Clitheroe – Yokell Couple

Saturday 24^th June 2017 – Clitheroe

I’m sad to say we again woke up to a very wet and windy morning so again it is another stay at home day working on our projects.

The weather stayed like this until lunch time, when there was a glimmer of hope that the sun might appear.

So we had our lunch then off we went to find the Ribble River. I have to say that we didn’t have to go far and we found it a lovely place. There were lots of families playing on the stone banks with their colourful fishing nets and small buckets. The river was very shallow here and very calm.

ribbl brdg

We went a bit further on following the path to the end and found ourselves on a road. Smartphone maps are a wonderful thing – we could have been anywhere – but a few screen swipes and we knew that our best option was to head into town again. Window shopping.

shops

We had a good look around, a few old buildings, some independent shops and a market. But we only managed to buy some strawberries and a slice of cake for Nigel.

Tonight’s meal – fish in a tomato sauce with new potatoes and sweetcorn. (Yummy)

Then a quiet evening watching a film and then bed.

Sunday 25^th June 2017 – Beans and onward to Haltwhistle

We both woke early after yet another good night’s sleep.

I watched a telly program a few days ago that compared various food products. One of them was Baked Beans – they said they preferred Branston to Heinz so I bought a tin to try. The point of this story is that we had them with our scrambled eggs this morning and I have to say they were right. They are better – more like I remember Heinz used to be before they took all the taste out.

Anyway – breakfast over – time to Secure pack as we are on the move again. We are really getting the hang of it now (and Nigel isn’t going behind me re-doing what I have packed away).

We empty the toilet cassette and grey tank and are on our way. The journey was lovely – mostly motorway but the scenery was fantastic. I have to say that this is as far north as I have ever been in all my sixty-two years. The hills and rocky out crops were lovely.

road

We did a pit stop at Morrisons Penrith to top up the fridge and pantry. Had lunch in their car park overlooking Penrith Castle (something you don’t do every day).

After another hour we arrived at Haltwhistle about 4pm – the site looked very nice – if a little small and cosy. We are sited near the river although we can’t seem to get to it with our scooters.

We did venture out for a short while just to see what is about but didn’t stay out long as it’s cold and blowing a gale.

Nigel has been trying to get a signal on the satellite but he thinks the trees are blocking it. He decided to change Betty and Voyager around on our plot to see if he could get between the trees but he left Dolly to the side and hit her with Voyager – broke her plastic guards. Poor old Dolly she is in the wars (let’s hope she lasts three weeks).

Our meal tonight was nice – I made gammon and chips with sweetcorn. Simple but easy to put together in a small space.

After Nigel did the washing up we tried to plan our trip to Hadrian’s Wall. I think our best option is Housesteads Fort – it will suit our parking needs and give us something to see.

Monday 26^th June 2017 – Haltwhistle

We both slept very well again – it must be all the fresh air – so up late today (even Nigel stayed in bed until 7.45).

Well as its Monday it must be wash day (well this week anyway) so all the dirty cloths and the sheets into a couple of black bags and off we set. Our idea was to get the first load going in the machine while we both showered but this didn’t fit with the site agenda – showers are closed 11 – 12 for cleaning (we got there at 10.55) oops. So first wash load on only. Nigel did get Dolly repaired (Epoxy & Gaffer tape) while we waited – he says it is only temporary (Yes I’ve heard that before).

dolly rep

We got the second wash load in at 11.50 then had our showers – so not too much of a delay. All sorted – sheets and big stuff on the line – smalls in the drier. Quick wiz around the floor with the vacuum (feels like housework – good job Nigel was doing it – feeling lucky) then time for lunch.

Later we thought time for a serious go at exploring. After 3 false starts we were off making our way the 3 or so miles to Haltwhistle. The trip was a third uphill a third downhill (1 in 12 in places) and a fair stretch going along the edge of the A69 Haltwhistle bye-pass (with bl**dy great Lorries screaming by us). We came through unscathed and made our way into the town centre – thought we’d have a nice cup of coffee. You’ll be lucky – it seems all the cafes shut at 3pm and the rest of the town is totally shut on a Monday. So we couldn’t even get a fridge magnet – Nigel will have to make one from a photo when we get home.

We got back OK (still scary on the bye-pass) collected the washing, packed the scooters away and turned Betty around to make hitching up tomorrow easier – rain is forecast overnight so the more done tonight the drier Nigel will stay in the morning.

Dinner tonight was a one pot wonder Chicken Supreme with rice followed by yoghurt then coffee. A bit of TV and blog work for Nigel.

Tuesday 20^th June 2017 – The Start – Wolverley

Day 1 of our summer holiday starts as usual. Nigel is up at the crack of dawn with things to do and take with us. Me I lounge on ‘till 7.30 before the banging around woke me up.

Anyway we were finally ready for the off. A couple of pics in the garden as the weather is so lovely and the hollyhocks have just started to flower. Selfie lens is not so hot on my phone though – alright on Nige’s so we will use that one next time.

We had to leave the village via the back lanes as the council have decided to close the main road for re-surfacing this week. It wasn’t too big an ordeal. Nige decided it was best to stick to the motorways as there also appeared to be a road closure on the road to Cirencester (the route we normally have taken to go north).

Our only mishap on the journey were a couple of Lorries swerving about in front of us – so Nigel put them behind us. If we ever see a motorway accident we want it in the rear view mirror not in front of us.

