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.
Saturday, 14 November 2009
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before five and wander through the streets heading for the tapas restaurant only to find out that it has closed and been replaced by an English restaurant.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.
November Holiday
Monday 9th November
Ring Brownhills in Newark – nearest one and speak to the wonderful Alison who suspects that the problem is the regulator and to bring the van in and they’ll get it sorted.
Quick shower and off up the A1 we go (84 miles). Arrive at Brownhills just after 11 and book Hymie in and have a look at the vans on show. Like the Apache SE.
Then its lunchtime and we make use of the on site Bistro and have a pork hotpot – very nice but overdid it on the potatoes – three types: roasted, hot pot and layered with cheese plus some lovely leeks and carrots – very nice too many tats though.
Van finished about 13:30 so we head back to Cambridge and decide en route that we should pop over to Ely to see the cathedral, which is what we had planned to do today.
Interesting trip across the Fens but eventually arrive about 15:20 but despite checking that the car parks don’t have height barriers I hadn’t checked to see what arcane laws they have in Ely, which prohibits anyone parking a vehicle over 5.3m in length in a public car park. One phone call to the council officers later and I am advised that there is one space – ONE SPACE in the whole of Ely designated for camper vans. As you would expect I provide some feedback!
Drive round Ely looking for aforementioned car park and the lone campervan space and after about 20 minutes find the right car park but the notice still says anyone fortunate enough to have a vehicle over 5.3m should go to hell and be damned, so I ring the council again and am advised that even though there is no marked bay I am able to park across two bays. Fortunately the car park is fairly empty so no problem finding a two suitable bays. I do however leave a little note for any traffic warden saying that we had phoned the council and spoken with Angela and she said it was alright.
Off up the hill to the cathedral, which I must say is pretty impressive, especially the octagonal tower.
Quick stop in the Almonry café for tea and lemon meringue expensive and a coffee and a slice of lemon drizzle cheap. (£4.25 for the lemon meringue pie!!!)
Walk over to the Cathedral and it is now dusk and the drunks are out but we avoid a confrontation on our way round to the front of the cathedral. Notice part of the north wing at the front has disappeared but step inside and as it’s quite late we are pretty much the only ones in there and as it is getting dark it’s quite eerie.
Give a £5 donation and get a guide and wander around, it is a most impressive cathedral very plain Norman architecture for the most part with a long nave and uninterrupted view to the east window.
The central nave is spectacular as the original square tower fell down and was replaced with a fantastic octagonal lantern – hugely impressive. The transepts have impressive wooden ceilings and carved angels in flight. With dusk falling, low light inside and the choir practising nearby it creates a wonderful atmosphere.
Very impressed with Ely cathedral, more so than the local council.
Return to Cambridge and pleased to have a fully working heating system and cooker.
A quiet night, less alcohol off to London tomorrow.
Ring Brownhills in Newark – nearest one and speak to the wonderful Alison who suspects that the problem is the regulator and to bring the van in and they’ll get it sorted.
Quick shower and off up the A1 we go (84 miles). Arrive at Brownhills just after 11 and book Hymie in and have a look at the vans on show. Like the Apache SE.
Then its lunchtime and we make use of the on site Bistro and have a pork hotpot – very nice but overdid it on the potatoes – three types: roasted, hot pot and layered with cheese plus some lovely leeks and carrots – very nice too many tats though.
Van finished about 13:30 so we head back to Cambridge and decide en route that we should pop over to Ely to see the cathedral, which is what we had planned to do today.
Interesting trip across the Fens but eventually arrive about 15:20 but despite checking that the car parks don’t have height barriers I hadn’t checked to see what arcane laws they have in Ely, which prohibits anyone parking a vehicle over 5.3m in length in a public car park. One phone call to the council officers later and I am advised that there is one space – ONE SPACE in the whole of Ely designated for camper vans. As you would expect I provide some feedback!
Drive round Ely looking for aforementioned car park and the lone campervan space and after about 20 minutes find the right car park but the notice still says anyone fortunate enough to have a vehicle over 5.3m should go to hell and be damned, so I ring the council again and am advised that even though there is no marked bay I am able to park across two bays. Fortunately the car park is fairly empty so no problem finding a two suitable bays. I do however leave a little note for any traffic warden saying that we had phoned the council and spoken with Angela and she said it was alright.
Off up the hill to the cathedral, which I must say is pretty impressive, especially the octagonal tower.
Quick stop in the Almonry café for tea and lemon meringue expensive and a coffee and a slice of lemon drizzle cheap. (£4.25 for the lemon meringue pie!!!)
Walk over to the Cathedral and it is now dusk and the drunks are out but we avoid a confrontation on our way round to the front of the cathedral. Notice part of the north wing at the front has disappeared but step inside and as it’s quite late we are pretty much the only ones in there and as it is getting dark it’s quite eerie.
Give a £5 donation and get a guide and wander around, it is a most impressive cathedral very plain Norman architecture for the most part with a long nave and uninterrupted view to the east window.
The central nave is spectacular as the original square tower fell down and was replaced with a fantastic octagonal lantern – hugely impressive. The transepts have impressive wooden ceilings and carved angels in flight. With dusk falling, low light inside and the choir practising nearby it creates a wonderful atmosphere.
Very impressed with Ely cathedral, more so than the local council.
Return to Cambridge and pleased to have a fully working heating system and cooker.
A quiet night, less alcohol off to London tomorrow.
November Holiday
Sunday 8th November
Woke up to find that the heating had gone off and there was hardly any flame on the cooker – a repeat of Exeter!
Tried the second bottle of gas but no joy, Tina looked in the manual and still no clues tho’ she thinks that this is a regular occurrence on Motor Home Facts and is something to do with the regulator.
Anyway cannot think about it without a cup of tea/coffee so go and ask another motorhomer if they can boil our kettle for us, which they kindly do and also suggest that it is the regulator.
Anyway after a shower and a cuppa things are much easier to handle so we agree that we will enjoy our day in Cambridge and sort out the van tomorrow and take it to Brownhills to get it looked at. Fortunately Tina had the foresight to bring the electric heater so at least we will be able to stay warm and if we buy a kettle in town will be able to have a hot drink in the morning.
Caught the bus in to Cambridge, which was very popular but on route had to take a detour as it was Remembrance Sunday and the main street was closed. Arrived outside John Lewis and the main shopping arcade just before 11 and on first impressions really like Cambridge lots of nice shops Gant and Ted Baker.
Decide that we need another hot drink and a cake before taking a look round. Up to the Brasserie in John Lewis and are tempted by the brunch menu.
Tina goes straight for the full English but I ask for a combination of two items: poached eggs and smoked salmon. Is this scrambled eggs and smoked salmon but poached eggs in lieu of the scrambled ones or is it eggs Benedict with smoked salmon and no hollandaise? Well it confused the waiter but we got there in the end and I even had toasted muffins instead of toast.
Then a wander round JL to buy a kettle, look at the Xmas decorations, jewellery, handbags and boots but only end up buying a kettle.
Then wander through the arcade and come across a Pia shop – 7th heaven for Tina and end up buying two necklaces very pretty.
Now we want to find the bus tour of Cambridge but first we need to find the Tourist Info, which wasn’t easy but we made it only to find that it was closed on a Sunday but the lady in the gift shop told us where to get the bus from so back we went to where we had seen the map to get us to the Tourist info office!
Caught the bus from outside Emanuel College and started off upstairs but it got too cold. Cambridge is very picturesque especially the ‘backs’ – lovely place to walk the dog in due course.
Do the round tour without getting off and return to the main shopping area in need of a hot drink and a cake.
Afterwards we have to have the inevitable trip to Lakeland and then it’s time to return as it is getting quite chillsome.
Back to the bus stop on to the campsite.
Cold tea tonight as no cooker.
Disturbed nights sleep due to noisy electric heater, which we eventually switch off.
Woke up to find that the heating had gone off and there was hardly any flame on the cooker – a repeat of Exeter!
Tried the second bottle of gas but no joy, Tina looked in the manual and still no clues tho’ she thinks that this is a regular occurrence on Motor Home Facts and is something to do with the regulator.
Anyway cannot think about it without a cup of tea/coffee so go and ask another motorhomer if they can boil our kettle for us, which they kindly do and also suggest that it is the regulator.
Anyway after a shower and a cuppa things are much easier to handle so we agree that we will enjoy our day in Cambridge and sort out the van tomorrow and take it to Brownhills to get it looked at. Fortunately Tina had the foresight to bring the electric heater so at least we will be able to stay warm and if we buy a kettle in town will be able to have a hot drink in the morning.
Caught the bus in to Cambridge, which was very popular but on route had to take a detour as it was Remembrance Sunday and the main street was closed. Arrived outside John Lewis and the main shopping arcade just before 11 and on first impressions really like Cambridge lots of nice shops Gant and Ted Baker.
Decide that we need another hot drink and a cake before taking a look round. Up to the Brasserie in John Lewis and are tempted by the brunch menu.
Tina goes straight for the full English but I ask for a combination of two items: poached eggs and smoked salmon. Is this scrambled eggs and smoked salmon but poached eggs in lieu of the scrambled ones or is it eggs Benedict with smoked salmon and no hollandaise? Well it confused the waiter but we got there in the end and I even had toasted muffins instead of toast.
Then a wander round JL to buy a kettle, look at the Xmas decorations, jewellery, handbags and boots but only end up buying a kettle.
Then wander through the arcade and come across a Pia shop – 7th heaven for Tina and end up buying two necklaces very pretty.
Now we want to find the bus tour of Cambridge but first we need to find the Tourist Info, which wasn’t easy but we made it only to find that it was closed on a Sunday but the lady in the gift shop told us where to get the bus from so back we went to where we had seen the map to get us to the Tourist info office!
Caught the bus from outside Emanuel College and started off upstairs but it got too cold. Cambridge is very picturesque especially the ‘backs’ – lovely place to walk the dog in due course.
Do the round tour without getting off and return to the main shopping area in need of a hot drink and a cake.
Afterwards we have to have the inevitable trip to Lakeland and then it’s time to return as it is getting quite chillsome.
Back to the bus stop on to the campsite.
Cold tea tonight as no cooker.
Disturbed nights sleep due to noisy electric heater, which we eventually switch off.
November Holiday
Saturday 7th November
Off to see the puppies in Alfreton – long drive A34, across to M1 and up to Jct 28. Odd numbering in the road but eventually found the right house. Met mum (Zeus) and dad (Jack) who was a massive GSP – they were both gorgeous.
Had a look at the puppies, which were little bundles of love. Decided there and then to have one and picked one out that had a little white smudge on his cheek.
Left and headed over to Lincoln to see Connor the 16-month old puppy – and oh no what a dilemma he was really placid and appeared to have a very good temperament even allowing us to take him for a walk.
Despite this being the obvious choice and providing us with an instant dog we had already put a deposit down on one of the puppies and clearly we couldn’t have both so decided to give a ‘cock and bull’ story that we felt we weren’t right for the dog and surprisingly we met a great deal of resistance and great efforts to talk us round, though we couldn’t tell them that only a few hours earlier we had put a deposit on the puppy.
Eventually agreed that we would think about it and would call them later that evening once we had arrived at Cambridge. So we headed off and arrived at Cherry Hinton around 5, just as it was getting dark.
Nice campsite, in an old quarry plus it had a resident owl.
Glass of wine and spag bol together with much discussion on what to do about the dogs. Tina got quite merry even starting a second bottle.
Eventually decided that Connor the instant dog would be best so texted Sally at Riverside Stud to advise.
