Ashbourne and Jack's birthday

We left mid morning for home along with many others stopping at Ashbourne to look around the charity shops. At least Rosemary did, I retired to Costa for a Cappuccino. 

We followed the sat nav directions to Kedlston Hall and arrived at the exit, several times, Covid changes I suppose, but went in anyway. Quite busy but parked in the grassy area for yet another picnic and then managed to have a quick look round the open parts of the hall as they were closing the doors after us. It was all done and dusted by 4:00 pm. Rosemary managed to buy a pashmina in the shop sale and we joined the busy traffic around Derby to call and see Jack on his 9th birthday. We had some coffee and cake and a nice chat with Clare and Karl, a Fortnite demo from Jack and got home around 7.00pm. It was a nice few days away but rather dull weather and a noisy camp site. Different to normal!!!

Dovedale and Carsington Water

We set off for Dovedale up and down the winding roads only to find the  NT car park is just that, cars only, so continued on to Ilam Hall. No problem there so wandered around the grounds and along the river with the sheep for a while before having a picnic in the van. 

 

We drove over to Carsington Water where we might have stayed and walked up to the stone circle.   

Then set off south to take a look at Belper and it's heritage mills but by then we were too late to do the tour so just looked at the river gardens. Not much else to do in Belper except to fill up with diesel before returning to site for the evening. We were unable to contact Norman as we still had his old phone number in the address book.

Ashbourne CCC

Decided on Ashbourne as a base for a couple of nights as it gives us the opportunity to call in and see Jack on route and maybe contact old friend Norman who lives a few miles away. We left around mid-day and called at a Farm shop for lunch and a bit of food shopping on the way. 

The weather forecast was for cloudy skies again and it was quite accurate. Dullest August for some time I think. Arrived at 4:00 o'clock on a fairly full multilevel grassy site with plenty of children around. Hope for a bit of sun later. Sure enough the bank of cloud drifted south to leave a sunny evening and a cool night.

Derbyshire Dales

We are going for a short visit to the Derbyshire Dales before the bank holiday.

Breakfast and return

We had booked breakfast for 9:15 so after a shower in the excellent facilities I enjoyed an Anglers breakfast (a full English) and Rosemary had bacon and sausage bap, both very good. Came back the long way via Market Rasen and Sleaford taking in a couple of farm shops on the way and arrived home at 6 o'clock. It was long trip which did not live up to expectations but nice to see Fonaby Top again.

Fishing on Heron Lake

The forecast was for a strong breeze so I decided to fish on the bottom lake which had a bit of shelter. Just as well as all the pegs were taken on the best match lake. First fish was a bream which I haven't caught for a while. I missed a lot of bites so switched to lighter tackle and started to caught some roach.

It was getting very gusty so I had decided give up. Although I hadn't seen any sign of carp in the margins I put a chunk of luncheon meat on my roach tackle and made a final cast close to some rushes about 10ft away. I wasn't paying much attention until my rod started to disappear over the front of the stand. Just managed to grab it and eventually landed a very lively carp of about 5lb on a size 20 hook to 2lb terminal tackle. That was an interetsting end to a relaxing day on the lake.

What was to follow was not so good. We were looking forward to a nice meal in the 5* restaurant and wandered over at 7:00 only to be told that as we had not booked they could not accomodate us. The place which has 100 seats was almost empty but apparently only one person in the kitchen so we had had it so to speak. Very disaapointing. We did not have a plan B, it was our last night away and no meal in reserve. Rosemary managed to russle up some beans and cheese so we did not starve.  

Caister and Fonaby Top

So its off to Fonaby Top again. This brings back memories of working for EMGAS when there was a microwave repeater site on the hill near the small town of Caister. It's A46 all the way from Leicester, not a single place to stop on route so we arrived on site quite early. It's a very compact camping area and we have a pitch by the side of the tortoise enclosure. Back to back pitches are not ideal for a rear door van. 

I had a walk round the lakes which are dominated by water side lodges taking up many fishing pegs. The restaurant looks nice with a big tank full of Koi carp outside. We cooked some lamb steaks for dinner and intend to have dinner in the restaurant tomorrow.

Fishing break in Lincs

We decided to have a short trip into Lincolnshire for a spot of fishing and found a 5 star site on Pitchup with a restaurant and 3 lakes so sounds ideal. Almost zero planning.

