We are back in Scotland but first our last couple of weeks in England.

While at Chirk on the Wales England border we hopped on the train to Shrewsbury to meet some friends for lunch. Was great to catch up with them again and we both said how the years are flying by. After the lunch me and Nikki caught the train back to base.

One last day out before leaving Chirk was to go to Ellesmere, a loverly small town which we both like. The mere is nice and there is a canal there and a loverly cafe/ restaurant called the Boathouse so we had to go in there for lunch after a walk down the canal path and through the woods.

On the way back from Ellesmere there’s a house where they have had a tree taken down and rarther than just leave the tree stump there they have carved some owls into it which look fantastic.

Llandegla bike park is where I had my accident on August bank holiday 2023 so as it was only just down the road I just had to go back down there. It was great to be back there. I must admit and a bit scary approaching the part where I had my accident but I survived.

We drove out of Chirk and headed for the Lake District and a place near Grange over sands. Again a campsite we used last year as a stopover on our way to Scotland. We were only there for a couple of days and the sun was shining and it was warm enough to sit outside chilling which we are good at. The following morning the sunrise was spectacular at 6.45am.

So then it was time to head further north and into Scotland. A dry day with sunny spells and four and a half hours later we arrived at Killin our home for six months.

Our site had been locked up since we left last year and it’s a very wooded site so you can imagine what a mess it was in after a Scottish winter with the storms we had in the U.K. last winter. Apart from all the leaves, twigs, branches that were all over the place there were also some big trees that had come down. The site looked like a tornado had gone through it.

We could see we had a lot of work to do to get the site ready for opening in ten days. The tree surgeons were on site for threes days also. Our main aim was to clear all the roads and pitches so when we were open peaple could get in and around the site. The grass areas can wait and be ongoing clearing up. We stayed at another site a mile down the road for a couple of days because we couldn’t get into our compound until we had cleared it.

While at the other site we thought it would be rude not to re visit the Killin hotel for a drink as we could just walk to it. So that’s what we did. Was nice to be back in there and even nicer when the lady manager remembers you with a big smile and says nice to see you again.

After a couple of days we could get the camper into the compound and admire our loverly view and the peace and quiet of the site. The deer were on the site in the mornings between 6am and 7 am, I had put my bird feeders up so the birds were returning. The red squirrel hopefully will be back when he knows there is food for him.

My frogs were pleased to see me and the daffodils were out. There is at least six different types of daffodils on site which is nice.

The weather has been great to us until yesterday when it rained so I hope that was not our summer gone. It’s been cold in the mornings with frosts but turned out loverly. We had a dusting of snow on the mountains we can see from the site which always looks nice.

We finished early on one of the days because we were so knackered after having six months off and doing so much physical work all of a sudden and because the sun was out and it seemed like a good idea to sit in the garden looking at the mountains while having a beer and wine. I was also given an old BBQ which will live outside but it needs cleaning up and a bit of work. It wasn’t ready for the that day but I have got it ready now and the weather is looking good for our day off so the plan is to have a bbq then.

So that’s us up to speed. The site is now open and we welcomed out first guests on Friday and were looking forward to a good season with lots of sunshine and getting out and about exploring the area again and of course keeping you updated if you follow this blog which I hope you enjoy.

Some facts of our winter trip.

I drove the camper 1654 miles from leaving here last year to getting back here.

I used £446 worth of fuel.

Nikki done more miles in the car because she gets lost and goes around roundabouts twice. The car also gets used a lot more but I forgot to record the miles before we left.

Nikki even washed the car once.

Take care and don’t forget to check in again soon.

Our last couple of days at Broadway we went for a final stroll around the village. Looked at the pubs we didn’t go in and the shops we could have spent so much in if we had the funds.

We strolled through the gardens of the Lygon hotel, a hotel we could not even afford to enter the reception but the garden was there and inviting so we took a look.

How the other half live we thought. Maybe one day when my lotto numbers come up we might stay for a weekend. I loved the old cottages we walked past with their old wooden shutters on the windows, very french looking.

And so it was time to pack up and head off to Malvern to visit some friends. Only an hours drive away and an area we have been to many times. We used to go to some big Volkswagen events at the three counties show ground every year. Even before I met Nikki I was going there, although those years are a bit of a blur.

Hanley swan is a lovely little village with a duck pond, a post office and a pub. A typical village where everyone knows everyone and life goes on at a slow pace until there is an event at the show ground just down the road then it’s like living on the M25.

We had a great time with our friends and one night had an Indian takeaway which was ordered and delivered to us. Washed down with a couple of beers the evening was complete and a good catch up.

Time to pack up again and head further north and into North wales to a town called Chirk. It’s actually right on the border of England and wales. We have worked the site we were going to and know the area well. It’s an area we both enjoy.

Knowing the area is a bonus to eating places and pubs etc so on my list of must do’s while we were there was. To visit the Hand hotel for a beer or two, to visit the bridge inn pub for a beer or two and a fantastic burger, to get a takeaway from the Asian takeaway which is one of the best we have ever had and to get a kebab from the the kebab house.

So as I was driving along the M5, M6 etc licking my lips at the thought of all that nice food and beer and staring at my marmalade sandwich and water bottle next to me, I was thinking not long now.

