Abbey Gate Farm, Axminster

 Saturday 22nd October

    Half term for the kids so we decided to take them away for a few days.  We found it difficult to find anywhere as so many sites were for adults only although they allowed dogs.  It comes to something when dogs are higher up the social scale than children!  However, Abbey Gate Farm near Axminster allowed children and we had a lovely time!

     Time to hook up the caravan but there was a problem.  The tow hitch wouldn't click onto the ball so Mike had to sort that out before setting off.  I mentioned to Sophia that it was such a palava but she thought I'd said Pavlova so that became the saying for any problem throughout the holiday.

     We travelled on Saturday thinking it would be less traffic but we were wrong.  It took us over 2 hours to travel 72 miles.  We set up with the kids helping with water fetching.  They do enjoy coming away with us.  After a cup of tea, we headed into Seaton while the sun was still shining.  The weather for this time away isn't forecast to be very good so we're going to make the most of it!

     Parking at Seaton was expensive at £4 for 2 hours.  The kids saw a play park so we went there first.  Brilliant park with climbing walls, which Josh loved; and a huge variety of other equipment for them both including a large rope swing which Sophia loved.

     After that, we took a look at the sea which was very rough. It was great!  Sophia found a painted stone on the beach which we kept to reposition another day. Then on to the Chippy for a fish supper. It was an award winning shop and the food was OK but again expensive (£63).

     Back at the caravan and we introduced Josh & Sophia to The Game of Great Britain.  They both loved it!  We played 2 games.

     Thunder and lightning overnight and I apparently slept through one lot. 😀

Sunday

     In the morning, we went to back to the park for another sunny experience.  Just as well, as the afternoon was really raining.

    As we were stuck inside, we spent the time colouring and drawing and Josh and I played a game whereby one of us would give the other one 5 words then the other person had to create a story using all the words. We had some really good stories going on.

     Another game of Great Britain and then Exploding Kittens in the evening.  Another good day.

Monday

    We went to Lyme Regis, mainly to go to the dinosaur museum there.  We had to park at the top of the hill where we had to pay by phone with yet another app taking our money.  All these apps will certainly open up the possibility of hacking etc.  Not a pleasant thought.

    On our way down from the car park, Mike spied a play park so we visited there (and had a little sun down for us). Again, both kids enjoyed it. The park had a Jurassic theme with dinosaurs, tall ships and nets to crawl across. All were made from wood and made it look good too.

     Further down the hill, we ventured to the Dinosaur museum. It is a private museum and was absolutely stuffed with thousands of fossils and gems; big fossils, tiny fossils, Ichthiasaurs, clinoids, so so much.  Very informative too with a section on Mary Anning who found fossils around 1811.  There was so much to see.  It was brilliant and well worth the money.

     Lunch time and we found a bench next to running water and a cat.  We decided to do a packed lunch as it is getting so expensive to eat out even just for lunch.  The cat came over asking for scraps so we all gave her a little bit of cheese or ham.  She stayed with us all the time that we were there.  Then we felt some rain so packed away and moved on.  Luckily, it didn't come to much so we ventured over to the beach.  The waves were still rough but not as bad as yesterday.

     The walk back up the hill to the carpark was helped with another visit to the park.

     That evening Mike 'invented' our Dinner which we called Enchisagne. It was supposed to be enchiladas but instead of being rolled up, Mike layered it like a lasagne.  Easy to fit in one dish, easy to dish up and it tasted delish! 

     After dinner, we watched a movie, My Big Fat Greek Wedding.  It was great and both kids enjoyed it. The DVD player played up a bit and I'm sure it didn't play the complete film so we will have to see it again at home sometime.

Tuesday

 Off home.  Again we were lucky with the weather and just managed to hitch up before it started raining - and we saw a rainbow on the journey home.

     Another lovely brilliant holiday with the grandkids.   x

The Manor House CL, Winterborne Monkton, Dorset

 

Friday 23rd September

   The last time that we were here was back in May 2011 and it hasn't changed much apart from now there is a shower block.  Soon after arriving we decided to stay an extra day.  It was going to be my 'last hurrah' before my hip op but I was informed it had been postponed as they had an emergency.  So why not stay an extra day.  

    Whilst we were relaxing, we noticed that the sun was casting shadows from lower clouds onto higher ones.  Definitely worth a shot.  

