Me enjoying my pig's trotter and'staked' outside.
Wednesday 21 April 2010
Tuesday 20 April 2010
First Time With Finn
19th April 2010
Decided to take Finn for his first time in the motorhome so booked a dog friendly site just outside Salisbury so that we were close to home if needed.
Arrived around midday and set up our pitch putting Finn on the lunge line tied to a stake whilst we prepared lunch only to be told that the maximum lead length was 2m. Tina ingeniously managed to shorten the lunge line to an acceptable length whilst I prepared our lunch.
After lunch we went for a walk towards Salisbury along the cycle path and river. We didn't meet many other dogs but Finn was captivated by the ducks and almost ended up in the river when he went down the bank for a drink.
Returned to the site after about 45 - 50 minutes and gave Finn a pigs trotter, which kept him amused for another 40 minutes or so whilst we read the paper in the glorious sunshine. Exhausted from his walk and satisfied from his trotter Finn then had a sleep in his crate.
Dinner was rib eye steak, fried potatoes and shallots with a nice salad; unfortunately the gas connector for the Cadac wasn't working properly so Tina cooked indoors and as it was too cold to sit outside we ate inside too. Finn slept whilst we ate.
After dinner we took Finn for a run around the sports field that was adjacent to the campsite in an effort to tire him out but when we returned he was still wide awake and full of beans but eventually flopped at 20:30 and slept through till about 04:00 when we took him out for a wee and also to replace the gas canister as the heating had also gone off and it was quite chilly.
Finn woke at 06:00 and took the unprecedented step of letting him on the bed, where he and Tina dozed for another two hours, however I couldn't sleep as they were both snoring loudly.
Decided to take Finn for his first time in the motorhome so booked a dog friendly site just outside Salisbury so that we were close to home if needed.
Arrived around midday and set up our pitch putting Finn on the lunge line tied to a stake whilst we prepared lunch only to be told that the maximum lead length was 2m. Tina ingeniously managed to shorten the lunge line to an acceptable length whilst I prepared our lunch.
After lunch we went for a walk towards Salisbury along the cycle path and river. We didn't meet many other dogs but Finn was captivated by the ducks and almost ended up in the river when he went down the bank for a drink.
Returned to the site after about 45 - 50 minutes and gave Finn a pigs trotter, which kept him amused for another 40 minutes or so whilst we read the paper in the glorious sunshine. Exhausted from his walk and satisfied from his trotter Finn then had a sleep in his crate.
Dinner was rib eye steak, fried potatoes and shallots with a nice salad; unfortunately the gas connector for the Cadac wasn't working properly so Tina cooked indoors and as it was too cold to sit outside we ate inside too. Finn slept whilst we ate.
After dinner we took Finn for a run around the sports field that was adjacent to the campsite in an effort to tire him out but when we returned he was still wide awake and full of beans but eventually flopped at 20:30 and slept through till about 04:00 when we took him out for a wee and also to replace the gas canister as the heating had also gone off and it was quite chilly.
Finn woke at 06:00 and took the unprecedented step of letting him on the bed, where he and Tina dozed for another two hours, however I couldn't sleep as they were both snoring loudly.
Monday 8 February 2010
6th & 7th February
First weekend away of the new decade.
Combine a visit to see the new puppy with a short weekend in Norwich.
After seeing the puppy we head for the park and ride and catch the bus into Norwich - it's very cold.
First stop is lunch and after wandering around for a while stumble upon Bedford's and decide to eat here. Sandwiches all round, Dan has crayfish tails, Tina the 'Bedford Club' and I have brie and prosciutto.
Afterwards we walk to the cathedral - 900 years old very Norman.
Meet a very helpful if little dotty guide who tells us all sorts of interesting facts about the cathedral and how every hundred years or so there is a significant event: the spire falling down in consecutive centuries, riots, etc. Also find out about the bosses, 'treacle' covered windows - very thick varnish, upright burials and that this was once frequented by the Boleyn family.
It's getting late and we head back to the park and ride as we need to drive about 30 miles to Thetford for our overnight stay. It's quite dark when we arrive but set up camp quickly and settle down for a cosy evening in with some wine, stew and Mock the Week; then it's time for bed and snuggle down for a very cosy nights sleep.
Wake about 09:00 and break camp and are on the road shortly after 10 and arrive home early afternoon.
Saturday 14 November 2009
November Holiday
Friday 13th November
Alarm goes off at 07:30 and it's still raining and blowing a hoolie!
Break camp and drive home in the most atrocious weather.
Alarm goes off at 07:30 and it's still raining and blowing a hoolie!
Break camp and drive home in the most atrocious weather.
November Holiday
Thursday 12th November
Off to Canterbury, first stop Chislehurst caves.
Chislehurst Caves are fantastic – 22 mile labyrinth carved out of the chalk. Used as an ammunition store in WW1 and an air raid shelter for ~15,000 people in WWII.
Join a guided tour complete with paraffin lanterns. How he knew where he was going we’ll never know.
In the sixties they were used as a concert venue with Jimi Hendrix and David Bowie both playing there.
