A Caravanning Christmas – Part 1

Just when you thought there was a glimmer of hope – along comes another caravanning blog from the two finger toss-sorry, typist. Yes we are away again in the ‘van – our dear old Coachman Caravan nicknamed Patsy -  and are currently sited at the Camping & Caravan Club site at Theobald's Park nestled just north of the M25 and west of the A10 in Hertfordshire.

Although we’d booked in from the Sunday, we did ponder the possibility of getting away on Saturday and stopping on the way around the M25, perhaps at the Caravan Club site at Alderstead Heath – one we’ve not yet been too.

However, fairly early on on Saturday we decided to stick to our original plan. We’d done little in the way of getting ready and the fact that we’d been out on an end of term drinkypoos the night before with some of the other drivers at the school probably had some bearing too. Not only that but  there was the all important lengthy deliberation on which of my long leather coats would claim the spare place on the parcel shelf.

So in the end we had a leisurely day with a visit to the barbers in the morning and an afternoon in front of the telly watching Final Score and the majority of our little weekly wagers make their merry way down the pan. Having somewhat reluctantly gotten rid of the mohawk/fin thingy a couple of years ago and attempting something longer I’ve now gone – to use a much maligned phrase – back to basics – with a boring no nonsense but more importantly low maintenance crop.

Sunday, and with arrivals not permitted before 1pm, there was a good chance we’d get caught up in the crowds heading for their Sunday morning worship at the Bluewater and Lakeside shopping centres either side of the Thames but traffic was pretty good and we pulled up at the site just a little before the hallowed hour. We followed the directions given by the club and they were excellent. Check out our site arrival video on our new (Get Your) Legs Down You Tube channel HERE. 

With check-in formalities completed we were shown to a choice of pitches and picked on looking down the gentle slope positioning Patsy nose in to make the most of an appearance the sun might make during the next few days. Apart from a bit of levelling set up was straightforward and the kettle was soon pressed into service.

The site itself is open although surrounded by trees. The M25 is close by but on a Sunday afternoon the noise from it wasn’t intrusive. There looked like a lot of seasonal ‘vans here and the site was clearly popular with those working away from home. We’ve seen this more and more – it’s a cheap way of working away from home if that’s what you have to do.

Right, Christmas. Neither of us are remotely religious but I do like the benefits it brings – three weeks off, and the chance to decorate everywhere with pretty lights. The excuse to eat and drink too much is less important as I do that any time of the year regardless. Anyway, so with post set up cuppa slurped it was time to get to work. Patsy has had her own lights for a few years but a couple of months ago, during a bit of a clear out in the garage I came across our old Christmas tree and lights – which hadn’t been used for nearly four years thanks to us being away in the  ‘van. The tree and decs went to the local charity shop but I brought the lights home, plugged them in and to my utter surprise every single set worked.

There was much deliberation as to where the extra sets where to go. Lengths were compared – not for the first time, ahem – and sticky hooks and suction cups sought out to ensure that the lights would stay up when we moved sites. An hour or so later we were done and Patsy looked as camp as, well, Christmas!

The light was fading and food was, by now nearing the top of the agenda, so we postponed doing the outside ones and went off to get something to eat. The site had helpfully provided  a list of local hostelries, but Sundays can be a funny day for pubs and food so we played it safe and opted for the nearby Toby Carvery. The food was what you’d expect  - okay without being spectacular - and they only had one real ale available but at least it was London Pride – one of my favourites. More impressive than both grog and grub was the building however. We promised to come and take a closer look in daylight. We stopped for one at the nearby King & Tinker on the way back – purely for research purposes obviously.

We were not surprisingly awake early Monday morning thanks to our silly o’clock starts when at work but it was late morning by the time we emerged and pointed Rosie – that’s our car in case you were wondering – in the general direction of the supermarket, a couple of miles towards London on the A10.

