Caravan Club – The Sumpners Again

June 1, 2016February 17, 2020Uncategorized

A Tale of Two “Cities”

Well this is an unusual post as it covers two trips in one for reasons which will become obvious. It has also taken me a while to write, as I needed to wait until I was ready to do so.

Trip 1 – Easter near Tunbridge Wells

We had chosen this area as it was largely new territory for us. I had been to TW before, but it was in the region of 40 years ago, so memories are a tad hazy. We set off mid afternoon on Maundy Thursday (24th April) and had a very smooth trip to our site – Apple Acres. Strictly speaking, it is nearer Tonbridge than Tunbridge Wells but there’s not much in it. The site was easy to find and there was a friendly welcome awaiting us. We selected our pitch and set up. The kettle was soon singing on the hob and we were both feeling the anticipation of exploring this part of Kent. The site was in an old apple orchard – hence the name.

There was one dark cloud on the horizon, though. Whilst we were on the road the Doctor rang to say that he thought that Mum’s health was deteriorating. I asked if we should return home but he didn’t think it was necessary, so we continued our journey. It was a little worrying but we had taken the doc’s advice and we had arranged for Mum to be visited by our son George and her brother – my Uncle Derek.

We nipped out and did a bit of shopping and then settled down for a cosy evening. Despite the site being near a couple of main roads it was a quiet night and we awoke refreshed. To sunshine! A beautiful Good Friday. We were soon washed and dressed and setting off to explore. We set off with no particular goal in mind – more of a reconnoitre, a familiarisation with the lie of the land, as we were new to the area.

One of the first things we spotted was a very attractive Victorian gothic-looking tower. It transpired it was called Hadlow Tower. Upon further research, it was started in 1838, built to a height of 175 feet and was actually constructed of brick and then coated with a render known as Roman Cement, to make it look like stone. It was badly damaged in the tempest of 1987 and has recently been restored. It is certainly a striking feature.

As it was coffee time, we stopped at the Hadlow Bar and Grill and sat in the gardens as we drank our coffee, as it was so pleasant. Refuelled we pressed on and decided to explore (at least part of) the area known as the High Weald, which is an AONB. And it is indeed beautiful, studded with Oast Houses, almost military-looking orchards and rolling hills. We drove around, admiring the views and eventually stopped at a very nice pub near Wadhurst, The Old Vine, for a very nice freshly made BLT.

It was shortly after lunch that we got the call from the home where Mum had been living since Christmas. They had rung to say that Mum’s health had sharply and unexpectedly deteriorated and that if we wanted to see her again it would be advisable to come straight home. Plunged into shock we drove back to the site and packed up – less than 24 hours after we had arrived. We hadn’t even fully paid the camp-site ( apart from a deposit) but they were very kind and refused to take any further money from us. It was a horrible journey home, what with tears, making calls to family and explaining the situation, more tears and wondering with every mile if we were going to make it in time. Luckily we did. Paul dropped me off at the home and I began the 27 hour vigil (accompanied mostly by Paul) at her bedside. All the family came and said their last goodbyes and she eventually slipped peacefully away with me holding her hand on Easter Saturday evening. RIP Mum. We’ll miss you so much.

Trip 2 – New Forest Centenary Site – Spring BH 2016

We were both in the mood to have a total relax and were looking forward to our return to this very pleasant Caravan Club site in the New Forest, not far from Christchurch. It gave us an opportunity to use up the remainder of the Caravan Club vouchers that Paul had received for his recent significant birthday. A big th♥nk you to Linda and Anna.

The Friday traffic was not too bad and we arrived on site early evening with plenty of daylight to spare, it being nearly summer. We had an early night and awoke to the sound of birdsong and a reasonable day. We had a relaxed morning and then set off to do a bit of shopping. Our mission was to find a new house phone for Uncle D and Curry’s was pleased to supply it. It was also pleased to supply an (impulse purchase) boiling water dispenser. Exciting – especially as it was on special offer! Then it was a quick trip to Waitrose for “essentials”. It was then around lunch time. We made our way back to Bransgore, where we ate at the Three Tuns. We can particularly recommend the Corned Beef Hash fritters.

