Easter always marks the real beginning of the family caravan season. This year Easter is late and we have been hoping for mild sunny weather. Moderate cool winds are to be the spoiler this long weekend.
We always prefer to get somewhere early by going after work, to get all the set up done. This leaves us free on the Thurs before Easter to come home from work to the site and already be able to be free of chores. Wednesday evening we did the final packing, headed off down the A14 and were after the usual faffing all tucked in by 7.30pm. R was lucky enough to have been given "Maundy Thurs" off as free leave, so had a free and easy day with his bike for transport, and his guitar for company. I, on the other hand, drove a bit further on the A14 to the place I love - Cambourne, to get through the day as quick as possible.
Time flew, as it does when you are having fun at work(!), and by 5.20pm I was back on site. The site was not one I would have normally booked. It was chosen through necessity as some of our group were off to The Apex at Bury St Edmunds to see Lindisfarne on Easter Saturday. This was a newish CS site, still a work in progress really. The field was massive but bleak, with a relatively busy train line behind. We made it our weekend's work to get as many waves from passengers and train drivers over the four days. However, the proximity to Bury St Edmunds, and the pretty surrounding villages made the location a good one.
By 6.30pm on Thursday all five caravans in the party were all set up, and the party "yawning" was in use from 7pm for pre Chinese drinks. Inspired idea from one of the party to pre order Chinese from nearby Stowmarket, and by 8:15pm we were all tucking in to an excellent spread. So easy - with hardly any washing up. Not too late to bed, had been a long day - with many of us at work.
Good Friday was bright but with a cutting wind, it got off to a traditional and tasty start with hot cross buns toasted perfectly by Alfie Senior on the super versatile Cadac. And we all had REAL BUTTER.
Then all the contingents headed off for the days activities. One was picking up a birthday surprise for Alfie Junior from Portman Road, two headed off to The Owl and falcon attraction at Stonham Barns, four headed off on a local walk and the final four headed for Cotton a nearby village for some Geocaching. This is what is great about these weekends, everyone does what they like in the daytime, coming together for a camp banquet in the evening. The catering is shared out so on this long weekend we all only had one major meal to cater for.
We were joined when we were Geocaching by Sue and Rosey and Snoop the dog, but the walk cut short as Alfie Junior was suffering a high temperature and was not his buzzy self, having reported to have been feeling quite "drifty" which we all thought was a good description.
This evening we were to be treated to a spectacular ham hock, pea and home grown asparagus risotto, followed by fresh fruit with a cinnamon syrup and buttery shortbread. Later after the early to bed crowd had headed to bed, the party members enjoyed a few wines and jokes. It was a funny night, but as per usual in the morning, we had no idea what was so funny.
Saturday morning consisted of putting up the flag, cooking up a cracking bacon and egg sandwich followed by a trip to get in the food for the evenings catering. The shops were pretty manic, but having got the chores done, and with the wind being a little chilly we had a few relaxing cuppas and a good read of the Saturday papers. The afternoon nap was accompanied by Radio Norfolk where Norwich City managed to still lose whilst they were playing against 10 men for half of the match.
After catching up with a few zzzz's we headed out of the site on the footpath opposite to wake ourselves up, make the most of a bit of sunshine and also do a recce in case anywhere nearby was more suitable for the Easter Sunday Egg Hunt.
Although the area was not good for the hunt (due to nettles and other things), it was a good little ramble. Willows swaying in the stiff breeze, bee hives, a dogfight between two buzzards and a pair of feisty crows, and the siting of a Wheatear made it a pleasant hour, and helped us forget the football score.
All hands on deck for the evening meal, with a Greek bias - lamb burgers (cooked to perfection by Alfie Snr on the Cadac), Greek salad, pitta breads followed by Eton Mess. All excellent. Then the pennies came out for a game of Newmarket with Jane's new GIANT playing cards. There were advantages and disadvantages of these. We could all easily see our hands in the low light of the awning, but holding them was a bit more problematic!
Sunday morning was bright and breezy, following much rain and wind overnight. This fell well for the annual Easter Egg Hunt for our grand nephew Alfie, who at almost seven was still very keen. There were not many options at the site for decent hidey holes, but we did a good job and Alfie had to work hard to find the 36 odd treats out in the wilderness.
We then walked to the pub in nearby Haughley via some pretty footpaths with two geocaches nabbed en route. Haughley is a pretty little village with a long gone Mott and Bailey castle with moat, an interesting church and quite a lot of amenities, such as a baker, coop, Indian restaurant and a good pub. By now we had been joined by our niece Clare, her husband Jamie and their beautiful new baby girl Edith Iris (Eddy) who was on her best behaviour. We had a good Sunday lunch, and I give special mention to the Banana bread and butter pudding with salted caramel sauce and peanut butter ice cream. Richard also raved about the chocolate goo with homemade honeycomb.
