Brighton. January 2016.

January 17th.

Eevie had her MOT and service last Tuesday, so decided on a run to check all ok. Brighton was chosen for a 2 nighter. Picked up Eevie and left home 1100hrs, arrived at Brighton CC site 1310hrs. Not a bad run but wary of ice as it was very cold. Set Eevie up,

then the bikes. Just as I was doing that a caravan arrived on the pitch opposite. It was an elderly man with a young oriental other half. Once pitched he disappeared inside and the lady began setting up a full awning, completely on her own. We cycled down to the Marina and ASDA for some food, also bought some gloves as both of us had numb fingers. Then back to the site, where the young oriental was just completing the awning. She then went inside and prepared their meal. For us dinner, beer and tv before bed.

January 18th.

Woke to a very cold but bright sunny morning. Decided we would walk into town, about 1.5 miles. It takes through Kemptown where it all happens in the summer. Lots of small shops, cafes and bars.

 

Also very much the hub of the Gay community. Eventually reached the centre, had a walk through the "Lanes" which I find overrated. Then some more back streets with Antique/junk shops, nothing inspired to spend any money. We then went to Churchill Square shopping centre.

All the usual shops that you find in these places. We went into "Lakeland" to see what if anything they had for us. Lo' and behold a gas Cobb reduced to £79. Had to buy that as it would be great for cooking outside on our Eevie trips.

Gas giving us less hassle than charcoal, also it takes its own canisters, so can be used in the unfortunate event of Eevie being out of gas. All in all made the visit worth while. Popped in a local cafe for coffee, the retraced our steps to the site. Another evening just relaxing, then bed.

January 19th. 

It had been a bitterly cold night and very frosty morning. Packed our kit and hit the road 1030hrs. Followed the coast road and home 1320hrs. Unloaded then took Eevie back to storage.

Quick Christmas Shopping Trip. December 2015.

December 7th.

Arrived at our storage 0630hrs. First hiccup, fob would not open the gate. Managed to get hold of the owner who came straight up. Finall got in and collected Eevie. Left at 0750hrs, we had booked the 0825 sailing from Dover. Luckily we went straight through the port and checked in at 0810. Just made the ferry last on. Had breakfast, then met up with some friends who were on the same crossing. From Calais we drove to Adinkerke for tobacco.

Then we headed cross country, avoiding the Autoroute to Montreuil-sur-Mer. Arrived at Fontaine Les Clercs 1410hrs. The owner popped his head out of the top right window, told us to pitch up and we'd sort it later.

This we duly did, taking the first pitch on the left, which we had used before.

As can be seen the site is terraced, at the top is a foot tunnel through the town ramparts, we took that route into town. Strolled around but didn't buy anything, not even a beer. It was very quiet, cold and damp. Back to Eevle, dinner and some drink before bed.

December 8th.

Awoke to a miserable cold wet day. After our morning cuppa and toast, drove into Le Touquet for our bits. Arrived, to find parking was free, so a nice bonus. Unloaded our shopping trolley and brollies then walked into the centre. Found the crockery shop we were looking for, but alas they no longer stocked the brand we wanted. (We have some but family wanted the same.) Nothing even similar so that was a failure. Then to a little shop which does wonderful fish pate, which we really enjoy.

As you can see, a huge selection. We bought what we wanted then strolled the other shops in the centre. Bought a few bits for Christmas, then to a Restaurant for Moules Marinere,

Excellent in here can highly recommend. Then off we trudged back to Eevie, and the site. Relaxing and warming up before head down.

December 9th.

Woke to a crisp morning with ice outside. Left 1015hrs and headed for Cite Europe. Did our usual shop, nice bits we can't get at home, bite to eat then ferry. Arrived Dover 1540hrs and Hawkinge 1610. The trip had been successful for our needs, but not for family. C'est la vie.

Plymouth, New Forest. November 2015

November 15th.

Trip to Plymouth yet again. Needed to collect more stock from Streets Ahead our wholesaler. Drive so familiar now it's just a chore. Nevertheless we completed it in good time without problems. Arrived Riverside Park 1530hrs. 

Topped up with water then to our pitch and relax for the evening.

November 16th.

Breakfast then to the wholesaler for stock. Spent the usual 4 hours in the warehouse, then to Sainsburys for fuel and provisions. Back to Riverside and started pricing the stock, before settling down for the night.

November 17th.

Left site 1000hrs headed for the New Forest and "Sandy Balls". Took our usual rural route arriving on site 1300hrs. After pitching up we took a walk to the "Woodside Inn" for a drink.

Very nice beer but a bit overpriced. Then back to Eevie and more pricing of the stock. Dinner, tv then bed.

November 18th.

After our breakfast I prepared our new bikes for a run.

We'd used them at Gatwick as previously written, but that was mainly flat. Now we were going into Fordingbridge, only 2.5 miles but in the valley, so the return would be uphill all the way. Off we set, of course downhill all the way so no test of the bikes. Had a look around,

bought some bits and pieces. Had a coffee and cake, then back to the site. Brilliant, the bikes made the hill non existant. So now we had mobility when touring without the need to move Eevie. Lazed the late afternoon, Hazel watching Tipping Point, she likes it, I can't stand it, but each to their own, I watch things she doesn't like as well. Quiet evening before turning in.

November 19th.

Up and away, followed the coastal route, home and settled by 1500hrs.

A Trip to Crawley. November 2015.

November 3rd.

Decided to take a trip to Crawley, to give Eevie an airing and visit Evans Cycles for security for our new E bikes. Left Hawkinge 1230hrs, used rural roads and arrived at Gatwick CC site 1415. Set Eevie up then the bikes.

We had used the bikes at home, but this was the first time in the van. Cycled to Evans, bought 2 Sold Secure Gold standard locks (to comply with Insurance). Then cycled back to site in the dark, and rush hour. Traffic was awful and roundabouts a nightmare. Just spent the evening with food, beer and tv.

November 4th.

Woke after a good nights sleep. Although Gatwicks runway is across the road aircraft noise did not disturb us. After breakfast we cycled to Crawley town centre, this was much better, quieter roads and good cycle paths. Secured the bikes,

as required by insurers. The photo is evidence that we had should the worst happen. Strolled around and found it quite run down with lots of empty shops. Had a coffee, bought a few bits for Teeny Weeny World, then provisions before cycling back. Back in Eevie I used Flight Radar on my I pad, as the planes took of I checked where they were going, (sad or what?).

Similar evening to tha last.

November 5th.

Left site at 1000hrs, headed for Margate where we had a dolls house to pick up for Teeny Weeny World. Arrived as arranged at 1300hrs, after a snack in Tescos. Then to our dismay it was to big to get through Eevies doors, rearranged to return Sunday with a van. Back to Hawkinge unload then home by 1615.