Shock horror, after checking in at the campsite to be told by our friends that the Hand hotel is closed, just closed down mid January and no one knows why. The Bridge inn closed but some one else is taking it on but not going to be open while we are here. The Asian takeaway burnt down last year. Luckily the kebab house was up and running so the next day we had our takeaway from there before anything happened to that. At least I saved some money.

We contacted some friends who live in Llangollen and went over to see them for the day. Mark had been really ill but was looking so well now. They have just bought a big house in a great location which needs a lot of work but will be fantastic when finished. Overlooking the river Dee and the railway line which has steam trains on in the holiday season.

Again it was great to catch up with them and hear all their plans for the house etc. we had a lovely lunch out and a nice rainbow greeted us when we stepped out the cafe. Just need to find the end with the pot of gold.

Another day another place to visit. This time we were going to Rhos on sea which is up on the north coast near Colwyn bay. Our friends who we worked with two years ago bought a flat up there so we went to visit them and see their new home. It’s just over an hours drive away.

We were really surprised by the area. Their flat was loverly and in a great location with everything you could want nearby and at the end of the road a beach. Yes it would get busy in the summer but winter time it was nice and quiet.

The weather was not the best while we were there but nice and cosy indoors. We did venture out for a stroll in the wind and rain and to get some fish and chips. We walked along the coast path to a tiny chapel, the holy well chapel of Trillo, smallest one in the U.K. I believe with seating for six. It measured 11 feet by 8 feet. It dates from the 16th century. It’s open everyday and there were even candles inside which someone lights everyday. The walls are two feet thick and has been there a long time.

As we came out the chapel there was another rainbow over the sea but I still could not get to the pot of gold. Perhaps next time. On the drive back we both commented on how nice the area was.

The last couple of days have been warm and I have even been sat outside in shorts and T shirt. We have had some very windy days and a lot of rain also. Those days I was not sat out side. Today I take my bike to the bike shop for new tyres and tomorrow we are going on the train to Shrewsbury to meet up with some more friends for lunch.

We have another ten days here and then head into the Lake District for a couple of days before going on to Scotland to start work.

After doing my hike up to the tower and enjoying it so much I wanted to go up there again but go a different route. I also wanted the sun to be out with blue skies for better photos.

The weather forecast was looking good so I planned a route and off I went. The route was only about half a mile longer it’s just it was a different way. I could also get closer to the deer this time luckily and the sky was blue so that was a bonus.

I also did a third hike up to the tower going a different route. This one was a bit longer but such a lovely morning. I went across the border from Worcester into Gloucestershire and through a beautiful small village called Snowshill. There was no snow, just a local pub, a church and some lovely Cotswold cottages. I also passed the Lavender fields which in the summer would have looked flourishing but this time of year just looked nice in their rows.

The three routes were.

Route one = 5.5 miles

Route two = 6 miles

Route three = 8 miles

There was a cold wind on the third hike so eating my marmalade sandwich at the tower was quick. From there it was all down hill into the village of Broadway.

Nikki was back now so we decided to go out for a meal and drink as we had not been out in Broadway. So I sold one of my kidneys to pay for the evening. Only joking I didn’t really but the cost of an evening out in Broadway ain’t cheap.

Two drinks costing £18.25. I had to go up to the bar three more times to make sure that was right and yes it was the same every round. Luckily Nikki had spotted a deal on their website giving 50% off main meals for that week. yes it was expensive even with the 50% off meals but it was a great evening and we do like to enjoy ourselves. So if you’re ever in Broadway make sure you have arranged a bank loan before going to the pub.

The next day we had a walk around the village via some back lanes looking at all the cottages etc. This was Nikki’s sort of walk. She wanted to get some bits from the Co Op shop so I sat outside in the sun waiting for her.

While sat there I witnessed something I have not seen in a very long time. A kid about 9/10 years old came out the shop with his bag of sweets picked up his scooter which he had parked out the way, not just dropped it in the path of everyone. He then sat on a bench eating his sweets and checking his phone. Then he put his rubbish in the bin. I was surprised at that but because there was a gentle breeze before he could walk away the rubbish blew out the bin. He then picked it back up and put it in the bin again making sure it would not blow out. I was so impressed. He then got on his scooter and off he went.

A couple of the lovely Cotswold cottages around Broadway which look so nice but they don’t have wheels so you can’t move them about.

I have really enjoyed being here in Broadway for three weeks. It’s a lovely village. I would like to come back when the steam train is running from Broadway to Cheltenham. The old station looks good and they are doing some refurb work now while it’s closed for the winter. But I would not want to be here in the summer when it gets flooded with tourists.

We move on again tomorrow, going to Malvern to visit some friends for a few days. Malvern will be stopover 15 from 18 which means we are only 3 stops away from our work base for the summer. I can’t believe the time has gone so quick along with the bank balance. But like I said before, we have done a lot and enjoyed ourselves.

The six nations has started now so it’s my turn to take over the tv on weekends. And having a pint or two while it’s on in the camper is nice and cheap but not the same as being down the pub watching it.

This last sign made me laugh while we were in a Laundry catching up with our washing.

The last few days at Cirencester were cold and dry, then damp, Misty and drizzly. I prefer the cold days out of the two but would much prefer to have some sun on my back.

I went for a nice long walk on one of the frosty days, up through the Bathurst estate and across the field’s, all in all about six miles. Saw some deer and a red kite, that’s a bird not a pice of plastic with a string attached to it held by a small child. The clouds as I set of were interesting.