Returning Home Nightmare

Woke up and it's still raining but we have to be off site by 11:00am because of the narrow winding access road. It is not wandering round pretty villages weather so we use chose a route home via Ripon to see the Cathedral and Fountains Abbey, neither of which we have visited before.

After a tortuous drive down narrow roads parallel to the A1 (satnav to blame) we finally arrived in Ripon in the rain. The car park for the cathedral was shared with Sainsbury's so was full of Friday shoppers. We decided not to bother and drove on to nearby Fountains Abbey which is managed by NT. The rain was even heavier and running down the access roads, but we made it to the almost empty carpark. Weather map showed rain was easing so we waited and waited until it was light enough to make it to the visitor center. Bought a plant for Mark and were directed to the disabled car park where we could easily stroll to see the Abbey ruins. Well worth another visit in better weather.

Exiting the car park a sign pointed to Harrogate. Sounds nice afternoon tea stop - big mistake. It's now 3:30, roads into town very slow. Dodge round the town centre to head towards A1 south. Traffic getting worse until we get to a burst water main, at the junction of the two outgoing routes, with a diversion though a housing estate. Locals outside and in windows as main road  traffic, including a motorhome, tried to get through their side street with cars parked both sides. Absolute chaos.

It took about an hour from approaching Harrogate to reaching the A1. We definitely deserved the KFC and Costa at the services before we  travelled on. It should have been an easy run from there but an earlier accident, that had closed part of the M1/M62, was still causing stop-start progress. We finally arrived home at around 7:30 after being stuck in the van for about 6 hours on what should have been a 3 hour journey. But we are home safe and sound after a long awaited and very successful holiday.

Hawes and Waterfalls

We took the van out today to drive up to Hawes in upper Wensleydale to take in the scenary and visit the big creamery. We had cheese on toast and a cheese scone after browsing the gift shop and buying some traditional Wensleydale cheese. Chatted to bikers about our travels. We walked around Hawes which is a popular and picturesque tourist spot with lots of small tea shops and pubs. We were entertained by a duck feeding on the top of waterfall after leaving it's 3 chicks squealing for attention down below.

On the way back we parked at Aysgarth to see the impressive stretch of waterfalls. It was a steep walk down to the upper falls and then back up and down again to the middle falls with the Yorkshire Dales Centre in between. It has been too dry recently for the falls to be at their best but photos were duly taken. An ice cream helped fuel the climb back up to the carpark via the church yard.

Before Rosemary cooked dinner I went to the local hidden falls at Harmby a short walk from site. Just as good for photos but on a much smaller scale.

It started raining about 8:00pm and is set to continue for 24hrs. It's the first significant rain we have had all holiday and will make the climb out of the site more challenging.

Leyburn outing

We are here for 3 nights and have moved pitch today onto the balcony by the top of the lime kilns. Unfortunately the TV signal is blocked so we are on DVD, Amazon music and iPlayer. 

We walked into Leyburn as busses only run in the morning and I walked up to the Shawl viewpoint while Rosemary browsed through the shops around the prettyy market square. On the way back we stopped at the chocolate factory for a welcome coffee and chocolate cheesecake, it was a 3 mile round trip.

When we arrived back the peacock called Gerald, which we heard squarking overnight, was wandering around the site having its photograph taken. The sound of a Brass band practicing about half mile away was being carried in on the wind. Its a very quirky site with a lot of charm.

Yorkshire Dales

Heading for our final scheduled stop in Lower Wensleydale. We arrived here by taking a B road over the hills and dales of Northumberland and Yorkshire. First there was Weardale, bleak sheep inhabited moorland. Then Teesdale, greener, more scenic and even more sheep to Barnard Castle. An attractive market town made more famous by Dominic Cummings but it was very busy and nowhere to park. Did not even see the castle - should have gone to Specsavers.

We joined the A66 which is like a fairground switch back and I was pursued for a long stretch by a very inconsiderate HGV driver on my tail. We pulled off the A66 just before Scotch Corner for a welcome break at a big farm shop and cafe, complete with lamas, camels and donkeys. We bought some steak and lamb for our time at Leyburn where we arrived mid afternoon. The site is in a landscaped disused quarry and is on 3 levels with lots of wild life including rabbits and a peacock. We took a short walk over the heritage railway line, beside the site, to the local pub to check bus times into Leyburn and Bedale. 

It was a nice evening again so time for a Tequila sunrise and a steak grill in the sunshine while watching England qualify for Euro knockout stages.

