What are you all up to
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@DEBSC when we used to go to France every summer we used to go for around 6 weeks (dreadful WiFi there at that time!) and then when we stopped going to France we used to go away in this country, often to Norfolk,and we used go to 3 different sites in 3 weeks (iffy WiFi there as well!). I am sure your OH would enjoy a longer stay if he enjoyed it. More time to relax.
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Does he have any indoor hobbies @DEBSC? Something that would keep him occupied, like a jigsaw for example. I must admit I miss the the extended break but it is what it is and I'm very grateful to get any time away. Speaking of which we have been packing this morning. Mind you there's only so much you can fit into this small van and if we did suddenly have longer to go away I think we'd have to upgrade to a slightly bigger model.
I don't know what it is among my DNA but I have a repetitive tendency to do myself harm. Always have had but this Stroke has messed around with my spatial awareness (or lack of it) something wicked (and not in a good way that wicked is now used as an adjective for). I was the 10 year old in short trousers falling off a bike onto gravel. My mum despaired and that is exactly what poor Mrs.WN does these days. I was skinning some Cod yesterday, very carefully, and to my surprise I managed to do it intact. Success! Yippee. Took off my cooking apron and gouged a 3" graze into the top of my head.😱 As I'm on blood thinners OH had to do her almost weekly job of patching me up. You couldn't make it up.🤣 She did wonder what I'd look like in a huge Bubble Wrap.😂
Jeep looks great @Takethedogalong. It'll keep OH quiet for a while.
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When we used to go abroad with the caravan, pre 2018, we always used about 3 months, 2 months at least over the Channel, the rest in UK travelling to/from the ferries. When we went to Norway, we were away for 4 months one time, saw quite a lot of Europe as well that time.
Now we are just staying in UK, we try to do at least 3 weeks away at a time, sometimes 4. This has been a poor year as we had 16 days in Norway and 10 on Islay, so had to miss out on our June/July caravan trip.
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Love the car @Takethedogalong 👍👍.... Hope you manage to get away @DEBSC ..
Haven't tried the pub @Francis, but noticed it (and the Travel Lodge) near the site entrance. Weather started fine, then clouded over, now clear again.
We popped along to Mount Grace Priory and House today.... well worth a visit...
David
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@KjellNN and @milliehull.... we were used to a long summer holiday and used to do around 5+ weeks caravanning, often across in Europe. However, when we had the dog, she found the heat 'over there' quite difficult, the brexit came along made it a bit more difficult, so we haven't been across since 2016. We've enjoyed exploring bit of the UK, but perhaps now we haven't got the dog, we may well consider going across again, perhaps.... particularly if Carol can get her hip replacement.
This year we've broken our holiday into 4 'legs'. As Carol's mum is in her 90's and lives alone, it gives us the chance to return for a few days, just to check and make sure she is OK....
David
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@DEBSC we are another pair that go away for extended periods, our last 3 trips this year have been, 47 days, 53 days and 44 days so far on our latest one, so perhaps this will provide more ammunition to help you to persuade your OH to stay at your caravan for longer periods.
More fine photos, @DSB we too enjoy a visit to Mount Grace Priory, but have yet to see the resident stoats! We also like White Water Park, although it has been a few years since we last visited it.
@Takethedogalong love the looks of the new (old) Jeep, more fun days out for you both in the not too distant future I would think!
Enjoy your next trip away, @Wherenext it looks as if it will be warming up during the following week.
We moved up to a CL near Lancaster today but after a good tow last time it was much slower today with two long slow moving queues, due firstly to the sheer number of vehicles where the motorways merge and then a blocked lane due an overturned vehicle. We did have a dry cloudy morning followed by a shower of rain mid afternoon and then a fine sunny end to the day.
