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