Batch Nurseries, Lympsham, Weston Super Mare. 6th to 11th January 2015

We were getting serious Caravan withdrawal symptoms, so treatment was needed.  I searched on the web and find this was open all year.  It was listed on Ukcampsite.co.uk as having 15 pitches,but also mentioned that it was a CS,  ( only 5 pitches and only open to Caravan and Camping Club members, which we are not).
Anyway I rang them and asked for a pitch and did we have to be a member.  No, open to all, so a pitch was booked and off we set..
Drove down through the middle of Bristol, I don't mind driving in traffic, and on to the A38. We followed the directions and found the site easily.  I paid the fees, all of £11.00 per night with Electric!

We set up in the corner, with the caravan facing south, which gave us a good view of the trains, and also to make good use of the available sun!  This also meant that we should be well protected from the prevailing wind (Gales) which comes from the South West.

As soon as the caravan was levelled and connected to the Electric Hook up, the heating was turned on using gas, which warms up the caravan very quickly.

Amazingly for the time of year there were two motor homes on site,and two other touring caravans.

Whilst reading the Caravan manual I discovered that if we used the electric 2 setting, the heating system works at a much hotter level.

On the Wednesday we drove into Weston Super Mare, which was surprisingly busy considering the time of year! Morning coffee and tea were taken at the Old Colonial, a large pub restaurant on the front.  Like most of these places we benefited from free wifi, so the daily papers were downloaded to read later!

It was very wet overnight, but the morning dawned bright and sunny, so we drove down to Burnham and Berrow. We first drove down to Brean which was literally completely shut for the winter. What amazed us were the fields and fields of caravans, packed together as tightly as sardines!  Obviously winter storage areas!
On returning to the caravan we realised that the gas had run out so we switched to our small reserve cylinder.

Friday was very windy but dry. In view of the forecast weather I took the awning down as it was starting to rip!  I fear that the awning is ruined, but as it only cost £84.00 and has done about 150 nights that is not too bad!  Will browse the web and find a replacement!

We started Saturday with a leisurely breakfast,before driving to Brean beach, where we parked up for a couple of  hours, watching the sea and the exploits of people on the beach.

Brean beach

 We then set off to find somewhere to buy Lotto tickets!  One day we might win!  We ended up  in a place called Uphill.  Strange as it seems I do not recall visiting Uphill before, and it definitely deserves a return visit to explore properly!

Weston Super Mare viewed from Uphill

Uphill

Very windy over night, but we slept well with no awning flapping!  Cleared up and drove home following a route through Weston Super Mare and up the A370 to Bristol.

An excellent 5 nights away, on a site we will use again!

Exmoor House CC Site Dulverton. Saturday 6th December to Sunday 14th December 2014

Time for our annual trip to Dulverton. We collected the Caravan straight from storage, taking a route from Wapley, where we keep the caravan, down the ring road and out through Keynsham to Wells, where we broke for lunch at one of our favourite Burger Vans,before heading across the Somerset levels towards the motorway at Bridgewater. What a contrast to last year, as this time the Somerset levels were green, with no signs of floodwater.

We reached the site and the best pitch available,would involve a 50 yard reverse, so we drove in forwards, unhitched, and turned the caravan using the mover, positioning it accurately on the peg!  (for those who do not know, on a Caravan Club site, the rear off side or front near side of the caravan goes against a peg. This maintains the required distance between to adhere to fire regulations)
We were soon set up and the caravan was toasty warm!  I do like this computer controlled heating system!  All you need to remember is to get the caravan up to temperature, when it is very cold, to start up on gas,and then switch to electric.

Sunday was Dulverton by Starlight. This is a Christmas fete,which starts at 2.00pm, and has stalls and live performers. It all culminates with a super firework display from the Church Tower at 7.00pm.  We spent the afternoon there, enjoying the stalls and a few bevvies at one of the local hotels.
We then returned to the caravan where I cooked a dinner of Roast Spatchcock Poussin with all the trimmings.
Just as we had finished eating the fireworks started, so we were able to watch them.

