Deeping St James, Keal Lodge CL (N52.670112 W0.279909) Contd 2.......

 Tuesday 9th May 2023

Light cloud, 14c. The forecast says a high of 18c, and, rain from lunch time on.

After yesterdays cycling, we take our chances with the weather and set out walking.

No real destination in mind, the idea is to. explore the immediate area, and, have our lunch out.

Kathleen even volunteered to pay for lunch.

Finding somewhere serving food turns out to be more difficult than we thought, the nearest pub, The Waterton Arms, doesn't do food, although, the very pleasant bar maid, directs us to Market Deeping, where she assures us we will find a choice of eateries.

The first pub we come to, in Market Deeping, The Bull, does food, but, not on Mondays and Tuesdays, at this rate I will be drunk before we find our lunch!

The barman in The Bull, directs us to The Stage Hotel, just across the road, where we have a very enjoyable lunch in very pleasant surroundings.

The weather forecast has turned out to be totally wrong, and we walk back to Keal Lodge in full sunshine.

It does eventually end, a thunderstorm at 17:00, but, by that time, we are back at Keal Lodge, with over 12 miles walked!

Wednesday 10th May 2023

Sunny, 14c, rising to 17c.

Back to the cycling.

The plan is to cycle approximately 10-12 miles, and check out a couple of possible pubs/eating places, as suggested by the lady owner of Keal Lodge.

We cycle from Deeping St James - Northborough - Glinton - Peakirk - Newborough - Crowland - Deeping St James. 24.75 miles, taking in sections of NCN21, NCN12, Peterborough Green Wheel, so, a little more than the planned 10-12 miles!

At Glinton, we find one of the recommended pubs, The Blue Bell, and, a rather pretty Church (St Benedict's).

A brief rest, and on to Peakirk. 

As we exit Peakirk, we are presented with an unexpected choice, three miles, to "The Deepings", or, 5 miles to Crowland, via NCN12.

There is a pleasant little seating area, beside the village sign, where we meet a really elderly

gentleman (looked much older than us, 85-90 was our guess), still peddling his Specialised Hybrid. 

He advised us against taking the section of NCN12 to Crowland. 

I should have listened. The track is in very poor condition, suitable for a Mountain Bike, perhaps.

Kathleen refused to continue it was so wet and rough, taking us on. a much longer route via

B1443, and then, even more of a diversion to avoid the very busy A16.

Hence, we clock up 24.75 miles, rather than the planned 10-12 miles.

The good news is that the forecasted lunch time rain does not material, instead, warm and sunny lasts until about 17:00, when we do get a downpour.

Deeping St James, Keal Lodge CL (N52.670112 W0.279909) Contd 1.......

 Sunday 7th May 2023

Dry but cloudy start. Not cold at 14c, rising to 20c later in the day (if the forecast is right!).

To church for Kathleen.

I do a little shopping, for something we forgot, in what must be the smallest 'supermarket" I have ever visited. Run by a (very pleasant) Asian family, the aisles are so narrow you have to walk sideways, and, the products are stacked on racks almost up to the ceiling, but, they do appear to stock everything!

Whilst Kathleen is occupied in church, I walk to what Google tells me is another supermarket,

just out of curiosity. It turns out to be another "corner shop" sized emporium.

By lunch time, we have full "summer style" sun, and 20c. We spend the afternoon lazying in the sun, drinking wine and reading.

We are also visited by the lady site owner, who is doing her rounds ensuring everyone is happy with the place.

She is very pleasant, but, boy can she talk. If only I could remember all of the "useful" information she told me. I am sure she must be the mother of the young lady who was here yesterday, to book us in.

Monday 8th May 2023

Rain early in the morning, before it was time to get up, then 13c, rising to 16c supposedly, and cloudy. To be expected I suppose, since today is a Bank Holiday (for the Coronation of Charles III.

During the Covid Pandemic, lockdown etc, I began doing various "challenges' to ease the boredom of lockdown. One challenge was to collect a photograph of my bicycle, in front of a sign (street name, church or school) of a Saint's name, in alphabetical order (eg St Aiden, St Benedict, etc etc).