With essentials – beer and snacks – procured we did as promised and when back to the Toby Carvery. It’s located in the house of the original Whitewebbs Estate, now a country park and golf course. The original house was built in the mid sixteenth century and it is said that the Gunpowder plot was hatched here – although there are many other places that make the same claim.

The current pile dates from 1791 and was for many years an old peoples home. There is an excellent article on Hidden London if you are interested.

Back at the ‘van it was time to look at some products we’d been sent to review – neat collapsible buckets, water carriers and watering cans from a company called Colapz. To see and read more check out my review blog HERE.

Right. we’ll call it a day on this one. The word count is up – I always reckon that around a thousand words is enough – the right length is so important don’t you think!

Look out for part two soon.Oh and by the way – I ended up taking two coats…..

Winter Wanderings Part 1 – Suffolk

It’s been a while hasn’t it but, as you have probably deduced from the appearance of this communication we are away in our caravan again, making the most of the school’s Christmas holidays.

We actually finished work a week or so ago. I say ‘or so’ as it depends when I get this finished and sent out as to how long the actual timescale is. Normally we would have gone away straight away but for once the school did the sensible thing and held the support staff party at the end of term rather than a week in to the holidays. Well, it would have been rude not too, wouldn’t it and a thoroughly good time was had by all.

Of course it being the end of term my work as a bus driver was done, but soon after the half term break Trev took over as caretaker at the Nursery & Pre-Prep school just up the road. Although also term time only his attendance was required the day after to help ‘de-Christmas’ the school ready for the new term in January. It would have been rather churlish of me  - if somewhat easier - to lay in bed nursing a surprisingly mild hangover so I went in as well. An early visit to the fast food wagon for a bacon baguette helped no end.

With another party to attend on Saturday night – catching up with some friends we hadn’t seen for far too long – it was Sunday morning when we hauled Patsy up out of Sussex, around London and into East Anglia and Suffolk.

We stayed in Suffolk this time last year too – just south of Bury St Edmunds – but this time we’re a little further east, at a lovely CL at Broughton Hall Farm in Stonham Aspal owned and run by fellow Twitterer Elizabeth. The site sits in the orchard behind a lovely old farm house – itself surrounded by a moat -  behind the village church. It’s a really pretty site even at this time of year, but would look truly divine I’m sure when the weather is better. One can only imagine it when the trees blossom in the spring or conversely, when the leaves start to change colour in the autumn.

We have the site to ourselves – hardly surprising given the time of year – and it’s probably just as well as we’re perched on the access road to the main part of the site. Although firm, the grass is too soggy to risk Patsy’s considerable mass. It may be a CL but there are many of the usual facilities – electric hook up and toilet and shower facilities which are excellent. Decent soft toilet roll rather than the single ply sandpaper grade so beloved of certain club sites and a spacious shower where the water is as hot as you like and plentiful. A cute little old caravan serves as the information room and is well stocked with leaflets and info as well as a range of books should you forget your reading matter. It’s also keenly priced – there are no extras for 15

awnings/dogs/kids/etc. Wifi is included too. Good on ‘em, although my cheap and cheerful Hudl pad struggles to pick up the signal. But then it struggles to pick up our home wifi at the other end of the flat! Everything else has been fine.

Oh, and STOP PRESS! My ageing trusty black leather trenchcoat has not made the 140 mile journey north and east. But don’t worry, I’ve not gone for a sartorial makeover and actually started dressing sensibly. Perish the thought. A recently procured duster style coat from eBay – black and leather – obviously – is getting it’s first outing this trip. It’s lighter than my trench and fits a little better I think, although it took a couple of goes with a bottle of febreeze and a good going over with a leather cream to banish the smell of stale tobacco that accompanied it. It appears, after a few outings to attract a little less attention than the rather ‘in yer face’ trench. There’ll be a photo or two at some point.