The frozen fauna was interesting, called old man’s beard and funnily enough by the time I got back from my frosty walk I had ice in my beard. I felt like an artic explorer. The next day was also cold and started with a loverly sunrise while most peaple were still tucked up in bed.

The last week at Cirencester I was also home alone. Nikki had gone off to see her sister for two weeks leaving me to fend for myself. Luckily she had gone shopping before she left. Because she took the car any shopping I needed I had to walk a mile to the shop and carry it all back in my rucksack another mile. So I thought If I walk to the shop I might as well walk to the pub, eat in the pub and walk back. That would save me carrying a rucksack full of food and possibly hurting my back.

I arranged to meet some friends in a pub in Cirencester, I have known them for 40+ years and they only live about half an hours drive from Cirencester. So a time and place was arranged.

I got there early and walked into the pub and it was full of kids and very noisy and they never served Guinness so I walked out, messaged my friends and said change of venue. Good pub, good Guinness and good food. Everyone happy. Was really good to catch up with them.

Time to move on to Broadway. I packed the camper up and headed out on the road for the trip of nearly an hour north and into Worcester and to another Cotswold village.

Broadway is a beautiful place with all the Cotswold stone buildings and nice old shops etc. But is very expensive and touristy but at this time of year there are less peaple about. The site we are on is right next to a railway line which is not used in the winter and when in use it’s a steam train that runs. So you get a good view from certain places on the site because it literally runs along side the top half of the site.

I wanted to walk up to the Broadway tower from site. I had no choice really because Nikki had the car but I need the exercise anyway. The tower is a 18th century folly built of limestone and ashlar, four storeys high. Twenty metres high and is hexagonal with three corner turrets. It opened in 1799. From the site to walk to it and back is five miles including a hill so an elevation of 814 ft was covered. I plan to do the walk again and make a bigger loop of it.

You really need a clear day to appreciate the view from the top.

I got up to the tower at 8.45am so no one else was about. It was so peaceful. There were a herd of deer in the field next to the tower, a kestrel did a fly pass and a little Robin came and said hello.

As I walked back down the hill, much easier than going up, I walked through the village and gazed in the shop windows at stuff I could not afford. I went and bought a lotto ticket so you never know I might be able to go back and buy something after the weekend.

The Broadway Deli shop looked fantastic with its display outside and a fiat 500 in the window. A proper sweet shop with jar after jar full of all your old favourite sweets and a drinks shop which I took a lot of interest in so will have to go back for further investigation. I am sure when Nikki gets back we will walk into the village and she will want to go in the charity shops. Being a very rich area the charity shops are normally full of better quality cloths etc and don’t smell of wee.

So that’s us up to date, only a short blog but hope you enjoyed it. I am home alone until Sunday when Nikki comes home, hopefully via a supermarket to save my poor back. As I write this storm Eowyn is blowing and has been all night but everything is still as it should be. I think looking at the weather forecast there is even some sunshine due. At least we are heading in the right direction towards spring and the days are drawing out. Stay safe out there.

Happy new year to you all and thank you for reading my blog and I hope you continue to enjoy it as much as I enjoy writing it. It’s been going for a while now and to be honest I only started it for myself so I have a reminder of places we have been, things we have done etc.

So as we start the new year we are still in Cirencester.

After taking photos of the fox feeding at night I saw him a couple of times in the daylight and really wanted to get photos of him in the daylight. A bit of patience and it paid off.

As you can see he is very healthy. Over the next few days he was always about in the day but very wary of people but it was so nice to see him in the daylight.

Xmas came and went, not as fast as I would have liked but it’s over now. I don’t like Xmas for a lot of reasons. It’s too commercial being one of the main reasons. Boxing Day we decided to go for a walk in the Bathurst estate grounds completely forgetting the Boxing Day hunt would be on. We wondered why so many people were out walking towards the town.

The hunt is what they call a drag hunt, no it’s not a load of drag queens out on a jolly around the countryside. It’s where a scented cloth is dragged along and then they follow it. As with all hunts there are protesters who are against it and while walking along one of these latched on to me and started asking what I thought.

My reply was as much as I don’t like cruelty to animals hunting is a tradition which has been going on for many years and will continue to. We turned off from the main event and walked around the back streets where there were some lovely old shops with matching names.

Our friends on site mentioned about going into town one lunchtime for a beer. There is a lovely little bar called the Hop Kettle. It’s a small brewery from Swindon who brew their own beer and have a great selection to choose from. Not being one to turn down the offer of a pint we strolled into town with them.

By the time we came out of there it was dark, not because it was late but because it gets dark early. Our friends left before us but I had to have another beer. As we walked up through the town towards home I was getting hungry and wanted to stop at every opportunity to eat but I resisted as Nikki was going to cook a quick meal when we got back. The market square was empty, just the lovely H van which is a coffee stall in the daytime.

For over a week the weather was really murky and damp which I hate along with wind and rain. My bike has not been out for a couple of months which for me is a lifetime. It’s just so difficult living like this in the winter when I come back from a ride covered in mud and the bike has to be washed off before being put away. I lose my MoJo at this time of year and just wish I could hibernate and wake up in the spring.

New Year’s Eve was another damp night and again glad it’s all over now and we are heading for better weather, not straight away but we’re going in that direction. Think positive.

On New Year’s Day Nikki’s mum was 90. She is in a care home in Devon and they made her a lovely cake and made sure she had a wonderful time. We rang her to wish her happy birthday and she seemed a bit confused with the whole thing.

