Two Days at Akebar Park

Dot was off work and we were not out this Saturday, so we looked for somewhere not too far away to go in the van. Akebar Park was a place we used quite a lot when the kids where little but have not been much at all recently, I think we went with the twins ones, a long time ago though. Anyway we booked two nights there.

17th September to the 19th

Saturday 17th September

We managed to book in for the Saturday and Sunday, we had to be back home on Monday for Dots Dads 92nd birthday. We arrived at the site, booked in and found a site, it was quite busy with a lot of tents but not too bad. The tents I am on about are bigger than the van, even bigger that any of the caravans but thankfully most of them were quiet at night.

Akebar Park

Wensleydale, North Yorkshire

DL8 5LY

If you do not have a car there is plenty of walking to do there but we went just there for a rest. We just sat around most of the afternoon, reading and watching TV. Later we went for a walk up to the bar, only it was too full, so we just wandered back to the van.

We had plenty of beer back there anyway. So we just spent the night down on the site by the van sat in the sun, then moved in to watch TV.

Sunday 18th September

Another quiet morning sat in the sun reading, very relaxing. Eventually we wandered up to the bar again and this time it was quite empty. As was most of the site, many people had moved off this morning, most to be back at work tomorrow and kids back to school. We had a couple of beers sat outside in the sun before wandering back down to the van.

 

Back there we had our tea before we watched the F1GP repeat on CH4 and the Paralympics before bed, the satellite wasn't working, something to look into later.

As I said it was a very quiet relaxing two days away and I enjoyed it immensely.

Whitby, 2016

Not been using the van much at all this year (I think the car being written off had something to do with it though) but we did use it to take the girls away for a few days. We booked a site in Whitby, not one we had used before but one closer to the centre, Airy Hill Farm Cottages and Caravan Park.

14th August to the 17th August

Sunday the 14th August

A nice simple drive down to Whitby, the traffic wasn't bad at all and the van went well. The campsite was on the right, the last right turn before the A171 passes over the river Esk. The site is very small with mainly static vans but there is room for a few Motorhomes or Caravans. The toilet block is acceptable and clean but nothing special. Just over the A171 there is a path down to the town along the railway and it isn't very far to walk, although is is rather steep to get up and down from the A171.

Airy Hill Cottages, Airy Hill Farm

Whitby, North Yorkshire, YO21 1PZ
Web airyhillcottages.co.uk/

We arrived at the site and phoned the owner (who was out in his car), he asked just to park up on one of the hard bases where static caravans had been.

We had a sandwich for lunch and then set off into town. It was only a short walk down into town, we crossed over the railway lines and along by the river to the centre. When we got there Amber wanted to look in the shops on the north side of the river but we didn't get anything.

Next thing we did was pop into one of the jewellery shops on the other side, to have two of my gold rings altered, so that I could use them again. It was actually my wedding ring and my signet ring, both very old now and my fingers have grown. I have been wearing silver rings as a replacement over the last few years and usually forget to bring the gold ones whenever we come here. Anyway in The Black Market Jewellery Work Shop, it was only £15 to have them both made bigger, a bargain I reckon, they would not be ready until tomorrow though.

From there we wandered about the other shops on that side looking for a ring for Dot. Eventually though we wandered along to the beach.

 

After a sit on one of the piers, the kids decided that it was time for tea, even though it wasn't long since our lunch. Georgia and Emily even decided where we were going for tea, Hadleys Fish Restaurant, they like it there and so did we.

 

Dot, Georgia and Me all had fish and chips, Emily and Amber had sausage and chips, we also had mushy peas, all very good.

We walked back on the opposite side of the river to the way we came in, the climb back up to the bridge is worse on this side. The views from the bridge are pretty good though.

 

When we got back to the van, we set up for the night, watched a film and then the Olympics until we were all too tired to watch anymore.

Monday the 15th August

We had a nice easy morning in the sun and then after lunch, set off into town. We walked down the same way as yesterday and I took photos of the steam trains and the boats along the way.

 

As yesterday and headed straight to the jewellery shop to get my rings.  After all these years my gold ring fit me again, Dot had another look at getting a ring but they didn't have one to fit her.

From there we headed to the beach for the girls to play in the sea. We crossed back over to the north side of the river and along to the pier, then down to the beach.