Castles in the sky

Saturday

    We had previously bought a treasure trail around old part of Weymouth and old harbour.  It is a great way see a place that is different from just seeing the town centre.  We also encountered a few people who were very helpful asking if we were lost.  Little did they know that we were looking for the answers to clues.  There were also a few ladies who were voluntary guides.  Weymouth was certainly catering for the tourist which also included a land train.

    We found ourselves in Nothe Gardens where we took a breather and sat facing Portland.  

    It was so nice up there that we didn't want to leave and descend and carry on with the trail.  

An excellent slide in the park

    The clues took us right along the pier, or rather wouldn't have done if we were paying attention!  We were too busy looking at the water which we both miss.

    On completion; and we did finish it all this time, we found a café that offered crab sandwiches so I had to have one.  Unfortunately I was a little disappointed with it as it was quite tasteless and was stuffed with salad.  Not my idea of a good crab sandwich.  Mike was also a little disappointed with his all day breakfast.

    We then took a drive around Portland and stopped for a walk around the point where the red and white lighthouse is.  We spotted 3 lighthouses hence the clarification.

Looking a bit windswept

    We then had to find somewhere to buy food and found a huge Asda in Weymouth.  The clothing section was good but by that time I certainly didn't want to try anything on, however I did see a coat for Mike that we bought.  The food part of the shop was busy and noisy and we were glad to get out of there.  Overall, though a very good day.

    In the evening, we had a game of the Business Game.  We've played it before and I usually won as I don't think that Mike really  understood it.  He must have learnt it as he won this time.

Sunday

    We took a walk up to and around Maiden Castle. Lovely sunny but breezy day.  Blew the cobwebs away!  We saw many hang gliders and as it wasn't that high we assumed they were in training.

    After our walk we went to Emporium tea rooms at Wardon Hill along the A37.  It had a lovely café where we had a little bite to eat then a mooch around the pre-loved artefacts there.  

    Mike left me mooching and I bought a few records and a present for him for Christmas (mums the word).

    After shopping for food, as we hadn't planned on staying today, we returned to the site, had a cuppa then went up to the church for a look around.  It was quite old and a lovely little church.  Around the back were sunflowers still in bloom.

    I made a few macramé bracelets (for practice) and managed a monkey's fist too.

    Another game of The Business Game and Mike won again!

Monday

    It rained overnight and we had visions of packing up in the rain but we were lucky that it had stopped by then.

 

Charity Farm CL, Minchinghampton Common

Friday 19th August

    We set off after my work, although I did manage to finish a little earlier than normal.  Going was good until we nearly got there and came across a road closure.  It was quite a lengthy diversion of an extra 20 miles and on further research, we found that it was probably open but the boards were still out.  Slightly frustrating. 😠

    We arrived and got set up and had a well earned drink before getting changed as we had a table booked at the Old Lodge.  A walk over the common among the cows and golfers and we got to the pub and a good welcome awaited.  Our table wasn't in the best position but it was OK.  We had previously had a phone call saying their kitchen wasn't fully functional and the fryers were not working so we knew there wouldn't be any chips and the like.  Mike had been looking forward to fish and chips but plumped for burger and bun and accompaniments but no chips.  I had fish and mash.  Both tasted ok but nothing to write home about.

    Back at the van and a drink and chill with folk music and good conversation.

Saturday

    Well, what a sleep!  I didn't wake up until 10.45!  Mike was busy reading.  We didn't have anything planned so we didn't have to get up and out early.  We did eventually end up going into Stroud. 

Highland cattle grazing on the Common

    On the way along the road we noticed brightly coloured and differently decorated bus shelters. They really made a difference to an ordinary road.  In Stroud, we looked around roads we hadn't been along before so that was good. 

    Shopping then back to the van to enjoy the sun and chill.

    Games night with a few games of Backgammon and Game of Great Britain, always a favourite.  We are thinking we will need to learn the doubling rules for backgammon as it is becoming very samey. 

Sunday

It doesn't look quite right

    Cooked breakfast - only we had forgotten to bring any eggs! Mike started to cook it on the BBQ but it started raining so he finished it off in the van.  Whilst we were eating, we saw many, many swallows swooping under the tree presumably catching insects on the wing. It was a lovely display.

    We did a treasure trail around Gloucester and the docks. We met another couple doing it too and swopped a few answers. While we were trying to solve a question on a metal blue plaque, Mike pointed at a possible clue on a plaque. A huge spider then ran out from behind it.  Boy, did we jump.