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Oh one of those days. Our 3 granddaughters came to visit, middle one was trying to help and put her sisters wheelchair in the boot of OHs car on her own and scratched the car. Then the eldest one went into anaphylactics, not sure what caused it, maybe a J20, maybe nothing. Epi pens used, Ambulance called and rushed into hospital. The staff were great, each and every one, the Dr was lovely. She was rushed straight in and given lots of meds, fluids and oxygen until she stabilised. I went with her and was even given a cup of tea. We obviously skipped the waiting room but I went out to make a phone call, it was rammed, no seats left, I could barely walk through. Saturday night and with the population here at least trebled by holidaymakers. While sitting with her we then heard the drunks and the troublemakers making a nuisance, security were called more than once and there were quite a few security there, dreadful for a hospital. I don’t know what the answer is but the poor staff shouldn’t have to put up with it. And they seemed to handle it so well but it just shouldn’t be happening and it seems to get worse. There were many very sick people there and it certainly makes one count ones blessings. We’ve just got home now Granddaughter now much brighter and resting.0
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@DEBSC I am with you on making the most of holidays. Even as 25 year olds, my OH and I took all the breaks we could and holidayed. We both had “people stress” jobs, were both studying as part of our careers and just needed the proper down time to recharge. (Down time included lots of Watersports and equine activities🤭we weren’t exactly resting🤣) We got into a lovely groove of having at least three full weeks in the Summer, plenty of other 7-10 day breaks, and shorter breaks as well. We both worked shifts, which suited us down to the ground, as we could use sometimes as little as a couple of Annual Leave days to get almost a full week away. We explored all over in our camper, tent and caravan. The other thing is that you never know what is round the corner, so “carpe diem” became our mantra, make the most of what ever comes along because at some point life will get you. Life has got us at the moment, caring for elderly, OH has health issues that spring up unexpectedly, and we are stuck caring for a much loved pet as well. It’s like a ticking clock, will we be too old, too crocked to do a lot of what we still want to do? If you can, you do what you enjoy and can afford. Because there is going to come a day when you simply cannot do the things you love. A bad internet connection is no excuse, tell him😁 Four weeks in Cornwall, which became our usual Summer break, seems like another life to me now.
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@DSB Mount Grace is my favourite religious place. Apart from the reused buildings, I just love the Monk’s Cells, with their individual gardens, little rooms, etc…. Fabulous location as well.
The Jeep needs a bit of TLC, but it’s been working the last six years or so, used on moors for shoots, beating, so living a proper 4x4 life. But it’s still in very good nick, and won’t take long to get looking good again. We bought a new soft top hood for it before we sold it to BIL, and he hasn’t used it, so that’s going back on asap. It’s got new tyres on, we have new front wings for it, the only bit of bodywork that’s not good. Unlike our newer Jeep, this one isn’t as reliant upon computerised engine management systems, so things rarely go wrong. It’s also very very fast when wound up, a relatively light vehicle with a monster of a 4 litre engine, so a very different driving experience. Not that we race around anywhere🤭 I used to take Mum and Dad out in it, Dad in the front with me, Mum comfy in the back, and they loved being high up, looking over hedges. OH took Mum off roading one day, she never batted an eyelid, loved it. Going to be fun………
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So sorry about your GD. I cannot believe just how awful some people are in hospitals. Dreadful.
@Wherenext have a nice few days, will catch up with you soon, won’t bother you while away.
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@Takethedogalong yes I agree with every word. I spent some time caring for my Dad and an elderly aunt as soon as I retired. I always try to cram as much in now as I can. We are both getting older, who knows what’s coming, so seize the day, I say. This week we are on Granddaughter standby as our daughter and family have gone abroad for the week, granddaughter could not go anywhere by plane, due to her anaphylaxis, so couldn’t go with them, it would be too dangerous, and would also be difficult for her to be abroad. She lives with a friend close by now that she has returned from uni. I phoned her this morning, thinking she would be resting, no! They are off to meet more friends at a local soap derby, her words, ‘ Nan if I rested like I maybe should, I’d never do anything, I promise to take it easy’ she certainly seizes the day, she’s very tenacious and we are so proud of her. OH has agreed to the 3 weeks after I read out some of your holiday adventures, thanks for your comments, with the proviso that if the weather is bad we will maybe come home, well that’s a compromise. Have a good weekend all whatever you are doing.4
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Very sensible advice from @Takethedogalong , @DEBSC and I'm pleased that it has managed to persuade your OH - enjoy it while you can - and you've been through enough already, anyway. We're champing at the bit to get away again on Thursday and really looking forward to it - especially as the weather's looking brilliant.
However - some won't be able to manage it at the moment…..too busy providing us with food (and animals with bedding!) - even on a Sunday. Here's what's happening in the field behind the house…….
Needless to say all the windows are shut!!😀 It's fascinating to watch, though - and strangely, very satisfying.
I suspect that Andrew at the farm will be hard at it as well - although I suspect, looking at this crop the other day, yields are going to be well down.
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we’ve never been able to take long holiday because the farm. The one exception was in 1982 when we went to a ready errected tent in the south of France via Wigwam holidays. Three children (3, 5, 7) in a Mini Metro. Packing was a pre planned jigsaw. The children sat on pillows with their feet on rolled up sleeping bags.Bags and boxes meticulously stacked in the boot.