 

We spent the rest of the day down there, the tide we just starting to go out when we got there but was still fairly high when we decided to move on.

We wandered around to Spoons for tea but it was that busy in there I decided we would go back to the van and have a BBQ for tea. So we moved on to the Co-op, bought some thing we needed (beer for me) and made our way back to the site. There we had our food and sat out in the sun until we moved in to watch a film and the Olympics again.

Tuesday the 16th August

Quiet morning again then after lunch we set off for town, only this time we left via the back of the site and down onto the old train line. I had walked this line before, back in 2008 but that was a much longer walk we had done back then.

When we got down into town and after the girls looked in the shops, we decided to walk along the north pier (known as the West Pier). It was quite windy and cool along there but that didn't stop us, we did shelter behind the lighthouse for a while though .

 

After our walk, Dot made for the jewellery shop again and bought the ring she had been looking at, although it would have to be posted out to us later. After that I fancied beer so we popped into the Abbey Wharf, it was fairly full but we got a table ok. Only I queued for a while when a member of staff from the restaurant asked the barman to get the manager. So he wandered off and so did I, what sort of service is that.

We moved on to The Dolphin at the Swing Bridge, got a table in the window facing the bridge and I got served easily. In the passed we had sat there before and as last time the bridge opened up to let boats through. From there we moved on to the Spoons pub again, The Angel Hotel and got a table upstairs, it was a bit quieter than the first time.

 

We got served all right, the girls seemed to enjoy the food and drinks and it was very very cheep. Then it was back up to the van and the usual before bed.

Wednesday the 17th August

The one thing to report on our way back home, we stopped at Scaling Reservoir and got Hot Dogs and Burgers from the van there. I mention this as it only cost less than £6 for three big Hot Dogs and one Cheese Burger. They were well worth it.

Peterborough, Ambers Birthday 2016

Peterborough, Ferry Meadows Caravan Club Site, April 16th to 20th

Day one, Sat April 16th

We set off early, we had to be there before 12:30, for me and Ralph to go and watch the Boro live on TV. First we had to stop for diesel, witch took ages, some people are just too stupid to let out on a Saturday but eventually we filled up and set off.

We managed to arrive at the site at about twenty to twelve but again were held up by idiots enquiring about checking in in the future and eventually we booked in at about twelve.

Ralph and Amber arrived and me and Ralph shot off to watch the football in Ralph's local. I had a couple of pints wile we watched us win (just say) over the bottom club in the league, getting the winner in injury time.

Back at the van it was unusually cold (it was last year as well) so we just stayed in and watched TV. At tea time we went out to the pub, The Granary Beefeater Restaurant and had a cheep meal from the before 6:30 menu. Amber had the children's menu and afters, all that with a couple of beers was about £40.

After the food Ralph drove off and me Dot and Amber walked back to the van, only it started to rain and we got wet.

Day two, Sun April 17th

Not very good weather again we didn't do much, Ralph turned up at diner time then we watched the F1GP.

After that we went for a walk through the park to the Lakeside Kitchen and Bar, where we had a beer and Amber had an ice lolly.

By the time that we got back to the van, the sun was shining and we had a BBQ for tea outside the van.

It was getting cold again by the time we finished and we were strait back into the warm van until it was time for Amber to get back home, school tomorrow.

Day three, Mon April 18th

Ralph was going to pick up a new car today, I phoned to see if he was OK for a lift and he was, said he would see us latter.

Ralph arrived eventually in his new BMW (well a few years old), a very nice car. Its a convertible with a hard top, which all folds neatly into the boot.

Ralph dropped us off in the town centre and would be back to pick us up with Amber in a couple of hours. Dot did some shopping for clothes for the wedding we are going to in the next couple of months. I even managed to get a few polish beers (or somewhere lick that), now all I have to do is remember where I put them.

Had a look at the Cathedral while we were there but soon it was time to go back to meet Ralph and Amber, for our lift back to the site.

Then is was back to the van for tea, a slow cooked chicken dish, that was far better than we expected it to be. I had put it on, on the morning before we went out and it was good. Soon it was time for amber to go again.

Day four, Tues April 19th

Ambers birthday today but we would not see her until later, after school. So we had lunch, the rest of the chicken and went for a walk around the park. We ether need to get out walking more often, or I am getting old, walking really wears me out.