Right, so that completes the fashion report, but where have we been? Well, it’s all been a bit relaxed after the silly o'clock starts we’ve been used to for our jobs and as a result we’ve not seen as much as we could have done, particularly when you consider how short the days are at the moment. Anyway, here’s what we’ve been up to:

First up on Monday, eventually, was Diss – just across the border in Norfolk. Why Diss you may ask? Well, it wasn't far away, I’d never been there and Trev had – many many moons ago.

It lies in the valley of a river – the Waveney - and partially surrounds a mere or lake. There is a partially pedestrianised high street and it was good to see a number of independent shops although I would have expected it to be a little busier being as it was, just before Christmas. Parking was free for the first hour and well done to the local authority for being a bit forward thinking. Hopefully, it encourages people to shop local more. A refreshing change from the many that adopt the ‘take ‘em for as much as we can’ approach, then wonder why punters head out of town.

Notable ‘Diss’ians’ include Thomas Lord, founder of a certain cricket ground in North London, England footballer Matthew Upson and a lady by the name of Ethel Le Neve who has the dubious distinction of being the mistress of one Dr. Crippen.

Next cab off the rank was the small town of Eye, back in Suffolk. Worthy of one of those brown tourist signs it wasn’t on our list of places to see but we thought we’d swing by and take a look. It was certainly pretty, even in the gloom of a cloudy mid-afternoon in December but very quiet too – although we later realised that Monday closing may have had something to do with this! What was open was a butchers and we decided to procure some provisions for the coming days. We picked up a pie, sausages and some shin of beef for a stew. As I speak, the stew is in the slow cooker and if the meat is anything like the quality of the pie and bangers it will be delicious.

One of Eye’s most famous son’s is actor Brian Capron – better know to many as murderer Richard Hillman in Coronation Street, but those of a certain age (like me) will remember him as teacher ‘Hoppy’ Hopwood in Grange Hill in the early eighties.

 

Last up was Debenham, just a few miles from the site and without doubt the most attractive – the numerous cars lining the main road notwithstanding. A couple of pubs looked particularly inviting but we settled instead for a coffee and sarnie at one of the cafes. A local Co-Op ensured that – together with our purchases in Eye – we wouldn’t have to hunt out and traipse around a supermarket, at least for a few days.

Right, the word count is climbing. I’m going to call a halt now, but check back soon for more inane ramblings as our stay in the great county of Suffolk continues – with some exciting news about #TwitterCampUK too.

 

 

A Festive Threesome Part 2 - A Confession

Yes, I have something to tell you, something that I need to get off my chest, before you find out some other way. But it’ll keep a bit longer.

Part 2 of the Festive Threesome should have come, appropriately, from our second stop; Cambridge, our home town or at least place of birth. I’m proud to say that although I wouldn’t want to move back. It’s changed a lot over the years, is bigger and busier, but not necessarily better. The classic view of Kings College from the backs is still one to be savoured though.

But no, time has flown by and we are now back in dear old Crystal Palace for the final stop in our trio. We will be here for new year but have made no plans as yet as to where and how to see it in.

Right, time to get you up to date, so here goes.

Thursday 19th, and Tunbridge Wells was the destination of the day for the Blogger in Black and his Portly Partner – that’s Trev by the way. 22 miles or so northwest, the pot holed and crumbling roads making old Jessie's suspension clunk and bang even more than usual. Finding parking proved easy enough and we soon emerged in to the city centre.

Now, We’ve been through Tunbridge Wells a few times, on the way to or back from Cambridge when we’ve had enough of the M25. In fact when we were doing our place up nearly nine years ago we were backwards and forwards from Cambridge to Brighton every week. It seemed an attractive place, and we’d mentioned several times about coming to visit.

Anyway, we strolled down to The Pantiles – possibly Tunbridge Wells most photographed feature and paused for photos. A Georgian colonnade with cafes, restaurants and specialist shops, it was pretty enough but very quiet and not particularly enticing on a cold December morning. I am sure on a summers day or night with the terraces full there would be a great atmosphere but to be honest we were a little disappointed.

