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Friday, 8th March 2019
The day begins with sunshine, but, it does not last beyond 10:00, when the clouds roll in. But, being positive, it is mild (10C) and, not actually raining (yet).
We walk the (approximately) 3 miles along the canal, into Kidderminster. The route is perfectly cyclable (IMHO), Kathleen is not so sure, too many puddles, she says.
The Catholic Church (St Ambrose) is found, and, Mass times determined (11:00 Sunday).
A coffee, and cake stop.
We "normally" frequent Costa Coffee, but, for the last couple of times, we have used Starbucks. Slightly more expensive, not to mention their tax dodging reputation, but, I have formed an addiction to their "luxury fruit toast, but butter and jam", so, principle and moral considerations are abandoned, Starbucks it is today.
We also take the opportunity to check out the The Lock Inn, food, just a short stroll from the Campsite.
We strike up a conversation with a couple from Australia, the woman, originates from this area, and, is "home", because her father has died. Drinks are good, food looks good, and, they have a Folk Night on Mondays, so, if we are still here on Monday, we may be back!
On our return to the Van, Kathleen goes to Reception, to arrange to extend our stay. Bearing in mind, it is March (ie pretty much "out of season"), and, the Site is far from full, we envisage no difficulty. Much to our surprise, we are told the site is almost filly booked for the weekend, and, we may not be able to stay. We have to wait until 9:00 tomorrow, to see if we can be "fitted in". I do not understand all of this obsession with pre-booking, it ruins the spontaneity of MotorHoming.
Saturday, 9th March 2019
Showers and 10C. But, it is little consequence, the site is fully booked for tonight, so, we cannot stay. Rather a shame, I was rather looking forward to eating at the Lock Inn and, possibly visiting the Folk Club on Monday evening.
A quick online check and we find a space at Cirencester Park CAMC Site (N51.71418, W1.98403).
A very windy 65 or so miles, to Cirencester.
Weather is slightly warmer here, and, no rain,
Church "checking" has to be repeated, since we are not going to be at Kidderminster, St Peters RC Church is about a mile and a half from the site. The walking route is very pleasant, through the Private Estate of some landed gentry or other, two small problems, the route is closed to the public at 17:00 each evening, and, no cycling allowed.
Wednesday, 6th March 2019
Torrential overnight rain, cloudy, but dry this morning, and a mild 11C.
Kathleen will not "brave" the walk along the canal, into Skipton, "too muddy". The walk along the road is perfectly fine. The reviews for the site, say a 40 minute walk, they must walk exceedingly slowly, at Kathleen's pace, it is 20 minutes, for normal people, I would say 30 minutes maximum.
Skipton, is a pleasant and bustling place, Market day on a Wednesday.
In addition to the market, we manage a very pleasant canal side walk.
We have a very enjoyable lunch, no meat, because Kathleen is observing Ash Wednesday, a day of abstinence, the price entrance to heaven it would appear. Only problem is, it means no wine tonight!
Starting from Skipton, we walk along the canal, until the tow path becomes too muddy, then, along the road, to arrive back at the van, just as the heavens open with torrential rain.
We had planned to move on to Tamworth, tomorrow. Thought we better check site has spaces, just in case. Amazingly, it is full. Apparently, it is Crufts Dog Show at Birmingham NEC, and not only the site we had selected, but, all nearby sites are fully booked. Damned nuisance. Accordingly, we decide on Kidderminster.
Thursday, 7th March 2019
Rain all night, and, still raining this morning. We have already decided to move on to Wolverley Camping and Caravan Club site (52.40833, -2.243976), near Kidderminster.
We pack up, and locate Jeanette (owner) to pay. This is the first time we have actually seen her, since we arrived, which I think is very trusting of her.
Approximately 150 miles, mostly motorway, and, pouring with rain all of the way.
All looks good, although, nothing really looks good, in pouring rain!
The usually friendly welcome from CCC Warden, and we are given directions to the pub and the canal, I am sure both will be of value, if it ever stops raining!
The rain does not really stop, but, briefly, it eases to be just a
light rain failing, allowing us a brief stroll to check out the location.
of the pub (The Lock Inn), and the adjacent Staffordshire and Worcester Canal.
Tuesday 5th March 2019
Not a bad day, considering it is early March, in UK. Dry, a bit of sun and a bit of cloud, 10C.
Totally uneventful drive of just under 100 miles to
Niffany Farm Caravan and Camping (N53.959569, W2.04724). As we were warned, there is a swing bridge over the canal, which is, shall we say, an interesting manoeuvre. If approaching from Skipton, on the A6069 (Broughton Road) it is a relatively easy, right turn, just the width of the Bridge to think about. If approaching from the opposite direction, it is a very tight, left turn, requiring a swing out, onto the wrong side of the road, to be sure you are lined up with the very narrow bridge. Best to drive past, turn around and approach from Skipton!