One leg down to BIL in Norwich, ferry from Felixstowe to Bruges (I think) then south with a stop in a French B&B and onwards to the south. Innocents abroad.
Now we have started to be realistic about the future. At least one trip in the caravan next year - to the first site we went to in 1976 (New England Bay), then who knows. We both love the freedom of the caravan so we’ll carry on till one of us or the caravan fails.
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@DEBSC, got a double d - not me I often get at the start of a paragraph, so not red.
YYour Granddaughter sounds like she's got the right idea - a lesson to grandad 😉🫣. Can you not buy a MiFi - I know not what I talk of 🤔🤣, but there's lots of discussions on WiFi for folks home and abroad on CT. So that can be sorted, relatively cheaply! Sorry can't sort the weather but I doubt it'll be much different home and away.
OH was offered a package it would have been stupid to refuse at 56. He had to retire at 60 under rules Mrs T brought in anyway. I worked part time so plenty of away times on my monthly long off's. I was lucky enough to have unpaid leave too, was able to go back to my department 😉, so we're able to do 3 months at a time to visit daughter in NZand be around as the grandchildren arrived.
We'd been always planned, from early on in our relationship, for me to retire at 60, at that point we'd have done so close together at our state pension ages., 'They' upped my retirement age - twice 🤐. We had a good rethink and I only worked a few months past 60. We had 3 fantastic years of freedom. OH performed health wise very badly and it was touch and go for a few weeks, probably still is!, then any caring duty that might occur changed and Covid hit. I'm so glad we grabbed the opportunity at the time.
I'm glad to read that your granddaughter has seized the day. I find it absolutely disgusting that folk treat A&E staff badly and still receive help....
🤐
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@Takethedogalong I agree about Mount Grace. We have visited a few times and, like you, the monks’ cells are my favourite part, also the gorgeous garden. I’m sure the monks’ cells may have been lonely at times but the thought of sitting in your own space, doing your own thing, with food passed through your little hatch and a small piece of garden at the back to tend, sounds like heaven in this day and age! I suppose the first time we saw it we were having some family issues and the sense of tranquility really appealed. We have been back a few times and have never seen the stoats either!!
Yes, I agree with the ‘seize the day’ sentiment @DEBSC. My Mum and Dad had lots of plans after they bought their first house (after Mrs Thatcher’s council sell off) and after which they moved to Scotland. Dad had 5 years there before dying totally unexpectedly due to an aneurysm, so few of their plans got started.Hopefully our turn next year after hip operations etc, but who knows?
Enjoy the breaks everyone. The weather looks hot next week.
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@heddlo Chris Beardshaw had something to do with the garden renovation. He was there working with his team one time we visited, but it was all closed off. So many of the Reformation Abbeys were put to other uses, we like Buckland Abbey as well, that’s full of history.
Buckland Abbey. Some nice walks from here, on edge of Dartmoor.
Retirement hasn’t happened yet for us. We had two weeks away with Mum and Dad when OH finished, a week later Dad ended up with sepsis, and that was it, I was straight into parental care. 🥲 So long holidays had to stop, OH would take MH, and I would commute back and forth on trains to meet up with him for a few nights. Now it’s just Mum, but it’s rare we get more than a couple of nights, and we can’t get the dog into the MH any more so last year has been pretty dire on the holiday front. Hence we I’m always in the garden, and why we bought a pool. You get your fun while you can. We have a bucket list that is immense. I’ve just added swimming in a glass bottomed infinity pool to it this morning🤭
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@DEBSC your granddaughter certainly has some gumption, given her poor physical health. Glad that she has friends and family to understand her needs and encourage her to live her life to the full, as much as she is able. Pleased to hear that you have persuaded your OH to extend tourists at your caravan to 3 weeks. Perhaps he will enjoy it so much that you both end up taking even longer stays there.
I was fortunate to be able to take an early golden handshake, although it did mean that I had a reduced pension. However we were able to get away whenever we wanted and since my retirement, OH had not worked since our children were born, we have spent over 2/3 of each year away touring. Hope to continue doing similar for a good few years to come, as both of us have, so far, not had any serious health issue.
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It has been a fine and warm day, and we spent quite a bit of it visiting a beautiful garden at Gresgarth Hall. It had been voted the HHA/RHS garden of the year, and is definitely well worth a visit. It is only open on the second Sunday if each month and we were fortunate that we happen to be in the area for this month's open day. It was very busy with at least 100 cars in the carpark. Here are a few views of the house, not open to the public, and of part of the grounds.