We spent Monday Christmas shopping in Dulverton. This little town has many independent shops that are a pleasure to browse, where we found some very different gifts.

Tuesday was again spent shopping,and we had a light lunch in the Bridge Inn. Excellent beers on tap!
bridge inn

The Wednesday dawned fine and clear so we drove over to Porlock Weir for coffee at 'Millers at the Anchor Hotel'. I have to say it was excellent, and the lounge is something special.
None of the nic nacs were screwed down so they must be a very honest lot in West Somerset!

We then drove a circular route up over Porlock Hill, past the old AA box and back to the caravan!

We dove out to Hartland point on the Friday, as I had never been there.

This is just to the West of Hartland Point

As we were clearing upon the Saturday afternoon I had a phone call to say that I had won a prize in the Dulverton by Starlight raffle.  I walked upto thetown to collect it, expecting it to be a bottle of wine! I was very pleasantly suprised to find it was a voucher for £80.00 for a local posh restaurant!   No time limit so we shall use it on a future visit!

We cleared up on the Sunday, and had a pleasant drive home over the Somerset Levels.

We used the mover to pop the caravan back into storage.  So much less stressful than reversing it in!

So ends our caravan expolits for 2014.  We have travelled thousands of miles, and slept in the caravan for 159 nights.

Greenacres CL 16th to 24th November 2014

We fancied a quiet few days away,sowerang Alan at Greenacres Farm CL.just outside Bibury tosee if he had any room. Fortunately hehad one space so on the Sunday morning we set off up the A46 to the site.
When we arrived we opted for pitch 1, which is really well protected from the prevailing winds by very high hedges.
Having had a motor mover fitted a few days previously this was used to manouvere the caravan into position. We were soon set up, and a full Sunday roast was in the oven.
The weather was relativelygood over the next few days,so we spent time in nearby Cirencester, visiting coffe shops, to catch up on emails, ( there is no internet on this site) and to spend time Christmas shopping.


The rest of the time was spent reading, and watching the abundant wild life that inhabits the site.

On the Wednesday afternoon we left the caravan on site and drove back to Chipping Sodbury,asiI had a Towns Lands Charity meeting that evening.

We drove back to site on Thursday to find thecaravan all safe and sound.

Gloucester Quays was holding its traditional Christmas market on the Friday, so we set off over there. Unfortunately theweather was rather poor, so we only spent a few hours there, before returning to the site, for superb dinner of fresh Trout from the Bibury Trout farm.  Yum yum!

The weather was much better on Saturday, so after a frosty start, we went down to Cirencester, for more Christmas shopping.

The vew from our caravan!

Lechlade was the destination for Sunday, where we visited the Christmas Shop.  This shop is open all year round and sells some truly wonderful Christmas decorations. www.christmasdecorations-uk.com  
Well worth a visit at any time of year.

On the Moday morning, after a frosty night,we cleared up and set off home. The caravan was put back into storeage, where we were able to use the moover for the purpose we had really bought it.  It made it so easy, with out any stress to put it away.

So that was another seven nights of our life in the caravan!

PS.  More photos will appear when I work out how to transfer them from my ipad

East Lancs Railway Steam Gala and Cromer

Well we collected the caravan straight from storage and drove straight to Burrs Country Park CC site in Bury. Made good time up the M5 and M6 arriving on the site at about 3.30. We were able to set up on pitch 67, which meant we had a good view of the East Lancs Railway line.   We were soon entertained by class A4 Union of South Africa, taking part in a photographic run on the line by the campsite.
Robert and Cathy came down to see us after tea.

The following day we went up into the hills and rediscovered an antique  centre and coffee shop that we had found once before.  We drove back through Rochdale and visited Dunelm Mill where we purchased a linen basket for the caravan.

On the Friday we spent many hours wandering round Bury market, buying a few odds and ends for Christmas.  In the evening we went out with Cathy and Rob to the Grey Mare at Belthorn where we enjoyed an excellent meal.   www.thegreymare.co.uk

Robert and Cathy joined us for a full English breakfast and on the Saturday, and we watched the early steam trains. Robert and I then went up to Bury station and spent a few hours going up and down the line behind various steam engines. The trains were getting progressively later as the day went on. Just like the old British Rail. Anyway here follows quite a few photographs of the steam gala.