Niffany Farm Caravan and Camping seems rather nice, certainly, every pitch has a view. There is a substantial stone building, housing showers, toilets and a Games Room, Bar area.
The owner had told us in advance, she would be "busy with the lambing" and for us just to take pitch 9. That proved rather
interesting, the numbers appeared to go from 1-7, then 10 - whatever. After a five minutes fruitless searching, Kathleen's patience (now, there is a contradiction in terms) was exhausted, so, we too pitch number 4.
Mush to our surprise, we are not the only people here, another Campervan and a Caravan are already parked up.
A quick sandwich, and we head off for a walk. The canal tow path turns our to be too muddy for Kathleen's liking, so, we resort to the road.
York, Skelton, Thursday 31/01/2019
A planned short trip on our wedding anniversary. It so happens, we have chosen a spell of bitterly cold weather, as I type, it is -4C outside, cosy in here of course, with the heating on.
Our "usual" York stop over of choice (CAMC Rowntree Park), is fully booked, indicating we are not the only people "out and about" in caravans/motorhomes, in this freezing weather.
Instead, we select Grantchester Caravan Site, Skelton, N53 59'53" W1 8'14", a Camping and Caravan Club Certified Site. It is just off the A19, in the village of Skelton, about three miles from the centre of York. The site is small, but has all of the necessary amenities (ie EHU, Showers, Toilets etc). Our first time here but, it appears to be perfectly fine.
We have the place to ourselves, until about 18:00, when another Motorhome arrives.
There is a fairly frequent bus service into York, and, a choice of cycle routes, not that I expect to coax Kathleen onto a bicycle in these temperatures!
It would appear that extreme weather on our wedding anniversary is not uncommon, just 2 or 3 years ago, en-route to Spain on our wedding anniversary, we spent the night in a carpark, when we found our planned Aire stop-over was flooded. At least Kathleen appears to see the funny side (so far).
York, Skelton Friday 01/02/2019
We wake to a light covering of snow, and, a balmy 0C.
Our late arriving neighbour has left.
Fortunately, the diesel powered heating in our Chausson is efficient, so, we are nice and comfortable, as we eat our breakfast, watching the snow fall steadily, and planning what we are going to do today.
I rather suspect a day cycling is not going to fly, Marks and Spencer's beckons I think, or should that be, I fear?
So, it transpires, No 30 bus into York, and, a fruitless trawl of M&S, Next etc.
The highlight of the day is lunch in Pret-a-Manger.
When we get off the bus, after our return journey, a pint in the Blacksmiths Arms, what a friendly and welcoming pub it is.
They have a roaring coal fire going. Central heating of course has the advantage that the whole house is warm, instead of one warm room and the rest of the house arctic, as was the case in my childhood.
But, it has to be said, there is little that can compete with toasting yourself infant of the fire, on a cold winters day!
Another three vans arrive between 17:00 - 18:00, so, now we are four.
York, Skelton, Saturday, 2nd February 2019
A bright and sunny morning, although it is only 3C. Snow still on the ground, but, no more appears to have fallen. According the the news, the rest of the country is cut off and in a state of paralysis, as is usual if more than three snowflakes fall.
We eventually venture out of our toasty warm van, to explore the Cycle Route to York (on foot, too cold and icy to risk our elderly bones on a bicycle).
Very pleasant route, away from busy road (A19), well surfaced, and reasonably flat. We will be back, in more clement weather!
During our little "explore" we discover a more flexible route to/from York, on the bus. Rawcliffe Bar Park and Ride is about 20 minutes walk away, bus into York every 10 minutes. Even those with Age Concession Pass have to pay, but, it is only £1.10 return.
York, Skelton, Sunday, 3rd February 2019
A bright and sunny morning, although it is a crisp 2C.
Very pleasant walk to Rawcliffe Bar, then a bus into York.
Kathleen "does her church thing", whilst I have a hot chocolate and read the newspaper in Costa Coffee.
Back to Rawcliffe Bar, then a walk to the Blacksmiths for Sunday lunch.
In fact, we spend most of the afternoon there, what a friendly pub it is.
The locals keep Kathleen entertained with their wrangling about who won the charity raffle, and we have a FaceTime call with Salma after her Party for her Third Birthday.
We return to the Campsite to find the other vans have gone, we are alone again.
York, Skelton, 4th February 2019
Heavy overnight rain, we wake up to a tropical 5C, and, all of the snow has gone.