From the caves we head on to Canterbury and arrive mid afternoon and decide to have a relaxing few hours in Hymie reading the paper.
Pretty dismal grey afternoon and the wind is picking up.
Catch the bus in to Canterbury just before five and wander through the streets heading for the tapas restaurant only to find out that it has closed and been replaced by an English restaurant. What to do we had both been looking forward to this all week. End up going in a Strada – an Italian chain and have a really nice meal despite the matter of a slight disagreement towards the end but ignoring that food was pretty good especially the olives.
Return to the campsite and it really is starting to get windy.
Have a cuddle and watch ‘Get Smart’ but the wind has really picked up and we could be in danger of the van being blown over.
End up having a very disturbed night once the wind died down the rains started so we end up getting very little sleep.
Next day break camp at 07:30 and head home arriving around midday and spend the rest of the day purchasing doggy accoutrements – wellies, toys, beds etc. Wouldn’t have been a very nice day had we stayed in Canterbury.
End of our week off – it’s been an unusual week having had a few technical difficulties but also had some fun outings. Really enjoyed Cambridge, Ely cathedral, St Paul’s and meal at Strada.
Off to Canterbury, first stop Chislehurst caves.
Chislehurst Caves are fantastic – 22 mile labyrinth carved out of the chalk. Used as an ammunition store in WW1 and an air raid shelter for ~15,000 people in WWII.
Join a guided tour complete with paraffin lanterns. How he knew where he was going we’ll never know.
In the sixties they were used as a concert venue with Jimi Hendrix and David Bowie both playing there.
From the caves we head on to Canterbury and arrive mid afternoon and decide to have a relaxing few hours in Hymie reading the paper.
Pretty dismal grey afternoon and the wind is picking up.
Catch the bus in to Canterbury just before five and wander through the streets heading for the tapas restaurant only to find out that it has closed and been replaced by an English restaurant. What to do we had both been looking forward to this all week. End up going in a Strada – an Italian chain and have a really nice meal despite the matter of a slight disagreement towards the end but ignoring that food was pretty good especially the olives.
Return to the campsite and it really is starting to get windy.
Have a cuddle and watch ‘Get Smart’ but the wind has really picked up and we could be in danger of the van being blown over.
End up having a very disturbed night once the wind died down the rains started so we end up getting very little sleep.
Next day break camp at 07:30 and head home arriving around midday and spend the rest of the day purchasing doggy accoutrements – wellies, toys, beds etc. Wouldn’t have been a very nice day had we stayed in Canterbury.
End of our week off – it’s been an unusual week having had a few technical difficulties but also had some fun outings. Really enjoyed Cambridge, Ely cathedral, St Paul’s and meal at Strada.
November Holiday
Wednesday 11th November
Lie in for me up early (ish) for Tina at around 08:30, fairly leisurely shower and breakfast though this new electric kettle is fantastic, so much quicker than boiling the kettle on the hob – why didn’t we get one sooner.
Catch the number 3 bus but due to a Remembrance ceremony it terminates at Lambeth Palace but the driver advises us to get off at Brixton and catch the tube. Charges us £4 but I’ve only got a tenner and he says he’ll give us change by the time we reach our stop.
This is a rather splendid bus as it has both a display and an announcement for each stop so you know when you need to get off. Reach Brixton and as everyone has been paying by Oyster card the driver still has no change so hands us back our £10 note – go him!
Take the Victoria line up to Oxford Circus and change for the Central line to St. Paul’s. On arrival have a tea and a coffee and Tina has a scrummy piece of carrot cake then we’re off to the Cathedral.
Take the audio tour as there are no guided tours till one o’ clock. All very interesting but whilst it is very impressive it wasn’t as atmospheric as Ely cathedral this one was too spacious and light.
It’s lunchtime and neither of us is sure what we want to eat so we opt for Hard Rock café and take the tube to Hyde Park Corner, having rung the restaurant first to enquire which was the nearest tube.
Have nachos to share followed by open steak sandwiches with mushrooms, onion and cheese, but way too much could have stopped after the nachos but we did have a nice bottle of Pinot.
Still only 3:00 p.m. so decide to go over to Harrods as it’s only one stop away. Go to Pet’s Kingdom and buy a very nice collar for our new doggy (still not sure whether to rename or not)
After a quick whiz round the jewellery department and the food halls where we purchased some baklava we headed back to Victoria station and the train home. We were knackered as we had been walking lots.
Texted the kids and Alex asked whether we had been to Crystal Palace Reptiles yet, which we hadn’t so when we got back to the station we walked up the steep hill and went to CPR – not all its cracked up to be a) it’s mainly an aquarium and b) all the interesting snakes are in small RUB’s + very expensive. Saw a couple of GTP’s. Also saw a python eating a rat.
Headed back along Crystal Palace Parade and Tina even commented that it wasn’t as far as she thought, but we were both pretty knackered by the time we got back and sat down for a nice cuppa tea.
Lie in for me up early (ish) for Tina at around 08:30, fairly leisurely shower and breakfast though this new electric kettle is fantastic, so much quicker than boiling the kettle on the hob – why didn’t we get one sooner.