The House from various angles.
Across the water lily pond
The Chinese bridge
There were a number of nurserymen with their plant sales, and this one, from York, caught our eye!
One of the beautiful borders, of which there were many.
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@Francis this beauty, from NI, caught my eye today in the carpark at Gresgarth Hall, and I thought of you.
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@nelliethehooker lovely car that’s a Mercedes R107 SL that is originally the model I wanted before getting mine but the price of that mode now has sky rocketed so I got the the slightly newer model although it still wasn’t cheap
Also I see the club sticker on the window so a fellow Mercedes’ club member
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A beautiful car. We seem to be in an era of motoring blandness we think at the moment. Outside of the unaffordable for most luxury end of the market, everything seems to be a similar shape, and you don’t see as many nice colours as you up used to. Granted, cars are a lot safer, full of tech, but most somehow lack any kind of “ooo look at that!” appeal.
Does any one also know what “Easter Eggs” are, related to cars?
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@Takethedogalong - well, whatever next!!!! I really need to buy a Skoda! 🤦🏻♀️🤣🤣
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@heddlo my sister has a Skoda, no idea if she has the umbrella or ice scraper, might be model dependent.
Jeeps are covered in them, some only come to light when you take them apart. We have a tiny Willy’s Jeep climbing a sand dune on each wheel, a Willy’s Jeep climbing a hill on the windscreen, and the 7slot grille hiding behind the rear view interior mirror. The Jeep seven slot grille is all over, and there are the iconic X Jerry can icons as well. I think the Jeep with the most Eggs is actually the Renegade (not really a Jeep🤭 It’s a Fiat in drag, made in Italy). More here…….
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Great photos again @DSB
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Sorry about the above post. It 'froze' and then wouldn't let me delete it☹️
Great photos again @DSB I also loved the photos of Mount Grace Priory. Such a lovely tranquil place. We visited a lot when FIL was still alive and lived up there. I particularly loved the individual monks cells with their little serving hatches for their food. Mind you somone I knew who was a Medieval History tutor said they were only allowed to speak to each other one day a year so possibly not for me!
So sorry to hear about your grand-daughter's attack @DEBSC. She is certainly one plucky and courageous young lady. Good luck to her.
What a frustrating and stressful few days you have had @Wherenext I do hope you get the paintwork sorted out on your van soon and that you are having a few stress free days away.
I have had one of those weeks as well. I was woken at 4am on Friday morning by a text from Nationwide saying that they had detected some unlawful activity on my credit card account. So I worried about it for a few hours and then got up and rang Nationwide at 7am (having first verified that it was genuine) I then had to go through all the security checks and sure enough it was something that I had not authorised so they have cancelled my credit card and I will get a new one in about 5 - 7 days. I then gave a tour of the Cathedral later that morning - I was not feeling my best after all that. Then on Saturday I needed to take the Clio off our insurance as it is not my car anymore and son has insured it for our grand-daughter. Not as easy as I thought! I had to 'speak' to someone online ( are they real people or a computor?) which took ages. I eventually managed it but it appears it is much more difficult to take something off your insurance than to add something on!
I am loving @nelliethehooker's photos as well particularly the gardens at Gresgarth Hall. Beautiful.
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Thanks @milliehull none today though! I agree with you about @DSB's photos. Pleased that you got your NW accout sorted out, even if you have to wait days for your new cards. Better safe than sorry!
We have moved up to out last site for this trip, another THS this time at Spital Farm, Kendal. There are around 40 visiting units on it tonight, but thst is less than the stewards expected, and the commercial site itself is only 2/3rd full. We walked past the C&CC Site after lunch and it too did not appear full. We are thankful that we were not heading up past Penrith as the M6 has been blocked in both directions all day due to an overturned lorry blocking both carriageways. After a dull morning the sun came out in the afternoon and it was very warm, but we have had a shower of rain this evening.
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@Francis I thought that i saw that the Merc was a 330SL, but not being well up on their models I wonder if that is the same as you mentioned?
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A lovely warm day here in the lakes. Having a rare on site day but a long walk into Matterdale forest whose forrest roads lie just after the long dog walk.
The top end off the site from 'Harry's seat' alongside the dog walk. I asked the wardens who Harry is/was but no one knows.
The site from the approach road
One of the forest roads and it's easy to make a circular route back to the site.
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