As the mist and damp weather went it turned to cold frosty weather but brighter days. I like them, so on with my hiking boots and off across the fields for a hike. Through the Bathurst estate and out into open countryside where I don’t see anyone and just hear the bird song.

Passing ivy lodge which is in the grounds of the Bathurst estate, which you can hire out for weddings etc. It’s recently been restored but you need a lot of money if you want to hire it out. I made do with a photo of it.

As I did a big loop on my walk I came back from the fields into the Bathurst estate again and went up to a pond I like which was all frozen. Ivy house was in the distance. Passing some frozen thistles which looked nice. I was tempted to skate on the ice on the pond but with thin ice and my weight decided against it. I don’t like being cold and being cold and wet is even worse.

We were due to go to Moreton in Marsh when we left Cirencester but got a phone call from the site saying they were having some work done on site and it would be noisy. We decided to still go and shorten our stay, so we went there for a couple of days and then came back here to Cirencester yesterday.

While there we walked into the town which is a typical Cotswold old town. Really nice with nice old buildings and expensive shops. We had lunch in a small cafe. To be honest I could have stayed in there all day. The service and food were excellent. The market was on in the square but it was not very good mainly stalls selling big knickers and rugs and a few independent ones. Back at the site the workers were ripping up the roads and it was like being on a building site. We were glad we went to moreton in marsh but glad to leave at the same time. It’s only an hours drive each way.

Nikki goes off to see her sister in a weeks time leaving me home alone. She has promised to stock the fridge up before she goes but Cirencester is a good place for me to be on my own without a car. I have fields to wander around, I have trees to talk to and pubs nearby and a hopefully a fridge full of food. And I have Google to see how to cook the food.

I leave here in a couple of weeks while Nikki is away to go to Broadway which is where Nikki will come back to join me. Broadway is another old Cotswold town but we have never been before so will be nice to see it and there are some nice walks from there.

The last days at South Molton we knew that storm Darragh was going to visit us. Looking at the met office it was giving us 75mph gusts of wind. Around 7pm one evening my phone sounded an alarm with a government message warning us of the storm. It was really loud and made both of us jump. Apparently even if your phone was on silent it would still go off.

The wind started to appear and the rain also. We went into south molton to see Nikki’s mum and passed a fallen tree in the park and a small tent up a tree, no sign of occupants. It was windy.

We had friends staying on site and had arranged to go down to the bar with them for a drink or two. At 2pm that afternoon the power went off. No problem we thought it would be back on in a minute. Nikki checked on line and yes the whole area was down like many places.

We started to walk down to the bar and were told that the bar was shut because of the power cut. No power, no bar, no food, life was looking grim all of a sudden. we went into our friends caravan where they were sitting in fleeces and with the gas cooker on for warmth. We needed a plan.

Liking my food, beer and warmth I made a decision. Back to our camper. Heating on gas, fridge on gas means cold beers. I always have cold beers in the fridge. Phone call to the kebab shop for a delivery of food. Sorted. Within the hour we were sitting in T-shirts with cold beers and a nice kebab. Life was good again. It was 36 hours before the power came back on. Luckily the gas lasted and everything went back on to electric.

Two days later we packed up and headed for Cirencester. It was a good journey and the roads were quiet, even the motorway. I had an idea in my head where I wanted to pitch up and luckily got one of the pitches. Nikki arrived about 15 minutes later.

While at Cirencester we were going to visit friends and family. The days out were planned. First visit was to go and see my sister and my mum which was about an hours drive away in Didcot. It had been a while since I had seen them.

Our route was altered a bit as the M4 at junction 15 was closed, this is where we wanted to get on so we had to quickly decide on another route which took us all through the country side and took us a extra 30 minutes. We got there in the end and was good to catch up with them and I promised not to leave it so long next time. We talked about how Didcot has changed with all the new houses going up everywhere and all the people that were not around anymore. Some of my school friends have passed away. We left in good time to get home before it was dark because I hate driving in the dark.

I went for a nice walk around the Bathurst estate which is right next to the campsite we’re on. It’s a huge big park and I looped around into the town briefly. Passing some new sculptures I had not seen before.

I don’t know what the connection is with a camel and Cirencester but he looked happy. The horse sculpture is up near the polo club so I get the connection there. They both looked very happy.

I threaded my way through the park and through the streets of Cirencester and covered 5 miles of walking which was enough for the day. The park is my favourite as it’s so big you sometimes don’t see anybody. I had a nice little spot to sit in the sun and reflect on life without any distractions. It was almost a shame to leave the bench in the sun.

Cirencester has a lot of markets at this time of year and Nikki wanted to go and have a look around so another walk through the Bathurst estate into town and a wander around. The market that day was not as we remembered it. The reason being we were thinking of a different market on a different day. We were hoping to find a stall we visited before which sold some lovely samosas. It was not there so we ended up getting a box of chips. They were very nice though.

About a ten minute walk from the campsite is a micro brewery which we have visited once or twice before while staying at this site. It’s in an old building and only open two days a week Friday and Saturday at this time of year and only from 3 pm until 8pm. No food only crisps and nuts. They only sell beer and wine and a local gin. Walked back past the pizza place which a has a fire pit outside and we were tempted to go in but Nikki had promised sausage sarnies when we got back so I was on a mission.

