Warthill Grange CL, York

 Wednesday 14th - 21st August 2024

    Travelled up to York. Relatively easy trip but so many lengthy roadworks on M1 with restricted speed - and no work going on in some areas.  Almost half of our trip was taken up with this.  Not enjoyable.  However, we made it onto Warthill Grange around 3.30pm having left at 9.15 so made an OK time.
    Warthill Grange looks very posh on first impression with mown lawns a long driveway after a gated entry and hard standing. We set up, including the awning then Josh, Sophia and I went for an explore. I knew there was a pond and we could see a bridge so headed off that way.  Passing by another motorhome, some very small dogs suddenly started yapping making quite a din.  Crossing the bridge, which did go over water was a decked area with tables and chairs.  Trouble is they were really dirty and not very pleasant to spend any time there.  Josh took a few pictures from across the pond of Sophia and me.  Then we found a path all the way around the pond.  Again it could have done with a little TLC but we managed to get around it all the way.  We then saw a broken down car and van and old range style cooker.  What is this place?  There was a path through the woods we found which ended up near where we had parked up so did have a small adventure.
    Game of Great Britain after dinner then set up for bed.  We couldn't find the wooden extra bit that Mike had so painstakingly made to make up the bed so Sophia and I  had to adapt our sleeping patterns.  We didn't sleep very well that night although Sophia said it was due to someone snoring.   We bought earplugs the following day.

Thursday

    Jorvic centre on the cards today.  So drove to the Park and Ride into York. We bought some trousers for Sophia and a sweatshirt for Josh. I bet Mike wasn't expecting doing some clothes shopping.  Explored a small bit of the Shambles and a few small snickleways. Sausage rolls and pork pie for lunch.  Mike was hoping to get some pork dripping but the butchers didn't sell it.

 

Friday

    Railway museum today.  Had to go through the rail station and over the bridge to get to the road it was on.  The station is quite ornate and obviously old.  We had to get pre- book tickets for the railway museum but it was free entry.  Some wonderful old steam engines including Stephensons Rocket.  I remember learning about that at school.  Unfortunately, you couldn't get on any of the engines apart from one which was a replica (I presume) of the Japanese bullet train and then you could only sit and watch a vignette. We had an ice cream there but everything is so expensive.
    On our walk back to the city walls, we sat & rested and were asked to carry out a survey by a couple of Japanese students.  It was about work and how long I spend at it compared with home.  I don't know what they were studying.
    Further around, we saw a sign for Monet at the Art gallery which Josh said he'd like to see so Josh, Sophia and I went in.  Josh and I enjoyed looking at all the art work including the Lily pond by Monet but Sophia soon became bored. Trouble was, if she sat down while we looked around she was asked where her carers were.
    After finishing there, we went to get another sausage roll/pork pie then to catch the bus. A quick shop in Asda including drinks for the kids then back home.   A few games of Uno this evening in which Sophia won 2 games and Mike and I won a game a piece.
 

Saturday

    A quiet day as Mike and I are getting quite exhausted.  Reading, phones or sleeping was the order of the day except for a trip out to get food for a BBQ for dinner.  Sophia also took Mike around the pond and woods so he could have an explore too.  Petange in the evening and flicking playing cards. Josh got really good and managed to throw them some distance.
 

Sunday

    York Dungeons today.  This was Sophia's choice of venue but she probably didn't realise what it was all about as she had to he taken out after a short while.  Mike took her out to roam the streets of York while Josh and I stayed to enjoy the rest of what the dungeons had to offer.  Very grisly and semi scary.  I did grab Josh at one time when an ‘apparition’ appeared just in front of me.  The actors were very good.
    In the afternoon, the Castle museum was also good although we needed a sit down and something to eat.  The museum was good and very varied ranging from fashion fron 17th century through the ages to current day. There was a 60's themed area and a Victorian street set up with shops and rooms.  We also saw a prison set up and one of Mikes ancestors was incarcerated here before being transported to Australia.  

Another exhausting day with the three of us having showers when we returned, while Mike got on with making a roast dinner.
 

Monday

    Off to Whitby. The drive over the North York Moors was spectacular with so much purple heather.  

    We also saw a steam train in the valley bottom.  Couldn't get parked on the wharf so had to back track to the park and ride.  So many people!  Walked up the 199 steps to the Abbey and looked around the church.  Had to pay for the Abbey so didn't do that, J&S were a little disappointed but as I hadn't taken any money there was no choice. 

    We then went to get some fish and chips from one Trenchers shop but they didn't have fish cakes (which Sophia wanted) and the other had really long queues outside so we went to Wendy's.  Apparently it's an American burger place.  Very manic ordering and didn't realise it didn't come with chips.  Not enjoyable for us but I think the kids enjoyed it.  Along to the amusement arcade and we gave them £5 for the machines.  Not that they could go on many as the one armed bandits were classed as gambling and 18s only.  However, Josh found a machine that fired 2p pieces out and when they dropped they were pushed up to the mound of coins which sometimes dropped so he had more coins.  He stayed at that for a length of time and eventually won a Bluey character toy for Sophia.  We were all enthralled with this and all took part collecting coins, firing coins and getting excited when it got close.  He nearly won a second one but ran out of money.  Still we all had fun at that one.   Ice creams after that and Sophia had hers dripping all down her arms even though it was in a tub.  Time to get home.   Another exhausting day.
 