When lockdown ended, I continued, to collect the names, much to Kathleen's irritation, just for fun. I had ground to a halt at "K". 

While browsing the internet, I noticed there was a church called St Kyneburga, at a place called Castor, approximately 10 miles away. A quick check of my local Sustrans Map showed that it was quite possible to cycle there on cycle routes (mostly NCN21).

Accordingly, I suggested a cycle ride to Kathleen, without mentioning the detail of the Church name, or, how far it was.

To be honest, it is not a very pleasant day, a stiff breeze, from the South West, so, almost a head-wind most of the way there, plus, solid cloud cover, with showers forecast.

We follow quiet roads, via Deeping St James, Deeping gate, Northborough, then, a busy bit, crossing the A15, before Northborough, Etton.

Shortly after Eaton, there is a novel situation where we must cross the main East Coast railway line (Edinburgh - London). There is a bell to ring, after a short

while, a very friendly, pleasant chap emerges from his little hut, and opens the gate to allow you across the line, provided of course, there is no train due!.

Then, to Marholm, where we pause for a rest, and, I break the news there are "only" about 4 miles to go, to Castor.

We do get slightly wet in a couple of showers.

Church of St Kyneburgha located, photograph taken. It is rather disappointing, having come all this way, that there is no Church Name

board, so, the name, engraved on the entrance gate must suffice.

Lunch in the nearby Royal Oak, Castor, to placate Kathleen, to be fair, she has been a little gem, hardly a word of complaint, even when it rained.

Then, back the way we had come. just over 20 miles in total.

 

Deeping St James, Keal Lodge CL (N52.670112 W0.279909)

 Friday, 5th May 2023

In keeping with the recent weather, it is dull, with frequent rain showers, as we prepare to leave.

I make a special effort to take some garden shots. We have our first Clematis flower of the spring, late I think, presumably because of the cold and dull weather we have had of late.

This weekend is the Coronation of King Charles III and Camilla, so, we have an extra Bank Holiday, and, just about everywhere appears to be fully booked.

Accordingly, I have booked Keal Lodge Caravan Site  N52.670112 W0.279909, chosen because it had vacancies. 

I am not sure that having vacancies on such a busy weekend is actually recommendation, but we will see.

Approximately 195 miles. 

Unsurprisingly, the journey is typical of the beginning of a UK Bank Holiday weekend. 

A massive traffic hold up at Darrlington, A1 Southbound, thanks to road works, road is reduced to

a contra-flow, one lane North-bound, and, one lane South-bound. 

Just to add to the fun, torrential rain, for much of the journey.

What joy.

Unusually for us, we take care to follow the owned supplied instructions to approach the site. Not sure if it was strictly necessary on the basis of road width, but, no doubt was in the interests of not annoying the locals.

But, the good news is, we arrive to blue skies, 18C, and, Keal Lodge appears to be a very

well looked after site, with plenty of space, plus, we are a short walk (15 minutes) from the Town/Village of Deeping St James.

We are soon all settled in, a glass of wine, whilst sitting in the sunshine, the journey is forgotten.

Saturday, 6th May 2023

A pleasant morning, 14C, and, sunny with cloud.

Yesterday, when we arrived, we were greeted by the young lady who looks after the place (the daughter of the owner, I think). 

She gave us lots of information about how to find our way around, walks etc etc. To be honest, there was so much information, we failed to absorb it all.

One item of information was details of a pleasant walk, along the River Welland, to Deeping St James.

Google has already allowed me to determine

that there is a Catholic Church, so, that is Kathleen sorted for Sunday morning.

The order of the day today is to explore and check out where the important things are, ie pub, shop, Catholic Church (not necessarily in that order).

Aided initially by Google Maps, we find the Catholic Church, and, find the Riverside walk, during our 3.4 mile ramble.

Unfortunately, we do not find anywhere open, and serving food/drinks.

The "old" church (St James, hence, Deeping St James) is, of course, what was the Catholic Church, before Henry VIII re-arranged ownership. 

