Albion Farm CL, North Warnborough

     A fortnight after the op, we decided that Mike was fit enough to take the caravan away to Albion Farm east of Basingstoke.  The drive up to the site was ok with very good access from the M3.
     On Saturday, we had a really good walk along the canal and had a totally relaxing time but as the weekend progressed, Mike started getting headaches - probably over-using his eyes.
     On Sunday, I towed the caravan back home.  I've been doing a lot driving lately.  I drove to Amsterdam for our long weekend away with Carol & John only a week ago!  I could get used to this! ;)

Entrance to the CL

Zoomed in to our caravan

Clog return

    Following emergency detached retina operations that Mike had, the Clog was forgotten about but is now being resurrected 4 years later!

    They weren't nice operations and were done under local anaesthesia involving big long curved needles and lasers and a lot of keeping VERY still.  I'm glad that it wasn't me. Only got 31 blogs to write up!

Freshwater Beach, Burton Bradstock

     This weekend is a holiday for our daughter, Amy, and her family as much as it is for us. Amy and Dave have two lovely children aged 4 and 14 months. Unfortunately, Dave was unable to join us due to work commitments and looking after their dog. The choice of site was down to the enjoyment of us all but more so the children.
     We arrived at the site about 7 pm having travelled after Claire finished work. The traffic wasn't too bad but we were following a trailered traction engine heading for the Great Dorset Steam Fair so the going was fairly slow. The access to the site is down a very steep road way passing the camping section and mobile homes down to the reception. We were provided with a map to find our allotted pitch – yes the site was that big!  We were also instructed how to park up and set up the caravan – for safety reasons so we weren't too close to our neighbour. The ground is level so this was a fairly easy task. A quick wash and change and we were off to get something to eat.

     The pub we chose was in a village we had been to before although not to the pub. The food was different from normal pub grub but very varied. I chose Wild Mushroom with Blue Vinney & Cream Strogonoff and Mike had Bacon, Cheese and Mushroom pasty with chunky chips. The food was good although not much cheesy flavours and my mushrooms were very tough even though we were told they had been soaked for 24 hours.

     Night time was a first. Mike had bought me a Duvalay in a bid to help me to sleep (I’m a very bad sleeper in the caravan). It has a memory foam mattress with a quilt all joined together with mattress cover and duvet cover. It was comfy but on top of the caravan mattresses which maybe a little too soft meaning the memory foam couldn't do it’s job. Yes, I didn't sleep much that night either.

     Friday saw us awake fairly early. We decided to go and have breakfast at the Egg Cup Tea Rooms near Swyer as we’d caravanned there before. Nothing had changed much but breakfast was good.

     Back at the caravan and we got the awning out to put up for the first time (it came with the caravan when we bought it). Well, we both thought there would be ‘words’ but we were both very civil and managed to get all the poles sorted and in their place by joint thinking and reasoning. Brilliant. Awning up and cup of tea made in 2 hours. Yes, it did take that long but as we’d not put an awning up before on our own, I think we did very well. And we’re still talking!

     Amy and Dave arrived with the kids in the afternoon. Yea! Josh was really excited. Poor Dave having to go back to work. A walk around the site to see what is on offer and where it is, dinner and an energetic play with Josh along with an exploratory walk then bed for the kiddies. Gosh I’m tired!

     Slept better! Not all night but much better. Josh woke at 7.10 so we had a lovely cuddle before Sophia and Amy woke up. Poor Amy hadn’t slept much not due to Sophia but because of the cold.

     We had breakfast in our PJ’s then by the time we got dressed we were able to go swimming. Wow, what a noise affair! The entrance hall, changing rooms and pool were all so echoey that we couldn't hear each other speaking! The pool area was good though; there was a walk around area with water spouts going at varying directions, a pool with a climbing frame affair with slides into the water, a slide on it’s own and a baby pool and a normal swimming pool. Josh made a bee line for the climbing frame but whilst we were waiting for the slide a huge bucket of water sloshed out and splashed us both. It was a shock as we’d not got in the water by this time. Needless to say we came off the frame and unfortunately didn't get back on it. We did, however, have several goes on the separate slide which was huge fun! Josh also swam 2 widths of the pool with his arm bands whilst Mike cared for Sophia in the baby pool. The water was non too warm and Sophia quickly became cold so we got out. We were all glad to be outside and in relative quiet!

     After lunch, Mike went shopping with Josh whilst Sophia went for a nap. Amy sat and did some crochet and I too went to sleep. Sophia woke but settled on me and slept for a while longer – it was lovely! We got to wondering where Mike had got to as they had been gone for so long. All was revealed when they returned – they had been stuck in a traffic jam of a diversion as there had been an accident on the A35.

     By this time we decided to go to West Bay to do some crabbing, the traffic jam was still evident. Luckily we didn’t have to go the same way!

     West Bay was quite busy but we found a place to drop the crab line. It had only just touched the surface of the water when Josh asked it we had a crab yet. He soon lost interest so we both went onto the beach and then for a paddle. Some of the waves were quite high so we got a little wet but we had a lot of fun.