Off to see the puppies in Alfreton – long drive A34, across to M1 and up to Jct 28. Odd numbering in the road but eventually found the right house. Met mum (Zeus) and dad (Jack) who was a massive GSP – they were both gorgeous.
Had a look at the puppies, which were little bundles of love. Decided there and then to have one and picked one out that had a little white smudge on his cheek.
Left and headed over to Lincoln to see Connor the 16-month old puppy – and oh no what a dilemma he was really placid and appeared to have a very good temperament even allowing us to take him for a walk.
Despite this being the obvious choice and providing us with an instant dog we had already put a deposit down on one of the puppies and clearly we couldn’t have both so decided to give a ‘cock and bull’ story that we felt we weren’t right for the dog and surprisingly we met a great deal of resistance and great efforts to talk us round, though we couldn’t tell them that only a few hours earlier we had put a deposit on the puppy.
Eventually agreed that we would think about it and would call them later that evening once we had arrived at Cambridge. So we headed off and arrived at Cherry Hinton around 5, just as it was getting dark.
Nice campsite, in an old quarry plus it had a resident owl.
Glass of wine and spag bol together with much discussion on what to do about the dogs. Tina got quite merry even starting a second bottle.
Eventually decided that Connor the instant dog would be best so texted Sally at Riverside Stud to advise.
Friday, 6 November 2009
Off Again!
Off up North tomorrow - going to see some GSP's (German Short Haired Pointers) as the Vizsla puppy we were going to have died. Going to see some 2 week olds at Alfreton and a fourteen month old in Boston.
We're then off for the week touring round: Cambridge, London and Canterbury. Yay!
Wednesday, 21 October 2009
NEC Show, Dreaming and Planning
Visited the Motorhome show at the NEC. Can't believe that this is the fourth time we've been.
The Frankia's are still my favourite just need to wait for a decent second-hand one to come on the market then its time to sell up and leave the rat race - this is the sort of 'van' you need to go full time.
Also very interested in the IH panel vans, though at £66,000 a little expensive, that said the Hymer Classics are now over £60k too!
Just in the process of planning our next venture, which will be a trip up to Cambridge, including Ely, then down to London for a few days before finishing up at Canterbury.
The Frankia's are still my favourite just need to wait for a decent second-hand one to come on the market then its time to sell up and leave the rat race - this is the sort of 'van' you need to go full time.
Also very interested in the IH panel vans, though at £66,000 a little expensive, that said the Hymer Classics are now over £60k too!
Just in the process of planning our next venture, which will be a trip up to Cambridge, including Ely, then down to London for a few days before finishing up at Canterbury.
Tuesday, 6 October 2009
Exeter 2nd to 4th October
Sunday 4th October
Woke up to no heating and not enough gas to boil a kettle - cannot believe it that the bottle I changed over wasn't full. This is the first time we've ever run out of gas - a novice mistake - always check your gas before you leave - we could have been gone for a week.
Anyway decide to break camp and head for the M5 services for our morning coffee and tea and then we head home, arriving about 12:30.
Woke up to no heating and not enough gas to boil a kettle - cannot believe it that the bottle I changed over wasn't full. This is the first time we've ever run out of gas - a novice mistake - always check your gas before you leave - we could have been gone for a week.
Anyway decide to break camp and head for the M5 services for our morning coffee and tea and then we head home, arriving about 12:30.
Exeter 2nd to 4th October
Saturday 3rd October
Cannot catch a bus into Exeter as they won't stop on the main road as it's too dangerous.
Get up just after 8 and have the most ridiculously ineffectual shower, which whilst warm enough had about as much force as a tear drop!
Also had to change the gas bottle over as the heating wouldn't stay on as there wasn't enough gas coming through.
Decided to skip breakfast and drive to the nearest park and ride, which we were reliably informed had no height restrictions. Anyway arrive at the aforementioned park and ride and there was a height barrier but fortunately they had about 10 spaces reserved for over height vehicles.
Parked up and caught the bus into the city centre.
Walked down to the cathedral and decided to have breakfast at a cafe overlooking the cathedral precincts and intended to just have a cake and coffee but got tempted by the cooked menu and Tina had eggs Benedict and I went off menu and had two poached eggs, two rashers of delicious bacon and toast - all very nice.
Suitably fortified we went into the cathedral and despite the £5 entrance fee each there were no guides available. Fortunately they provided decent written guides, which were very informative.
Special mention must go to the 'mirror trolley' which means you can look at the ceiling and bosses without straining your neck - very impressed.
After the cathedral we wander up the high street, intending to find the tourist information office but before we reach it we found the second attraction that we intended to visit: Exeter's underground passages. These were excavated to house the water supply pipes and provide future access for repairs so that they didn't have to dig up the ground each time. The passages were very tight and quite low in places and Tina got quite claustrophobic but bravely saw the tour through to the end.
Went at long last to Wagamama's a noodle bar that Tina has wanted to visit for some time.
Tina had the seafood ramen and I had the scallop and bacon soba noodle salad. Both tasty but not lived up to expectations. Also had a side of crispy chilli squid - yummy.
After lunch wandered down to the tudor house, previously a monastery and now partially restored as a merchants house.
Decided it was time to go back and after a trip to Sainsbury's to replenish supplies headed back to the campsite.
Having had a cooked breakfast and a relatively late lunch just snacked in the evening and watched the final parts of P&P - god Jane Austen wrote some great lines.
Cannot catch a bus into Exeter as they won't stop on the main road as it's too dangerous.
Get up just after 8 and have the most ridiculously ineffectual shower, which whilst warm enough had about as much force as a tear drop!
Also had to change the gas bottle over as the heating wouldn't stay on as there wasn't enough gas coming through.
Decided to skip breakfast and drive to the nearest park and ride, which we were reliably informed had no height restrictions. Anyway arrive at the aforementioned park and ride and there was a height barrier but fortunately they had about 10 spaces reserved for over height vehicles.
Parked up and caught the bus into the city centre.
Walked down to the cathedral and decided to have breakfast at a cafe overlooking the cathedral precincts and intended to just have a cake and coffee but got tempted by the cooked menu and Tina had eggs Benedict and I went off menu and had two poached eggs, two rashers of delicious bacon and toast - all very nice.
Suitably fortified we went into the cathedral and despite the £5 entrance fee each there were no guides available. Fortunately they provided decent written guides, which were very informative.
Special mention must go to the 'mirror trolley' which means you can look at the ceiling and bosses without straining your neck - very impressed.
After the cathedral we wander up the high street, intending to find the tourist information office but before we reach it we found the second attraction that we intended to visit: Exeter's underground passages. These were excavated to house the water supply pipes and provide future access for repairs so that they didn't have to dig up the ground each time. The passages were very tight and quite low in places and Tina got quite claustrophobic but bravely saw the tour through to the end.
Went at long last to Wagamama's a noodle bar that Tina has wanted to visit for some time.
Tina had the seafood ramen and I had the scallop and bacon soba noodle salad. Both tasty but not lived up to expectations. Also had a side of crispy chilli squid - yummy.
After lunch wandered down to the tudor house, previously a monastery and now partially restored as a merchants house.
Decided it was time to go back and after a trip to Sainsbury's to replenish supplies headed back to the campsite.
Having had a cooked breakfast and a relatively late lunch just snacked in the evening and watched the final parts of P&P - god Jane Austen wrote some great lines.
Exeter 2nd to 4th October
Friday 2nd October
Had a long weekend away visiting Exeter.
Took a leisurely trip down to stay at the Exeter Racecourse site. Called into the Angel at Heytesbury for lunch and both had the calves liver with bacon, caramelised onions and red cabbage. We had different desserts - fruit crumble cheesecake and banoffie pie, though Tina's eyes were bigger than her belly as the banoffie pie was immense and she hardly made any in-roads. Fortunately the provided a doggy bag and she took it for later.
Sat nav had a bit of a 'brain fade' when we were about a mile from the site and took us the wrong way and then wanted us top make a u-turn through the central reservation of a dual carriageway - sacre bleu!!
Had to revert to Doug nav and took the back roads and guessed our way back as the sat nav couldn't get a fix on our location. Needless to say we managed to find our way to the site and booked in.
The surroundings seemed nice: in the middle of the race course with woods all around, but the pitches were a bit sparse either a patch of grass or a hard standing and whilst quite large there was nothing to separate them from each other.
Had a relaxing afternoon and evening; read the papers and watched Pride and Prejudice (BBC version).
Had a long weekend away visiting Exeter.
Took a leisurely trip down to stay at the Exeter Racecourse site. Called into the Angel at Heytesbury for lunch and both had the calves liver with bacon, caramelised onions and red cabbage. We had different desserts - fruit crumble cheesecake and banoffie pie, though Tina's eyes were bigger than her belly as the banoffie pie was immense and she hardly made any in-roads. Fortunately the provided a doggy bag and she took it for later.
Sat nav had a bit of a 'brain fade' when we were about a mile from the site and took us the wrong way and then wanted us top make a u-turn through the central reservation of a dual carriageway - sacre bleu!!
Had to revert to Doug nav and took the back roads and guessed our way back as the sat nav couldn't get a fix on our location. Needless to say we managed to find our way to the site and booked in.
The surroundings seemed nice: in the middle of the race course with woods all around, but the pitches were a bit sparse either a patch of grass or a hard standing and whilst quite large there was nothing to separate them from each other.
Had a relaxing afternoon and evening; read the papers and watched Pride and Prejudice (BBC version).
Monday, 14 September 2009
Monday, 31 August 2009
Sunday, 16 August 2009
Salisbury
14th - 16th August
Head for Hillside, half way between Salisbury and Andover and choose one of the few remaining pitches and end up parked next to a 'tugger', fortunately on quite a big pitch, though we ignored the rules about reversing up to the pitch marker and simply made best use of the available space.
As it's T's birthday we have a bottle of champagne and olives early evening. Unfortunately the weather isn't particularly warm so we are unable to sit outside. Have a very nice warm chicken and lardon salad, though we forgot the dressing because we left in a hurry.
Both slept well and didn't even wake up when it rained in the night. Saturday was overcast and we woke at 08:00, showered, had breakfast and went for the 09:50 bus, which stops just outside the campsite entrance.
We got there early, about 15 minutes before the bus was due and waited on the side of a very busy road, which appears to be in nomansland as 30 yards one way was the Hampshire border and 20 yards the other was the Wiltshire border. Bus arrives right on time and we head to Salisbury.
Still overcast but not yet raining so we head for the cathedral. Call into the West Country Pasty shop for a couple of cornish pasties for dinner and then walk over to the cathedral, checking out a couple of restaurants on the way and decide on the Lemon Tree and book a table for 12:30.
Walk into the cathedral grounds and then wander round the cloisters before going in. No tours available so we wander round ourselves with a brief written guide. Salisbury cathedral is very stark though it has a very impressive font - very modern!
Take about an hour to wander round and finish off seeing the Magna Carter - one of four original copies.
Lunch at the Lemon Tree - very nice bottle of rose Cava, starters pear and brie and ciabatta, chicken in leek and mushroom sauce, strawberry pavlova whilst Tina has mixed hors d'ovres: parma ham, smoked chicken, egg salad, anchovies, olives, crab, chicken in lemon sauce and lemon posset.
Wander round Salisbury heading back to the bus stop and catch the 14:15 and get back to the camp site before three - slight error on ringing the bell for the bus stop and alighting too early -end up walking up a hill for a while to get back to the campsite.
Spend most of the rest of the afternoon and evening reading as we didn't bring the lap top to watch any movies.
