Peterborough 2015 Ambers 10th Birthday

Well it was time to go to the Caravan Club Ferry Meadows site in Peterborough, for Ambers birthday. Got the van ready and the only difference to usual, was the young Ralph was travelling down with us this year.

Peterborough 2015, April 18th to April 22nd

Day One, Saturday April 18th

We set of fairly early only for the A1 to be closed half way down, the detour took bout half an hour, bit of a pain. We had to go and pick Amber up before we moved on the the campsite.  On arrival I was surprised to see just how full the site was, it has been getting busier every year since we started to come just after Amber was born. In fact we got one of the last palaces available over in the old field.

Dot and Amber went for a walk into Ferry Meadows although the weather was not as good as it usual was around Ambers birthday.

Latter we had chips from the van that visits the campsite, with the chips we decided to have something different than fish and got spam fritters. Well I have never seen spam fritters like them, instead of large round spam fritters, these looked like a tin of spam cut in half and then that half being dipped in batter and fried. It was very edible though.

That night we watched a film and went to bed early.

Day Two, Sunday April 19th (Ambers Birthday)

Up very early for someone to open presents and it was still before eleven when we went out for a walk. The weather was still not very good and it was pretty cold but we set off for a long walk, well long for us that is. Amber took her scooter and off we went, in the wrong direction towards the train station, then right following the train lines. It seems that lots of trees have been felled along by the train lines and also by the campsite, not sure why. At the first bridge over the lines we turned the opposite way and headed towards Gunwade Lake and walked round the far side.

 

As we wandered off towards the lake, a steam train went past and we were lucky enough to get a photo before we walked off to the Lake.

 

After walking around Gunwade Lake we continued on around Overton Lake and at the bottom end, we were to head back but Amber wanted to walk on to the bird hides. So next we turned left to the river Nean and followed it round to the hides. The two small ponds that the hides look onto seemed to be in a rather bad condition, certainly not as good as when we were last there. We then headed back toward the van when we came to the railway again, in all we did about 3.5 miles.

 

That afternoon the rest of Ambers family came for a birthday visit while Ralph and I watched the Bahrain GP on TV, another victory for Lewis Hamilton.

 

When Ambers other family left we got ready and walked to the pub for a birthday tea for Amber and we had a couple of beers. Only they made a mistake with the order and I had to have three beers, for the price of two, very sad.

Day Three, Monday April 20th

The weather finally got around to being what it is usually like around Ambers birthday and we made the best of it. After a light lunch, we set off for a walk towards Orton Lock, following the railway.  It was over a mile to the lock but it was very nice in the sun.

 

From there we walked on passed the station and up on to the main road were we called into the Botolph Arms, as we were passing. Amber could play on the park there while we had a beer or two. If you have read any of these before, you will know I like Sam Smiths Beers and this is a Sam Smiths pub, although under new management it is very badly run. We sat outside and got just a little bit sunburnt but not too much.

 

After the walk back, we set up the BBQ and basically had a very nice afternoon sat in the sun with burgers and sausages. It got cooler on the night though and we watched a film again. We did get ice creams from the van that travelled around the campsite, very nice.

Day Four, Monday April 21st

Young Ralph got ready and left for work before eleven and the rest of us went for a walk after dinner. We just went for a walk into the park and had ice creams again from the bar/shop by the lake.

  

Another BBQ for tea and we had more ice creams from the van that visits the site, before another film before bed.

Day Five, Tuesday April 22nd

Amber was up early to go to school and after she left we also got ready to leave.

We drove straight home but didn't quite make it without stopping for petrol.

Time to sort the van again

Well we are away again next weekend, its Ambers birthday so we are off to see her in Peterborough as is usual at this time of year.

The van is relatively ready, as its only a month since our last trip, just a bit of sorting to do and we are set to go.  The van also needs a good wash.

First Trip, 2015, Hawes

Hawes, 8th to the 14th of March.

Well we booked Hawes in north Yorkshire for almost a week, made a change from always going to York for Dots birthday and this birthday was special.

Day one, Sunday 8th March 2015

We arrived at the site just before we were allowed to but the warden let us on anyway, very good of them and a vast change from York.

Nick Tim and the girls arrived not much later and we all went for dinner. We went up to Simonstone Hall outside Hawes and Tim had to do a couple of trips to get us all there. You may have heard of Simonstone Hall in the news recently but on that day it was just a quiet, very descent place to have our Sunday dinner. As for Simonstone Hall, Top Gear and Jeremy Clarkson, I will get back to that, at a later date in the Blog.

We had a very good Sunday dinner and I had a pint of Theakston's Bitter, before we made our way back to the campsite.

From the campsite we had a walk into Hawes and the girls had big ice cream, when the others went home Dot and I stopped out for an early beer or two.