Another day another walk around the estate but going a different way this time via a small pond which looked nice in the sun. This time I think I saw about five people out with their dogs. So not too busy and plenty of room for everyone.

One early evening the sky was a really weird colour making everything look like it had a pink tinge to it. I like dusk and an added bonus here is that a friend has a seasonal pitch. He feeds the birds and his feeding station is like a vast array of different feeders. He also feeds a fox which comes around every evening, and is often seen in the day. Sometimes up to four foxes have been there in the evening.

I wanted to try and get a photo of the fox so went my friends caravan and sat outside about two metres from where the food bowls were. He feeds them dog food and scraps. I sat there camera ready and in the bushes was movement. There were two tonight. As they got more confident one came out and ate from the bowl. The pictures are not very good because they move to much but it was nice just to sit there so close and watch them. As I type this I can see the fox outside my friends caravan and it’s 9.30 am. He knows where he is fed.

Another visit was to my very good friend Tony and his wife Pauline. I have known Tony since I was a kid. We moved next door to him in about 1967 in Didcot. He is ten years older than me and had such a big influence on my life. He was a surfer/ skateboarder and drove a VW. He made me my first skateboard. A set of roller skate wheels and a shaped piece of wood. At this time no one knew about skateboarding really unless you were into surfing. In America skateboarding was a way to practice your surfing skills while away from the beach and on flat days when there was no surf.

So when I used to skateboard in Didcot I often got asked what was this thing I was riding. Tony went to America on holiday and bought me back some new wheels which made a better skateboard and again later a new deck which the new wheels went on. Into the seventies and skateboarding became a thing in England but by then I had been doing it for years and still do on the odd occasion when Nikki’s not looking.

Tony also got me into surfing and gave me a couple of his old boards and first took me surfing in 1974. I was hooked and had many a surf trip with him to Devon. And of course he got me into VW’s so my first car was a VW beetle bought in 1977. Tony took me out driving in it and after I passed my test I regularly drove to Devon for surf trips and eventually moved down there in my VW camper van. It was much easier than driving the 200 miles each way.

Tony was like a step dad to me after my mum and dad split up and was always there and to this day is still a great friend. Although he is not very well at the moment we still manage to talk about the old days, after all we have known each other for nearly sixty years.

So that’s up to date. The good thing about visiting family and friends is the old photos come out and one photo my sister found out was of me and my first VW, with a surfboard on of course. Taken in 1977 outside my gran and granddads house in Wales, my dad’s parents. Where have all those years gone. Don’t laugh at my flares.

We left Winchester and headed for Devon. Our annual visit to what used to be home. Nice easy drive, A34, 303, M5, and the A361. The roads were surprisingly quiet which was nice. Not a journey to do on a Friday.

With the heating still not working it was time to get the motherboard out from the boiler and get it sent off. This was speeded up when we woke up and it was only four degrees and that was inside the camper. The motherboard is a printed circuit board with fifteen differant connections. I don’t like electrics at all. A three pin plug will confuse me with three wires.

But needs must so get prepared. Glasses, phone, torch, screwdriver, torx bit driver, yoga book and a big hammer on standby. Glasses because I can’t see anything without them doing stuff like that. Phone to take photos of all the wires so I remember where they all go when putting it all back together. Torch to see, it’s dark in that area. Screwdrivers to undo the three screws, one which was in the most awkward place. Yoga book to see how to bend in certain positions to get to the part. Big hammer in case it all got too much.

With a lot of swearing, a bad back and shoulder and a bump on the head I got the part out. Job done. Nikki packed it up and got it posted off and tracked. Checking the tracker the next day it had gone to the wrong sorting office but was being rerouted. In the meantime we ordered a small electric heater and picked it up so we had some warmth.

In contact with Alde heating and they confirmed they had got the part after its travels, the part was broken and under warranty so they would replace it and a new one was in the post. Yippeeee.

I fitted the new part and can confirm that it all went back together and is now working as it should. Not too many swear words were said, but am pleased I did the job myself.

So we’re down in Devon. We see Nikki’s mum while here. We get the camper serviced and mot and the same with the car, we see the dentist and visit friends. The site we stay on has a club house which is very good for food and beer but a bit too close, even though we are on a pitch the furthest point away from it. Again you have to support local business. So a few beers was had with some friends for me. Unfortunately Nikki came down with a bug so stayed at home. Camper in for mot and service for the day so we go out for the day. We decided on going to Woolacombe and having some lunch and looking at the sea.

The dentist was first after dropping the camper off for a check up and I had a tooth which was giving me a bit of pain now and then. Check ups done but I needed a big filling and had to come back the next day. Lucky me.

The place I chose for lunch was called the porthole on marine drive and was very good with a great view. Not many people about which was nice.

After lunch we had a stroll around Woolacombe and as we had time to spare we found a nice spot to park up and watch the sea crashing onto the beach. It is a wonderful spot woolacombe but gets so busy in the summer and expensive.

Time to head back to get the camper and the not so good news. I have had an engine management light on so asked them to investigate. The problem part is the throttle body which they ordered but that was faulty. They could get one the next day and fit it so the camper would be ready for lunchtime. That’s ok but we live in the camper so we had to book in a hotel for the night. Nikki loved that part especially as we had to go to the pub for food and drink to drown our sorrows.

After our meal and one or two drinks we walked back to the hotel the long way. Passing through the streets of the town and just seeing how it had changed. The old pannier market has been renovated and looked really nice at night. A lot of different shops and a lot had gone.

