We hitched up the car and left Brighton on a sunny morning heading out on the highway towards Wareham. The journey was faultless and we said how much we had enjoyed Brighton. Not the sort of place we would want to be for a long time but a week is ok. We will be back.

Arriving at the campsite just outside Wareham, the sun was still shining so all looking good, until we booked in. We were told there were travellers on site. And they were here for the same amount of time as us. Don’t get me wrong I have no problem with travellers as long as they keep themselves to themselves and don’t bother me, or more important want what I have. That ain’t going to happen. We both work hard for what we have and I am very protective about it. We pitched up at the other end of the site to them and set up. The site had security the next day on site patrolling around just in case of any disturbance, it also looks good for the peaple staying on site to see them walking around.

While here at the site we wanted to go out and about. I wanted to get some photos of Lulworth cove and Durdle door, two really nice coves that I have not visited for years. The weather was overcast so we decided to go off to Lulworth cove. Only about half hour drive away. So we roll into the carpark and they want £4 to park for two hours. Don’t get me wrong I don’t mind paying for parking but a reasonable charge. £4 was the minimum charge. We had no choice really so paid. Went to look at the cove, it was windy and rough but still looked great.

I was quite happy taking photos but Nikki was starting to turn blue with the cold wind and when I suggested we walk up the hill to get some shots from above, that’s when we parted company, not for ever just until I found her again in the visitor centre. I marched up the hill to get another view of the bay.

After my march up the hill and photo taking I descended down the other side and headed for the visitor centre which is where I found her mooching around the shop. The other side of the carpark is another big hill which takes you up and over to Durdle door. I did suggest the walk to Nikki but I can’t print her answer here, children might be reading. So the decision was made to drive around to the other bay. Only a ten minute drive through the country lanes brings us to Durdle door carpark. Luckily the machines were covered up so no charge. I was going to walk down to the bay. Nikki was going to stay in the car and keep warm while looking out to sea. With not a lot of peaple about I got some photos that I had wanted to get for ages. Hope you like them. The hike down and back up was worth it. Nikki stayed warm and still saw it all when I showed her the photos. I sometimes wonder who has got it right. This photo on the way down.



These photos are from down on the beach. Even with a moody sky I still think the place looks fantastic, and the fact no one is around makes it so much worth the hike.

This one is my favourite and made it worth it.

After climbing back up the footpath, in the wind and the cold.Yes the shorts are still on. Back in the car Nikki was happy in the warm. So two happy peaple off we went back to the campsite. We are here for a couple of more days and then hitch up and head for Dulverton, on the edge of exmoor. It’s a site we have used once or twice before, there’s a nice pub at the end of the road. We plan to meet friends on the weekend and have a bite to eat and a beer or two with them. The weather here in Wareham has not been kind to us, so have not been out round the forest on my bike although we did manage a small walk but got stopped by a flood so had to turn back. Hope we get some sun at Dulverton.

While here at Brighton we planned on going into the big town itself. When I say we planned I mean I wanted a new iPad and there is an Apple store in Brighton. Nikki wanted to browse some shops and visit the north lanes.

Saturday was an overcast day so we decided to head into town then. I had googled parking in Brighton and almost fell over at the price of it. As we were going to be about four hours the parking would have been £22 at NCP and about £15 plus at other spots. You will notice I did say would have been. We chose to catch the bus which was £10 for the pair of us on a city saver ticket which meant we could hop on and hop off all day, no keep checking the time. And the buses run every 7 minutes from just down the road.

On the bus we found a seat amongst real mix of people. Some say hello, some just stare out the windows, some are miles away and glued to their phones, they are from all different walks of life and different countries. Off the bus and into the shopping centre and find the Apple shop. All very posh and buzzing. I use my iPad a lot and have a lot of photos on it etc so I panic about transferring all the info from one to the other. I made this clear to the young lad who greeted us in the shop. He looked like he had just got off his paper round. I might have been bigger than him but he had the brain and knowledge to help me. So at this moment he was my best friend. A couple of hours later we walked out of the shop with my new iPad all loaded up with my info and an empty wallet.

Next stop was to find the north lanes, after ducking and diving into a couple of other shops that is. The north lanes did not disappoint. It’s full of hippie, record, junk shops etc and some loverly little cafes. Again the range of people is great and I could just sit outside a bar and people watch all day. I suppose if I did that the longer I sat there the range of peaple would turn into the strange of peaple. Me being one of them.

Another thing we wanted to do while in Brighton is go up the British airways I 360. The I 360 is a huge tower, 162 metres high right on the seafront.

You go into a huge glass doughnut so you can walk all around inside. The doughnut goes up to 138 metres and the view is fantastic. It can take 175 guests as long as there not all overweight. Luckily for us there was only about 40 of us on there today. It cost 46 million to build. The whole trip lasts 25 minutes and cost £15 each if you just turn up on the day like we did. You can book it in advance but then if the weather is rubbish on the day of your flight you miss out. We looked at the weather and decided to go today as the sun was out. It’s about an hours walk from the campsite each way and about a 6 mile round trip.