Later Amber and the others all turned up (it was Ambers Birthday) and when they had gone we went to The Granary again for tea.

It was latter today so we had to use a different menu and it cost us about £20 more than last time. Although we did have two coreses each.

Day five, Wed April 20th

I though we had gone past the days when we had to be back to look after Georgia and Emily but we did, although it was much latter than it used to be. So we took our time getting ready then set off home.

Second Trip, York and Barnard Castle 2016

March 5th to the 15th

Our second trip away this year was in March for our birthdays, we went the day after my birthday and a few days before Dot birthday. This trip was for a good few days in York then a few more in Barnard Castle, both using Caravan Club sites.

Sat March 5th

Back in York, the day after my birthday, I have not been well for a couple of days so really missed my birthday. Dot was ill for a few days before me but is feeling a lot better now, hope I do tomorrow. As its Saturday York is very full and we are not giving the drunks another chance to spoil out time away. So we parked up and watched some TV, a film on channel 4.

Eventually went for a walk along the river and back through the park and took some photos of just how high the river was.

Later we walked out the back gate to get something to eat, but as nether of us was that bothered about eating we just popped into the nearest pub for a beer. The Swan and Signets was full but we got a seat (we do not like the centre of York on a Saturday night as it is very full and a little bit rough, so that why we went in there) but after a couple of beers we decided to go back to the van.

On the short walk back, we got a bag of chips some curry sauce and a couple of buns, not what we would usually get but we didn't fancy anything much. Afterwards we decide that we could have done without the chips as they were not that good at all.

Had an early night and a real good sleep.

Sun March 6th

Nice sleep in and morning resting watching TV (Sunday Brunch), after lunch we went for a shower each, before setting off into town.

The river had dropped a little bit today but it is still very high. As the Flying Scotsman was in town today, we popped into the Railway Museum to see it. Last time we were in there to see it (long time ago) its number was 4472 now it is 60103. The numbering of this Engine has been 1472, 4472, 502, 103 then 60103, it may now be the 60103 but to me it is still the 4472.

From there we walked through the town centre just as all the shops were closing but Dot managed to buy some new gloves.

Then it was off to the pub for tea, in the Spoons the The Postern Gate, we had tandoori chicken wraps, very cheep and not bad at all. We also had a couple of beers but then went back to the van, we are still not at all well.

Mon March 7th

Nice quiet morning in the van and didn't go out until after lunch. It was a walk we really wanted to do, so we set off along the town walls. We got up onto the wall at the Victorian turret, at Baile Hill and walked along clockwise (I have covered the wall walk many times see here). But we came down at Micklegate Bar and walked along and down Micklegate into town (or as it is, the city centre).

We had a look around the shops (avoiding people from the red cross collecting) and went for a cup of tea in the British Home Stores, never again though the place was in a really disgusting state. The tea was ok but the place could have done with a good clean, floor, seats, tables well everything, it was disgusting (British Home Stores closed for good later that year).

After that we continued shopping, ordered some jeans in Next (have to pop back in tomorrow for them) but eventually popped into a pub The Pivni for a rest. Had a beer in there but Dot only had a soda water.

From there we went into The Slug and Lettuce to get something to eat. Half price Monday in there, we got a seat at the front with a nice view of the river. We both had Italian Chicken, not bad for half price and a full price beer each.

We then moved down stares to the Kings, it was not open on our last trip after a flood, this time it had been flooded when we arrived in York but was now open. The ladies toilets were closed and the till went off while we were in there but they had beer.

On the way back we popped into the new Sainsbury’s, to get some things we needed for tomorrow.

Tues March 8th

After lunch and late on, we set off into town, we went the quick way across Skeldergate bridge and straight to the shops. Dot had a look at some shoes and handbags before we went for the jeans from Next.

From there we went shoe and handbag shopping again but managed to look into one of the expensive beer shops. Didn’t get any beer in there but eventually we did go into the The Pivni for a beer or two. We started with a wheat beer, which unfortunately went off before we could get another, so we had to try something different. In the end we, well I had three different beers, although I did give Dot half my wheat beer.

As we were walking back to the van, Dot suggested that we pop into the Smiths pub in the centre, The Burns (the old Hansom Cab), so we did and she had another wheat beer (a pint) while I had an Old Brewery. The price of both our beers in there, was about the price of one beer in the pub before.