We started at the far end of town and went onto The Old Board Inn, were I stuck with Theakston's Bitter.  We sat by the fire and it was lovely and warm, better than where we go on a Friday night.  It was practically empty in there but three at the bar were were very noisy and had been in there since it opened.

After our drink we moved on, next door to The Crown and had the same beer again.  It was fairly full in there but a lot quieter.

After that drink we made our way back to the van and still being full after diner we had crackers and cheese for supper.

Day two, Monday 9th March 2015

The weather was really bad so we did not do anything, in fact we had a very relaxing time watching TV.

Day three, Tuseday 10th March 2015

Today is Dots Birthday and it was nice and sunny (it was the only really sunny day of the holiday).

We had a walk across the fields to Hardraw Falls, we have done this before but Dot wanted to do it, the walkway was not excellent but it was fairly dry, if you were very careful.  Out of the site the first thing we came to was the confluence of the River Ure and Duerley Beck or Gayle Beck (not sure about the name of the beck).

Then the shortish walk to Hardraw Falls, you have to go through the pub (The Green Dragon), to get to the end of the valley containing the falls.  It was out of the sun here and very cold but the falls looked ok.

 

Dot wanted to go up to were we had lunch on Sunday, Simonstone Hall, for a birthday lunch.  So from the The Green Dragon we headed along the path up the hill, hoping that it would take us to the hotel.

As the hill levelled out we came to the back (or maybe it was the front) of Simonstone Hall, which I thought was very lucky indeed.  Dot was bothered about getting mud into the Hall but I think they would be used to that happening.

It was pretty quiet compared to Sunday but there where a few people eating in there and we got served straight away.  We both had Beef Carbonnade, which was very nice and we also had a couple of drinks with our meal.

We walked via the road back to the the campsite and van for a rest and to get changed into something with less mud on it, before we went out later for another drink or two.  It was getting on for about five before we went out into town.

We went to the White Hart Inn, which had just reopened after being done up and it was very nice indeed.  We sat in the bar by the fire and for a change this holiday, I had three different beers in there (see separate write up for the beers).

Back in the van latter we watch a film that Nicole and the girls has brought us before bed.

Day four, Wednesday 11th March 2015

Raining again so did not go out until five, it had stopped raining by then, we had time to get some things we needed from the small supermarket before it closed.

We then went into the only pub that we hadn't been in so far, The Fountain, the only people in there where watching the horse racing from Cheltenham. I got another new beer in there (again, see separate write up for the beer) and the place was quite pleasant but not as nice as the White Hart Inn.

So after our beers there, we moved on to the White Hart Inn, where we had another beer before we set off back to the van.

Back at the van we watched another film, before bed.

It was about the time we went to bed that Top Gear's Jeremy Clarkson was committing working suicide up at Simonstone Hall.  For him all of the fun he has had, for all these years, seems to be over.

Day five, Thursday 12th March 2015

It was just before dinner when we set off for a walk up to the Wensleydale cheese factory, my shoes were acting up and hurting the back of my ankle.  So I was glad when we got there and had a rest.   In there we got the cheese we had promised to get and ate lots of cheese from the displays.

When we came out, Dot wanted to walk up to the watermill at Gayle, just outside Hawes.  So I put up with my foot and walked up to the mill.  Its was fine at the moment but was supposed to rain latter, so we made our way back down into Hawes.

We took the path across the fields which led down to the church and it was very cold by then.  Dot decided it would be good to pop into the White Hart Inn for lunch, so we did without me arguing. Lunch was very good, we had homemade pie of the day, very good and a beer or two before we set off back to the van.

Back at the van it did rain eventually but we just sat and watched some old films.

Day five, Friday 13th March 2015

Another horrible day with the weather but at about four we set off into town. We had a quick look down at the old train station but Dot remembered we had a card to post and only just made it to the post office before the last post.

Then we just went to the White Hart Inn again and had our tea in there, I had Wensleydale shin of beef casserole and Dot had the 10oz Gammon steak. Then just sat and had a couple of beers (by this time I was just drinking Black Sheep).

When we walked back to the van we just watched films again.

Day six, Saturday 14th March 2015

We were going to do some sightseeing on the way back but discovering the Dot was going out tonight (I did know but had forgotten) and remembering that the Boro where on TV just after twelve, changed what was planed.

We got ready really early and went straight home.

Sorting the Van

Well its time to get the van sorted out ready for this new year. I think getting the outside cleaned up and polished is the main thing that needs doing.

Still haven't decided if we will be taking the van abroad this year or not, the high costs plus my ill heath is bit of a worry.  Although the price is coming down and my health is improving (I hope).

We have however booked onto several UK sites leading right through the year but we will have to see what happens as time goes on.

Last trip 2014

Well we just had our last trip of the year to York, will have to see if we can get away a bit more next year.