We arrived at Wolverley at about 12.30 and were shown to our pitch by a lovely man who said if there is anything we need just ask – great to have a warm welcome.

Wolverley

After a spot of lunch we went for a dolly down to the canal and rode the tow path to Kidderminster. It was lovely to see a heron fishing and many ducks with their young. It was nice dollying along – not so many people around as at weekends.

The weather has been very hot again (over 30deg) and as the river runs alongside the canal we saw a group of young people rope swinging and playing in the river – nice to see them having fun. Our days of this kind of enjoyment are long gone unfortunately.

Dinner wasn’t so good tonight as we had bought the wrong sweet chilli sauce (too hot for us). So the sweet chilli prawns with rice went in the bin and we had a chicken salad instead. We are trying to stick to our Slimming World diet plan but a couple of ice creams snuck in on us this afternoon.

The evening passed quietly – chilled outside on our lounge chairs then watching the TV for a while ‘till we fell asleep exhausted.

canal birds

Wednesday 21^st June 2017 – Wolverley

Today promised to be another warm one as it was already hot by 08.00. Eating our scrambled eggs outside was lovely (better because Nigel made them too).

We hadn’t made any plans as one of Nigel’s work mates was dropping in to see us as he lives nearby. He arrived about 9.45 and stayed for a coffee and a long chat. I have to say that it was nice to have the company. Apart from the odd polite Hello from other campers people don’t tend to mingle here so at sometimes I find myself nodding off with time going so very slowly.

After Barry had left we decided on lunch and then took another trip on the canal tow path but in the opposite direction. Again it was a lovely ride up past the Iron works (we could hear work going on but not see anything) the evidence of their efforts were everywhere – big metal rings etc.

lock bridge canal trees

On we went until we reached bridge 26 – here we decided we had gone far enough so left the tow path and took the road back to Cookley where we got some supplies from Tesco Express (plus an ice lolly each) – being naughty again.

We found our way back to the tow path and headed back towards the campsite. On the way Nigel warned me of an approaching cyclist and who should it be but Barry – he had called in to see how we were fairing and was returning home after not finding us. It was a surprise to see him again so soon.

The evening was very warm and humid. We had showers, using the site facilities. I must say that the disabled setup here are very good – the wet room was brilliant – both Nigel and I were able to use it – mind you with the heat half an hour later and you don’t feel like you’ve had one.

We ate our second chicken salad meal alfresco again. Nigel washed up and then gave the Dolly’s a dusting to remove the dirt of our first two days. Forever the neat freak.

The night was again very warm – it reminds me of the film ‘In the heat of the night’. There was not much on the TV so as we were both really tired we turned in early and slept well. I must admit I don’t like not being able to see outside with all the blinds down.

Thursday 22^nd June 2017 – Black Country Living Museum

Up and about at 6.45 today. We are off to Clitheroe CCC site but paying a visit to the ‘Black Country Living Museum’ in Dudley on the way. So it is what Nigel calls a ‘secure pack up’ – everything must go away.

We were off on time after our breakfast of scrambled eggs and bacon. It is Nigel’s birthday (bless) he had two cards (one from me the other from his mum) – most other friends and family used Facebook to pass on their Happy Birthday wishes. I gave him big kisses and hugs.

Our journey to the museum was good – the weather has broken – much cooler but no rain yet.

We paid our money and went in – there were a lot of school kids there (many school trips at this time of year I guess) but we mostly kept out of their way. We got to see everything outside – Houses and Shops – looking inside was not an option for me, but Nigel did pop into a couple and took pics for me to see later.

The Canal Museum which is adjacent to the main museum and accessible over a swing bridge (included in the price too) was a good place to take cover when it stated to drizzle quite hard. We hoped it would clear by the time we exited but it hadn’t so out came the one use poncho’s to keep us dry.

We spent a good few hours touring around the museum before we left, had our lunch in the car park (nice warming bowl of chicken mugshot with crackers).

Onward to Clitheroe on the M6 – this was supposed to take about 2 ½ hours but was nearer 3 ½ hours with all the roadworks that we found on route.

We finally arrived – this site looks much older – the shower/toilet block not so nice. Good job we have all we need in that respect with us. We were pitched at the end of the Annexe, next to the compost heap. It was like Watership Down – with all the baby rabbits hopping around. Nice to see all the wildlife.

bunnies 2

We did have a little Dolly around – to find a Post-box for Nigel’s Thankyou card to his mum.

Food – we ate inside tonight as it is much cooler although you wouldn’t notice with the heat from the cooker and as for looking outside I have steamed all the windows up. I will have to de humidify the van.

Friday 23^rd June 2017 – Clitheroe

We both slept so well last night that we had a lie in. If it wasn’t for the loo calling heaven knows what time we would have got up.

Well the weather forecast was right and we could hear the soft drumming of rain on the roof – didn’t need to open the blinds to know we would be inside for a least a while. Me doing my cross-stitch and Nigel starting the blog and getting several of our gadgets working.

So breakfast over a quiet morning, shut inside. I did try to do some sewing but found it was too dark and the lights aren’t bright enough – after a couple of mistakes I gave up. I tried a small pattern – that was a bit better.

After a normal lunch and as we needed a few supplies we got the scooters out. The rain had stopped so we set off for Sainsbury’s. On the way back we found Clitheroe Castle. It was a bit of a climb to reach it up through some well-maintained gardens. The views from the top were amazing although it turned out to be fairly windy and a bit cold.