We got back from Lincoln last Thursday not without problems. The new fridge decided it didn’t like working on 12volt. This is what it should do as soon as you start the engine. We are still emailing Camper U.K. in Lincoln about getting this sorted.

We also missed our turning on the way back which was not a problem. We followed the sat nav and it was me who wanted to go another way. But sat nav way was a nicer route, she knows best.

Back into work the next day which was the day the site shut because of Wales going into lockdown. There were only two peaple on site and they left by midday and I closed the gate behind the last one leaving.

When the site closes we have a week to shut everything down and collect everything in, clean it and store it etc. So with the site closing four days early this gave us more time. The weather did not agree. It has not stopped raining and I am beginning to think we will need a boat to get out of here instead of the camper. We are supposed to leave site on the 4th but because of Wales going into lockdown until the 9th we will now leave site on the 9th November.

With the gates closed on Friday and the pub closing on that evening at 6pm. We all went over the pub. The landlord had invited us over for a few beers on him. We send a lot of peaple over to him so it seemed rude not to go and have a beer or two or three and then that’s a odd number and the media always tell you to have a balanced diet so we had to have another to make it four a even number.

You can just see the camper through the trees. I know your thinking it’s not far, but it is all uphill. Reliant is still around and even comes in the camper for a go on the iPad. We are going to miss him and hope he remembers us when we return next March.

I mentioned before that we discovered the leisure batteries were knackered. Not normally a problem because we are on hook up but with us leaving here on the 9th and England going into more local restrictions who knows where we will end up parking for our winter tour. So I decided to look down the back of the sofa and under the bed and in every nook and cranny to find the money to pay for them. All ordered and should arrive today. The old ones have been in the camper for ten years so let’s hope these new ones do the same. They are the same model etc which keeps things simple when changing them over as all the connections are the same.

The rain is still hammering down as I type this blog but we have a day off and there’s not much more to do on site now. Hopefully over the next couple of days we can get everything done and enjoy the last days on site chillin and getting some last welsh biking done. There are still nice sites around site to photo like this fungi. Now where’s that boat.

Our trip to Lincoln to get our fridge freezer replaced in the camper had been planned for a long time. The fridge was paid for in advance and a campsite and travel lodge all booked up. We then had to count the days until we could go and get it done. And of course find the money for the installation etc. While I looked in the lockers, Nikki looked down the back of the sofa and counted how many more times we had to eat beans on toast.

Then Covid starting appearing across the country again and we were beginning to wonder if we would get to Lincoln. Some of the counties in wales were going on local restrictions but the county we are in was all good and in the lowest bracket, luckily so was Lincoln. All this meant we could travel from our base into Lincoln. As the time drew nearer the welsh minister was thinking of going into full lockdown again.

We left wales at 8.15 am on Sunday 18th October. A five hour journey with a stop for lunch in the camper and a fuel stop, 220 miles later we were on the campsite pitched up. The campsite is only ten minutes down the road from camper U.K. where our new fridge freezer was waiting for us. The campsite has two fishing lakes and is really peaceful. We had a walk around the lakes and found some great fungi.

Up early the next morning and off to camper U.K. Handed over the keys, and grabbed our travel bag. I think Nikki thought we were going away for a month the amount she rammed in the bag. Now camper U.K. just happened to have an event on showing off the new 2021 Burstner models. It would be rude not to have a look so we wandered around for an hour looking at them. To be honest there was only one I was really interested in and that was the 2021 Burstner elegance, the newer model of ours. WOW it was very nice but we were having trouble finding money for a fridge so to find about £140,000 was pushing it a bit. Not enough sofas to look behind. Was nice to look at though.

We then rang for a taxi to take us to the travel lodge. An artic lorry would have been more suited for that big bag that Nikki filled. Booked in at the travelodge and off to find our room. It’s strange for us to be sleeping somewhere else other than in the camper. But the room was pleasant and had a great view of Lincoln cathedral.

We were hungry by now so decided to go out for lunch as we can’t cook or carry a load of food about in our travel bag. I am sure every thing else is in there though. Wetherspoons is always cheap and cheerful and there just happened to be one just around the corner called the Ritz. So we had lunch at the Ritz, although it was nothing like the Ritz but it filled a gap. Back to the room for a chill out and then off to the wharf to find somewhere to have a beer or two and a meal. The wharf is not far from the travel lodge and is really nice.

