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Travels in the UK 2012
Ashridge Farm, Baldock
It was 8th February. Perhaps the least successful of our trips away, the temperatures were sub zero and snow was still heavy on the ground. I was concerned over the battery and thought it sensible to have a couple of nights away with the ‘van connected to the mains to charge it up.
Ashridge Farm is a quiet and very attractive Caravan Club site within easy walking distance of the picturesque village of Baldock.
On arrival, we found the water tap frozen so collected water in the watering can. We also soon realised that the Oyster satellite dish was still under snow and frozen down. Not an auspicious start!
I had, at least, had the foresight to alter the booking on arrival to one night with the option on two, if required. It did not take long to agree that this would not be required.
We spent the afternoon walking to the village and the evening attempting to watch television on the iPad. Though the price for Caravan Club wi-fi is extortionate, this is no guarantee of a strong signal.
After a comfortable night, the following morning we walked again to the village to take some photographs and then, preparing the ‘van for departure, found that the drain pipe was frozen for the cold water. This, in itself, was not a problem but the only way to empty the tank was to run the tap and we were no longer connected to the mains so there was an immediate drain on the battery which somewhat defeated the purpose of our coming in the first place!
The following day, with the ‘van safely back in storage, I checked the water pump to find it frozen despite my careful and thorough drainage at Ashridge. This could be an expensive twenty four hour break. Today, I will check the pump and the satellite dish now the weather is warmer.
I have just returned from the ‘van to find that all is working perfectly. Let us hope that I learn from the experience!
Waldegraves Holiday and Leisure Park, West Mersea
It seemed like a good idea to have a couple of nights away at the beginning of March if only to check that the ‘van was all in order prior to travelling down to the New Forest in a couple of weeks time. It proved a sound decision. Following the problems referred to above, we found that the drainage pipe from the water tank was leaking. It had frozen on the previous trip and consequently split.
Such fun; as soon as you filled the tank the water ran out of the other end! This we could cope with for a couple of nights but being on a grass pitch, it was no surprise that when we came to go home, the ‘van quickly sunk into the ground and we needed to call the tractor for assistance.
A couple of days after returning home, I bought a new length of piping from the local aquatic centre and replaced the split pipe. Hopefully now all is well.
West Mersea proved a pleasant stay. We walked into the village from the site a couple of times and enjoyed the predictably bracing North Sea breeze along the waterfront. The weather though was kind and though cooler than it had been it was reasonably pleasant. The site itself was quiet and fine out of season but certainly would not be our choice once the holiday period was upon us.
Early on 12 March we set off for the Caravan Club New Centenary Site at Bransgore in the New Forest. It was to be a short break mixing business with pleasure as we needed to visit my ageing stepfather in a home near Christchurch.
The site at Bransgore is large, spacious and very attractive. We enjoyed the usual Caravan Club friendly welcome and were soon settled on to a level pitch having confirmed that the satellite dish successfully found a signal. The weather was clear and bright encouraging us to take the bikes off the rack for the first time this season. Limited first aid was required including re-inflating the tyres prior to setting off for the coop at Bransgore. Unbelievably, we had forgotten the wine so the journey was quite urgent.
In the morning we visited my stepfather who at ninety six never fails to surprise us with his sharpness and keen interest in all around him. Leaving him in good spirits we headed into Poole for the afternoon. Poole is more motorhome friendly than most towns with excellent dedicated parking in the seafront car park. Our memory of Poole is of an affluent coastal resort. This is certainly no longer the case. The old town is worn and weary with a multitude of charity shops and pound stalls and, with the exception of a French party of schoolchildren, there were few signs of enthusiasm amongst the shoppers.
Family business saw us travelling to Wimborne Minster the following morning and once this was completed we decided to travel to the National Trust property at Kingston Lacy.
It proved a sound decision. The weather stayed fine and parking is always easy at Trust properties. Though the house was closed the gardens proved a delight with daffodils in full bloom.
A couple of weeks prior to our visit and we would have enjoyed a blanket of snowdrops. The Japanese garden was now fully established and, even in early spring, most attractive. The scene felt complete with a pair of hawks circling majestically above our heads.