The next morning we went back to the garage only to be told they could not do the job because it looked like the bolts holding the part were going to snap. If that happened most of the front end would need to come off and that’s a couple of days work. We left it to think about. We have it back and it drives like normal but just has this annoying light on the dash. They are giving me a price and timescale. Decisions decisions.

We went back to the campsite and then I had to drive back to go to the dentist for my big filling and big bill.

Up early the next morning to take the car for mot and service. Nikki stayed at home while I left at 7am, dropped the car off and walked into Barnstaple along the Tarka trail which used to be the old railway line from Barnstaple to Braunton. As soon as I got on the Tarka trail a big smile came across my face. The sunrise was spectacular.

Facing east as I walked along and taking photos as quick as I could. These moments don’t last long. The tide on the river taw was high and still so the refections were also fantastic. Hope you like the photos.

After going and getting some breakfast I wandered back to the river Taw to eat my bacon and sausage roll and admire the scenery. There are some new flats the other side of the estuary and this morning they looked fantastic reflecting in the river. So in between bites of my roll more photos were taken. I could not put the roll down because the seagulls would have taken it and no one wants to see a grown man cry.

I continued to wander around along the river bank and through the town doing about seven miles of walking in total. I visited the Barnstaple museum which was really interesting. Then it was time to go and get the car, pay the bill and then drive up to the garage where the camper was done and pay them. All in all a very expensive couple of days. And there’s more to come.

Some facts about this trip. After leaving our site in the middle of September I have driven 931 miles to get to Devon and used £194 worth of fuel. It will be less miles on the way back up north because it’s more of a direct route. Nikki has done more miles because she keeps getting lost but luckily her car uses less fuel.

We are leaving here on Monday and heading for Cirencester. Another site we have been to many times and actually worked on six years ago. But for now we are ready for some bad weather coming in. Winds gusting up to 75 miles per hour have been mentioned and of course lots of rain. Good job the heatings on but the camper will be rocking. Life in a tin can. Sunday roast with friends on Sunday so looking forward to that.

Winchester part two. Still here despite storm Bert’s attempt to get rid of us the last couple of days.

We came here for two reasons, one we had never stayed here before and two it was ideal for visiting friends from here. So a plan was hatched for three visits out from here.

First trip out was to near Reading to visit some friends who are into the Hot Rod scene which is how we met a long time ago. We have been meaning to catch up with them for ages but one thing or another it never happened. It’s our fault really because we’re never in one place for long enough not like most people who have a base.

I was really looking forward to seeing Andrew Chris and Sam their son and of course seeing the hot rod collection and more. They had also been building a new home which we had seen photos of last time we saw them, which was actually six years ago we managed to work out. How time flies.

The house was fantastic as we knew it would be and with a big garage in the garden to house his and her hot rods. I was in heaven as we toured the garage and the latest bike build in another part of the garage.

After drooling over the garage we then went off down the road to see Sam their son who runs his own repair shop which sees a hot rod or two through its doors. At the same premises is a collection of lock ups which house more old cars and bikes and other machinery. We had such a great day with them catching up and the garage tour was great.

We left when it was dark which was not ideal because I have trouble driving at night with the other cars lights etc. But it was worth it.

A couple of days later I had planned to go out on my bike on a twenty five mile ride which was a loop around some back roads. This also took in a detour to a building called the Grange which I wanted to get some photos of.

I had looked at the route on line and studied the google map so had an idea where I was going. But it meant stopping, reading the directions and then going off and stopping again in a mile or so or if I was lucky a few miles. The more I remembered the less times I had to stop. So I stopped a lot.

The Grange is a grade one listed neo classical mansion built in the 1660’s and is owned by English heritage. It’s used for weddings and concerts, that’s if you have lots of money. How much? only from £1350 per person. They do all the organising but drinks are extra.

It was so nice being there with no one around, shame I could not get a look inside. Back on my bike I headed down the driveway where countless carriages would have gone up and down when people used to live in the Grange over the years.

Shortly after leaving the Grange I stopped at a junction to look at my directions and yes I was lost, somehow I had missed a turning, probably going too fast. I set off then realised that way was not right so looked on google earth to see where I was and where I should be. I had was a mental block and decided to head up a road in which I thought was the right direction.

After a mile I came across a sign saying road ahead closed, surely a small bike could get through. There was a diversion which took me down a small road and then I saw a Bridle way which I thought if I took that, went down through a wood I would be where I wanted to be. It all worked out ok and I was back on track.

I finally got back to the campsite and had done 28 miles instead of 25 so not too far out my way and more interesting maybe.

We needed two new tyres on the car and there was a tyre shop in Winchester so I booked online and paid for the tyres. How much? That’s eight tyres I have bought in the last six months. Can anyone lend me a pound.

To get over the shock and before I ran out of money I needed to get a pint down my neck so the next day we planned on going into Winchester. Nikki caught the bus in the morning and I decided to walk in. I don’t like wandering around shops. I met her in a coffee shop.

Surprisingly she had not bought anything but told me she had seen a nice jumper but could not justify the price. How much? £550 she replied. I said it’s a good job she didn’t buy it otherwise she would have to take it back.

While in WinchesterI wanted to sell my old phone so walked into a phone shop/ repairer and asked How much? £110 cash now. Deal I said. We had already decided that if I could get £100 for it I would be happy. It was only sitting in the cupboard getting older and worthless.