Tuesday

    Another chill day and pack up day before heading home on Wednesday
 

Wednesday

    We weren't looking forward to the journey back,  we did have a few stops and made it in 6.5 hours.  So glad to be home. I don't think Daisy is suitable for 4 people but at least we tried.

Duke Hotel CL, Hilmarton, Wiltshire

 Saturday June 8 - 10 2024

    Travelled in convoy.  As usual, John had an itchy accelerator foot so we set off 10 minutes before we planned.  Never mind, we were all ready. 

    Carol & John towing their caravan and Adrian & Maria in their campervan with us leading the way, driving Miss Daisy.

    Some sights were seen along the way mainly in Calne, a giraffe with its head hanging over the path (obviously a statue one) and a little further along a bendy metal grandfather clock against a house wall. Not sure if the clock worked or not but very unusual and real gypsies with authentic caravans & horses and a huge model motorbike made from scaffolding pole.

    We arrive, book in, get the gate padlock code and set up. We offer a cuppa which is taken up by a few but the others crack open the wine and beer. We sit talking and laughing. It's good to enjoy the company of others!

    Carol & John have an awning they hadnt used before so we all set to and help them erect it. It seems pretty easy to put up. Then we all tried ours to see if it fitted - and it does. We didn't keep it up but at least we know it fits.

    Carol, Maria and I went for a walk around the village. Lovely village, lovely walk and surprisingly lovely weather!

    We had booked into the hotel for dinner.  Lovely food but not enough of it so had to have pudding.  As it was out first night eating there we had 15% off the cost of our food and drink (which was then put back on for the service charge but we did get good service).  Back to vans around 9pm but I had to go to bed as I was so tired.

Sunday

    I had a lovely sleep so woke refreshed!  We all bought and cooked a bit of breakfast and came together to eat it. Wonderful breakfast and wonderful company!

    Adrian & Maria left around lunchtime and Carol and I went for a walk. We took an OS map but couldn't find the first track off the road so went a different way.  Found another track into the village then off on another track across fields and over styles.  More fields of buttercups and very tall grasses. Unfortunately we were unable to find a track to get back to the road (it was an old map and some of the tracks have since disappeared) so we doubled back on ourselves back to the village then back to site.  

    We were out for about 2 hours and walking all that time. We walked for around 4 miles and had very tired legs and were very thirsty. A good sit down and a cold drink was order of the day then a game of Great Britain. We were laughing so much I wonder what the other campers thought of us as we were outside. 

    Mike cooked a roast dinner with the meat cooked in the slow cooker and first time use of the oven. The spuds were cooked in record time but it didn't detract from a wonderful meal! We had to wash up a bit before we had pudding, which was Christmas pudding with custard and ice cream! Not bad for a tiny kitchen. I had previously made a wipe clean cover for the end of my bed just in case but it came in very handy. It is difficult for someone volunteering to dry up as the drainer is in the corner and not accessible when the washer upper is washing up so it was done in shifts.

    We then played True or False which we had bought when were took our caravan out for the last time to Devon. Mike and I had played it but it really needs 3 or more players and really is better with 3 or more people. Good game.

    Our evenings are ending earlier these days as we are all getting on a bit but it gives us a relaxing time before bed and let the huge meal go down a bit more before bed!

Monday

    Carol and John set off around 9am as they had to get home. Carol drove their caravan home as she was taking her grandchildren away in it in a few weeks time so wanted the practice.

    Not long after they set off, we were sitting having a cuppa whe we spotted a Greater spotted woodpecker looking for grubs and insects on the wooden fence posts. We love seeing wildlife we wouldn't normally see.

    On the way home, we passed 2 white horses, Westbury & Alton Barnes.

Longbrook Farm CL, Cold Aston

 Saturday 18th May 2024

    This is our first time away in Daisy.  Our Fleurette Migrateur 73LJ.  We didn't think that we'd be going away so soon but as Adrian, the chap who sold Daisy to us, had done some of the odd jobs that needed doing; we were able to take advantage of an early get away.

    Mike is getting very comfortable with driving and although I have driven Daisy to the weighbridge, I feel that I'd need a longish trip to really get to know her so I am going to driving the return home.

    A year ago, we were at Longbrook Farm in the caravan, so we know what it's like.  Although this time, we had to phone the owner to ask whether we could park up on the hard standing as it had a reserved sign on it.   Apparently these are so they are left for motorhomes and we could park anywhere we wanted.