Thursday was our final day and freed from family duties we took full advantage of the continuing good weather and headed for the National Motor Museum, house and gardens at Beaulieu. This has been on a wish list for some time and didn't disappoint. Parking was straightforward within a designated area in easy reach of the entrance. The morning was spent meandering through the extensive and impressive museum including a section dedicated to James Bond memorabilia. One of the disappointing realisations of growing older is that what to many is history, to us is memory. Our first Ford Anglia looked smaller than we remembered and we really wished we had not sold the Rover P6 2000!
There is so much to see including the impressive Bluebird and other land speed cars as well as a comprehensive collection of veteran, vintage and classic motors from throughout the last century. The morning closed with a ride on the monorail which circumnavigated the site.
After lunch in the motorhome we visited the monastery ruin, house and gardens. The display of the Secret Operations Executive (SOE) proved fascinating as, unbeknown to us, Beaulieu had been one of the wartime training establishments. The house was also quite homely though ostentatious wealth was much in evidence. We enjoyed a walk through the grounds alongside the lake and completed a memorable day with a visit to the Top Gear exhibition.
The following day saw us returning to Essex having enjoyed a trouble free, relaxing break.
The New Forest
Cambridge
Monday 26th March saw us arrive at the Caravan Club Cherry Hinton site for a three night break to Cambridge. Though it is mentioned in the site book, we had failed to notice that you cannot book into the site until 1pm so lunch was taken “at the barrier” for an hour before entering. The site is in a deep quarry which caused concern initially over whether we would be able to position our satellite. In fact there were three or four pitches where this was possible so no problem. In all other respects, the site meets the usual high standard of the Caravan Club with well spaced pitches and an excellent motorhome dumping station
We were interested in finding a site which provided easy bus access into the city and Cherry Hinton was as near perfect as you could get. The bus stop was about a five minute walk away with a service every ten minutes. Bus passes at the ready, it really is excellent value!
We were particularly interested in visiting the Scott exhibition and this certainly did not disappoint. The exhibits were comprehensive and attractively presented provided a thorough insight into the heroic 1912 expedition as well as reference to earlier exploits. Of particular interest was the original equipment and clothing on display. You really do have to marvel at how they coped in such extreme conditions with, what to us, seems such primitive kit.
With the weather holding, the following day we visited Kings Chapel and enjoyed the splendour of the building whilst finding the exhibition enlightening and informative. Sadly, it rained as we walked around the grounds down to the river but this hardly dampened our spirits and I still managed a few photographs.
Thursday saw us returning home after what had proved a pleasant and interesting short break.
Not ones to miss an opportunity, in mid April we decided to combine a visit to my stepfather who is in a residential home in Christchurch, with a trip over to the Isle of Wight. It must be twenty years since we had last been to the Island and on that occasion we had failed to visit Osborne House.
The Caravan Club New centenary Site at Bransgore was our first port of call for a night prior to catching the ferry. The site is of the usual high standard and well positioned for visiting the New Forest. It was also extremely well placed for travelling into Christchurch, about ten minutes up the road. We found George in very good spirits and slowly mastering his new iPad.
Thursday 19th April saw us embark on the ferry from Portsmouth to Fishbourne. Wightlink is not the cheapest ferry company, the best fare available being £118.27 – far more than we would pay to travel to France on P and O! The crossing though proved trouble free. Indeed, arriving early we caught an earlier boat so our wait was limited to about five minutes.
The Isle of Wight is a delight. The countryside is varied ranging from stunning coastal scenery to inland hills and dales. Though most roads appear very narrow we arrived without incident at the Southland Caravan Club site in time for a late lunch. Though slightly sloping, the pitch overlooked distant hills and was near perfect for our five night stay. An added bonus proved to be the satellite dish which rapidly fixed on a signal.
Though the weather was stormy, the showers were well dispersed and thus easy to avoid. Consequently, during the first afternoon we were able to catch the bus in to neighbouring Sandown without having to seek the protection of our umbrellas. Southdown proved to be an attractive resort though, as with so many coastal towns these days, suffered from a rather run down high street with a motley collection of charity and “pound” shops.
