Old Orchard CS, Ipplepen, Devon

 Wednesday 11th to 18th October 2023

    The approach to the site is down a narrow country lane but only for about a third of a mile. We made it to the site just before a car came in the opposite direction.

    There's easy access to the field but there were 10 place holders which we found strange. We looked around at the free pitches and decided on the one near the entrance and away from the chemical waste. Setting up was easy enough then after a cuppa we headed out to Asda to get some nibbles.

The kettle is dying to burst into song

    That evening after spag bol, we had a go of the new game we bought - True or False.  Of course, we had to make up our own rules as the game is for 3 or more people!

Thursday 12th

    There was a craft fayre on at Widecombe in the Moor so we visited there. We had to go down quite narrow roads but eventually came across this very rural village that took you back in time. 

"Old Uncle Tom Cobley and all"

Mike's just pocketed an acorn from the village square oak tree with the idea of growing it on!

    There were 2 carparks there including spaces for coaches!  How they come down those tiny roads I don't know although there was another road so maybe they took that one. (yes, there was and it was much wider)

    The craft fayre was in the church hall. I'm not sure whether the stall holders make much money this time of year but they would certainly make a killing during the summer.

    We got a pasty from the little kiosk near the carpark and wandered around whilst eating that.  First pasty of many, me thinks.  Mike ate his so fast that I thought he'd left it behind!

    We took the other road out of Widecombe and stopped at Haytor which I climbed.  I really enjoyed climbing it but I couldn't see much as there was very heavy mist all around. 

 

   Afterwards, we then went to Bovey Tracey and the Heritage Centre there. It was housed in the old railway station there from before all the Beeching cuts.  The building is now a listed building.  It was very well stocked with memorabilia including photos of roads and streets from yesteryear and today. Very interesting.  While talking to the staff, one of them mentioned visiting the House of Marbles while we were in Bovey.  Well, we found it and it was amazing and not just on about marbles.  Our favourite exhibits were the marble runs where you could set off a series of marbles and they went off in all directions.  Very mesmorising!   Whilst we were there, I bought a  hand blown robin for Christmas.

This was the largest marble run

    In the evening we walked up to the pub on the corner with the main road. It was drizzling but that wasn't any deterrant.  The food and atmosphere was lovely. We had a small table in a nook all to ourselves.  We later found out it was the porch of original pub. Very cosy.

    The road the site is on is extremely busy and noisy which is a complete surprise as it is a single track. There is a larger camp site just up the road a bit and various villages so it must be people there using it but we have had tractors with trailers, double decker buses and lorries with extra trailers on the back. Really surprising and I am very curious why!

Friday

    We wanted to see if we could see our friends Terry and Lynn so headed off to Brixham.  Along the way I phoned him with the only number we have and had to leave a voice mail.  I hope he gets it and returns the call.  So knowing he wasn't at home, we diverted to Dartmouth, mainly so I could have a crab sandwich.  Last year, we visited Dartmouth with Carol & John and found a lovely cafe up a back street that had the most wonderful welcome and did the most wonderful crab sandwich.  We got to Dartmouth across the lower ferry.  We thought we'd have to pay using a card as the man had the reader in his hand and we wondered how he could get a signal as we had difficulty.  Anyway we paid by cash in the end up. 

    Dartmouth was a lite disappointing as the much longed for cafe was closed so we had to look for another.  We did find one and I did get my crab sandwich but it wasn't the same.

    We came back the long way via Totnes so no ferries and called in at a garden centre come farm shop. It was full of Christmas stuff - a bit behind Tesco's me thinks.

Saturday

    We arranged to meet up with Terry today at lunchtime.  Terry is a friend from our Navy days so we have known him for a long time but not always kept in touch.  Well, it was just like we'd only seen him last week.  The conversation was instantly easy going and he and Mike shared many boat (submarine) stories.  Lynn and I also shared what we had been doing and family stuff.  After lunch, they came back to our caravan.  I think they were quite impressed not only with the van but also the mod cons we have - and biscuits!

