Rye and Pluckley June 2017

Good journey as we were travelling on a Saturday, but hot when we get to the site.  The view from our pitch is great - one side our own horsey neighbour "Toppy" and to the other side a huge long distance vista over the Isle of Oxney towards Tenterden. We were really quite high up.

We pop to Peasmarsh shopping at Jempsons. It really was very warm indeed, our supplies include a bag of ice, which becomes one of our regular buys over this holiday.  The evening allows us to  explore a little, and we discover a handy footpath which gives a fantastic view of Rye, Camber Castle and the sea, which amazingly appears blue!

I manage to take a vixen by surprise and see her at exceptionally close quarters, surprising both her and myself.  Later in the evening the first of many hot-air balloons are taking advantage of the still evening. We also get to see fireworks in the valley below.  Oddly, we have managed over our years camping seen many displays of fireworks. Steak on the BBQ for tea and despite the heat a good night's sleep.

We are about early on Sunday morning due to the heat. We head for Winchelsea, this is the gridded village with lots to see.  We get a personal guide to the church which was good as Richard gave a fiver contribution and was too embarrassed to get change! We located Spike Milligan's grave with the Gaelic for "I told you I was ill".

We take a quick trip to the beach for a paddle, then back to the village for a cool lager. We spotted an Aldi on the way home and picked up the Austins (Pimms for careful shoppers!)and trims. We then make a mistake and walk into boiling hot Rye.  An olde world town with cobbled streets and alleys. We could not cool down despite sitting in the shade at The Ypres Tower Pub.  Hot walk back to the campsite and then a cold glass of fizzy and fire up the barbecue.  Sausages for tea with a little music, using the binoculars we locate landmarks and yet more balloon flights up again this evening.

Very hot the next morning after the chores (emptying the loo was a trek in the heat) we look at Camber and Dungeness. This was not very inspiring so we cross Romney Marsh stopping at Lydd for an ice cream then on to Tenterden.  Waitrose shopping was very nice as the store was very cool indeed.  Spatch-cock chicken for dinner. 

Tuesday we visit Bodiam Castle.   It seems you can wander the grounds on paths without having to pay the admission. This allowed us to do a great little geocache high up behind the castle.  The views are great.  The castle moat is home to numerous carp, who are languidly moving on the surface. We purchase sea bass and scallops at Rye Bay Fish shop and cook up outside.  Evenings are the only time of day when we become active.  The temperatures have been soaring to 33 degrees centigrade. 

Wednesday we head off in the car for Beachy Head and calling on the way at Alfriston, which is a pretty but busy village with an attractive church and river.  Beachy Head was a little tiny bit cooler and we have an ice cream and check out the views of the cliffs and lighthouse below.

Mini burgers for tea and fresh, shiny and very sweet Kent cherries. We get the awning down, in the evening breeze. We say goodbye to our little horse "naybour" Toppy who with the owner's permission, we have been buying extra apples for. An apple a day keeps the Veterinary away!

We journey to Pluckley in a thunderstorm and the weather is a bit fresher. We pitch up quickly and head off to Waitrose for supplies. We have a very nice spot at the campsite, with our own private garden and a little tree for shade.  The best thing though is the view of the beautiful Kent Weald. We walk via the orchards and vineyards to Little Chart, finding a few geocaches on the way. We have a little drink at the pub.  Yet another barbecue for tea, and eat outside in our lovely pitch.

Friday is a sunny windy day and we had to Smarden for some geocaching and manage to, at last, find the farm used in the famous TV series The Darling Buds of May.  Back at Pluckley we discover the locals school sports day is on and we watch a couple of races. Glastonbury is on TV and we have steak from the butchers  shop two doors down. We noticed a fire whipping up the adjacent garden getting out of control in the hot wind, but all is well when the house owners in a panicked state, run to get the hosepipe out! 

Saturday we take a walk to Egerton and after a bit of light blustery rain have a drink in a lovely pub. Well earned nap and sausage and onions for tea, followed by being blown away by The Foo Fighters at Glasto.