It was strange going into Lincoln and seeing everyone wearing face coverings/masks. Well most people were. We had downloaded the track and trace app to our phones and used this wherever it needed to be used, travelodge, wetherspoons and in the pub where we had our evening meal the Royal William IV. That’s it in the photo above. On entering the pub you have to be wearing a mask, you have to scan the barcode for the track and trace and they take your temperature. That’s with a gun not up your bum. Luckily. Your not allowed to go to the bar, it’s all table service which is nice. We had a very nice meal and a couple of beers then wandered back to the travelodge. And I slept for twelve hours. A long drive, the day before, walking about, beer at lunch time and again in the evening. I was done in.

When planning this trip, because we had a couple of days to see Lincoln we knew what we wanted to do. We had already ticked off some of the things like go to the pub, see the wharf, dine at the Ritz. The only two other things we really wanted to do was to see the cathedral and to walk up the old part of Lincoln called steep street. Tuesday was a loverly day so after our cups of tea and biscuits, a real healthy breakfast we masked up and wandered up the high street. I can’t get used to wearing a mask all the time but Nikki insists it looks ok.

The main high street was not our cup of tea and apart from Nikki rushing in and out of a couple of shops we soon got through this part of the town. There were a lot of students about and the usual buskers and big issue sellers etc. As we got nearer to steep street the crowds had gone and we were surprised how quiet it was in the old part of Lincoln. Some loverly old shops and cobbled streets.

We wandered all through and up steep street and then found Lincoln cathedral and I must say what an awesome building it is. Built in the eleventh century they certainly knew how to build things then. It dominates the skyline and is very impressive. We walked all around the outside because I wanted to get some photos. Shame the front of it was covered in scaffolding for some renovation work.

On the way back down steep street we called into a small cafe called Buntys a vintage Tea room to have a spot of lunch. It was like going back in time. A real fifties theme, even the waitress dressed in fifties clothes and fifties music playing. After lunch it was time to go back to the travelodge for a chill out. We had arranged to meet some friends in the evening who live on the outskirts of Lincoln. The last time we saw them was about three years ago. As it happened Andy came on his own because Anna had been called away for work which was a shame. Good to see Andy and have a catch up. Forgot to mention, we met him at the same pub we had been to the night before. We went down early as it was a nice evening and sat outside waiting for him to arrive then went inside to eat. Good to see you mate.

This morning we went to get the camper, where we discovered we need new leisure batteries. More beans on toast and looking behind the sofas again. It’s not really a problem because most of the time we are on mains hook up. It’s another expense but can wait for now. Tomorrow we go back to Site and back to work on Friday just as the welsh minister puts Wales into lockdown. That’s if they let us in. It could be interesting. Will keep you informed.

Part of the interior of Lincoln cathedral.

The Mach loop is an area not far from where we are that the fighter jets use as a training valley, it’s on the A487. It’s on my to do list. Not to get a fighter jet or to fly through the Mach loop valley. But I will admit I would love to. Having watched so much of it on UTube. I want to get up early one morning and get parked up in the valley and climb up the mountain and watch as they fly past.

Yesterday we had a drive out and went through the Mach loop valley. There are only a couple of real parking spots, both were full so we drove on and never saw any jets come through. One place I wanted to check out was a pub/hotel for future lunches next year. The location is fantastic on the edge of lake Mwyngil. There actually two hotels really close to each other. Just imagine sitting outside having lunch at one of them picnic tables admiring the view on a summers day and then as an added bonus a couple of fighter jets come screaming down that valley. Next year we will be there.

After dreaming of being sat in one of those benches we carried on along the B4405 to join the A493 which runs along the coast passing through Llangelywin, Llwyngwril, Friog and ,Arthog. Try saying that lot after a few beers. We stopped in a couple of lay-bys to take in the view.

As the sea comes inland it forms an estuary and at one stage we are driving along side it. The river Mawddach. Another thing on my to do list is to bike along the Mawddach trail which is a biking trail all along a old railway line. Nikki will join me on this one because it’s flat. The trail runs from Barmouth to Dolgellau about eight miles each way with a pub lunch at Dolgellau would be a nice day out, again one for next year. We stopped at part of the trail because there is a loverly old wooden bridge. The village of Penmaenpool sits on the banks of the river Mawddach and you can cross the wooden toll bridge by foot or by car. It’s 80 pence to cross in your car. It’s a beautiful bridge.

After leaving the bridge we continued on to rejoin the A470 which takes us home passing the bike park which I had been to early in the morning for a quick blast around before we went out. so that was another day out taking in some beautiful views and seeing some more of this fantastic area. And adding places to the list for next year.

