Heronbrook Farm CAMC CL, Cotgrave (N52.921876 W1.049502)

Wednesday, 21st May 2025

For the first time in weeks, we have rain!

We leave Chertsey in the rain, the 134 mile journey begins with the usual M25 crawl, but, there after is easy going.

Heronbrook Farm CL  (N52.921876 W1.049502) not very clearly signposted, there is a large sign, but, it has the names of three establishments on it, and, Heronbrook is not prominent. But, despite the negative comments about the driveway, in reviews, the approach is straight forward, and the driveway is not unduly potholes.

Very pleasant place, tidy, clean, and very scenic. Owner (Chris) puts in an appearance, very pleasant chap. We are the only ones here, at present, more to arrive over the next few days apparently.

It would appear there is plenty of walking, and, we are not far from the National Water Sports Centre, where Gabriel is competing in a Rowing event, on Friday.

Thursday, 22nd May 2025

Cloudy and cool 13c.

We walk the 2.5 mile round trip to Cotgrave, to buy supplies.

Cotgrave was a "mining village", but, it is not like any mining village I have seen in Northumberland or County Durham. 

Not a sign of "pit houses" arranged in cramped terraces, but, rather some smart modern properties, mixed with some much older "traditional" properties. I think this must be because the Colliery here was a "modern" one, not opened until the 1960s.

One of our fellow "campers" arrives, just shortly after lunch time, a caravaner who had apparently booked a space in the "rally field", which Kathleen coverted.

       

Chertsey Camping and Caravan Club Site (N51.389339, W0.489691) and Windsor

Saturday, 17th May 2025

Today is the main object of our visit here, ie to attend Salma's first Holy Communion.

All goes well, and Salma is beautiful in her Holy Communion dress.

Sunday, 18th May 2025

Family time at Gary's

Monday, 19th May 2025

A short walk (only 1.64miles, there and back). 

We walk the path on the opposite side of the Thames path, where Kathleen fell and broke her wrist, approximately one year ago, so as, not to tempt fate.

We manage to avoid another broken wrist, but, the walk, short though it is, does nothing for my painful ankle / achilles tendon.

The rest of the day is spent sitting in the sun, followed by an Indian Chicken Curry.

 

Tuesday, 20th May 2025

More family visiting.

 

Hawton Waters, Hawton, Nottingham (N53.030944,W0.813016)

 Thursday, 15th May 2025

En-route to Chertsey CCC site, as our base to visit Windsor, for Salma's First Holy Communion, and, of course, to see Gary, Susana and Gabriel.

An almost traffic free 156 miles, excluding of course the usual crawl past Darrington/Wentbridge. How long can it take to repair a bridge?, it must be at least two years now, I wonder if they are using the same Contractors as were used to "refurbish" the Tyne Pedestrian / Cycle Tubnnel?

Weather disappointing, forecast said cloud along the East Coast, possibly as far South as Hull. Well, the cloud extends at least as far south and west as Newark!, so, we have a chilly and dull 13C.

Hawton Waters (N53.030944,W0.813016) is a CAMC Certified Location. a few miles south of Newark-on-Trent. Our stopover for tonight. 

Approach from A1SB is straightforward, and, entrance clearly signed.

There is a large lake, presumably for fishing. "Checking in" all done remotely, code for gate emailed to you, along with directions to find your pitch, water etc. Seems very pleasant and quiet, might be worth a longer return visit. I even heard a Cuckoo, the sign of Spring.

It would appear there is only us, and a caravan here. Surprisingly, Kathleen seems happy with this, she normally likes more "signs of life".

Friday, 16th May 2025

After yesterday's silly and cloudy weather, today, we have glorious sunshine and a forecast 21C.

Off to a good start, easy going, with light traffic, until the M25!

We are so relaxed we stop for coffee and cake at about 11:00 with only 60 miles to go. Then, we have the "pleasure" of the M25. Traffic is at a crawl, particularly between junctions 17 and 16, where we never get above 10mph. Made worse by the heat.

