Gale Cruisers CAMC CL (N52.540554 E1.485291) continued...

 Saturday, 25th. September 2021

A dry and amazingly mild start to the day, for late September, 18C at 08:00, totally still, no wind, and, forecast for 23C.

No cycling today,  by order of Management.

A walk along the river, and, back by a circuitous route to the town (Loddon), for a pint in The Swan. There was a wedding reception going on, but we had finished our drinks, before the inevitable loud music started.

Book reading, after the walk, followed by packing away bicycles etc.

Tomorrow, we head for Windsor, that is assuming the M25 is not blocked by Extinction Rebellion, and, there is at least one garage with diesel, before we run out.

Interesting question, what happens if, like us, you are a couple of hundred miles from home, and, you cannot get fuel, and, in all probability, cannot find a place to stay? Do you just drive until the diesel runs out, then "camp out" wherever you happen to be? 

Sunday, 26th September 2021

 A typical autumn morning, misty and cool, but, soon cleared and temperature increased, by the time we reached Windsor, it was "sitting in the garden" weather.  

150 Miles to Gary's (Windsor), diesel situation a bit of a concern, but, we found a garage on A11 with a small queue and plenty of stock. Tank now full, so, enough to get home, and, perhaps, a little more.

A catch up with Gary and Susana, but, mainly, "playing" with Salma and Gabriel.

Salma has progressed rapidly from last time we saw her (only about six months ago), which is so good to see. Gabriel continues to be a delight, updating us on his activities and school work,

Gale Cruisers CAMC CL (N52.540554 E1.485291) continued...

Thursday, 23rd September 2021

 Another sunny and warm day (21C), but, with a stiff breeze.

After two consecutive days of cycling, the troops prefer a bit of walking.

A shopping trip to Loddon, for milk and bananas.

After lunch, we walk along the marked footpath (Wherryman's Way) alongside Gale Cruisers. I tried to find information, on the internet, about the route, but, it would appear there are dozens of marked walks throughout Norfolk, call Wherryman's Way.

A very pleasant walk, first by the river, then through pleasant countryside.

We also find yet another Church (All Saints) within a short walk from the site.We return to the site to find we have a new neighbour, who is busy trying to erect his air-awning, without the benefit of a pump.

I loan him my Ring electric pump, but, without the correct adaptors (which he does not have either), there is little success.

Friday, 24th September 2021

Another bright and sunny day, 21C. However, there is a stiff breeze, blowing from the South-West.

We have a leisurely morning, and do not set off on our cycle ride until almost 11:00.

We are off to Bungay (where do they get these names from?, Anglo-Saxon apparently).

According to my calculations it is going to be. a round trip of about 18 miles, as usual, I round this down a bit, to 14 miles, before releasing the information to "the troops".

The initial part of the route is NCN 1, as we did on Monday, but, unfortunately, I am too optimistic about my navigation skills / memory, and do not bother to load the route into the Garmin.

Needless to say, this is a mistake, and, we (well I) go wrong at a particular cross roads, adding quite a detour to our ride. 

The good news is, I manage to get us bag "on track".

The bad news is, by the time we get to Bungay, we have covered almost 11 miles, thus implying a total trip of 22 miles.

A picnic lunch, plus a trip to a coffee shop for coffee and cake only partly mitigates my error.

The return journey goes without a hitch, and the total turns out to be 19.4, still a bit more than 14. This us at approximately 17 miles, the smile has returned, just. 

Gale Cruisers CAMC CL (N52.540554 E1.485291) continued...

Tuesday, 21st September 2021

 A misty start to the day, typical autumn morning in UK. The mist soon burned off, and, gave a sunny day, with a few clouds, and 21C.

We cycle to Beccles, via NCN 1. A little bit more "up and down" than I would have expected for Norfolk, but, mostly, delightful traffic free lanes.

Our route took in  Chedgrave - Lodden - Geldeston - Gillingham - Beccles and was just under 24 miles.

