Malvern Hills CAMC Site, (N52.09674, W2.27805), contd.

Friday, 28th June 2019

Weather looking good again, can this be true, two warm (24C), sunny days in a row? 

We are torn between cycling to Great Malvern, or, Worcester. Great Malvern is nearer at just over four miles, while Worcester is about 9 miles away.

In the end, I choose Great Malvern.

Yesterday, I think I finally convinced Kathleen I can find my way, using an OS Map! But,  perhaps, today, I should have paid more attention to the contour lines on the map. Great Malvern is nearer, than Worcester, but, it is also up a rather big hill (called appropriately enough, The Malvern Hills! ).

But, we manage the eleven mile round trip, without complaint.

Great Malvern is rather genteel, but, it has a Wetherspoons! 

Having said that, it is the poshest Wetherspoons I have seen todate!

After a ringing endorsement, from a local resident, who began chatting to us, as we studied the offerings of "The Red Lion" (which did not appear to be open), we had a remarkably good and reasonably priced lunch in Wetherspoons. It included the largest glass of red wine I have ever been served in a UK pub!
After the uphill ride here, it was a case of freewheeling (almost) all of the way back to the site.

An evening stroll to Hanley Swan, and a relax by, what was once, presumably, the village pond, to round off the day.

Saturday, 29th June 2019

Bright and sunny, 30C is forecast!

Today, we decide to cycle to Tewkesbury. It is a little ambitious, the plan is to take the smaller country roads. The temperature is forecast at 30C, in the event, it reaches 31C.

According to Google, the distance (via the shortest route) is a little over ten miles, quite "doable".

Sure enough, we take the "scenic" and quieter route, but, that turns out to be almost 19 miles THERE.

Discussions during our lunch break, mean a change of plan, we will take a chance and return via the shortest route. According to the OS Map, it is part of National Cycle Route 45 (on-road), it is also the A38! 

But, the fact I am typing this means, we lived to tell the tail. Thirty miles in 31C, not bad for two 72 year olds!

As a "reward" we call in at Upton-on-Severn, and, Kathleen buys (well, I actually pay, so, I suppose, technically, that should read "Ken buys yet another waistcoat for Kathleen"), yet another waistcoat

Malvern Hills and Worcester

Wednesday, 26th June 2019

A reasonable journey of approximately 240 miles, to Malvern Hills CAMC Site (N52.09674, W2.27805), Guarlford, near Worcester. 

The usual miles and miles of "roadworks", and contraflows, with 50, 40 and even 30mph speed limits on several sections of motorway, with no visible signs of any work being done, the joys of travelling in the UK!

Despite the promising weather forecast, a journey of grey skies and occasional rain, amazingly for June, only 12C as we travelled down the East side of the country, rising to a more promising 19C when we had crossed to the West side.





Thursday, 27th June 2019

Hurray! The sun is out! Warm, bright, dry, fantastic, or, in other words, as it should be in June.

A cycle ride to Upton-on-Severn, roughly 11 miles, on quiet lanes and shared cycle tracks. Upton-on-Severn, appears to be a sleepy little place, but, with a bit of "busyness" as preparations for a Jazz Festival at the weekend are in full swing.

Kathleen has a fun time trying on Waistcoats at a Hospice Charity Shop, and, ends up with a "bargain" at £5!, followed by a pleasant lunch.

We get back to the van, to find Kathleen has lost her "favourite" hat. It so happens, our (caravan) neighbours, who have also cycled to Upton-on-Severn and had spotted her hat, on the cycle track, but, not knowing it was Kathleen's, had left it there. So, they volunteered to give us a lift back to collect it. Nice people, from the North East of course (Tanfield)!.

So, Kathleen is happy, re-united with her favourite hat, and, a bargain waistcoat! 

Naburn Lock Campsite, near York

Saturday, 8th June 2019

Torrential rain for the whole journey.

Approximately 130 miles, including a quick stop at home, to drop off "wedding attire".














Sunday, 9th June 2019

Starts sunny with a little cloud, followed by lots of cloud, but, no rain!

Sunday, of course, is "Church day" for Kathleen. We cycle approximately 4 miles to York, English Martyrs Church.

After Church, we cycle into central York for a light lunch of coffee and sandwiches, after which, we find our way back to Naburn lock, via a slightly different route, which, I suppose, is a way of saying, we could not find our way back to our original route. 


Monday, 10th June 2019

Starts sunny, followed by cloud, and then, rain.

A bus ride followed by a small spending spree, at the nearby Designer Outlet Centre. A suitable indoor venue for a cloudy and cool day.

Tuesday, 11th June 2019

Dismal day, windy, cloudy, cold, and occasional showers.

A little explore of the surrounding area, on foot, of Naburn Lock, Naburn Village and York Marina.

There are lots of wild flowers, to remind us, it IS summer!

The Marina is very smart, and we linger for coffee and cake, rather expensive however, £12 for what would cost £8 at Costa or Starbucks.

There is a Caravan/Motorhome area, right by the river, with excellent views, well worth considering

Wednesday,12th June 2019

Heavy rain throughout the night. Improving to light drizzle by morning, and just cool, rather than cold. Think positive!

