Past Trips, UK 2006 two

Hawes

May 14th to 17th, we usually visit this site about ones a year. This time was with the twins.

As you turn off the main road in Hawes to head for the campsite, you pass a small park with a children's play area, the girls spotted it and didn't even want us to go to the site but stop here so they could go play. We checked in and had to convince them to have lunch, before we set off back into town for them to play.

There is a family wash room on this site (you do have to ask for a key though), so each night Dot gets the girls bathed while I set up the bed for them.

Next day was pretty similar only we took a picnic with us this time.

On the third day we thought we might be able to walk to Hardraw Force Waterfall, using the double buggy but this turned out to be practically impossible, so we had a much shorter walk than intended.

Then it was back at the site, for a sit in the large field by the river with some ice lollies purchased from reception and more playing by the river.

On the way home we stopped off at Aysgarth Falls, the weather wasn't quite as good as the previous day. We had to keep the girls in reins to stop them getting in the river and over the falls but we did have a very good day.

Poole

We had never really considered Dorset for a holiday but when Nicole and Tim said they had booked a holiday there and asked if we would like to come with the we jumped at the chance to visit somewhere different. Nicole, Tim and the twins, were also travelling with Tim's Parents, Jim and Jean, who had lived in Dorset for a while, so they knew the area and were looking forward to revisiting old haunts.

Day one 24th June,

We are booked on to one of the Haven Holiday Parks (Rockley Park) in Poole, for seven nights although we will only be staying for six as we are booked on the Norfolkline Dover to Dunkerque ferry on the seventh night (£38.00 return). We are meeting Niccole and the others there, who are all sharing a three bedroom holiday home.

When we arrive the others are already there and have already sussed out the place, it is a very big park but fortuitously, we are about a hundred yards from their accommodation, it could have been about half a mile. The others are up in the Oasis food outlet having lunch, so we quickly park up and join them for a pint and sandwich.

It is absolutely boiling and I am just about passing out trying to put the awning up only to discover once it is up, that it is faulty, the two flexi poles that hold it up are poking through the material. I am furious and just want to tear it to pieces before throwing it in the bin but Dot being sensible, is convinced the she can fix it. So about a hour later and half time in the footy (Germany v Sweden), I am once again, absolutely boiling and I am just about passing out trying to put up the awning again but Dot is right and everything holds together.

I have spent the time while Dot is mending the awning trying to set up the TV, this site has the worst TV reception of any site I have ever been on, even connecting to the aerial socket on the service point I can just about get BBC1 and we have the worst position on the holiday park for a satellite dish. We are at the bottom of a terrace, with two very large trees on the terrace above, no chance at all.

We are supposed to meet the others back up at the indoor pool but by the time we have finished with the awning, they are on their way back down at their place. The evening is spent watching Argentina v Mexico with a few beers back at their place, where the TV is watchable.

Day two 25th June

Off we go to Tesco for the weeks provisions, I think its because Nicole is an accountant, that we have a list of the food we need for each meal for each night of the week, could be wrong. One funny thing, is how we already have enough beer and wine for the week with us, Dot and I brought the booze for everyone in the van.

Got ready for the England match, flag on the awning (next pitch is a Scot, how do I know? flag in the back of his car and I can't understand a word he says), England shirt on, twins have theirs on as well, beer cold. Not a good game but we beat Ecuador 1 - 0, so its onward and upward to the next round, we will be in France for that one.

After tea we decide on an early night but listen to Portugal v Holland (as we get the winner in the next round), could not see anything on the TV, sounded a bit of a bloodbath though, we get Portugal but several of their players are banned for the match.

Started to rain, rained all night.

Day Three 26th June

As it is still raining and cold, we set of for Bournemouth and the Oceanarium, a sea life centre and also the beach (if it fairs up). After a wrong turn we get parked in the underground car park of the BIC (Bournemouth International Centre), which turns out to be next door to the Oceanarium, it's stopped raining but is still cold, so in we go. Note, you can get tickets from reception at a discount, we didn't.

The Oceanarium is not that big but the twins love it, all of the characters from Finding Nemo are there for them to spot and we go round twice (you can go back as often as you like during the day, if you keep your ticket) but the second time it is getting rather busy. So we set off into Bournemouth centre, a very short walk, for a sandwich.

