course, and, there are items for sale, (ice cream, guide books, "novelties"). But, unusual, in my experience, to find something so attractive, in a tourist area, which is not "cashing in". Am I growing cynical in my old age?

This being Norfolk, obligatory photograph of windmill, and swan. Swan would not pose correctly, so, I didn't give it any bread. 

Saturday, 12th June 2021

An odd day today. Forecast is only for 19C, and, according to my phone, it is 19C, with a stiff breeze, but, it still feels very warm.

A short cycle ride in the morning (10.8 miles). Ludham Bridge - Ludham - Womak - Potter Heigham - Ludham - Ludham Bridge. 

The rest of the day a combination of lazing in the sun, and packing away in preparation for leaving tomorrow.

Sunday, 13th June 2021

A bright and sunny morning, 24C plus is the forecast.

Kathleen's traffic jam beating plan has us up at 7:00am.

Ablutions completed, final packing done, and ready to go at 07:45 (minus breakfast).

Breakfast is taken just north of Kings Lynn.

Approximately 270 miles to home, and, Kathleen's plan more-or-less works out, there are no holdups in the road works (I use that term loosely, no work is evident), on the A47, but, we do encounter a few stop-start stretches on the A1M, sheer volume of traffic it would appear.