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.
Friday, 29 January 2016
Monday, 23 November 2015
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.
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.
Thursday, 22 October 2015
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.
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.
Monday, 28 September 2015
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.
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.
Thursday, 17 September 2015
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.
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.
Saturday, 12 September 2015
Using the Van in France
Well the van has been abroad to France for the first time in since 2010, I did not believe it was that long but is was, honest.
One reason was the price of diesel over the last few years, plus the fact that we could get cheep Mobile Home holidays in France and Holland. Towards the end of 2013 is when I had my Stroke and that seemed to put an end to my Van travels in France for good. But the Stroke wasn't too bad, it is mainly short term memory that is poor and with the price of diesel dropping to less than petrol in 2015, we decided to use the Van again.
Although we did not use the Van to stay in, we still got a very good deal with a Mobile Home but as there were six of us travelling, using the Van saved using two cars and it was much more comfortable. The toilet in the Van was also a bonus and saved lots of driving time, well pulling over into service areas that is. Also with young Ralph doing half the driving it helped quite a lot but I think we went too far into France for just the one week. Although it was nice and warm were we went.
Me, Dot, young Ralph, Georgia, Emily and Amber all went, we set off in Friday night to miss all of the traffic and pay less on the ferry (about half as much), Ralph drove in England and I took over in France. We stopped off on the way down to pick Amber up and arrived in Dover earlier than intended but luckily we got on an early ferry. Off the ferry if France, Ralph drove on for a while but eventually I took over and we arrived in Onzain a couple of hours before we could get into our Mobile Home.
While we were there we used the Van for a few trips out but mainly we just stayed on site using the pool, the write up on the full holiday is covered in the Mobile Home blog.
Now we have used the Van for an overseas trip again, I think we could go again next year but really using the Van to stay in, we will have to wait and see. Have a look back next year and see what happens.
One reason was the price of diesel over the last few years, plus the fact that we could get cheep Mobile Home holidays in France and Holland. Towards the end of 2013 is when I had my Stroke and that seemed to put an end to my Van travels in France for good. But the Stroke wasn't too bad, it is mainly short term memory that is poor and with the price of diesel dropping to less than petrol in 2015, we decided to use the Van again.
Although we did not use the Van to stay in, we still got a very good deal with a Mobile Home but as there were six of us travelling, using the Van saved using two cars and it was much more comfortable. The toilet in the Van was also a bonus and saved lots of driving time, well pulling over into service areas that is. Also with young Ralph doing half the driving it helped quite a lot but I think we went too far into France for just the one week. Although it was nice and warm were we went.
Me, Dot, young Ralph, Georgia, Emily and Amber all went, we set off in Friday night to miss all of the traffic and pay less on the ferry (about half as much), Ralph drove in England and I took over in France. We stopped off on the way down to pick Amber up and arrived in Dover earlier than intended but luckily we got on an early ferry. Off the ferry if France, Ralph drove on for a while but eventually I took over and we arrived in Onzain a couple of hours before we could get into our Mobile Home.
While we were there we used the Van for a few trips out but mainly we just stayed on site using the pool, the write up on the full holiday is covered in the Mobile Home blog.
Now we have used the Van for an overseas trip again, I think we could go again next year but really using the Van to stay in, we will have to wait and see. Have a look back next year and see what happens.
Thursday, 30 July 2015
Warwick, day out to London
As we did last year from Stratford, we had a day out in London from Warwick, this year was much hotter though (think it must have been the hottest day of the year so far) and it was a shorter train ride. Yes, even though Warwick is further away from London than Stratford the train ride is much shorter.
Day four, Wednesday 1st of July
The taxi turned up on time and we got to the station with plenty of time to spare, even though the traffic was horrendous and I am sure the driver chose the wrong route. At the station the driver said just to call them when we got back, more on this at the end of the day.
Took photos in the station but didn't have a card in the camera, it was still in the computer in the van and I did not twig until we were in London. The train was on time but it was very full, we stood in the doorway until after the first stop and then got seats apart but at least we had seats for the journey.
