What are you all up to
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Corners, loving your posts and pictures. We know Stanhope from past travels through, although didn’t know about the fossilised tree, will look out for that next time we are up there. Our first encounter with it was on our honeymoon. We were driving up to Hexham Racecourse in our little camper van, start of our Northumberland tour. It was a blazing hot day, and as we got to Stanhope, you could still drive through the ford, so we checked all was clear, the local kids moved out of way, and we did it at speed, much to their high glee as the waves drenched them! Our little camper died half way up Crawleyside, needed a rest. But we were off again soon, once she’d stopped boiling😂 It’s a shame the Ford is no longer open, we love fords. It’s a cracking drive across the Moors, we always do Moors route from Hexham to Barnard Castle. The hairpin bend with the stream is our usual picnic spot. Wouldn’t fancy Crawleyside on a bike though, even with a motor😱
A lot cooler here, and a bit of drizzle. No plans yet for today.
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Thanks TDA, before caravaning we always liked that way over Alston to the Lakes. Haven't been for years, is the cafe still there on the top of Hartside?
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I expect when you used Hexham Racecourse site it was the days of the Trax network ,we stayed there when it was ,had a big storm one night luck for us we were sheltered by some buildings those in the open did not escape it one even had awniing ripped off side of their c/van and some of awning rail went wth it
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Yes indeed, still Trax. We have stayed a few times, it’s a fabulous location. But as you say, it does get wild up there. My last stay was camping with my sister. We got hunkered down in our tent behind a very big hedge, but had to use the laundry for cooking! One night was so bad, there wasn’t a single awning left standing in the caravan area. Many had been left up unoccupied, and the Site Manager had done his best to contact folks. Lot of damage to vans, windows smashed, big dints in sides. The Ladies showers and loos had been done up, but the Gents were just as they were some thirty odd years ago😱
Sorry, don’t know that cafe Corners. Liked Alston, some interesting shops.
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I meant Trax when we used for honeymoon. Hexham is now run by Racecourse. We also used Wetherby and Market Rasen courses when they were Trax.
Club still of course has a few listed as AS Sites, Exeter, Fakenham, Market Rasen, Cheltenham, Thirsk. We loved Wincanton, gone now. I think it depends who owns the Racecourses to a certain extent. Jockey Club run a lot, but not exclusive.
I forgot Warwick.
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Been a bit cooler today, although the winds have been gusting 40-45mph might have something to do with it, still managed to have a go at using my new portable BBQ yesterday, did some lovely spicy chicken thighs, drumsticks and skewers. the BBQ is one of these :-
https://www.idealworld.tv/gb/pp/product-461900
very easy to use and very quick to light and cook with and easy to clean. I can imagine some evenings sat by the van somewhere nice cooking something mouthwatering when we get away.
Today we decided to go and visit mum to cheer her up, thought we'd go in the MH to give it a run and test the mods and changes i have made, rigged up the new satnav to test that as well. just as we were about to move off 'visitors' parked in front of my drive, not happy
however due to opening up the gateway I managed to manouver the MH out onto the road with mm to spare. Traffic was very light probably due to the rain showers and windy conditions, MH ran perfectly and we had a lovely visit Bramble enjoys running around Mums large garden, On the way home we took the scenic route covering over 85 miles in all Before stopping at a Sainsbury for a bit of shopping and to fill the fuel tank (£1.02 per ltr unleaded) quite a long queue for the shop but it moved forward very quickly. Bramble was happy to have the room to move around in side his house on wheels (I'd opened a skylight and front windows). We arrived home to find our short road full with none residents vehicles, summers here! So we parked up around the corner next to neighbour's garages and unloaded the MH. I couldn't leave it there or wait for the vehicle owners to return, so If I could get the MH out, surely I could get it back in, I achieved it on the second attempt, as soon as the road is clear i will park the MH on the road, it dosn't just annoy me that the climbers and walkers don't use the councils designated 'climbers' carpark, it annoys all who live on our road especially when they come home from work (or day trip) and can't park.0 -
Dull day with rain showers on and off, wind has got up now as well.