Lie in till about nine and then leisurely get ready, have breakfast and head home.
A very nice weekend, though Salisbury is a bit dull, the weather didn't really help but it was great to be back in Hymie.
Head for Hillside, half way between Salisbury and Andover and choose one of the few remaining pitches and end up parked next to a 'tugger', fortunately on quite a big pitch, though we ignored the rules about reversing up to the pitch marker and simply made best use of the available space.
As it's T's birthday we have a bottle of champagne and olives early evening. Unfortunately the weather isn't particularly warm so we are unable to sit outside. Have a very nice warm chicken and lardon salad, though we forgot the dressing because we left in a hurry.
Both slept well and didn't even wake up when it rained in the night. Saturday was overcast and we woke at 08:00, showered, had breakfast and went for the 09:50 bus, which stops just outside the campsite entrance.
We got there early, about 15 minutes before the bus was due and waited on the side of a very busy road, which appears to be in nomansland as 30 yards one way was the Hampshire border and 20 yards the other was the Wiltshire border. Bus arrives right on time and we head to Salisbury.
Still overcast but not yet raining so we head for the cathedral. Call into the West Country Pasty shop for a couple of cornish pasties for dinner and then walk over to the cathedral, checking out a couple of restaurants on the way and decide on the Lemon Tree and book a table for 12:30.
Walk into the cathedral grounds and then wander round the cloisters before going in. No tours available so we wander round ourselves with a brief written guide. Salisbury cathedral is very stark though it has a very impressive font - very modern!
Take about an hour to wander round and finish off seeing the Magna Carter - one of four original copies.
Lunch at the Lemon Tree - very nice bottle of rose Cava, starters pear and brie and ciabatta, chicken in leek and mushroom sauce, strawberry pavlova whilst Tina has mixed hors d'ovres: parma ham, smoked chicken, egg salad, anchovies, olives, crab, chicken in lemon sauce and lemon posset.
Wander round Salisbury heading back to the bus stop and catch the 14:15 and get back to the camp site before three - slight error on ringing the bell for the bus stop and alighting too early -end up walking up a hill for a while to get back to the campsite.
Spend most of the rest of the afternoon and evening reading as we didn't bring the lap top to watch any movies.
Lie in till about nine and then leisurely get ready, have breakfast and head home.
A very nice weekend, though Salisbury is a bit dull, the weather didn't really help but it was great to be back in Hymie.
Thursday, 6 August 2009
6th August
Haven't been away in Hymie for over a month and am getting withdrawal symptoms.
Will be going away to Salisbury shortly for the weekend.
Will be going away to Salisbury shortly for the weekend.
Sunday, 21 June 2009
Summer Holiday
18th June – Rosslare – St. David’s
Up early at 06:30 to catch the ferry. Slept terribly.
Arrived at ferry port around 07:30 and rolled on to ferry a little after 8, then straight up to the restaurant for a cooked breakfast and toast. Txtd Dan who was at T5 waiting to go off to Boston.
Uneventful crossing but took longer than scheduled due to tides and we docked about 13:00 and then disembarked heading for St. David’s. En route stopped off at Scovla [?] for lunch a beautiful harbour in a valley and had a very nice meal at ‘The Old Pharmacy’ Tina had lasagne and the most wonderful chips whilst I had roasted vegetables and tagliatelle – delicious – all that was missing was a nice glass of wine.
Spoke with Al, all is well and told him that we would more than likely be home tomorrow. [Friday]
Reached St. David’s and visited the Cathedral – very odd mix of architecture and structural very off centre the floors were sloping and all the pillars seemed off perpendicular, however as there were no guided tours we are none the wiser as to why this is so. [Note to self look up on internet on return.]
Left St. David’s and headed for campsite down narrower and narrower roads forcing an elderly gent to reverse his Volvo back 50 yards to allow us to pass. Entered the wrong campsite and after realising this almost collided with some youngsters careering around in a VW, said youths looked thoroughly bemused when Tina responded to their wave with the ‘finger’.
Campsite is a level field with lots and lots of people – this is supposed to be the quiet season and I am already missing the small, ‘bijou’ campsites of Ireland.
Up early at 06:30 to catch the ferry. Slept terribly.
Arrived at ferry port around 07:30 and rolled on to ferry a little after 8, then straight up to the restaurant for a cooked breakfast and toast. Txtd Dan who was at T5 waiting to go off to Boston.
Uneventful crossing but took longer than scheduled due to tides and we docked about 13:00 and then disembarked heading for St. David’s. En route stopped off at Scovla [?] for lunch a beautiful harbour in a valley and had a very nice meal at ‘The Old Pharmacy’ Tina had lasagne and the most wonderful chips whilst I had roasted vegetables and tagliatelle – delicious – all that was missing was a nice glass of wine.
Spoke with Al, all is well and told him that we would more than likely be home tomorrow. [Friday]
Reached St. David’s and visited the Cathedral – very odd mix of architecture and structural very off centre the floors were sloping and all the pillars seemed off perpendicular, however as there were no guided tours we are none the wiser as to why this is so. [Note to self look up on internet on return.]
Left St. David’s and headed for campsite down narrower and narrower roads forcing an elderly gent to reverse his Volvo back 50 yards to allow us to pass. Entered the wrong campsite and after realising this almost collided with some youngsters careering around in a VW, said youths looked thoroughly bemused when Tina responded to their wave with the ‘finger’.
Campsite is a level field with lots and lots of people – this is supposed to be the quiet season and I am already missing the small, ‘bijou’ campsites of Ireland.
Summer Holiday
17th June – Kilkenny – Rosslare
Torrential rain during the night but had a lie in nonetheless.
Still raining when we left Kilkenny and headed for New Ross and then on to Rosslare and our final night in Ireland at St. Margaret’s.
Had lunch at the Lobster Pot – award winning seafood restaurant although at lunchtime they had no cooked seafood available so we made do with lobster chowder and fried brie.
Arrived at campsite for a relaxed afternoon watching the final episodes of Lost in Austen.
Torrential rain during the night but had a lie in nonetheless.
Still raining when we left Kilkenny and headed for New Ross and then on to Rosslare and our final night in Ireland at St. Margaret’s.
Had lunch at the Lobster Pot – award winning seafood restaurant although at lunchtime they had no cooked seafood available so we made do with lobster chowder and fried brie.
Arrived at campsite for a relaxed afternoon watching the final episodes of Lost in Austen.
Summer Holiday
16th June – Glen of Aherlow – Michelstown Caves – Kilkenny
Again a leisurely morning and then set off for a drive round the mountains to the Michelstown caves, which we had seen on the campsite notice board. What a find, down a very narrow road we ended up at a private house that just happened to have a fantastic cave in its back garden.
These had to be the best calcite formations we have seen: stalactites, stalagmites, columns, curtains the works.
Headed for Kilkenny afterwards and arrived fairly easily but had a bit of difficulty finding the campsite, but we did in the end and shortly after arrival got on our bikes and road into Kilkenny along the river.
First pub we tried was a little short staffed and in the end we gave up waiting and headed back out into the hot streets of Kilkenny. For a moment we might have cut our noses to spite our face is we then wandered around for 10 minutes trying to find somewhere suitable to eat. In the end we went into a shop and asked and were recommended Kytlers just round the corner, which worked out quite well as it was a nice pub and we had a couple of pints of Bulmer’s – very refreshing and hot lamb sandwiches and a bowl of chips.
Bought a cream slice afterwards from the bakers and as we were walking back to the bikes Tina fell again and really twisted her ankle as she ended up in tears – immediate thoughts were a broken bone, ambulance etc. But after a short recovery Tina made it to her feet but was clearly in some pain and discomfort but hobbled back to our bikes and bravely rode back.
Weather remained pleasant so we cadac’d: BBQ Chicken drumsticks with boiled tats and salad. Then an evening in watching the first two episodes of Lost in Austen.
Again a leisurely morning and then set off for a drive round the mountains to the Michelstown caves, which we had seen on the campsite notice board. What a find, down a very narrow road we ended up at a private house that just happened to have a fantastic cave in its back garden.
These had to be the best calcite formations we have seen: stalactites, stalagmites, columns, curtains the works.
Headed for Kilkenny afterwards and arrived fairly easily but had a bit of difficulty finding the campsite, but we did in the end and shortly after arrival got on our bikes and road into Kilkenny along the river.
First pub we tried was a little short staffed and in the end we gave up waiting and headed back out into the hot streets of Kilkenny. For a moment we might have cut our noses to spite our face is we then wandered around for 10 minutes trying to find somewhere suitable to eat. In the end we went into a shop and asked and were recommended Kytlers just round the corner, which worked out quite well as it was a nice pub and we had a couple of pints of Bulmer’s – very refreshing and hot lamb sandwiches and a bowl of chips.
Bought a cream slice afterwards from the bakers and as we were walking back to the bikes Tina fell again and really twisted her ankle as she ended up in tears – immediate thoughts were a broken bone, ambulance etc. But after a short recovery Tina made it to her feet but was clearly in some pain and discomfort but hobbled back to our bikes and bravely rode back.
Weather remained pleasant so we cadac’d: BBQ Chicken drumsticks with boiled tats and salad. Then an evening in watching the first two episodes of Lost in Austen.
Summer Holiday
15th June – Adare – Glen of Aherlow via Cashel
Leisurely morning leaving Adare around 10:00 for the Rock of Cashel.
Despite the inclement weather, the first time it really rained whilst we were doing something the visit to the Rock of Cashel was very good as we had a proper guided tour.
Found a ‘homely’ and very popular place for lunch and whilst we intended only having a light lunch in view of our aim to eat at the restaurant at the campsite tonight we ended up having lasagne and chips (me) and a burger and mashed potato and veg (T) not so good tho’ the warmed carrot cake made up for it, a little bit anyway.
Left Cashel heading back to Tipperary and then turned off for the Glen of Aherlow, which is where Ballinacourty House Caravan and Camping park is. Headed up into the hills and came over a peak and were met with this spectacular view (see photo). Every geography teacher’s fantasy!
Arrived at the campsite, which has an award winning restaurant and was nestled at the foot of aforementioned mountains.
After a cup of tea I went for a very long walk up into the forest behind us whilst Tina had a little kip as she had a headache and was tieid.
Leisurely morning leaving Adare around 10:00 for the Rock of Cashel.
Despite the inclement weather, the first time it really rained whilst we were doing something the visit to the Rock of Cashel was very good as we had a proper guided tour.
Found a ‘homely’ and very popular place for lunch and whilst we intended only having a light lunch in view of our aim to eat at the restaurant at the campsite tonight we ended up having lasagne and chips (me) and a burger and mashed potato and veg (T) not so good tho’ the warmed carrot cake made up for it, a little bit anyway.
Left Cashel heading back to Tipperary and then turned off for the Glen of Aherlow, which is where Ballinacourty House Caravan and Camping park is. Headed up into the hills and came over a peak and were met with this spectacular view (see photo). Every geography teacher’s fantasy!
Arrived at the campsite, which has an award winning restaurant and was nestled at the foot of aforementioned mountains.
After a cup of tea I went for a very long walk up into the forest behind us whilst Tina had a little kip as she had a headache and was tieid.
Summer Holiday
14th June - Doolin – Adare via Bunratty
Leave a beautiful Doolin bay and head across country towards Limerick and take in Bunratty castle and folk museum on the way. Less impressive than expected and it rained – the first time whilst we were out visiting somewhere.
Head off for Adare and do a quick shop on route at the ‘spawn of Satan’ otherwise known as Tesco – gosh things are expensive here.