    It was a good trail, fairly level ground and was good to see the docks and all the warehouses that are still in use albeit with different trades. An exhausting day but enjoyable.

    Back at the site and we walked up to the owner's house to pay for our stay.  Lovely people and we chatted for a while.  The donkeys were in the field near our van.  We hadn't seen much of them during our previous stay so it was good to see them now.   Chill time and whilst Mike was reading, I did some foiling for my latest stained glass project - a window for our porch.

    BBQ for dinner and eating al fresco.  Lovely. 

Monday

    Usual clear up and clean before setting off.  Just before I got in the car I saw a swallow feeding a youngster on the wing.  Lovely.  The road was open this time so a slightly quicker drive home.  We did get held up in Marlborough though due to a tiny road work. It's surprising what a knock on effect a small set of traffic lights can do.

    We also saw a Red Kite swoop down onto  the road in front of us and grab something from the road.  Brilliant.

Ashling Lodge CL, Chichester

 

Friday 5th August

    Travelled with grandchildren Josh and Sophia on Friday after I'd finished work. They were so excited!  They stayed with us the previous night and had to wait almost all day while I worked but they were so good.

    The journey down was uneventful and only one short hold up through Salisbury.  We got to the CL in one and a half hours so not an arduous trip.

    There was only one pitch available when  we arrived which was OK but was right next to the gate however we pitched sideways so that we could put our awning up.  The ground was so hard and dry, it was very difficult getting the pegs in even with a drill!

    Awning up then a trip to the shop to get dinner and breakfast.  As it was quite late and the children were hungry, we got some microwave dinners which weren't that brilliant really.

    Bed time and it was Sophia's turn to go in the top bunk as Josh is now too big.  She loved it and coped well with it.

Saturday

    We had a treasure trail for Chichester so did that.  A quarter of the way through took us into the park so the kids had a break from it all and played.

It looks like Josh's arresting me!

    One of the clues led us to a blue plaque beside a giant blue door.  Sophia couldn't even reach the door knocker!  Then just as we were about to take a photo, the door opened!  We did apologise for sitting on the steps but the man was OK about it.  

    Chichester has some 'Banksy' style art work in places so when we found a large installation we had to take some pictures.  

    It was a boiling hot day and the treasure trail clues were rather tricky so after 3 hours we still hadn't finished it.  We decided to call it a day and return another day to complete it.

    We then went swimming at Bracklesham Bay beach.  A stony beach but then they all are around here.  Luckily, we had our wet shoes so wore them in the sea.  I, surprisingly, was the first to get fully immersed with the kids not wanting to saying it was too cold, however they eventually did.  The waves were rather fierce so Sophia kept being toppled over and seemed to get quite a bit in her mouth.  She was surprised at the saltiness of the sea.  We had quite a bit of fun in the waves until I had to get out as my hip was starting to hurt.  

    Boy was it cold in the wind!  We moved our stuff onto the hard standing where a bench was and the kids got dried and changed.  Then it was my turn.  Just as I had discretely taken the top of my swim suit down, a couple plonked their chairs very close to us but facing directly in our direction.  I felt like I would be keeping them entertained with my strange movements under my towel while trying to keep my dignity.  I decided to move up to the car and I would get changed there.  Job done.

    A short shopping trip then back to the caravan for a well earned rest and BBQ dinner.   Brilliant day but very tiring.

Sunday

    We decided to have a quieter day today so moved our table and chairs to the shade of the old oak tree in the field and read & coloured in.  We also had some lunch out there and the lambs in the nearby field came to watch us eating it.  They were very inquisitive, straining their heads to see what we were doing.  It was funny to see

    We then went on a little car trip to Chichester Caravans where we bought a drying rail that hangs from a window.  We also looked around a few caravans.  The kids were amazed by one with a middle bathroom then discovered the end bedroom!

    We then went onto Bosham Quay.  A quaint little village that is tidal.  By that, I mean that at some high tides the water goes up the road so many of the cottages have a means to keep the water from entering their front doors.

    Whilst there we got ice creams.  They melted very quickly as it was so warm but Sophia took so long in eating hers that it was dripping down her arms and even down her legs!  She ended up having to paddle at the slip way and have a bit of a clean up.  