On Sunday, sadly our last day, we headed off to Little Chart through the orchards for Sunday lunch. I hurt my foot on the way home but manage to hobble back. We watch a little of the village cricket match and nearly got hit by a six which was coming right at us! The evening entertainment is watching Ed Sheeran for the final set at Glastonbury.

We have loved Pluckley & want to come back. George who runs the site was formerly the village butcher. Such a kind man, with lots of helpful local information, and he lent me his large scale local map,  His friend Cliffy arranges a fund raising car treasure hunt each year in April, so we are going to try to make it a date.

Kessingland 9-11 June 2017

Another two nighter, this time to get together with our good friends Peter and Wendy.  The journey was busy and it was gone 6:30pm before we arrived.  But the weather was perfect and after the usual set up jobs we were soon safely installed on a cliff top with glass of cold fizz.

Our lovely friends had dinner all under control, ribs to start, followed by chicken kebabs, salad and potato salad.  All cooked to perfection.  The night was warm and as the sun went down we were able to view the moon over the calm North Sea from the cliffs, an amazing spot.  Music, fire, drinks and a few laughs, what a way to forget the working week.

Next day we breakfast together in the hot sun and then head out to Beccles for a spot of geocaching. After a nice walk by the river we head back to town and sat in a lovely garden by the river for a cool beer. 

After a short snoozette and a freshen up we begin the long walk into Lowestoft where we are booked in for a meal at Iconic.   We walk on the beach then up into Pakefield, passing by the thatched church which sits right by the sea, that was a surprise to me.  Luckily there was a pub to break the journey.  The final walk was along the promenade, and very pleasant it was too.

Quick visit to Wetherspoons and we settle down to a steak meal at Iconic - good food but iffy service.  Good taxi back singing along to my old favourite - Dancing on my own with the windows down!  The fire is lit again and we have a bit of guitar and a some more laughs, and enjoy just being outside. 

Home next morning, it's been a great breakaway with grand company.

The Eels Foot Eastbridge 2/6/17

The week dragged, even though it had only been a four-dayer, so we were both very eager for Friday to come.  The weather forecast was mixed but mainly okay.  It was meant to be raining by 7pm and we managed a quick set up, and had what we thought was the prime pitch, with the awning set up looking out at Minsmere reserve.  There was a slight reservation on having this pitch - the cesspit niff.  This wafted over unpleasant odours intermittently over the four days, but when you are in a place like this with so many advantages, it can be mainly overlooked.   We were a bit miffed though to hear that unbeknown to us or the caravan club, the fees had gone up to £15 a night. It is still worth it but it would have been good to have been told.

The rain came as the forecasters had said, and we were soon in the pub, with a large sauvignon blanc and an Aspalls. One sea bass and one chicken burger later and we were back in the van for a reasonably early night, having glimpsed the local barn owl hunting on the adjacent field.

The next morning it was clear that the wind and the pollen were playing havoc with Richard's eyes and nose, so we went and shopped at Saxmundham hoping the air-con in the car (and Waitrose!) would help. Waitrose is lovely for a treat, and shopping done for the long weekend, we then decided to have a walk to Westleton over the heaths.  It was beautiful and quiet, not seeing a soul all the way. We sat out in the White Horse's pub garden, considering the walk back, and as the Landlords at the Eels Foot had recently taken over at The Bell at Middleton, we decided to extend the route to check out progress.  This proved a surprisingly pretty route across wheat fields, then dropping in to the village giving views of the lovely church.  After a quick coke we are off and the route allowed Richard a luxury ice cream from the farm shop, as this had been thwarted at Westleton as we had missed the Post office opening times by five minutes.

The sign stating "Beware bull in field" was telling the truth.  Although the bull and his lady friends were well off the path, we were still concerned enough to arm ourselves with a decent stick .  We skipped across that field at a fair pace and leaped over the stile. The path then went up hill and on the way down we saw a large structure in the process of being built, also earth had been moved to shield this but not from our view on the footpath.  Such a shame it was pretty little valley.  Last year the last bit of path before the road was full of potato plants and flooded - we had been pushing bikes and I had fallen over.  This year the field was high with barley so all was well! 