After the walk home and a cuddle with the baby and a chat with nephew Brendon, we have a caravan nap, with the accompaniment of steady rain - always a good combo. We had to get our strength up for the event of the weekend - Alfie's Easter party.
Alfie and Jamie Mills carefully set out the venue. All the party food was assembled along with music, lights and games. Everyone including little Souca the dog had to have a glow bracelet. The ice was broken with a stiffly competitive dancing competition, to the sound of the Bee Gees. Alfie Jnr was the victor closely followed by his Dad. Next up was the picture consequences game. Then a raucous few rounds of Heads Up, and finally a balloon blowing up contest. What a great, funny night with everyone up for a good time.
All in all a good time had by everyone. We had a few issues between us such as hitch problems, a bad back incident, caravan tyre puncture and indicator failure, but overall none affected the Easter fun.
31st March 2017
The weather forecast was good, and on the Thursday before the weekend we had managed to book in for 2 nights at Grange Farm CL Woolpit. We had stayed here a few times before and always like it. What is not to like? Fishing ponds, a little on site butcher, views across fields to Woolpit where the beautiful church could be seen, especially lovely when lit up at night.
Quick set up and on the bikes to meet up with my brother at Elmswell station. Quite a big hill up by the church, but we were still at the station first with plenty of time. This night was special, as my brother had on this day retired from the Rat Race. Installed on the train, we were headed two minutes up the road to Thurston, where a quick wander across the road found us at The Fox and Hounds where my brothers old friends Frank and Elaine already had drinks in. So busy was the pub, it meant that sitting outside was the only option but being outside was a pleasure. We had a really nice celebratory chat, along with a couple of drinks each. Before you knew it we were on the 20:38 returning to Elmswell Station. The bike home was much quicker with a good bit of down hill. We had a snack and a wander around the site looking at the stars which were showing well.
Saturday dawned a pretty good day, and we had a geocaching route planned for Bradfield Woods only a few miles away. Parked up easily and set off into the woods which are a nature reserve (SSSI) looked after by the Suffolk Wildlife Trust. Immediately we were struck with what a beautiful little place this was. The ground was covered in little white flowers and interspersed with cowslip and primrose. We read that the woods are ancient going back to 1252, and used for coppicing and the area boasts 370 plant species.
We enjoyed a great series of geocaches, got lost once, and had a nice chat with the volunteers from the Suffolk Wildlife Trust, and may well join as members soon as they protect and improve many sites mostly unknown to us. On the way home we came by Gedding Hall - a really imposing tudor manor, still owned by Bill Wyman.
We popped into the butchers when back at the site, I did the usual and opened the wrong door and ended up behind the counter, much to the butchers surprise. We chose some porky strips for tea, and also picked a nice little brisket joint for when we got home (which was excellent).
After tea there was, as every time we have stayed here, a cracking sunset, much photographed by me!
This had been a quick getaway, and we decide we will come back again soon
After a rare weekend at home and some forgettable and tiring days at work, we head off on a Weds late afternoon to meet up with family at The Eels Foot Eastbridge, Suffolk. The site is a CL with hook-up and toilets available at the pub during opening. Whilst the site is not particularly well maintained, and does suffer occasionally with a cesspit niff, it really has a stunning position right next to Minsmere reserve. The pub is great too, with much improved food, a pretty garden space with children's play area and petanque pitches. When its cooler they have a log fire, and there is also free Wi-Fi.
Well, I have to admit all my good intentions to write up after all our caravan trips in 2016 was a bit of a disaster (darling). This is partly due to not being able to use a good "speak and type" app and partly because we were away so often. Anyway the 2017 caravan season kicked off in the middle of March and we headed to Hempstead Hall right near Holt in Norfolk. We had had a few winter troubles with the 'van, this was due to having an outbreak of mould. The web help (thanks all caravan problem solvers), was to air of the van and wash and scrub the whole inside down and make sure all vents were clear. We spent a whole weekend doing the necessary, and found a couple of the required vents had been covered up with various bits of under bed detritus. After this, we were happy as the van looked, felt and smelled fresh and ready to go. The electric fire had been playing up, so that was mended and ready to go.
Good journey on a sunny but cool Friday, getting to site in early afternoon. We were on some hardstanding on the farm as it was still too damp and too early to get on to grass. We headed off to walk around the local vicinity, and had a couple of geocaches to find too. The church was one to note with part thatched roof and spring bulbs and flowers all over the churchyard.