The current Catholic Church is a modern affair, Our Lady of Lincoln and St Guthlac

Some seriously attractive properties, along the River Welland, and, some wild life.

The weather is kind, it has warmed to a pleasant 16C, a slight shower, but, very brief.

Littlehampton CAMC Site (N50.826833 W0.541944), contd.

Saturday, 1st April 2023

Surprisingly, isn't raining! By afternoon, there is even occasional sunshine.

Another day of amusing ourselves, reading for Kathleen, reading and computer for me.

A substantial walk in the evening, so that Kathleen can attend church.

Sunday, 2nd April 2023

Yet another grey and wet day.

Annoyingly, the forces for tomorrow is sunshine (both here, and, at home).

It seems sensible to travel on the "bad" day (ie today), and, enjoy the "good" day (ie tomorrow), accordingly, we pack up and go.

 

Littlehampton CAMC Site (N50.826833 W0.541944), contd.

 Thursday, 30th March 2023

13c, and, not raining!, at least, not until 15:00, when it poured down, for the. rest of the afternoon, and into the night.

We will be here over the weekend, which means that Kathleen will want to find a Catholic Mass to attend. Since Covid, it is usually possible to find an online mass, but, Kathleen does actually prefer to attend, in person.

Given the apparent shortage of priests, I wonder, is this the next development, just one priest, sitting in the Vatican, doing Mass for the whole world? I suppose, allowing for time differences, it would be necessary to have a small team, broadcasting a Mass, say, every hour.

Meanwhile, in the real world, Google provides the name of a Catholic Church, St Catherine of Alexandria,, and, directions on how to find it. I am sure Kathleen has been there before, on a previous visit to Littlehampton.

The Church is located near the coast, in a rather smart part of Littlehampton, think, Tynemouth, or Cullercoats. 

Whilst checking the location, a rather pleasant elderly lady engages us in conversation. Apparently, as a child, she was evacuated to Littlehampton, during the blitz, and spent the war living with nuns in a Convent. She is visiting Littlehampton on a coach trip, and is trying to find the Convent, to rekindle childhood memories. Her husband does not appear terribly enthusiastic at the prospect. Amazing how you can amuse yourself, in an out of season UK seaside town, on a dull day.

On the way back to the site, we throw caution to the winds, and, deviate from the "google route', it turns out to be a good decision, we manage to find. a route which is quieter, away from the traffic of the A284, so, we have had a good walk today, just under 5 miles.

Friday, 31st. March 2023

 It is still raining, none stop from about 15:00 yesterday, it does eventually stop, at about 10:00, but, only because the wind increases to a gentle gale.

Alternating rain and gale force wind for the rest of the day, definitely the worst days weather so far.

Bibury. Orchard House CL (N51.758456 W1.855755) and Littlehampton CAMC Site

Saturday, 25th March 2023.

Sunny with cloud, and breezy, but, 13c, and, most importantly, not raining (yet). 

Today is Michaela and Gordon's wedding day, at The Swan Hotel, Bibury,. The weather was reasonable, enough gaps in the showers to that no-one got soaked, and, photographs taken.

The Swan as a venue was well organised, everything appeared to go smoothly, if there were any hiccups, they were well covered up!

All in all, a good day, although, as expected we did eat and drink too much.

Sunday, 26th March 2023.

After torrential over night rain, we have 8c and showers, not good for the start of British Summer Time!

Everyone is no doubt making their way home today. We are resting up, and, hoping for a break in the rain that will allow us to venture out for a walk.

Monday, 27th March 2023

After days of rain, we have a dry and sunny morning, rather cool at 4c.

An uneventful 125 mile drive to Littlehampton CAMC Site (N50.826833 W0.541944), including a coffee stop at what has to be the cleanest UK Services, (a Starbucks concession) we have ever visited (Newbury, on A34).

The weather on arrival is pleasant, and we manage a short stroll to explore our immediate surroundings.

We have been here before, but, it was approximately 14 years ago. The surroundings appear to have changed significantly in that time, lots of new housing built, the adjacent road much much busier 9and noisier). A possible positive, a new supermarket has been build, approximately ten minutes walk from the site.