Next morning (Sunday) we are up early as we are expecting Christine, Robert Gillian and Steve, for a day of bird watching on the reserve. It was slightly cooler and a perfect day for it. Quick cuppa and we were off.  We walked right around Minsmere and concentrated on the seabirds.  The skies were stunning and we had a lovely chatty walk with lots of bird sightings.  Back to the Eels Foot for wood fired pizza sitting in the sun. We follow this with a cuppa by the caravan and we are rewarded with a great view of our barn owl hunting very close by.

Monday saw us heading to Dunwich, following a brief stop in Leiston for some sun tan lotion.  We had a good walk around Greyfriars doing a geocache puzzle which took us around the site, through woods and along the roman road.  We see the only remaining gravestone from a church long since lost to the sea. 

We then look at the little museum which has been vastly improved and updated since we last went.  There was lots of interest on many topics but mainly explaining the sad plight of the large town falling into the sea - fascinating stuff. This is followed by an ice cream by the sea. 

We return to the site for a final sit in the pub garden, enjoy a caravan nap, and get the awning down. We then venture to our local bridge for a last look at Minsmere.  The weather is closing in and it is soon raining. The rain goes on all night with near gale force winds.  Quick pack up in the morning and off site early for a rough journey home, but it held off long enough to give us a fantastic weekend.

Kettleburgh Suffolk - a weekend of English eccentricities.

We arrived at Church Farm in good time on a bank holiday Friday.  The roads had been very busy as expected, but once on the A1120 things were a bit better.  We pulled into an empty site and had the pick of the pitches.

The weather was warming up and we set up in the sunshine.  J and A arrived shortly after us and by 6.45pm we were heading down to the local, The Chequers.  This is a Freehouse, and used mainly by locals, who are always friendly. It seems to be a pub stuck in time, the food is good pub grub, the garden is big going down to the river, but just needs a little love.

We have a good meal, a catch up and relax. We are all looking to chill-out and after a pleasant walk back we sit out for a few glasses. 

The next morning it's hot and windy, the weather forecast is for a scorching dry day.  J and A head off to Minsmere early to avoid the heat of the day, and we head off to the coast at Southwold and manage to get parked near the pier. The temperature is pleasant here and we check out our little plaque on the north side of the pier and give it a buff up.  We had always wanted to make our little mark here and we finally did it to commemorate our 25th wedding anniversary.

Suffering with the sun in our eyes we walk up to the Post Office where we purchased sunglasses. Ironically, exiting the shop the grey clouds had massed to create a massive thundercloud. Remembering we had left the roof light fully open on the caravan meant the Southwold trip was cut short, as we dashed back to try to limit flood damage at the van! All was well, and after minor mopping up we headed to Framlingham.  Creatures of habit we walk up to The Castle and sit in the hot sun with a drink, and followed this with an ice cream from the ice cream parlour opposite.

After picking up the provisions for supper we returned to the van for a little R and R, and the inevitable snoozette.  It really was hot, too hot to do much.  When things had cooled down, homemade cheeseburgers, salad and new potatoes went down well. With strawberries and cream a bit later, accompanied with warm chat, ribbing R about on his late onset tightness with money, and finally we get to view fireworks display across the valley. from the comfort of our caravan.

Sunday was also set to be warm.  We started with a proper caravan breakfast of eggs, bacon, tomatoes and toast. 

Chores done, we set off to cool down in the car's air con. The roads were hectic so we headed off from Snape to Iken where we searched out the beautiful little church.  Such a prettily located building with the estuary as a backdrop. On the way back to the site we stopped off at The Ship Inn at Blaxhall for a lunchtime drink in the sunshine.  It was clear from the minute we pulled up that something was afoot.  There were a crowd of folk dressed in strange outfits.  Having sat down, a costumed lady explained that we were about to experience a play, to be performed on the pub forecourt, partly on the road.  The leaflet supplied explained it was a group from Leigh on Sea who performed ancient folk plays.  They were called The Thameside Mummers.  The play included some combat scenes, some hammy jokes, some group singing and lots of booing and cheering. 