This little industrial engine was built in Bristol

We came back at about 3.00pm, on the vintage bus service.

At 6.00pm all four of us went back to the Railway, armed with a superb picnic dinner prepared by Robert. We boarded the train, double headed by A4's Union of South Africa and Sir Nigel Gresley for an evening ride covering the whole length of the line.  It was a shame that it was too dark for photographs.

On the Sunday we had a relatively quiet day, joining Robert and Cathy for a late Sunday lunch.
  During the morning I had taken the awning down as it had nearly blown inside out in the very strong winds.

We departed for Wagtail Country park near Grantham on Monday morning, arriving there at about 3.00pm after a very windy drive down.We had chosen a route that did not use motorways so we had no problem with the winds.  The site was absolutely lovely, as all the pitches were round a lake.

Next day, as we were clearing up to move on the jockey wheel fell apart as we hitched up!  I just piled the bits in the boot, hoping to get it sorted out when we got to the next site. However as we were tootling along we came across a small caravan dealers, Donnington Caravans Sleaford, so I popped in and they sorted it out for me in just a few minutes.

We soon arrived at Incleboro Fields CC site, just outside Cromer.
We had a good pitch, quite high up overlooking the sea. we delayed putting the awning up as it was blowing a gale.

Next day we popped into Cromer for Coffee and a little shopping then came back and put the awning up.

Cromer pier

Sherringham was our destination the next day for coffee, and to look at the North Norfolk Railway.

Diesel Rail Car, North Norfolk Railway

 We liked Sherringham and decided to come back to visit  again as there were some nice shops for doing some Christmas shopping.
We realised that the battery charger on the caravan was not working, so I rang Tony at Chipping Sodbury Caravans. He explained where it was and how to find it. I went and bought a new one from a caravan dealers just down the road, for which I will be reimbursed, and quickly fitted it!  All returned to normal.

The following day we drove along the coast through Cromer, thoroughly enjoying the scenery. We stopped at a pub for coffee, and sat in the garden where we could look out over the sea.
As we went along we drove through a huge plant where oil and gas were bought ashore. There were loads of Police cars parked up.   On the way back Lizzie took photos of it and unfortunately the Police saw Lizzie doing it. They followed us and Lizzie was asked  to delete the photos as they were worried that we might have been terrorists!


Coastal pictures!

There were plenty of Windmills about.

This was a Radar Station that we passed.

Happisburgh Lighthouse

We decided next day to drive down to Wroxham, called the capital of the Broads. It was a very busy place and virtually every shop was called Roy's.

The view from the bridge in Wroxham

We had a look round and then decided to drive through the Northern Broads.  Unfortunately virtually nowhere did the roads go along the edge of the water.
We cut our losses and drove out to the coast, where we went through one very commercialised place, ( we think it was called Caister on Sea)  and then lots of very pretty places and some superb beaches.

Sunday was a day of rest. the weather was good, so we enjoyed the sea views. We found this super church though when we popped out for coffee.

Beeston Regis Church

On Monday we went back to Sherringham and spent a couple of hours doing some Christmas shopping.

The train from Sherringham to Norfolk. Notice the strange rail joint. This is because the main line links with the Norfolk railway here.

We departed the site on Tuesday at about 11.00am, heading for Ashridge Farm CC , which is near Baldock. This is a really small, site only 40 pitches.  We were only stopping there as we wanted to visit the Imperial War Museum at Duxford.
On the Wednesday we just had a short trip round the area, but there is not much of interest.

Our pitch at Ashfield Farm

We set off for Duxford on the Thursday morning.  When we got there it was very busy with long queues, however we were soon inside.,
We worked our way round the museum, which contains not only planes, but all sorts of vehicles used in Land Warfare. the following pictures show much of what we saw.  I have to say it is a place really worth visiting.  www.iwm.org.uk

We set off home on the Friday morning, and decided to take a cross country route rather than tackling the M25.
We got near Luton, when I had to stop at some uphill traffic lights. As I pulled away there was an almighty bang and clouds of black smoke. We limped across the junction, and pulled up! Hazards on, warning triangle out and we called Mayday!  We had visions of a ride home on the back of a lorry!