Tuesday, 28th March 2023

Not too cold, at 10c, but, raining again!

Rain stopped shortly after lunch, allowing a short walk to the nearby supermarket, a few essentials, plus chocolate to make up for the rubbish weather.

Wednesday, 29th March 2023

A big surprise, this morning, it is not raining! A bit grey, but, dry and 13c.

A leisurely morning, including looking up potential eating places. 

There is a pub, the Six Bells, just outside the site, but, it appears to have succumbed to the economic situation, and has closed down.

According to Trip Advisor, The Arun View Hotel is the best eating place in Littlehampton.

We set off to walk into Littlehampton, with the intention of eating at the Arun View Hotel (2.2 miles). 

I think Littlehampton must once have been quite a smart little town, now, it is somewhat faded grandeur, if you imagine, Hebburn-on-Sea, that would give a good idea, for those who know Hebburn.

The food is good, the waitress pleasant, so, on balance, OK, although the artist's impression of the view is most definitely using a big dollop of artistic licence.

To round off the day, I suggest walking back, via a different route, to 'make a circle of it. Surprisingly, Kathleen agrees, and we cross the river Arun, then, walk back to Littlehampton CAMC site (3.25 miles).

Not a bad day, we didn't get wet, we had a reasonable meal, and, we had some exercise.

Bibury. Orchard House CL (N51.758456 W1.855755)

 Thursday, 23rd March 2023

Not well prepared for this trip, I even missed the usual garden, as we left it, photograph!

Approximately 256 miles. I wouldn't call it a particularly pleasant journey, several traffic hold-ups, and, alternating periods of bright sunshine, followed by periods of torrential rain.

Orchard House CL (N51.758456 W1.855755), one of a pair of CLs with the same owner. The other is Orchard Meadow CL. 

The two CLs are adjacent to each other, Orchard House CL has hard standing, whereas Orchard Meadow CL is all grass. 

Given the torrential rain when we arrive, hard standing is a good idea.

We arrive at about 15:00, so, not time to do any exploring, plus, there is torrential rain. The, very pleasant, owner (Peter) braves the rain to greet us, and, give us some information about the local area.

Friday, 24th March 2023.

A sunny start to the day, and 7c, rising to 12c. Windy, and, the rain does return shortly after lunch.

The site owner gave us a couple of maps of local walks. The shortest is 3 miles, and takes in Ablington and Bibury.

We are told that Ablington is a pretty Cotswold village, without the tourists. Well, it is, but, it is without anything else too, we discover.

So, walking shoes on, and, off we go, on a 3 mile walk.

The instructions say to join a public footpath, shortly after leaving the site, 

This footpath apparently is a part of the original Hay Lane, a Roman route from Cirencester. 

Roman route or not, Kathleen decides that after yesterdays heavy rain, it is too muddy, so, we will vary the route (seldom a good idea, when you do not have a detailed map).

 All goes well, we are walking on tarmac, a small road, with only very occasional motor traffic.

One small detail, we do not appear to have reached a village. We do encounter another public bridal way, which is deemed "not too muddy", and, which, according to my sense of direction, appears to be heading off in the right direction.

Now, we are relying completely on our sense of direction, because this public bridal way is not even on google maps, so, we are shown as heading off across a field. We emerge onto a tarmac route at the village of Winston, and, follow the lane to Ablington, from where Bibury is actually signposted. Other than the fact that we spent most of the time without a clue where we were, and, what a pleasant surprise to arrive at The Swan, Bibury, it was a very pleasant walk, scenic and quiet, although, lacking a pub, or, at the least a coffee shop.

After lunch, the weather returns to yesterdays weather. Frequent torrential showers. 

A meal, at the Catherine Wheel, Bibury, with the Kent based Reay family this evening, well, not actually all of them, we are minus Victoria and her husband Graham, who could not make it, because, today is Victoria's graduation day, as a Radiologist, plus of course brother John and his wife Sharon, so, nine of us in total.