On the way back we popped into Tesco to top up on different cheeses for our tea.

Wed March 9th

Wednesday morning it was bucketing down so we just stayed in the van and watched TV.

It stopped raining late in the afternoon and we went out to get a card for Dot’s birthday tomorrow, but the shops local didn’t have anything nice. So we just went back to the van and had a night in, we did have wine and beer back there though.

Thur March 10th

Slept in, then I made a nice big breakfast, did I mention its Dots birthday. We had a very easy rest of the morning, sat watching TV. Later in the afternoon we set off into town, we walked the quick way over Skeldergate Bridge and hit the shops.

Eventually we ended up at The Star Inn the City by Lendal Bridge and wandered in for a drink, the weather had improved that much we sat outside. As we had sat outside to drink, a few others also came and sat outside, we had started a trend. We had a look at the menu in there but did not fancy anything they had.

So we moved on, we had to have a pint in the Smiths pub, that was for me to use the toilet and to have a dark beer, something they seem to have stopped serving in most pubs (I may moan about this again).

We ended up in the Cote Brasserie a French restaurant and had the set three course menu, we did have different dishes though and it was all ok. I had a couple of bottles of Pelforth Blond, not bad at all. The bill did come with a tip already added on, bit of a cheek I thought, the price was in small printing but with the tip was it was in large.

From there we went into The Pivni and again I had a yellow beer getting a bit sick of this now, I suppose the kids are the ones out, so it is their beer that’s for sale, shame they do not know what they are missing.

Fri March 11th

Up early today as we are moving on, got sorted and set off for Barnard Castle and arrived there just about twelve. There was lots of room when we arrived but by the evening the site was full.

After lunch we wandered of into town, quite a walk but not too bad. The footbridge across the Tees has changed the cables or pipes that cross the river here have been recovered with a plastic cover. Hope it is stronger then it looks.

We had a good walk about the shops, before going into the pub, The Three Horseshoes, the really nice pub and hotel. We had a few pints and even had food in there, Dot had the Steak & Ale Pie and I had the Homemade 6oz Burger. The food was very good but the beer was that gold coloured poor excuse again.

When we left we got a taxi back, it was £4.00, a bit poor when you can practically see the campsite from were we got it.

Sat March 12th

Well we could not be bothered to go out today, Dot was tired and my back was not too good at all. So we just stayed in and watched the Rugby on TV. Even after the Rugby we did nothing and even had an early night. By the way did I mention that England won, we beat Wales easily, only France to go now.

Sun March 13th

Foggy morning according to the TV, just watched the news and that's what it said, well it isn't foggy up this way, strange that.

After dinner we set off for a short walk, we wandered down the hill and along to the second footbridge over the Tees. The weather was now very nice now and we walked without our coats on. I do not have many photos of our walk as we have done it quite a few times in the past.

Up in town we had a nice sit in the sun and then a wander round the shops that were open. Before I wandered into a couple of pubs to see if the Boro match was on anywhere. We found one that said they would put it on, so we went into the Coach and Horses. They had the Rugby on one TV and put the Boro match on another one. Although after about half an hour they turned over and put the Man United match on, so we left. The language used by some of the other customers and staff in there was a disgrace and most seemed drunk early in the afternoon. This pub has really gone down hill over the last few years but at least we now know, not to pop in there again.

We went into another much nicer pub along the road the Cricketers Arms and watched the end of the Rugby. The Boro got worse as the game went on and they lost by two goals anyway. Eventually we crossed back over the road and went back into the Three Horseshoes for a couple.

On the way back to the van we popped into the Co-op and got a couple of curries to have for supper. We then walked back to the site in the dark, something we said we would not do again but it wasn't that bad.

Mon March 14th

My back was really bad this morning, it has been getting worse as we have been away but it was very bad today. Took a couple of pain killer tablets and in an hour or so it wasn't too bad.

The plan for our last day, was to go for a walk this afternoon and pop into the nice pub for tea later.

We wandered into town the same way as we did on the yesterday and wandered around the shops for a while. we soon gave up and went into the Three Horseshoes but sat outside in the sun for a couple of beers.

When the sun went down, we went inside and had our tea, we got the same as a couple of days ago only I had the Steak & Ale Pie and Dot had the Homemade 6oz Burger.