Having booked tickets to see Aled Jones in concert in Ventnor on the Sunday evening, we decided the following morning to collect the tickets. Motorhome parking is not straightforward on the Island particularly in coastal resorts which tend to have narrow streets which wind down to the coast. Fortunately, we were able to park easily at Ventnor Botanical Gardens and walk back along the front into town. Though it cost us six pounds for two tickets since we took up two spaces in the car park, the gardens were free and well worth a tour on our return from collecting the tickets.
From Ventnor we travelled around the coast road towards the Needles. You would need to travel Europe to find a more attractive road with wonderful views of the coast, often against a backdrop of high white cliffs. We drove as far as Brighstone prior to returning along the same route, on the way stopping at St Catherine’s Bay for a cup of tea.
Saturday saw us head for Osborne House which certainly lived up to expectations. Though showers were always imminent, we managed to avoid the storms and enjoyed the spring blossom, tulips and daffodils in the gardens whilst taking the “promenade” to the Swiss Cottage where generations of Royal children have sampled elements of domestic life. Much of Osborne House is open to the public and the tour of the property was, at least, a reminder of upper class excess. Views from the house across the Solent confirmed why Victoria would have found the residence so attractive.
The following day, we were singularly unimpressed with a visit to Arreton Old Village. From there we visited Appuldurcombe House which proved a far more attractive venue. The falconry and owl displays were superb.
In the evening we were back at Ventnor for the Aled Jones concert. As always Aled was good value but sadly the same could not be said of the various choirs that were in support. It has to be said that a concert under canvas in the pouring rain hardly added sparkle to the occasion.
On Monday we woke to pouring rain but eventually ventured forth to the supermarket and to the “Old Smithy” to buy biscuits for the family. Lunch was taken at Bembridge overlooking the stormy sea. From there, we retraced our steps to St Catherine’s Bay from where we climbed up the steep slope to the Oratory and enjoyed splendid views across the Island to the coast, now bathed in sunshine.
On Tuesday we took the ferry back to Portsmouth and after arriving back at the site at Bransgrove we enjoyed a good walk still managing to avoid the showers. Our final day included a successful visit to see George from where we drove to Bucklar’s Hard where we were impressed both with the surrounding area and the extensive museum.
All in all, it has proved to be an excellent week away.
Isle of Wight
On Wednesday 9th May, we set off for Beechwood Grange CC site I York on our way up to Northumberland for a few days. The journey went well and we arrived at the site at about 1.30 pm. Following a quick lunch, we parked at a very convenient “park and ride” at Monks Cross. Unlike similar parks in the south, here there was a dedicated section for motorhomes accessed following a request to lift the barrier. In York, we visited The Treasurer’s House (NT) that had been owned for a long time by Harold Green whose money had been made from the invention and development of the “economiser”. He had certainly lavished considerable funding on the house.
The following day we made for the West Ayton CC site at Scarborough. On the way we stopped at Flamborough Head to enjoy the views.
After settling in at the excellent site at West Ayton, we drove into Scarborough. We failed to find a parking space the length of Marine Drive (chevron parking does not suit a 6.7m motorhome) but eventually found a parking slot at Scalsby Mill adjacent to Sea World and walked back along the promenade. The weather though was misty and dull.
On Friday we headed further north stopping off at Whitby in the excellent car park on the quayside next to the Co-op. It’s a lovely time but the weather was not conducive to a long stay. Moving on, we stopped again at Guisborough and visited the priory. By now the sun was shining. Later we arrived at The Grange CC site in Durham where we were staying for two nights. After pitching we went for a rather muddy walk down to the river.
On the Saturday, we parked at another excellent Park and Ride just over the A1 from the site. Again, there was a dedicated section for motorhomes and no barrier. We visited the impressive Cathedral and spent time wandering around the City. Following lunch at an Italian restaurant, we took a lovely river walk. Durham is a beautiful city and the sunny, if cold, weather certainly helped.
Sunday beckoned and we headed off to the River Breamish CC site at Poburn for three nights. We thoroughly enjoyed a very scenic drive taking in the NT property, Cragside, on the way. This property was superb set in impressive grounds with an amazing rockery.