Off home, where, the snow is still on the ground.
Friday, 11th January 2019
A mild but grey morning, with a noticeable dampness in the air, as we leave Coniston Coppice Park CAMC Site and make our way to Keswick Camping and Caravan Club Site (N54 36'19" W3 8'47").
A short drive this morning, road not wide enough for Kathleen's taste.
A rather confusing destination this, two sites, right next door to each other, one called Keswick Club Site, one called Derwent Water Site, both run by the Camping and Caravan Club. At this time of year the Derwent Water Site is closed. The Keswick Site is the one next to the Rugby Club, and, on the Lake Shore.
We arrive at 12:40, admission is not until 13:00, already, there is a queue!
A short stroll around Keswick, Church times checked out for Kathleen, and coffee and cake. Easy day.
Saturday, 12th January 2019
We have had quite a reasonable run of weather, considering it is mid-winter, but, it appears to have ended. Very windy last night, grey and wet this morning, the surrounding hills are not even visible under blanket of low cloud.
Kathleen has started the hair washing routine, so, that should be her amused for half a day. Looks as if I will be reading my book, or, "playing" on the internet.
Kathleen completes the Church run, getting rather wet in the process. She really is going to be rather annoyed if I "get in" on her membership ;)
Sunday, 13th January 2019
High winds and rain, not exactly pleasant, but, by 10:30, there was a patch of blue sky and a hint of sunshine.
A very good Sunday Lunch at Pack Horse Inn, followed by the obligatory stroll to Friars Cragg.
Monday, 14th January 2019
Predictably, since we are leaving, a bright and sunny day!
Uneventful drive home.
Wednesday, 9th January 2019
Minus 1C overnight, so, a heavy frost and a clear crisp morning, only plus 1C by 10:00am, but, a beautiful winter morning.
A walk along the lakeshore, eight miles in total, with a picnic lunch, followed later by coffee and scones with strawberry jam.
A very quiet and calm day, although we are out walking for something like four hours, we encounter only four other walkers, and, a lone cyclist.
We have now "checked out" both routes to the village (including the pubs and, if we are here until Saturday/Sunday, the church). Both the lakeside and former railway path are unlit. Could be interesting walking along there in the pitch dark!
The temperate never rises above 4C, but, it is a beautiful winters day nevertheless.
Thursday, 10th January 2019
A balmy 3C this morning, with a bit of cloud cover.
A less active day today, only 4 miles walked, and that was to the pub for lunch.
The Ship Inn is extensively advertised, and, looked promising, but, when we got there it was closed today! Of the other three pubs in Coniston, only the Black Bull was serving food, or, indeed open, so, the Black Bull it was. Enjoyable lunch.
Monday 7th January 2019
Coniston, Park Coppice CAMC Site (N54 21'14" W3 5'4").
Typically, Sunday (yesterday) is a pleasant winters day, bright, calm and not too cold.
Today, is grey, raining and windy, so, not the most pleasant day for a 130 mile journey across the Pennines.
The weather woes are made worse by an accident on the M6, which has closed the motorway.
Much to my surprise, my £35 Ebay sourced Sat-Nav, detects the congestion ahead, and plans an alternative route to avoid it. I say much to my surprise because I did not know it had that feature, nor do I understand how it detected the congestion ahead? But, just like my much more expensive in-car unit, it gave a message saying there was a hold up ahead, displayed an alternative route suggestion and gave the option to continue on, or, follow the alternative route. One small problem of course, we were not the only vehicle to take the alternative route, and, going was slow, but, not as slow as standing stationary on a wet windswept M6!
At this time of year, only part of the Coniston site is open, but, we are not alone, there are quite a number of hardy souls parked up, among the trees.
Coniston does not appear to be a "typical" CAMC Site. True the facilities block and EHU points are typical CAMC, but the site layout is with trees (as it's name suggests I suppose), and is not the usual regular CAMC layout, but rather pitches arranged in small clearings, within the trees.
No problem with this, except in the gale force wind, we did get showered with falling twigs.
There are more "open" areas, not open at present, reserved for tent campers, I believe.
Tuesday, 8th January 2019.
A clear morning, gale force wind has gone completely, watery winter sunshine shining through the trees. A day outdoors, hopefully.
A walk to Coniston Village. Only a mile away, with a footpath which is largely off road, and, level (it appears to have been a former railway line). There is also a lakeshore path, which we explore a little, for some future outing.
It would appear the former railway ran from Coniston to Broughton-in-Furness. Construction began in 1858, and the line was opened a year later in 1859. Quite remarkable, today it would take that long to do the risk assessment!
Almost eight miles walked today, and a stop for a picnic lunch, by the lake.
