Tour of Germany. Spring 2015. Part 1.

April 25th.

Did our day at the "Malthouse" finishing at 1700hrs. Quick shower then off to get Eevie, which we had pre loaded so was ready to roll. Left Hawkinge 1840hrs for the short drive to Canterbury Park and Ride. The Dover Road one has motorhome parking similar to a French Aire.

The "Gate Inn" is just outside, so we spent the evening there with a very good meal and wine.

April 26th.

Set off for Dover at 0610, short drive, checked in and boarded. Had breakfast on board, disembarked in Calais at 1000hrs local time. Short run to "Adinkirke", Belgium for my tobacco. Left there at 1200hrs and headed for our first overnight stop, "Camping du Lac des Vielles Forges" arriving at 1500hrs. Checked in using ACSI card and set up.

Quite generous size pitches and faciities are good. We took a stroll to the lake,

Doesn't show in the photo, but it was quite busy as it was a Sunday and there is a watersports centre just along the road. A nice bar next to the site entrance, so a couple of beers before settling in for the evening.

April 27th.

Left site 0950hrs heading for the Alsace region. Dull miserable day which spoilt the drive, as many places worth a look were shrouded in mist. Arrived at Saverne 1430hrs, looked a nice town so decided to overnight here. Found a site "Les Portes D'Alsace. Nice site, cheap with ACSI card. Covered swimming pool and good facilities. By the time we'd set up and having a cuppa the heavens opened.

As it didn't let up the walk to town was abandoned. Even the equestrian centre in the photo became deserted.

Our view by 1700hrs. Such is the joy of the open road. We had dinner watched a DVD then bed. Tomorrow we would cross into Germany.

Chertsey April 2015

April 6th.

Decided to take a 2 night trip to Chertsey C&CC site. One of our favourites. The reason this time was to see Queen Annes Dolls House. We left home 0800hrs. Stopped at Mersham Hatch to visit the "Boot Fair" then "Sainsburys" in Ashford for breakfast and provisions. Easy drive to Chertsey in lovely weather, arrived at 1200hrs. Site was quite busy but we got a nice pitch.

We then took a stroll into town for a couple of beers. Evening spent with a bit of tv and reading.

April 7th.

Caught the bus to Staines then train to Windsor. When we got there they had just completed changing the guard, so we saw the off going marching through town.

Bought a baguette each from a sandwich shop, then headed for the castle. Very long queues but I had bought our tickets online and printed them before leaving home. Of all the hundreds of times I've been to Windsor this was the first time visiting the castle. 

We made our way straight to the dolls house, both of us were not really that impressed, but at least now when customers ask we can say we have seen it. Sadly it was a strictly enforced no photo policy, so there are none here. 

 We did take a stroll round the other displays, again no photos, before looking round the gardens.

All very well kept, but, no doubt an army of gardeners looking after them. On the way to the exit passsed this non public area.

Usual trip round the shops then back to Chertsey and a couple of beers. Back to Eevie where we had dinner and some Rum  for me and wine for Hazel.

April 8th.

 

Homeward bound, left site 1045 hrs and home 1230hrs. Another trip done.

Henly on Thames, March 2015.

March 8th.

Set off for a 3 night break to Swiss Farm, Henly. Left 1030hrs, uneventful drive except for a diversion at the approach to Henly. Wasn't too bad and we were on site and set up by 1415hrs.

Went for a stroll into town, usual charity shops visited, Hazel did get a couple of dolls house books. Naturally a couple of pints before returning to Eevie and a quiet evening.

March 9th.

Decide on taking the bus into Reading. Had a stroll round but found it all a bit run down and tired. I'm sure there is something of interest but we never found it. Back to Eevie and Hazel made some miniatures.

March 10th.

Woke to a lovely morning, decide to take a walk along the river. Into town and across the bridge.

Passed Leander Rowing Club (where our Olympic rowers are based). Then along the river to Hambledon lock. It's a long straight reach to Temple Island, used for the Henly Regatta.

When we reached Hambledon Lock we turned away from the river looking for the "Flowerpot Hotel" for a pint. As we walked along the path we spotted a Red Kite sitting in a tree.

Magnificent birds. Shortly after we reached the pub. The food others were eating looked very inviting. So we indulged and both had Steak & Ale pie. It was delicious, and a proper pie. I highly recommend this place if you're in the area. 

Walking back to Henly I had a call from ex brother in law Micheal, said he would drive over from Bramley where he lives and meet us for a beer. This we duly did and spent a pleasant hour catching up with him and his wife Peri. Made a really nice finale to an excellent day.

March 11th.

Another lovely morning, packed up and left site 1000hrs. Problem free journey and home by 1230hrs.

Plymouth, January 2015.

Jaanuary 25th.

A run to Plymouth for stock. Streets Ahead our wholesaler is based there. Although it's no problem ordering online, we like to go now and again to see the products ourselves before buying. It's for our small business in Hythe, Kent, where we deal in dolls houses and accessories. Can be found at

Teeny Weeny World

  We're so familiar with the route now that its quite boring, but using Eevie we can combine business and pleasure by having a stop on the way home. Arrived at "Riverside Caravan Park" 1530hrs.

Took on water then parked up and settled down for the evening.

January 26th.

Left site 0950hrs. Only 2 miles to the warehouse, so started our task about 1015hrs. Being a warehouse there was no heating. After a couple of hours we were freezing, but, had to carry on. Left at 1430hrs, stock done and blue with cold. Fuelled at Sainsburys, then back to the site. Had roast chicken for dinner then snuggled in our fleeces watching tv.