There was a wedding reception just about to start there (lovely location) and we (I) did a fair bit of people watching. Interesting watching a procession of really quite orange people tittupping across the grass in their high heels. And sinking.

After lunch we went back to the van for a quiet afternoon of reading our books and the papers. It’s rare for us to take time out to do nothing and we relished this opportunity – although I’m sure it makes for pretty boring reading. But before this, on the way back, we decided to pop to the nearby New Forest Airfields Memorial, which was around half a mile from the camp-site. The Airfields played a major part in a successful conclusion to WWII.

The hot water dispenser, by the way, was quite a success and we may take it away with us next time we are away in the van.

Sunday was a slow start too but we eventually went out for a drive and actually visited parts of the Forest where we had never before been. Lunch was, however, near Brockenhurst at the Forest Park Hotel. It feels, sadly, as though this hotel has seen better days, although it does look as if attempts to restore it are currently being made. The lunch – a roast – was adequate. Nothing to complain about, but nothing to write home about either. We continued our meander until mid afternoon. Here are a few photos from our travels

Fallen tree - and Archie — Fallen tree – and Archie

The remainder of the weekend was a fairly somnolent, battery re-charging affair and we look forward to a more active time on the next bank holiday weekend, when we are bound for Gloucestershire.

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February 15, 2016February 17, 2020Uncategorized

Brighton- 12-14 February 2016

Friday 12th

We began our journey a little later than planned (OK – nearly an hour!) but such is life. We arrived at the Caravan Club site site – formerly, and rather more romantically, known as Sheepcote Valley- with just enough daylight to do the outside jobs. The check -in was swift and efficient and we used some of the CC vouchers that our dear old chums Linda Mary and Anna had given Paul for his birthday – essentially a free weekend! Thanks girls. Much obliged to ye.

We picked a lovely spot on the upper level overlooking the Downs and got cracking. It was pretty chilly outdoors! But soon, the van was warming up nicely ad we settled down to a cuppa and then disaster struck! NO MILK. Plenty of milk left at home, languishing in the fridge, but none here in the van. We made a quick mercy dash to Waitrose and whilst on the way, we realised no bread either. The person in charge of supplies (and indeed everything else!) needs a good kick up the rear, it seems.

We arrived back to a toasty van and put the oven on, ready to receive the lasagne that “the person in charge of supplies” (let’s call that person Kay) had made earlier. We ate it with a lovely rocket and watercress salad and watched a bit of television (good signal) before retiring to bed for an early night.

Sat 13th

It seems we very much needed that early night as we didn’t actually wake up until 10.10. a good 12 hours. Lovely. We made contact with Linda Mary and Anna and, as it was a vile rainy morning, invited them over to the van for lunch. They were in the middle of packing for a change of address, so they were happy to take a quick break. We had a lively and convivial lunch, watching people coming and going. One thing we saw struck a chord with us. Instead of fiddling around with hoses to fill his water butt, some chap had a length of 1 1/2″ white plumbing pipe which he was using to great effect. We thought this a great idea and set off with the girls – them to return home to continue packing and us in search of a B&Q to buy 1 1/2″ white plumbing pipe!

We drove to a very run down shopping centre (Pavilion), on Lewes road, where B&Q was the only surviving retail outlet. The Halfords and Currys were both boarded up and the pub opposite the site was also boarded. Sad times. The pipe comes in 2 meter lengths and would require cutting to an optimum length for the job in hand. The trouble was – what was that optimum length? We pondered and then spotted something that might be even better and thus bought a telescopic waste pipe of the same bore, a bit like the one in this link. We will see how how that gets on – there’s a slight query about the durability of the telescopic bit. We’ll let you know.

We drove back to the van and spent the afternoon reading and snoozing, while the rain rained on. This is one of the things we love about our caravan. At home, there are always jobs to do, but in the van we can totally relax if we want to,. And we often do want to!.