Went to sister an Bil's house again today to help them clear their kitchen in readiness for the new one starting to get fitted tomorrow. Should have been done just as lockdown happened. They are also getting new windows fitted at the same time, so are coming out to us during the day while the work is on the go.
Trying to help someone and keep your distance is not easy but we managed it
Thankfully they can choose between using the caravan or the attic room when they come out to us so no problem there.Busy week for us coming up as we have all sorts of things planned.
Yesterdays garden party was surprisingly well behaved, no over loud music or shouting/singing. There was more than the allowed people there though. We had heavy rain during the evening but they still stayed outside under the gazebo. Around 22.30 they all went indoors, lots of thick heads I would think this morning.
Bit the bullet and sorted out our trip in September, going to take the Eurotunnel out and we have a ferry booked for home bound, which we can change to another date as its on a flexi ticket. If we are not sure about returning on the ferry we will bump it to next year and get the tunnel home again. Fingers crossed it all goes well.
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Good to hear you're almost on the move again Tammy. I was quite happy with the precautions that Brittany ferries seem to be advocating but we'll leave the decision whether to go to France in September until a lot nearer the time.
It's sods law that we are usually home in the school holidays of late July and August so we arranged all of our appointments for that period. So the caravan goes in in a fortnight, the car the week after, I'm due a repeat PET scan in early August and an appraisal a few weeks later so time away in this period will be the odd 4 or 5 days here and there. Depends how that goes to see if we can leave MiL to fend for herself. Must admit I'm going a bit stir crazy.
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Not been the best of days weather wise. We did manage to get in a couple of walks from home without getting very wet, but it's been windy and cool all day and we've had continual heavy rain since about 3:45 this afternoon. Looks like another soaking for me and Flyte in a few minutes time.
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A lot cooler here as well Nellie. Not overly wet, but very windy. I think we are due rain tomorrow.
We are pondering on another day out in MH....🤔
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Yes its feels good to just have some things in the diary.
We usually take an overnight ferry from either Hull, Portsmouth or Plymouth but we felt like a change and went for the tunnel this time.
The travelling time to the ports on the south coast isn't really any different for us, although it does make a difference once on the other side. We have a fancy to go over to the east side of France this time probably the Alsace then make our way down to Provence and the Med. We've allowed 5 weeks but its totally flexible when we come back. Will wait and see how things are over there, of course if the weather is good we could be longer
We have a few appointments, caravan goes in for service in August, then its the house boiler service 10 days later. We should both have dental check ups in August but that might not happen yet. We have something big going on at the end of this week but you will hear more about that later
I hope you do manage to get some trips in, even 4 or 5 days makes a difference, once MIL is happy to be left of course.
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Thanks TW. So time to make a cup of tea between posts then. I will go and put the kettle on now 😂
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A bit stir crazy WN, we're in such strange part of this crisis, stepping into the unknown now. Hope you can have a break, just planning something seems to release the pressure a bit!
And now a garden centre for us today, not near us so off to Shelton Mallet. Dobbie's is the only one where we can take the dog and we just need two big pots for OH's latest purchases.
TG our dentist won't do check ups at the moment, our upcoming appointments have been cancelled.
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Wow what a difference a weekend makes! Blowing here and our heating has come on 😱. We keep it on all year, but on a timer and the thermostat on 18c. Last Friday it was 31c in the deep shade in our garden!
Early hansel and gretel walk with the pup, throwing titbits in front to encourage her 🤣🤣. Less of a walk more of a sit. Don't know why she's anti street walk suddenly!
Off to weed front pots, Tesco delivery between 11 and noon. Keep getting Iceland emails regarding booking priority slots with free offers. I suspect they've now got spare capacity! We did register at the off and took up their offer of a slot from an email earlier in the month, but there's a limit to items I'd buy from there so will stick with Tesco. Managing easily - almost anytime of the day to get a priority slot every couple of weeks. I stock up fruit and veg from the farm shop as needed, more often and better than Tesco 😉
I'd love to 'get out' as feeling it a bit but estate agent to mum's Tuesday, still plenty to do there!, as we can get going again now. Painter coming to us Wednesday and puppy has first visit to the groomer just a get to know you and what happens Thursday. Not had this many 'dates' for months!