20 minutes later he was there and quickly diagnosed that the turbo hose had come adrift.  It was soon reattached and we were on our way, escorted for a couple of miles by the man from Mayday.    Soon we were through Oxford, and then we cut down to the M4, where we cruised at 60 and were soon home.

When we got home the end of our road was chaos as John and Linda had their caravan at home. So we unhitched, pushed the caravan on the drive and then had to do a lot of double parking!  Upset a few of our neighbours I should think!

Another excellent trip away!

Total nights away this year so far 144.

The Scottish Adventure!

We decided that we would go to Scotland for a few weeks, but before that the Freelander2 needed a service, so it was booked in to M J Fews, and duly delivered to them. This was two days before we were due to depart on the Thursday. On the Wednesday morning I get a phone call to say the service is done, but there is a problem, your transfer box is on its way out!
Finally get the vehicle back at lunchtime on the Thursday, so we collect the caravan and off we go up the M5 and M6 to Burrs Country Park CC site for a few nights. All goes well until we stop at the barrier of the site. The Freelander will not restart.   Quite funny to watch the warden jumping up and down and saying well you have to move it!  Three and a half tons of Freelander and Caravan take some pushing.
Eventually a lot of fellow caravaners come to our aid. The caravan is disconnected and pushed to a pitch.  Then we do the same with the Freelander. Robert comes down with his Hawkeye, and we diagnosed that it was something to do with the airflow and throttle. Anyway it is getting late so we go up to Robert and Cathys for dinner.

In the morning I ring Mayday, and they come and check the Freelander over then we are transported to Strathstones,the main dealer in Bury. Unfortunately they cannot touch it until Monday morning. Fortunately the weather was beautiful so we sat outside reading for the rest of the day, before going up to Robert and Cathys for our evening meal.

A sad sight

On the Saturday we got a taxi into Bury to visit the famous market, where we did a little shopping

Sunday was a super day so we sat around in the warm sunshine.

Strathstones were as good as their word, and phoned at  noon to say everything was fixed. As Robert was on his way home from work, he picked me up and we collected the Freelander. Not only had it been fixed, but it had been valeted inside and out. It had never looked so good.

At lunchtime on Tuesday we departed for Carlisle CC site. This is a very nicely laid out site with pitches in small groups. No Wifi or toilets though. A caravan absolutely identical to ours was on the site.  They were people from Dorchester who had bought from Chipping Sodbury Caravans.

Next morning we set off for a CL at South Whittleburn Farm, just outside Largs on the Scottish West Coast. We found it easilly, and were put in a field with wonderful views. Now CL's are only allowed to have 5 caravans on site, but this one had in excess of 20.  No worries though as it was clean and very tidy, with plenty of space

On Thursday we went into Largs, to visit Megan.  She had known Lizzie for 50 years but they had not met up for the last 40 despite speaking on the phone, and the regular sending of cards to her.  Megan was absolutely lovely, and just kept hugging and holding Lizzie. We stayed for a couple of hours and then went to explore Largs which is a really lovely town.  We did some shopping, and then went back to Megans for the rest of the day.

Friday dawned misty so we drove over the top to Grenock, which was a pretty depressing town. We then drove along the coast to south of Largs before  returning to the caravan.

On the Saturday, we drove north, over the Erskine Bridge, and along the banks of Loch Lomond, where some of the roads were very narrow and very busy. There were also a lot of road works.  Eventually we reached Fort William, and then drove about 12 miles north to Roy Bridge. Here we pitched up for a week at a delightful private site called Bun Roy.

The View

  This is a private site with facilities equally as good as any CC sites.  it was also much cheaper.

Sunday was a hot day, and I mean hot, so we did the washing and then we had an idle rest of the day before I cooked a proper roast dinner.