 Eventually we reach Junction 11, and, then, just a couple of miles to Chertsey, Chertsey Camping and Caravan Club Site (N51.389339, W0.489691).

Englethwaite Hall CAMC Site, Armathwaite, Carlisle (N54.84483 W2.80131) contd.....

 Wednesday 9th April 2025

A disappointing day in terms of weather, Cloudy and cold in the morning. The sun came out about 13:00, and, temperature rose to a pleasant 14c.

Despite the weather, we walk to Armathwaite. 

Not such a scenic walk as yesterday.

We have lunch in the Fox and Pheasant Inn, which is surprisingly busy.

I conclude that 8.69 miles of walking is about four miles too much for me, now.

Thursday 10th April 2025

Home.

Englethwaite Hall CAMC Site, Armathwaite, Carlisle (N54.84483 W2.80131)

 Monday, 07/04/2025

An easy and relaxed journey of only 70 miles, other than a big hold up just east of Brampton, due to what looked like quite a serious RTA. 

A very mangled white van, with several Police cars and an ambulance, in attendance.

Englethwaite Hall CAMC Site (N54.84483, W2.80131), is a typical CAMC site, organised, well cared for, but, unusual for a CAMC site, no "facilities". Reasonably easy approach, and, signed at entrance.

Brilliant weather, full sunshine and 16C.

One "weakness" of the location, the 3 mobile signal is week, so, our internet connection is not very good, and TV reception, via internet, is compromised, not good on a "full soap night". 

Tuesday, 08/04/25

Cold overnight, but, another brilliant day, full sunshine, 17C.

A walk to Colehill. 

There is, I am told, a path from the site, through the forest, but, given Kathleen's anxiety, because of her condition, and, her (unfounded) distrust in my ability to find my way, we walk there via the road. This is not a problem, since there is minimal traffic, we only see one car in 1.5 miles.

Colehill is a very pleasant village, with a church, and, a pub (The Greyhound). Unfortunately, the Greyhound is shut on Mondays and Tuesdays, so, good job we took a picnic lunch and a drink with us, "just in case" !

As we set off to return, we see a "public footpath sign", there is a lady, nearby, attending to her garden, so, we ask if the "public footpath" will take us to Englethwaite Hall. She conforms it will, so, reassured by a fellow woman, Kathleen is willing to return via that route.  

Braithwaite Village CCC Site (N54 36'4" W3 11'10") contd.

Thursday 14th November 2024

A foggy start, but, by 09:00, sun has burned off the fog, to leave clear blue sky, and calm, 7c with 12c forecast as the high.

Today, I want a less strenuous day, my old knees are protesting.

Prior to coming here, I looked up possible pubs/eating places. One was The Coldale Inn.

Yesterday, as we entered Braithwaite, I noticed a signpost and advertising board, for The Coldale Inn, the sign suggested that the pub as only about 1/2 - 3/4 of a mile away.

Accordingly, we have a leisurely start to the day, and decide to walk to The Coldale Inn for lunch.

The first surprise is, the pub may not be far, but, it is up a steep hill!

Despite our leisurely start, I did expect to arrive at the pub too early for lunch. The "plan" was to stroll on a little further, then return for lunch.

However, The Coldale Inn is part way up a rather large hill, so, we were left to walk on, up the hill.

The route is initially a small road, which terminates at a gate, from there, it is a rough track, passable to Land Rover type vehicles, and, of course, people on foot.

This photograph is from a point just above the gate to the rough track, the mound in the foreground is some form of United Utilities infrastructure, the lake, just visible in the centre, between the hills, is Bassenthwaite.

This is the point at which we decided we had walked up hill enough, but, it still was not time for the pub to begin serving lunch, so, we

ploughed on a little further, so much for my "easy day".

The "high point" we reached was as shown on the right. The track can just be vaguely seen, running along the flank of the pyramid like hill ahead, about a third of the way up, and, heading, I think, towards Cat-Bells.

We find a convenient rock to sit on, for a little rest, before heading back down for lunch.

In the event, lunch was well worth waiting for, served in a very pleasant room, with a roaring wood fire.