Sunday

    There was an Apple Day on at Cockington today so we attempted to go to it.  Trouble is everyone and their dog (literally) also had the same idea. So after waiting in a traffic queue for the carpark, which we didn't think we'd get in to, we decided to keep going and go to Totnes.

    We had a Treasure Trail for Totnes and as luck would have it, brought it with us. The trail was good and took us along the river then back into the town and ended up near the museum.  Very hard going with the hills and rough ground near the river, so we were both glad when we got back to the car for a sit down even though we had a coffee in one of the cafes.

I don't think that the kingfisher is called Fred ;)

    When we got back, and after seeing to the ablutions, Mike had a lie down and I started my decoupage I had bought with me.

Monday

    We have another treasure trail, one for Dawlish, so headed there to do that trail. It was very windy and the sea was rough but very enigmatic. I loved it! The trail took us along by the sea to areas I certainly hadn't know about before. There trails are really good for getting you to see areas of towns you would never see by simply visiting a place.

    This trail was slightly easier for walking although we didn't get all the clues but for us that's not why we get them.  The railway line alongside the sea is still in the process of being repaired after getting demolished in a storm a few years back

    Back to Newton Abbot and to Ivor Dewdneys shop for a few pasties. We will take them home as we had decided to go home a day early due to a storm coming in. 

Mike's in heaven!  He always had a few of them whenever he was in Plymouth on his submarine.

    So it's off to the Two Mile Oak Inn at the end of the lane - again but who's counting.

    We met an elderly gentleman at the pub and got talking to him. He is an ex-marine and as we are both ex-Navy we had a bit to talk about.  He was on holiday on his own and was really enjoying himself.

Tuesday

    Home today. Set off at 10.55 and managed to follow a van up the road to the junction.  We were able to watch his brake lights for any traffic coming in the opposite direction.  It has been a bit of a worry during this trip.

    

I don't think this pasty wants to be eaten!

Stone Wall CL, Cheadle, Staffordshire

 Cheadle 22 September to 24 September 2023

    Trip to see Paul, my brother, for his 60th birthday.  The last time we were up here, we stayed at a different CL and had to be towed out by a tractor so we're not going back there!

    We stayed at Stone Wall Farm.  Easy access although you need to ensure you come to it from the North (not through Dilhorne).  Gated access with padlock. The owner, Lucy, met us as we rolled up.  Very pleasant lady and told us of the padlock number.

    The site was very well maintained with hard standing and your own electric and water point.  Grass between plots.  Not sure there would be space for an awning. Beautiful scenery as we looked across the valley. There was space for your car in front of the caravan but you would spoil the view that way so we parked on the grass to the side of our van. I don't think it was designed for that and if we'd have known there wouldn't be anyone else turning up we could have parked in another hard standing. 

    As I said, the view was stunning so we got the binoculars out. We could see Cheadle in the near distance so we weren't far from my brother.  Sadly, we forgot to take any pictures.

    The trip up on Friday was long even though we left at 9.30 we didn't finished setting up until 3pm. There seems to be so much traffic on the roads these days. It almost puts you off going anywhere!

Saturday

    We'd arranged with Paul's partner to go to their house at 2pm so we had to make our own entertainment until then. I took myself off for a walk expecting to be able to follow the OS map printed on the site notice board.  Unfortunately the track that would take me to the path to return to the site was completely over grown so I had to retrace my steps back up the hill. This field had very long grass so by the time I did return my boots and bottom of my jeans were soaked. But I did enjoy getting out.

    The time came round to seeing Paul. When he answered the door his face was a picture! Complete surprise.  I'm so glad we came up to see him and make it a surprise too!

    We stayed for a cuppa and piece of cake and chewed the fat for a while.  I was surprised to hear that they are thinking of getting a trailer tent. I hope they do. Maybe we could have a trip out with them. 

    As we didn't arrange anything for the evening we shopped in Morrisons for dinner. By the time we got back the sun was across the yard arm so we had a drink. I took mine outside with the binoculars and sat on the picnic bench that was provided. It wasn't long before the other caravaner came over to chat. They'd been going to this site for 18 months and were due to return in November when they would be able to see the firework display thar Alton Towers pits on.

