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.

Taxing the van again

Well I got a letter to say that I had not taxed the van and you know what, they were right, it was about 20 days over. So I just paid but monthly, it is only a bit more than paying in full and not as much as paying for six months twice. It is done and out of the way now anyway.

Although the MOT is due very soon, better get that seen too next.

The van insurance is on until the end of March next year, so that is fine.

York again, first time this year, 2015

York, 20th to 25th September

Well we are off to York again, first time this year, although we have got another booking there in December and also two more bookings early next year before March.

Sunday 20th September

Arrived in York just after twelve but picked a pretty poor spot, since we last booked the colour of pegs has changed (we said they were wrong since the site was last done up) but we didn't know. Anyway the site has changed since our last visit (they were doing it last time we visited in 2014) but they are working on it again. Three pitches next to the toilets were out of use as a ramp is being added to the toilet block so that disabled people can get up there, there is a newish lift already so I do not know what that is all about.

We had booked a cheep trip to Harrogate on the train tomorrow and needed to collect the tickets, so after watching the F1GP until Hamilton and Jenson went out, we wandered off to the train station. We went via the back gate and found some sort of festival going on around Bishopthorpe Road but we made our way passed and timed the walk to the station. It took us about half and hour to get there. After getting the tickets in the station we wandered off over Lendal Bridge and went for a drink.

We like to go into the Star Inn The City, just over the bridge but the beer is really overpriced in there, so we just had the one sat in the sun, before leaving for the shops. Shopping didn't take long and we headed into the Kings (not unusual for us), there were lots sat outside by the river but plenty of room inside. Had a couple in there (all new staff in there) before heading back towards the campsite.

 

On the way back we did look back along Bishopthorpe Road but it was all over, we did get a bag of chips though to help us with our tea and a couple of beers from one of the shops. see the separate Beer Blog.

Monday 21st September

It was raining just our luck. Up early got ready and made our way to the Station, we still had an half and hour wait for the train though we were early. We did get on early only to be moved onto another train just before it was due to go. Trouble with that though was, that the original one was in the way and it took about 20 mins to move it.

 

Once in Harrogate we made for the shops and it was still raining, not something the weather forecaster had said. Not long later we made for The Slug and Lettuce for a half price lunch and had a beer as well. We also had the, two for one afters, as well, so I was stuffed by the time we left.

We tried to do some shopping but with the rain we could not be bothered and went into Spoons and had another beer. By the time we came out the rain had stopped, so we had a nice walk around and a sit in the sun before heading back into another pub. The Alexandra was nice for sitting outside in the sun but as it clouded over we moved inside and sat in the window. We had a couple of beers in there, before heading to the station and as we were early for the train, we popped into the stations bar for one more.

Back in York we wandered back to the van, where we had crackers and cheese for supper and one more beer before bed.

Tuesday 22nd September

Spent the morning resting in the van and had lunch before we went out for a walk into the centre. It was much sunnier than yesterday and we were going to have a sit in the park. But in the centre we found that there was a Food and Beer festival going on, so that putt us off slightly.

We had a good look around but decided that, as it was on for a few days, we could pop back tomorrow. We went off looking for flip flops for Dot. After a walk around we had a sit in the Cathedral gardens until it started to cool down.

So then we made our way into a pub near the Cathedral, yes it was the Sam Smiths one, the York Arms.

After a refreshing beer we wandered through the shops again but eventually ended up in the Kings and stayed for a couple of beers. While we were in there it started to rain but it wasn't that bad on the walk back to the van.

Wednesday 23rd September

After our usual showers and stuff, I noticed one of the toilets was overflowing and wandered into reception to report it. I was a bit disgusted to find that I was the first to make the report to the staff there, just how many other had looked and thought nothing of it. This must happen to everyone, were you find that things in the world are changing and not necessarily for the better.

After lunch we headed out for a walk again and waked down to the Millennium Bridge then back along the other side of river, to the river Foss. I felt more normal than usual and was taking photos of ducks in the river, only to discover that there was no memory card in the camera. Ho well, I may get a new one from the shops as we wander around.

I eventually got a four gig card for £1.99, I could have got a bigger one but I didn't need a big one, I have plenty back at the van. The photo taking had worn off by now though, we had walked quite a long way by now but headed on. We walked even further before we got back to the Cathedral, round the outside of the walls from, Monk Bar to Bootham Bar.

 

From there we headed in and had a sit by the Cathedral but the wind was a bit cool, so we wondered off towards the Beer and food festival.

 

It took a bit of time to get there but we did get there eventually, as it was really expensive over £6.00 for a pint and a half, we only had the one and made our way to the Kings. In the Kings Dot got chatting to a couple, good company in there and it was still just over £3.00 for our round.

Thursday 24th September

Pored down this morning on and off but the weather seems to be improving as time goes on.  So after lunch we sett of for a walk, we wandered along the river side until we got to the railway bridge and it started to rain again. We headed over the river and into the abbey gardens, were it stopped raining again.

We followed the city walls around to Bootham Bar and walked along the walls to Monk Bar, the opposite way to yesterday but up on the walls.  From the walls we could see a couple of workers up on the Cathedral, working from ropes, better them than me.

 

After the walk on the walls, we headed around the shops and eventually ended up in the Postern Gate, the newer Wetherspoons and had our tea in there. The tea cost all together £8.98 and that was with two drinks, my drink was £2.55, Dot's drink was £3.19, that made the food £1.62 each. OK, it wasn't a main meal but we did have chicken tikka wraps with chips and for £1.62 each it was absolutely amazing.

Now, although it was an absolutely amazing price, if Spoons keep on with their moaning about minimum wage, I may just give them a miss.

I did have a couple of new beers in there and we did have three altogether, many come in have a beer and a meal then just leave.

Friday 25th September

As usual we got a phone call and had to rush off home but we are back here soon.

Another new wheel

Forgot to mention this but before we went to France, I had to buy another new rear tyre, the oposite side to last time in December last year but as last year it was the wheel that had cased the problem (see The New Tyre), not the tyre. Same as last year when I said, something I have never heard of before and I hope will never again, well it did happen again. So the wheel had a hole in it and I had to find a new one again.

This time was was the opposite to last time, I could not get one from a local scrap yard, so had to get one on line, it was about the same price though. As last year the tyre shop changed over the tyre onto the new wheel free of charge, thank you very much.