What are you all up to
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Great photo rufs enjoy your day, been there with wet awnings in the past with winter caravanning plus dogs.
A very wet day here and the ground is very heavy clay and nearly slipped twice whilst doing the ducks and wild bird feeding, we have better drainage at home as we are on limestone rocks.
Did some shopping yesterday as we needed more duck food and bird food so all stocked up again not many folk about thankfully and all folk in masks which we are used to here and Leclerc are cleaning all their trollies again after a few months of not doing them.
Hopefully if the weather improves I would like to get to the Brenne to see if anything interesting in birds there.
Stay safe folks.
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We gave up winter caravanning a few years ago. Too much fuss and bother for, perhaps, an ‘iffy’ few days away. Trying to dry anything this time of year takes ages too. Since we always use our own shower, it was also a nuisance having wet coats hanging in there. Our caravan goes away in November and comes out again early March and that is somewhat weather dependent too!
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We're lucky to have our M/H at home so can take it out for day trips. In fact it needs occasional runs out to keep everything going well. So far we've not been out this winter but we will at some point. Meanwhile the fridge and freezer bit helped out with the Christmas food load. The last two years of Covid have decreased our interest in winter trips to sites but we've often enjoyed a short break or two in the past.
Like Rufs we were on the coast this morning, very choppy with big rollers coming in. Nice to get some sea air even if a bit damp! Not busy, we had a take away coffee and cake and I had a look at Philip Sutton's art exhibition in West Bay (he's in his 90s now and lives near to the gallery in a retirement home.) His work is colourful and I always enjoy seeing it. However wearing a mask and glasses after walking through misty rain meant I had a steamed up view of most of the work....
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We've decided that we're staying at home next Christmas
I wonder if we have gone full circle with our touring habits? When we were both working, the van was usually put to bed between November and March. When we retired we started extending the season a bit more but never quite managed to go away every month of the year, I think the best we did was 11 out of 12. In 2019 we spent four nights in December at Bladon Chains, it was cold and frosty but lovely and sunny so we were able to get out and about every day. Then came COVID and 2020 was a washout as far as our nights away were concerned, at anytime of year!!! 2021 has been better but no where near as many nights away as in previous years. Hopefully we will do more in 2022 but I doubt I will persuade Margaret to spend Christmas/New Year in the van as its much more comfortable at home. I won't rule out us going away during December in the future but it will only likely be 2/3 nights to somewhere like Chatsworth or Warwick with enough to do within walking distance.
David
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It finally stopped raining at lunchtime today and we took the opportunity of getting some very fresh air.
Had an early start today as I had a blood test just after 9am. Didn't look promising when the nurse said that half of all appointments had to be cancelled as only 1 of the jabbers had turned up for work and I should have had a text this morning cancelling it. I hadn't so she graciously decided to stick a needle in my arm, particularly as there was no-one else waiting.
Made a tentative start on a plan for next years Spring/early Summer foray. I ordered a new ACSI book as I cancelled subscription for this years edition last year. Have already had some quotes for ferry but having to hold fire until we know what the 2 ladies are going to do, date wise, with their jaunt. It might be that we will end up booking cottages again for MiL.
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We are pondering New Year tours as well WN. We have Castleton booked in January for four nights, but that was all about going down a couple of the Caverns, and at the moment, no way do I fancy sharing a small boat with anyone else, masked, jabbed or not. For us, it’s all about things we want and can do safely, so with the huge increase in case rates round here, and nearby, we shall possibly look to amend our plans. We might do a nice CL instead, take our bikes and just head out on them for a couple of hours. Bit of walking and bird watching with the pooch. Then a cosy night in MH doing a few crafts, reading etc…. Change of scenery will do us good.
Its been a bit brighter here today, nice sunset, but the winds are due to pick up.
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We've usually taken December out of our caravanning calendar - only because we are too busy. I'm just beginning to think about where we can go in January. We often make last minute bookings out of season and usually just for 3 or 4 nights. More restricted this time of year though as lots of sites are closed....
David
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We missed going away in our caravan during the two previous Christmas holiday periods, one due to me breaking my arm in the November and last year due to lockdown, but have been away for nearly all of them before that for the last 30 yrs of so, and this year is no different. We will be out hopefully to mid February unless forced to return home. We haven't done too bad this year for getting away in the van, as it will be 177 nights come the year end.
