Ever felt like you’re going to drown in your own snot? I bet you’ve never read a blog starting with that sentence before! But the Cetirizine which has done such a superb job over the summer has been found wanting in the last couple of days due, I suspect, to the cornfields being cut near our last site. However we have moved on and are enjoying a few days at the Caravan & Motorhome Club site at Alderstead Heath in Surrey. A nice short run beckons Wednesday when we return home.
Right, where we? Ah yes, we had a good week down in North Devon with my cousin and family. The weather did it’s best to spoil it but there were some bright moments to be had. The evening down at little Barricane Beach – just around the coastline from Woolacombe – devouring Sri Lankan curry was lovely.
Another highlight and one in which the weather did play a positive role was our fishing expedition. I didn’t catch many – less than one to be precise – and I wasn't the only one to draw a blank but the star of the show was my cousin Andy who, within fifteen minutes of casting, hooked a Shark. It was a fighter and took some getting aboard, and even then continued to put up a very spirited fight. Even the more experienced crew couldn’t handle it – and those teeth would have done some serious damage - but we did get the chance to grab some quick photos before it was returned to the water. Fishing aside it was great to be on the water with the sun shining and getting a look at the lovely coastline too.
My birthday is not something I like to celebrate these days but to commiserate Janet cooked a beautiful roast beef dinner with all the trimmings – for ten of us mind – all from the confines of her caravan kitchen. It tasted superb – but then Janet’s cooking always does – and was really appreciated by all.
Another bright day saw myself and Trev head in to Exmoor, pausing first at Simonsbath for some lens clicking, then at Exford for a cream tea. At a pub. Yes, that’s right. We stopped at a pub and I didn’t have a pint. Make a note, it’s rare. But the tea and scones were delicious.
We continued, emerging on the coast at Minehead and returned via Porlock, which looked delightful but parking was impossible. There were no such issues right down on the coast at Porlock Weir however. What a cracking spot. Tea was taken – along with sausage and chips at a lovely spot overlooking the harbour. I think I’ll leave that upcoming cholesterol check a little longer.
We could have re-joined the main coast road by turning tail and heading back to Porlock but instead turned left and took the private Worthy Toll Road, dropping two quid in the slot for the privilege. ‘Road’ is perhaps overdoing it a bit – there was some tarmac here and there – but it was good fun and took us through some lovely countryside.
The last full day saw Sarah – Andy & Janet’s eldest – say goodbye to her twenties. We celebrated with a pub lunch in land. Eating out is easy for most of us but for Sarah and daughter Esmae it’s a lot more tricky, them both being Coeliacs. The Muddiford Inn offered an extensive gluten free menu and judging by the empty plates appeared to be enjoyed by all.
After an overnight stop in Cirencester it was back to Cambridge and time for the sad task of clearing HRH’s bungalow. We’d furnished her room at the home with a fair but of stuff but there was still plenty left – some was to be distributed to children and grand children – but there was still plenty that needed to be disposed of. 
A pause in the proceedings came on Thursday, thanks to a trip to the coast. The care home had planned a day out for some of the residents – including HRH – and were short of pushers. Of wheelchairs that is. We went to Hunstanton and were rewarded with a chippy and ice cream for our efforts. More importantly Trev's Mum enjoyed it too and hopefully it helped her integrate with her new neighbours at the home.
Friday brought with it our last day in Cambridge and the day that we handed the keys to Hilda’s bungalow back to the council. The end of an era as she’d lived there for at least twenty-five years. Sad obviously but given how ill she was at the beginning of July, there has been about the best possible outcome – for her and Trev and her family. She is being fed, watered and cared for in a safe, secure and pleasant environment. It’s still early days but she does appear to be settling in well.
So, that was our summer getaway. Fun eh? Well, there have been some good moments – meeting up with friends and family and discovering some lovely new campsites such as Riverside and Lynchets Farm as well as returning to old favourites like Highfield Farm Touring Park in Comberton and Warcombe Farm in Devon. There was as well the night away from the caravan in Swindon where we were invited to the launch of the 2018 Bailey Unicorn caravan range.
Overall it’s not a summer I will remember with particular fondness though. Another leading member of the cast in this summers’ blockbuster has been my sodding left knee. It’s been fine – as long as I don’t use it for it’s intended purpose – like walking. It’s got me down and I’m not ashamed to admit that it brought me to tears on a few occasions both in pain and frustration though I don’t doubt the events of the summer played their part in that too. It’s been a trying time for many however.
Right, onwards and upwards – what’s next. Well, term starts next week, so driving duties resume – and fortunately that’s one thing I can still do even with the aforementioned knee. It’s traditionally a busy term so hopefully there will be lots of overtime to keep the caravan trips coming and the beer flowing. Patsy our dear old Coachman caravan gets the longest rest of the year – until the end of October when it’s half term and we have our 9th Twittercamp – at the Camping & Caravan Club site near Devizes. All are welcome – just get in touch for more details. In the interim here’s product reviews to be written up and lots of site arrival videos to do as well. We’ll get there.
Ok, until then, thanks for sticking with us this summer. It’s certainly been different.
Cheers
Rich & Trev.