Soon it was time to shower and dress ready to pick the girls up and go out for dinner. We had chosen the divine Fato a Mano, a place we had visited before for Lind Mary’s birthday. It is a very authentic pizza restaurant, dominated by a huge blue and white mosaic-tiled wood-fired pizza oven. They produce great pizzas with lovely springy crust. The staff are very friendly and it’s always heaving, with people (those who hadn’t booked like we had) outside waiting for a table. Even on a chilly evening. We had a mixture of starters, some lovely pizzas and all this followed by a beautifully presented affogato. Scrumdiddlyumptious. It was a lovely evening spent in a very pleasant atmosphere of a crowd of apparently fun-loving people enjoying their Saturday evening. And we were with the Babbies. Treat!

We dropped the girls home, had a coffee and went to bed. We set an alarm as we had another old friend coming to visit in the morning.

Sun 14th – Happy Valentine’s day!

The alarm went off at 9 and we sprang into action. OK. We didn’t spring. We loafed a bit and then yawned a bit and then cuddled a bit and then we got up. We exchanged cards, made brekker, ate it, washed up and did a bit of packing in preparation for a 12 noon departure. The sun was shining and it was a beautiful day on the Downs.

Shortly, we got a call from Emma – a friend of some 25 or 30 years standing who also lives in Brighton. Paul went and picked her up and we had coffee and a lovely long catch up. That’s the beauty of old friends. You can just pick up where you left off. It was lovely to see her but all too soon it was time for her to go and tend to her family and for us to quickly pack up and go. We did this in record time and left the site only 2 minutes late. We arrived back home at about 1.30 and thus still had plenty of Sunday left to see Mum. cook dinner, unpack and relax. George brought the dog back (we had not taken him this time because of going out for dinner). It was strange in the van without him and he’ll certainly be with us next time. That will be at the end of March, when we have a a long (Easter) weekend near Tunbridge Wells planned. Roll on Easter!

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May 29, 2014Uncategorized

Bristol/Bryncrach – 21-26 May

Another bank holiday weekend, another few days away in the caravan. This time, as Paul had to visit his HQ near Bristol, we decided to leave on Wednesday afternoon and stay in Bristol for two nights, at the brilliant Baltic Wharf Caravan Club site.

We arrived after the reception had closed and found our details, as had been promised, pinned to the notice board. We pitched in the space allotted to us and were soon all set up. As it was a lovely evening, we decided to go out for a quick explore. This culminated in an unplanned trip to the highly acclaimed Clifton Village Fish Bar. It is very popular and there was quite a wait to be served but it was well worth the wait. We took our feast up onto the downs and ate them overlooking the gorge as the sun began to set. Bliss! Marco’s home made tartare sauce was to die for!! Then we drove back to the van and eventually to bed.

The site is quite central and has a ferry stop right outside its back gate and a bus stop for the Bristol Sight Seeing bus right outside its front gate. It is also adjacent to Portsmouth-born Isambard Kingdom Brunel’s great ship, the SS Great Britain, In 1843 she was the largest ship in the world. She was also the first screw-propelled, ocean-going, iron-hulled steam ship. Pictured below

Paul was up and away early to Failand Farm, the HQ of Digital Yacht, which was about a 15 minute drive away. I had a more leisurely start to my day and a plan to meet my cousin Alice, who lives and works in Bristol. I planned to catch the bus and hop off at Cabot Circus, which is closest to her workplace. The route pretty much retraced our steps from last night but being on top of an open top bus in the slightly drizzly day gave it added charm. If you click on the route link I have supplied, you can see that I got on at stop 4 and off at stop 16. Alice and I stayed in contact by text as it was difficult to predict the exact time I would arrive. This worked well and she was waiting for me as I alighted. As you can see from the pics, it was not the brightest of days but I never got more than a little “spritzed”!

We had a nice long, chatty lunch and then Alice had to go back to work. I had a little light retail therapy in mind, and we parted, vowing not to leave it so long until we next meet. I had a mooch round the shops, bought a pair of sandals and then hopped back on the bus to complete the tour. It was very good value for money and I would highly recommend it if you are ever in the vicinity. I learnt a lot abot the City and its history. Loved the fact that the Downs has 32 football pitches and on winter Saturdays, over 600 people can be found playing the beautiful game. They even have their own league and games are played simultaneously. Top facts!

