Denham, Buckinghamshire August 2012

Monday 20 August. Took Jasper to the Latney  cattery by 9.30. They are always so friendly there I never need to worry about him. Sue and peter from next door were just going out and I asked them if they would like a cucumber. They said yes but that we should no keep bringing presents back for them watering our plants when we go away. I guess the cucumber will do. Left home about 10.15. The satvav said it would only take one and half hours to get to Denham but in the end it took double that time. We were delayed on A12 by heavy traffic leaving Vfest in Chelmsford and then problems on m25. Got settled in on arrival. Denham camp site is small and is called Wyatt Covert. Felt tired so had a small sleep while Ian read paper. Later decided to go out for supper. Lovely warm sunny evening. Went to the Coy Carp pub in Harefield which is by the canal and went to a short walk after supper.

Tuesday 21 Aug

Went National Trust property called Clayton a grand country house that never was. The first part of the house was built and the second part had to be pulled down due to lack of funds. Had a guided tour of some of the downstairs rooms. 

Best bit the entrance hall is amazing.  The walls are yellow with the most ornate woodwork carvings painted white by a carpenter called Luke lightfoot. Completely over the top and jaw dropping. The next room had the most stupendous ceiling. Our guide was very interesting and told us a lot about the house and the Verney family who still live there. Their family crest is the phoenix rising from the ashes because they never die off.

Then went to Ascott a half-timbered Jacobean farmhouse transformed by the design Rothchilds towards the end of 19th century. It is not far from Waddesdon which is also owned by Rothchilds and is similar in some ways, although Waddesdon is a lot bigger. The family still live at Ascott which is why the house is not always opened. It has a very homely feel to it even though there are many original art treasures dotted around. Best bit.  The gardens were extensive and lovely, especially the beautiful fountains.

I was feeling lack of energy due to lack of food. Went to the local village of Wing and bought some provisions at Londis. Drove back to caravan. I map-read and Ian drove, although it was the other way round going there as map reading was more difficult and Ian is better than me at it.

Wednesday 22 Aug Went to Hughenden the house that belonged to Benjamin Disraeli who was Queen Victoria's prime minister. 

Best bit.  Listened to a very amusing and interesting talk about Disraeli by one of the NT guides. It would seem Disraeli rose to the heights of chancellor of the exchequer and prime minister against great odds. He was not educated at a public school, he did not come from the aristocracy, he did not own property and he was Jewish. He was a terrible dandy dressing up in the most bizarre clothes when he was young and he had a terrible habit of getting into debt. Hughenden was originally a manor house but little ks know about its original history. It is on a hill and there are good views of the Chiltern Hills. Walked vegetable garden of a bit of a slope, parking in a wooded area also on a bit of a slope. Disraeli loved women and got on very well with them. He had an intimate and close relationship with Queen Victoria which in many ways helped Victoria who was in mourning for her husband Albert. We had our packed lunch in the orchard.

We then went to West Wycombe Park a lavishly decorated Palladium villa owned by the Dashwood family, still in residence today. 

There are no gardens as such but acres of lawns, trees, a lake, and various follies. We had a guided tour around the house and were told about the family, the furniture and the history of the house. despite the many changes to the house, the rooms have now been returned almost exactly to their original Georgian state. There are no tea room. After the tour we walked around the grounds and down by the lake, then to the car park. It was a lovely sunny evening so decided to go for a bit of a drive. 

Ended up in Marlow and parked at the Compleat Angler hotel. Sat overlooking the Thames with a cup of coffee and fresh orange juice. 

The Compleat Angler is well known, gorgeously decorated and very expensive. Phoned Lindy to see how they are getting on packing up Monkhams Hall. They are tired and a bit stressed. Their tenants move in on Friday. Quite an emotional rollercoast for the whole family saying goodbye to the family home for so many years.

