That was a close call!

bobthedrive

Sunday 28th saw our first trip out in 2013.  Fortunately our site Black Knowl, New Forest was not covered in snow like the rest of the country.  A one hour drive from home saw us arrive on site about 12.30 and greeted by the friendly wardens.  Being new to caravanning this was our first experience of a Caravan club site.

Approach to Black Knowl

As this was the week prior to the school holidays the site was about half to two thirds full with hard standings only in use. Having set up followed by a bowl of hot soup to warm the parts I decided to watch the Grand Prix whilst my wife took our dog an 11 month old lab pup for a walk.  A couple of hours had passed with no sign of my wife and I was starting to get worried.  Eventually my wife returned in a very distressed state and was wet through from head to toe and freezing cold.  Having taken our dog, Poppy for a walk it decided to jump into some water not realising it was a swollen river. The dog could not get out and was whimpering and my wife attempted to pull it out but fell into the river due to the muddy bank.  The wife could not get out either and could not touch the river bottom.  Fortunately her cries for help we're heard and both wife and dog were pulled out by some kind passers by.  ( Thank you whoever you were). It could of ended up so differently. They say never go in after your dog and that wasn't my wife's intention, but the bank was so slippery and the weight of the dog pulled her in. Result wife shaken, clothes wet through and one waterlogged mobile phone.

 

Black Knowl site

So that was not a good start to our time away.  Things did improve and over the next few days we enjoyed walks in the forest and trips to Lyndhurst and Brockenhurst(tip: nice bakers in High St).  It was cold, but dry.  Even the New Forest ponies were looking for shelter.

 

Open the door it's cold outside

The dog has not been put off by the experience and still likes water, if you are a dog owner Black Knowl is an ideal site with plenty of walks straight outside the entrance.

 

As regards the site we were more than happy with the facilities including the old but clean circular toilet/shower block.  We will return here again no doubt and hopefully without any mishaps next time.