    The children had a quick paddle on the slipway then we took a slow walk back this time passing by the church.   It looked so inviting that we went in to see it.  It was relatively bright and white.  There were some stained glass windows and a small window in one wall leading to the belfry that was off set which annoyed Josh.  There was also a plaque stating King Canute's daughter was buried there too.

    More relaxing back at the site, this time in the shade made by the caravan.  After cooling off, we went for a walk through the wood.  It was lovely in the dappled shade.  There were a few horse jumps dotted around and we have seen a few horses and riders going through.   We also saw a herd of deer.  It was lovely!  They all followed each other and we watched every one of them.  Magical.

    More relaxing then dinner and showers.

Monday

   Up relatively early as we had a booking for Portsmouth Dockyard.  Exciting day.  Sophia and I had our bags searched when we went in.   We made a beeline for HMS Victory and on the way saw a sign for a harbour trip so made a note of the time and went on to find the Victory.  What we saw was plenty of scaffolding which was unexpected.  We donned hard hats and ventured up and around the scaffolding (it had been made visitor friendly).  It took us around the outside of the ship but we wanted to get inside.  We asked the man at the entrance who said that we need to go around the other side of the ship so off we went.

    HMS Victory is wonderful.  There were 6 decks all of which we could explore.  We saw the place where Admiral Nelson was injured and below decks where he died in the sickbay.  All the decks were dimly lit to give the impression of what it was really like back in the day.  In one section there were little alcoves.  Of course, Mike played a trick on everyone and hid in one and jumped out at us.  We all jumped but I think Josh jumped the highest.  There was plenty to see and people around to answer questions and of course the inevitable gift shop.  The kids really enjoyed seeing the Victory.

     Next, onto a café in the Mary Rose exhibition and after refreshments, we went to see the exhibition.  It had changed dramatically since I last saw it with purpose built exhibits on various levels to mirror the decks.  Mike's dad had been one of the British Sub-Aqua Club volunteers to help on excavating it.

    At the entrance of the Mary Rose exhibition was someone dressed in full King Henry 8th regalia.  He must have been so hot.  Josh remarked on his cod piece as it was rather large and obvious.  The top deck was actually open for us to see although still within the building.  To get there, we had to get onto the landing where it was and  through an airlock.   Some people were unaware of how the airlock  worked and kept going in and out of the entrance door so the interlocks wouldn't work to open the inner door.  Eventually after many gesticulating from the member of staff on the other side, the doors closed and the inner ones opened.

     Afterwards, we went on a trip around the harbour which was cooling but very open.  We ensured that we had sun cream applied.  At one time Sophia's hat blew off but luckily it blew onto the deck so she was able to retrieve it.  There were some Navy ships there and it was amazing to see how big they were up close.

HMS Prince of Wales and we had a few waves back 😀

     We were so tired after our exertions.  It was surprising how much walking we did just looking around 2 ships.  We will have to come back again.  Lucky that we bought an annual family ticket.

    In the evening we played a game the Sophia made up of each of us adding just 2 words to a story.  Sophia wrote it down whilst we all took turns.  We came up with a very strange story which had us in fits of laughter.

 

Tuesday

    Josh's turn to make breakfast.  He cooked bacon, sausages and black pudding on the BBQ while I did eggs on the cooker.  We ate well that breakfast!

    Quiet day after yesterday.  We put the table and chairs in the shade of the oak tree in the field.  It was so lovely under there and it caught the breeze.  The lady from one of the caravans came over and spoke with us for a while then just before she left turned to Josh and thanked him for asking before he petted their dog.  She was very impressed that he did that. 

    Later in the afternoon, we took a trip up to Portsdown Hill for the views of the harbour and they didn't disappoint!   You could see so far and also pick out everything that we saw on the harbour trip yesterday.

That's the Isle of Wight in the distance

    After that we went back to Chichester and for a surprise for the kids.  We had booked for the Planetarium.  Josh was really excited about it.  We sat in a 360 cinema on slightly reclining seats and we learnt about the James Webb Space Telescope,  how it was made,  how it was launched and how it unfolded its various panels.  Some of the statistics were astounding such as the temperature difference between the outer layer of the protection and the inner layer was over 300 degrees Fahrenheit, all to allow the various lenses and cameras to function correctly.  It was very informative and we saw some of the latest images beamed back from it.

    Fish and Chip supper after that although neither child had fish but it was OK nevertheless.  A few games in the field afterwards and a few table games then bed.  Another good day!

