Spring Tour, England and Wales. 2016. Part 1.

April 24th.

Up bright and early to set off on our Spring Tour. Left storage 0925hrs, headed for York. Problem free run with a fuel/natural break at Peterborough. Arrived York Caravan Park 1440hrs. Had prebooked so quickly checked in and pitched up.

We'd been here before, a lovely adults only site with 5* facilities. Didn't do much in the afternoon, after the long drive. Hazel did some of her miniatures for Teeny Weeny World, 

I just lazed in front of the tv. Then an early night.

April 25th.

Caught the 10 o'clock bus into the city, £3 return for Hazel, me just my bus pass. Had a walk round the usual places. Lots still recovering from the winter floods. Went to the Railway Museum to see the "Flying Scotsman", sadly it was in the workshop, so this was as close as we got.

Never mind, another day. We were back on site 1600hrs. Dinner and a few drinks before bed.

April 26th.

Woke to snow falling. Packed up and the sun came out. Left site 1000hrs bound for Whitby. Nice drive across the North Yorkshire Moors. Hit by heavy snow at one point, but didn't last long. Stopped to admire the view.

Onward to Whitby arriving at 1140.

Parked on our pitch and just left everything while we walked to town. It was a gale force wind but luckily behind us. We took the cliff top path, halfway we were hit by a terrific hail storm, it was physically painful when it hit us. It didn't last thankfully and the sun returned.

Once down in the town we were mainly sheltered from the wind. Had a good look round, Hazel got some crafting bits, and we had coffee and toasties in a cafe. Couldn't find the pub I was recommended to visit. "The Boardwalk". After a couple of hours we were both suffering the cold, couldn't face walking back into the facing wind so we got a taxi, was a fiver well spent. Had dinner and checked maps for our next stop. Decided tomorrow would be Seahouses.

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.

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.