It was still early when we wandered back to the campsite.

Tues March 15th

My back was really bad again, hope it is not using the van that is hurting it. Took pain killers again and it cleared up slightly. We had a restful morning and because my back was bad (and it was raining, unlike the weather forecast, which said no rain), when we left we headed straight home.

First Trip, York 2016

York 24th to 27th of Jan 2016

Sunday Jan 24th

We arrived in York not long after twelve and was surprised to see how much room there was on site. The warden said that it had been full on Friday and Saturday nights though.

As I was getting set up and Dot was over reception getting the keys, I discovered that I had forgot the TV. I had also taken all of the laptops out and left them at home, so we would have to go without TV for a few days.

After lunch we set off into town, the first thing we did was pop into Argos just to have a looks at the TV's but didn't get one, we just carried on with our walk. We did however look in several other shops at the TV's on our walk, but still didn't get one. Eventually, after a good walk around and close to closing time, we ended up back in Argos and bought a new TV.

From there we headed into Spoons the Postern Gate for something for tea and a couple of pints. I did not have my camera with me so there are no new beer photos (the new stuff was awful anyway) but I think that I had three. I only had the one new beer, it was awful so the rest were good old Abbots. We both had the same to eat, Chicken Ticker Wraps with Chips, I had a pint of Abbots and Dot had a Vodka and Coke, all for just less than a tenner.

Back at the van we got the TV working and had a nice night watching, I also had another beer.

Monday Jan 25th

I woke about two, with my heart out of rhythm, this is twice this has happened after arriving in the van and also once after a drive to France. It went back to normal at about ten but it is not good at all. I think it may have something to do with not having breakfast but I could be something else.

So we had a quiet morning and most of the afternoon before walking into town. We walked along the campsite side of the river, as far as the rail bridge then crossed over and walked back to the shops. After a short walk around the shops we went into the Slug And Lettuce by the river for tea.

It was Monday so it was two for one from the menu in there, although the beer is not cheep. Dot had the Italian Style Chicken and I had the Smothered Chicken not the best but not bad for around a tenner.

Then it was back to the van for a rest after my heart incident on the morning, from the Slug And Lettuce we walked passed The Kings but it was still closed after the floods, shame.

Once back, we watched TV again, I did have several bottles of Budweiser and Dot had a bottle of white wine, so much for not drinking.

Tuesday Jan 26th

All ok last night and I felt a lot better than the previous day.

So after lunch we hit the town shopping, I got shoes and a shirt (a Ben Sherman), not too sure what Dot bought but I am sure it was something she needed.

Eventually it was time to head to a pub for tea, but first we went into one of the Smiths bubs in the center, for a pint of Old Brewery Bitter for me and an Organic Wheat Beer for Dot. After that we headed back to the Postern Gate, the food there is very cheap but edible and there is a large selection of beers. After our first drinks, a Great Heck, Shankar IPA and a Disaronno and Coke, we ordered food. The Shankar IPA was not nice at all so with our food we got the same drinks as our last visit. So again I had a pint of Abbots and Dot had a Vodka and Coke but this time we had Tandoori chicken wraps with chips, all for just less than a tenner.

It was a bit later when we got back to the van but not that late and we had the TV to watch.

Wednesday Jan 27th

Up in plenty of time to get the van sorted and left fairly early, it was due to get windy again so it was straight home.

Van Fixed, Jan 2016

It was just after the Van failed its MOT, that I got the part that was needed. Unfortunately getting the part fitter was not that easy. Eventually I got it done at Tim's place and the next day, it passed its MOT and we were ready to go camping again.

The total cost of the repairs was about £280, not much you may think but this was done on the cheap and should have cost about £500. This cost did include two MOT's but it is done now and out of the way for another year.

All this was done leaving two days to get ready for our first trip away. The site at York had been closed after flooding just after Christmas but was reopening just in time for our visit.

Trip Cancelled

Well our trip to York next week has had to be cancelled, took the van for its MOT and it failed. I believe this is the first time it has failed but it has, so it needs some work doing. I can not get the large part until later in the week, so I thought it was best to cancel the short trip to York.

Hopefully it will not cost too much to fix and we can make the next trip to York in January, its not that far away. So that is it for this year, Happy Christmas every one and Happy New Year.