Off the train in Marylebone Station, we set off walking, it was now I discovered that the camera had no disc in it and so I had not taken any photos, yet. We sat on some steps near the Wax Works and sorted through my camera bag to find a suitable memory card and luckily found one.
On our way again, we wandered of and made our way to Oxford St, looked in the shop windows but didn't go in anywhere. From there we walked down Regent St to Piccadilly Circus and then toward what we thought was Nelsons Column.
Only it wasn't, just shows our knowledge of London, it was in fact the Duke of York Column. Not too bad really, as we were only around the corner from were we wanted to be.
We walked along the Mall until we came to Trafalgar Square and got our tickets (that we had ordered on line, on offer) for the bus trip. The bus left from just opposite the tourist office and we hopped on with a good seat in the very warm sun.
Last year we concentrated on the boat trip this time it was going to be the bus. We continued with the trip until we came to Tower Bridge, were we got of for a look around and maybe something to eat. We walked to City hall and had a chicken wrap to eat and sat near the river. The Tower Of London was just opposite.
After a nice rest we have a short walk towards HMS Belfast but didn't go on-board, then on the way back towards the bridge it started to open. I managed to get some photos but there were some barges moored in the way.
After that we walked under the bridge to the other side at Butler's Wharf but just for a quick look around.
Over Tower Bridge, we got some water and ice creams and had a sit by the river to eat them, before making our way back to find the bus trip again.
Back on the bus we carried on with out trip and even though it didn't seem so, it was getting near the time for the buses to finish (or at least the drivers). Anyway we stayed on the bus until it dropped us off outside the Wax Works and we walked back to the pub we used last time. As last year we made for the Allsop Arms and settled down with a nice refreshing beer or three.
The train ride back was a lot less crowded, as we got close to Warwick I phoned the taxi company, only to get as answer phone and continued it get it all the way in. Never did get them and walked back to the site.
Day four, Wednesday 1st of July
The taxi turned up on time and we got to the station with plenty of time to spare, even though the traffic was horrendous and I am sure the driver chose the wrong route. At the station the driver said just to call them when we got back, more on this at the end of the day.
Took photos in the station but didn't have a card in the camera, it was still in the computer in the van and I did not twig until we were in London. The train was on time but it was very full, we stood in the doorway until after the first stop and then got seats apart but at least we had seats for the journey.
Off the train in Marylebone Station, we set off walking, it was now I discovered that the camera had no disc in it and so I had not taken any photos, yet. We sat on some steps near the Wax Works and sorted through my camera bag to find a suitable memory card and luckily found one.
On our way again, we wandered of and made our way to Oxford St, looked in the shop windows but didn't go in anywhere. From there we walked down Regent St to Piccadilly Circus and then toward what we thought was Nelsons Column.
Only it wasn't, just shows our knowledge of London, it was in fact the Duke of York Column. Not too bad really, as we were only around the corner from were we wanted to be.
We walked along the Mall until we came to Trafalgar Square and got our tickets (that we had ordered on line, on offer) for the bus trip. The bus left from just opposite the tourist office and we hopped on with a good seat in the very warm sun.
Last year we concentrated on the boat trip this time it was going to be the bus. We continued with the trip until we came to Tower Bridge, were we got of for a look around and maybe something to eat. We walked to City hall and had a chicken wrap to eat and sat near the river. The Tower Of London was just opposite.
After a nice rest we have a short walk towards HMS Belfast but didn't go on-board, then on the way back towards the bridge it started to open. I managed to get some photos but there were some barges moored in the way.
After that we walked under the bridge to the other side at Butler's Wharf but just for a quick look around.
Over Tower Bridge, we got some water and ice creams and had a sit by the river to eat them, before making our way back to find the bus trip again.
Back on the bus we carried on with out trip and even though it didn't seem so, it was getting near the time for the buses to finish (or at least the drivers). Anyway we stayed on the bus until it dropped us off outside the Wax Works and we walked back to the pub we used last time. As last year we made for the Allsop Arms and settled down with a nice refreshing beer or three.
The train ride back was a lot less crowded, as we got close to Warwick I phoned the taxi company, only to get as answer phone and continued it get it all the way in. Never did get them and walked back to the site.
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