Back at the site, we enjoy a buffet salad for tea and the rain set in. We have a game of pass the pigs, followed by the usual discussion about our plans following our inevitable lottery win.  This leads to reminiscing about our 2013 Ireland adventures.  Alf digs out the CD's bought at a music night in Clifton, Connemara.  We remember and sing the songs.  What a nice way to spend our last night.

Bank holiday Monday at Church Farm means Auto Jumble day! We hear the punters arriving from 6.30am.  The Auto jumble is a sale of various auto parts and various other paraphernalia.  There are probably 70-80 cars parked up and two fields of stalls. We empty our Thetford toilet cassette in the middle of the event, as we have twice before!

A quick walk around and we manage to find a metal ammo box for future use as a geocache container.  Then time to head home.  A nice quiet but hot weekend.  Not long 'til the next one...

Strumphaw - hard to resist

12th-14th May 2017 (nights 16 & 17 of 2017)

After just two weeks since we stayed here with the family, we come back, just us.  When we arrive there are already 4 pitches taken.  We end up on pitch one, which is the least level.  The fiddling and faffing lasted about 20 minutes, so the time we saved rushing to the site soon evaporated with the fineries of levelling using the level, the motor mover and the inadequate chock.

The caravan adjacent prove to be the least friendly neighbours so far this year.  Not a nod, a wave, or a word for the two nights we were there. This is very unusual.  As they have no tow bar on their car, we assume that someone else has put the caravan on site for them, and thus they are not true caravanners!

The evening is sunny but windy and after sitting out for a while we retreat to the van, where it is cosy with the evening sun. We tuck into prawn and smoked salmon salad and open the wine.

The next morning we had already arranged to meet up with family for a cuppa in the van and a walk around the RSPB reserve, and are out on the reserve by 10:45am.  We get the best viewing any of us has ever had of a kingfisher who is sighted for several minutes hovering and posing on a branch overhanging the small broad.  We then have a lovely chat and walk by the river Yare - which is surprisingly wide here.

In the afternoon we head off in the car to the other side of the Yare.  We find a riverside pub called The Ferry House at Surlingham. It is a great spot but shortly after securing a table the heavy grey sky starts leaking and the wind whips up, putting my wine glass in jeopardy, so we find a table inside overlooking the river.  We have a bit of lunch, and find the staff friendly and helpful.  We then have a "chance encounter" with Derek, a lovely chap who used to run the garage we regularly used for servicing and buying cars.  Since our last meeting in the bar at the hotel at Carrow Road he has semi-retired.  He looks fantastically happy and content, and we have a great chat about life since we last met.  He points out a waymarked footpath route by the river, all the way from Norwich to Gt Yarmouth - this interests me, and I will investigate later!

Also he now has a little cabin cruiser, berthed up over at Brundall Marina.  The boat was moored by the pub, and he and his wife enjoy regularlweekend trips on the river.  No wonder he looks content, this is a lovely little backwater for a relaxing cruise.  We sort out contact details and hope to meet up and take a trip on the boat over the summer, if we manage to cross paths.

Supplies are purchased in one of the duo of Co-op shops in Brundall (two Co-ops seems a little excessive for a village of this size, but they both seem busy).  Back at site after a cuppa and a look at the Wherryman's Way route on my Ordnance Survey map, we indulge in another perfect Caravan nap.  The peacocks are quieter this weekend, and we get a good hour or so in. 

The evening meal is accompanied by the best Eurovision Song Contest we have seen for a few years.  The UK even manage over 100 points, unknown in recent times!

Sunday morning dawns damp and uninspiring, we pack up and head home via Attleborough Sainsbury's for a pick up of a new laptop  for R, after his old one sadly departed after an unfortunate wine spillage incident.  Again we don't want to come home so soon. Only two weeks until Framlingham and a long bank holiday weekend.

