August 2022, a week in UK, perhaps, we can manage more?

Preparation

Perhaps I should know better, but, I have organised a trip staying at an even smaller Certified Location (CL). This one is called Fountain Hill Farm, and, has space for only three vans.

Garden tidied, lawns cut. If the current dry spell continues, (and, sorry farmers, but, I hope it does), I don't think they will require cutting again, before our return, but, Claire is primed, just in case.

Our new E-Bikes in for their ten week free check, all well, then, try loading them in the garage of the van for the first time. A little heavier and bigger than the previous bikes, but, they go in nicely.

Gold standard D-lock arrived, courtesy of Amazon. It is rather heavy, sort of defeats the object of paying a premium for lighter e-bikes, if I have to lug 1.5 kilos of lock around with me

Monday, 8th August 2022

A beautiful day, sunny and very warm (25C), for aliesurely and uneventful are rather boring drive, mostly A1(M). 

Traffic southbound remarkably quiet, but, northbound busy, and Wetherby Services packed. School holidays, I suppose. We opted to have our break in the van.

We just before 14:00 at Fountain Hill Farm CL,  Gringley Road, Misterton, Doncaster DN10 4AR. N53 26'10" W0 51"51'.

We are greeted by the owner (Joanne), it turns out we are the only people here. Joanne tells us that someone else is arriving Wednesday.

We have EHU, and the usual water, waste

disposal etc. The CL is all grass and fairly level. Views are spectacular over farmland.

Our previous trip to a CL, which had five vans present, Kathleen was disappointed there was no-one to talk to, except me. Not sure how this one is going to work out.

After a quick lunch, we walk along the (Chesterfield) Canal, with boarders the site, into Misterton, just over 1 mile of pleasant walking. No street lights of course, and, the possibility of falling in the canal, so, perhaps, not a good idea in the dark, after a visit to the

village pub (Red Hart). Misterton appears to be a pleasant and pretty village, countryside is reasonably flat, so, cycle able, road seems quiet, weather superb. So far, looking good

 

Disaster!, and, Recovery

 Saturday, 21st May 2022

I typically leave packing and other preparations. For once, thank goodness I didn't!

Went into the van, to organise my cycling maps etc. Noticed a strange, but, not unpleasant smell. Then, notice what appeared to broken pieces of plastic, behind the passenger seat. 

No obvious source for the broken plastic, I decided to follow the usual course under such circumstances, and, blame Kathleen.

For no reason I can explain, the thought "could it be a battery problem?". The leisure battery is suitably inaccessible, being located under the passenger seat. So, I removed the louvred cosmetic plastic covers from the bottom of the seat. First hint that "we have a problem", dampness (which turned out to be battery acid on the inside of the plastic covers. The leisure battery has burst, there are numerous bit of battery case inside the seat base.

Replacing the battery entails removing the very heavy passenger seat, and, avoiding triggering the passenger airbag. I decide to try the Motorhome Dealer (Tyne Valley Motorhomes). Fortunately, they tell me they can take the van in, and, replace the leisure battery.

Wednesday, 25th May 2022

Off we go to Tyne Valley Motorhomes, Byermoor, to drop off the van, ready for them to begin work first thing tomorrow.

This could have been an enjoyable little jaunt, with a pleasant bus ride back to Gateshead Interchange, then, Metro home, but, the weather is terrible, blowing a gale and not very warm.

Friday, 27th May 2022

We received word, all fixed, yesterday, so, this morning we make the return journey, Metro, to Gateshead Interchange, then, bus to Byermoor.

Van is all ready, so, apart from the big hole in my bank account, all is well.

Wednesday, 1st June 2022

A mixed bag of weather, sun, cloud, rain, alternating, at least it is not cold!

270 miles, it all goes smoothly, until, just before the M1/M25 junction (6A), when it all slows to a fast walking pace, then, the dreaded M25.