Scottish Borders

Before we left Berwick we shopped ot the M&S foodhall to tides us over the next couple of days. Then we headed south west for Scotland crossing the border at Coldstream and then on to Kelso, following the River Tweed before stopping in Jedburgh for a lunch break. 

When we arrived there was a strange smell of bacon frying. The hairy Scots lad in the car parked next to us was making bacon sandwiches on a primus by his car. Probem solved.

We tried to visit Mary Queen of Scots house, it was closed, but we ate a Stovie in the imacculate gardens and a coffee outside the Abbey cafe. The ruined abbey was also closed. The gift shop was open however so we bought a card to send to our neighbours children Charlie and Alfie who had seen us off on holiday.

We crossed back into England over the scenic Carter Bar pass where we stopped to admire the views. Visibility was excellent and we could see for miles in all directions.

On the Englsih side is the Northumberland AONB and Keilder Forest which we entered briefly before finding a sign telling us it was 4x4 route. So we went on to a Water Board overnight stop by the dam at Derwent Reservoir. After the day trippers had gone we were on our own for the night. We walked up to the dam before dinner. It was the longest day and shortest night so it never got dark enough to see the milky way despite the fact that the park is in a dark skies area clear skies.

Father's Day off

A quiet day today walking over the river bridge into Berwick to find something to eat for a father's Day lunch. We were rather apprehensive but actually had a nice Sunday roast at the back of a wine bar even though we had not booked. The town is very scruffy and run down so we did not linger very long, taking the local bus back in mid afternoon. We are now surrounded by large motorhomes but leaving tomorrow. After a grey start the sun came out again so we spent the rest of the afternoon and evening just chilling out ready to start heading back south tomorrow via the Scottish borders. Wales lost 1:0 to Italy in the Euros but qualified for knockout stages.

It appears we have been very lucky with the weather, so far, compared to the rest of the country.

Alnwick, Holy Island and Berwick on Tweed

We left Newcastle, after a flying visit to the Powder Monkey, for the Northumberland coast scenic drive. 

We stopped at Alwick for a picnic lunch on the beach. We had a stroll down the lovely beach and I had brief paddle in the cold north North sea. Heading north again we tried to get into Bamburgh castle but arrived too late, it was 4:15pm, so had to turn around in a very tight spot by the portcullis. 

It was also very busy in Bamburgh village so we left and as the tide was out were able to go over the nearby causeway onto Holy Island. It was now too late to get to Lindesfarne Abbey which is at the far end of the island, so we had a coffee and brownie in the Pilgrims Cafe instead. We had enough time to get back over the casueway although the tide does come in very quickly cos its very flat. But had to leave by 6:00pm anyway to avoid another full days parking. 

We finally arrived late at Berwick on Tweed on the south side of the estuary. We have a pitch at the top of the site by the railway line and we can see the sea and the town in the distance from our van. We are here for two nights over the weekend for a bit of a rest. There is a bus into town from outside the site.

Michaels Day

Nice brisk breeze from the sea this morning. I remember why you need a jumper on the beach!

We are off to see cousin Michael this afternoon and then we are all having a meal later in a local pub while the England - Scotland game is on. We are leaving the van parked on the road and enjoying a very comfortable night in the spare room.

The final score was a disappointing 0:0 although we did not see anything because we ate in the conservatory.

Old Hartley

We walked down to the White Water centre to take a closer look at the barrage which is built across the Tees where the A19 crosses the river. Then across the river to the Teeside shopping complex where we had a coffee and brownie at the Hotel Chocolat shop. The M&S was huge with massive queues at every checkout. Must be the only one for miles.

The drive up to Newcastle did not take long on the A19 and Tyne Tunnel. We were parked up at Cullacotes to have a look at the beaches and decided to have lunch at what looked like a typical beach cafe. It was actually a very nice restaurant and the tempura fish sharing platter was excellent.

We were finally pitched up overlooking the St Mary Island lighthouse by about 4:30. The weather has been really good. The sea is flat calm and it's even sitting out weather until sunset.

Yorkshire Coast Resorts

Before we left Flamborough area I drove the couple of miles to the headland where there are two lighthouses, the old and new. There is also a rock formation called the drinking dinosaur which really does look like one. 

Then up the coast to Filey which was very busy and we were only able to park high up on the country park car park so we were not able to try the famous fish and chips without hundreds of steps down the cliff. However Rosemary's tapas were just as good and we enjoyed an hour break in the sun.