Through Limerick and arrive at Adare and park up and have some lunch at the ‘Blue Room’ restaurant that seemed very popular with Americans – needless to say we had a very pleasant lunch. (Tina lasagne and chips and I had a very yummy Caesar salad)
Arrived at the campsite just outside of the village, in a nice quiet and secluded spot but very expensive - €26 for the night. Anyhow spent the reminder of the afternoon leisurely reading the paper.
Fridge shelf broke.
Leave a beautiful Doolin bay and head across country towards Limerick and take in Bunratty castle and folk museum on the way. Less impressive than expected and it rained – the first time whilst we were out visiting somewhere.
Head off for Adare and do a quick shop on route at the ‘spawn of Satan’ otherwise known as Tesco – gosh things are expensive here.
Through Limerick and arrive at Adare and park up and have some lunch at the ‘Blue Room’ restaurant that seemed very popular with Americans – needless to say we had a very pleasant lunch. (Tina lasagne and chips and I had a very yummy Caesar salad)
Arrived at the campsite just outside of the village, in a nice quiet and secluded spot but very expensive - €26 for the night. Anyhow spent the reminder of the afternoon leisurely reading the paper.
Fridge shelf broke.
Summer Holiday
13th June – Doolin
Another sunny day in Ireland – taking it easy this morning allowing Tina to recover from her migraine. We have a lie in and then undertake Tina’s favourite activity – yes washing. Tina always feels better keeping on top of the holiday washing.
Once this is up straight we can carry on with the holiday so we stroll down to the pier and after Tina takes a stumble we book the midday boat trip to the Cliffs of Moher – we think it will be much better seeing them from the water as if we were to go to the top of them all you would see would be the sea!
It’s lovely out on the water quite sunny and relatively calm, though we do hit a few waves but all in all a very pleasant hour.
Return to the campsite and drive off to O’Connor’s pub for lunch and whilst we have a very un-Irish welcome we enjoy a very nice Irish stew.
Then it’s off a short distance down the road to the Doolin cave. We are a small group (5) and two of us are French plus their translator.
The Doolin caves have a very famous stalactite – like an elaborate chandelier – only trouble was I didn’t take a camera so unless I can download something off the internet we’ll jus have to remember how fantastic it was.
Back to the campsite and sit out as it’s a glorious afternoon – cup of tea enjoying the summer. We have been very fortunate with the weather as we have had some spectacularly sunny evenings – not roasting but sufficiently warm to sit outside provided you stay out of the breeze.
Just after six we have a G&T and nibbles – it really doesn’t get much better.
Another sunny day in Ireland – taking it easy this morning allowing Tina to recover from her migraine. We have a lie in and then undertake Tina’s favourite activity – yes washing. Tina always feels better keeping on top of the holiday washing.
Once this is up straight we can carry on with the holiday so we stroll down to the pier and after Tina takes a stumble we book the midday boat trip to the Cliffs of Moher – we think it will be much better seeing them from the water as if we were to go to the top of them all you would see would be the sea!
It’s lovely out on the water quite sunny and relatively calm, though we do hit a few waves but all in all a very pleasant hour.
Return to the campsite and drive off to O’Connor’s pub for lunch and whilst we have a very un-Irish welcome we enjoy a very nice Irish stew.
Then it’s off a short distance down the road to the Doolin cave. We are a small group (5) and two of us are French plus their translator.
The Doolin caves have a very famous stalactite – like an elaborate chandelier – only trouble was I didn’t take a camera so unless I can download something off the internet we’ll jus have to remember how fantastic it was.
Back to the campsite and sit out as it’s a glorious afternoon – cup of tea enjoying the summer. We have been very fortunate with the weather as we have had some spectacularly sunny evenings – not roasting but sufficiently warm to sit outside provided you stay out of the breeze.
Just after six we have a G&T and nibbles – it really doesn’t get much better.
Summer Holiday
12th June – Roscommon to Clonmacnoise – Ailwee to Doolin
Despite a night of torrential rain we slept relatively well. Awoke and had the quickest shower known to man – it’s this token system; we had two tokens, which only lasted 4 minutes each and whilst we shared it ran cold for nearly a minute and as Tina was washing her hair she needs quite a bit of time to rinse it and condition it.
Anyway left about 09:30 and stopped for fuel on our way to Clonmacnoise – a 7th century monastic site – St. Ciaran who established it in 645 and subsequently became a significant religious site given its location on the Shannon and mid way between Galway and Dublin.
We then head west for the Ailwee caves and continued to take our life in our hands on these very treacherous roads – they’re terrible but fortunately fairly quiet.
The journey across The Burren to the Ailwee caves provided some fantastic scenery and when we arrived we visited the Bird of Prey centre and I got to hold a Harris Hawk – yay go me.
Went up to the caves, which supposedly were the ‘Irish Show caves’ but were a little disappointing. Leave to head for Doolin right on the west coast.
Back to the notorious Irish roads, whilst battling to keep Hymie on the roads and out of the potholes some eejit in a transit van doesn’t slow down and clips (effing well) knocks my wing mirror back – first close shave and doesn’t do either of us any good – Tina already has a head ache and I’m quite stressed driving Hymie down these terrible roads.
Tina has been fighting a headache all afternoon and when we arrive at Doolin around 17:30 it has turned into a humdinger and unfortunately she is ill.
We have mixed weather – rain and then brilliant sunshine – it’s a very popular campsite with a real mix of caravans, tents and motor homes.
Site is right on the coast and you can see the Cliffs of Moher in the distance.
Despite a night of torrential rain we slept relatively well. Awoke and had the quickest shower known to man – it’s this token system; we had two tokens, which only lasted 4 minutes each and whilst we shared it ran cold for nearly a minute and as Tina was washing her hair she needs quite a bit of time to rinse it and condition it.
Anyway left about 09:30 and stopped for fuel on our way to Clonmacnoise – a 7th century monastic site – St. Ciaran who established it in 645 and subsequently became a significant religious site given its location on the Shannon and mid way between Galway and Dublin.
We then head west for the Ailwee caves and continued to take our life in our hands on these very treacherous roads – they’re terrible but fortunately fairly quiet.
The journey across The Burren to the Ailwee caves provided some fantastic scenery and when we arrived we visited the Bird of Prey centre and I got to hold a Harris Hawk – yay go me.
Went up to the caves, which supposedly were the ‘Irish Show caves’ but were a little disappointing. Leave to head for Doolin right on the west coast.
Back to the notorious Irish roads, whilst battling to keep Hymie on the roads and out of the potholes some eejit in a transit van doesn’t slow down and clips (effing well) knocks my wing mirror back – first close shave and doesn’t do either of us any good – Tina already has a head ache and I’m quite stressed driving Hymie down these terrible roads.
Tina has been fighting a headache all afternoon and when we arrive at Doolin around 17:30 it has turned into a humdinger and unfortunately she is ill.
We have mixed weather – rain and then brilliant sunshine – it’s a very popular campsite with a real mix of caravans, tents and motor homes.
Site is right on the coast and you can see the Cliffs of Moher in the distance.
Summer Holiday
11th June – Dublin to Newgrange to Roscommon
Depart Dublin after a pretty crap nights sleep but fortunately the ‘bikers’ were as good as gold. After they had set up their tents they went off and we didn’t hear them return, though they were up bright and early as we were.
Head round the M50 and then up to Slane as Newgrange is not on the sat nav.
Find Newgrange relatively easily and park in the coach park.
There is a nice new visitor centre and we decide to do both Newgrange and Knowth – two separate megalithic monuments – [http://www.knowth.com/newgrange.htm].
These are impressive monuments especially the rising sun effect in Newgrange – very impressive. But they do have a very bizarre bus system to take you from the visitor centre out to each of the monuments – they go at set times and are very strict about this and you have to go to one monument and then back to the visitor centre before catching another bus at the prescribed time to the other one.
Have some lunch as it is now about 14:00, we’ve been here over three hours so it looks like we will have to give Clonmacnoise a miss today and head straight to the campsite at Lough Ree.
Gosh the roads in Ireland are dreadful and it’s quite a trek to the first option campsite by which time Tina has a headache – not quite a migraine but she is suffering. We decide that we don’t like the looks of the first campsite and plug the next one in to the sat nav and head off. The second one (Hodson Bay) is just past a lovely hotel, golf course and water sports centre but is closed! What are we going to do? Perhaps stay at the hotel?
We have one more campsite to try and head off – we find this down a long stretch of road and great it’s open and they have some spare pitches – it is also in a fantastic location right by the Lough shores and very peaceful – until it appears that every youngster in the area likes to drive down this road to the shore, ‘dump a body’ hang around for a short while and then wheel spin off – it really is quite odd there must have been half a dozen or more cars drive down to this complete dead end, spend a few minutes there and head back.
Anyway we have a lovely evening sitting out in the sun, no breeze, pleasantly warm
Cook dinner, quiche, fried tats, shallots and bacon and a small glass of wine.
Tina has recovered enough to enjoy dinner.
It’s a beautiful evening, only spoilt by the tooing and froing of cars down to the waters edge.
Depart Dublin after a pretty crap nights sleep but fortunately the ‘bikers’ were as good as gold. After they had set up their tents they went off and we didn’t hear them return, though they were up bright and early as we were.
Head round the M50 and then up to Slane as Newgrange is not on the sat nav.
Find Newgrange relatively easily and park in the coach park.
There is a nice new visitor centre and we decide to do both Newgrange and Knowth – two separate megalithic monuments – [http://www.knowth.com/newgrange.htm].
These are impressive monuments especially the rising sun effect in Newgrange – very impressive. But they do have a very bizarre bus system to take you from the visitor centre out to each of the monuments – they go at set times and are very strict about this and you have to go to one monument and then back to the visitor centre before catching another bus at the prescribed time to the other one.
Have some lunch as it is now about 14:00, we’ve been here over three hours so it looks like we will have to give Clonmacnoise a miss today and head straight to the campsite at Lough Ree.
Gosh the roads in Ireland are dreadful and it’s quite a trek to the first option campsite by which time Tina has a headache – not quite a migraine but she is suffering. We decide that we don’t like the looks of the first campsite and plug the next one in to the sat nav and head off. The second one (Hodson Bay) is just past a lovely hotel, golf course and water sports centre but is closed! What are we going to do? Perhaps stay at the hotel?
We have one more campsite to try and head off – we find this down a long stretch of road and great it’s open and they have some spare pitches – it is also in a fantastic location right by the Lough shores and very peaceful – until it appears that every youngster in the area likes to drive down this road to the shore, ‘dump a body’ hang around for a short while and then wheel spin off – it really is quite odd there must have been half a dozen or more cars drive down to this complete dead end, spend a few minutes there and head back.
Anyway we have a lovely evening sitting out in the sun, no breeze, pleasantly warm
Cook dinner, quiche, fried tats, shallots and bacon and a small glass of wine.
Tina has recovered enough to enjoy dinner.
It’s a beautiful evening, only spoilt by the tooing and froing of cars down to the waters edge.
Summer Holiday
10th June - Dublin
Tina is kept awake by dogs barking in the night so didn’t sleep well.
Up at 07:30 and share a shower as they are token operated and only last about 8 minutes, still ended up using two tokens.
Wait for the tour bus to take us in to Dublin, which arrives late but the driver was very nice and dropped us off near to Christchurch (one of Dublin’s cathedrals). First though we try and find Fishamble street as this has a large reptile shop on it – ask two ladies who don’t seem to know where it is but think it’s the one with the ‘corporation’ building on it – council offices. Anyway we find it but it is closed so we go for a coffee and raspberry scone.
