Diamond House CL (CAMC), Fiskerton, Lincoln (N53.23299 W0.41416)

Sunday, 29th January 2023

Hopefully, a more successful trip than the last one (ie, flooded out at York!).

Uneventful journey, light traffic, dry weather, with good visibility.

For some reason, Sat-Nav selected a "varied" route, including M62, M18, M180 and, the dreadful A15. I haven't followed that route since I did a couple of work assignments in Lincoln, about 20 years ago. The A15 has not improved!

Diamond House CL is easy enough to find, with decent access. There appears to be two other hardy souls here.

Early afternoon when we arrive, so, a short walk to find our way around, followed by Sunday Lunch.

Monday, 30th January 2023

Blue sky and sunshine, 8c, but, a bit windy. But, on the plus side, no rain, and no flood!

We walk to Washingborough, along the "Water Railway", a former railway line, now, a well surfaced cycle route and walking route. 

A stop for a fortifying pint, and, a sandwich, in The Ferryboat pub, in Washingborough, before the return trip, to make 8.4 miles.

The route runs from Lincoln to Boston, approximately 33 miles, hopefully, we will get to cycle at least some of it.

Impressive sunset this evening, which the camera failed to capture fully.

 

York, Rowntree Park CAMC Site (N53.95066 W1.0809)

 Monday, 9th January 2023

Totally uneventful, 85 miles, light traffic, no hold-ups.

Dry and sunny, but quite cold, 6C.

York, Rowntree Park CAMC Site is very near York City Centre. Access inevitably means encountering some traffic, and, there are low bridges. Our Garmin Sat-Nav worked out a route avoiding low bridge etc, but worth reading, and taking heed of, the route advice on the CAMC website.

A short "walk about", along the banks of the River Ouse, a little ominously, the river had overflowed its banks in many places. The footpath / cycle track was flooded, in several places, and, we had to detour around

Tuesday, 10th January 2023

5c and, what my phone describes as "moderate rain", more like pouring down in my opinion.

Well, it rained, and it rained, and, guess what?

At 15:00, one of the site wardens arrived to tell us they were evacuating the site, because the Environment Agency had warned that flooding was "imminent". 

We were given the option to move to the CAMC  site at Beechwood, York, but, decided to take our refund and go home.

So, a bit of a waste of time, really.

Poplars Riverside Caravan Park, Haydon Bridge (N54.9695 W2.253) contd.

 Friday, 2nd September 2022

Despite the weather forecast, which predicted rain, we have a bright sunny day, 19c, a few clouds, but generally blue, and, a breeze from the East.

The plan for today is cycling, after studying the Sustrans Cycle Map, the plan is t cycle to Bardon Mill, with either no, or minimal cycling on the busy A69.

We first follow a signed trail, but, after we reach a farm, that becomes an unrideable (Mountain Bike territory). 

So, plan B, return to Haydon Bridge and follow the 'old road' through Haydon Bridge, inevitably we come to the A69. 

I have more success in convincing Kathleen to

take a chance and ride the four miles to Bardon Mill, along the A69, than I had in convincing her to attempt the Mountain bike trail, on a Hybrid Bike.

Not really enjoyable, too noisy, and, or course, the constant thought 'is some clown playing with their phone, instead of watching where they are going!". 

A very pleasant coffee and cake stop at Bardon Mill, at the village shop, which doubles up as everything, it would appear.

Then, a little further on NCN72. 

We could have returned via the NCN72 Hadrians Way cycle route, but, it was decided that risking the A69 again was better than the prospect of big hills!

Just over 14 miles, and, due to lack of concentration, when loading the video, we have both the front and rear view!

Saturday, 3rd September 2022

We wake up to rain, which eventually stops and we go walking.

A very pleasant 3.48 miles walk along the river bank, in the direction of Hexham.

Despite the overnight rain, the path is perfectly dry, which shows how parched the ground is I suppose.

Sadly, what appears to be the only coffee shop in Haydon Bridge (Oddfellows), is closed for some unknown reason.

Interesting development, this evening. 

Saturday evenings are usually 'Marks and Spencer Ready meal or Pizza night', after Kathleen has returned from Church, 'cooked' by me of course.

Tonight, we were due to have one of our (well my) favourites, Chicken Jalfrezi. 

Quite apart from it being very tasty, I have always thought it was a decent sized meal, particularly for a ready-meal, which are usually a bit skimpy. 

Although, I did think them a bit pricey at about £7 each, excluding the rice and/or naan bread.

I have, in the past, read the cooking instructions of course, but, tonight, I took the trouble to read the rest of the packaging. 

Much to my surprise, they are ready-meals for two!, so, we have been eating a meal for two, each, roughly once per month, for the last couple years. 

No wonder I thought the portion sizes were generous!

Sunday, 4th September 2022

Home today.

Poplars Riverside Caravan Park, Haydon Bridge (N54.9695 W2.253) contd.

 Wednesday, 31st August 2022

Cloud, but cool start to the day, at 14c. Clearly, the recent hot weather has changed my expectations for temperature, last year, I would have called 14c mild.

We cycle to Fourstones, then, via NCN72, on a quiet road, back to Haydon Bridge, to make a circuit.

Only a little over 10 miles, although, Kathleen did a little over 11 miles, because she ploughed on ahead and didn't bother with the little detail of reading the signposts. I had to phone her to tell her she had missed the turning. 