So with £110 pound in my pocket and a pub in my sights off we went and nearly three hours later my phone money was all spent on some beer, wine, food, lunch coffee and cake and the bus fare home.

Out of the pub and up to the bus stop and not long to wait for the bus and no crowd. Driver was a happy soul, or I am sure he would be if it was Xmas or perhaps that was what he was so miserable about, the thought of all those people out there enjoying theirselves while he is taking them home. It was his career choice.

Back at base we slept well. The next few days were cold with even a little bit of snow. Luckily that didn’t last and I think we got off lightly to what some of the country got hit with.

While I was lost on my bike I went through a small town called New Alresford and thought Nikki would like it so we decided to go there and have a look around. It’s only five miles away so we drove there and parked up and walked up one side of the street and down the other. It’s a proper old town with a street market on a Thursday, we went on Friday so missed the market.

There is also a railway station which does steam train rides called the Watercress line. The train is all geared up for doing some night runs at the moment and the train and carriages are all decked out with lights. I wanted to get some photos of the old carriages and the station because it’s a lovely old building and has been left and restored that way.

I walked up towards the end of the station and all the gates were locked. A guy asked if he could help me. I said I just wanted to take some photos so he let me in. Really nice of him. So I had the whole station to myself to take photos.

As we walked back to the car we looked in estate agents windows to see what we could not afford. How much? You need a big bank balance to live around here I can tell you.

We passed St John’s baptist church which looked nice in the sunlight and a lovely row of old cottages.

This last weekend we were supposed to go to visit some friends in Andover. I came down with a bug so Nikki went in her own while I just slept and felt horrible. I am feeling a bit better now and Nikki had a great time so all was good.

And as I started doing this blog today our heating has packed up. Great! just as it’s starting to get colder. My first thoughts were after trying different things to see if I could find out what’s wrong with it were. HOW MUCH is this going to cost. I will tell you next time I post on here. We leave here to head for Devon in two days where hopefully I can get it fixed. I need to get my jumper and gloves out for now.

We left Grafham water site and I headed for the M1, M25, M3 towards Winchester. Nikki went a different way to avoid the motorways. Surprisingly all the motorways were flowing really well even with the roadworks and being down to 50mph. So a good journey and made good time.

The first afternoon is always a lazy one after a drive, so we just chilled out and decided to go into Winchester the next day on the bus. It saves the trying to find somewhere to park stress, and more importantly if we decide to have a drink in a pub we can both have one instead of more decisions as to who is going to have a drink and who is going to drive.

The bus stop is a five minute walk away and costs just two pounds each to hop on and hop off where ever you like. We hopped off in the town/ city and wandered up the high street through the street markets and wished we had not had lunch before we came out. Reason being a lot of the market stalls were food from all over the world and I was starting to dribble.

I wanted to get some photos of the cathedral so back through the food stalls and down a small alleyway led us to Winchester cathedral. All decked out with poppies ready for Remembrance Day.

Winchester cathedral was built between 1079 and 1532. Thats years not the time. At 170 metres long it’s the longest medieval cathedral in the world. We didn’t go inside and one side had scaffold up so pictures were hard to get.

As usual before getting here I had done some research and I found a pub I wanted to visit. I know that you’re thinking no surprise there. The pub is called the Black boy and I just had to go there to see the inside. Full of memorabilia and stuffed animals and all sorts of weird stuff. And some nice real ales and wine for Nikki.

To get to the pub we had to go through the street market again only this time we could not resist the tempting offers and opted for a samosa each off an Indian stall. And yes it was very nice. I also spotted a lovely old clock in the high street, well to be honest it wasn’t that hard to miss being so big but was high up and looked fantastic.

The pub did not disappoint. A proper old pub with beams and small rooms dotted about, a mish mash of furniture and the decor was so interesting. The barman told me he had worked there for a few months and still sees stuff he hasn’t seen before. To be honest I could have stayed in there for the evening and I think if they did food I would have but it was only 3pm and we had to get back to home to eat. The food stalls on the market would have shut up by the time we left the pub.

We decided to catch the five pm bus back to base. What a mistake that was as the bus stop was full of students catching their bus home. From Winchester the bus goes to a small town called New Alresford and not a lot in between. So I thought the bus would stop just down the road out of Winchester to let off all the students even though it’s only a ten minute walk why would they walk when they can save their legs and travel for free with their student pass. I was wrong, they were all going to New Alresford.

It was dark now and not knowing when to press the bell to get the bus to stop for our stop Nikki asked a young girl next to her if she knew the route. She didn’t but another young girl behind us said she did and will press the bell for us. As the bus stopped I thanked her for helping the aged. We know to stay in the pub longer now so all the students have gone home and the bus will be quieter.

A couple of days ago we had a walk up Morn hill which is next to the huge cemetery. Morn hill is where there used to be some camps during the First World War. Now it’s just fields and a nature reserve but there are some information boards and reading them you relized how lucky we are and how hard it must have been for those poor soldiers. Many who lost their lives.

Yesterday I went out on my bike. There is a cycle route called the South Downs way which goes from Winchester to Eastbourne. It’s about 100 miles. No I didn’t do it all but I did some of it being off road and some on the back roads away from the traffic. The first time out I did 16 miles and yesterday 24 miles.