The photos are not very good because of all the glass and reflections but believe me it was fantastic up there. We had timed it just right with the time and the sun out. Even Nikki enjoyed it which I was very surprised about as she is not normally very good with heights. She even enjoyed the 6 mile walk, well she said she did. She will sleep well tonight.

Tomorrow we hitch up the car again and move along the south coast to Wareham in Dorset to another campsite. Another place another view out the window. Another area to explore. Let’s hope we get some more sunshine.

The heating service was completed by about 11 am so we paid the bill and hooked up Timmy tow car and headed out on the highway towards Henley on Thames. Arrived at The campsite in good time and all set up on the pitch by about 1pm. The trees looked loverly in their autumn colours.

Henley on Thames is a loverly area, but a very expensive area. We looked in some of the estate agents windows as we walked to the pub. We decided that for us the pub was the best option. We could afford a beer and a glass of wine. We could not afford a house/ flat/ garden shed in Henley on Thames. Another day we walked down by the river and decided to go for a coffee. Found this loverly cafe called the chocolate cafe. If you are ever in Henley and like chocolate then I can recommend this place. You really are spoilt for choice. I had a chilli hot chocolate and Nikki had a coffee. To compliment them Nikki had an oatey cake and I had a large slab of rocky road.

We were supposed to leave Henley and go to Liphook in Hampshire to get the jacks on the camper refurbished but they rang and asked if we could re book because they were having trouble, so we will get them done in the new year now.

Our next stop after Henley was Brighton so again we hooked up Timmy tow car and headed south. The journey was all motorway M4-M25-M23 so really boring. The only excitement was when we decided to get fuel. This is always a exciting time because we need to find a fuel station we can get in and out of easily as we are 44 ft long when on the road. Add to that that you can’t reverse with the car on the back because the minute you try to the front wheels on the car turn. The first garage we saw a sign for was closed when we got to it, so a turn around the roundabout and back on the highway for a few more miles. Take two, as we pulled of the main road and aimed for the pumps it was looking a bit tight for the exit. All fuelled up and exited all ok. Nikki could breathe again

So here we are in Brighton now for a few days. It’s a big campsite and nice big pitches. We saw some other wardens we met while on our training so that was nice to catch up with them, also saw a couple who stayed at Cirencester when we were there. While we are here Nikki wants to go around the shops and walk along the seafront. I will do the walk along the seafront bit. This morning I went out on my bike There is a cycle path that runs all along under the cliffs from the Marina to peace haven. It was great to be out on my bike and right by the sea and the sun was out. Bonus.

After going to the end of the path I went back the other way to the pier and then on to the old derelict pier to get a photo. I am using my new phone as my main camera now and must say I am very impressed with it. I also have a App on the phone which tells me where I have been and how fast I have been etc for when I am out on my bike. Today’s little bimble along the seafront I covered 14 miles.

The derelict pier still looks nice in my eyes.

That’s it we have got to the chequered flag. For us this seasons work is over. It has been a good season, a few little hiccups but that’s life. Will we do it again, you bet, to be honest it’s the best job we have had and suits our life style so much. We went into Cirencester for the last time on Monday, I needed a hair cut, Nikki needed to stroll round the shops one last time. No shops just to walk to next year for her. And of course while we were in town we had to go and have a beer and a bite to eat. We met up with our wardens Tony and Jo and had a really good evening. They have been so good to us and the training has been great. Real friends.

Some of the seasonals on site have been so nice. Knocking on the camper door and presenting us with bottles of wine and chocolates. We will miss them, but next year we will have some more seasonals to get to know. One of them Malcolm has been my IT guru the last four days, more on that later.

I managed to watch some of the World Cup rugby while at work and on my days off. Shame England didn’t win it, but they did so well. Got the six nations to look forward to next. That will be a tricky one for me being half welsh and next year we will be working in wales and there is a pub at the end of the road. Who do I support when I go in there to watch it. I suppose it depends on the size of the guys in there.

For the last few years Nikki has been nagging me to get a new phone. My old phone is a iPhone 3 and it still makes calls and texts, that’s about it really but I like it. I also have an old camera which is nine years old now. There are so many times when we are out I just wish I had my camera to capture a picture but it’s to big and bulky to carry around all the time, and my phones camera is rubbish. So the decision was made to get a new phone with a decent camera. So that’s me into the modern world with a IPhone 11 pro. Thats why malcom has been my IT guru he understands these modern things. I am having trouble trying to work it all and Nikki has a sore head with me asking her a load of questions all the time about it. Add to that the internet at Cirencester was not very good so all the photos on my iPad would not go over onto my phone. Well there are 23,995!. I will get to grips with the new toy but I doubt if I will keep it as long as the old iPhone 3.

We left Cirencester yesterday and headed north to Wellingborough to Alde to get the heating serviced. This is us stopped at a service station. All hooked up we are 44ft long so you have to think about where your going etc. The journey went well and the weather was kind to us.

We got to Alde about 3pm and met the guy who was going to do the job today. I have heard really good reports about this place which is why we came here. We unhooked the car and parked up and plugged in the electric and settled down for the night. 8.30 am this morning they took Bertie Burstner into the workshop to do what they have to do. Should be finished about lunchtime so then we will hook up the car again and head for the next stop on our winter tour which is Henley on Thames.