Yet more rain overnight but it slowly eased off and had stopped for our mid morning walk, although there was a cool wind. After lunch we had blue skies for a while, the wind dropped and we had a pleasant afternoon around Holmebrook Valley Park. There were quite a few out walking and even a few playing petanque on the boules court by the visitors centre. We had a red sky this evening and now have a clear sky so perhaps tomorrow will be another decent day.
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We are usually home mid/late October till late March, no point in going away if it is going to be wet, which it invariably is after then. Cold is fine, but wet and cold is just miserable.
Latest we have been out is mid November, once to a show in Harrogate, and once when returning from France.
Weather has been miserable here, we have not seen the sun since Christmas day. 27th and 28th were pyjama days (for OH), but today we ventured out to the shops as we needed milk etc. Just Tesco in the village, and our local Lidl. OH is thinking of going to M&S tomorrow for the dine in.
Face time every day with DD and the grandchildren, and today Callum said he wanted to come up to our house, so we are expecting them tomorrow, all being well.
Need to be up early.....for us!!
DD is keen to get me going again on garage tidying, so there will be no rest for me tomorrow.
My arm is slowly improving, but is still quite painful off and on. Bending the fingers is proving difficult.
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One might think you do not enjoy being at home Nellie!
We are lucky that both our children live fairly locally, so we are able to see them frequently, and are carers for 2 of our grandchildren 3 afternoons per week, which we combine with doing stuff in the house for our daughter, so plenty to keep us busy at home.
Plus plenty of stuff I can be doing in our own house, when I get time, so we need to be home most of the school terms as SIL is a teacher and only available to look after the children in school holidays.
Changed days from when we used to go off abroad for 3-4 months, but spending time with DD's 2 little ones is a pleasure which we are making the most of.
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I think we have been away in every month of the year at some point. I find November a wet month but sometimes it's OK depends we're you are.
We might venture out in January for a week or so depending how things go. If not then we will take the MH for day trips, Fife coast is only 40 mins away and a lovely coast line to wander along. Then we have the mountains of Glen Shee just 30 - 40 mins to the north east with Braemar and Balleter. If we head west we have Stirling, Calendar and the Trossachs. North its Pitlochry, Aberfeldy and Aviemore. So we won't struggle for an adventure.
The weather here has been the same, drizzle and grey skies. Yesterday was good though, nice blue skies and we even saw the sun
took advantage and drove in to see my sister, she lives by the river Tay. We went for a walk along the river down to the golf course that runs onto the North Inch and into Perth.Today it was heavy rain in the morning, food shopping at Tescos. Then home and this afternoon a start on the attic, we've sorted some things out but lots more to do.
Tomorrow looks as if it might be dry here.
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Mild and wet up to the New Year, but getting colder into early January is forecast DSB. Castleton isn’t a brilliant site for dogs, tiny on-site walk, and then it’s along that quite busy road to get anywhere else. I think given that the caverns were the draw for us, we are likely to go elsewhere, with better cycling prospects.
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Oh - it hasn't been that bad Rufs. Wet coats have been in the awning - Meg has her coat for wet weather (because her fur is so thick it takes an age to dry her) - she doesn't like it, though! Best thing I did a couple of months ago was fit an electrically heated towel rail - so we've had nice dry (and warm) towels every morning
The lightweight Sunncamp awning, which we bought for just this eventuality, dries fairly quickly at home although I must admit it's a bit of a pain having to do so. It's just been a bit frustrating, being in a beautiful part of the country, and not having the incentive to go out and enjoy it because it's been lashing it down with rain - but we've been very comfortable.I think the best holiday we have had here was a couple of years ago?? when the 'Beast from the East' visited and deposited 6" of snow everywhere - that was magical!
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Glad you enjoyed your trip, we regularly used to caravan in the snow when we lived in Scotland, i guess we must now be getting soft in our old age, and even our old dog looks up in disgust if we suggest walkies in the rain
, that is what living down south does for you, another grey wet morning but no need to hide behind the groins,.....upsss! sorry, groynes as very still today. 0 -
"Then we have the mountains of Glen Shee just 30 - 40 mins to the north east with Braemar and Balleter. If we head west we have Stirling, Calendar and the Trossachs. North its Pitlochry, Aberfeldy and Aviemore. So we won't struggle for an adventure."
we used to visit all of these when we lived in Fyvie, and a great site at Aberlour, also Brora, site backs onto the golf course and beach, very peaceful, but all of this was many years ago when i could finish work at noon, and be on a site by 1800 hrs at latest, no traffic jams in those days, just the snow to contend with in the winter, loved it
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I can never work up any real enthusiasm when the days are short, the weather is dreary and everything is soggy underfoot. From mid to late November round to lateish February I just wait for a bright crisp sunny day and use the motorhome as a 'day van'. The only downside is I get given jobs around the house.