I read for a while and somehow fell asleep and then it was soon time for Paul’s return from work. We were booked into the Pump House for dinner and what a find! 67 varieties of gin and great food. What’s not to like? A hearty recommend. They even have a selection of tonics – such as the one on my picture below. This one – No 6 – and its fellow gin is made locally (in Thornbury) and would make a pleasant non-alcoholic drink on its own or with grapefruit juice.

We had a great stay at the surprisingly peaceful Baltic Wharf site and are aghast at the thought of its closure later this year. I’d urge you to sign the petition if you wouldn’t mind as it would be a great shame yp lose such a great resource. The plan is to build a school and it seems a very odd place to do so but what do I know?

Up smartly the next morning and off by 10 0’clock. Popped in to say goodbye and thank you to the lovely wardens. They actually remembered my name. That is good customer relations right there!

It was not a very pleasant day as we crossed over the bridge into grey and drizzly Wales and that kind of set the tone for the whole weekend – in terms of weather at least. We arrived mid-afternoon and got set up. Lovely site with great views – usually! It is a working sheep farm and we had no neighbours either side – just empty vans and fields of sheep. Fantastic. We decided on a quick trip to Llandrindod Wells for a flip round Tesco (forgotten dog food – not my department of course!). We also had an little explore as we’ve only ever by-passed it on other trips to Wales. It is a nice little town with a station and all services. It has an attractive lake with a very impressive dragon water feature. It is a spa town, as the name suggests, and there are records of people “taking the waters” as early as the 17th century.

There was no TV signal on site so we played a few hands of cards (our current favourite game is called Pitch) and watched a bit of DVD to entertain ourselves before bed once again hollered at us. It was not a peaceful night. The rain hammered o the roof and were glad that we were on a hard-standing rather than grass. Saturday dawned and we could not see the hills any more. It rained and then it rained and so we decided to stay in the warm and dry, reading and idling away the hours. I believe they call it relaxing? Whatever – we enjoyed. Rather than waste the whole day in this manner, though, we eventually ventured out to Built Wells. Builth was full of bikers on a rally – except not actually rallying, just gathering, because of the appalling weather. Fair weather bikers? We had lunch there in a cafe called The Cwtch (Welsh for a cross between a hug and a place of safety). It was somewhat haphazard as I think they were overwhelmed with customers sheltering from the rain and eating to assuage their hangovers! It was too wet to properly explore without getting soaked, sadly, but we did buy a cute keyring made of slate emblazoned with the word “Carafan” (Welsh for – well I expect you’ve guessed!).

We took the scenic route home – armed with our trusty OS map. I always look for roads with at least one < and preferably <<! It was a nice route and we eventually arrived back to greet our neighbours. Who’d be a sheep in that rain?

Sunday had been forecast to be the best day of the weekend so we set off for the Elan Valley – beautiful in any weather but views can be quite spoilt by mist. The day was much better than Saturday had been and we set off in good spirits. We once again resorted to OS maps for pour route rather than GPS, which always imagines you want the fastest route from A to B – which very often you do, but not in this countryside. We saw some lovely sights – especially this bluebell carpet. Wouldn’t want to have missed that, hurtling along on some A road! That said the term A road has a slightly different meaning than it does darn sarf. 🙂

The Elan Valley is very special to me as it was often visited in my childhood and I have made sure that first Paul and then George and as many other friends as possible have all experienced its beauty and yes, its grandeur. We started at this time at Claerwen Dam (there are six) and ended at Craig Goch. See the map here. Since our last visit a few years ago with Sue & Paul Rogers, a new tea room has opened – Penbont House. Very enterprising. They should do a roaring trade – particularly in summer. We lunched there and had the Cheese on a Slate – 3 Welsh cheeses with Damson Cheese. Luscious although a tad dear we thought (£13.75 each!!!). They are dog friendly and have a very tame bantam and a sweet old dog. Wild birds are also very tame and alight on your table if allowed. Reminded me of the Caribbean. We were outdoors by the way! Have posted quite a few pics to give a good flavour of the area. The reservoirs created by the dams serve Birmingham with it’s fresh water and are currently as full as I have ever seen them, I think?

