Leighton Buzzard

August 21st.

Decided on a trip to "Grove Lock Marina", hopefully for a meet with my daughter Fiona and Grandson Toby. Left storage 1100hrs. Usual delay at Dartford Crossing, otherwise trouble free, arrived on site 1430hrs and set up.

We were in the CL a small site of 5 pitches, all grass but very nice. Then to reception to pay the fees,

It is also the Marina office. The 50 metres along the canal to the pub, "Grove Lock". Where we enjoyed liquid refreshments.

Being a warm Sunday afternoon it was very busy. Then back to Eevie, shower and relax.

August 22nd.

Up bright and early, Fiona and Toby visiting today. We cycled into town as we needed to post a package for Teeny Weeny World, our first online sale. Then back to site to await the visitors. They arrived at noon, Toby didn't want to get in Eevie, a bit strange for him. I finally lifted him in, then he was fine. Had nibbles and gave him his birthday present, it's the 26th but we wouldn't be around for that. Fiona had a go on Hazels E-bike and was well impressed, Toby enjoyed it too. We all took a walk along the canal, well Toby in his buggy. At the nature reserve he had a go at a couple of the balancing poles. Then back to site, spent a while playing before they had to leave.

It was really nice to spend time together and hopefully there'll be many more. About 1900hrs Hazel and I went to the pub for a meal. It was very good. Then off to bed at the end of a lovely day.

August 23rd.

Another lovely day, so after breakfast we cycled into town for a look round. Nice ride as its all towpath, so traffic free. Did a bit of shopping for a BBQ later, then a coffee.

Checked out the charity shops without finding anything exciting, then back to the bikes.

Once loaded up we cycled back to the canal, then along the towpath to see "Wyvern Shipping", a Narrowboat company with whom we have had 2 great boating holidays in the past.

Then back to the site, unpacked the shopping, secured the bikes, then to the pub for well earned refreshments.

Such an idyllic spot to while away an hour. Then back to Eevie. After a 40 winks we had our showers. The block is reall nice, and at one end is a covered area with a large fireplace, plentiful supply of logs, available free to campers.

We rounded off our day with BBQ'd food done on our Cobb. Then an hours TV before bed.

August 24th.

Time to go home, packed up and left site 1000hrs, trouble free journey, and back in Hawkinge 1230hrs. Unloaded and home 1330hrs, it had been a lovely break.

Plymouth and Weymouth, August 2016.

July 31st.

Off to Plymouth again. Left storage 0945hrs. Journey has become routine. M20, M26, M25, M3, A303, A30, M5, A38. Usual delays on M25 at Jctn 11 and A303 at Stonehenge. Otherwise uneventful, arrived "Dolbeare Park" 1645hrs.

Was a nice evening, so we ate outside, cooking on the "Cobb".

Nice to unwind after the monotonous journey. Then a bit of TV and bed.

August 1st.

Up bright and early, dull day, didn't matter as we were off to the wholesaler, "Streets Ahead" to pick up stock for Teeny Weeny World. Spent the usual 4hrs in the warehouse, then to Sainsburys for fuel and provisions before returning to "Dolbeare Park" Dullness had turned to rain so evening inside Eevie.

August 2nd.

It had rained all night, but brighter this morning. Packed up and left site 1000hrs. Usual route to Honiton then more rural and interesting to "Crossways CC Site". Arrived at 1500hrs.

Took a walk to the station to check the timetable, crossed the road to the pub only to find it didn't open til 6. What a bummer, back to Eevie and had our refreshments from our own stock. Then we had our showers, meal and relaxed. I would point out that this site has water free composting WCs. Don't be put off, they are clean and odourless.

August 3rd.

Nice bright sunny day, caught the 1040hrs train to Weymouth.

Takes about 30 minutes. Took a walk to the "Brewers Quay" antique centre. Didn't find anything for us this time, well worth a look though. Then back into the High Street,

and the charity shops. Still didn't find anything for us. Then back to the harbour area for a pub lunch.

Finally we settled on the "Swan Inn", where we had an excellent lunch. Did the shops on the way back to the station, had a coffee in a little cafe opposite, then the train back. Arrived on site 1640hrs. Didn't need a meal so just relaxed, a few drinks and nibbles sufficed.

August 4th.

Up, packed and on our way by 0900hrs, arrived back at storage 1300hrs. Another pleasant trip.

Bastille Day. 2016.

July 12th.

Decided to go to Montreuil in France for Bastille day on the 14th. Picked Eevie up at noon, headed for Canterbury to do a bit of shopping, then overnight at the "Park and Ride" before the ferry tomorrow. Got some bargains in M&S food hall, love those yellow stickers. Quiet evening listening to the pitter patter of rain.