I had plans for a longer circuit, but, that was, perhaps, a little ambitious. Best to quit while you are ahead and the troops are not mutinous.

Coffee and cake at Beccles, and, an afternoon of sitting in the sun, on our return.

Wednesday, 22nd September 2021

A very sunny morning, perhaps, the most sunny this week.

Today, we plan something a little less strenuous, a bicycle ride to Reedham (approximately 6 miles away), where there are at least three pubs, serving lunch.

With the route downloaded to my Garmin, we head for Reedham, via Reedham Ferry. 

It is a very pleasant ride, along quiet lanes, almost empty of motor traffic.

I had not realised the only way to cross the River to Reedham, was, via the Reedham Ferry, there is no bridge. All very interesting, adds a little variety to the outing.

A £1 each way for a cyclist and bicycle, 50p for a pedestrian.

Amazingly, the ferry, which is pulled across the river by rather insubstantial looking chains,

also carries cars.

A maximum of two at a time I would say, and, there is a campsite, at the Reedham side, so, Motorhomes and Car/Caravans must cross too.

We check out the available pubs, which. are serving food, a choice of three, and we choose The Lord Nelson, on Reedham Riverside.

It is an idyllic location, right by the riverside, and, the food is very good.

However, a large meal, plus an alcohol drink or two, are perhaps not the best preparation for a cycle ride, even if it is just over 6 miles!

Finally, an admission, I forgot to take the camera, so, there are only frame grabs from the video Camera.

Autumn in UK

The rough plan is, a week in Norfolk, a visit to Windsor, to see Gary, Susana, Gabriel and Salma, followed by a week (possibly) in Devizes. We have the first week booked, before we leave (difficult to be spontaneous in UK, particularly in these Covid times).

Gale Cruisers CAMC CL (N52.540554 E1.485291)

Sunday, 19th September 2021

What should have been an approximately 260 mile journey, turns into a 300 mile slog. A1(M) closed, just south of Doncaster, makes for a massive detour, via the M1. Plus, a thunderstorm and flooding on the A11.

Traffic is moving most of the time, but, incredibly busy, even at 08:30 on a Sunday morning. Wetherby Services are so busy that all but one Caravan/Motorhome parking space is occupied!

Fortunately, Gales Cruisers CL, Chedgrave,  looks promising, so, once we arrive and get set up, the tribulations of the journey are forgotten.

A little explore around the immediate area, and a walk into the adjacent small town of Loddon, followed by a delayed Sunday Lunch, courtesy of Kathleen's culinary skills.

Monday, 20th September 2021.

Cloudy but mild start to the day, it is 16C, with forecast of 18C for today.

A few boats moving on the river.

Totally quiet, amazingly, no barking dogs!

We eventually pay (I did ask the chap who gave us the "welcome tour" yesterday, but, his answer was "no rush". £18/night, including EHU, not bad, in my opinion.

We spend the day exploring, on foot, to get orientated, check out where the pubs, eating places, shops, and churches are.

It all looks very promising, tomorrow, will be cycling, weather permitting.

Dockray Meadow CAMC Site. (N54.5707 W3.41841)... contd......

Wednesday, 18th August 2021

No rain overnight, as far as I know, but, another grey, cloudy start to the day, although it is still a mild 16C.

Kathleen was in favour of cutting our loses, based on the weather, and just heading for home. I talked her out of it, on the basis that, each day so far, the sun has appeared from such time onwards. Today, I was wrong, heavy cloud, all day, no rain however.

An after lunch walk, of just over 3 miles, along the NCN 71 cycle route, toward Ennerdale Water. 

We meet two young ladies (early twenties, I would guess), from Newcastle, who are cycling the C2C route to Tynemouth. 

They had taken the train from Newcastle this morning, to Whitehaven, and set off East, at some unspecified time today. They did not appear to be carrying enough "gear" to be camping, so, goodness knows where they intend to spend the night.