Our trip led us back through Rhayader but by then, the rain had set in again and we did not stop to explore, sadly. We arrived back in the rain but it eventually cleared and I took a picture in roughly the same location as I had on the day we arrived in the murk. What a contrast !

Monday was a beautifully sunny day – typical as we were leaving! We were on the road just after 10. Sad to leave Bryncrach. The owners are lovely and very friendly and seem keen to upgrade the site. I love it as it is, but the addition of a spanking new facilities block would be advantageous. We hope to return some day, as this is an ideal base for exploring all the beauty that mid-Wales has to offer. If only it were closer. The owners have promised us better weather next time. As we drove further and further South, the weather worsened and we arrived home in rain. Next trip is a canal based one, so we hope for better weather. Watch this space.

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March 6, 2013Uncategorized

Bransgore – 1 to 3 March

It had been a while since we had been to the New Forest and so we had selected the Caravan Club’s Centenary site, just outside Bransgore for this weekend. It’s built on the site of one of the old New Forest airfields – I think it must be the Winkton one, but I can’t find definite confirmation of that. It is very smart-looking and we arrived on the first day of the 2013 season. The welcome was warm and we were soon setting up on our “fully-serviced” pitch. To the uninitiated, this type of pitch has its own drain, so no need for worrying about waste water and its own tap, so you get a constant uninterrupted supply of fresh water without having to fill up. A little more expensive but much easier on Paul!

The facilities were very new, sparkling and warm and welcoming, even exceeding the usual high standard you expect of a CC site. The dog walk was more than adequate – if a little boggy in places. It is a very nice site and we are very likely to return (when we get time!).

Saturday was bit cloudy but there was promise of better weather and we set off, late morning for a visit to Christchurch. We parked down by the Town Quay and stopped for morning coffee at the cafe on the quay, just by Place Mill (which is a restored Anglo-Saxon watermill. Sadly it does not open until Easter so we’ll save that for another trip). They sold food for the many swans, ducks and ubiquitous pigeons that can be found along the riverside walk. I couldn’t resist!

You can see how grey it was in those pictures. Once Paul had dragged me away we walked past the mill again and along the Convent Walk, past the Castle ruins and into the town centre. This seems to consist largely of a numerous variety of eateries and a fair old sprinkling of charity shops. Bliss. We paid our customary visit to Waitrose to buy lunch and decided to eat it at Hengistbury Head. By now the sun had come out and we went for a walk down to the beach.

We popped back to the caravan for a cuppa which turned into a snooze opportunity, before setting off for Bournemouth to meet up with my cousin (once removed, it transpires) Joe and his girlfriend, Lisa. We walked from their flat through the gardens , with their abundance of squirrels (Archie was in his element!) and thence down to the pier. Interesting to note that they are demolishing the IMAX. Whilst it is/was a bit of an eyesore, it seems like a massive waste of money – especially as it only opened in 2002!

There was Ska event on the Pier which looked like good fun and we might have popped in, had it not been for Archie. Instead we went for a drink, sitting outside as the sun went down. It was very pleasant until then, but suddenly became very chilly so we moved on. We walked back up through the town (I had forgotten how hilly it was) and made for The Goat & Tricycle, a proper pub with real ale and dog-friendly to boot. It was pretty busy but we eventually managed to get seats and had a very nice meal. After dinner we walked back to the flat and popped in for coffee, before taking our leave of Lisa and Joe. It was a lovely evening.

We arrived back at the camp-site and the temperature gauge showed it was -2C! We had a very cosy night, though and a peaceful sleep.

We had hoped as it was quiet season, we might be allowed to stay on for a bit, but sadly those serviced pitches are very sought after and we had to vacate by midday. We were home by 1 pm and so had time to unpack, get the washing on and do a few bits of housework and such. I like this! Now, we are looking forward to our next trip away, over Easter, when we are taking a trip up to Herefordshire with friends.

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