This ride was brutal, even with electric assistance, undulating with a capital "U"!.

The initial section followed the River South Tyne, and, could therefore be expected to be reasonably flat, not so, up and down, up and down. At Fourstones we joined the Sustrans National Cycle Route, NCN72, heading West. This section is along a quiet road, with reasonable tarmac surface.

There are some exhilarating downhill stretches, but, of course, every exhilarating downhill is preceded by a not so exhilarating uphill section.

It would appear we got the best of the weather for our ride, because, by later in the afternoon, it is raining on and off. Normal UK weather returns, it would appear.

I had noticed, whilst walking around Haydon Bridge, frequent references to a "John Martin". In my artistic ignorance, I had never heard of him, but, he is, apparently quite famous, and mixed with Royalty, including Tsar Nicholas, impressive, for a chap from Haydon Bridge.

There is a plaque, just along the road from us, outside of a small house. It is apparently where he was born and spent his childhood. In addition to giving brief details of his life, the plaque also gives details of a heritage trail, named after him, we may well try it, either on foot, or, on bicycles, when/if the rain stops.

Thursday, 1st September 2022

Cloudy start to the day, 12c, with a mist hanging over the river. A true autumn day. The forecast is for some sunshine and an acceptable 18c, in fact, by 09:30, it is already brightening up, and, it turns into a very pleasant afternoon.

I read up on the John Martin Heritage Trail yesterday, it is in two parts, a two mile section on the North side of the river, and an 11 mile section on the South side of the river.

Despite the length, we head toward the John Martin Trail, but, not with the intention of walking 11 miles!

After about a mile, we meet a young woman, walking her dog, and, after an exchange of pleasantries, she tells us instructions for a route to follow, which, will give us a much more

manageable two or three mile circuit.

The route takes us up the side of the valley, so, a steady climb, but, the views are understandably, extensive and impressive.

The plan is, a walk, then, lunch.

We barely come near civilisation, never mind a pub or restaurant, although, we do come within sight of Langley Castle.

Speaking of food, we do pass a field of next month's roast beef Sunday Dinner, need a bit of growing time, but, they will get there, I am

sure.

In the same field, one of the bullocks was mis-behaving, and attempting to eat a discarded piece of plastic bag or wrapping.

Kathleen took it upon herself to prevent this act of self-harm.

Initially, her plan was to climb into the field and remove the plastic, until, that is, I point out that, these are young cattle, and, there are a couple of cows in there with them, who may take exception to you disciplining their 'children', even if it is for their own good.

Plan B is called for. Kathleen speaks very sternly to the young bullock, in a voice normally reserved for instructing me not to do something of which she disapproves.

Obviously, the bullock is not as compliant (or intimidated) as I am, because after initially desisting from eating the plastic, it soon returns to it's meal.

Fortunately, a couple of local youngsters, happen to come along, they are clearly more used to dealing with badly behaved bullocks, than a couple of elderly townies are. They clamber over the fence, and remove the offending plastic, all is well, the bullock can continue on it's way to becoming a beef sandwich.

Lunch beckons, and we return to Haydon Bridge, to select a suitable eating place.

The selection is not difficult, there are only three choices, Anchor Hotel, Railway Hotel and General Havelock.

The Anchor Hotel looks smart, but, is perhaps a trifle more 'fancy' than we want for lunch, the Railway Hotel does not appear to be open, so, the General Havelock it is.

I have checked them all out, using Google etc, as you do. The frontage matches exactly with its reviews, ie, not very impressive, but, inside, it is comfortable, with an excellent patio, right on the river bank. Unfortunately, it is not warm enough, for Kathleen, to eat outside, so, we sit inside. 

Staff are friendly, and food is good, although, in my humble opinion, not quite up to the glowing reviews. After, glowing reports of the quality of the baguette, I opt for the beef sandwich, hopefully, not related to our friends in the photographs. The baguette recommendations are right, it is very good.

Poplars Riverside Caravan Park, Haydon Bridge (N54.9695 W2.253)

Tuesday, 30th August 2022

 Poplars Riverside Caravan Park, Haydon Bridge, NE47 6BY (N54.9695 W2.253)

A very short journey, only 36 miles from home!

For many years, we have been saying that we should do more trips in our 'local' area. 

The temptation was always to head for Europe, and the sun, but, Covid put a stop to that, temporarily at least.

This year, we (I) have been making more effort to search out local places to visit, the soaring

price of diesel, is, of course, an added incentive, it is now costing well over £100 to fill the tank with diesel. In addition, this year, the UK has enjoyed(?) a hot and dry summer, hopefully, it is not over.

Haydon Bridge is a place I have driven through, or past, probably hundreds of times, without stopping.

On arrival, initial impressions are favourable. The site is small, mostly statics (about 35), with space for about 9 tourers. Today, there appears to be only about three of the statics occupied, and, in the touring area, we are joined by a caravan and one other Motorhome.

A mix up over delivery slots for some timber I ordered for garden fence means we do not get away from home until nearly midday, so, arrival here was in time for a late lunch.

Not much done today. A bit of exploring, on foot, we get our bearings, find the route to the village, (about 0.75 miles away), and the Coop supermarket, plus a few pubs and at least one coffee shop

Weather is pleasant, so far, so good.

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).