Wednesday

   Sophia's turn to make breakfast - soft boiled dippy eggs and toast soldiers.  Lovely!

   After breakfast, we headed over to Old Portsmouth and Spice Island today.  Mike and I really wanted to go to the Still and West Pub.  It is where we first spoke about getting married all those years ago.  The excitement I felt!  It bought back a few of those memories but we didn't go in.  It is now a gastro pub and the food price's are extortionate!  We ended up going over the road to the Spice Island Inn and having a drink and 2 toasties with 2 portions of chips there.  Even that was over £30!

    We then took the car to Eastney Beach at the very east end of Southsea beach.  The water was colder than the other day but we soon got in.  I encouraged Sophia to go a little deeper and before she knew it, she was floating albeit with a float jacket but she had never taken her feet off the bottom before.  She was so pleased!  Josh also had his first swim in the sea too!

    Ice creams and drinks next in The White Swan pub on the roundabout at Bosham.  We have been there a few times.  It is very friendly and clean looking.  Then back to the caravan for a leisurely relax, BBQ and showers before falling into bed.  The only fly in the ointment was that Josh stepped onto a wasp and got stung.

Thursday

    Back to the Dockyard today and another scorcher of a day.

We went around HMS Warrior first thing.

Sophia found a rope pulley that had a centre like a bear had clawed it out!

Mike trying to hide

    It was good actually getting on  a ship to look around.  There were staff on board who were dressed in the uniform of the day.  One girl, Midshipman Murray, explained a variety of cutlasses, revolvers and rifles.   She was very knowledgeable and explained it all in an amusing and understandable way.

Down the Engine Room - Full Astern!

The boilers where the stokers would do their stoking. 

    Again, Mike jumped out on Sophia. He just can't help himself!

 

    We took the water taxi over to Gosport and past the old HMS Dolphin Submarine School and onto the Submarine museum and HMS Alliance.  

"How did Pops fit in the submarine?" 😉

"Destroyer bearing that! Range, 3000 yards"

    It was very similar to the one Mike was on when he was in the Navy.  (his old submarine is a museum piece in Chatham Historic Dockyard)  It was amazing how small and confined it was.  Both children commented on this.  Being such a hot day, it was a little hot and airless.  After looking around the museum, we took the water taxi back to the Dockyard and back to the site.  On the way, we stopped at the pub for a lovely cool drink and to book a table for tomorrow evening.

     Back at the caravan, we broke out the water gun. The kids really enjoyed that and cooled down.

"Kitchen Roll!!!"

     After dinner of fajitas, we played Exploding Kittens and one if the other caravaners came over to talk a while.  He had never heard of the game, hardly surprising really although he is a grandparent too.  This site has been really friendly.  The owner comes to talk but not all the time which is just right.  He also provides a folder with various leaflets showing things going on around the area.

 Friday

    Another fried breakfast which Mike and Josh cooked, eaten in the shade of the big Oak tree with the breeze cooling us down.  We saw the Spitfire fly over yet again.  We've seen it nearly every day.

    Josh and Sophia wandered over to see the sheep and I went over to them too.  Something stung me.  I didn't see what it was but it stung me twice and large raised bumps came up almost instantly.  The stinging went on for quite some time.  I told the children not to go near the long grass anymore just in case.

We walked on the road in front of these houses the other day with our ice-creams

    We went into Bosham and looked around the Craft Shop there for a while. It was fairly cool inside - lovely!  Then we walked down towards the sea and saw the tide was in and covering the road!  We had a little paddle.  It was weird paddling along the road.  Then time for ice creams, mmmm.

Paddling on the road - you can just see the white lines

     Back to the caravan and a wander around the woods again.  We were lucky enough to see the deer again.

    A little more reading in the shade (and a little snooze) then get ready for going out.

    We had booked a table at the White Swan Inn for a meal. It was lovely getting out for a meal and meant Mike, or anyone else didn't have to cook in this heat.

Cheers!

    We sat out under the stars when we got back and Josh saw his first shooting star. In fact, he saw four.  He was well chuffed.

Saturday

     Out last breakfast in the shade of the big oak tree then a very hot and sweltering pack up of all our things.  All this week, the daytime temperature was in the mid 30's but we paced ourselves - well tried.

    We had had a brilliant time and both children agreed.  It's always so nice taking them away.