I went to Hockley railway viaduct via back roads and cycle route 23 The viaduct sits near to the M3 and still has one of the old signals on it. The walls to it are high so you can’t see over the top but at one end is a barred piece so you can see below.

After leaving the viaduct I went on some back roads which took me through a lovely old village called Easton and then on through Avington estate onto some off road trails. Past some sheep which looked like teddy bears but sounded like sheep. Past a couple of nice looking pubs. The bike handle bars went strange then pulling towards the pub but I resisted and managed to get them in a straight line.

I passed an old house I would love to own with all the grounds and barns. Just need a lotto win and time to get it done up. Then we could move in. The nice pub is only a mile away also. Off to get a lotto ticket now.

So that’s us for almost the first week here. We are here for another two weeks. Tomorrow we are off to Reading to see some friends for the day. They are into the Hot Rod scene also so we will be talking a lot about cars. The sun is actually shining now but it’s cold.

After leaving York we headed for Carsington water. A site near a big lake which I was hoping to bike or walk around while we were there. The site is set above the lake on a small hill and is in a pine forest. All very nice but the pine needles get everywhere.

The site was not very busy when I arrived and I parked up, then realised I was close to the play area. Ok I thought it’s the end of the kids holidays that’s why it’s quiet. I was wrong.

The next day more family’s came and that meant more kids. Don’t get me wrong I don’t mind kids but I hate the screaming and shouting. Maybe I am just getting old. It will be fine I said to Nikki we are out in the day and we’re only here for a few days. We survived although only the last two days were silent. The clocks going back helped.

We went for a walk from the site to the visitor centre. We were hoping for blue skies but it was all Misty. So Misty we could not see the other side of the lake but in a strange sort of way it was nice.

The visitor centre was really interesting and there is a small island off the lake you can walk to. As it was Halloween it had a theme and they had made a great effort to entertain the kids for Halloween.

On the island were some sculptures which had holes in so you looked at the view through them to get a different perspective. These were probably really good when they were first built but since then the trees and bushes have all grown up so the view from most of them is a waste of time. I found one which was good and made a nice photo.

The next day I planned on biking around the lake which is 8 miles around, I would have gone around twice or more to make it a nice ride. But my plan was scuppered due to 10k run and a half marathon going on around the lake so I still went out on my bike but up in the hills and back roads avoiding all the runners and traffic.

Out and about I came across a pub with an unusual name. I do like pub names and often wonder how they got their name. This one made me chuckle.

Our friends Kevin and Sheryl were staying on a site about ten miles away and originally came from this area so know it very well. They told us some nice places to visit but we would have needed to be in the area for a few weeks to see them all. It is a lovely area though and we will be back.

Chatsworth house is not far away and Kevin said there is a lovely farm shop there. Chatsworth house is a very famous royal house but at £35 each to go in we gave it a miss. But we did go to the farm shop and managed to spend nearly fifty pounds.

Kevin and Sheryl picked us up one morning and we went off for a tour of the area. They showed us where they used to live etc and the little surrounding villages where Kevin worked as a local policeman. Now when ever we meet up with them it normally involves an early doors pint. The pub just five minutes from where they were staying was the choice this day. And another funny name for a pub.

All too soon we had to leave the campsite and move on to a CL about two and a half hours away. A CL is a small five pitch campsite. The reason for us choosing this one was we had to take the camper to have the heating fluid changed in Wellingborough. And this was about 40 minutes away. But that meant we had to leave at 7am to get there to avoid the main traffic. We could have stayed at the place that was doing it so I messed up there. Unusual for me I know.

We were at the CL for two days so had a drive out on the second day to a viaduct I had found while doing my research.

The Harringworth viaduct is the longest masonry viaduct in the U.K. It is 1275 yards long which is actually 1.166 km. It has 82 arches, some 60m high and each arch has a 40 ft, 12 metre span.

It is built with 20 million bricks, no I didn’t count them. 20,000 cubic yards of concrete, 19,000 feet of cubic stone. Some brickwork is lime so 37,543 cubic yards of lime, 5,826 cubic yards of barrow lime which is used in the concrete and mortar. The first brick was laid in March 1876. I bet you never knew that.

After we left the viaduct we came across a lovely old town called Uppingham so had to park up and have a stroll around. Some lovely old buildings and a lot of well to do people. I loved the old bakery.

The next day we got up early and headed for Wellingborough to get the heating fluid changed. We were last there five years ago and the staff are so professional. A real old school service which sadly you don’t get at a lot of places now. We left there just before midday and headed for Grafham water where friends run a campsite.

Again the campsite is near a huge lake which sadly I have not had time to get around on my bike or walk so that’s another reason to come back here. This site was built on what was once a hunting estate for the Oliver Cromwell family.

It’s a small village and again has some lovely old houses but a real community feel. So much so it has a small village shop which is like a prefab shed and next to it looking more like a shed is the village pub. Not so much a funny name on this one, Grafham trout just a funny building. Of course you have to support the local community while you’re there and how could we walk to see the pub and not go in. It’s impossible. And if it was closed that would be bad research on my behalf. A couple of drinks was had to support the local community.

We also went to visit Nikki’s sister Jo from this site and had a nice time catching up with her and her son Ben. She lives in a modern house but a few minutes walk from the front door is a small lake and nice walk.

So today is our last day here. The site is empty as it’s the end of season. We are just chilling out and tomorrow we head off to Winchester. It will be a three hour trip involving mostly motorways including the M25 which I hope is flowing well.