Thursday 23 June

Ian had sent an email to John Astle who is a distant relative through marriage and to whom he has been in touch through Ancestry.co.UK as they live not far from where we are camping. We received a phone call from his mother in law Patrick Paul who is Ians mothers cousin. We were invited to go and visit them this afternoon. This morning we visited Nuffield Place. This is the home of William Morris who later became Lord Nuffield. He came from fairly humble beginnings. He built one of the first modern bicycle and then went on to design the first bull nosed Morris Minor motor car in the 1930s. He then went on to mass produce the cars and became one of the riches men in the country. But he and his wife lived ordinary lives and gave away the majority of their money to charities as well as setting up charities and a foundation for a college in Oxford. Nuffield Place is exactly as it was in 1930s even though William Morris died in 1962 with no children. The NT have only just taken over the property. Best bit - the three Singer sewing machines used as a counter in the cafe.

We then went to Grey's Court, a Tudor manor house owned by the Brunner family, who earned their money in chemicals and eventually became part of ICI. The house went into the care of the NT after the elderly Lady Brunner died in 2003.

We then went on to visit Pat and Mike Paul who live in Henley-on-Thames. We had a lovely time with them. We took a walk along the river Thames and then back for tea and masses to eat. Even with my restricted diet I had so much to eat including smoked salmon, melon, pineapple, salad and cheese. Talked about our lives as well as life at Sandy Carr cottages where both Patrick and Margaret were brought up. We have promised to keep in touch And to meet up with their daughter Susie and her husband John Astle who already corresponds with Ian. Returned to the caravan at about 7.30 and had sausages for supper and watched episode 1 of The Killing.

Friday 24 August got up at about 8.00 had breakfast and packed up the caravan. Left at 9.15am and got home by 10.30. Wow! That was quick. Picked up Jasper from the cattery.

Yorkshire and Northumberland

Basic Information:  16 July for 3 nights. Cost  at Wendsleydale for 3 nights £46 and at Nunnykirk for 6 nights £84.

Monday 16 July 2012 - Departed Great Totham at 10.30am after taking Jasper to the cattery. Arrived at Lower Wensleydale camp site at about 4pm. Got the caravan sorted out. I am learning the ropes, slowly. I can get water barrel filled, connect up the grey waste, put the four legs down on the caravan and help put up the awning. Went into Leyburn to get a few provisions from the co-op.   This site has lots of ducks and rabbits and birds - all totally unafraid of us.

Next day we went to the RHS Harlow Carr gardens where we had our picnic lunch.  Very interesting vegetable gardens.

Drove through Harrogate. We then went up to Ribblehead, across the Yorkshire Dales and eventually to Hawes where we went to the Wensleydale creamery to buy Wensleydale cheese of Wallace and Grommets fame!  One thing I have noticed is the number of people who have dogs in this area. So many more compared to down south. And they all look very well looked after. There are also lots of sheep too, as far as the eye can see.  Ian said that with so many rocky hills and mountains it rather limits your options as a farmer! Also noticed there are lots of cows, some brown with white middle, some black, some red brown, even plain white ones.

Wednesday 18 July. Went across the Yorkshire moors to the seaside resort of Scarborough, first to north bay, then walked to south bay which is a bit more lively. Noticed lots of Staffordshire bull terriers. Is that because scarborough is a seaside town that may attract homeless people who, if they have a dog, will tend to go for Staffie? Also quite a lot of people with springer, Cocker as well as Cavalier Spaniels.  Very strange because I would like to get a cavalier spaniel.

After a cup tea at a café on the seafront, we caught the open top bus back to north bay. Went to Peasholm Park. Then back to the car. Drove to Whitby - lovely old town (photos). Walked around soaking up the atmosphere. Stayed for something to eat as we would be back late.

Thursday 19 July. Left Wensleydale with caravan and headed to Northumberland and to Nunnykirk campsite near Rothbury. After getting the caravan sorted out we went for a walk along a track to Nunnykirk house which we found out later was now a school for dyslexia. Had supper then went to co op in Rothbury. Found signal there as we have no phone signal at the campsite.