Catch the number 3 bus but due to a Remembrance ceremony it terminates at Lambeth Palace but the driver advises us to get off at Brixton and catch the tube. Charges us £4 but I’ve only got a tenner and he says he’ll give us change by the time we reach our stop.
This is a rather splendid bus as it has both a display and an announcement for each stop so you know when you need to get off. Reach Brixton and as everyone has been paying by Oyster card the driver still has no change so hands us back our £10 note – go him!
Take the Victoria line up to Oxford Circus and change for the Central line to St. Paul’s. On arrival have a tea and a coffee and Tina has a scrummy piece of carrot cake then we’re off to the Cathedral.
Take the audio tour as there are no guided tours till one o’ clock. All very interesting but whilst it is very impressive it wasn’t as atmospheric as Ely cathedral this one was too spacious and light.
It’s lunchtime and neither of us is sure what we want to eat so we opt for Hard Rock café and take the tube to Hyde Park Corner, having rung the restaurant first to enquire which was the nearest tube.
Have nachos to share followed by open steak sandwiches with mushrooms, onion and cheese, but way too much could have stopped after the nachos but we did have a nice bottle of Pinot.
Still only 3:00 p.m. so decide to go over to Harrods as it’s only one stop away. Go to Pet’s Kingdom and buy a very nice collar for our new doggy (still not sure whether to rename or not)
After a quick whiz round the jewellery department and the food halls where we purchased some baklava we headed back to Victoria station and the train home. We were knackered as we had been walking lots.
Texted the kids and Alex asked whether we had been to Crystal Palace Reptiles yet, which we hadn’t so when we got back to the station we walked up the steep hill and went to CPR – not all its cracked up to be a) it’s mainly an aquarium and b) all the interesting snakes are in small RUB’s + very expensive. Saw a couple of GTP’s. Also saw a python eating a rat.
Headed back along Crystal Palace Parade and Tina even commented that it wasn’t as far as she thought, but we were both pretty knackered by the time we got back and sat down for a nice cuppa tea.
November Holiday
Tuesday 10th November
Have a lie in as we’re in no rush to leave but eventually head off around 10:30.
Slight moment of anxiety travelling down M11 as miss the exit for the services and we are running low on fuel and there doesn’t appear to be any exits, fortunately one appears in time and despite initially taking the wrong turning find a petrol station just after the warning light appears – phew!
Head on down to London and pass Stratford – Olympic site – lots being built. Then through the Blackwell Tunnel and on through Greenwich eventually arriving at Crystal Palace at 12:30 – one slight problem I’ve inadvertently booked Abbey Wood, which the wardens here think is most funny – I’m trying to contain myself as the sign outside says the site is full and I don’t fancy explaining this to Tina. Fortunately someone didn’t turn up yesterday and they do have a pitch available for two nights – now I can see how funny it was!
Set up on the pitch and don’t know whether to go into town for a boozy lunch or have toasted sarnies here and then go to the reptile shop.
In the end we decide to stay here and have toasted sarnies but it keeps raining on and off so we don’t know what to do.
Following a short break in the weather we decide to try our new bikes and go for a ride through the park.
Great fun, get to the other side and think we will go to the reptile shop but the steep hill is too daunting so we turn round and continue our ride round the park; one problem is that coming back it’s all uphill and we dismount and finish up walking back.
Spend the rest of the afternoon all cosy in Hymie, reading.
Later that evening we go for a short walk to work out where the bus goes from but Tina goes out unprepared for the leaves and puddles as she didn’t change her shoes and was wearing pink crocs.
Have a lie in as we’re in no rush to leave but eventually head off around 10:30.
Slight moment of anxiety travelling down M11 as miss the exit for the services and we are running low on fuel and there doesn’t appear to be any exits, fortunately one appears in time and despite initially taking the wrong turning find a petrol station just after the warning light appears – phew!
Head on down to London and pass Stratford – Olympic site – lots being built. Then through the Blackwell Tunnel and on through Greenwich eventually arriving at Crystal Palace at 12:30 – one slight problem I’ve inadvertently booked Abbey Wood, which the wardens here think is most funny – I’m trying to contain myself as the sign outside says the site is full and I don’t fancy explaining this to Tina. Fortunately someone didn’t turn up yesterday and they do have a pitch available for two nights – now I can see how funny it was!
Set up on the pitch and don’t know whether to go into town for a boozy lunch or have toasted sarnies here and then go to the reptile shop.
In the end we decide to stay here and have toasted sarnies but it keeps raining on and off so we don’t know what to do.
Following a short break in the weather we decide to try our new bikes and go for a ride through the park.
Great fun, get to the other side and think we will go to the reptile shop but the steep hill is too daunting so we turn round and continue our ride round the park; one problem is that coming back it’s all uphill and we dismount and finish up walking back.
Spend the rest of the afternoon all cosy in Hymie, reading.
Later that evening we go for a short walk to work out where the bus goes from but Tina goes out unprepared for the leaves and puddles as she didn’t change her shoes and was wearing pink crocs.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
