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.
Saturday, 14 November 2009
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.
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