Saturday was football day so the Mann's split up with Mr off to Carrow Road, and Mrs into Holt for a look around and some shopping. I discovered a gluten free food shop who sold home made pies, quiches and cakes. I then had to carry a few of these for the rest of the day. Mr was very impressed and had for dinner the next day. I walked back to the caravan site in the sun, a bit of traffic on the parts of the route with no footpath. The afternoon nap was badly thwarted by farm machinery and work going on to clear the debris from Storm Doris. Also an over friendly but beautiful cockerel who did not know the hours he was meant to keep.
Sunday was spent on a geocaching trail around Weybourne and Kelling Heath. We watched steam trains and got to look around the Campsite there. It was a surprisingly varied and really enjoyable walk.
Got off reasonably early on a sunny Monday morning, said goodbye to our cockerel, the family of guinea fowl and our trio of cute friendly donkeys. The grassed site here is a real find with a little river valley to overlook. None of the pitches looked level but worth the trouble of a tricky set up. This is a brilliant area for walking and touring and we will be back.
Weather forecast improving we set off after work to Geldeston (again) on the beautiful river Waveney. Coincidentally we meet some friends we know from a nearby village who are coming to experience a jam session. It's a group we love on at The Locks Inn tonight - Murphys Lore. Quick set up and some dinner before heading out and getting a prime seat in the bar. Nice to see some faces who are regulars up there and get an invite to another musical event locally.
As it gets towards 9pm the candles are lit and musical instruments and their owners are gradually turning up, we have the regular fiddle, guitars and bodhram drums but also we a few guest performers we have a banjo and an electronic bass. The performers take turns and tonight we see three or four guests who can sing and play fantastically. It was simply another beautifully atmospheric night. Shame the landlord is often grouchy - the only times we saw him was when he turned us out as quickly as possible (and rudely) at the end of the evening.
We wake up to a pretty nice day, and the marina is quite buzzy today for a change. Chores were light as we had not set up water etc. so we were away quickly and on the road for Kettleburgh. We hummed and harred about the best roads to take and ended up going through Beccles and headed south east to meet the A12 at Yoxford and headed down the A1120 through the pretty villages of Peasenhall, Saxtead, Dennington to Earl Stonham where we turn off to our site for the next few days. Church Farm is caravan club 5 van site with hook up, but no facilities. It sits at the front of St Andrews Church and adjacent to the farm with the resident guard geese. It really is a pretty little place to stay, and the tree blossom and roses were just wonderful.
We meet up with family and friends at the site and head off to The Chequers down the road. The barman is always quite amusing here, & after a drink out in the sunshine we tucked into some good pub fare. Saturday brought warm sunshine, and we headed out on the bikes into Framlingham. We came by the Station Pub where Ed Sheeran treated Nicole Scherzinger to a night out, but all was quiet this morning. The market was on and the town was preparing for a gala weekend, We had a look inside St Michaels church - it was being decked out with blooms ready for a wedding. it's a large and quite magnificent building with a fanned ceiling and wall paintings. After a wander in the castle grounds we sat outside the Castle pub for a relaxing drink, watching the world go round. After an easy bike home, it was pretty warm and time to read the papers and nap.
Sunday brought more sun and a trip to Southwold to get fish for tea. The town was too busy to park up, but we will no doubt be back later in the summer. The discovery on the way back was that Saxmundham has a very good Waitrose where we could get all we need following a trip around every village and town in the vicinity looking for Jersey Royals!
Monday saw the weather cool drastically and Church Farm were again holding an "Auto Jumble". This was something we had never seen before, a sale of a right mix of motor parts along with lots of other strange items. The attendees were numerous and keen, arriving from 7am. For anyone remembering the old Methwold and Swaffham auctions in Norfolk, the clientele were very similar! We headed home on a nice quiet morning, another successful and memorable long weekend, missed not having my sister and brother in law along for this one though, due to my nephew being ill with glandular fever, but we will soon be with them for the Springwatch pilgrimage to Eastbridge.
Moving on...
Smooth Sunday journey from Cambridgeshire to the wonderful Waveney Valley. No driving over the caravan step, no aerial left extended and no flashing from other drivers about anything flapping open...excellent.
When travelling, it never ceases to amaze us how many drivers like to pull out in front of us at the last moment. They must believe we travel at a snails pace, at worst they make us brake suddenly and at best slow us up and stop us getting in to top gear. I blame Jeremy Clarkson.
In the sun we notice that now in mid-May the colour of the trees is staggeringly green and luminescent. The flowers on the horse chestnuts look like lit candles, such a shame that in a few months they will be showing signs of "bleeding canker". Such beautiful trees.