    Three games of the Great Game of Britain, chat then bed.  Wind during the night had me a little worried but it had died down by the time we had to leave on Sunday.

Shamwari CL, Axminster

 Friday 4th August 2023

    Site is lovely but a little difficult getting in the gate as you have to pull over to the opposite side of the road otherwise you run the risk of scraping the edge of the van on the gate post.  Once in we were welcomed by Carol who gave us an information pack and food waste bucket.

    The site is mown grass and level with views over the valley.  Electric meter, not that we used any as we were testing out a new battery.  Carol also mentioned that if we ever needed electricity, she pointed out the one that still had credit on it.  There's also a dog walking section for those with dogs and this made a nice little after-dinner walk through the newly planted orchard.

    It was a long journey down from Wiltshire due to traffic & road works so we for went a cuppa and then went straight to the cider and lager.  Then we started to relax…. trouble was Mike was suffering with his hip.  He thinks it is only muscular so hopefully will ease off soon.

Saturday 

    Sunny and overcast to start with.  We were expecting rain all day so we weren't disappointed.  We headed towards Forde Abbey but on the way realised the house wasn't open on Saturdays so ended up going to Chard.  It has a long main street with the usual shops but some of the buildings are very old. We found a café up a side street for a coffee.  It also so sold art, although this was very expensive. We were asked to pay by cash if we could as being a small business they are charged for card transactions. We managed to scrape enough together.  We're getting to the stage where we don't carry cash.  More's the pity.

    A quick look around then back to the car.  By this time, the sun had come out and I had to take my coat off.  We had been expecting rain and wind!

    On our way back, we stopped at the farm shop in Tytherleigh and bought some Passionfruit Curd and Marmalade with spiced Rum.  Both were very nice. Then we walked the short distance to the Trading Post which has a very eclectic mix of items.  It's very extensive with rooms off rooms and outside sheds &

garages.  We spent some time looking around and I ended up buying a record - Yessongs, which I had when I was younger (although I can't remember much of the music - just hope it's not a waste of money).

    Back at the caravan and a cuppa then get ready to go out.

    The taxi picked us up at 5.30 by which time the wind had picked up quite dramatically with Storm Antoni. I did look a sight waiting by the road side with my hood pulled up but it kept my hair from flying all over the place.

    Our meal at the Tytherleigh Arms was something else!  We were very well looked after and the staff couldn't do enough for you.  They bought out an amuse bouche too which we'd never had before but it was gorgeous.

    I had a mixed summer vegetable starter and Mike had pork belly.  Then for mains, I had stone-cooked Bass and Mike had steak.  Both were exceptional!  We both had the cheese board after along with a glass of port.  Five different but local cheeses. Again exceptional.  It was an expensive meal but worth every penny and it doesn't hurt to push the boat out now and again.

Sunday

    The wind had died down quite a bit which was a relief - and the sun was shining! So we decided to go the Forde Abbey as it was open. We took a roundabout way to get there but was saw parts of Somerset (or Devon) we hadn't seen before. 

The gardens at Forde Abbey are lovely, so colourful and plentiful and the lawns are very well kept. We were able to get around the whole grounds so they weren't extensive but they did include 3 ponds, bog area and manicured flower beds too and an arboretum. At 12.30 the fountain spray to life and grew to an impressive height, said to be higher than Nelsons Column in London.

We went to the café after that but must say we weren't impressed. We had a vegan sausage roll and a meat sausage roll.  Both were like warm but we couldn't tell which was which. They weren't very appetising. 

    We looked around the House and Chapel after that.  In the chapel, there is a poppy from the Tower of London collection from 2014 in memory of some family members who fell in WW1.

    The House was interesting in as far as old houses are interesting but it felt tired and in need of a little TLC.

    We were going to look around the grave yard at Chideock after that as Mike had found out that some of his ancestors came from around here but we were too tired so headed back to the caravan. 

    Cup o' tea sat outside in the sun - lovely.  I did some embroidery - my latest choice of something to do in the caravan this time - then dinner and a restful evening.