Cragside was the first property in the world to be served by hydroelectric power. Armstrong, the owner, sold it to the National Trust keeping his other property, Bamburgh Castle. A prolific inventor and entrepreneur, Armstrong was famous for his engineering prowess and was heavily involved in shipbuilding and munitions. Later, the family became famous in the aviation and motor car industries under the name of Armstrong Siddeley.
We eventually arrived at the site which, unexpectedly, proved very full. We enjoyed a walk around the adjacent lake though it was very cold.
On Monday, we drove to Bamburgh, parking easily at the castle. The scenery and coastline is quite spectacular enhanced by blue skies and sunshine.
We thoroughly enjoyed the castle and museum which highlighted Armstrong’s achievements. Following lunch at the Castle, we walked into Bamburgh and visited the small but impressive RNLI Grace Darling museum together with her monument in the neighbouring churchyard.
Leaving Bamburgh we followed the coast enjoying the scenery and stopping at Alnwick. A lovely town and beautiful castle which looked amazing against a clear blue sky, we again enjoyed excellent dedicated motorhome bays in the car park adjacent to the gardens and castle grounds.
The following day we called at Ford and Etal, two picturesque villages though the extensive advertising proved a little over ambitious. After lunch we reached Lindisfarne in time for the receding tide to allow us passage on to the Island. Lindisfarne was all we expected and more. A beautiful island on a day with blue sky and some sunshine, the car parking was easy and the walk leisurely out to the castle standing proudly on its rocky promontory.
It must have been quite a holiday home in the first half of the twentieth century! A walk around the priory and the village completed our visit and we slowly made our way back to the site across superb Nothumberland countryside.
On Wednesday 17th May, we left the site heading south. Having failed to do so on our drive north, we stopped at the Angel of the North on the way down. What an impressive sculpture.
We arrived at Thirsk CC site in time for lunch and during the afternoon walked around this adjacent lovely little town with its cobbled streets. We finally managed a three mile walk around the town and surrounding area enjoying the scenery and the sunshine.
Our final stop was at Clumber Park CC site. On the way we stopped at Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal Gardens. Now developed as a World Heritage Site it was very different to our previous visit some forty years previously. Although it was damp and drizzling, it was nevertheless well worth the return visit.
The gardens cover an extensive area and the Abbey sits impressively in the valley bottom. We also visited the Church which proved a little too Victorian ornate for our taste. We arrived at Clumber late afternoon and enjoyed a walk listening to our first cuckoo of the year.
The drive home, the following day, proved uneventful. We had enjoyed a lovely few days away. The weather had proved better than expected and Northumbria had lived up to all its expectations. As importantly, we had enjoyed superb parking arrangements throughout the area – a real bonus
Visit to Northumbria
Hampshire and Surrey in the Autumn
A necessary visit to see my ageing stepfather in Christchurch prompted us to take the motorhome and explore the area for a few days in early October. Accordingly we booked into the Caravan Club Centenary Site at Bransgore in the New Forest for two nights followed by two nights at Alderstead Heath Caravan Club Site in Surrey.
The stay at Bransgore was largely business though we did manage a pleasant stroll around Lyndhurst on the Tuesday afternoon.
Wednesday morning we set off fairly early to stop at RHS Wisley on the way to Alderstead Heath. It was an excellent decision. The weather proved fine and there can be no better place than Wisley in the autumn.
Following a very pleasant afternoon exploring the gardens and greenhouses we moved on to the Alderstead Heath site. Not the easiest to find, it is worth the search and certainly pays to follow the directions in the handbook.. A large spacious site, it is very well positioned for London with a dedicated bus stop at the entrance which presumably will provide transport to Merstham and then on to London by train.
The following morning we set off for the National Trust property, Polesden Lacey, near Dorking. An Edwardian country estate designed as the perfect setting for the famous Edwardian hostess Mrs Greville to entertain royalty, politicians and generally the cream of society, the house and grounds are certainly well worth a visit reminding us of conspicuous excess enjoyed by the few!
Again, a very pleasant day in warm and dry autumn weather prior to returning home, feeling quite refreshed, on the Thursday morning.
