Bolton-le-Sands October 5th 2007

This was the last trip of 2007. It was a great little spot. We stayed at Bolton Holmes Farm at Bolton-le-Sands near Carnforth in Lancs for 1 night. We were there near the end of the camping season and the old lady that ran the site had forgotten we had booked an electric pitch, in fact she had no record of our booking at all. We had to do with out electric but we got a better spot because of it. We found out later that the park had been sold so if we go again we hope it is the same.

The main thing about that weekend was how warm it was. It was also very windy so we couldn't put the awning up. Someone on the site told us it wasn't usually windy but somehow I don't believe them - see what you think when you see the picture I took of the trees at the bottom of the site.

Bolton-le Sands is on Morecombe Bay, and the site seemed really remote as if you were going to meet Magwitch on the marshes (Great Expectations). It was just so relaxing. It was about 20 mins walk into the village and we sampled the 3 local pubs then got a Chinese from the takeaway and ate it back at the van. It was horrible! The following morning we took a walk around to Red Bank Farm and back again (about an hour and a half) to make the most of the bracing fresh air!

Gordon out for a walk - The private road to Bolton Holmes Farm campsite - Rachel and a ladybird on the Saturday night

Hulme End - Mid September 2007

Jon, Sarah, Gordon and baby Sam at Camp Baron St Jean

We thought this was going to be the last trip of the season. We stayed at Bank House Park opposite the Manifold Inn at Hulme End near Leek. Sarah and Jon spotted this site and we went with them and Sam for the Friday and Saturday night.

The weather stayed fine on the Friday then it went horrible on the Saturday and Jon rigged up a ground sheet over our van as an impromptu awning. It was just the job. Well done that man.

We spent the day in Bakewell on Saturday, and of course sampled a bakewell pudding. It was a bit strange to tell you the truth. We all prefered a Mr Kipling bakewell tart but what do we know. When in Rome so as the Romans do, as they say. It was a shame it was tipping down as it is a pretty little place, with walks by the river, lots of gift shops and other places to have a look at.

Before we left on Sunday Gordon and I walked along the start of the Manifold Trail for a few minutes. It is definitely somewhere we would like to visit again. And as it is only just over an hour away from home we could easily go again for a night or two.

Highlights of the Weekend
No.1 - We'd like to thank the Baron (St Jean) for his assistance in making this a great trip.
No.2 - Teaching 9 month old baby Sam to clap along to the Addams Family theme tune!
No.3 - The pork pies from the local shop and Jon's Dovedale Blue cheese.

Bank House Park next to the Manifold river - The Manifold Inn across from the campsite

Saddleworth Rushcart - August Bank Holiday 07

Gordon joins the Morris men. The one on the left doesn't look too happy about it.

OK, this wasn't strictly campering but we did drive the van up to Uppermill and stay over night (at Mo's flat). The Rushcart was quite a spectacle. 100s of morris men pulling a rushcart around the Saddleworth villages with a "jockey" on the top. Then regular stops for ale and dancing. We followed them round to 3 places and took a hip flask to help us along. The morris men come from all over the UK. It has a really pagan feeling. Great Stuff. And thanks to Mo for putting us up.

Clitheroe - August 07

Terrible, terrible campsite. It was like staying on a dirty old car park. Fag buts everywhere, grass and bushes overgrown and messy. Loo blocks operated by a card that didn't always work. And it was £19 a night. What a cheek. Clitheroe was a good night out but we will not be staying here again.

Stranded in Hereford

When we woke up on Saturday Morning at Karen's Matt rang and asked if we had heard the news. We hadn't. We were totally oblivious to the flooding on the M5, if we hadn't crossed the Severn Bridge to Wales on Friday afternoon we would have been stuck on the motorway overnight. I'm sure we would have survived in the camper but it wouldn't have been much fun. As we listened to the travel reports the best thing to do seemed to be to head up through Monmouth to Mum's at Hereford and stay over another night.

Sarah and Jon set off from Cornwall the same day and got home with no problem. We on the other hand arrived at Hereford (1 hour drive from Chepstow) after following the swollen River Wye and promptly got stranded at Mum's for 2 days. Hereford became an island with no route out for us. Roads were flooded or had been swept away. The dining room in Lyde became an internet cafe for us to keep up with the travel news!

Gordon and Rachel looking terribly upset to be stranded in Hereford

Chepstow stop off

On the way back from Cornwall we stopped off in Chepstow overnight to catch up with everyone. As usual it was a lively night out in the usual hot spots!!

Cornwall - July 2007

Our pitch. It's got to be the worst spot we have ever camped on! And there was no where to swap to.

Holywell Bay, just down from the campsite - Looking out towards Gull Rocks


View of Rock from Padstow harbour
Padstow Harbour

Jon, Gordon and Charlie at Padstow

Sarah, Sam, Donna and Luke

Charlie and Gordon about to go gokarting

Cool boy Sam at Trevornick

Sam & Luke, Smugglers Den - Sam in Padstow

Perranporth Beach

Look at Daddy's big head! - Charlie and Luke

Jon, Rachel and Sarah in the beer garden at the Gull Rock at Trevornick. Plus a few pints of The Rattler

Sam and Gordon

Last night at Trevornick

Moretonhampstead 13th July 07

After leaving Dorset we headed for Dartmoor and stayed at Matt and Pip's old house for the night. It was lovely to see them and our neice Mari.

Dorset - July 7th 2007

We stayed at Newlands in Charmouth for the first week in July. The campsite was a bit dull, we couldn't quite put our finger on what we didn't like. I think it had a lot to do with the lack of atmosphere and the miserable and unfriendly staff. The layout didn't help as you felt like you were climbing Ben Nevis to get back to the van! It looked really good on paper. Poor old July 07 wasn't the best for Summer weather either. We only got wet a few times as it rained at night but it was definitely on the cold side.

We did get out and about a lot. I had always wanted to go to Dorset since studying Lulworth Cove in geography at school. And watching River Cottage on the telly. All in all we clocked up lots of miles in Dorset visiting West Bay, Lyme Regis, Dorchester (by bus), Bridport and Lulworth Cove. Here's some pics...

Flossy at the campsite looking all cosy

Glorious weather at Lulworth Cove

Gordon bought some fresh anchovies from a salty old seadog on the way down to the Cove
Lulworth Cove

Looking towards Charmouth from Lyme Regis - look at that amazing sky
Looking out to sea from Lyme Regis pebble beach
Lyme Regis from the Cobb (as featured in Persuasion and French Lieutenant's Woman)
Dramatic cliffs at West Bay near Bridport

Harrogate - June 2007

We stayed at Rudding Park near Harrogate for one night in June. The surroundings were beautiful and the facilities second to none. We had a great lasagne in the on site pub and managed to miss the bus into Harrogate so we stayed there for the evening. We spent the following day in Harrogate and managed to resist Betty's tea room. As the site wasn't fully booked the let us stay as long as we liked on the day we checked out.