Plymouth and Devizes. February 2016.

February 21st.

Set off for Plymouth, left storage at 1000hrs. Same old route, M20, M26, M3, A303, A30, M5 & A38. Almost a litany for us. Gave "Riverside Park" a miss this time and went to "Dolbeare Park" just across the county border into Cornwall. Arrived 1600hrs, checked in for 2 nights and set up.

It had been a long monotonous day, trouble free but tiring nevertheless. Had dinner and a few drinks then bed.

February 22nd.

Left site 0930hrs, to visit "Streets Ahead" warehouse. Had a good look round and bought some stock for "Teeny Weeny World". Back on site we looked at what we'd bought and priced some. We then cooked dinner, we had pork and Stilton sausages from "Rooks" in Hythe. We'd never had them before, and I say now we won't be having them again, I just hope the wildlife enjoyed them. Strange as we both like Pork, and Stilton, but these just did not work. Quiet evening before leaving for Devizes tomorrow. 

February 23rd.

Awoke to a crisp frosty morning. Left site 1030hrs. At Exeter I ignored Sat Nav to cut across country and avoid M5. I totally cocked it up, we rejoined M5 about 30 miles further up. Gave up then and stayed with it, then M4. Arrived C&CC Devizes site 1330. There is an attractive alternative if you get it righ, but never mind, maybe next time. Checked in for 2 nights and set up.

As you can see it was a lovely day, but bitterly cold. After a cuppa, we took a walk along the "Kennet and Avon Canal" which is next to the site. Had a good brisk 45 minute round trip walk. Back at the site decide to pay the "Three Magpies", (also next to the site), a visit for liquid refreshments.

Very nice nice too. Friendly landlady and local to chat with. Checked the menu and decided we would eat there tomorrow. Then back to Eevie. Dinner and tv passed the evening before bed.

February 24th.

Another crisp bright morning. Breakfast then I set up our E-bikes for a ride into Devizes. Followed the canal towpath, which was quite muddy in places. It takes you past the spectacular "Caen Hill Locks".

Arrived in the town centre, found somewhere to secure the bikes.

I take these photos as evidence for the insurance, should the worst happen. I had problems with the locks as my fingers were numb. As a result, first priority was gloves. Got some thinsulate ones in a charity shop. Hazel got some bits for her crafting. Coffee and cake in "Cafe Nero", (didn't see a nice local coffee shop). Spent about 2 hours altogether before getting bikes and heading back. When we got there I cleaned the mud off the bikes. Forty winks or so before shower, change, and to the pub for dinner. 

We were not dissapointed, the food and wine were of very good quality, staff corteous and efficient, friendly too. Back to Eevie having had a lovely evening.

February 25th.

Awoke to the same weather. Packed up and left site 0945hrs. Route took us across country until A303 near Andover. Then retraced our outward route. Home 1300hrs. We will definately go to Devizes again. Lovely site and as well as good cycling routes there are buses to Bath.

Cambridge. February 2016.

February 7th.

Set off for a trip to Cambridge. Left Hawkinge 1100hrs. First time through Dartford Tunnel for a long time. Happily traffic was flowing smoothly. M25 and M11 ok and arrived Cambrdge, Cherry Hinton CC site 1340hrs. Set up.

Then a stroll down the road, to check bus times. Bus stop is outside the "Robin Hood" so refreshments were in order.

Being a Sunday afternoon it was quite busy. Enjoyable couple of pints neverthless. Back to Eevie and dinner, tv etc. Bed about 2200hrs.

February 8th.

Caught the 0940hrs bus, £4.20 return for Hazel, free for me with my pass. Strolled around the centre, then crossed Parkers Piece. The shopping area there has a lot of Charity shops. Had a good look round, popped into the Grafton Centre. Then a coffee

 

before heading back to the centre. Bit more strolling the smaller streets and taking in the sights before getting the bus at 1430hrs. In time to beat the school run. Alighted at the Robin Hood, so had to pop in.

Note the hat, although nice and sunny it was still very cold. Back to Eevie about 1600hrs and settled for the evening.

February 9th.

Storm "Imogen" was due to visit, very windy but no rain. Caught the 0940 bus again. This time we were doing museums. First one we visited, was the Museum of Archeology and Anthropology.  Greeted by a dinosaur on entry.

Fascinating place, with thousands of fossils. Full of information about how our world and its life forms evolved. Saying that we think the one at Oxford is much better.

  Then on to the Fitzwilliam Museum, quite stunning architecture.

It's a lot to take in on a first brief visit, but well worth a visit. A beautiful cupola in the roof.

An original Totem Pole,

are just some of the items to see.

 We then thought about lunch, after umming and ahing, we decided to go back to the Robin Hood.

When there we both opted for the burger, a superb choice as it turned out.

6oz uncooked weight, but more than enough for us. One of the best we've had anywhere. Then back to Eevie, nothing to cook so just relaxed with a few drinks, wine for Hazel, beer and a couple of rums for me. Storm "Imogen" had certainly given strong winds, but happily for us, no rain.

February 10th.

Off home, left site 1000hrs. Made a small detour to check out the "American Military Cemetary".

A beautifully kept tranquil place, more than can be said for the last moments of these.

The memorial wall is very impressive.

It was bitterly cold so we didn't linger very long, but will pay a longer visit on another day. Then onto the M11, M25, no delays on the Dartford crossing, M20 clear and home at 1300hrs.