July 13th.

Left Canterbury at 0800hrs, to catch 0925hrs ferry. All went with no problem, breakfast on board in the "Brasserie", rum from the on board shop, then arrived in Calais. Drove to Montreuil, arrived 1230hrs local time. Set up.

Walked into town for a look round. Texted our friend Kerene who we were meeting here, she hadn't left Folkestone yet. (Travelling by tunnel). Had a good look round, but didn't buy anything, saving ourselves for the large "Brocante" tomorrow. Warm and sunny by now so liquid refreshments were called for.

A couple of beers later we made our way back to Eevie. Had a BBQ cooked on the "Cobb" then bed by 10.

July 14th.

Awoke to a glorious day. Quick brekkie then into town. There was a ceremony taking place by the town hall, for Bastille day.

A couple of "Sapeur Pompiers" with highly polished equipment.

Once this finished we headed for the Brocante. It covered the whole town centre, the square and all the streets. 

It was not as good as the Maisonne Lafitte one last September, we also thought it expensive. Lots to see nevertheless, and glorious weather.

Got ourselves a baguette for lunch. Hazel found some glass she liked, haggled a bit then did the deal. Spent another hour or so looking round.

Then headed back to Eevie. Bumped into Kerene on our way, arranged the time and place for our meal later, then a rest in Eevie.

 1900hrs back into town, and the restaurant. Kerene and Danny were already there. Had a lovely meal, good wine, and company. Collapsed into bed 2330hrs and straight asleep.

July 15th.

Up bright and early, packed up, left site at 0915hrs. Arrived "Cite Europe" 1015hrs. Had breakfast, bought our usual bits, then to the port for the 1520 ferry. Calm crossing then short drive to storage arriving 1630hrs. Home at 1730hrs. A nice couple of days.

Devizes, CandC Club Site. June 2016.

June 12th.

Set off for 3 nights in Devizes. Left storage at 1000hrs. Usual stop go on M25, M3 ok, A303 to Andover then cross country to Devizes. Arrived on site 1340hrs, checked in and set up.

It was raining when we set out but dry on site, though dull. Had to be careful with cigarette butts around the shower block. Blue Tits had made a nest in the ashtray.

  Walked to the "Three Magpies" for a beer.

Back in Eevie, had dinner watched a bit of TV before bed.

June 13th.

After our cuppa and breakfast we cycled along the Kennet & Avon Canal towpath to Trowbridge, about 8 miles. Some of it was quite bumpy but we made it ok.

Took about 40 minutes. It was a strange place, large scale demolition taking place, and a very small Town Centre. But we had a good look around, had a coffee in the precinct.

Not at Costa I might add, a small Independant further along. Not having much more to see went back to the bikes. Discovered some low life had had ag at cutting the cable part Hazels lock. Luckily not successfully. Then back along the bumpy towpath to Eevie.

  Had our showers and changed, then at 7 over to the pub for a meal.

We opted for the Burgers. Very nice they were too. A lovely end to a dissapointing day.

June 14th.

Caught the 1020 bus to Bath, free for me of course and £7 return for Hazel. Took an hour, but worth it as we both like Bath. The forecast had warned of heavy showers. Was this the reason for this?

I don't think so, seems to be becoming popular street decoration, even seen it in France. Had a look round the shops then a salad in Pizza Hut.

By the time we'd finished all sign of rain had gone, it become sunny and warm. Walked down to the river, looked in the Charity Shops, no exciting finds. It was just nice to be out in the sun.

We caught the 1605 bus back to the site. On getting back we showered and decided to BBQ on our Cobb.

It was a nice meal and a lovely evening. We went to bed happy and content.

June 15th.

Packed away and on the road at 1000hrs. The same journey as outward but in reverse. Arrived at storage 1300hrs, and home half hour later. Another good trip. Had we at last broke the weather jinx?

Trip to Le Touquet. May 2016.

22nd May.

Decided on a quick overnighter in Le Touquet. So picked Eevie up in the evening in order to catch an early boat in the morning. Thought we'd give the "Plough and Harrow" at Tilmanstone a go, it's only 10 minutes from ferry. Parked in the car park at 1630hrs.

As can be seen there was one other van there, we never saw the occupants to speak to. Went for a beer in the pub,

Sadly we were to late for food as it was Sunday. Will have to remember next time. The landlady and locals were all very friendly and sociable. After a couple of drinks we returned to Eevie, and dined on tins of "Big Soup", not gourmet but filled the hole.