Heading further north we bypassed Scarborough and settled for Whitby, getting into town late afternoon on the park and ride. It still has its oldy worldy character and has largely escaped the amusement arcade and ice cream parlour developments. We did not have time to visit the abbey ruins on the hill over looking the harbour but were able to fit in a generous portion of fresh fish bites in a bun. We also bought some very fresh prawns for another day.

Finally it was along the northern edge of the moors in the late afternoon sun to our overnight stop on the Tees, by the White Water Sports centre between Stockton on Tees and Middlesborough. Covid 19 has stopped all sports activity so the white water course is now green with weed.

North Landing on Flamborough Head

We left the van on site and went to nearby North Landing beach on the no14 bus. In fact we went twice with a call into the nearby Farm Shop in between. There is a steep descent into the gap in the cliffs onto the beach with a takeaway snacks shop in the old lifeboat station half way down. We only stayed about half an hour on the beach (nothing much to do unless you like caving) and caught the next bus back to chill for the afternoon.

Flamborough Head lighthouse is a mile walk each way from the village and then another hour wait for a bus, so we did not bother. It's another sunny day but not so humid. 

A song thrush perched on a nearby fir tree serenaded us for the best part of an hour while we enjoyed the afternoon sun then I grilled the pork and apple burgers from the farm shop for supper. Leaving here tomorrow.

Puffins and Bridlington

We left the site after breakfast for nearby the RSPB Bempton Cliffs visitor centre on Flamborough Head with the possibility to see some puffins. We learnt that although 500,000 bird's nest on the chalk cliffs there are not many puffins so we were fortunate to find 2 posing near one of the viewing platforms. 

I got lots of nice photos of gannets and puffins using the telephoto lense on my Samsung camera to upload later. We saw gannets performing their bonding ritual, fulmars, lots of kitewakes and guilimots. 

Rosemary bonded with two very knowledgable 'twitchers' festooned in massive cameras and viewing telescopes on their first day out for over a year. They pointed out some of the the birds to her.

Walking back to the visitor centre we even spotted a barn owl hunting along the cliff tops and drop on its prey behind the undergrowth. 

After ticking off puffins from my  bucket,  list Bridlington was a big disappointment. Run down, promenade full of amusement arcades, chip shops, ice cream shops, betting shops and buildings invaded by seagulls! We could not even get a decent coffee around the old working harbour. 

The fact that the pirate ship will scatter wreaths and ashes sums it up nicely. 

We took the bus back after an hour to the very tidy CMC site for fried chicken and asparagus on the Jamie. It's been much cooler and overcast today but it's still shorts weather.

North coast run

We are setting off today do a 14 day tour up the north east coast from Bridlington to Berwick on Tweed then back again via Keilder Forest and Wensleydale.

First stop has been at Ye Olde Red Lion Britstop at Holme on the Moor. We had dinner here and chatted to several customers who took an interest in our travels. We had to drive through the outdoor eating area to get to our overnight parking spot.

It has been very hot today but by leaving late and heading north we missed most of the uncomfortable heat.

Back home via Broadway

Last day at Moreton and on our way home via Broadway and Stratford. There are a lot of changeovers today after market day. It's a lovely sunny start again with warm sunshine.

We stopped off at Broadway Tower. Its a long time since we have been and found a new development of tea/gift shop and picnic area. So we had a picnic with stuff from Moreton market before moving on to Broadway village for a look round the charity shops and a coffee. We came hope late via Stratford on Avon where we did some advance shopping at Waitrose for our main motorhome trip next week.   

Market Day in Moreton

 After breakfast in the sun we walked into Moreton where there is a popular Street market every Tuesday which has only recently got going again. We bought a few bits and bobs, steak from the butcher and souvlaki for lunch from Greek lady. Chilled out for the rest of the day and had the burger from Dalesford with the steak and salad later.

Off to the Cotswolds again

 We are off to Moreton in Marsh for a 2 night shakedown before we go up north. Stopped at the massive Daylesford organic farm and Spa and had an expensive organic lunch of burger and smoked haddock omelette. Picked up some organic milk and left dodging the porche and range rovers that dominated the big car park. It's a very nice complex that must have cost a bomb but they also have a big income at their prices. The camp site is full with a lot of big motojom s that should be in Spain by now.

Wendy and Dean Close getaway

We met Wendy at Ruddington park and had a coffee and cake under an umbrella out of the rain. The we parked our van on Keiths driveway for the night in order to see Rosemary's brothers and sisters.