York 14th to the 16th of December.

Day one, Sunday 14th Dec 2014

When we arrived, work was still on going changing the site but there wasn't much noise, in fact not much seemed to have changed in the last month. Anyway we got a good large pitch, set up and then set off into town.

I had been ill on Thursday night and wasn't feeling too good at all but I wasn't going to let that get in the way.  After a quick look around we got a pasty from Greggs for lunch and then we had a good look around the Christmas Market in Parliament Street.  After a while I needed to sit down for a bit, so I had a sit in Kings Square while Dot had a look around the Shambles.

A bit later we had to go for a proper sit down and went into the Cross Keys for a drink. The gents toilets are upstairs, not unusual but in these toilets, where three lads, sat on the window ledge, with their beers and smoking cigarettes by an open window.

Very strange, we only stopped in there long enough for a rest and then set off shopping again.

Eventually we made our way to the Postern Gate, where we had our tea, before heading back to the van for an early night.

Day two, Monday 15th Dec 2014

It was as late as the day before and after dinner when we eventually set off shopping.  We headed through the town to Morrisons on the inner ring road, where Dot wanted to get something for Christmas.  We also got some stamps in there, my god they cost an arm and a leg and then we headed back into the centre.

We did do all of the shops and I did feel slightly better than yesterday.

We even had to go to the post office for more stamps but it was very full, so we just left it, although we did post the ones with stamps on.

Latter on, as it was Monday it was half price meals in the Slug and Lettuce, so we headed there for tea.  Even though the meals were half price, the price of the beer is 40% more than the Kings Arms, just below.  So we headed there for a last drink before going back to the van.   The Kings seemed to be under new management and was practically empty, not seen it like this for many years now.  The beer was nice though.

Day three, Tuesday 16th Dec 2014

Well we had to be away fairly early, as Dot had to go and get a tooth out, but a phone call last night meant that we had to be away first thing. Emily was not feeling well and we had to rush home to look after her.

In the end she had tonsillitis but that is another story, so this is the end of our trips for another year, see you after Christmas in the new year.

Past trips UK, 2010 part three, Thirsk, Barnard Castle and York

Thirsk, 2nd to the 4th August

We were just looking for somewhere to take the girls during the summer holidays and Thirsk is very handy for us.

Day one Mon 2nd August

Thirsk Racecourse Caravan Club Site

Thirsk, Yorkshire, YO7 1QL

Web Site

We had our pop up tent with us, is it is very handy for keeping all of the twins toys in, saving lots of room in the van.

As soon as we were set up we did the short walk into the centre (well we did, the girls went on there scooters) and had fish and chips sat on the plinth under the clock. This was followed by ice creams.

From there we walked to the river (Cod Beck) and the children's play area only the girls liked playing on a large old rotting log instead.

After that we walked along the river back into town, we did parts of the beck we hadn't done before. We managed to pass most of the day like this.

We went into Wetherspoons for tea and the girls were surprised when Nicole popped in on her way back from a meeting.

Day two Tues 3rd August

The bottom hinge on the habitation door broke, so I took the door off and went into town to find something to fix it, while the girls looked after the van.  There is a nice hardware store, where the staff were very helpful looking for a bolt and nuts the right size.

I didn't take long at all to fix the door back on and the girls were enjoying themselves playing with there pushchairs anyway.

After a late lunch we did some walking by the river again and took bread for the ducks this time.

Day three Wed 4th August

On the way home we took a detour and stopped off at Catterick to look in at the caravan shops there. We arrived just before the fish and chip shop closed and had chips with our sandwiches.

After lunch the girls played in the stream there, that's three days in a row playing in the water.

Barnard Castle 14th to the 18th August

The new Caravan Club site at Barnard Castle had just opened so we booked in with the girls for a few days.

Teesdale Barnard Castle, Caravan Club Site

Lartington Lane, Barnard Castle, Durham DL12 9AZ.

Web Site 

Day one, Sat 14th August 

We were very disappointed to find that the children's play area wasn't complete but not as disappointed as the girls. The

Spent the day on site, we took some photos and the girls had a go with their cameras as well.

It was Saturday and the friend we usually see on Saturday came over to see us there.  Jonathan Lorraine and the boys arrived and we had a BBQ for tea and a few beers.

Day two, Sun 15th August 

Nicole and Tim came to visit, it was a surprise for the girls.   We all decided to walk into Barnard Castle for Sunday lunch.   This was the first time walking from the site although we did know Barnard Castle very well.   I though there might be a way from the site down into the valley and Deepdale wood but there isn't.  There is a footpath down just outside though, close to the back gate, a gate which also wasn't open yet.  

So we walked down the main road, there is no path, you have to walk on the narrow grass verge or step on and off the road as traffic permits (in 2013 it is still the same, a small path would be very useful and much safer).