     Josh went to the park beside the car park. It was fantastic! Well thought out and unusual play equipment. Needless to say Josh went on everything including climbing to the top of a triangular rope climbing frame into a ‘grows nest’. He feigned not being able to get down but he did do it himself – I wasn't going up for him!

     Back to the caravan for dinner then onto the bouncy castle. He was having lots of fun on it when some older children got on and took over. I asked the attendant if they should be on it but all he did was ask them not to be too boisterous! Josh came off it then tried to go on the larger one but he was too small. He was rather deflated when we left.

     It has been a full day so hopefully both children will be asleep before long so we can get to bed! All the fresh sea air and exercise is tiring!

     Sunday saw us begin the day with a get together in bed. It was lovely – again! After breakfast we went to Weymouth. I wanted to see the Dragon Boat Racing and I’d hyped Josh up to really want to see them too but I think he was a little disappointed. It was really windy and cold and there was so many other tempting things to see and do.

     We ventured over to the harbour and saw rowing boats taking people across to the other side so decided to do the same for the experience. It was uneventful and not as exciting as we thought Josh would think. We then walked across the bridge and saw it was due to open in 5 minutes so we stopped to watch. It was quite impressive when it finally opened, reaching up into the sky tall enough to let boats pass underneath. The boats passing were pretty splendid and we did get a few waves from the crew.

     We then had to go to the beach. Weymouth has lovely soft, fine sand. Unfortunately due to the wind the sand was airborne for a lot of the time which meant sandy eyes. It didn't stop us having a paddle, some sand castle making and a donkey ride which was a first for Josh. Mike held Sophia for most of this time. She is definitely Pops’ little girl.

I think that she did get some ice cream inside her

    

     After lunch, Josh had a go on the trampolines with bungee straps for higher jumping. He did quite well although he didn’t really have the weight to bring himself down to spring up again. An ice-cream later then back to the caravan with Josh, Sophia and Poppy (me) falling asleep!

     Amy then went swimming with Josh. I'm glad we didn’t go with him – it was just too noisy!  Bangers, mash 'n' beans for dinner then muffins that Amy had bought – mmmmm

     Another very full day – another very exhausted Mum, Poppy and Pops.

Woodbridge Inn, Pewsey

   We took the caravan back to this location after several years with our best buddies, Carol & John, aka Itchy & Scratchy. Carol had organised a get together and BBQ with some other friends from the Good Time Gang.

   The pub had changed hands and so had the site. Rather than a CL with no more than 5 caravans there were now many more caravans with allotted spaces and also tents. It did boast a shower and toilet block which wasn’t there before.

   C&J and us arrived on the Friday evening before the big gathering on the Saturday evening. We went to the pub for a meal on the Friday. The food, on the whole, was lovely and plenty of it.

   We all went into Devizes on Saturday and had coffee at the cafe in the Shambles where the market is. Carol and I then went shopping whilst Mike and John went to the pub. We didn’t take too long as some of our guests were arriving during the afternoon.

   7pm saw everyone arriving – and also the rain! We’d put up a gazebo so that kept us dry and all of us sat in C&J’s awning for the evening. Many laughs were had – as per usual when we all get together.

   We had a shared breakfast than a leisurely pack-up the following day. C&J stayed another day as neither was working – lucky for some!

Marsh Bolden, near Oxford

   The site is a little wet with a few slopes which could make for an interesting exit from the site – we’ll see...
   We're next to the Seven Stars pub which has recently been taken over by the people of the village. The site, however, is owned by the local farmer which I assume also owns the fields where the horses live. These horses, incidentally, are extremely friendly and come and nose at the caravan windows

and are very interested in the water bottles!  I do feel sorry for them though seeing them in the quagmire that is their field with no shelter other than the covers on their backs.  One of them doesn’t have a coat though and obviously hasn’t had a groom for some time with a matted coat and sorrowful look.  I do feel sorry for her.

   Well, this is the first weekend away with our friends Carol and John this year. Mike came to the site directly from his previous location at Drayton in the Clay. Coming from ‘clay’ to ‘marsh’ we wonder if we’re setting the standard for this years visits – we hope not!

  Carol and John were able to travel during the day so they were all taking up residence in the pub by the time I arrived.  Nice pub and they do food but we had decided to make our own food both nights to keep expenses down a bit. Carol cooked Friday night – sausage, egg, chips and peas then cheese and biscuits later – mmmm. As usual a good night was had by all. It wasn’t a late night either as we all felt really tired.

   Saturday saw us visiting Oxford. We used the Park and Ride. We had to buy a ticket before getting on the bus for £2 then remarked on how cheap the Park and Ride was compared to Salisbury. Little did we know that it was a further £2.25 each for the return ticket!  These Park and Rides are getting to be a real rip off. 