Major accident on opposite carriageway, we are slowed to a crawl, as everyone looks at what is happening. 

Looks major.

Pity this involved, hopefully no-one seriously hurt, or worse, and, then, eight miles of queuing traffic.

We arrive an hour later than anticipated.

The good news is... the sun is shining! and, it is WARM (23C).

Barn Owl Meadow CL (N52.305835, E0.985973), Suffolk, Contd....

Saturday, 30th April 2022

 Blue sky and sunshine!, 14C.

I make a solo errand of mercy to Rickinghall COOP, to buy pain killers for Kathleen's aching back.

I take the scenic route, which turns out to also be shorter at 7.26 miles there and back. Negotiating, crossing the main road (A143) is slightly more difficult, it is an offset cross roads, but, nothing too difficult.

Yet another Church, called St Mary's, but, this one is described as "redundant", the church yard looks a bit neglected, but, otherwise, it appears better looked after than some of the churches which are apparently "in use". 

A quick, solo,  "spin around the block, to get the last 3 miles needed for my 150 miles in a month target. Yes, I am sad.

Sunday, May 1st 2022

No sign of the overnight rain, which was forecast, but, the cloud is back, but a mild 13C.

Yesterday, enroute to Rickinghall, I spotted a signposted Cycle Route, which looked promising, and, which we (I) decide to do today..

Barn Owl Meadow CL - Wattisfield - Walsham - Barn Owl Meadow CL. Our target was to ride to Ixworth, but, the nicely signposted, and reasonable quality, cycle route petered out just short of Wattisfield, and, joined the busy A143. 

Since we don't have a death wish, we cut it short at Wattisfield and returned via Walsham-le-Willows. Video incomplete, I forgot to charge camera battery!

As we cycled along this morning, we kept getting what were probably drops of rain pattering against us. I told Kathleen they were flying insects, but, she insisted, it was rain. I suspect, she was right (isn't the woman always right?), because this afternoon, we get a couple of rain showers. 

Fortunate we did our cycling in the morning. 

We now have just over 9 miles "in the bag", for May's 150 mile target, we are actually ahead, for now.

St Margaret's Church, Wattisfield.

Monday, 2nd May 2022

Cloudy (again!), but, calm and mild (14C).

Our last day here, so, a little packing to do.

We have time for a Cycle ride to Rickinghall, making a circuit of it, there, via the B1113, and, return via the scenic route, along the small lanes.

Tuesday, 3rd May 2022

Home. An uneventful journey, except, it rained, and, a long hold up on A14, for no apparent reason.

Barn Owl Meadow CL (N52.305835, E0.985973), Suffolk, Contd....

 Thursday, 28th April 2022

Another cloudy day!, perhaps, we should have stayed in Norfolk. Being positive, it is not windy, and, it is not raining (yet).

After failing to find a shop, yesterday, we must try again today. It is even more urgent, today, we have run out of red wine.

We cycle to Rickinghall, where, Google tells me there is a COOP Supermarket.

The COOP is there, but, it is tucked away, down a small lane, with a signpost hidden by trees, so, we end up in the next village of Botesdale, before realising our (well, my) mistake. So, a round trip of 10.12 miles. Shopping done, and, now, we need just over 20 miles to complete the

monthly. 150 miles challenge.

There is a rather novel village sign, in a rather neglected and overgrown church yard.

On our return to Barn Owl Meadows, a fellow guest tells. us of a good pub/restaurant, called, "The Boar", but, he cannot remember the name of the village it is in, only that it is about 5 miles away. A task for me, and google, this afternoon.

Friday, 29th April 2022

Yet another cloudy day! According to the weather forecast we see each evening, the rest of the UK is basking under blue skies, and, there is a lump of cloud, sitting over East Anglia. At least it is not windy or wet (yet).

We decide to have lunch out. 

Absolutely no luck in finding a pub called "The Boar" within ten miles of us. 

The chap who told us about it has now left.

