Just a quick weekend away after Mike's fnished the damp repairs and while we were there the boiler packed up when running on electric. I think Mike's going to have his hands full with jobs to be done on Daisy.
It was a lovely weekend though and had a great meal in the Kings Arms pub in the village.
Friday 5th - 7th July
Just a short weekend jaunt this time as Mike has to be back for Monday as Josh has his work experience. Mike has arranged for him to do it where he volunteers.
We've been to Minchinhampton before but this time has certainly been the wettest!.... and it's July!
The entrance has a stone post on one side and as we entered it was millimetres away from the wing mirror. It was a miracle we didn't scrape it.
We set up easily although have come to the conclusion, the ramps are useless. Luckily it was a fairly level site. Time for a bevvy. Dinner was spag bol and garlic bread which was all done to perfection.
Night fell and we drew the new hand made curtains for the first time. I must admit it had a real cozy and homely feel. I am pleased with how they turned out.
During the night, we had thunder and more rain.... and at one time I heard a very strange noise which I couldn't place. Daisy felt
somewhat spooky but I couldn't explain why that should be. I did manage to
sleep but not much but it wasn't about the ‘feeling’ more about being in a
different bed, I think.
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| My new Daisy pyjamas |
Saturday and we caught the bus into Stroud.
There wasn't a bus stop as such but we had to wait for it opposite Tom Long's
Post, which now is a wayside but back in the day was reportedly either the
place Tom Long, a highwayman, was hung or where he committed suicide to prevent
him from being caught. The bus was only £2 and free for Mike with his bus pass.
Much cheaper than driving and parking. The only down side was the bus back was 4 hours away! We walked around Stoud
quite a bit!
We had breakfast at Cafe Max where the service
and cleanliness was exemplary. The food
was good too. I had a Buck Rarebit which was described as cheese on toast with
poached eggs. It arrived as poached eggs on toast with masses of melted
mozzarella on top. Oh my poor arteries! It was nice but a little too much
cheese really - but I ate it all!
Stroud is extremely hilly and we certainly had our share of ups and downs this trip. We also managed to dodge the worst of the rain too mainly by sheltering under a large tree (we thought it may have been Lime). Time for the bus back and another £2 trip.
The rest of the afternoon saw us either reading, doing crosswords (even I almost finished a few) or embroidering. Then we heard a strange sound - the same sound I'd heard during the night. It was the fridge telling us something was not quite right. So a reason for the strange sound I'd heard. Phew! Then it was time to walk over the the Old Lodge pub for dinner. No kite flying this weekend as we've previously seen. Don't blame them really with the weather.
Dinner was lovely- vegetable tagine for me and burger for Mike but that was bought out on a wooden plate. Not ideal as they can't be dried with much success leaving a breeding ground for bugs. I also had pudding, mango and coconut pannacotta with a sorbet. The pannacotta was a real disappointment as it didn't taste of anything but the sorbet was lovely so not all was not lost. During the meal, Mike mentioned that the lamp above us, reminded him of his Dad's dog Sam. He apparently had a nasal infection and had these really long 'snot candles'!
Lovely walk back. It was such a lovely evening after such an awful day. We sat in Daisy talking and saw a curious fox very nearby. Lovely to see. We sat talking until we couldn't see each other anymore then ventured to bed.
Mike had arranged for someone to collect something he was selling who found us ok but guess what - it's still raining so both she and Mike got wet sorting that out.
We left as soon as we'd had breakfast. This weather is so depressing.
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.
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!
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.
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.
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 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.
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.
All in all, a very positive weekend with only a
few small tweaks to make for comfort.
Here's to the next trip out!
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.
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| We're not keen on the purple additions and the black vinyl 'bonnet bra'so we'll be changing them! |
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. :)
