My mother has been unwell since early September and we didn't want to be too far away, so have not been using the Van. But as Dot had a fortnight holiday booked (that's a couple of weeks for my American Friends), and my mother was feeling a lot better in a nursing home, we did eventually get away for a few nights.
First we went to the Caravan and Motorhome site in Barnard Castle, earlier it the year it was over £38/night but now it was much cheaper although we didn't have the girls with us. After a few days back home and a visit to see my mam, we had the second short brake at an independent site in Whitby, Sandfield House Farm Caravan Park.
We had been to both sites many times before but they were nice and close, so easy to get back home if required. It was not very nice for Dot's holiday but it was the best we could do under the circumstances.
Barnard Castle, 20th September to the 24th September
Wednesday 20th September
Arrived at the Caravan and Motorhome site in Barnard Castle, got set up in a very nice spot and watched other setting up as we ate out lunch, thought I saw someone I knew but it wouldn't be.
It was fairly late before we wondered into town and walked the quick way in, across the footbridge and up the bank strait on to the high street. There we spotted a couple we knew sat in a cafe, I had seen someone back at the site and I was right. We popped in to say hello and arranged to meet up a bit later for a beer or two.
Well we had a quick look in the shops and then made for the pubs, actually we just went into the Three Horseshoes. As it was sunny, so we just sat outside and within twenty minutes we were joined by Paul and Lynn. We sat drinking outside until it started to get cold, when we moved inside and had a few more.
Dot and I where going to have our tea in the pub but it got dark before Paul and Lynn moved on to the Indian for tea, so we just walked back to the van and had out tea back there.
Thursday 21st September
There was no real rush to go out into town so we had our dinner first before we got ready and set off for our walk.
We took the longer walk into town, we stayed on the same side of the river as the campsite, passed the old road bridge along to the newer footbridge, before crossing over to the town side of the Tees. Up the hill we wandered about the shops and even got a little penguin for my mam. Even popped into the Coop and got some new beers.
Although it was still early we went into the same pub as yesterday, it wasn't long after four and the teas didn't start until five, so we had a couple of beers. As soon as it was five, we were given a table and the place started to fill up. New since last time we were in there was a Parmo on the menu so I got that, Dot had a lamb dish (I think) anyway, what we had was very nice.
We walked back to the van before it got dark but the nights are definitely drawing in.
Friday 22nd September
We walked in a bit latter today and after a bit of a shop we made for Bowes Museum and had a cup of tea and a hot chocolate in the caff there. After that Dot wanted to go to the Italian for tea but it was still a bit early, so we went for a drink first.
We popped into The Old Well Inn, just around the corner from the Italian and got a couple of drinks in there. Dot had the usual lager and lime and I got a Sonnet 43, Aurora, from Durham and while we were having these we noticed that on Friday and Saturday, they served Indian food in here. We also noticed that the owners were Indian so thought, that will be good. We had another beer, a Consett White Hot, we got free onion bhajis with it and it was good. It convinced us to stay there and have a go at the Indian.
You know how on holiday you always make at least one mistake, well this was ours, the food was terrible and far too salty. We should have known better, we should have gone to the Italian that night, or even gone to the Indian takeaway, which was only about six doors away.
Saturday 23rd September
After we walked in late again today we made for the Italian that Dot had picked out for tea yesterday. It was still a bit early so we popped into The Black Horse just over the road form the Italian for one or two beers, and to catch up on the football. Well the Boro managed a draw, so it wasn't too bad.
Latter, well just after five, we moved over to the Italian restaurant, Vivo and even though it had just opened there were a few people already in. The food we got in there was much better than yesterday, by a very long way. The beer was also good, I had a Heineken Italia, Ichnusa from Italy well Sardinia actually, unfortunately I had had it before.
On the way back to the van we popped into The Three Horseshoes for a last pint, we had not been in there last night but wish we had. Anything would have been better then that Indian we had.
Sunday 24th September
We just got up early and drove back home, then went to see how my Mam was. I didn't take many photos when we were away but the beer photos are covered here.
Whitby 27th September to the 1st October
Wednesday 27th September
Well, after a few days at home we set off again, this time to the site we have used the most in Whitby, Sandfield House Farm Caravan Park.
We got parked up had some lunch and then set off for a walk into town.
We went into Spoons for tea, I went to the bar for a couple of drinks first but was ignored for that long, even when there were only two of us there, the staff served people that just walked up, so we left. We crossed over the river and had a meal and drinks in the The Dolphin, a pub I have moaned about in the past but is now ok. It cost a load more than Spoons would have been but it wasn't worth the bother.
We got the bus back, I had forgotten that I can travel for free but I can so I used my bus pass for the trip back to the site.
Thursday 28th September
As usual we had a walk down into town, we did consider getting the bus but as we walked none came alon, so we just walked.
In town we walked along the north side of the river and had a sit near what I think is the yacht club. After a long sit in the sun we wandered to the other side of the river over the swing bridge but not before we dropped into the The Star Inn just opposite the railway station for a couple.
Over the bridge we went into the Abbey Wharf for another couple and bumped into a man we see in York nearly every time we go. It was nice and warm as we sat outside on the veranda in the sun.
We got the bus back again that night.
Friday 29th September
On the afternoon for a change we wandered off in the other direction towards Sandsend. It was a little bit cold today but we were well wraped up. Down there we had a good walk, an ice cream and a pint in the The Hart Inn.
After the pint we decided to head back and the bus went from outside the pub, the only decision was, back to the site or head into Whitby. I decided we would head into Whitby but Dot wanted to go back to the site, so that is what we did.
Saturday 30th September
A much finer day and we walked into Whitby along the low level prom. It looks like just about the only photos I took were as we walked in.
Once in the centre we got fish and chips from Trenchers and walked round to the life boat station to eat them. From there we walked along to the south pier and from there back to the Abbey Wharf for some beers before heading back to the van.
Sunday 1st October
Today it was back home to see how Mam was.
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