Intrigued by Tammygirl upcoming event 😉
Stay safe folks
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Second day of cold, wet and windy weather, worse today than yesterday. Cancelled visit to DD yesterday as we did not fancy sitting in the gazebo in the rain and wind.
We recently decided to order an ice cream machine in the sales, so now the hot weather is finished, it finally arrived on Saturday! Having stocked up on some required ingredients, we tried it out yesterday. Just plain vanilla, but it is delicious. Only had a small taste so far, rest divided into 2 tubs for when summer returns, a litre for us and a small sample for DD.
Our other recent purchase, before all the hot weather, was an ice making machine from Lidl, so that has had good use lately,
Today will be more tidying in my small room, bin day tomorrow so better find some stuff to throw out before then!
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Glad to hear that some of you are planning trips away. We have a week at Sandringham booked for September (booked as soon as our 3 week holiday in Norfolk this month was cancelled due to lockdown) and don't know whether we will get away before then. We had a bit of a setback when the caravan had it's service a couple of weeks ago. They found a problem with our new big front window that we had to have replaced last year. Apparently it is leaking between the 2 panes of glass. We hadn't noticed because it never rained whenever we were away last summer and of course haven't been able to check it in storage recently. We rang the dealer who put it in and they say that yes if it is faulty workmanship or a faulty window they will replace free of charge but they are really busy at the moment and it will all take time. I suppose we could go away as there is no difference between it sitting in storage or on a site but I am also a bit nervous about using shared facilities on site at the moment and when we bought our new van a few years ago we deliberately opted for a small one and our shower room/loo is very small. We could just about manage a shower I suppose, we shall have to see.
OH's Uncle, who we have been very close to, although haven't managed to see for some time, died a few days ago. He was also our son's godfather. He was 93 and he and his wife had been married for 69 years so she is going to find life very difficult. At the moment she can't seem to process the fact that he has died (she has dementia). He died in Barnard Castle and the funeral is to be a very small affair next week at Darlington crem, which wouldn't have been the family's choice at all. We have talked at length with OH's cousin and decided not to go. She said that it is just not logistically possible for us. They are hoping to have a Memorial service for him next year when circumstances permit and we shall go up then and probably book a cottage for a few days as our son in NI who was his godson wants to join us. We can hopefully visit some of our old haunts up there. We used to spend a lot of time in the area when staying with FIL when the children were young. Such a difficult time for OH's cousins and their families especially as not all of them will be permitted to attend.
We had a very wet day on Saturday and the garden looks a lot better. Yesterday was extremely breezy but mostly bright so we had a lovely 2 hour walk with son, DIL, grandson and their dog (grandson who is now a teenager decided to stay at home). We went to our local Bluebell Woods (although of course without the bluebells at the moment). There were very few people about and the few that were around were very respectful about keeping their distance.
TDA and CS We bought a lovely wooden wind chime in a shop in Alston some years ago. It is a lovely little town
Bakers2 I am also being bombarded with Iceland emails and like you think that they have now probably got spare capacity. I signed up with them but didn't actually ever use them - not much that I usually have. I am able to get deliveries quite easily with either Tesco or Morrisons at the moment so I am quite happy for now.
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Very sad Millie, and very difficult for his partner. Mum asks where isDad every day, it’s so hard. It’s a difficult time for anyone losing family and friends. We didn’t go to the funeral of Mums best friend, who we were close to as well. Too risky. We shall take some flowers and our memories when it’s safer to do so.
We really like Barnard Castle, another nice market town with a great deal of interest in and around. Only been to Alston that once, but it’s a nice place. OH worked doing deliveries as a student, between Tees and Tyne area, so he’s driven all over there, all those beautiful moorland routes. North East is our default getaway, we never tire of it’s diverse range of things to do and see, and the history.
I am off for a bike ride now. It’s blowing a gale, but I need the exercise.
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So many family events sad and happy have been disrupted this year Millie. OH couldn't go to his old pal's funeral two weeks ago, they grew up next door to each other. I think OH made lots of contacts with his home area that week so caught up with other family and friends and this helped a bit.