In the centre there are several stages setup for a music festival and various different types of music are being blasted out.  Out of all of these different types of music the girls pick out a German brass band with majorettes baton twirling, as their favourite and it takes us an age to get them to move on, eventually it starts raining again which gives us an excuse to move them on.   Back down the beach the girls have an ice cream and a walk on the sand.

Day four 27th June

Had a day onsite in the pool and down on the small beach, it was a bit windy on the beach but ok if you had some shade. I also took the scooter out for a short run, basically just a look around the very large campsite.

That night we all went over to watch the kids show in the concert room, the kids really enjoyed it, but it was very noisy.

Day five 28th June

The rest all went for a day out in Weymouth and a look around where Jim and Jean used to live, there wasn't room for all of us in the car so I volunteered to have a quiet day set in the sun reading. I could have followed on the scooter but I fancied a quiet day. They spent most of the day on the beach on the hot sun.

That night Jim and Jean offered to babysit, so we could go over to the bar but after our first beer, the bar closed and we were informed we would have to move into the concert room. Well it was far too noisy in there, so we didn't get much of a night out.

Day six 29th June

Trip into Poole centre on the open top bus, well that was the plan, today the bus had a top on it but the girls thought it was great fun anyway.

Poole centre, with a good mix of old and new shops is just a couple of hundred meters in from the harbour and marina area, with free internet access in the large library. Which was lucky as I was looking for internet access to get an up-to-date copy of the insurance for the scooter, before we set off for France.

It was our last night but we would not be leaving until teatime the next day.

Day seven 30th June

As we did not have to be on our way until teatime we got packed up, took the awning down etc and spent the test of the day by the pool with the family.

Before leaving Poole for Dover, we filled up with diesel at the Tesco we had used earlier in the week.

France 2006

Past Trips, UK 2006 one

During a quiet time with the van, I thought I could post info on some of our trips in the UK from a year or two back, from before I started this blog. I did all our trips abroad and the links are on the left of the page but I never got around to moving the UK trips from my old web.

I started documenting our trips abroad as soon as we bought the van in Spain but I didn't think to start on the UK until 2006 and even then it was not as detailed as the foreign trips. 2006 will therefor be mainly a list of places we stayed and a few stories along the way.

Also the twins Georgia and Emily (the motorhoming twins), were only three in 2006, not at school yet, so they came with us on most trips that year.

York

As you may know we visit the CC site in York three or four times every year and the first time this year was for three nights March 4th to 7th, for my birthday, it was very cold, even for march. This first time was without the twins

We returned for four nights, August 19th to 23rd. Had Saturday on our own before Nicole and Tim brought the twins down to stop with us on Sunday. There was a gay pride sort of festival going on in the park (well I think that's what it was), there were bands on and stalls selling hippy stuff. There was also the usual bouncy castle and trampolines and stuff so spent a bit of time there before we had a BBQ for tea.

Weather was so good we spent most of the last two days of the holiday in the park with the twins playing on the swings, etc.

The final two night trip to York was October 30th to Nov 1st for Halloween. Weather not too good, a bit wet, what do you expect October but we got wrapped up and had a walk round the wall, well part way round, it's a bit dodgy with the girls. We also did a trip on one of the river boats but with the weather as it was we sat inside, it was safer that way as well. This was the first time we let the girls have a go with the camera but they could not see through the view finder and took lots of pictures of people with no heads.

Next day we went for a walk along the river but were caught out by a sudden downpour, it also got very windy and cold. So we headed back to the van to watch films. Later the girls got dressed up (their other Gran and Granddad had bought them witch costumes and done pumpkins for them) then went round the site trick or treating as it was Halloween and they really enjoyed themselves.

Keswick

We also love the site in Keswick and did it twice this year, although we do not get there much anymore. March 9th to 12th, booked for a long weekend away, for Dots birthday on the C&CC site, thought we would chance the lake district weather (we went to Prague last March for Dots birthday, it could not be colder than there, four inches of snow and the temp never above freezing), we had already spent several nights in the van in the snow over Christmas and also we did York earlier in the week for my Birthday (see York above).

On arrival on Thursday lunchtime, I was surprised to see how many others had chanced the weather as well, mostly motorhomes with a few caravans. We had booked for four night but I had made a mistake and we could only stay for three night, the people on reception were very good about it and said it was no problem and we could just pay for the fourth night if we changed our minds later.