 Working on the basis that "Bull" sounds a bit like "Boar", and, his description of how to get there, I conclude, with the help of Google, that

he must have been talking about The Bull Inn, Bacton.

We cycle there, via the not too busy B1113, just over 5 miles. Have a very pleasant lunch, Moroccan Chicken Skewers for me, and Lamb Shank for Kathleen. All the more enjoyable because Kathleen decides to give her Debit Card an outing, and pays.

We return via the "scenic route" as recommended by Google Maps. It is quieter roads, but, a little further, so, we have 12.06 miles in total. The return journey is a bit of a slog, as we are stuffed with food, and, in y case, a pint of real ale.

Only ten more miles needed for my 150 miles in the month Challenge.

Time to move on, Barn Owl Meadows next

Tuesday, 26th April 2022

Today, we leave Norfolk Broads CAMC Site and head for Barn Owl Meadow CL (N52.305835, E0.985973), Suffolk.

Only approximately 50 miles to go, and we have a very leisurely morning, packing up etc, with arrival time at Barn Owl Meadow set at not before 12:00 lunchtime, there is nothing to be gained by rushing.

The place is easy to find, and is appears to be very well set up.

It also appears to be very rural. We have a brief stroll, to get our bearings, definitely no shop or pub within immediate walking distance, but, I think there should be within cycling distance.

Activity today limited to a short walk (2.19 miles), to get our bearings.

Wednesday, 27th April 2022

Dull and cloudy, only 9C, definitely the worst day, so far, weather wise. It even has a little shower, as I am unloading the bicycles.

By shortly after lunchtime, we decide it is OK to venture out for a little bicycle exploring.

The main objective is to find a shop, to replenish some supplies, not essential, today, which is just as well, because we didn't find a shop.

The village of Walsham-le-Willows looks promising, the village website describes is at a "vibrant village". 

Well, it may be "vibrant", but, it doesn't have a shop. 

It does have two pubs (one permanently closed, and two churches. 

The C of E church, St Mary's, is quite impressive, and, only 2-3 miles cycle ride from Barn Owl Meadows CL, but, the Sunday service is at 8:00am! I don't think that is going to work for Kathleen, although, I do offer to set the alarm for 06:30am.

We clock up just over 11 miles, we could have

made a circular route, but, chicken out at cycling along the A143, after watching the traffic speed by for a few minutes. We only have "the view from the rear", because I forgot to press record on the front facing camera.

Not uptown our usual 16-20 mile rides, but, another little bit towards our self-imposed 150 miles / month target, just slightly over 30 miles to go, to achieve the target.

 

Norfolk Broads CAMC Site (N52.70036 E1.51371).... contd.....

Saturday, 23rd April 2022

 Blue sky and sunshine, but, like yesterday, a very stiff breeze (20mph) from the North East making it feel a tad cool.

A walking day today.

Last time we were here, we cycled to a place called St Benet's Abbey. , we did a "there and back" route, at that time.

Today, reading the site information, I noticed there is a circular walk listed, and, yesterday, when cycling, I recall noticing the signpost to the walk, beside Ludham Bridge.

So, that is our walk for today, 3.36 miles, somewhat spoiled by the strong wind, blowing across the flat landscape.

St Benet's Abbey seems somewhat mysterious, it is unclear when it was first founded, but, King Canute (of holding back the tide fame) appears to have been involved. By the 12th Century, is was a flourishing and wealthy place. It seems that, somehow, it escaped being closed by Henry VIII in Tudor times, but, still, most of it's buildings disappeared shortly after the dissolution of the Monasteries. As someone of a sceptical frame of mind, I naturally suspect some skulduggery between the local Bishop and Henry.

Sunday, 24th April 2022

Blue sky and sunshine again, but, the wind from the North East is even stronger and colder, supposedly 14C, but, it doesn't feel that warm!

Sunday, so, Kathleen has to do her Church Duty. 