This week is "Pie Week", and, we have Lamb and Red Current Pie.

It is delicious, and, the portion is generous, it is a good job we are on the 'down" section, I don't think I could walk up the hill, stuffed as I am with pie, potatoes.

  

Friday, 15th November 2024

A standard "Lake District Morning", this morning. Low cloud obscuring the hills, steady drizzle, damp and dismal. Not a bad day to be going home.

A steady drive home, via A66/M6/A69, it even brightened up and became sunny, after we joined A69.

Braithwaite Village CCC Site (N54 36'4" W3 11'10")

 Monday 11the November 2024

After what seems like weeks of dismal cloudy days, we have a forecast which promises, sunshine, blue sky and not too cold. Accordingly, I had seized to opportunity to have a few days away.

I have tried several times to get booked at Braithwaite Village CCC Site, always fully booked, but, this week, we struck lucky and got Monday thru Friday.

From home, we have a choice of three routes to the Lake District:

- via A69, M6, A66, my second choice, Kathleen's favoured route

- via A69, Alston, Penrith, A66, my favourite (it's scenic), a no-no from Kathleen

- via A1M, A66, boring, after today, declared boring and tedious by Kathleen too

An uneventful but boring journey via the A1M/A66, to arrive at Braithwaite Village CCC Site (N54 36'4" W3 11'10") at about 13:30.

We stopped off at Rheged Centre, near Penrith, for a coffee, because we were running a bit early (earliest check in is 13:00). Strange place, it is a Cinema, cafe and a sort of shopping centre, with VERY expensive shops. Kathleen took a fancy to a jumper in one of the shops, set her back £95!, that was a very expensive coffee stop. Don't think I will be stopping there again.. 

First impressions of the site are very favourable, on edge of village, very easy to find, quiet, with a pub, coffee shop and restaurant in the village.

Tuesday 12th November 2024

Not a bad morning, for mid November, sunshine, calm, 12c and, not raining!

The plan today was a walk to Thornthwaite, to visit the Art Gallery and coffee shops recommended by Evelyn. But, Google tells us it is closed Mondays and Tuesdays, so, a quick re-think.

There is a footpath running along the edge of the site, no idea where it goes, so, we set off along there.  

I vaguely thought it must be heading in the general direction of Keswick, and, sure enough, we arrive at Portinscale, near Keswick, just in time for a very pleasant lunch at The Chalet Cafe and Tea Rooms. A four mile round trip, some on a very small, and quiet road, and some on public footpath across fields with sheep grazing. Very enjoyable.

Wednesday, 13th November 2024

The day starts well, ie some blue sky, calm and mild, but, by mid afternoon, the cloud has developed and is well down over the hills.

Google claims that Thornthwaite Gallery and Tea Rooms is open today, so, that is our destination.

Following Google maps instructions, we walk along a quiet road, pleasant enough and easy walking.

As we approach Thornthwaite Village, there is a sign to a Church (St Mary's), so, a slight detour to take that in.

Amazingly, in this their prone age, the church

is unlocked, but, there are many signs warning that items are "forensically marked" to allow them to be identified.

After a brief mooch around the very well kept church, we head for the Gallery and Tea Rooms.

Some very nice pieces of art in there, but, equally "nice" prices, so, a browse, but, no purchases.

Coffee and scones are consumed.

Whilst walking along the road, on the way here, I had noticed that there was at least one person walking on a path which appeared to be more or less parallel to the road, but, part way up the hill.

Taking a chance (no maps etc with us) we find what appears to be the track in question, and decide to return that way. 

It is a well defined track, so, must be reasonably well used, and, we do encounter a few people as we make our way along it.

It is wet and muddy in places, and, strenuous in places, because it is undualting, so, some grumbling, and, the mood swings between "who's idea was this" and "this is very pretty, and, so much nicer than walking along the road".

Plus of course, there is the ever present question "where will it bring us out", ie will it actually take us to Braithwaite?

For much of the way, the road is visible on our left, so, it is quite possible to tell that we are heading in the right general direction.

Eventually, we emerge onto a road, and, enter Braithwaite Village.