 

Smithy House CS, Ogden near Halifax

Saturday 9th July

    Journey up from home.  Long haul which took around 6 hours with a short break mid-way.  Setting up was quick set including putting up the porch awning.  We were debating whether the awning was a new one even though we had had it for a while.  Covid had put the kibosh to a few things caravanning wise. We decided that it was new as the velcro around the doors were stuck fast and the very ‘feel’ of it seemed new.  Having said that, it went up really well and I will go on to say, the best set up we have ever achieved!  If only we can replicate that next time.  We’ll see.

    A quick drink then to the local Morrisons for provisions.  It was at that time of day where everyone seemed to be out, including the school kids.  It was such a hot day! Everyone and everything were melting. 

    Whilst we were there, Mike found me some gravy mayo. I always want some 'gravy' with my food whether it's tomato ketchup or proper gravy, I just can't stand dry food. 

    Mike said that Hellman's released it as a bit of a go between for the North / South divide - chips 'n' gravy up t'north and chips 'n' mayo down south so they combined the two.  I didn't like it and certainly wouldn't have it with salad or fish.   Mike thinks that it may be ok on chips or a pork pie but personally, I wouldn't waste space in the fridge for it. 

My forced face of approval!

    We went down to the pub, The Causeway Foot, for dinner.  We were slightly early so a couple had to move from our table – but only to the next table – we could easily have had that – in fact I wish we had as there was a decidedly nasty smell emanating from the corner where we sat.  I really don’t want to sit there again (if we ever go there again).  We did stay put for our dinners – Mike had a very large battered haddock with chips and I have seafood lasagne.  Mike’s fish was so large he didn’t manage to eat many chips at all. My lasagne was very runny and not very tasty but there were some really large prawns (or crayfish tails) in it which were nice.  We didn’t linger at the pub and returned to chill (or not as it was still quite warm) in the caravan.

Sunday

    We set off for a walk around Ogden Water and on the way called at the house to enquire about the grey waste.  We couldn’t see where to put it so were asking about putting it in the hedge (although it was on a slight slope) or watering the flower beds.  Mrs Robinson did say there is a place to tip it at the drain where the water tap is, however, we worked out we would put the shower water into the hedge and all other waste would either water the flower bed or be tipped where it should go.

    While we were talking to her, she told us a story of the couple who let their dog mess in the field but when approached about not picking it up, they said that they hadn’t seen their dog do it so it couldn’t be theirs.  Mrs R was adamant she had seen the dog do it's business and was getting fed up with telling the owners about it.  One evening when they were out, having previously seen the dog doing what dogs do best, she collected it up and put it on their step.  By the time they returned, it was dark – you can probably guess the rest.  Apparently, there was a little taken into the motor home – oops.  Justice I reckon.

All on our own 😃

    The walk around Ogden Water was lovely. We kept to the right-hand side first which took up through the trees giving us a lovely cool reprieve from the scorchio sun.  There were also benches around too so we were able to take a few rests and take in the scenery and peace and quiet.

    We got an ice cream from the inevitable van when we’d completed the circuit.  Mike asked for a medium one but that was rather large; just as well as it was £10 for the two of them!

    The rest of the day we went for a bit of a drive around, went to Hebden Bridge and came back via the moor road to Oakworth.  We then stopped at the local farm shop where Mike bought some freshly squeezed orange juice.  We couldn’t see anything else we wanted at the time apart from a bar of chocolate so only bought those two things.  Seemed like a bit of overkill going to the farm shop just for them.  Mind you, Mike enjoyed the orange juice so maybe it was worth it.

    Salad for dinner with a really cold Moretti lager and cold cider. We ate outside in the shade as the sun had gone over by then.  The field is actually south facing (or there abouts) so gets the sun all day.  It was difficult keeping the caravan cool, well we couldn’t actually without the tower fan we brought with us – such a brilliant last minute add to our packing.      After dinner, we played Backgammon with our new wooden set and the correct rules.  At last, we can learn it properly, although we may not get to grips with the doubling as we don’t play for matchsticks.

Monday

    We set off for Kildwick but via Haworth and the road to Colne in Lancashire.  Mike wanted to trace the road that one of his ancestor’s took to get married.  We went around the graveyard at Kildwick where Mike has several ancestors buried there.  It was a shame it wasn’t completely accessible due to the sharp tufts of grass between the graves.  We were both wearing sandals and the grass (and weeds) had been strimmed but sharp stems were poking through and made a bee-line for the gaps in your sandals.