At the point we met them, they were coasting down a long downhill stretch, just before Lamplugh. I decided against dis-heartening them, by telling them, the next section, toward Loweswater, is steadily uphill for at least two miles.

Full marks to them for giving it a go, hopefully, they will enjoy it!

Thursday, 19th August 2021

Surprise, it is raining again this morning.

Not one of our better trips, enjoyment limited by weather, definitely not worth missing a visit from Gary, Susana and family, for.

Home today.

 

Dockray Meadow CAMC Site. (N54.5707 W3.41841)

 Sunday, 15th August 2021

Not a promising start, weatherise, dull, with slight drizzle, for our 100 mile drive to Dockray Meadow CAMC Site, Lamplugh, Cumbria, CA14 4SH.

Slight discussions about why the Sat-Nav brought us the way it did, but, it transpires a section of road is closed, so, approaching via the route we did was the best option.

Site is up to the usual high standard for CAMC sites, although the layout of pitches is somewhat random, buy CAMC standards. For the first time ever, I note Motorhomes and Caravans parked sideways on pitches, never seen that before on a CAMC site! TV signal, even with the aid of EHU bollard booster, is poor. Internet signal from 3 is 3g only, although Tesco/O2 manage 4g.

As always on the first day, not a lot of time to do very much, eat, and a short walk (just under 3 miles), to explore the immediate area are all we have time for.

Monday, 16th August 2021

Lake district weather strikes, cloudy and raining, although it is not cold at 15C.

Rain stops and sun emerges by lunch time. 

We set off on a walk. Based on yesterday evening's walk, and, after discussion, I have carefully researched a potential walk, memorised place names etc. 

Before we even reach the first turn, Kathleen decides to follow a totally different route, for which we have no map, and, for which, I have not even looked at a map. We do just over 7 miles, during which I don't have the foggiest idea where we are.

On our return, as we sit and have a well deserved coffee, in a brief period of sunshine, a you family (Mother, Father, two boys about 7 and 9), arrive in a hired Motorhome. After setting up their van, they depart on bicycles, not for long, they obviously had not bargained for the hills! The boys then discover a frog, and, much amusement is had for about an hour, all without an electronic device in evidence.

Tuesday, 17th August 2021

Heavy overnight rain, and, this morning, the large hill, adjacent to the Campsite is shrouded in cloud.

Believe it or not, between the trees, on the left and the right, there is a large hill. If the cloud lifts, I will try to get a photograph to prove the point!

Well, I waited an hour, and, the hill is visible again, the vagaries of the Lake District weather.

As expected, by lunch time, the rain had gone, and, some blue sky was visible, although, it. was quite windy.

We go walking again, this time following a route where I have studied the map, so, we at least know where we are going! Just over 3.5 miles brings us to Loweswater.

We encounter this rather imposing gateway, as we leave Lamplugh, it is part of a listed building., just opposite a rather imposing Church (St Michaels), which is also a listed building.

Some impressive views, both before, and after we reach Loweswater.

Hebden Bridge CAMC Site ( N53.72025 W1.99074), to home

 Saturday, 17th July 2021

Too hot for driving, 24C when we left Hebden Bridge CAMC Site, not even 10:00, and 27C by the time we approached Tyneside, shortly before lunch.

Uneventful journey, until we reached Carrville on A1(M), Northbound 

There was a serious accident here, two/three days ago (Thursday). Still plenty of evidence of the accident on the carriageway, skid marks, accident investigation markings of vehicle positions etc. The A1(M) North and South bound were closed all day Friday. I took the trouble to check (online) that road was open again, because there are alternative routes we could have taken. But Highways England, said road open, and adjacent road works suspended to aid traffic flow.

Result? two mile tail back, because some numpty forgot to remove the "lane closed" signs, and, traffic funnelling into one lane, for no reason, there was no lane closure! 

How did a Nation of such numpties manage to have an Empire spanning the World?