January 27th.

Left site 1030 hrs. Heading for "Sandy Balls" in the New Forest. Arrived 1330 hrs and paid our £20 for 2 nights. Brilliant in low season. Fully serviced pitch and use of leisure centre included in the price.

Took a stroll round and I bought a top in the sale. Then a couple of pints in the bar.

Back to Eevie for the evening.

January 28th.

After breakfast, we went to the pool for a swim and sauna, lovey it was. Then off to the "Fighting Cocks" for a pub lunch. We had steak & ale pie, it was nice, but, I like a pie to be a pie. this wasn't, it was steak & ale on a plate with a bit of puff pastry floating on top. Never mind Hazel had a treat as we left.

She loves donkeys, so that made her day. Back in Eevie we just chilled out.

January 29th.

Left site at 1000hrs, uneventful run we were home at 1330hrs.

Chertsey, January 2015.

January 11th.

Our first trip of the year, 2 nights on one of our favourites. Chertsey C&CC site. Left storage at 1030hrs, stopped at Sainsburys for fuel then direct to Chertsey arriving 1330hrs. Checked in, set up the went for a walk. Of course a pint in the Bridge Hotel before back on site.

Not my type of watering hole really, but good beer and very convenient. Though cold it was a nice day. A year previous and the hotel and site had a metre of the Thames on their property. 

  The sites proximity to the river is its main attraction, but pays the price with not uncommon flooding.

Had a pleasant evening, dinner, drinks and a bit of tv.

January 12th.

After breakfast, set off to catch the 1040hrs bus to Staines, then a train to Windsor. Got to Windsor about 1200hrs. Hazel set off for some retail therapy, I went to visit my Dads memorial bench at Romney Lock.

He had donated his body to medical science, so we had no funeral  as a closure. His happiest memories were holidays on the Thames during WWII and after. Then marriage and kids (me being first) 

curtailed the holidays. But through my childhood, living until age 11 in a still very war damaged Willesden, day trips to Windsor were the big treat for us all. Always a picnic and paddle on Romney Island. It couldn't be more fitting for his memorial to overlook the happiest of places.

   Met Hazel in town for coffee and a panini.

 

Caught the train back to Staines then bus to Chertsey. Had a couple of beers in a pub with a roaring log fire, so good we were loath to leave. But want must needs, leave we did, back on site about 1800hrs.Similar evening to the previous one.

January 13th.

Up bright and early and packed for the journey home, ready to roll 0930hrs.

Uneventful run home, arrived 1200hrs. 

Le Touquet, Christmas 2014.

December 15th.

Decided to pop over to Le Touquet for an overnighter. Took Ma-in-Law with us, main aim a bit of Christmas shopping and some Moules in a Restaurant. Jenny (ma-in-law) was supposed to be at ours for 0800hrs. She phoned just before as she couldn't start her car, so picked her up on the way to get Eevie. Then after sorting Eevie and ready to roll I was unable to engage any gears. Left her idling while I wandered around trying for a phone signal, gave up after 20 minutes. Then lo' and behold gears fine. (Since found out that moisture on the clutch plate had frozen overnight, common problem apparently.) So off we went for Dover and the ferry. Breakfast on board and a smooth crossing. No delays and clear run saw us arrive at the aire in Le Touquet at 1300hrs. We had it all to ourselves.

It's much busier in summer. Settled everything down cup of tea etc, the walked into town. Jenny had a field day and bought lots of presents, and lots of fish pate. As dusk fell the street decorations came to life.

As you can see we had the place virtually to ourselves. The restaurant we chose for our moules wasn't open until 1900hrs so we sat in a bar and had a couple of drinks. The Restaurant was very good and the moules superb, washed down with a fine Pomerol red wine.

  On leaving the street decorations were now in all there glory due to it being dark.

The photo doesn't do them justice, but I had had beer and wine, so I excuse myself. Walked back to Eevie and settled down for the night.

December 16th.

We all had a good nights sleep and were awake quite early. Had a light breakfast the headed back to Calais and Cite Europe for the food and wine shopping. Jenny bought gallons of the stuff. while the girls were doing girly shopping I took the wine back to Eevie. To my surprise I found a Migrant checking out the bike rack, stowaway under the cover is not unheard of. I told we were no good as we were going to Germany. He said that's no good England better. He spoke very good English and was very polite.

  When the girls had finished we headed for the ferry. No delays and a good crossing, we were home by 1930hrs. It had been a good trip. 

Winter Wonderland.

November 30th.

We decided to take a trip to Abbey Wood CC site in order to visit "Winter Wonderland" in Hyde Park. Had a fairly easy journey apart from the approach to Dartford Tunnel. Arrived at site 1300 hrs.

After setting up we took a walk to the Coop for some supplies. Then spent a quiet evening in Eevie.

December 1st.

Up bright and early had breakfast then walked to the station. Arrived at Marble Arch tube station and walked to "Winter Wonderland"

After gaining entry we took a stroll round. The most fascinating was the Ice Palace.

Archer.

Jousting.

Through the Ice Mirror.

The Wizard.

Then we strolled around the various stalls,

which as like an ordinary fairground but with a Bavarian theme. We gave the beer a miss because it was so expensive.

Watched the skaters for a while, then made our way back to Abbey Wood. We had enjoyed the day and were quite worn out when we got back to Eevie.

December 2nd.

Back into the centre and did some Christmas shopping. Weather was as miserable as me, grey and dismal. No pictures today. Hazel did get to buy some presents so she was happy.

December 3rd.

Up and away today, left site 1110hrs and home 1240hrs so a good run.