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We are just back after a lovely 3 night break at Strathclyde Park Club site which was busier than we expected it to be. Weather while we were away was ok it rained all day yesterday but the day before was very mild. On Tuesday daughter and gdaughter came up for the the day so the car didn’t move all day as we went across to the theme park gdaughter loved it and went on a few rides and we had a few drinks in the bar next to a roaring log fire then we had a nice meal in the restaurant there which as usual was nice. Most of the time though we just relaxed and enjoyed being away. We got home just after 12 today after an easy hour tow home. Got the Volvo washed as it was filthy as is the van but it can wait for now as I plan to move it out into the middle of the drive during January at some point and give it a right good clean and polish including the roof. We probably won’t be away again now until mid Feb we don’t tend to go away in January as it’s usually too cold and dark also two of our ‘local’ sites we use are closed so not much choice of places nearby to go.
Got to go shopping later as we have some family coming round to our house tomorrow night for a little new year celebration. Glad to read everyone else’s news
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Glad to hear you enjoyed your trip Francis. You seem to have had better weather than most of the rest of us, certainly us anyway.
A mild day here and after early rain it stopped long enough to get out for a stroll for all 3 of us. This afternoon has been awful. Had a C&C from Tesco to collect.
Also had a phone call from my consultant after they received the results of yesterdays blood tests. Explains quite a bit of some of my symptoms which I'm glad of. Stops me wondering if there was something else going on. More blood tests wanted in another month.
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We have visiting dog for five nights, daughter and partner are visiting family in Cornwall and taking a short break in Fowey on return. We had a damp and muddy walk this afternoon, it's good to be back inside and in the warm. 🐕
Edit. Hope you're tests go well WN.
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Rain again in the night with quite strong wind but a dry day up to mid afternoon. Called in at Lidl, which was fully stocked, this morning before a walk along by the canal. Flyte had a dip in the water to clean up just before we got back to the car. Completed our weekly shop at Aldi on the way back to the van, before another short walk around a couple of the fields by the site just as it started to drizzle. Booked next site from Tuesday next week, another favourite of ours and others that post on here too.
Good to read that the results of your blood test didn't turn up something unexpected, WN, and hope that it's the same with your next round of tests.
Francis, it sounds as if you enjoyed you stay at Strathclyde. Impressed that you've got the car cleaned so soon on your return home.
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Ooo……are you heading towards the Humber? 😉
Hope the next tests go well WN.
Nice day with Mum and Sis. Thankfully all is well with Mum’s eyes, she has incredible eyesight (with glasses) for her age, and she has glaucoma as well, but thankfully it doesn’t seem to get worse. We have our little New Year’s Day afternoon tea planned for Saturday.
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Morning
Just bobbed in to say a very Happy New Year to everyone.
Stay safe
JK
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Last night we decided to sort out various edible Christmas presents. We had a couple of hampers on a table in the hall. Beautifully packed and it seemed a shame to "break into" them. But we removed the bows and cellophane and sorted the contents. Wine into the wine rack. Chocolates onto the piano. Biscuits, jams and chutneys into the pantry. But, hidden under the big bow was a lovely looking Pork Pie. It had been sitting in a warmish room for a nearly a week. So - a word of warning. If you give someone non keeping fresh food, suggest they keep it in a cool place and don't leave it packaged up for too long. We're very grateful for our friends and family for giving us such wonderful presents, and we'll enjoy the contents over the next few weeks.
Meanwhile, it seems that Santa didn't get my Christmas List. It was very short. Only one thing on it. So I had to treat myself in the Waterstones Christmas sale - and saved Santa £37.50!
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We still haven't sorted January trips yet. My sister is visiting our nephew (their son) in the NW.... she fell down and has broken the top of her femur in 3 places. She is now in Preston hospital awaiting surgery (hopefully today), so we could very well be heading in that direction for our first 2022 outing!
David
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Oven just put on to put the turkey crown in, only a small one for just us two. Christmas dinner for us again, complete with all the veg, we love it so why not. Christmas pudding for desert as well. No cooking tomorrow as I’ve prepared enough for another warmed up roast, then cold turkey and chips for another day. We were at our sons for Christmas so there were no turkey left overs. About to play some quizzes this afternoon and pour a Baileys. Happy New Year everyone.
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