Entrance to St. Andrews Church

    By the time we’d looked around what we could, we needed a cold drink so took advantage of the White Lion across the road.  Mike told me one of his ancestors Anthony Holmes had run the Inn from 1740 to 1768.  We asked the current manager is they had any records or history about the pub but they didn’t unfortunately.

    Suitably refreshed, we drove into Skipton for a mooch around.  Mike fancied a pork pie from one of the 2 award winning contenders.  He knew where one of the was but not sure where the other was.  In the end they were within doors of each other!  Mike had one warm from Field Fare and was really happy with it.  Next door, I saw a fabric shop that had some really good looking fabric inside, so I left Mike outside as it's not his cup o' tea.  After buying some material for a dress, I saw that Mike didn't looked too bored.  He later confessed that he'd gone in the other butchers, Stanforth's to have one of their pies, purely for 'market research purposes' and still preferred the first one.  I should have known as he had a small dribble of juice down his shirt.  I can't take him anywhere!

    When we got back, I got my Pilates mat out and Mike thought I was going to do some Pilates. Well I suppose you would, wouldn’t you but all I managed was a lie down in the sun – well a girl’s got to do what a girl’s wants to do now and again 😊

   

    After dinner, Mike caught me swatting flies away in the awning.  He said that he didn't realise Wimbledon was still on!  The sound of me even set off the dogs barking!

Tuesday

    Exciting day as we got to see our friend, Jackie.  We collected her from her home so had a coffee before setting off.  She has a dog, Maisie, who is 8 years old.  Mike was stroking her along her body which she was enjoying so much she was licking her lips constantly.  Jackie had never seen her do this before, so was gobsmacked.  Of course, by the time she got her camera out she’d had her fill and stopped doing it.  Goes to show that you can teach an old dog new tricks.

    We’d previously purchased a treasure trail so we went to and walked around Haworth finding new places we’d never been to before, which is the whole idea of these trails.  Haworth is lovely but quite hilly – not for the faint hearted. And another grave yard and yes, looking for another ancestor.

    The trail was only 1.5 miles but we took quite a while doing it and of course stopped for tea and cake!

    After dropping Jackie off, we went back to the caravan for a short while before setting off for Brighouse to meet up with Mikes sister, Julie.  We had a meal at Mezes which offered Greek food – our favourite.  The food was OK but nothing to write home about but the atmosphere was buzzing – so much so that we couldn’t hear ourselves talk!  It was so loud.  I was glad to leave and go back to Wetherspoons where we'd initially met up.  We had a really good time and also met up with Julie’s partner, Mark.  Hopefully they will come and visit us at home sometime soon.

Wednesday

Lost in our surroundings

    Off to Barnsley today!  Mainly to go to Kansa Glass for me to have a look around and get some glass, of course.  Luckily Mike had brought a box and gloves as I had the opportunity to rummage through the offcuts outside £2.50 per kilo – I had 3 kilos and also some glass including red which is rather expensive.  After that, we went to the Elsecar Heritage Centre which had been transformed into outlets.  I got a dress and top from one and two records form another.  Again, a really hot day but it was quite a successful day if you measure it by purchases 😊

Thursday

    Trip out to Bolton Abbey today.  Such lovely countryside around here, so much scenery.  Hills and dales, different colours, dry stone walls, sheep, horses, cows, run down barns and farm houses which adds to the beauty.  I really can’t describe the beauty of the Yorkshire countryside.  You have to see it to believe it 😉

    On getting close to the Abbey, we noticed a load of school children by the bridge and stepping stones.  All of a sudden, they all broke up and some vehicles started leaving the area.  One of which was Susan Calman's campervan 'Helen' so no doubt she'll be on the telly sometime giving her take on Bolton Abbey.

Susan Calman's 'Helen'

The lovely River Wharfe

David Attenborough voiceover:  
and here, we've finally reached the source of that mythical beverage - 'Yorkshire Tea'

Friday

    Today, shopping for me & Jackie at Hebden Bridge and Mike decided to have a chill out day after buying some pork pies in Halifax Borough Market.  We met up again at Jackie's house where I had my usual Friday night pizza.  Mike went to bed early as he felt tired and not on top form.

Saturday

    Mike woke up feeling ok but decided to do a covid test which turned out to be positive.  Well, we decided to head home a day early and isolate at home where we'd have more support if need be.