Monday

    We had to ensure we got up quite quickly as the owner offered to see us out of the site as the road and their gate is on a bend and could cause difficulty getting out. Carol times it so it's mid-morning when the rush hour's over.  A breakfast and a clean before hitching up then a thank you to Carol.  She is a lovely lady.  She saw us out with on problems. We took the coast road back (didn't fancy the problems on A303) and caught glimpses of the sea - we really must stay by the sea next time.

Longbrook Barn Farm CL, Cold Aston

Longbrook Barn Farm CL, Cold Aston, Cotswolds.

Friday 3rd March 2023

    It was a little way on a single track road to get to the farm.  The entrance to the site is from the north due to the turn into the driveway.  Money is in an envelope, put into post box at entrance and then through an electric gate to get onto field past working stables.  

    Darren, the horse, bites apparently.  The field is relatively flat.  Just as well as we'd forgotten the spirit level.  There are walks over the fields just outside the entrance.

    Once arrived and set up, we sat down to tea and cake and were treated to a wonderful flight of a red kite.  He stayed around for quite some time and at times came quite close.  It was beautiful to see and I hope he comes back again. Also, saw a kestrel hovering. Lovely! 😊

Barn owl hunting

    After our refreshment, we went to Burford (first 5 pics) to have a look around.  Set on a hill, the town is  mainly one street.  A real surprise was free parking!   It's a lovely town and has some good independent  gift shops.  We bought a Christmas present already!

    Back at the caravan, whilst having another cuppa along came the Barn Owl.  Gorgeous.

    Dinner was at the Plough Inn in the village.  It was a lovely olde world pub.  Mike had steak which he thought was good but chips weren't completely cooked.  I had the vegetarian option which was quite tasty.

 Saturday

    We went to Stow on the Wold.  The lady who runs the farm said there is free parking in the town square and places are vacated regularly but you need to hold your nerve whilst waiting for one. We decided not to chance it and made our way to the car park. Walking from the carpark we came across the Porch House.

 It used to be called the Royalist Hotel and it has been authenticated by the Guinness Book of Records as England’s Oldest Inn being certified as dating back to 947AD. Apparently it also has strange markings on the bar that were supposedly made by witches.

Stow also has a 'Tolkein' door at the church but we didn't get to see that. We were lucky enough to go to the first craft fayre of the year which is held monthly. Free entry and lovely coffee and cakes.

Drive around and saw Wick Rissington which is quite quaint with a very wide street.

 Lower and Upper Slaughter are also very pretty villages. We tried to park in Bourton on the Water but couldn't so didn't see much of that.

    In the afternoon, I did some needle felting that Mike calls 'chuffing - steam engine' as that's what it sounds like apparently.  I created a Barn Owl picture as a reminder of our stay here.

    The electric is quite expensive now and metered Mike made sure to get some more gas.  There's Autogas point at Cirencester Service Station.

Sunday

    Cooked breakfast! Can't beat it but it does leave you full all day which is good unless you want to stay out for a cuppa.

Went to Fairford as we saw a walk in a book left at the site. Fairford is lovely. Old 15th century church with funeral head stone dedicated to the church cat who died aged 17 in 1980.

Followed a walk along the river Coln. Quite fast flowing and saw posters about water voles they are trying to keep from harms way.  Met Tom who was very knowledgeable about the river and the water voles. Followed the directions in the book for the rest of the walk but a housing estate had been out up since it was printed so we had to find our own way. Also saw a statue of a rabbit which on reflection seemed to be like the barons that were set up in Salisbury about 4 years ago.

Found a farm shop on the way back but it was very lardi-daa. Did get some sausages for dinner though.

Returned to Stow (pic at end of Fairford section) to see if I could get a Prinknash tea set I'd seen yesterday but the shop was closed.

Returned to van for a cuppa then I went for a walk around the village. Found a public footpath that went through a field of sheep. It wasn't clear where the path went to and as I thought the sheep maybe pregnant I didn't want to disturb them so wandered back.

Lovely sunset and captured the van with it.

Monday

Going home day so usual cleaning (it's so much easier than doing it in the driveway). The lady came to talk with us, and to get the extra electric money now they have meters. She said we could stay as long as we liked.

Would like to return.