kristina1051

[kristina1051]

Brightlingsea touring park has been our destination this July. We have visited for two nights for two weeks in a row. The location is excellent as it is close to the small towns amenities which include a fish and chip shop. The site overlooks the boating lake and is very peaceful. There are lovely coastal walks and places to cycle safely. Jess and Tom joined us for the day in our second visit and we had a relaxing time enjoying a walk along the prom and by the lido.

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June has been the month for local trips. We have discovered a lovely CL at Thorrington that has walks down to Alresford creek and a tide mill.

The walk was a bit overgrown but well worth it.

We noticed a cycle track that goes to Brightlingsea so we returned a couple of weeks later to check it out.

On the first weekend of July we drove a couple of hours to Sheringwood CL so that we could go the Morris dance festival in Sheringham. The walk in was further than suggested but worth it. We saw a seal on the first day.

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We made it to Bretby and Nik once again met the challenges of parking in a difficult area with ease. We had a lovely couple of days with good food and excellent company.

Our final stop was at Rectory farm Uppingham. This was the best site yet. The public school grounds were adjacent to us and commoners such as us were allowed to walk there. The village was within walking distance and Nik had a pint at the pub.

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Our next stop was at Rowley Farm for two nights.

The views were spectacular as were the sunsets. There were orchard walks which were ok and then walks around quiet lanes. It was a very relaxing stay.

We moved on to Glebe Farm at the Wroxeter vineyard estate near Shrewsbury. What a disappointment! Not a vine in sight nor the alpaca’s that had been mentioned. The area was next to a noisy hotel and backed onto someone’s garden who had territorial dogs! There were also hundreds of crows that started cawing at sunrise until sunset. What a nightmare!!

We visited the vineyard which ignored our attempts to gain entry so we left. I went to the Roman city where I paid the admission fee and then was told the museum was closed and the interactive signs didn’t work but feel free to wander. The wine in the gift shop was not from the Roman vineyard nearby which says it all.

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Arriving and leaving is always a challenge!!!

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We then journeyed to see Trish in Coleford which was bitter sweet as we missed Nick. Trish is doing an amazing job on the house and it is really changing. We had some great walks and tasty meals.

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Then it was back to Ballards acre. 5 nights here but sadly we had to park on the drive as the ground was too wet. Mum and dad were pleased to see us and we managed to get some jobs done for them. We traveled to Bristol on the bus for a meal at ZaZa’s which was as good as always.

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First tour of this year began at Totteridge farm near Pewsey in Wiltshire. It was a beautiful spot with amazing views and lovely walks along the Avon and Kennet canal.

We walked into Pewsey which was quite a hike but worth it for the tea and cakes.

It certainly wore Ruby out.

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The 2023 season has begun with a trip to Thetford with Andrew. Just a 3 night stay in order to check that everything is working. As usual lots of laughs especially torch wars that occurred at dusk. Nik very quickly had torch envy but no for long as lovely Andrew gave this mega torch to him.

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Our next stop was Spiller’s farm near Axminster. This site is off a busy road with no opportunity for cycling or walking from the site. There was a small lake to walk around which Ruby enjoyed

Ballards Acre was our next stop where we stayed for a week. Marie let us borrow her car which enabled us to visit Portishead and get mum down to the beach.

We took the bus into Bristol where Nick purchased cheese from Shed 8 which he loved but struggled to come to terms with the price. Then we had a lovely meal at ZaZa’s.

Our final stop was in Wiltshire at a farm site. Beautiful walks through woodland and countryside right from the site. It was so peaceful and quiet so we recovered from our busy week at mums.

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At last we have arrived at a site that lives up to our expectations. Setthorns in the New Forest is paradise. We are parked amongst the trees with other people a good distance away. Beautiful walks through the forest and across the heathland. New Forest ponies are everywhere and a wild stag wandered past our van. We will definitely return here as still so much to explore. Spillers Farm near Axminster was our next 3 night stop over. We are becoming disillusioned with site descriptions as once again the site is on a busy road without paths and no walks from the site. There is a small lake or large pond that we can walk around and a small paddock which is very pleasant.

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We were excited to move on to Limmer Ponds near Bognor Regis. Again we have failed in our research as the walks are off site and along a busy road. The site is neglected and there are lots of vans all over the place. We are on a bit of rough tarmac facing the gypsies. We did venture off for walks and a bike ride as at least the weather has improved. We have picked blackberries and frozen them down so Nik is pleased.

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Next stop was Kinica Farm. We made a big mistake here as the only walks began after having to walk along a very busy road without paths. The owner was pleasant and allowed us to pick some Bramley apples from his tree. Poor weather continued so we just stayed in and read books.

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September 5th and we are heading to Canterbury park and ride. A good journey and we parked in the lower motor home zone. Lots of space but the Irwin magnetism worked again and before long a vehicle pulled along side!!!!

We went into Canterbury centre and had a lovely walk around. Later that night we had two hours of thunderstorms with torrential rain and Nik slept through it all!!

The next day we took Ruby on the bus for the first time as we ventured out to Whitstable.

We had an interesting time walking around the harbour and in and out of the back streets near the sea.

Our next site is Kinica Farm near Battle. We had an enjoyable walk through nearby woodland. More torrential rain so lots or book reading for us.

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Our final destination on this trip was to The Lodge CL at West Harling. At first we were not very keen as the pitches were closer than we are used to and Nick felt sure he could smell wee and cooking fat. However the cooking fat was from our lunch and we put the wee down to the horses in the next field (he does have a sensitive nose)! Tracey the owner came around and she was lovely and told us about walks nearby. The dog walk was perfect and the lake walk was pretty. 

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The camp gadget king has arrived at Foxhills today aka Andrew. As usual we had endless laughs mostly at Nick’s expense. I have showed Andrew the Irwin secret hand signal that he has mastered like a pro. His last gesture resulted in Nick running him over!

We didn’t attempt putting up Andrew’s awning so that amusement will have to wait until another time.

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On the bus again today just for one stop which cost me £4, if only I had a bus pass like Nick. We went to a car boot and picked up a few bits for Tom and his model making also wool for mum. Then back to the van for lunch in the sun.