Saturday 28 May 2011
MOT
Isn't it great when your van passes it's MOT test without any additional work or cost. Well it did and I am in a good mood.
Tuesday 24 May 2011
York, Trip Two 2011
Well we had got an extra booking for York's Rowntree Park CC site, I saw a post on the Motorhome Facts.com forum stating that the site had room in May, so I got online and booked. It was just for two nights, a Sunday and Monday
We have been to York that many times, that there is very little to write about, so here are the highlights.
Day one, we arrived early, there was supposed to be holdup in road works but there wasn't, so we were 20 mins early. We know they have strict rules but Dot went and asked at resection as we were there anyway, the answer, no way would we be allowed in before midday. So we turned round and parked up by the Slip Inn for 15 mins. Four caravans drove passed us as we sat there, and as there is no room for them to turn, they were allowed on site, double standards, or what.
We got a space near to where we usually do and while dot made some sandwiches, I got the satellite working. It had been fine but as we set off into the centre, it started to rain, so we took a large umbrella. It didn't last for long and it was fine again before we got all the way into the centre. All we did was have a walk around the shops and had a few beers with friends, old and new, in the Kings Arms by the river.
Back at the van our supper had already been prepared before we went out and only needed to go in the oven to warm.
Day two, we were going to have a long walk along the river but my feet and knees were not good, so we settled for a much shorter walk, the weather was not that warm either. We walked away from the center crossed over the river vie the Millennium Footbridge and headed back in. When we reached the confluence with the Foss, we followed the Foss into the city centre.
We did plenty of shopping but bought hardly anything, we also walked the outside of part of the walls we hadn't done for a long time, in the end we had put quite a few miles in, before we inevitably ended up in the Kings
We have been to York that many times, that there is very little to write about, so here are the highlights.
Day one, we arrived early, there was supposed to be holdup in road works but there wasn't, so we were 20 mins early. We know they have strict rules but Dot went and asked at resection as we were there anyway, the answer, no way would we be allowed in before midday. So we turned round and parked up by the Slip Inn for 15 mins. Four caravans drove passed us as we sat there, and as there is no room for them to turn, they were allowed on site, double standards, or what.
We got a space near to where we usually do and while dot made some sandwiches, I got the satellite working. It had been fine but as we set off into the centre, it started to rain, so we took a large umbrella. It didn't last for long and it was fine again before we got all the way into the centre. All we did was have a walk around the shops and had a few beers with friends, old and new, in the Kings Arms by the river.
Back at the van our supper had already been prepared before we went out and only needed to go in the oven to warm.
Day two, we were going to have a long walk along the river but my feet and knees were not good, so we settled for a much shorter walk, the weather was not that warm either. We walked away from the center crossed over the river vie the Millennium Footbridge and headed back in. When we reached the confluence with the Foss, we followed the Foss into the city centre.
We did plenty of shopping but bought hardly anything, we also walked the outside of part of the walls we hadn't done for a long time, in the end we had put quite a few miles in, before we inevitably ended up in the Kings
Boroughbridge
On the way back from Peterborough and after a one night stop at the CC site at Clumber Park, we stopped of at Boroughbridge, for a picnic lunch by the river Ure in the not sun. I fancied chips with our chicken sandwiches, so we walked back over the bridge from the car park by the river, to find a fish and chip shop. We were in luck there was one just over the river and we got a very large portion of chips.
As we finished lunch, I heard a boat coming along the river and thought it would be good to go and see it go through the lock. It is about half a mile and me and Emily set off in a rush to get there, followed at a much slower pace by the other two. We got there in no time and waited for the boat and the others to arrive, Dot and Georgia soon met up with us but the bot never did (we later found out, it had moored in town).
We eventually gave up waiting for the boat and headed back to the van but when we were about half way back a narrowboat came along. I asked the helmsman if they were going through the lock (we didn't want to go back only to find him tied up for the night), the answer was yes, so we about turned and walked back to the lock.
We walked back quicker than the narrowboat and got there before the did, then the girls helped the friendly couple with he lock gates, I think they may have got in the way more than helped though.
We watched the boat motor off down the river towards Linton before once more heading back to the van and home.
As we finished lunch, I heard a boat coming along the river and thought it would be good to go and see it go through the lock. It is about half a mile and me and Emily set off in a rush to get there, followed at a much slower pace by the other two. We got there in no time and waited for the boat and the others to arrive, Dot and Georgia soon met up with us but the bot never did (we later found out, it had moored in town).