Friday 20 July. Went to Craigside NT property but only did garden and grounds because the house doesn't open until 1pm. This house was owned by Lord Armstrong and was one of the first houses to have electricity. 

There was a pump house to pump spring water to the house and a power house to supply electricity generated by the water from the lakes and water flow (photos).  Went from there to Holy Island where I will be staying for two nights at the Open Gate.

Saturday - Ian went to Beamish Living Museum of the North. 

We heard later on the local news that a young boy who was not a visitor had had an accident on one of the machines and had died. Ian remembers seeing a man and a women and a young boy dressed in costume at one of the traction engines.  It must have been him.

Sunday - Ian picked me up from Holy Island and we went to visit Lindesfarne Castle on the island.

We then drove to Berwick-upon-tweed - the town is a bit tatty - not very impressive. Ian stayed there for a week doing geology when he was at Sunderland Polytechnical. Drove through Alnwick which is lovely Georgian town on our way back to the caravan. Ian has bought a cable to plug in to TV socket on the power bollard so we have tv!

Monday went via Morpeth to Cramlington. This is where Ian used to live when he worked for Lloyds in Newcastle. We went to the flat that he used to own at 15 lindslade walk in Beaconhill. I remember going there before when we came up to Northumberland. We then went to the shopping area which had expanded quite a bit since Ian lived there from 1980 to 1986. All happy memories. 

We then drove on to the NT property called Seaton Delaval. 

This is a work in progress property as the nt are in middle of restoring it after a bad fire. Ian remembers cycling past itoften when he lived up here and wondering what it was all about. The gardens were delightful (photos) and we had our picnic lunch there. Then took a quick drive along the coast to see Seaton sluice then whitley bay all with super big yellow sand beaches. Went briefly through Tynemouth which looks like a lovely town. 

We then drove to Wallington Hall near Combo which is very close to our caravan site. What a delightful house, so beautiful and yet with such a friendly atmosphere. Julian Travellan was playing classic music on the piano in the main hall it was so beautiful that you wanted to cry (photos) and he was only 13 years old.

We spoke briefly to his father Peter who is from the family who used to own the house before it was given to the national trust in the early 1950's. Back to caravan. Chicken for dinner. Did this diary, read newspapers.

Tuesday. Last day of our holiday. Determined to see Cragside House, so off we went. Decided to go to the English heritage property Belsay hall, castle and gardens. Very interesting house that was built in 1817 by Sir Charles Monck of Middleton family.  The house was quite empty which was rather intriguing because you saw the actual structure and layout of the house which you probably wouldn't notice if it was full of furniture.  The Middleton family had lived for 700 years in the castle in the grounds until the house was built. Terraced gardens and an unusual quarry garden. 

We then drove to Hadrians wall and got on a tour. The man leading the tour was very interesting and I learnt a lot about the Romans building the wall. The word Decimate comes from the Romans. If a roman soldier did something wrong this is what would happen. 10 soldiers would draw straws and the one who drew the short straw would be killed by the others. So someone paid although not necessarily, the guilty man.

We then high-tailed it back to Rothbury hoping to get to Cragside before the house closed but despite our best efforts we didn't quite make it. So after a refreshing cup of tea we took a drive around the estate and then back to the caravan. I messaged Anna to say that we could pick her up from Danny's on our way home tomorrow.  We need to make an early start tomorrow morning. So we had supper and then took the awning down and packed in the boot of the car. The good thing about caravaning is that you don't have to pack everything back into suitcases - just leave everything as it is.

Wareham, Dorset - June 2012

Thursday 7th June

Friday 8th June
Went exploring Poole. Here is a photo of me with Baden Powell who is sitting across from Brownsea Island where the first Boy Scout camps took place in August 1907.

We also went to a shop  where they had demonstrations on making pottery as well as lots of pottery to buy.  We had a coffee there.


We went to Compton Acres Gardens in Poole.  Here are some photos.

I had booked into a course at Green Pastures Christian Retreat Centre in Poole on the subject of Praying within a Celtic Context and lead by David Cole of the Community of Aidan and Hilda.  There were about 5 people on the course as well as some others who were just staying at the Centre. 
 
