What are you all up to
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So sorry to read the news of your daughter's dog, it will be a tough time for the whole family @DEBSC I hope that the mobility scooter is not too heavy to lift and does fit into your car.
@milliehull the Chapel/Mausoleum was built in the early 19th C in a mixture of Gothic Revival and Neoclassical design. Inside it contains a huge Italian alabaster monument sculptured in 1618 and is too large to be able to get a decent photo of it.
@DSB hope you were able to get some gardening done.
We have had a mainly dry day, but of course it did rain for a short while when we were out walking this morning down towards the R.Tay, and then again this evening. Another phone call, this time from the Dermatology Dept, checking up that all was fine following the op, which I think is very encouraging and thoughtful of them.
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Just a little gardening, between some light showers, @nelliethehooker. Managed to fill the green bin, so have no more room to put stuff. Our main problem is the hedge that grows over the fence from the house at the back. It takes (me) ages to cut it, and there's so much stuff that comes off. I reckon at least three big bins worth! The trouble is, our green bins are only emptied every two weeks - so that's 5/6 weeks to get rid of the cut offs!! It means I can only do a section at a time - suits me!! 🙂
David
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@Wherenext - Yes! Fed up with it before it's started!! 😀😀 I've also done the caravan insurance today.... House insurance next, plus programmes and running orders for upcoming concerts. At least I've done all the hymn lists between now and Harvest (first week in October) - that was a feat in itself!! 🤣🤣
David
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Hiya folks, looking for a bit of advice. In just over a week, we’ll be travelling from the Sandbach area (Middlewich to be precise)to the club site at Buxton. I’m a little nervous about taking an unsuitable route with the van in tow. I’ve done a couple of online searches but am getting conflicting advice. Has anyone undertaken this journey that can advise?
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@Wherenext what World Cup? It doesn’t get mentioned or given any TV time here! 😂😫
@DEBSC so sorry to hear about your daughters dog but kinder for the animal, very sad for all. We had a similar situation with our lovely old dog, many years ago now, but we had to decide when to let him go and take him in - we have never had an animal since.
@nelliethehooker really pleased to hear your operation had a positive outcome for you, good news.1 -
Hi Freddy, I would head straight for Holmes Chapel and take the A535 passing Jodrell Bank up to the junction with the A537 at Chelford. Turn Right to Macclesfield. At Macclesfield, go through all the roundabouts until you reach a large roundabout ( A23 ) Tesco should be directly in front of you, turn right for A23. At Arighi Bianchi, turn left onto A537 to Buxton for 10 miles. At the end of this road turn onto the A53 for Leek. Follow CAMC instructions for site ( 0.4 miles from here to turnoff for site). I do suggest you use Google street view through Macclesfield so you are in the correct lane at every roundabout.
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Ditto @MikeyB directions @Freddy55. We've gone that way many a time with a caravan in tow. The only 2 things I would add is 1) be prepared for quite a few switch backs on the climb up from Macclesfield so I hope your unit is well balanced and not overweight. Its not overly used by lorries by it is by Motor bikes and cyclists so be aware …and 2) I wouldn't recommend ever using the route from Congleton to Buxton via Wilboarclough. It's actually more straightforward but the surface produces a lot of yawing.
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So sorry to hear about your daughter's dog @DEBSC. It is such a difficult and sad decision to have to make but kindest for the pet I know. We have had to make the decision many times with our dog and several cats but knew when the time was right to let them go. It is heartbreaking.
After a day of on and off rain yesterday it is dry, cloudy and cool today.
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Why are Printers such malevolent things?😡 We got a new broadband hub and set it up today. All the iPads and phones and TVs were dead easy. The "Ego that is the Printer" took 40 minutes! How I hate Printers. Never mind, there's worse things in life but.. I still hate it.😁
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CL at Ruthin have now confirmed our booking, so we are all sorted now.
Miserable weather here today, and quite a lot of heavy showers in the last few days. Yesterday not too bad so took down DD’s birthday present and helped her lay some IKEA timber outdoor flooring under part of the BBQ shelter which we got fixed in place last weekend. BBQ sits on the timber to protect the precious sandstone paving from grease splashes. Her OH likes to do the BBQing, but is not the most careful of cooks, to put it mildly!
Today they are out for a birthday meal, so we are keeping warm at home and working on these fitted sheets, which are proving quite tricky to figure out. Think we have the method sorted now, so the second one should take less time.
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@MikeyB & @Wherenext , thanks both. I’ve just entered the suggested route, regarding the A537, into google, and found this..
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The A537 heading east from Macclesfield (the "Cat and Fiddle" road toward Buxton) is not recommendedand highly challenging for towing a caravan. While not strictly illegal for standard cars and caravans, the route features continuous hairpin bends, steep inclines (up to 8%), and sheer drops. The combination of the road's topography and high volumes of fast-moving motorcycle traffic makes it extremely stressful and potentially dangerous for towing”.
I would consider myself a pretty competent ‘tower’, whilst at the same time not wanting too much stress. It’s a large single axle caravan that comes in at around 1500kgs, within the car’s capabilities. Any thoughts?
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@Freddy55 - It's not that challenging going up from Macclesfield. As I said I've done it multiple times. It's a bit more "challenging" coming back down from Buxton because you are constantly braking but going up is fine. If you don't feel up to it then take the longer route from Congleton to Leek and then the Buxton road. Whichever way you approach Buxton from the West you've got to go up then down to get to it, even from Leek.
Its understandable that you are nervous about it but you did ask if anyone had driven this route before.