The site at Geldeston looks as peaceful as ever, just one van on site but no one in. Chores done in a few minutes & the bikes are then unfolded. Three quarters of a mile later & we are outside the Locks Inn. There is quite a crowd, many dressed in readiness for their participation in the annual Dwile Flonking competition. This year it looks like there are some newcomers from Loddon, as well as the usual competitors from Bungay. The referee (known as Plumbus - a dull witted person) really is amusing, explaining the rules & how to score. Then teams & the crowd shout together "Here y'go t'gither" & the game begins.
The aim of the game is to hit the opposition with a beer soaked rag whilst spinning in the centre of a moving ring containing team mates from both sides. This causes much merriment. After several bouts, Bungay are announced the winners. The scoreboard is kept up to date by a couple of super children, and as we know concentration can be difficult, so no one really had any idea if this was the right result, but no one was too bothered.
Back to the van for some dinner and I start my new book. It's quite a horror shocker, not sure a pitch black campsite is the place to be reading it....
Monday we wake to a chilly start. We decide to have a leisurely ride to Loddon, via the country lanes. We visit Kirby Cane (because I have always loved the name) and Heckington Church (thatched and stunning) on the way.
Loddon is a large village with parking in the centre at the front of the substantial church. You can walk across the water meadows behind the church and wander by the boatyards. The river is The Chet which has only three & a half miles of navigable water. This joins the Yare downstream and links into the broads network. We like it here and decide as there are a couple of campsites we may visit soon.
Quick trip into Beccles to buy the obligatory two slices of chocolate cheesecake (which is gluten-free) from the best teashop in the area - Twyfords. Take plenty of cash as that order came to over £7.00. Then the sun allowed a few chapters of the book outside, whilst R played guitar awhile. Home tomorrow but we are now getting in the swing of our 2016 caravanning. That makes 19 nights this year.
SITE INFO
Caravan club 5 van site Rowancraft at Geldeston Nr Beccles. River frontage and slip way. Some trees. Basic van with hook up £12.00. Shower and two toilets. Canoes and small motorboat hire. Village is sleepy with walks by the beautiful Waveney, Wherry Inn outside site and rustic pub The Locks Inn about 20 mins walk - by the river with moorings.
Hello to you reader!
We (Richard and myself) have been remarking that as you progress in years, whilst we remember where we've been, we don't know if it was three years ago or yesterday.
As an aide-mémoire, this blog will hopefully serve us well, and also perhaps recommend others of some great places to visit. We can also share the tales of people we have met on our travels.
We very much like to make the most of our free time by setting off straight after work, and on this weekend we did even better, by taking the van to our site at Wicken Cambs, on a Thursday evening and going to work on Friday from the van. This method does require me going to work with "caravan" hair, but no one seemed to notice, and work was exceptionally busy and stressful on this Friday. Getting back to the van, when it was already set up was a real treat. My sister and bro-in-law, Jane and Alfie were already set up and then the Mills Family van arrives. After a flurry of activity, a football appears for a knockabout and we snuggle in the heated awning (it's still pretty chilly). Morrison's rib-eyes with easy salad is on the menu, and then a visit from our niece and her husband whose hall window overlooks the site. Good time had by all.
Next day we all had our own agendas, we visited nearby Soham, which now has an Asda as well as a good Co-op. Also butchers and baker and chemist. Today on site, we met a couple from Leicestershire. They were visiting family nearby and recommended a site at a livery in East Walton up in Norfolk. They enjoyed carriage riding and mentioned the site sold quail eggs and also had a stream nearby with abundant watercress. As the chap was a chef he had rustled up a meal with both ingredients and gave us some ideas too.
Wicken Beer Fest day is historically always freezing, and today was no exception. We all wrapped up warm and took blankets too. Cider seemed the most popular choice in our group, and the girls particularly enjoyed Spinney Abbey's "Nun Behaving Badly" which was still and quite apple juicy but still over 5%. Our friends in the local band the 142's entertained us, but the cold was too much for some of us to bear, so back in the van for hot buttered toast and the last part of Eurovision. Next day onwards to Suffolk
View from site
Beer Fest entertainment
SITE INFO
Caravan Club 5 van site on Church Rd Wicken. Hook-ups no toilets, very big grassy area for games. Secured by locked gate - code supplied on booking. Price at time of stay £10.00 inc elec. Village is very attractive with greens, a working windmill and a decent pub - The Maids Head. Wicken Fen Nature reserve is a short walk away - you can find this on National Trust webpages. Also if you are into geocaching there is a good series of a few miles accessing straight from the paths on site. Nearest shops Soham. Ely close by too with lots of interesting attractions.