At the bottom of the hill we used Deepdale Aqueduct to cross over the river Tees.

Then the long climb up to the the high street (its not that long but it is a bit steep).

It didn't take us long to find a pub serving Sunday dinners.

After lunch, we walked down the high street to the river a crossed over via Startforth footbridge, it was the first time we had used this bridge to cross the Tees (we have walked this way many times since).

Last time when we first discovered this bridge and tried to use it, we couldn't as it was closed for maintenance.

We then followed the river back to where we crossed on the way into town, here we decided to take the public footpath though Deepdale wood. We knew a public footpath came out just before the campsite, we just had to find it.

We looked all the way along but still managed to miss the path up to the campsite and walked almost to the Camping and Caravan Club site.  We turned back and found the path up the second time, it is not a very good path very muddy (in 2013 there had been a land slip on this path).  It is easier to walk up the road. 

Day three, Mon 16th August

A lovely day, the girls had fishing nets with them, so we made a picnic and set off for a day by the river.

We crossed over Deepdale Aqueduct but instead of turning right into town, we turned left crossed a bridge over a small beck (Black Beck) and settled down on a patch of open ground with a small stony beach.

We spent the rest of the day there and the girls just played.

Day four, Tues 17th August

The girls made friends on the campsite and played all day, so dot and I had a relaxing resting day.

Day five, Wed 17th August

On the way home we pulled over near Darlington, at a play park we had seen on passing several times but never stopped at before. 

From the car park we also found a path down to the river Tees and a wear I didn't know existed.   So we ended up playing in the river again.

The rest of the trips for 2010 would all be to York (York was and still is our first choice for a two or three day break).

York 26th to 28th September

Day one Sun 26th September

It was a usual first day in York, park up, sort out the TV, have lunch and then head into the city centre. Walk around the shops until it was time for a drink, then call into the Kings Arms for a few good beers and good crack (craic as the Irish say).

I was even given a bottle beer by someone who had bought the wrong beer, all in all a very good night.

Day two Mon 27th September

Another day walking in the centre, followed by beers in the Hanson Cab and the Kings Arms.

Walking home I though I could take photos of the river in the dark again (I have been resisting this lately but beer does funny things to you mind).

York 10th to 13th October

Day one Sun 10th October

Settled in but gave lunch a miss, as we were meeting up with Nicole, Tim and the twins for food. We caught up with them in the centre and went into Bella Italia to eat.

I can not remember what but there was something wrong with the meal and we got money off, the food was good but I think they were just far too busy.

After our food as it was a lovely day, we all went for a walk through the centre and then along a section of the city walls.

At the end of the section of wall we had walked, we followed the river Foss back into the centre and the girls had a go on the bouncy trampoline things outside Fenwick's.

When the others left for home, Dot and I did something different, no we didn't, we went to the Kings for a couple of beers before supper.

Day two Mon 11th October

It was Josh's 21st birthday and we would be meeting up with the rest of the family for an Indian that evening (Josh it at University in York), so a walk was required to make room for all the extra calories we were going to have.

So after a light lunch we set off through Rowntree park towards the Millennium bridge and the river.   We sat on the bridge and took photos of passing narrowboats before walking back to the site along the river.

We were only out for about an hour and then went back to get ready for the night.  We set off into town early and had a walk around the shops before meeting up with the others in the Kings.  Dot and I were a bit early and it was very quiet in there.

We met up with the others and headed back over the river to the Indian, the food was very good (look at the size of that naan bread) and there was a cake for Josh.

We walked back to the car park with the others on the way back to the campsite.

Day three Tues 12th October

Another beautiful day spent in the centre, we discovered a little old church we hadn't noticed before. Holy Trinity was down a passageway between two shops.  You can see the Minster in the background.

Day four, Wed 13th October

On the way home we stopped off at Cod Beck reservoir for a picnic and walk (until writing these catch up blogs, I hadn't realised how many times we have done this).  But it is a nice walk.

York 22th to 24th November

Day one, Sun 22nd November

York yet again, set up and walked in the the centre via the city wall, anticlockwise to Monk Bar where we came down and headed in to the shops.  It was a cold wet miserably day so it was just over an hour before we made for the pub.

First we had a couple of beers in the Kings before moving on to the Spoons, Postern Gate but the beer I got in there was foul.  So we just headed back to the van for supper.

Day two, Mon 23nd November

Guess what we did today, we walked around the walls the other way in the clockwise direction. Something we have done before, in fact you can see the whole wall tour here, although we only walked as far as Lendal Bridge today.

Wandered around the shops then made for the Kings for a drink.  Dot tried something different and had a Samuel Smith's, Pure Brewed Lager, well I got a photo anyway.

Day three, Tues 24nd November

Well we just drove home today and it is the last trip for this year, so that is 2010 complete.