The ground was very very wet and soft, luckily we are on hard standing, got really muddy just plugging the electrics in. We put an old mat outside the habitation door (I knew there was a reason for carrying it everywhere with us).

Put the TV on and the only channel I can not get is channel 5, obviously this is the one I want to watch the Boro v Roma in the UEFA cup. Good job I decided to put the satellite in and I was wrong anyway, its on ITV4. ASTRA 2 should be straight out the back of the van, so I stick the dish to the back with suction pads, point it at the lake and get a single first time (good tip to remember for next time, but will I??).

Into town for a few beers before the football, and Boro beat Roma, quite a good day.

Day two, Dot's birthday, it was a lot drier today but there is snow toping the mountains, went out for a meal for dots birthday, then after the meal, as there was a jazz festival on in the town, we ended up in a pub with a jazz band playing, unluckily Dot hadn't been feeling well and we had to leave early (or luckily if your not Dot).

Day three, Dot feeling better but we had a quiet day anyway, a walk into town and along the lake before a couple of beers.

Woke next morning to find the van covered in snow, and it was still snowing, had to make a fast decision, do we set off now before it gets any deeper, do we wait to see if it improves, or do we book in for another night? After talking with the people in reception and finding that the roads are still open we decide to set off ASAP and if it is too bad, we will turn around and come back.

So without breakfast we set off for home, the roads are not too bad at first and most vehicles are travelling at a steady pace but as we get to the long climb away from Keswick on the A66 the car in front of me slows right down. This is not good for me, he eventually pulls over to the side but by this time I have lost momentum and am sliding about all over, I think we will never get up but by good luck rather than skill we eventually reach the top. The rest of the trip on the A66 through Cumbria is very similar only having problems behind very slow cars but I found that if I hung back before steep inclines, I could then keep up a steady speed and not catch up before he top. Once in Durham the roads started to improve and there was no snow at all past Bowes.

The second trip to Keswick June 10th to 14th, was a lot warmer than last time we where here. Got the twins and my mother with us, although my mother is staying in sheltered accommodation just outside the site entrance road (this is run by the same people as the place she lives in, in Hartlepool and the spare room is only costing her £5.00 per night).

I put the awning up and also had to build the usual compound round the the van with windbreaks, to stop the girls running away.

Four days looking after three year old twins and my Mam was exhausting, all three of them needed consent attention but we had fun. We did walks, played in play grounds, fed ducks and played in the paddling pool.

York over for a while

Seventh of January and we have already been to York for a couple of days, only three weeks since our last visit.

On the first trip we arrived at York's Rowntree Park (on the 18th December) and for the first time ever, I was not allowed to pitch, where I wanted. I was only allocated a choice of small pitches as I am only 6m long and didn't have a car or awning. We have been asked to leave certain pitches free for larger units but never been told that three quarters of the site were not available to us. No amount of complaining made any difference, so we asked to pitch in the riverside part of the site.

When we arrived on the 2nd of January, we were informed we could pitch where we wanted, as it was less than half full, but also informed that when they reopen in August, we will definitely be allocated a smaller pith.

On the 3rd of January, the last night before the closure, there were about 20 vans on site.

The first trip, the last of 2011, was mainly walking around the markets and drinking Sam Smiths beers. We didn't even need presents, it was just a mater of soaking up the festive spirit (if you don't count the CC warden).

The second trip, the first of 2012, was very similar to every other time we have been to York. In the Kings on the first night though, we didn't like some of the clientele in there that night, so we moved on to the Postern Gate and had three Christmas beers in there.

Next day it had been very windy and raining overnight and still wasn't very nice out, so we spent the morning clearing out some of the overhead lockers. Where we found an annual ticket for the York museum, a ticket we thought was lost, bit of luck, now we had somewhere to go, out of the bad weather.

By the time we came out of the museum the weather had cleared up enough for a walk around the centre. The river was getting very high, the pub had been flooded the week before our last visit and it was looking likely to happen again. As we left the pub the landlord was checking to see if the pub should close, it was flooded next morning.

We didn't manage to get a photo but two photos of the blue bridge should show how high the river level was. The riverside path we had used to walk back the night before, was underwater.

York update

You know how I said we were done with York for at least eight months, well we now have two more weekends booked there before the closure. I just looked to see if there was an indication of when it would reopen and noticed there was room this month. Too good an opportunity to miss.