Kathleen suggests a trip into York, shop(!), and have lunch. As much as I hate shopping, even I have to agree that, given the weather, it is a good idea.

Thursday, 13th June 2019

Yet another night of heavy rain. This is becoming boring. Cloudy, mild, with just a hint of brightness this morning.

The weather forecast says it is not going to rain until 15:00 today, so, we set off on bicycles, to cycle to Selby, approximately 10 miles away (well, I have not actually told Kathleen this is my intention, such information is shared on a "need to know" basis). The route is rather good, mostly following some of Sustrans Route 65 (Trans-Pennine Route). 

No complaints going, Kathleen even spots a deer just off the cycle track. Coffee and cake in Selby. The weather forecast lied, rain starts at about 12:00, as we are peddling back on our return journey, so, we do get rather wet.

Friday, 14th June 2019

This is definitely becoming tedious, rain all night, and, still raining all morning! Eventually, 14:00, rain stops but still thick cloud.

Looks as if the most exciting thing today is going to be Steak and Chips for evening meal!

Saturday, 15th June 2019

Surprise, surprise, we are leaving, rain has stopped, sunny!

Home by lunch time.

 

To Dunstanhill Camping and Caravan Club Site

Monday, 3rd June 2019

We meet up with my brother, Brian, and his wife, Linda, in their super new Rapido A Class. 

We are assembling at Dunstanhill Camping and Caravan Club Site (N55.485454, W1.629158), ready to attend Charlotte and Dan's wedding Newton Hall, on Thursday.

We arrive first, while Brian and Linda get themselves set up, we walk to the coast and Dunstanburgh Castle, this walk has apparently been designated as one of the top 100 walks in the country.

Where to eat, there is a choice of two pubs with food, in Embleton, but, The Black Bull / Sambuca, is closed Monday and Tuesday, so, Greys Inn is the automatic choice. Food is very nice, but, the pub is too busy to be comfortable (plus, too many dogs, ie more than zero, for my taste).






Tuesday, 4th June 2019

Cloudy, but, dry, warm.

We take the bus to Alnwick.

The object of the exercise is to obtain forgotten, but, "essential" hair care items (ie "Three Day Straight", no, I don't know that that is either).

Mission accomplished, we take the bus back, getting off at Craster, to walk the 2-3 miles along the coastal path from Craster to Embleton.









Wednesday, 5th June 2019

Torrential overnight rain, followed by bright and sunny start, but, eventually clouding over and becoming positively cool.

Bus to Seahouses, walk to Brampton Castle, along the beach.

Lunch in Seahouses.

We discover that there are three, not two, places to eat in Embleton, the third being, Dunstanburgh Castle Hotel, and, this is where we eat this evening.

Thursday, 6th June 2019

Thankfully, the weather is kind, mild, sunny and dry for Charlotte and Dan's wedding.

A very enjoyable day, at Newton Hall.


Friday, 7th June 2019

Mild and sunny day.

A "lazy" day, not exactly hung over, but, we (well I) did eat and drink rather a lot yesterday!

Saturday, 8th June 2019

Torrential rain this morning, while we pack to leave.

Sunnydale Campsite, Netley Abbey (N50 53'8" W1 20'30") contd,

Thursday, 23rd May 2019


Clear blue sky, bright sunshine and 21C, with light cloud beginning to appear by evening.

We cycle to Hamble-le-Rice, via a new route (we are looking for a suitable lunch stop). We pass a couple of "possibles":

The Roll Call, looks attractive, but, not much choice on menu (if you don't like fish, which Kathleen doesn't). 

and The Cottage, not open until 16:00, we cannot wait that long for lunch!.

The waterfront at Hamble-le-Rice looks much more promising. A tourist "hot-spot" I am sure, for the Bank Holiday, but, today, it is just pleasantly "populated", and, we have a very pleasant lunch in The Bugle.

It is easy to see why this is so popular, a very attractive waterfront, looking over the River Hamble. 

As always with these "boat places", the marvel (to me) is the amount of expensive hardware, which appears to be seldom used.

A quick trip to the Marina, suggests this is an affluent area, expensive new yachts lined up, awaiting buyers.

So, all in all, a very pleasant day, fourteen miles of pleasant cycling and a very good lunch!

We return to find we have a neighbour, a couple who have "gone native" and live in their twenty two year old Hymer. A very talkative chap, we learn they are here for only one night, to enable him to attend a hospital appointment.

Friday, 24th May 2019

Another beautiful day, blue skies, sunshine 21C.

We cycle to Woolston, to buy essential supplies (ie wine and Pizza).

Lunch, courtesy of Kathleen, sitting by the coast at a rather pleasant small cafe.

It is the beginning of a Bank Holiday weekend, the site is filling up rapidly, Motorhomes, Caravans and Tents arriving until late in the evening.

Saturday, 25th May 2019

A degree of two cooler at 19-20C, stiff breeze, and, a lot of cloud rolling in, but, no rain so far.