23rd May.

Left the pub at 0640hrs. No delays in the port, and ferry sailed on time at 0740hrs. Had breakfast in the Brasserie, did our bit of shopping, wine and spirits mainly. 

 Docked on time and we cleared the port by 1030hrs. Quick diversion to Adinkerke, for the evil weed, then straight back to Le Touquet. Decided to try the Aire at the pony club this time, arriving 1430hrs.

As you can see there weren't many there, I think 8 altogether. Had a cuppa the walked into the centre. Bought some fish pate at our favourite shop. Then some dinner plates in the chinaware shop. Checked our usual restaurant, but wasn't doing meals until 1900hrs, so opted for another nearby. Moule Marinere as usual.

They were very nice, but, very small so eating them was hard work. I gave up with the red tool they gave us and reverted to the empty shell method. Washed down with a couple of Pelforth Brune it was an enjoyable meal. Saying that I would use the other restaurant given the choice. Strolling back to the Aire we saw a Cemetary opposite the entrance. Had a look and their were some war graves.

Always moving, and so young some of them. 

 Then back to Eevie for a quiet peaceful evening.

24th May.

Had a cuppa then hit the road, leaving 0930hrs. Arrived Cite Europe 1030hrs. Went for breakfast and found our usual place had changed hands and wasn't so good. I don't think we'll be using it again. Did our usual wine and food shop then off to the ferry. No hold ups and got the 1440hrs, smooth crossing. 

 Used our local knowledge to dodge the Dover road works, put Eevie to bed and home by 1630hrs. A nice little trip.

Spring Tour. England and Wales. 2016. Final Part.

May 8th.

Woke to heavy rain. It stopped at 0700hrs and the sun came out, quite hot so everything dried out quickly. Packed up and left site for the short (59 miles) trip to Parkend in the Forest of Dean. Made a stop at Monmouth for a look round.

Looked in a few Charity Shops, and had a coffee in Cafe Nero. Then a diversion to Ross on Wye. Into "Morrisons" for provisions and fuel. Then into the Forest of Dean, arriving at "Whitemead Forest Park" at 1400hrs. Checked in and found our pitch.

Weather was still nice so took a stroll to the village. There is a steam railway, but only runs on certain days, typically not while we would be there. Then to the "Woodman" for a pint. They had live music on.

Sadly the band was awful, as was the beer. Very unusual for me we left without me finishing my beer. Then back to Eevie. 

  The Park has lots of Lodges with the touring areas scattered amongst them,

none of which a large enough to be obtrusive. The evening remained warm so we stayed outside for a time.

Each area has its own shower/toilet block,

all built of timber and environmentally friendly. We made use of this before dinner, then dined and watched a DVD before bed.

May 9th.

Had some heavy rain overnight, and woke to a grey drizzly morning. The rain stopped, but not much sun. Decide to cycle to Coleford. I missed the cycle path, so we did it by road. Not to much traffic, and mostly uphill. No problem on our E bikes though. Arrived in the main square, where the War Memorial is sited.

Strolled around the very small centre, naturally visiting the charity shops. Hazel got some bits for herself, I spent most of the time looking after the bikes. Setting off back, I managed to find the cycle path. Much nicer ride with the bonus of being mostly downhill. I'm glad we did find it, as on the way back we found this.

In the middle of nowhere, and overgrown. Luckily for us it was explained on a plaque.

So the birth of steel took place here. There was also in information board giving more details. Of most interest to me, the steel which the "Titanic" was constructed from was made here. Of course it was not to blame for her loss, it was never designed to slide along an iceberg. We then continued the tranquil path

back to Whitemead and Eevie. All in all it had been a pleasant and interesting ride. Back in Eevie I checked in to Facebook, glad I did, a chap in Bracknell had just put a Fiamma Ultra Box 500

on for sale at £100. We had been trying to get on for ages to fit on the back of Eevie. A bargain price and on our way home.

I promptly messaged him saying we could pick it up tomorrow. He agreed. So lucky with the timing as there was a lot of interest, we just got in first. Decided then we would not do another overnight on way home, just pick up the box and go home. Had a cuppa, then off to the pool for a dip.

It was delightful, nice swim, then relaxing in the spa. Back to Eevie, couple of beers, dinner then bed.

May 10th.

Left site 1000hrs, 10 miles later a road was closed, a 70 mile diversion in order to cross the river Severn. Eventually joining the M4 at Swindon. Called into Bracknell for the box, then on home. Arrived at 1530hrs. Ending another nice trip.