 

There may have been more to see, but with neither of us having slept particularly well thanks to the raging winds – and before you ask, no I didn't have a curry - we headed back to the town centre for caffeine replenishment before heading back to the site. The Kent countryside is well know for it’s oast houses – used for drying hops and we at last managed to get some pictures of them. A large penny farthing bike mounted by the roadside announced our arrival in the pretty village of Sissinghurst which counts Private Eye editor and Have I got News for You stalwart Ian Hislop as one of it’s residents.

 

Back at the site, we were able to use the barbeque for the first time this trip – for some lamb burgers procured in Hythe.

Friday and with more rough weather forecast we decided to up sticks a day early for our journey to Cambridge. The crisp bright morning gave me the chance to grab some photos of the site before we left. Certainly a pretty site in a great location but more geared for better weather.

 

The journey up to Cambridge was pretty unremarkable, with mercifully short queues at the Dartford Crossing. We had planned to pull in to the services there and swap over driving but having gone around the roundabout and glanced at the queues we continued round and rejoined the road north. Trev was driving and was happy to continue – and I was happy to let him.

Our home for the next week or so was the Caravan Club site at Cherry Hinton. Some may recall that this was the last stop on our three month British Isles Tour last year. We elected to put the awning up – the big inflatable one had travelled with us – and the light was fading by the time we declared job done.

To  be honest the next few days went by in a bit of a blur – and not entirely due to too much  er, ‘research’ either. Saturday morning we went to see friends up in Bury near Ramsey and had a good catch up fuelled by copious amounts of tea – and surprisingly few biscuits. Lunch time we called in to see Trev’s Mum, aka HRH for the first of many visits. We were to return later on in the day to summon a doctor as a chest infection had taken hold. Not good news at any age but particularly when you’re 88, however antibiotics and HRH’s resilience have done the trick.

We utilised Cambridge's excellent Park and Ride service to do a bit of shopping in the City Centre – or more precisely to change something that Trev had bought in Tunbridge Wells, because it was too erm, small. I wasn’t planning to buy anything but, Trev encouraged me to try on a pair of jeans, which I ended up buying, and it is here that I have to make a confession. They were slim fit of course, more suited for someone 20 years younger, but I’ve never cared about that. No, the things is, they were NOT black. Yes, you read it right. NOT black.

Ok, so now that has sank in, I can tell you that they were grey, which at least is related to black and and are very nice. Trev reckons they really suit me and they were even the chosen attire for Christmas Day Lunch at a pub north of the city, and a WHITE, yes white shirt. I know, standards are slipping everywhere. A black tie, jacket and gloves helped to partially resume normal service, or at least my melanophilic version of it!

More heavy winds bought another sleepless night and questioned our reasoning in putting up the awning. We were up several times during the night, re-pegging and securing the edges with anything heavy. the winds eased around 4am but performed a spectacular encore a short while later with rain, the ferocity of which we’ve never seen before in the ‘van. And Pasty has seem most weathers as regular Nonsense! readers will know. To our relief daylight revealed no damage.

Of course travelling always presents new opportunities for research into my hobby and that research has been quite extensive. Check out my new dedicated ‘Ale Archive’ blog here.

We managed to meet up with another friend for a visit to the cinema and a couple of visits to the pub but due to circumstances our free time was limited and we were unable to catch up with as many people as we would have liked. There will be another time though.

A couple of more opportunities for photographs presented themselves. Great St Mary’s Church, overlooking the market square in Cambridge is always snappable as is the village green in Histon, where I was born.

So, almost there. We travelled down from Cambridge to Crystal Palace this morning along the M11 and through the Blackwall Tunnel, another journey surprisingly free of traffic. Once sited and with tannin and sugar levels restored to usable levels we walked up to the shopping area for a few bits and bobs and a quick haircut – for me anyway. A quite night in is on the cards for this evening but planning on a walk in the (Crystal Palace) park tomorrow and a meal out (with some accompanying ‘research’) later on.