I decided to go for a walk the other day, up to the dam. When I got there I decided to check out another path which goes below the dam, it’s recently been resurfaced, that’s the path not the dam. Then I decided to go on a bit further thinking I could get to the waterfall in the nature reserve we have been to before.

I knew I had to cross the river at some point to be on the other side which is where I wanted to go. So I am wandering along minding my own business talking to the trees and listening to the birds singing, I am miles from anywhere and I see a couple walking towards me. They ask if they can get to the waterfall the way I have just come from. No said I you are lost just like me.

We have a chat and decide to take a path of towards the river but that leads us to the river but no place to cross, or is there. I spot a bit where I think I could get across and say to them I am going to cross there. It looks a bit dodgy but doable. Goodbye they say and wander off back in the direction we came from. I am left alone, can I do it, will I get swept away by the gushing water, it had rained a lot which is why I wanted to go and see the waterfall. The rocks were slippery but I made it, Indiana Jones eat your heart out.

So now I was on the side I wanted to be on and heading in the right direction, or so I thought. I came to a point with two paths, I decided to go left, the lesser used path. Just like my life sometimes I take the wrong path. Within ten minutes I was in the middle of a wood and no idea how to get out and back on the path. So I just kept walking and again just like my life I was back on track. Another ten minutes I could hear the waterfall and then it came into view. WOW

With the recent rain the waterfall was in full flow and looked amazing. I climbed down the path to get a view from below. It was good when me and Nikki went to see it last time but now after the heavy rain it was amazing and the noise was like thunder. I was lost no more and wandered back home.

The next day I went off down the bike park to play, again Nikki was doing other stuff. Part of one of the trails goes alongside the a river and past another waterfall. As I was biking along I could see the river was in full flow so knew the waterfall was going to be good. Normally I bike on by it but today I just had to stop. Again the noise and force of the water was spectacular.

I biked on to another spot to see the other waterfall in full flow also. It was raining, I was soaked, I was muddy but I was so happy to be out on my bike. I did get changed quickly though when I got back to the car.

Today we had a day off and decided on a beach day, although the weather was doing it’s best to put us off. We had a lazy morning and then decided to just go for it. We drove to Criccieth beach, by the time we got there it had stopped raining. We had a nice walk on the beach and being out of season there were not too many peaple about even though it was a Saturday.

We are now wondering if we will get closed down before the season ends. Bangor which is in the county of Gwynedd the same as us has been put into lockdown restrictions. So we have our fingers crossed because in a weeks time we are off to Lincoln to get our fridge replaced. This has been planned for nearly six months now and as we leave here soon we really need to get it done, even though we don’t want to spend the money it’s costing, but that’s life.

With Covid rearing it’s ugly head again we are wondering if we will make it to the end of the season without getting closed down. Some of the welsh counties are in lockdown and some of the sites in South Wales have been closed down early. We only have until the 27th of this month before we close the gates and then have a week to close the site down and leave ourselves. All this depends on what happens of course. We have a lot of peaple cancelling and even some peaple leaving early because they are worried.

Today we had a day off and decided to go into Porthmadog, not the high street with all the shops and peaple but around but the harbour and the train station where the steam trains go from. The harbour was stunning in the sun and the boats moored in the harbour looked like a painting with the calm waters.

This part of Porthmadog is so nice now out of season and on a day when the sun is shining. The old buildings are solid and the boats are just sat there. We didn’t see many peaple at all. We then crossed the harbour to go to the train station. It’s one of the things I want to do, go on the steam train but they are running a limited service at the moment again because of Covid so we will do it next year. I wanted to get some photos so we went onto the station area. There is a strict one way system in place and you have to wear a face covering. For those going on the train you are given a carriage number and that’s where you must stay for the outward and return journey. Every carriage is then cleaned etc and the next lot go.

You also have to book online which I don’t want to do in case it’s a rainy day on the day you are booked in. I wandered around taking some photos and Nikki strolled off to sit in the sun outside the cafe where I joined her after getting some photos. Today’s train was called Linda and she was beautiful. Here she is leaving the station getting a head up of steam.

We had a great morning and walked the long way back to the car around a lake and then came back to base for lunch. Across the estuary we could see a steam train coming into Porthmadog, the sun catching the steam as it powered its way along the track. So that’s us up to date and counting down the days and hoping we don’t go into lockdown in this area because we need to go and get our fridge replaced in two weeks time. I don’t think it’s going to be an easy winter for us moving about but whatever happens we will be smiling and looking forward to coming back here next year to do all those things I wanted to do this year.