Ely

We returned home after the weekend via Ely which we had never visited before. Did the tour of Oliver Cromwell's house, he lived in Ely for 20 years before his rise to power and defeat of Charles 1st at Naseby. Had a quick look in the cathedral which was being taken over by a film crew for a Shaun Bean sci-fi film (Jupiter Uprising out next year apparently). Walked down to the river and had lunch in the Cutter Inn by the river and bought a couple of plants from Church Cottage. It had turned cool and windy again, in marked contrast to the weekend, so we decided to just return home.    

Ashwell and Wimpole

Moved from the fishing site to CC Ashridge Farm site at Ashwell just 10 miles away, a small quiet site. Met Mark etc again at the Wimpole Estate as it was one of the the free NT open days. We all walked around the manor house and I played frisbee with Conner and the others while Rosemary prepared a pasta meal for the six of us. We all managed to squeeze in to the van to eat, as it was quite cool and breezy outside by now,  before driving back to Ashwell in the evening.

Henlow Lakes and the Dragon

Our first day away this year was to a St Georges festival at English Heritage's Wrest Park near Luton on one of the warmest and sunniest days of the year so far. We met Mark and Christina's family to help celebrate Marks birthday. Mark was dragged into a "performance" with a children's entertainer much to the amusement of the rest of us. Katie joined us later but missed Mark and the jester.   

We put the van in Henlow Bridge Lakes caravan site for one night and all went for a birthday pub meal in Henlow village. The site has two big carp lakes, as well as very good caravan facilities, which we had a walk round before leaving, but did not see anyone catch anything. 

First days away in 2013

After a very cold spring we have finally got our act together and are taking the van away to meet Mark and Christina at a St Georges Day festival near Luton at the weekend. We should be going to France at the beginning of May so this is our trial run to check the systems are working and we have packed all the essentials.