There is no Catholic Church within cycling distance, so, it has to be an online Mass or the C of E Church in Ludham (St Catherine's). 

Well, according to Google, the church dates from the 14th Century, at least the West Tower does. 

Therefore, it would have been a Catholic Church, before the wicked Henry VIII stole it, so, almost as good (history with a Catholic spin).

There is even a niche in the wall of the tower, where, presumably, a statue once stood, see photograph below.

A short cycle ride, only 3.47 miles. 

Only 10:00am, pubs not open, no coffee shop, so, I while away the hour touring the Church Yard.

Monday, 25th April 2022.

Dull and cool start to the day.

I use the Cycle.travel website to download a circular 17 mile route for our cycle ride today. When comparing it to my Sustrans Cycle map, I am puzzled, because at Horning, the downloaded route shows a crossing over the river, which is not shown on the map.

We set off for Horning, and, all becomes clear, it is a ferry crossing, the bad news is, at this time of year, it only operates at weekends! The alternative is a lengthy detour via Wroxham.

I don't think that turning a 17. mile route into a 37 mile route is going to go down well with Kathleen, especially since it begins to rain (fortunately, only a brief shower, it turns out).

Instead, we cobble together a ride taking in St Benedicts Church, Horning, and, then, a shopping trip (for milk) to Ludham, giving us 8.92 Miles. Ludham Bridge - Horning - Ludham - Ludham Bridge. 

Not quite what we had planned but, still a few more miles towards our monthly cycling target of 150 miles, we have only 43 miles to go, and five days in which to do it.

Just to ensure that todays outing is not too easy, I convince Kathleen to follow a small track through St Benedicts Church yard, signposted "Staithes", on the basis that is may be an alternative route to allow us to follow our original route. It turns out to be a very narrow track, too narrow to cycle, so, we have to walk, which just leads us to the river, but, no further.

 

Norfolk Broads CAMC Site (N52.70036 E1.51371).... contd.....

Thursday, 21st April 2022

Blue sky, sunshine, 9C, with 14C promised as the high.

After yesterday's 20 miles, a day off from the cycling, so walking.

A 4.6 mile circuit, from Ludham Bridge, along the River Ant, to How Hill, then, back via Whitegates to Ludham Bridge.

A refreshment break at The Dog Inn, pub, next to the Camp Site.

The Dog Inn is advertised as "an award winning pub", and, in addition to meals and drinks, has a small Camping Area for Caravans and Motorhomes. Our verdict, fine, for a drink, but, I don't think we would want to stay there, and, for tomorrow's "eating out" plans, I think we will take pot luck elsewhere.

Friday, 22nd April 2022

Blue sky and sunshine, but, a very stiff breeze (20mph) from the North East making it feel a tad cool.

The plan today is to cycle to a village called Neatishead, and, have lunch at the pub there.

We stumbled upon this place about a year ago, after one of the Covid lockdowns, but, before pubs and eateries had fully re-opened. At that time, the pub was closed, and, we had to content ourselves with coffee and cake at the village coffee shop cum village store.

Today, I work out a route to give us 10-15 mile cycle ride, with a stop for lunch. Ludham Bridge - Horning - Neatishead - Barton Turf - Neatishead - Hoveton - Horning - Ludham Bridge. , which eventually gives us 15.55 miles.

The extra bit to Barton Turf is necessary because we make better time than anticipated, wind is not in our face, and, The White Horse Inn is not open, when we arrive in Neatishead.

So, pleasant and quiet half hour sitting in the Church yard of St Michael's and All Angels, just absorbing the silence.

The White Horse Inn is a pleasant surprise, from the outside, it looks like a very small, quaint pub, but, inside, it is surprisingly spacious, and, tastefully modern. 

Food was very good, and, an extensive range of real ales, no complaints.

Our return journey is not so pleasant, the wind has become even stronger, and, for the most part, we are riding into the wind, on the return journey.