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Thanks @Wherenext , that’s reassuring 👍
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@KjellNN you are very patient, when we had our Cadiz I just used ordinary single sheets and tucked them in more at the back. Our static has bigger single beds but still not quite full size, I just do the same there. Long journey home as we had to make a few stops, these diuretic pills seem to be working well for OH. Next time I think that I will pack the car the night before, except for the cold food bag, up and down the steps from the caravan with everything then driving home and unpacking, I’m worn out now. Have just put one wash in. I tried to pass one caravan fairly quickly, it looked very unstable, wobbling around all over the place, it didn’t look right at all. The one just in front of it was the opposite very sturdy and steady. Just shows the difference when one person knows exactly how to tow and get the right towing combination and weight sorted and someone else clearly didn’t have a clue.
Thank you for the kind words about the dog, I did phone them this morning but still too many tears from them to be able to have a conversation, I’ll leave it a couple of days.
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Three suggestions -1) drive the route on Google Street View and see what you think.
2) An alternative route would be M6 up to junction 19, take the A556 to connect with the M56 At Junction 7. Head eastwards leaving the M56 at the Airport junction. drive towards and past the airport on the new road (A555) and head for Disley, Whaley Bridge, Chapel-en-le frith then Buxton. Head for Leek and follow the CAMC instructions.
3) Also you could try M6 South leaving at Junc 16, take the A500 then the A53 to Leek and on to Buxton.
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Arrived at Oxon Hall Touring, Shrewsbury, this afternoon. Weather is a bit showery, but showers are very light. Site looks fine although the pitch feels just a little on the tight side. We're not putting up an awning, but with the car on the pitch, we might have struggled a little.
We decided on a Morris leisure site as I have a free night in June. I also have a CAMC free night in June too - that'll be the next outing... 🙂
David
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@Freddy55 I think that Google is being overcautious, it is a steady climb from Macclesfield but nothing that should concern your outfit. Plenty of HGVs use the route so the bends can't be too severe or narrow either. If you intend returning by that route slow and steady is the name of the game IMO. It can get rather foggy over the top but hopefully that won't occur at this time of the year.
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It has been better than forecast with just an odd short shower. We moved on to a THS on the Fife coast arriving early so headed to Crail for a walk before lunch. Then this evening met up with my 2nd cousin and her OH, over from the States again, for a lovely meal at an Italian restaurant. It was great to see them and catch up with all their news.
The restaurant's take on Sticky Toffee Pudding, and delicious it was too.
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Thanks @nelliethehooker . No, we won’t be coming back that way, but rather moving on to The Mile, at Pocklington. We visited last year and had intended to visit Burnby Hall gardens, but was stymied by the onset of gout, which is now under control.
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Glad to hear that you are clear of Gout @Freddy55 fingers crossed that it doesn't return. Hope you don't find the route too problematic, and enjoy your trip to Buxton and N.Yorks.
Good to read that your treatment has been a success @Oneputt
After a single night at the THS we moved onto Beecraigs Country Park, once more, this morning, arriving around 1:30. The weather was sunny with a good drying breeze after a very short rainshower, so OH had the washing out on the airer before 3:00 and it was all dry before 5:00. The site is a little quieter than the same time last year without the usual number of hired M/Hs. Guess even those that normally tour from the continent are feeling the financial pinch.
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Nice day today in Shrewsbury. Weather kept good - bright but sometimes a little cool. Went to Shrewsbury Flaxmill Maltings. Originally a Flaxmill that turned into a Malting, and now, an English Heritage property - one of the more unusual ones.....
Then this evening a committee meeting where we've decided on..... guess what!!..... Christmas music programme of songs!! .... in time to order copies to start learning after the summer... 😀 It doesn't seem 5 minutes since last Christmas - but that's the way it works!!
Trying to talk Carol into going to Wroxeter Roman City tomorrow.... There used to be a vineyard there, but rumour has it that it might have closed.... 😢😢
David
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We managed to get to Wroxeter today went around to Roman City... (it looks like tbe vinyard closed in 2023??...)
...then off to Percy Thrower's Garden Centre for a hot drink and a Panini....
David
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@DSB grand photos again, and thanks for the info on the Maltings we didn't know it was run be EH. The last time we visited Wroxeter we were fortunate to arrive just in time for a guided tour, which helped us to understand more about the Roman City. Hope it stays fine for the rest of your trip.
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Hi @nelliethehooker. No guided tour today (.... I guess they were occupied with the school group which turned up), but we had a 'audio machine' thingy, which gave us a good bit of info. We did come here years ago, but now they have a good reception area (and shop), a small museum, and the reconstructed house (the last photo in my previous post), none which were there the last time we went (as far as I can remember). Shame the local vineyard has shutdown...
David
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It had stayed fine for most of the day, apart from a couple of short light showers however this evening we had a cloudburst with thunder, heavy rain and some hailstones, but clear blue skies again now. We went to view Midhope Castle (Lallybroch to Outlander fans) and had a short walk down the Glen by Midhope Burn. This location has been by far the busiest with foreign visitors all our trip up to date.
Then onto Blackness for a second walk along by the Firth, but didn't bother going into the Castle as we have been a few times previously.
Tesco,fuel and Aldi on the way back to the site.
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Did you do one of the guided tours at the Flaxmill when you visited @DSB they look worth going on, especially the one up the Jubilee Tower?
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@nelliethehooker Unfortunately we didn't get a guided tour at the Flaxmill... not sure they were doing them when we were there, but we did have quite a long chat to one of the helpers in the 'museum' who was really knowledgeable and helpful....
David
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