Home early

It rained heavily overnight, the sort of rain on the van roof that keeps you awake. The forecast did not sound much better so we came home early for once. Its only just over an hour, so we were back by just after mid day. Plenty of time to gut the trout and the end of a nice birthday weekend.

Return via Evesham

The day started very wet so we hung around at Cricklehowell until after 11am and then called at the local Waitrose to shop on the way home.

The weather forecast called for clearing weather, so we decided to go home via Evesham and stop at Lenches Lakes if it turned fine. It did, so I had a few hours fishing while Rosemary foraged for blackberries and pears. Although I did not catch anything again, Rosemary was given some trout by the regular fisherman she chatted up! He had been fishing all day - but did not like trout! We stopped overnight at the Lakes CL. What a strange day.

Birthday at Abergavenny

Another year older, another food festival. After breakfast and opening of cards and presents, we prepared to take the van into Abergavenny. Before we left we showed the  neighbours our van and vice versa. They have a older Rio model with a novel modification to take a bike rack.
We parked on the 'park and walk' and found the information tent to claim our stroller wristbands for the day. It's a very good event and we enjoyed lots of samples and bought a few birthday treats too. It was a rather grey day but stayed dry and we returned to site about 6pm. The only disappointment was that Rosemary did not get her Mail on Sunday.

Cricklehowell Wales

A rather slow drive down, GPS was forecasting random delays of up to 3 hours for some reason! Actually took about 3 hours all together. Had to drive through Abergavenny which had diversions and road closures for the festival. Pitched next to another Nuventure van from Pontypridd at the Riverside site. The other side were two motorbike campers from Leicester.
Walked into the nice village of Cricklehowell which has more (3) butchers than any other shops. There is a ten arched bridge over the river Usk close to the site with an old pub by the bridge. It has been a really nice warm autumn day.
We had grilled lamb steaks from a local butcher with a bottle of Rioja we bought back from Spain.

Another food festival

Just bought two day passes to the Abergaveny FF on Sunday and booked two nights at the Riverside caravan site at Cricklehowell, a few miles down the main road, over the weekend. If the weather is kind we will stop at Lenches Lakes CL on the way home on Monday for some fishing, but not booked it yet.

Abergaveny trip

Just booked a site at Cricklehowell and tickets to the Abergaveny food festival at the weekend.

Dudmaston Hall

We had a lazy start to Sunday and decided to go to a local NT property on the way home. Called first at the Bridgnorth station of the Severn Vintage Railway for a quick look and take a few photos of the steam loco that was waiting to depart.

Dudmaston Hall at nearby Quatt, is a popular local attraction judging by the car park. Spent a couple of hours wandering around the grounds and gardens and a light lunch, until the house opened. It is still lived in by a 'working couple' and has been in the same family for 875 years. Nothing spectacular but a very noble country house, if your are an ex guards family, with sweeping Shropshire hills views. 

Bridgnorth

Spent most of the day in Historic town of Bridgnorth once the morning showers had moved away. Parked the van in low town them walked over the river Severn bridge and took the old cliff railway up to high town.

Its a quaint town with a ruined castle, Telford designed church, market and charity shops. We walked around castle view to admire the scenery and had coffee in the church to help the restoration fund. We did the market and lunched in a nice tapas bar before returning the way we came, pausing for coffee by the river and popping in to MS food hall.

The Stanmore site peacocks were resting by the lake in the afternoon sun when we returned, so we did the same. I grilled some steak on the Jamie as the sun was setting but ate inside as it was quite cool by now. Watched the Last night of the Proms on TV.

Ludlow Food Festival

We had a good drive over the Clent Hills to Ludlow on a sunny morning and took the compulsory park and ride bus into the centre of town. We have been to this food festival before in 2012. It takes place in the castle ruins and surrounding streets. Lots of samples and nice foods to try from local suppliers from tempura soft shell crab to crocodile burgers.



The curry cooking demo by Indian chef Cyrus Todiwala was one of the most informative and entertaining we have seen. Howard from last year's 'bake off' and Boycie from Only Fools and Horses were promoting their books. We left at closing time, 5:00pm, and travelled up to Stanmore Hall CC site near Bridgnorth for a 2 night stop. It's a very wet night, hopefully clearing up by the morning.

Evesham fishing

On our way to Ludlow via a CL at Lenches Lakes near Evesham. Very nice location which is just being restocked with trout after the closed season. Had a few hours fishing but I did not catch any. It's a very convenient location for a stopover travelling from Wales and the south West, so maybe next time.