Back to the reptile shop but it is still closed so go to the cathedral – very grey and quite small. Spend about an hour there and then go back to the reptile shop, which is now open – huge range of snakes and lizids but the animal husbandry isn’t particularly good with several vivs uncleaned and containing four or even five big snakes.
After a short while we head off for lunch and take quite a long walk in the very warm sun to Merrion Row and find Hugo’s and have a very nice, leisurely lunch – duck and apple salad followed by duck and mashed potato (T) and poached eggs in red wine with lardoons and small onions followed by calamari and a ratatouille sans courgettes. A nice bottle of Muscadet plus dessert – berry crumble and warm apple pie with salted caramel.
Stagger off feeling very full back into the sun and start to head back to the bus stop via M&S – very expensive – get some provisions and then mooch around a few more shops before getting back to the bus stop.
Get back to the campsite around 5 and attempt to sit out with a cup of tea but it has started to get cold and then later (18:30), whilst we are trying to have a nap it begins to chuck it down – well it is Ireland and we have been fortunate with the weather during our stay in Dublin.
Five Dutch ‘bikers’ turn up about 20:00 and set up an encampment of tents near to us – could be a sleepless night if they start to get rowdy.
Fortunately it has stopped raining so they get their tents up without getting soaking – there are four Harley’s and a BMW and all the bikers are quite old, so maybe they won’t be too riotous.
Tina is kept awake by dogs barking in the night so didn’t sleep well.
Up at 07:30 and share a shower as they are token operated and only last about 8 minutes, still ended up using two tokens.
Wait for the tour bus to take us in to Dublin, which arrives late but the driver was very nice and dropped us off near to Christchurch (one of Dublin’s cathedrals). First though we try and find Fishamble street as this has a large reptile shop on it – ask two ladies who don’t seem to know where it is but think it’s the one with the ‘corporation’ building on it – council offices. Anyway we find it but it is closed so we go for a coffee and raspberry scone.
Back to the reptile shop but it is still closed so go to the cathedral – very grey and quite small. Spend about an hour there and then go back to the reptile shop, which is now open – huge range of snakes and lizids but the animal husbandry isn’t particularly good with several vivs uncleaned and containing four or even five big snakes.
After a short while we head off for lunch and take quite a long walk in the very warm sun to Merrion Row and find Hugo’s and have a very nice, leisurely lunch – duck and apple salad followed by duck and mashed potato (T) and poached eggs in red wine with lardoons and small onions followed by calamari and a ratatouille sans courgettes. A nice bottle of Muscadet plus dessert – berry crumble and warm apple pie with salted caramel.
Stagger off feeling very full back into the sun and start to head back to the bus stop via M&S – very expensive – get some provisions and then mooch around a few more shops before getting back to the bus stop.
Get back to the campsite around 5 and attempt to sit out with a cup of tea but it has started to get cold and then later (18:30), whilst we are trying to have a nap it begins to chuck it down – well it is Ireland and we have been fortunate with the weather during our stay in Dublin.
Five Dutch ‘bikers’ turn up about 20:00 and set up an encampment of tents near to us – could be a sleepless night if they start to get rowdy.
Fortunately it has stopped raining so they get their tents up without getting soaking – there are four Harley’s and a BMW and all the bikers are quite old, so maybe they won’t be too riotous.
Summer Holiday
9th June - Rosslare – Dublin
It rained all night, which meant I slept intermittently – yay.
Up early – alarm at 07:00 to make the most of the day as we have about 2 hours driving to Powerscourt House.
Reasonable drive to Powerscourt though the roads are atrocious. Wicklow Mountains are picturesque.
Slight confusion with the road signs leading to Powerscourt but we arrive mid morning and go for a coffee and a cake – wow what a feast of cakes they had: baked cheesecake, banoffee pie, passion fruit tart, chocolate brownie and pecan pie – but they weren’t cheap - €15 for a tea, a coffee and two cakes. Anyway we sit outside and eat them overlooking the Italian gardens.
We then walked round the gardens, through the woodland walk, down to the Japanese Garden, then up through the walled garden but we decline the walk up to the waterfall as it is something like 6 or 9 kilometres.
The house has very little to see so we don’t actually spend too long here and head off to Dublin. Finding Camac is not particularly easy as it is on several different roads and we don’t know exactly where. In the end we use the GPS co-ordinates and hey presto they lead us directly to it.
Find a pitch – plenty to choose from and then catch the bus into Dublin – an hour! It supposedly takes an hour to get from the campsite into Dublin, the bus turns up about five minutes late and whilst it does take a very circuitous route it only takes about 45 minutes. We alight at Aston Quay and go over the River Liffey and stroll down O’Donnell Street looking for either a place to eat or the Tourist Information – find the Tourist Information and get a local guide. Still cannot find anywhere suitable to eat so we head back to the interesting areas (Temple Bar) but first check to make sure we know where to catch the bus from. Find the bus stop and then sneak up a little side alley and find Quays – which was one of the ‘Irish’ restaurants that I had earmarked – we go in and have a Guinness and four starters – smoked salmon, Boxty (spring onion, bacon fried cake), deep fried brie and fried calamari – makes a nice selection and the all come with decent side salads and dips.
Afterwards we wander around in the sunshine and stroll over the Liffey and sit on a bench overlooking the river for about 30 minutes whilst we wait for the bus.
Walk back to the bus stop via the ice cream parlour and then wait in the hot sun for the bus, which is quite busy as it is 17:25 and full of people going home from work.
Back at the camp site we brave the cool breeze and sit outside with a Gin & Tonic and olives but soon go and sit indoors as it is a bit too chilly.
Later on I walk up to the reception with the laptop and get on the free internet to find out where the reptile shop is in Dublin and lo and behold it is near to Christchurch, which is where we are going tomorrow so we’ll have a fix of snakes.
Received a text from Alex to let us know that Nutmeg has shed.
It rained all night, which meant I slept intermittently – yay.
Up early – alarm at 07:00 to make the most of the day as we have about 2 hours driving to Powerscourt House.
Reasonable drive to Powerscourt though the roads are atrocious. Wicklow Mountains are picturesque.
Slight confusion with the road signs leading to Powerscourt but we arrive mid morning and go for a coffee and a cake – wow what a feast of cakes they had: baked cheesecake, banoffee pie, passion fruit tart, chocolate brownie and pecan pie – but they weren’t cheap - €15 for a tea, a coffee and two cakes. Anyway we sit outside and eat them overlooking the Italian gardens.
We then walked round the gardens, through the woodland walk, down to the Japanese Garden, then up through the walled garden but we decline the walk up to the waterfall as it is something like 6 or 9 kilometres.
The house has very little to see so we don’t actually spend too long here and head off to Dublin. Finding Camac is not particularly easy as it is on several different roads and we don’t know exactly where. In the end we use the GPS co-ordinates and hey presto they lead us directly to it.
Find a pitch – plenty to choose from and then catch the bus into Dublin – an hour! It supposedly takes an hour to get from the campsite into Dublin, the bus turns up about five minutes late and whilst it does take a very circuitous route it only takes about 45 minutes. We alight at Aston Quay and go over the River Liffey and stroll down O’Donnell Street looking for either a place to eat or the Tourist Information – find the Tourist Information and get a local guide. Still cannot find anywhere suitable to eat so we head back to the interesting areas (Temple Bar) but first check to make sure we know where to catch the bus from. Find the bus stop and then sneak up a little side alley and find Quays – which was one of the ‘Irish’ restaurants that I had earmarked – we go in and have a Guinness and four starters – smoked salmon, Boxty (spring onion, bacon fried cake), deep fried brie and fried calamari – makes a nice selection and the all come with decent side salads and dips.
Afterwards we wander around in the sunshine and stroll over the Liffey and sit on a bench overlooking the river for about 30 minutes whilst we wait for the bus.
Walk back to the bus stop via the ice cream parlour and then wait in the hot sun for the bus, which is quite busy as it is 17:25 and full of people going home from work.
Back at the camp site we brave the cool breeze and sit outside with a Gin & Tonic and olives but soon go and sit indoors as it is a bit too chilly.
Later on I walk up to the reception with the laptop and get on the free internet to find out where the reptile shop is in Dublin and lo and behold it is near to Christchurch, which is where we are going tomorrow so we’ll have a fix of snakes.
Received a text from Alex to let us know that Nutmeg has shed.
Summer Holiday
8th June – Pembroke to Rosslare
Ended up going to bed at 21:45 as we were both falling asleep – obviously the walk and sea air.
Slept amazingly well as someone clearly muffled the sheep that had been bleating all evening.
Tina got her lie in; well till 08:15 anyway, but as we went to bed so early I think that was pretty good.
Had porridge for breakfast and spent a leisurely morning reading and pottering around before departing for the ferry port.
Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh! Panic, as we reached the top of the hill from the campsite we both received texts to say Alex had locked himself out of the house – immediate thought is that we will have to head home and let him back in.
Telephone him and he’s just got back in having spent the night at Tom’s and phoned a locksmith who managed to open the door without damaging it but nonetheless charging him £63 – that’ll teach him. Panic over.
Head for Pembroke docks for the ferry and get there just after twelve for a 14:30 sailing – so I go and buy a paper and end up walking to Asda over a mile away & get seduced by the promotional offer on fruit scones (50p) but then need to buy extra thick cream and jam – only went for the paper and OK – why are we so focussed on celebrities?
Get back to the docks and shortly afterwards we go through to the ‘staging area’ and then board. Head straight for the restaurant for lunch and have sandwiches and chips – great chips. Then laze around for three and a bit hours until we arrive in Rosslare, on the way we debated how far is the horizon away and is there a range of distances dependent on the curvature of the earth – gosh we know how to have fun on holiday – but a really interesting thought when you are half way across the Irish Sea.
Arrive at Rosslare and the sat nav GPS co-ordinates don’t work, nor does typing in POI – Camping so we resort to the directions and it seems that they have long kilometres in Ireland; anyway find the campsite, ahead of about 4 others and just as we settle on our pitch the heavens open – Tina was right it’s Ireland and it’s going to rain a lot.
Ended up going to bed at 21:45 as we were both falling asleep – obviously the walk and sea air.
Slept amazingly well as someone clearly muffled the sheep that had been bleating all evening.
Tina got her lie in; well till 08:15 anyway, but as we went to bed so early I think that was pretty good.
Had porridge for breakfast and spent a leisurely morning reading and pottering around before departing for the ferry port.
Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh! Panic, as we reached the top of the hill from the campsite we both received texts to say Alex had locked himself out of the house – immediate thought is that we will have to head home and let him back in.
Telephone him and he’s just got back in having spent the night at Tom’s and phoned a locksmith who managed to open the door without damaging it but nonetheless charging him £63 – that’ll teach him. Panic over.
Head for Pembroke docks for the ferry and get there just after twelve for a 14:30 sailing – so I go and buy a paper and end up walking to Asda over a mile away & get seduced by the promotional offer on fruit scones (50p) but then need to buy extra thick cream and jam – only went for the paper and OK – why are we so focussed on celebrities?
Get back to the docks and shortly afterwards we go through to the ‘staging area’ and then board. Head straight for the restaurant for lunch and have sandwiches and chips – great chips. Then laze around for three and a bit hours until we arrive in Rosslare, on the way we debated how far is the horizon away and is there a range of distances dependent on the curvature of the earth – gosh we know how to have fun on holiday – but a really interesting thought when you are half way across the Irish Sea.