A dry run for Kathleen's "walk to church" tomorrow, the plan is I will be trusted to do packing up, unsupervised, whilst Kathleen "does" her Church thing.

Bicycles loaded into the Garage of Van.

Sunday, 26th May 2019

Dull and Cloudy, a good day to be leaving.

The plan is to drive about halfway home, then find somewhere to stop for the night, preferably with the option of a meal.

But, the weather gets worse as we go North, windy and wet, so, we, well I, drive the 320 or so miles home.

Happy(?) memories of my working life, when, for months, I made this journey, from A&P Southampton, every Friday afternoon, and again, in reverse every Monday morning.

Sunnydale Campsite, Netley Abbey (N50 53'8" W1 20'30")

Monday, 20th May 2019

Another warm and dry day, as we leave Windsor. I am almost embarrassed to mention the weather, just in case Doug Shearer is reading this, as they are not having much joy with the spring weather in France, Switzerland and Germany.

A pleasant surprise, when Gary calls in to see us off.

Only a short journey (66 miles) to Sunnydale Farm Campsite, Netley Abbey (N50 53'8" W1 20'30"), however, in true UK Motorway style, the first the M4, then, the M27 are plagued by road works and subsequent hold ups.

First impressions are favourable, very friendly wardens, we even get a fully serviced pitch,

with grey waste disposal, fresh water, and EHU on our pitch.  

I am finally able to make use of the three metre length of waste water hose, which I have been carrying about for the past two years!.

Slight reservation about the rather busy road, which may prove a problem for our planned cycling outings, but, we will give it a try.

Tuesday, 21st May 2019

A beautiful day, full sunshine, 22C.

The road outside the site proves not as worrying as we feared. 

The plan is to find the Catholic Church (St Patrick, Woolston), then, to explore. After a little guidance from Stella (Owner), we find our way to an excellent cycle track along the coast. 

We first go toward Southampton, and quickly find the church, then, returning via the coast to Netley, where we stopped for refreshments, at the Prince Consort Pub, then, on through Royal Victoria Country Park, to Hamble-le-Rice, and back to Sunnydale Campsite. just over thirteen miles, and, not a word of complaint.

Wednesday, 22nd May 2019

Another beautiful day. 

Kathleen spends the time before about 9:30 on "hair care', a vitally important activity.

This means there will be no bicycle riding today, "what, put a cycle helmet on and mess up my hair?", not to mention, " get all hot and sweaty, after I have spent ages straightening my hair?".

We explore on foot, just under five miles.

First our route takes us through a nature reserve, very peaceful and pretty, but, we do not see as much as a mouse. We eventually emerge at the ruins of Netley Abbey, a very picturesque and well preserved example of one of Henry VIII's "acquisitions".

We take a few photographs, with my (to me) expensive new camera, all "point and click" since we have not mastered anything except the "zoom" feature yet!

Then, a stroll along the coastal footpath,

with a stop for picnic lunch, and, refreshments in the pub (Prince Consort).

We then become "all adventurous" and make our way back by "instinct", and, by chance, find: another COOP,  another Catholic Church, and, a route back which involved hardly any "on road" walking.

To Windsor - Family Event - Queens Acre (N51.4903, W0.6819)

Thursday, 16th May 2019

Another short UK trip. To Windsor, to see Gary, Susana, Gabriel and Salma. 

Gabriel is making his first Holy Communion on Saturday, 18th May 2019, so, we will be attending that, as well as doing the usual Grandparent moves of marvelling at how tall they are now, how they have advanced etc etc.

290 miles. We anticipate traffic delays as we approach London, but, it is completely the opposite, tail backs and hold ups around Tees-side, before we have even gone 60 miles, then, plain sailing, helped partly by our alternative route via the M40, which avoids the dreaded M25.

We arrive at Queens Acre (N51.4903, W0.6819), more improvements to the site, there is now a separate CAMC CL area. Pitches are on hardstanding, with well paced EHU points. A small facilities area, with kitchen (fridge, freezer, microwave, washing up sink), plus, toilet, shower, and even a bath!.

The site is located just off the busy A308, but, we are not able to hear any discernible traffic noise. 


Friday, 17th May 2019

After days of excellent weather, while we were at home, today is overcast, cool, with occasional rain showers.

Undeterred we go cycling with Gary, 16 miles, in a circuit from Queens Acre, to Maidenhead, along the River Thames Path to Windsor and back to Queens Acre.

Saturday, 18th May 2019

A slightly better day weatherise, a little warmer and brighter.

We attend Gabriel's first Holy Communion, at St Edwards Catholic Church, Windsor. As expected, Gabriel is his usual calm and competent self. 

We round off the day with a very pleasant lunch in Windsor

Sunday, 19th May 2019

Dry and warm.

Gabriel is having an early birthday party (Paintball Party).

There are what seem like dozens of friends attending, who, when dressed in their protective "combat gear" all look the same, it is not even possible to tell the boys from the girls!

They have the whole day of firing paint ball "bullets" at each other in a mini forest. They periodically emerge, hot and sweaty, but, smiling, to be fed and watered!