Another Three Days in York

As I said in the last post, it will be a long time until we are back in York (Rowntree Park Campsite closing for eight months), so we had to make the best of our time there.

We were late arriving at the site, gale force winds delayed our start and even then the drive there was a bit scary at times. We had wanted to arrive early to get to the last day of the Christmas market but the wind scuppered that idea. We made up some time, by eating lunch on the move, then as soon as we arrived, we just parked up, set up the sat (to record the F1) and walked into town.

I was very busy with Christmas shoppers (recession???), we decided the shops could wait until tomorrow and we would just do the market today. Dot got some very nice Silver and Amber ear rings from one of the stalls but that was about it. Had a couple of beers in the Kings, before heading back to watch the F1 with our Sunday dinner for supper, if you know what I mean.

Next day we wanted to pop into Sainsbury's (long story), so we walked anticlockwise around the outside of the city walls to get there. As we passed by the river Foss I noticed a new bridge, so I had to stop to get a photo.

We got sandwiches in Sainsbury's, which we ate by the Minster, before heading into the shops and it was still very busy. I was glad to get to the Kings for a rest and a few beers at the end of the shopping. Back at the van, we had bought lasagne, garlic bread and coleslaw, then an early night (think I am coming down with something).

Even after the early night was still had a sleep in and I was still tired and feeling a bit under the weather. A walk in Rowntree park in the cold but bight sun livened me up a bit. Back at the van we had bought cottage pie and peas before heading to the shops for one last time this visit. Yet again it was very busy, I sat outside the first shop and let Dot wander round on her own. This was a good plan, to let me rest while Dot shopped but it didn't last long. After the first shop, it started to rain and there was nowhere dry for me to sit, therefore ruining that plan.

Made our usual stop at the Kings on the way back to the van but instead of it being the usual friendly place, it was like a freak show in there. This happens about once every ten visits and the landlord usually moves on the offenders. He did but latter they came back so we left early. Cheese and biscuits for supper and watched a film, before an early night.

With the teachers on strike, we had to head straight home in the morning, to help look after the girls. We went out for a fish & chip lunch and had nice a walk in Preston park.

The van will be laid up now until March, when our next trip will be to Melrose as York will be closed for our usual birthday treat there.

Last visit to York for a long time

We are back in York, for our last visit for a long time, the site will be closed for eight months for updating (or something like that). Pure madness to close the best site in the country for so long. I have heard all the arguments as to why it has to close completely and for so long but can not help but think, it could have been done a lot better.

I will complete the blog when I get home.

Bonfire Night at Stockton

As in previous years, we booked the motorhome in to the Caravan Club site at Stockton for bonfire night, that way we didn't have to bother with all the traffic, before and after the event. We arrived early and had a walk along the river into Stockton centre, where we bought lipstick (well Dot did). While trying to find the Boro match on my phone radio, I realised that it was the late game and on TV and on Sky Sports 2. I always take the satellite dish away with us, but as we were only away for one night I didn't bother, how stupid can you get. However you can now get Sky TV on your phone or laptop, so I had to pay for extra internet access at the campsite, to get it on the laptop.

Jonathan, Lorraine and the boys arrived at half time and we had sausages, beans and baked potatoes, while we watched the second half, before setting off to see the display. Much warmer than past years and I saw much more than I usually do, as I didn't try to take photos for a change. A very good display, a big thank you to our local authority for still supporting things like this.

Then it was back to the van to finish the beers we had started with our supper, the first was an old favourite, Grolsch, Premium Weizen but bought for £0.69/bottle. I got it on offer from B&M Bargains, when asked how many I bought, I said all of them, Jonathan had done the same in his local B&M. I had eleven bottles, Jonathan had nine bottles, I won,

Next morning, after breakfast, we moved the van to a car park by the river and went for a walk. Even though the white water park is now open again after major upgrades and was being used by many canonists, there are still fences stopping the pubic from getting anywhere near. Hence no photos.

The weather was amazing for November and after a walk along the river one way, we retuned to the van for lunch, before walking the other way. It as nice to see so many rowers out on the river, we also watched a couple of seals near the barrage catching and eating fish, big fish.

  

Unfortunately, my feet started to hurt, so the walk was cut short and we headed for home. Only one day away and only a few miles from home but a very enjoyable trip.