Arrive at Rosslare and the sat nav GPS co-ordinates don’t work, nor does typing in POI – Camping so we resort to the directions and it seems that they have long kilometres in Ireland; anyway find the campsite, ahead of about 4 others and just as we settle on our pitch the heavens open – Tina was right it’s Ireland and it’s going to rain a lot.
Summer Holiday
7th June - Southampton to Pembroke
Set off around ten, after getting Hymie ready: water, thetford, usual list of items to pack – we’re getting quite expert at this.
First stop petrol and just as I’m pulling away from the pump some dozy git reverses into the pump in front of me and makes it really difficult for me to get out.
Anyhoo – pretty uneventful 4 and a bit hour journey to Wales – over the Severn Bridge and we could be paying £10.90 or even £19 but the lady charges us for a car and we end up paying only £5.40.
Go past Newport and Cardiff and carry on the M4 until it runs out; then it’s the A40 and then another road until we turn off left down a ‘single’ file road, whilst there’s only about a mile and a half to go it’s pretty tense – worried about scraping Hymie and avoiding oncoming cars.
Eventually arrive but have to queue to get in to the campsite as you are only allowed to go in to the office if you are at the front of the queue – why is it that everyone else took ages to check in but I only took 3 minutes!!
Set up pitch and we have a break in the weather and sit outside with a cup of tea before taking a walk down to the beach – see photo’s.
After a very pleasant walk we return just in time for a G&T and olives.
Tina quickly finishes her G&T and is straight on to the wine, only the wine goblin comes along and knocks her glass over – losing a lot of wine – soon replenished and Tina is quite tipsy and getting hungry so we start to prepare dinner – fried onions, shrooms, toms and rib eye steak with boiled new tats and coleslaw – delish.
Relaxing evening reading the paper and then to bed.
Set off around ten, after getting Hymie ready: water, thetford, usual list of items to pack – we’re getting quite expert at this.
First stop petrol and just as I’m pulling away from the pump some dozy git reverses into the pump in front of me and makes it really difficult for me to get out.
Anyhoo – pretty uneventful 4 and a bit hour journey to Wales – over the Severn Bridge and we could be paying £10.90 or even £19 but the lady charges us for a car and we end up paying only £5.40.
Go past Newport and Cardiff and carry on the M4 until it runs out; then it’s the A40 and then another road until we turn off left down a ‘single’ file road, whilst there’s only about a mile and a half to go it’s pretty tense – worried about scraping Hymie and avoiding oncoming cars.
Eventually arrive but have to queue to get in to the campsite as you are only allowed to go in to the office if you are at the front of the queue – why is it that everyone else took ages to check in but I only took 3 minutes!!
Set up pitch and we have a break in the weather and sit outside with a cup of tea before taking a walk down to the beach – see photo’s.
After a very pleasant walk we return just in time for a G&T and olives.
Tina quickly finishes her G&T and is straight on to the wine, only the wine goblin comes along and knocks her glass over – losing a lot of wine – soon replenished and Tina is quite tipsy and getting hungry so we start to prepare dinner – fried onions, shrooms, toms and rib eye steak with boiled new tats and coleslaw – delish.
Relaxing evening reading the paper and then to bed.
Saturday, 30 May 2009
Preparing for Ireland
A week to go and then we are setting off to Wales and Ireland. Will be giving Hymie a thorough clean this weekend in readiness for our summer holidays.
Monday, 18 May 2009
17th May
Leave Warwick, heading for Leicester to see Gunfield Vizsla's which is the kennels where we hope to get our new puppy from.
Tina has done loads of research on Vizsla's and after seeing them in the flesh they are the perfect dog for us - they are simply gorgeous - see photo.
Hoping that we will get a puppy from a litter around December / January time and once Tina has got it puppy trained I hope to train it in field trials. (hunt, point and retrieve - HPR)
This is our last weekend away until we have our two week holiday to Eire and Wales in early June.
Warwick - 15th - 17th May
16th May.
Tina has a poor nights sleep but we are both in good spirits and after showers and breakfast walk into town and visit Lord Leycester's hospital, http://www.lordleycester.com/which isn't, but was set up as a charitable foundation to house the elderly.
On the way in Tina stumbles and falls on a slippery cobble and is quite shaken but uninjured but a bit bruised.
The buildings are quite amazing as was the Brethren's kitchen which serves some fantastic homemade cakes - I have a lemon drizzle cake and Tina has Victoria sponge.
Attached to the building is a knot garden and the master's garden - both very impressive and include a pineapple house.
We then head for the castle having avoided the earlier shower and a procession of Town Criers, who are having a competition, which we stumble on later in the day - oh yeah, oh yeah!
Arrive at the castle and do the 'Royal Weekend Party, the State Rooms, Kingmaker, Gaol, the parapet and towers - 537 steps, in the rain - even Tina, against her better judgement does it.
We also watch the bird's of prey exhibition - see photo's.
Pretty tired and slightly wet as we cannot avoid all the showers and head back to the campsite and read the papers and Tina has a short nap.
Then get ready to go out and take a taxi to the Cellar restaurant and have a grown up evening starting off with G&T's, a nice bottle of Pinot Grigio, olives, Chef's appetiser: ham hock, then game terrine, ling, and six cheeses - me and asparagus, belly pork and trio of brulee's - Tina. I even indulge in a glass of Port with my cheese. Then it's a taxi back feeling quite stuffed.
Bad nights sleep again - next door motor home watching Eurovision very loudly and then at one 'o' clock are woken by a noisy couple in a caravan opposite talking very noisily and then proceeding to have a very loud phone conversation with Leah, who seems to be threatening to take an overdose - all in all not very conducive to sleeping well. (Bloody tuggers) We also get pretty short shrift from the wardens when we mention it in the morning, who were really unsympathetic!
Wake up the next morning at 08:00 to go and see the doggies.
Warwick - 15th - 17th May
15th May - take a leisurely trip up to Warwick after visiting the reptile shop and putting a deposit on a corn snake - Chester - see Life with Nutmeg.
Arrive at campsite at Warwick racecourse shortly after midday and set up on our pitch and have lunch and read the newspapers.
About mid-afternoon we take a short walk into Warwick to assess the lie of the land i.e. where the castle is and where the Cellar restaurant is, which we have booked for Saturday night.
Walk into town via the Westgate, where there are some fantastic medieval buildings (Lord Leycester's Hospital - see Saturday's entry when we visit.) After walking around the town we stop off for afternoon tea at Thomas Oken's house and have some proper tea and passable cakes.
Head back to the campsite, avoiding the rain showers and arrive back and have some wine, crackers and nuts. Then we cook dinner - lamb steaks, beefburgers and ratatouille.
Watch 'Forgetting Sarah Marshall' and can hardly hear it due to the pounding rain on the roof.
Tina has a poor nights sleep.
Monday, 11 May 2009
Paris - 6th - 9th May
Saturday 9th May.
Heading home but need to get fuel, having unsuccessfully tried yesterday on the way back from Versailles.
Plug details in to satnav and first attempt takes us to the main boulevard in Maison La-Fitte, which is tiny and unmanned so reset the satnav for the Carrefour and hope that there are no height restrictions.
Drive through some delightful parts of M L-F and past the local chateau - all very nice and eventually get to the Carrefour at Sartrouville and fortunately no height barrier, for the petrol station but there is for the hypermarket car park - so what do you do if you need to go shopping en route in your motor home!
Fill up and head off to Calais - very circuitous route back to the autoroute but we get there in the end and arrive early at the Tunnel sous Manche and catch an earlier train so arrive home about 16:00.
Next week Warwick for a short break.
Heading home but need to get fuel, having unsuccessfully tried yesterday on the way back from Versailles.
Plug details in to satnav and first attempt takes us to the main boulevard in Maison La-Fitte, which is tiny and unmanned so reset the satnav for the Carrefour and hope that there are no height restrictions.
Drive through some delightful parts of M L-F and past the local chateau - all very nice and eventually get to the Carrefour at Sartrouville and fortunately no height barrier, for the petrol station but there is for the hypermarket car park - so what do you do if you need to go shopping en route in your motor home!
Fill up and head off to Calais - very circuitous route back to the autoroute but we get there in the end and arrive early at the Tunnel sous Manche and catch an earlier train so arrive home about 16:00.
Next week Warwick for a short break.
Paris - 6th - 9th May
Friday 8th May
Both sleep very well but eventually woken up by the rowdy Dutch who are saying their goodbye’s right outside our motor home – then to cap it all they start singing about a boiler!
Today we are due to go to Versailles – a place I have wanted to go and see for many years. Head off after breakfast and whilst only 12 miles away takes about half an hour to get there.
On arrival we find out that the Palace is right in the heart of the town and have difficulty parking: first of all try the coach car park but get beeped at so carry on round to the car park, but hey guess what; there is a height barrier (2.5m), which we cannot get under. So we carry on round following the other car park signs but the next one is an underground car park. This has all the hallmarks of Freiberg so we decide to go round and try the coach park again. Eventually drive round but it costs €53 for a coach so we decide not to park there and go round to where we saw some cars parked on the edge of the road but no, the kerb is too high and now we are heading out of Versailles, turn around and head back – both of us pretty tense and pissed off, feels like another letter to Sarkozy as neither of us can believe that there is no where for a motor home to park – sacre bleu!
Head round again and find on street parking and manage to squeeze Hymie in the last space, about 300 yards from the entrance to the palace – only problem is we can only park here for a maximum of 2-hours. Really fed up now and start to head back, get caught up in a parade – it appears that 8th May is a national holiday here. Get diverted and follow signs for an alternative car park but end up going down another street and get caught up in the parade again – decide to do a 5 point turn in Hymie, much to the annoyance of the Frenchwoman behind me who clearly doesn’t understand that there’s no where for her to go as the traffic is stopped – hey you know the French see a space they want to get in it.
This finally is it so we decide to head back and go into Paris and go to the restaurant that we wished we had gone to on Thursday – only thing is I’m running out of fuel, fortunately I recall a petrol station on the way in to Versailles.
Pull in to petrol station – height limit 3m and we just squeeze in only to find that it is unmanned and only accepts cards and as we all know English credit cards are not accepted in French petrol stations unless they are on the Auto route – sacre f***ing bleu again.
Anyhow, we have enough fuel to get us back and we then head up to the station – same request as yesterday but get charged more but still receive four tickets.
Train arrives shortly after and head for le Chatelet les Halles, where we change for the Metro to St. Michel.
Arrive and head for the restaurant, slight confusion as to which one it was as today there is no one outside whereas yesterday it was heaving – slight crises of confidence and the maitre’d of the Italian next door tries to tempt us in but we have the courage of our convictions and stick with the French one and sit outside.
With passable French we make ourselves understood and understand the menu and order mozzarella and tomato and mushrooms and garlic, both fantastic followed by steak and scallops and filet of fishy, again pretty magnificent – this is the one redeeming quality of the French and France, sitting outside with a bottle of Sancerre and delicious food.
It is pleasantly warm and incredible relaxing, the only slight downside is the number of French who smoke – sacre bleu – four bikers next to us who not only smoke a lot the two men had a pastis and the best part of a bottle of wine. In the Italian next door there are two women and one of them is chain smoking, no sooner does she put one out then she lights up another. I love people watching.
Well the French bikers all have starters but the woman forgo main courses for cigarettes, and then they all have dessert. We also have dessert profiteroles de maison and crème brulee, followed by café / tea. A perfect lunch, just warm enough to sit outside, great food and a decent bottle of wine.