I've just managed to get a slot for a walk around NT Stourhead Gardens, thought I'd make an effort as it will probably be impossible when visitors descend on the area next week. For many year dogs were banned on the estate (or just given a bit of time in the depths of winter.) But now after 2pm we can take the dog, so I've got quite a late visit, the only times left this week are late. I wondered if the online booking would accept my Scottish card number but it went through ok.
Our elderly neighbours have suddenly decided to brave the bus into town, one at a time, so I'm wondering how the first visit went...and hoping they managed everything ok!?
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So sad to hear your news Millie. Can you not fit it in when you go to Staithes as it's not that far from there?
We liked Barnard Castle as well when there last year. Particularly enjoyed Raby Castle. The staff and volunteers were the best we've come across anywhere and we thoroughly enjoyed the morning spent there, before venturing into B.C. ( Before Cummings).
Filthy day again. We only got a bit wet though when out this morning so took that as a positive. Have to go to town later as prescriptions to be picked up. Fortunately the main car parks are free at the moment. I'm wondering whether the supplied hand gel will still be there. Wouldn't surprise me in the least to see that it's either been pinched or drunk.
Hope the First Minister lifts this dratted 5 mile limit pronto.
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WN. No it's free for members. You have to print off the ticket, take your cards and follow a route...non members have to pay. They're using a ticketing company to run the system, tickets arrive by email. I presume you could use your phone screen if you haven't got a printer?
They've warned at Stourhead the route is a bit up hill and down dale (I bet it is if they're making people climb up to one of the hillside temples!) so not suitable for some.
At Stourhead they've got limited takeaway drinks and food, the shop and one set of loos are open. Nothing else but there is a privately run farm shop on site too.
ps just put that info on if anyone's down this way soon, not much open at present.
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Sorry to hear your sad news, Millie. Bad enough at any time but the present situation makes it so much worse. When Ros's brother in law died a couple of months ago (in Hampshire) we couldn't go as only 10 people were allowed and we couldn't travel. We had to watch a live streaming of the crematorium service which was the weirdest experience I have ever had. Totally surreal.
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Enjoy your trip to Stourhead brue have been many times in the past but not for a few years.
Hopefully when we are in Devon and Cornwall next May we will visit a few gardens.
Had an horrendous storm Friday night and the plants have suffered so been busy tidying up and pruning plants, had a short shower am but now warming up again and 31C for Tuesday.
Had a lovely picnic at Parisot Lac very enjoyable sat under a large willow tree for shade and a few folk about but all keeping their distance, a lot of dragonflies damselflies and darters about, even youngsters in the swimming end with its own beach area, not been before so will go again after the peak summer season is over, it also has a small campsite adjacent with it's own small swimming pool, nobody there yesterday but will be busy in the next few weeks, we may try it sometime as it looks a nice little site and not far from Villefranche-de-Rouergue.
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Sorry to hear about your news Millie.
Very windy here but been fairly dry. Mrs One has just delivered her latest batch of scrubs and masks. No more scrubs to make but she will continue to make masks. The Norfolk scrubs have donated another 500 scrubs to Wales who still seem to be having supply problems. Norfolk now has a stock of over 1000 which bodes well for the future.
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At long last we have had the blinds fitted in the new conservatory today, if hardly took him half and hour! They are full length vertical blinds and they look very smart. We are also expecting a delivery of some Garden Furniture, anywhere between 7.00am am and 21.00pm!!! How they can't narrow it down a bit as surely a driver can't be on the road for that long? Got excited when a lorry turned up first thing this morning, turns out to be a new boiler for our neighbour followed very quickly by two British Gas vans!!! Add into the mix the bin men it's been a busy day so far although I am still waiting for the garden furniture.
David
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Raby is very interesting, beautiful Walled Garden as well. We went up for a big classic car event, and we spent the whole day there. It was red hot as well. Only place up there we haven’t visited yet is Chillingham Castle, DC’s father in law owns that, so that’s put me off straight away.
Bike ride went well, a touch windy, but at least I stayed dry. I am psyching myself up for tonight’s Tesco delivery. The wiping down is so boring. Two parcels just arrived, now in decontamination zone.
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