Thursday 22 April 2010

Luton to Norfolk

We were up and about fairly early this morning ready for the drive to Norfolk. I happened to mention to Phill that I needed a new battery for my camera and he was immediately on the case finding one for me at his local camera shop in Luton. He very kindly ran me down there and I now have a battery that doesn’t need re-charging every five minutes!

We set off about 9.45am and had a very good trip with no hold-ups arriving at the Norwich site at 12.30pm. If you’d like to keep following our holiday then please check my Broadland Blog. I’ll update it if I can although I seem to remember that the signal is not too good on the water. You may have to read it all in one go at the end of our holiday!

Wednesday 21 April 2010

Devizes to Luton

We were moving on to Luton to Jamie and Phill’s house today and as they were both at work we had a morning to kill before arriving there mid-afternoon. It was a lovely sunny start to the day at our pitch ...

We left the site and made for Devizes where I spotted this while waiting at some roadworks …

The shire horses are quite famous here and we saw them recently on Countryfile.

I was hoping to get to the monument and White Horse at Cherhill but unfortunately there was no parking and all I managed to get was a photo from a long way off …
So it was on to Plan B! We turned around and made for Avebury where there was a huge car park. We set off for the stone circle and the stones were amazing. Some of them were huge …

We had a long walk round and here are a selection of photos …








We then reached the area with the shop and cafĂ© with this lovely barn which had an exhibition in it …

Making our way over to the Manor House we passed this beautiful round house …

The old stables and it’s clock …


The Manor House …

We then made our way back to the RV for a coffee before setting off for Luton

Tuesday 20 April 2010

Devon to Wiltshire

I was woken early this morning as the caravan next door decided to start packing up about six o’clock! Not very neighbourly! They left their pitch and I fell asleep again waking up after eight o’clock which meant by the time I went for a shower there was a queue and while we were all chatting to pass the time someone sneaked in and queue-barged us. We were amazed as it’s just not the done thing. Needless to say we were all very vocal in our comments about the lady – hope she’s not there when we go back!

When we were ready to leave I texted a friend who I’ve just got back in touch with via Facebook. She has moved since I last saw her and as we were driving very close to where she now lives she invited us to call in for a coffee. It was really great to see her and we got a guided tour of her fabulous new set up. The house had been completely renovated – I saw a photo of it as it was when they took it on. A real ‘property with potential’ and they’ve done a fantastic job. The new stables were amazing …


She still had the same dog called Sydney but he now had a companion called Phyllis …

Her dressage horse LJ and little mate …

Thank you Sarah – it was lovely to see you …

We were then back on the road and heading for our usual Devizes campsite by the Kennet and Avon canal. We checked in and after a cuppa we took Hamish for a walk along the towpath. It’s usually very quiet along here but today we were lucky and there were two narrowboats on the move.


As we walked along the first boat dropped off a chap to go ahead and open the swing bridge …


Both boats went through and then he marched off to the next one which again he held open for both boats …


We turned around here and retraced our steps back to the site. A Canada Goose stood and watched us as we passed …

It wasn’t too keen on Hamish but he completely ignored it!

Monday 19 April 2010

Cornwall to Devon

It’s that time of year when we’re off to Norfolk with a boat booked for Friday. We decided to drive up in short hops for a change and so our first night is in Devon at the Caravan Club site at Putts Corner which is between Ottery St Mary and Honiton. It’s not a site we’ve used before but we’ll be stopping here again on the way home and it’s a nice site. As it was only a short drive we left after lunch and arrived late afternoon. We were told to have a look around and choose a pitch so we chose this one in a cul-de-sac …


Once it got dark we tried out our new silver screens and they worked very well …

Monday 12 April 2010

New Alloys!

Mike has been after new alloy wheels for the RV for ages. At the end of last week we went to Truro Alloys at Threemilestone in the hopes that they could supply us with some and today we were back to get them fitted. This is how the old wheels looked - pretty grotty!

We parked outside their workshop and the RV was jacked up front and back ...


In no time at all both wheels were off on the nearside, our tyres were put on the new alloys and they were back on again ...




It was then the turn of the offside ...

and once again they were sorted ...

Smart eh?

Mike is thrilled with them and the bank balance wasn't hit as badly as he thought it might be! The RV is now back at its base, looking very good and waiting for our next trip away ...

Sunday 11 April 2010

MX-5 Western Views

The last run that we did with the MX-5 Club was back in May last year but today we went on the 'Western Views' run organised by our leaders Mike and Sharon. Fourteen cars arrived at Treasure Park for the start of the run which began by driving back towards home!


We drove through Portreath in a convoy in the blazing sunshine which was great!

On up Tregea Hill and out along the coast road towards Hayle ...



We could see a fire engine parked at the side of the road ...

and as we passed I suddenly noticed a burnt out car but unfortunately didn't get a photo of it. We got split up when we had to stop at the double roundabouts by Lidl ...

but then it was a clear road on our way towards Leedstown ...

We turned right in Fraddam ...

before joining the main road at Relubbus ...

and then got stuck in a load of traffic in Goldsithney. I had plenty of time to look at this pretty cottage while we waited!

It was then on into Marazion ...

through the square ...

and into the car park by the beach for coffee ...

After the break we set off again towards Penzance leaving the A30 to head for Newmill. Over the top we passed a lady out with her pony and carriage ...


and then we could the see the sea in the distance together with the Gurnards Head Hotel ...

When we reached the north coast road we turned right towards Zennor ...

and then we saw Zennor church ...

before the road opened up ...


Eventually we could see St Ives Bay ...

and in no time at all we were pulling into the car park at the Tyringham Arms where the club were booked in for lunch. We said our goodbyes at this point and along with Jo and Paul we made for Godrevy where we had a picnic lunch and then headed home to our respective Westies. It was a lovely run made all the better by the glorious weather. Is summer just around the corner? I do hope so!