Saturday 9th June 
Ian went  on the Swanage railway down to Swanage.

 and then to Kimmeridge Bay where he collected some fossils.  He also went up onto the Purbeck Hills.

Sunday 10th June
Last day of my course and Ian picked me up after lunch.  He had Sunday lunch at Compton Acres before picking me up.


Monday 11th June 
We went to Lulworth.

Then to Weymouth and Portland Bay where they are going to do the Olympic sailing.  Went up the hill to look down on Chesill Beach.  What a view!

 
Tuesday 12 June

Got up really late. Woke early but was reading and messing around on the Internet. We have 20 hours of wi-fi for 15 pounds through the caravan club. Anyway after doing the washing up from the night before, making packed lunch and getting ready we only left at about 11 o'clock. 

Went a village called Tolpuddle and to the museum on the Tolpuddle Martyrs. 

They were six men, ordinary farm labourers, who in 1834 were arrested, tried and deported  to the brutal penal colonies of Australia for protesting about the low wages and grinding poverty they were forced to endure from their harsh employers. Eventually after a period of 4 years they were granted a pardon and were allowed to return to England. It was on their return that the trade union movement was born.There are still trade union festivals celebrated at Tolpuddle today. The six men eventually emigrated from England with their families to Ontario in Canada.

We then drove to Dorchester.  What a nice town with lovely shops and lots of wonderful buildings. I could probably spend quite a bit of time there. We went to Dorset County museum and had a guided tour by one of the volunteers. Dorchester is very old with lots of history, there are signs of habitation even in the neolithic age! Lots of famous writers and poets from this part of the world including Thomas Hardy. I bought one of his books - the Woodlands which can join the pile of books for me to read.

Wednesday 13th June

Went to Wimborne and to NT property called Kingston Lacy which once we got there we remembered we had been before when we went to visit the Fitzsimmon family in Ringwood. 

Then into Wimborne to the craft centre - everything quite expensive. Walked into the centre of the town - lovely sunny day. Headed to the church but nothing particularly noteable, except that they had a chained library but we could not find it. We eventually ended up at Costa sitting outside in the sun. Had to leave at 5 because our parking ticket was about to expire. 

Such a lovely evening we didn't want to go back to the caravan so drove down to Swanage on the coast. Had a walk along the front then went to the Swan pub for a meal. Then back to the caravan; watched a film, then to bed.

Thursday 14 June


Friday 15th June
Today we packed up the awning and caravan and started to make our way home. Stopped at Winchester services for our packed lunch and a cup of coffee. Ian then took over the driving, although he 'virtually' drives whilst I am driving -the only difference is that he doesn't have his foot actually on the pedals! 

Denver, Downham Market, Norfolk

Our neighbours June and Paul had gone to stay at Denver Mill.  June makes bread and she had bought the flour they make there and she was telling us what a lovely place it was, so we decided to book in at a small certified location at Denver and check out the Mill.  We departed Wed 25th April and returned Saturday 28 April.

Charlie came with us.  This was his last caravan trip with us because he died 21 May.  He was very old but still in good nick considering his age.  I remember him walking around this caravan site.

The man who owned the site was building a fishing lodge.  We had a look round it and it looked very nice inside with three separate self-catering accommodations.

We had a nice time at the Denver Mill.  Unfortunately the sails blew off and they need to raise in the region on £100,000 in order to replace them.

 

We also went to Sandringham.  

Ferry Meadows, Peterborough

We decided to  take the caravan out soon after buying it so that we could put into practice everything that had been explained to us at Caravan World.  So we decided to go somewhere not too far away and only for a few days, taking Charlie with us.  We chose Ferry Meadows Caravan Club which is a Caravan Club site which is well equipped.  We departed on 1 November for 2 nights.  All went well.  The reversing of the caravan onto the pitch was probably the worse thing but the remote controller for moving the caravan proved very useful.