Don’t intend to do any sightseeing this afternoon so head back to the metro and then RER back to Maisons la-fitte. Oh, the tickets we used on the way in still work for both the metro and the RER on the way back – so what were the other two tickets for?
Intention is to get some bread and cheese for tea but as we mentioned today is a national holiday and the fromagerie and even the supermarche is closed. Fortunately I found a boulangerie / patisserie that has the most fantastic selection of jewel like cakes and macaroons and even though we have already had a sweet buy a tarte citron and a Kani – raspberries and cream in a pink heart shaped macaroon – delicious.
Both sleep very well but eventually woken up by the rowdy Dutch who are saying their goodbye’s right outside our motor home – then to cap it all they start singing about a boiler!
Today we are due to go to Versailles – a place I have wanted to go and see for many years. Head off after breakfast and whilst only 12 miles away takes about half an hour to get there.
On arrival we find out that the Palace is right in the heart of the town and have difficulty parking: first of all try the coach car park but get beeped at so carry on round to the car park, but hey guess what; there is a height barrier (2.5m), which we cannot get under. So we carry on round following the other car park signs but the next one is an underground car park. This has all the hallmarks of Freiberg so we decide to go round and try the coach park again. Eventually drive round but it costs €53 for a coach so we decide not to park there and go round to where we saw some cars parked on the edge of the road but no, the kerb is too high and now we are heading out of Versailles, turn around and head back – both of us pretty tense and pissed off, feels like another letter to Sarkozy as neither of us can believe that there is no where for a motor home to park – sacre bleu!
Head round again and find on street parking and manage to squeeze Hymie in the last space, about 300 yards from the entrance to the palace – only problem is we can only park here for a maximum of 2-hours. Really fed up now and start to head back, get caught up in a parade – it appears that 8th May is a national holiday here. Get diverted and follow signs for an alternative car park but end up going down another street and get caught up in the parade again – decide to do a 5 point turn in Hymie, much to the annoyance of the Frenchwoman behind me who clearly doesn’t understand that there’s no where for her to go as the traffic is stopped – hey you know the French see a space they want to get in it.
This finally is it so we decide to head back and go into Paris and go to the restaurant that we wished we had gone to on Thursday – only thing is I’m running out of fuel, fortunately I recall a petrol station on the way in to Versailles.
Pull in to petrol station – height limit 3m and we just squeeze in only to find that it is unmanned and only accepts cards and as we all know English credit cards are not accepted in French petrol stations unless they are on the Auto route – sacre f***ing bleu again.
Anyhow, we have enough fuel to get us back and we then head up to the station – same request as yesterday but get charged more but still receive four tickets.
Train arrives shortly after and head for le Chatelet les Halles, where we change for the Metro to St. Michel.
Arrive and head for the restaurant, slight confusion as to which one it was as today there is no one outside whereas yesterday it was heaving – slight crises of confidence and the maitre’d of the Italian next door tries to tempt us in but we have the courage of our convictions and stick with the French one and sit outside.
With passable French we make ourselves understood and understand the menu and order mozzarella and tomato and mushrooms and garlic, both fantastic followed by steak and scallops and filet of fishy, again pretty magnificent – this is the one redeeming quality of the French and France, sitting outside with a bottle of Sancerre and delicious food.
It is pleasantly warm and incredible relaxing, the only slight downside is the number of French who smoke – sacre bleu – four bikers next to us who not only smoke a lot the two men had a pastis and the best part of a bottle of wine. In the Italian next door there are two women and one of them is chain smoking, no sooner does she put one out then she lights up another. I love people watching.
Well the French bikers all have starters but the woman forgo main courses for cigarettes, and then they all have dessert. We also have dessert profiteroles de maison and crème brulee, followed by café / tea. A perfect lunch, just warm enough to sit outside, great food and a decent bottle of wine.
Don’t intend to do any sightseeing this afternoon so head back to the metro and then RER back to Maisons la-fitte. Oh, the tickets we used on the way in still work for both the metro and the RER on the way back – so what were the other two tickets for?
Intention is to get some bread and cheese for tea but as we mentioned today is a national holiday and the fromagerie and even the supermarche is closed. Fortunately I found a boulangerie / patisserie that has the most fantastic selection of jewel like cakes and macaroons and even though we have already had a sweet buy a tarte citron and a Kani – raspberries and cream in a pink heart shaped macaroon – delicious.
Paris - 6th - 9th May
Thursday 7th May
Actually don’t sleep too badly, though did get woken occasionally by the trains. Tina took ages to get off to sleep as she felt quite unwell. We shower and are off to the station about 09:30 and catch the 10:00 train in to Paris – Chatelet. Try to purchase all day travel card tickets but my French and the ticket master’s English don’t quite match up and we end up with tickets that get us into Paris and one metro journey.
It’s a longish walk to the right Metro station (line 11) to get to Republique and then manage to find the Patisserie – Des Idees – and it lives up to expectations – really tiny boulangerie selling various ‘escargots’, which are similar to pain au raisins but mine has chocolat and pistache and Tina has a red one – we cannot remember what was in it but they were both scrummy – Tina also has a banana and chocolat pave – mini roll.
We sit outside in this tiny little backstreet having these delicious pastries and wonder how the Times ever stumbled upon this place.
Then walk back to Republique and catch the metro back to Hotel de Ville – first ticket still working and alight here for the short walk over to Notre Dame.
The Cathedral is free to enter but we have the audio guide - €5 and my driving licence as security and wander around – it is really busy and very noisy – no respect at all!!!
Not overly impressed with the audio guide as it really doesn’t do the cathedral justice – not like the guide in Wells.
Back outside and it is a glorious spring day and we cross the to the Latin Quarter in search of a typical French restaurant, we dismiss the first two and end up having the fixe prix menu at a random back street restaurant – Tina Anchovies, tagine (lamb, prunes, apricots) and pear and almond tarte and I have eggs mayonnaise, porc and pineapple slices – all OK and only €12.50 a head.
Then we walk to St Michel Metro and pass a very nice looking restaurant – oh well. First tickets no longer work so try second tickets – these do and we take the metro to Barbes Rochouart and change for Anvers and take the Funicular up to the Sacre Coeur – it is really hot and we rest a while in the shade before going in, where we rest again and take in the atmosphere, discussing the architectural influences of the basilica – unbeknownst to either of us the Sacre Coeur was built in 1875!!! – modern architecture.
Pretty unimpressed with Paris – everywhere smells of pee and is pretty dirty – dogs allowed to mess on the streets – Tina is threatening to send a letter to Sarkozy.
It’s been a pretty tiring day so we head back to Anvers to catch the metro to Charles de Gaulle, but second set of tickets don’t work so we purchase a single metro ticket to CDG and then use our return RER tickets once we’re there. Take a double deck train back to Maisons-Lafitte and return to campsite for afternoon tea.
Early evening the Dutch gather across from us – must be 30+ with their portable Cadac’s for a BBQ and social gathering – we don’t get a invite so we open the wine and have olives, crackers and crisps – not envious at all. Very well behaved and disperse after only a few hours.
Actually don’t sleep too badly, though did get woken occasionally by the trains. Tina took ages to get off to sleep as she felt quite unwell. We shower and are off to the station about 09:30 and catch the 10:00 train in to Paris – Chatelet. Try to purchase all day travel card tickets but my French and the ticket master’s English don’t quite match up and we end up with tickets that get us into Paris and one metro journey.
It’s a longish walk to the right Metro station (line 11) to get to Republique and then manage to find the Patisserie – Des Idees – and it lives up to expectations – really tiny boulangerie selling various ‘escargots’, which are similar to pain au raisins but mine has chocolat and pistache and Tina has a red one – we cannot remember what was in it but they were both scrummy – Tina also has a banana and chocolat pave – mini roll.
We sit outside in this tiny little backstreet having these delicious pastries and wonder how the Times ever stumbled upon this place.
Then walk back to Republique and catch the metro back to Hotel de Ville – first ticket still working and alight here for the short walk over to Notre Dame.
The Cathedral is free to enter but we have the audio guide - €5 and my driving licence as security and wander around – it is really busy and very noisy – no respect at all!!!
Not overly impressed with the audio guide as it really doesn’t do the cathedral justice – not like the guide in Wells.
Back outside and it is a glorious spring day and we cross the to the Latin Quarter in search of a typical French restaurant, we dismiss the first two and end up having the fixe prix menu at a random back street restaurant – Tina Anchovies, tagine (lamb, prunes, apricots) and pear and almond tarte and I have eggs mayonnaise, porc and pineapple slices – all OK and only €12.50 a head.
Then we walk to St Michel Metro and pass a very nice looking restaurant – oh well. First tickets no longer work so try second tickets – these do and we take the metro to Barbes Rochouart and change for Anvers and take the Funicular up to the Sacre Coeur – it is really hot and we rest a while in the shade before going in, where we rest again and take in the atmosphere, discussing the architectural influences of the basilica – unbeknownst to either of us the Sacre Coeur was built in 1875!!! – modern architecture.
Pretty unimpressed with Paris – everywhere smells of pee and is pretty dirty – dogs allowed to mess on the streets – Tina is threatening to send a letter to Sarkozy.
It’s been a pretty tiring day so we head back to Anvers to catch the metro to Charles de Gaulle, but second set of tickets don’t work so we purchase a single metro ticket to CDG and then use our return RER tickets once we’re there. Take a double deck train back to Maisons-Lafitte and return to campsite for afternoon tea.
Early evening the Dutch gather across from us – must be 30+ with their portable Cadac’s for a BBQ and social gathering – we don’t get a invite so we open the wine and have olives, crackers and crisps – not envious at all. Very well behaved and disperse after only a few hours.
Paris - 6th - 9th May
Wednesday 6th May
Left home at 07:00 to catch the 10:20 shuttle from Folkestone – never seen the Channel Tunnel so quiet, but then we’ve never been mid-week before. Shared our carriage with a Ferrari and its twattish owner – gosh they were lucky to be in such great company! (Or as the train guard said it was our lucky day sharing a carriage with a Ferrari – I don’t think so.)
Windy but uneventful journey down to Paris arriving at Maison – Lafitte around 15:30 and set up overlooking the Seine.
After a cup of tea I wandered up to the town to see how far the station was (8 man minutes) and to purchase a lettuce for our salad – found a Charcuterie, Fromagerie but no greengrocerie – so went into the Casino supermarche and purchased required lettuce another cucumber and some shallots.
Returned back to the campsite to find Tina waiting for me at the entrance having gone for a little stroll herself.
The site is full of Dutch – who seem to know each other. It is either a national holiday in Holland or else this is some form of official club rally – more of that tomorrow.
Back to the pitch and time for wine and nibbles – crisps, crackers and olives.
A bottle of wine later we decide to start cooking dinner – out with the Cadac and start slowly frying the shallots, tomatoes and then the rib eye steak.
As with most French sites there is an abundance of moggies plus geese and here the ever present sound of trains and barges – all conspiring for a sleepless night.
At around 21:00 a very ropey Elnagh rolls up on to the pitch next door with a very young German family who proceed to be very noisy but fortunately they quieten down shortly after 22:00 and we retire just before 23:00.
Left home at 07:00 to catch the 10:20 shuttle from Folkestone – never seen the Channel Tunnel so quiet, but then we’ve never been mid-week before. Shared our carriage with a Ferrari and its twattish owner – gosh they were lucky to be in such great company! (Or as the train guard said it was our lucky day sharing a carriage with a Ferrari – I don’t think so.)
Windy but uneventful journey down to Paris arriving at Maison – Lafitte around 15:30 and set up overlooking the Seine.