Steamed up at Strumpshaw - May Day 2017

Following a flying one night stay at Geldeston to enjoy an unplugged music session at The Locks inn, we were quickly off site on Friday morning for the 20 minute trip to Strumpshaw nr Brundall in Norfolk. Roads were nice & quiet, and pulling into the grounds of Strumpshaw Hall & steam museum, we remember what a beautiful spot this is. All quiet apart from the resident horses based at the stables next to the magnificent mainly unused Old Hall.  After set up we were treated to one of the big organs in the Steam museum being played. Such a quirky place to stay

Our mini family rally is to be consisted of four vans for the bank holiday, and the others start to arrive later in the afternoon.  It is soon evident that in the nearby orchard, a group of local girl guides are setting up camp.  Also a new arrival next door proves to be a friendly couple who were on site with us here last summer. By 6pm everyone is in place, the two Cadac's are set up by the "Cadacians", the football is out and the wine open.  J had surpassed herself again with a cracking sausage casserole with sautéed potatoes. Followed by sublime lime and blackcurrant home baked cheesecake thanks to Sue.  We enjoy a few drinks in the awning, and leave the caravan heaters on as its a nippy night.

 

 

Saturday morning and campers are all off on their individual activities. As the RSPB reserve is 5 minutes walk away, J & A are off early with binoculars and camera.  K, J & A are off to the seaside, and the camping shop in Blofield is also on the cards for all of us! We head of for a ride to Ludham to check out the area for our July trip. Early afternoon & we head to friends Mike & Tanja in Blofield for afternoon tea.  It was lovely to sit out in their garden and enjoy pork pie, cheeses and tea & cakes with fresh strawberries.

 

Lots of football back at the site and Alfie Junior joins me for a walk and a bit of geocaching. We discuss clouds, horses and his favourite subject, football. Dinner is bbq burgers, beans and sweetcorn, with a big stodgy rice pudding with jam for dessert!.

 

Sunday brings a sunny morning, with a lot of loafing about the site , it is such a nice place to be.  The Steam Museum is open and we get to ride on a little steam train around the site. Lots more football, a few more walks and then off on a walk to the pub in Strumpshaw for a slap up lunch. The meals are huge and we shuffle back slowly for another ride on the train and a nice afternoon caravan nap.

 



 

 

When we all emerged from our naps, we all joined outside in the warm evening sun, with a sundowner.  We had a buffet to use up leftover supplies, and enjoyed a night of good laughs.  This place had made us all happy - apart from Alf really having it in for the mating peacocks!!

 

Great Ellingham Norfolk - Fishing!

Second weekend on the trot that we get Blossom out on the road.  Early getaway from work and on the road by 3.30pm. No one around at Mill Farm CL, so quick set up, with a perfectly level pitch - bonus!

Not much chance to settle in or explore as we have a very important date with our favourite little grand nephew who turned seven today.  Back then to Frankie and Benny's in Bury St Ed's. It was great to see such a smiley and happy birthday boy.  Back to the site by 9.30pm and a get together with friends on site for a few wines.

Saturday dawned a little dull, but the boys headed off to the lake a few hundred feet away! They really are pretty little lakes. The girls got the breakfast on and in a short rain shower delivered sausage bacon and egg sandwiches to the fisherman.

Half an hour later the sun is out and fish are starting to bite on the lake. The day's catch includes common, mirror and one large Crucian carp, up to the weightiest specimen at 11lb.  Whilst the fisherman concentrate on their friendly but slightly competitive catch, the girls head into Wymondham. We find some lovely individual shops in the charming town.  Firstly a gift/home shop with lots of beautiful things.  We each buy our/selves a little something, and think at Christmas this is the ideal place to shop. The butchers is very traditional with a father and daughter running the business, the father being possibly in his eighties.  They make a special gluten free burger for R, with what seems to be an antique burger press - is this possible! Then we visit our favourite shop - a little off licence where you can buy your wine bottle with stopper and then decant various wines of choice, which change frequently. Also we trialled a Strawberry and black pepper gin, which we also hope to purchase at Christmas.

Afternoon walk to check out The Crown in the village - a friendly place with a classy back garden

 

 

The evening meal came together like a dream. thanks to the butchers burgers and supreme accompaniments from Waitrose, with a little help from a fantastic asparagus farm just up the road.   Griddled asparagus with olive oil, a twist of salt and pepper makes a delicious starter. A game of pass the pigs brought the evening to a funny close.

Four contented caravanners left the site mid morning.  We will return here before the end of the summer.