   Oxford is a lovely city due to the old architecture. I managed to find the Vault Cafe where we had a lovely organic lunch. We wandered the streets marvelling at the buildings & stonework before Carol and myself headed off to Primarnie and the men to the pub.  After that back to the caravan to feed the horses with the apples we’d bought.


   After a siesta for some – I think we tired Carol out!  We had dinner – Starters of Beetroot and Horseradish and Humus dips with pitas, Corn beef Hash and new spuds then Bread & Butter Pudding and ice cream. We know how to live! Absolutely stuffed afterwards though! We also played the ‘Michael’ card game and found it was actually quite good.

  There was a wedding in the village and it must have been in a marquee as the music was very loud. We also had a few neighbours who also went to it; a camper van who parked very close to Carol & Johns caravan and also a tent! Music actually stopped at 11.30 which was a surprise.

It had been raining on and off all through Saturday so when it was time to set off on Sunday we did wonder how we would all fair.  C&J were the first to set off.  They did slip and slide a little but a bit of pushing got them onto terra firma and away.  The camper van then left with no problem then Mike took a quick run at the slope and managed it OK.

Mike took a route home that wasn’t direct but as it was windy perhaps a little less likely to catch. We arrived home to find our neighbour in our garden repairing the fence the wind, on a previous occasion, had blown down.  What a star.

Boars Head Hotel, Draycott in the Clay, near Uttoxeter

    Easy to find location without any single track roads. Easy entrance and access to field. Field is well drained even though the area had recently had snow. It is also level! Water and electric easily accessible even though part had been cordoned off for drainage.
    Friday saw Mike and me winging our way up the A34 and A40 towards Birmingham. It was a boring journey for me as I was in my car following Mike so I didn’t see much other than the back end of our caravan! The reason I’ve got my own car is that I have to return on Monday whereas Mike is staying to attend a course for his caravan servicing business. We’ve said for a while that we’d like to go to the Peak District so this is an ideal opportunity.

   First things first – kettle on for a cuppa. We also had Poppy Seed cake that I’d bought from home Mmmmm. We wondered whether our friends Jackie and Wayne would like to meet us for dinner that evening. We would be eating at the hotel anyway. They were unable to but we arranged to meet up the following evening.

   Mike and I went for a look around Uttoxeter. We were glad we only paid for a short while as we didn’t find very much to see. We did find the Tesco’s though for shopping when we need to. There are a few roundabouts worth a mention though.

 
    One had a sculpture of a bull and the other a half man half animal (horse?). They did look interesting although I’m not sure the pictures do them justice.

   We ate in the carvery at the hotel on Friday evening. I saw Seafood Lasagne on the menu board and fancied that. What I didn’t know was that it was a starter. After a little confusion I ordered that with a side order of garlic bread. It was nice. Mike had a steak Pie which he enjoyed. There was also a restaurant area with an a la carte menu.

   Friday night was cold! - minus 3 degrees!   We were lovely and toasty in the huge heavy quilt but getting up during the night was a case of ‘Do I really need to’ as we’d not left the heating on. The following morning we discovered the water had frozen in the water container although as the sun was on that side, it didn’t take long to defrost. 

   Saturday and we started off going to Burton on Trent but didn’t stay long. We wanted to get some walking in so set of for Cromford to do part of the Derwent Valley Walks. We parked at the station then set off and we went up and up and up over the fields. We climbed into the snow line!

    Then we couldn’t find the path we needed to get to the canal so we followed another path down and eventually onto the road and back to the car.

 
  We then decided to go to Matlock Bath. I’d been there once before but Mike hadn’t. When we got there it was clear the biking fraternity from the whole of Derbyshire had also decided to visit! Bikes lined almost every part of the road sides. That would have been us a while ago. We continued on out the other side and on further. Little did we know that Matlock was the next town. We parked up there and had something to eat at the Peli Deli.  Lovely sandwich and salads. We sat in the window seats and watched the world go by. Just opposite was a park and it was so nice to see families playing and kicking a football around. It was a lovely day! A mooch around then back to the car and a slow meander back to the caravan for a siesta before dinner with Jackie and Wayne.

   They arrived early and caught me fast asleep!  Over to the hotel and drinks by a roaring fire. It was lovely and cozy. It was good to catch up with them again. We don’t see that much of them. We had a nice meal and more chat then said our goodbyes for a couple of weeks when we would be back up to attend a ball with them. When Mike and I returned to the caravan it was lovely and toasty as we’d left the heating on low.

   Sunday saw us visiting my brother and his family in Cheadle. Again, it was good to catch up with them too. After a coffee and a chat we went on to Leek to have a look around. We were surprised to find a market on even though it was Sunday. The pies looked rather tasty so we bought a few for our dinner that night.  We then went hunting for a Halfords as the side mirror glass had simply dropped out when I closed the passenger door of the car! We can’t think why that should have happened other than it being cold. We didn’t find a Halfords but no doubt Mike will sort it out during the week  – ‘just needs adjusting!’

  Mike stayed the week then headed down to Marsh Bolden near Oxford for a weekend of caravanning fun with our dear friends Carol and John.