We eventually gave up waiting for the boat and headed back to the van but when we were about half way back a narrowboat came along. I asked the helmsman if they were going through the lock (we didn't want to go back only to find him tied up for the night), the answer was yes, so we about turned and walked back to the lock.
We walked back quicker than the narrowboat and got there before the did, then the girls helped the friendly couple with he lock gates, I think they may have got in the way more than helped though.
We watched the boat motor off down the river towards Linton before once more heading back to the van and home.
Clumber Park
On th way back from Peterborough we stopped off for one last night at Clumber Park Caravan Club site. Checked in a parked up on the same pitch as we did last time we were there, also like last time, the girls were straight over to the playground. As soon as we were ready, we set off towards the lake, with the girl on their bikes. We took the longer route to the house via the roadway, along Clumber Park's Lime Tree Avenue (is the longest of its kind in Europe, planted in about 1840, it is almost 2 miles long and consists of 1,296 common limes). Unlike last time, it was very, very busy but what can you expect during school holidays.
When we got there Dot and the girls when to the playground while I set off to find the bridge I didn't get t photo last time, as it rained. This time the sun was shining and I got the shot, then it was back to the others.
There are also some good views along the lake from the bridge.
Back at the playground the girls are still rushing about having fun, time to stop all that and go for an ice cream. Only they didn't get ice creams they got little balls of frozen fruit flavored ice, which melt before you can eat them all, leaving a sticky mess.
Then the girls went to look in the shop and wanted to buy bows and arrows but I would not let them, which didn't go down well. So I took them for a look the museum there, only is was closed for refurbishment but we did get a coupe of plastic swards there instead of the bows. The one Emily got also made bubbles.
We then set off back to the campsite vie the shorter route along the river and through the trees, many of the rhododendrons that the girls hid in last time we were there, have been cut down, maybe they were diseased or just very old.
Back at the campsite it was sward-fencing and bubbles, while I did nice things like empty the toilet.
When we got there Dot and the girls when to the playground while I set off to find the bridge I didn't get t photo last time, as it rained. This time the sun was shining and I got the shot, then it was back to the others.
There are also some good views along the lake from the bridge.
Back at the playground the girls are still rushing about having fun, time to stop all that and go for an ice cream. Only they didn't get ice creams they got little balls of frozen fruit flavored ice, which melt before you can eat them all, leaving a sticky mess.
Then the girls went to look in the shop and wanted to buy bows and arrows but I would not let them, which didn't go down well. So I took them for a look the museum there, only is was closed for refurbishment but we did get a coupe of plastic swards there instead of the bows. The one Emily got also made bubbles.
We then set off back to the campsite vie the shorter route along the river and through the trees, many of the rhododendrons that the girls hid in last time we were there, have been cut down, maybe they were diseased or just very old.
Back at the campsite it was sward-fencing and bubbles, while I did nice things like empty the toilet.
Thursday 19 May 2011
Peterborough Day Three
Amber's Birthday, after breakfast and opening some presents, we quickly got ready for our morning out. A party was arranged for the afternoon, so we had to set off early for a ride on the steam train, on the Nene Valley Railway.
When we arrived at the train station it was already very busy, we got a family day pass for £17, this was half the full price of £34, you get this offer if you have a current receipt from the campsite.
The train was delayed by 20 mins (very realistic) which wasn't very good as we were on a tight schedule. Eventually as the train was approaching the girls all got very worried, as the barrier across the road was very late stopping traffic crossing in front of the train.
Even though a lot of people got on the train, we had plenty of room in the last carriage and we knew this would be the front on the return journey, when the engine switched ends.
The train was going to Peterborough, where the engine switched ends and traveled back through Ferry Meadows, to the other end of the line at Yarwell Junction, where the engine switched again and we would get off when it went trough Ferry Meadows for the second time.
When we arrived at the train station it was already very busy, we got a family day pass for £17, this was half the full price of £34, you get this offer if you have a current receipt from the campsite.
The train was delayed by 20 mins (very realistic) which wasn't very good as we were on a tight schedule. Eventually as the train was approaching the girls all got very worried, as the barrier across the road was very late stopping traffic crossing in front of the train.
Even though a lot of people got on the train, we had plenty of room in the last carriage and we knew this would be the front on the return journey, when the engine switched ends.
The train was going to Peterborough, where the engine switched ends and traveled back through Ferry Meadows, to the other end of the line at Yarwell Junction, where the engine switched again and we would get off when it went trough Ferry Meadows for the second time.
We had to rush a bit when we got off, as all he girls were going to the party but Ralph was there to meet us at the station to help.
While the girls were out me and Ralph went for a beer.
While the girls were out me and Ralph went for a beer.
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