     The hard standing is made up of dedicated tiles but these aren't completely level but gives you the confidence of getting off the pitch in the wet.  We tried to level Daisy but couldn't get the front end up high enough, surprisingly, so we have a slight slant but nothing we can't handle.

    After a cuppa, we headed out for a walk and turned right out of the site and down a side road. Very rural and so many wildflowers!  My favourite being a whole field of buttercups.  It was a wonder to behold!

    We didn't really want to retrace our steps and managed to find a stone stile which seemed to be heading in the direction of the village.  Through another buttercup field, which also had daisies, clover and cow parsley.  Over another stile, the path took us to a track that I'd been down on our last visit and so back into the village - and the pub!  Well, it would be rude not to partake.  It wonderful sat outside in the sun and the quiet.  It has been so long since we have away so we are really relishing it. (just over six months!)

     We didn't put the silver screen blackout covers on the front of Daisy as we have a curtain which separates the bedroom from the lounge.  It worked but as I had forgotten to bring any night wear, I had to make sure that I had everything that I needed as I couldn't go out to get it.  Later, I'll make a curtain to go around the cab so we don't have to rely on the outside blinds.  We slept, Mike's says better than the caravan but not so for me - at the moment.

 Sunday 19th

    We ventured out to the Batsford Arboretum today and on the way there, we saw more fields full of buttercups.  I dont know why but this year, there is a profusion of buttercup fields which look wonderful. 

    We had to pre-book tickets and a time frame for our visit but glad we did.  The arboretum was lovely!  Not too over-kept so it did look more natural in places.  It was a beautiful day too with big blue skies.  A perfect day!

    We saw plenty of Ransoms (wild garlic) which is one of my favourite plants but unfortunately they were going over and losing their flowers and smell.  We need to make a return visit at the beginning of May.  That would be a real treat!

    Walking around; we saw a Red Kite, heard numerous birds, saw wonderful trees including Great Red Cedars and the Handkerchief Tree which was in bloom and it was so peaceful and quiet.  As I said a perfect day (although the cafe was a bit noisy).  The Arboretum is set on a hill so there are steepish bits to climb but the views are worth it and there are plenty of benches around for well earned rests.

    On the way back to site, we had to get something for dinner.  Whilst at the Arboretum, a lady told us about a farm shop nearby so we ventured out there only to find they don't take motorhomes (or campervans or caravans) in the carpark.  So we turned around and found the Tesco at Stowe.  We had to look for a space 2 cars long as the motorhome is so long. Little did we know when we bought it.  Anyway, we didn't go hungry although there is very little choice there.                    

    When we got back to site and after a welcome cold one, we tried the canopy, which works and looks brilliant.  Unfortunately, we couldn't thread our porch awning through the awning runner so we will need to look at getting an adaptor.

     All in all a very successful and relaxing day.

 Monday 20th

     Before we set off, we had to find the change to pay for the electric hookup as it's on a meter.  £3.65 for the 2 days which was mainly for the fridge and hot water.  Fellow campers came to the rescue to change a £10 note.  

    I drove home as I wanted a longish journey to really learn Daisy's quirks.  It was fine and I settled into it very well.  Even when we met a lorry coming round a sharp bend in the road (how close can we get to the side?)  It was all fine and we arrived home safe and sound.

 Usually I do the cleaning before we leave a site but this time I didn't as we still had water in the tank.  so I did it when we got home - all ready for the next outing!

All in all, a very positive weekend with only a few small tweaks to make for comfort.  Here's to the next trip out!

 

Introduction to Daisy

    The start of the Mclog - motorhome/caravan log as we are changing our caravan for a motorhome to do  Scottish road trip next year or as Mike calls it 'Claire's Highland Fling'

4th May 2024

    We travelled to King's Lynn to view a motorhome - and bought it! A Fleurette which we instantly named Daisy.

    On our way to Kings Lynn, we saw 2 other Fleurettes, not the motorhome but the name, one on a delivery lorry and the other on a sale sign so it was meant to be.

    Daisy is lovely but I would like to put our mark on it like change the curtains and add a little colour.  I'll have to tie it in with the cushion covers but I'm sure I can do that.  Mike is happy as there wasn't a single reading from the damp meter.  He would have liked a garage but at least Daisy has large under beds storage accessible from the outside too.

    We made a weekend of being in Kings Lynn as it was so far away.  Kings Lynn is a lovely town with a very old Minster with some lovely stained glass windows..... and we had gorgeous weather, quite unexpected as we'd only bought warm clothes!

    Whilst we were there a charity running race was on.  It was brilliant seeing all the people running through the streets.

    We return next weekend to collect Daisy once we've finished paying for it and also sorted insurance. Looking forward to having it on the drive.

We're not keen on the purple additions and the black vinyl 'bonnet bra'so we'll be changing them!

 

Time to move on to a Motorhome

     We've decided to sell the caravan as after it was being repaired for water ingress by the front windows, the dealer found damp in all of the off side lower walls,  Time to call our losses and move onto getting a motorhome in readiness for Claire retiring next year. :)