After a cup of tea I wandered up to the town to see how far the station was (8 man minutes) and to purchase a lettuce for our salad – found a Charcuterie, Fromagerie but no greengrocerie – so went into the Casino supermarche and purchased required lettuce another cucumber and some shallots.
Returned back to the campsite to find Tina waiting for me at the entrance having gone for a little stroll herself.
The site is full of Dutch – who seem to know each other. It is either a national holiday in Holland or else this is some form of official club rally – more of that tomorrow.
Back to the pitch and time for wine and nibbles – crisps, crackers and olives.
A bottle of wine later we decide to start cooking dinner – out with the Cadac and start slowly frying the shallots, tomatoes and then the rib eye steak.
As with most French sites there is an abundance of moggies plus geese and here the ever present sound of trains and barges – all conspiring for a sleepless night.
At around 21:00 a very ropey Elnagh rolls up on to the pitch next door with a very young German family who proceed to be very noisy but fortunately they quieten down shortly after 22:00 and we retire just before 23:00.
Monday, 4 May 2009
Wells - 24th - 26th April
A short break this time as I'm only taking Friday off.
Set off to Cheddar caves and due to a road closure at Salisbury we end up taking a less direct route than I had expected but we get there via some very pretty villages in the Mendips and a drive down the gorge itself.
Park in the coach park and walk down to the main cave entrance, where Tina gets talking to the man from the RSPB whilst I sort out the parking ticket.
Explore the main caves and whilst we had been here 20+ years ago I don't remember it.
Afterwards we go back to Hymie and have lunch and then walk down to the second, smaller cave, which I do recall from our last visit, but has been Tolkienfied with a story of elves and dragons etc. Head for the museum and spend 10 minutes talking to the flint nappers, which was very interesting. It's a small museum telling the story of man's development of tools, fire and hunting skills.
Then head off for the campsite about 8 miles away, just outside Wells.
Arrive and there is an 8-month old beautiful looking Boxer in reception that licks and slobbers all over Tina and whilst he is quite excited Tina definitely eggs him on and ends up with scratched arms - but all is OK.
Site has recently been developed so looks quite bare but very well laid out and reasonable views, only downside is the new shower block isn't finished and as we find out in the morning the old one's only do cold water.
It's pleasant enough to sit outside with a cup of tea, so we do for a short while and then back inside and crack open a bottle of wine - very relaxing.
Next day after cold showers we walk into Wells, which did take about 15-minutes as promised by the site warden. It starts off very sunny but by the time we get there its has become overcast so we head for a little tea shop and have a cuppa. Fortunately we are inside when the heavens open for a short sharp shower.
Then we walk up to the market square and check out the potential venues for lunch, deciding on the Old Spot and phone and make a booking - good job to as they are quite busy - anyway lunch booked for 12:30 so it's off to the cathedral.
No wonder it costs £3k a day to run this place, it has the most wonderful oak beamed extension - just for the toilets, which have got to be the best public conveniences I've been in.
Join a guided tour of the cathedral, which was brilliant must do this more often as it is far more interesting than wondering around on your own.
Wells cathedral has a stunning series of three scissor arches, which were built to stop the tower falling down. (see above)
It's lunchtime and we go back to the Old Spot and have a very pleasant 3-course lunch for £15 a head plus wine: herring, belly pork and orange sponge pudding - T /Devon blue salad, chicken and almond tart - me.
Avoided a second downpour during lunch and afterwards go to the Bishop's palace, see the swan and it's bell, that it rings for food and have a wander around the house and gardens.
On the basis that we walked in to Wells and did a fair bit of walking during the day we take a taxi back and relax for the rest of the day.
Early May we're off to Paris.
Sunday, 3 May 2009
London - 26th - 29th March
Day 3
Going to the British museum today to see the Egyptian and Medieval exhibitions.
Decide to take train in to Victoria rather than London Bridge and on arrival find the tube line we want is closed so have to take a small detour using one of the other lines. Arrive at British museum and have a coffee before looking at the exhibits.
There's so much to see here, you could spend days but we limit ourselves to a few quality hours and then head off to Covent Garden for lunch.
Decide on Chez Gerrard - a French Bistro - but clearly Gerard isn't home as the Maitre d'ess says sniffily that they are fully booked. I appreciate that we don't look that smart - ruck sack, fleece, walking gear and trainers but it's not that posh a restaurant. Our refusal seriously miffs Tina and we wait and see whether this is a slight against our dress or whether they really are fully booked as we wait at the bottom of the stairs to see if anyone else is turned away - still undecided but think it was the way we were dressed.
End up at an English theme pub.
Tina's pretty shattered so we head back for a few hours relaxation before heading home tomorrow. These city breaks are very, very tiring - not much of a break.
We return and take a taxi back from the station.
Next month it's a Friday, Saturday break as I am running out of holiday and we're off to Wells.
London - 26th - 29th March
Day 2
Up and at 'em - surface around 08:00 and shower and breakfast and then take the short walk to Crystal Palace station and the 25 minute journey to London Bridge.
It's quite a walk from London Bridge to the Tower of London - it doesn't look quite as far on the map.
A great time at the Tower, this is my second time here but the last mus have been 35 years ago and all I remember was the armour and weapons in the White Tower. This time we see the Crown Jewels.
Had a very pleasant lunch in the Armouries restaurant - hot ham sandwich for me and Tina has a very large Greek salad.
Walk up to the tube and head off to Knightsbridge for an ice cream sundae at Harrod's - had a tropical fruit one and got a free monkey! (Furry monkey swizzle stick).
On our way back we alight at Green Park tube and head for Old Bond Street and the Mont Blanc shop and purchase another charm for Tina's bracelet - excellent service no airs and graces.
Decide to go for a drink and find a fiver in the street and despite Tina wanting me to hand this in - to whom! I keep it but agree to give it to charity.
After our drink we stop off at M&S and get some snacks for later when we get back.
On the train back we decide (Tina's decision) to get off at the station before Crystal Palace as we think this might in fact be nearer to the campsite - it is but not if you cannot find a direct route to walk.
Outside the station is a young lady with a gorgeous black lab puppy, which Tina pets as we ask for directions to the BBC mast, which we can see is quite close, but directions are duff and as we head off we can see that we are walking further away and up a very long steep hill. We end up walking about twice the distance as when we get to the top of the hill we then walk back the way we had come down a different road, basically a big u-shape.
London - 26th - 29th March
Day 1
Travel to London, well actually the campsite is at Crystal Palace, just under the BBC transmitter.
Arrive around midday and drive to pitch, only to find a fox lying there. He quickly scurries off and we set up and get the kettle on.
An afternoon spent relaxing and I go for a short (ish) walk to see how far the station is - about 20 minutes (15 if man walking).
On returning the fox is back out - see photo and then it pours down with rain.
Happily ensconced in Hymie we have a bottle of wine and dinner and bed early in preparation for assaulting London tomorrow.
York 19th - 22nd February 2009
Day 3
Up around 08:00 again and walk into the city after showers and brekkie - aiming to be first in the queue for the York Dungeon, only one problem it doesn't open till 10:00 so we decide to walk up to the Cathedral.
I go up the tower but as it's 275 steps Tina declines and waits for me at the bottom. When I return we tour the cathedral and undercroft - all very interesting - originally built on a Roman temple.
Time for a coffee and a cake so we find a small cafe for refreshments and once refueled walk back to the Dungeon and queue for about 40 minutes for what I must say is a particularly disappointing walk through some dark rooms - also v. expensive - tho' fortunately our York Pass covers the cost and with everything else we've done makes it a bit cheaper - but definitely not a value for money attraction.
Not wishing to walk around looking for somewhere to have lunch we choose an Italian just across the street. On first appearance it 'sells itself' as an independent family restaurant, which has expanded with a couple of other restaurants in London. We find out on our trip to London that it is actually part of a chain. Anyway the food was acceptable.
To finish off I go and buy a cornish pastie for Tina's dinner whilst she goes for the obligatory trip to Lakeland.
Then its back to Hymie, tho later there are fireworks to end the York festival that's been on all weekend.
Up and home tomorrow looking forward to next months trip to Londonium.
York 19th - 22nd February 2009
Day 2.
Up early - 08:00'ish and shower and breakfast and then walk up to the castle museum. Doesn't open till 09:30 so we had to wait a short while.
This really is a fabulous museum and we spend several hours here, having originally intended to finish by 11:00 and then go for brunch.
It's nearer to midday when we finish so we go for a 'lunfast', Tina has the full cooked and I have poached eggs and bacon - on wonderful freshly baked toasted bread.
After 'lunfast' we head for the Jorvik centre but the queues are horrendous so we go and purchase Tina a raincoat - very fashionable and then walk up through the shambles - quaint narrow original old street.
We then take the open top bus tour and then go for a mid afternoon drink and then on to the Jorvik centre and still have to queue but it's much shorter as it is near closing time.
The display was much shorter than I remember - oh well.
We decide that we should go for a drink and then dinner and after discounting two possible restaurants - one not open and one where the menu wasn't anything special we end up at the Biltmore for cocktails and people watching.
It's about 17:00 and as it's Friday the place is quite busy with people leaving work early for a pre-weekend drink. Tina has a couple of champagne cocktails and I have a couple of vodka based ones.
Then we go upstairs to the galleried restaurant that overlooks the bar for dinner and a bottle of wine, oh and more people watching as the owners seem to have their three kids at the bar and everyone is trying not get annoyed with them!
Very good food, though Tina doesn't finish her ribeye and asks for a doggy bag, which after a little resistance they do provide - slight concern that Tina may not re-heat it properly and catch something nasty.
Despite being a little merry and having walked for miles around York I encourage Tina to walk back - which under due protest she does.
York 19th - 22nd February 2009
We've decided to take several long weekend throughout the year and see some English cities.
Our first outing in Hymie this year is to York, which took about four hours to get there and as usual the satnav took us an interesting route!
Anyhoo we arrive early afternoon to the campsite, which is near the racecourse and overlooking the River Ouse and a short walk into the city.
Set up on the pitch, which takes all of five minutes and then get the kettle on and have a tea / coffee and some lunch.
It's a bit overcast but not raining so mid afternoon we walk along the river in to the city. Our initial port of call is the York Tourist Board to collect our York Pass, which allows entry to the main attractions in York.
The YTB couldn't be further away but we eventually find it and then decide to have a late afternoon tea at the famous Betty's Tea Rooms, it's about 16:00 and there's quite a long queue but we decide to wait.
Eventually get to the front and are shown downstairs, our choice as we didn't want to be sitting in the window being gawped at by passersby.
We both have a very nice pot of tea and cake - I had a warm fat rascal - a flat fruit / almond scone and Ceylon Blue Sapphire tea, Tina had the stem ginger cake but cannot recall which tea T had.
Afterwards we head back to the campsite - yes I made Tina walk back - I'm a harsh task master.
Thursday, 30 April 2009
Introduction
Travels with Hymie.
Hymie is a Hymer classic motorhome and is our holiday home on four wheels. It's great getting in her and setting off - a real sense of freedom.
We've had Hymie since January 2007 and this year we've really established a routine of having long weekends away in her, which mean either taking a Thursday and a Friday or just Friday off work to head off in her.
Whilst previously we had been to the New Forest, right on our door step, Wareham, Bath and even Peterborough (motorhome show) for weekend breaks this year we have started to go much further afield - as you will see in the following blogs.
We have had two long trips away in Hymie - Holland and Germany in Summer '07 and Holland and France in Summer '08.
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