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Friday, 15th March 2019
Mild, at 10C, but, still windy, at least sun is shining!
The "plan" today is to walk along the signed Riverside Walk, from Hertford to Ware. This forms part of a much longer route, The Lea Valley Walk, (50 miles), which goes from Luton to Lime House Basin, East London. We content ourselves with a little over 7 miles, today, about 5 miles of which is along the River Lea Valley!
We are reasonably fortunate with the weather, it does, eventually, begin to rain, heavily, but, fortunately, by then, we are in Ware, and, conveniently, outside of a Coffee shop!
A little shopping for more essentials (ie Red Wine), and, we catch a bus back to Hertford.
Saturday, 16th March 2019
Mild, 12C, but, even windier!
Lunch in the Barge Inn, courtesy or Kathleen, very pleasant.
Sunday, 17th March 2019
Blue sky, sunshine and 8C when we wake up, maybe weather is improving?
A short (65 mile) drive, to Ferry Meadows CAMC Site (N52.56053, W0.30593).
Ferry Meadows CAMC Site is a typical, CAMC Site, Clean, well organised, good facilities. It is surrounded by the Nene Valley Country Park , with miles of walking and cycling trails, plus other activities. The Nene Valley Heritage Steam Railway also runs through the park, an extra treat for Steam enthusiasts! It is also within easy cycling/walking distance of Peterborough.
We fit in a 3.3 mile walk, around the lakes, the weather is kind, we have blue skies and sunshine.
Tuesday, 12th March 2019
Weather forecast has dire warnings of "storm Gerard". Well, as at 09:00, the predictions appear the usual level of exaggeration. By 11:00. it is rain heavily, but, no strong wind, by 15:00, the rain has stopped and sun is out. Unfortunately we chose 14:00 walk to the nearby Tesco for essential supplies (ie Chocolate), got slightly wet!
Wednesday, 13th March 2019
Dry and bright, windy, 12C as we leave Cirencester Park CAMC Site.
A reasonably boring 117 miles, lots of motorway, to Hertford Camping and Caravan Club Site (N51.78571, W0.06801).
Weather at Hertford not a lot different to Cirencester.
Thursday, 14th March 2019
Hertford Camping and Caravan Club Site (N51.78571, W0.06801).
British weather! Never mind three seasons in one day, we have it in one hour, cold and windy, then raining, then sunshine. It definitely reminds me why I like to go South (Spain/Portugal) to avoid the British Winter!
A very pleasant walk into Hertford, about a mile, mostly slightly downhill, which of course means slightly uphill on the way back!
The inevitable search for a Catholic Church, which we eventually find, with the aid of Google.
During our wanderings, we spot several walking/cycling possibilities, mainly along the River Lea, which we may be able to take advantage of in the next few days, weather permitting!
A very pleasant lunch, and, then, a walk back.
Perhaps the effect of the lunchtime wine, but, Kathleen is in an adventurous mood,
and, agrees to following a footpath, on a hunch that it will take us in the right direction, sure enough, it does, and, it is actually shorter than the way we went.
We accomplish all of this without being caught in the rain, although, the rain does start about five minutes after we get back!
Sunday, 10th March 2019
Weatherwise, the good news is, sunny and mild at 11C, the bad news is, it has been blowing a gale all night, and, it is still blowing strongly this morning!
Quite a few branches and debris lying about, but, it would appear, no harm done, and wardens are out clearing it away.
A leisurely breakfast, then, a walk through the very pleasant park, to Cirencester Towncentre, so Kathleen can top up her indulgences at church.
For me, a little shopping (wine and
chocolate treats, it is not lent for us none believers).
The Cirencester Park and Bathurst Estate are open to the Public (between 8:00 and 17:00 each day, thank you to the 9th Earl and Countess Bathurst, jolly decent of them, I am sure) and form an extensive area of parkland, with footpaths weaving through it. All very attractive, and, from the number of people stalling there, even on a windy Sunday morning, clearly quite well used.
Monday, 11th March 2019
A very pleasant day for March, sunny, 11C, although still a stiff breeze blowing.
We have a walk around our domain, ie, Bathurst Estate, making a wide circle, through the grounds, and eventually arriving at Stretton, a small village just outside Cirencester, and then back via Cirencester (where refreshments are taken), to make just over 6 miles.
Almost all of the walk is traffic free, either through woods, or, open countryside there is brief section where we have to walk along the (relatively quiet) road, but, we have a chance encounter with a dog walker, who tells us we can follow "The Coffin Route"
which takes us across the fields from the nearby St Peter's Church, to the Plough Inn, Stretton.
While walking through the streets of Cirencester, spotted an interesting "blue plaque" which gives a possible explanation of the slang word "dole" for (Unemployment) Benefit. Apparently, in the Middle Ages, Abbeys, had a building, near the Gatehouse, where travellers could get free food and refreshment, this building was known as "The Dole House"
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.