Monday was abit of a dull day,so we set off up Glen Spean, heading for Inverness. There were some amazing views over the striking mountains as we headed on. Coming through Inverness we turned along the northern bank of Loch Ness. Althoughwe stopped a few times we did not see 'Nessie'.

We continued heading south west along the banks of Loch Oich and Loch Lochy again enjoyng the scenery.

Eventually we came to the Commando Memorial, just outside Spean Bridge.  Really busy with tourists here.

We had intended to do the railway from Fort William to Mallaig on the Tuesday, but it was very misty so we headed to the Glen Coe visitors centre, where we spent several enjoyable hours watching the scenery and enjoying the exhibitions.

From there we came back to the foot of Ben Nevis, on its southern side, where we found rather a poor visitors centre. More like a glorified shop!  there was however a very narrow track that went up into the hills so we drove that until it just got too narrow.

The Ben Nevis Range

We then went to the cafe near the foot of Ben Nevis, that the cable cars run from, so more tea and we sat watching the cable cars.

The right decision was made over our rail trip to Mallaig.  We could not get on the steam train as it was fully booked so we went on the ordinary service train, which was absolutely packed.  What a journey though, over viaducts, through steep valleys and picturesque little stations. The journey, which is about 90 minutes only cost £14.20 each.  If you are in the area you really must make this trip.

A few shots from the Train

Fort William was our destination for Thursday.  Unfortunately this town has many empty shops and looks quite run down.  We drove round to Neptunes Staircase, which is a flight of Locks, at the start of the Caledonian canal. Whilst we were there we were fortunate enough to see a Puffer boat descend them. A puffer boat is a small steamer that used to cruise the coast of Scotland delivering supplies to the coastal towns.

Puffer boat on Neptunes staircase.

Friday was another cracking day, so I spent it photographing trains and doing the washing. We also cleared up ready for an early depart on Saturday morning.

Instead of heading down to Fort William and up Glen Coe as our route home, we went up Glen Spean, and down Glen Garry towards Perth and onto Strathclyde Country Park CC site, for an over night stop. This is a huge site, mainly used for overnight stops and weekend stays, but it served its needs.

Next day we travelled down the Meathrop Fell CC site, just outside Grange over Sands.  Here we were on pitch 77.  This was a really easy tow down the M6, so we were soon on site and set up.  This site is on many different levels and the pitches are in small groups.  Be warned if you stay here the approach road is very bumpy!

The view from Meathrop Fell

Morecambe was the destination for Monday, as it was a place we had never been. I must say I was very impressed with it, and would be happy to live there.  On our way back we went to Grange Over Sand, which is also a nice little town.

On Tuesday we got the train from Haverthwaite to Lakeside, where we then got the Steamer down Windemere to Bowness.  Yet again there were an amazing number of tourists around.  Unfortunately it started to rain, so we returned on the steamer and train.

A few shots of the Train and Windermere

Weather was very good on the Wednesday so we headed over Wrynose and Hardknocker passes.  Scared the daylights out of Lizzie! She loved the views though,when her eyes were actually open!!

Wrynose pass going down

Hardknocker Pass, heading West

We then headed out to the coast and stalked a Ravenglass and Eskdale railway train.

We needed to be on Stratford race course for the Adventure Overland Show, so we set off down the M6.  It was a long tow, but there were no problems and we camped over night on the camp site.

The following morning Robert turned up just before noon, and we went into the show proper to set up.  We were almost in the centre of the show site with traders on each side of us and in front of us.

The show features all methods of overland travel, motor bikes, all sorts of 4 X4 vehicles, as well as all the equipment needed for overland travel. It really is a very good show. www.adventureoverlandshow.com

An unusual use for a VW van

The weather over the weekend was absolutely brilliant, and plenty of people attended.  We had a good turn out of Landytowners on the stand and also visiting us.

We finally cleared up on Sunday afternoon an left for home.  We had a leaking tap in the caravan, so we kept the caravan on the drive and then took it into Chipping Sodbury Caravans on the Monday morning, where a new tap was installed.

So far in 2014 we have spent 126 nights in the caravan.












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