Touring

Following a few days of rough weather, we were blessed with a journey of sunshine, albeit with some strongish winds! The journey to the site was not too bad, a bit of a holdup on the A66, but nothing drastic. We arrived at the site in good time behind a couple of other campers. I decided to try for the new pitches this stay and with the site fairly empty, this was not a problem. The usual set-up routine began, followed by replacing the smoke alarm battery to stop the ‘chirping’ 🙂

A nice walk into ‘Barney’ on Saturday. This route from the campsite takes you through Deepdale Beck and then across the river Tees into the town centre. The town itself is still looking healthy with plenty of shops and cafes, buzzing with activity, which is really good to see. Following a stop at Costa, we perused a hardware shop and then headed back to the campsite. A journey of around 3 miles in total. Weather has been fantastic, enjoying a BBQ for tea as well. Topped off with a couple of movies for the night time.

Sunday and a lot colder. Nothing planned for today, so we stayed inside and relaxed. Monday and the rain returned, although only the drizzly stuff, so not too bad! We’ve had a great weekend, not sure why Barney has not been on our regular weekend sites list, but it certainly will from now on.

• Date: 27th September 2024
• Nights: 3
• Pitch #: 81
• GPS: 54.546167, -1.941226

Another weekend away at a our local favourite site. Weather looking good and it’s also my birthday on Saturday – can’t beat a Saturday birthday in the ‘van 🙂

On Saturday we explored ‘Hopetown’ in Darlington. This used to be the old railway museum, but has now been upgraded thanks to multi-million pound funding, to create a much larger offering, with children’s playground (wagon woods), cafes, gift shop, exhibition hall along with all of the railway history with old engines and rolling stock to discover. There is also a viewing gallery to watch over the construction of a new P2 class engine currently being built there. It was a good trip out, although I was expecting some parking facilities there, but alas there didn’t seem to be any. It does seem there is a car-park near by, just not dedicated to the attraction.

We enjoyed some films on each night, meaning we didn’t get to bed until after midnight on each occasion, quite a change from the norm! We’ll soon be back and as always, looking forward to it.

• Date: 13th September 2024
• Nights: 3
• Pitch #: 52
• GPS: 54.568506, -1.286260

Sat: Holiday starts, no problems! First stop on the journey was Gretna Green on the M6. Plenty of spaces thanksfully, so chilled out here for a while. The final leg of the journey was fine as well and we arrived at the ‘The Woods’ just gone 12pm. We booked in and then found a good pitch in the upper section of the site, which gave a geat vista of the mountains begind us. Pitches are spacious and level, despite the site being on a slope. First impresssions are mixed, there are statics and seasonal pitches here, so the ‘feel’ is somewhat different.

Sun: A designated ‘stay on site day’. Weather good and it’s always nice to relax on the first ‘complete’ day of the holiday. No railway this visit! TV signal is not the best, so I deployed the satellite, only to find a tree right in the way of the Atstra birds :(. Nevermind, we watched movies all day, which was great actually!

Mon: A trip to the Falkirk Wheel & the The Kelpies was the order of the day. Weather is looking poor for the rest of the week, so I decided to do this journey today. The wheel is quite stunning. We arrived and parked up, quite busy! We watched the boats traverse the lift which is quite a site. There is quite a lot to do here: archery, boats, paddleboarding, playground, bike hire, segway tours, waterzorbing – very good for a day out. Following this we headed for the Kelpies, which is only a short drive away. We parked up and enjoyed the horse display, which you can see from the M9 briefly as you drive by. There’s lots of food outlets and gift shops here, also the Queen Elizabeth II canal. Again it makes for a nice visit. The rain was coming though, so we didn’t stay too long. Back at base, we stayed inside due to the Scottish rain 🙂

Tue: Stirling Castle was the outing for today. Following breakfast, dodging the rain we headed for the Park & Ride at Castleview. We picked up the bus and were dropped off at the foot of the castle pretty much, very convenient. We bought our tickets and opted for a guided tour, which was very good, the guide was excellent. We learnt a lot about the castle and the battles of Scots against the British, very good indeed. Following this, we headed back to base and enjoyed a relaxing night, in the rain again!

Wednesday: A stay-on-site day. Just wished we could be outside, but the rain!

Thursday: The Battle of Bannockburn, time to learn all about it. On the site of this historic battle is a visitors centre, which has a guided tour which we booked in for 11am. So following breakfast, we headed out and discovered ‘Robert the Bruce’. The tour really was a lecture in front of projection screens, but it was effective. There are no artefacts or museum type displays as such, as a lot of visitors coming into the centre were asking about. But outside, you can view the areas of the battle and put a little reality to it all. Worth visiting. No rain today, but boy the winds were blowing!

Friday: A stay-on-site date as is usual on the last day. As it turns out, it is a very nice day – still a little windy, but dry and bright. We took a tour of the site following breakfast, to take some photographs which would include some blue sky! The first opportunity this holiday 🙁 . Following this we took the awning down, in anticipation of storm Lilian which was due today. The site is filling up for the bank holiday weekend, should be full again like last weekend.

Sat: Good journey home, traffic was fine despite being a bank holiday.

My conclusion of the site is somewhat mixed. I don’t like the residential nature of the site, with all the people driving relentlessly up and down the roads. The first part of the site is very gloomy and dark under trees and feels a little industrial in places. The further part of the site where we stayed was fully open and felt a lot better. The site slopes quite a bit, but the pitches have been cut in well and are level and of a good size. The toilet block was a little dated. Shower curtains were still in play here and generally the block could do with a make over, despite being clean most of the time. Water pressure is another issue here, very weak. Recycling is only in one place as well, which is next to Toilet block A, so a bit of a trek for this from our position. Reception looks very modern stocking a few essentials. The pub by the entrance looks pleasant, although we never went there. We were booked to go here in 2020 originally, at the start of the pandemic, so that booking went out of the window! So 4 years later, we made it. It’s a popular site and good for exploring the Sterling area.

• Date: 17th August 2024
• Nights: 7
• Pitch #: 29
• GPS: 56.141668, -3.782636

Arrival: M80 > A91 > A907 > B9140 > Road

Fri: Finally got struck by the covid bullet! It’s been a rough week, cancelling work on Thursday, so very pleased to be away this weekend to recover. Weather great, picked up the ‘van and got to the site with no problems at all. With increasing temperatures, the set-up was a little difficult coupled with covid. I took my time but Cath struggled with the heat, but we eventually got there! Spent some quality time outside and then retreated to the ‘van with all windows open!

Sat: The glorious weather continues, nothing planned for the weekend apart from to recover, so we stayed on-site and relaxed.

Sun: Weather a little cooler which was nice, but very pleasant. I went to exchange a gas bottle which I thought had run out, but as it turns out had not, due to its weight. So after a journey down to reception with it, I soon returned with it and plumbed it back it. And yes, it wasn’t empty. Not sure why the gas had failed on it last time, but there you go. Site not too full, probably due to it being the school holidays. Cath has tested +ve for covid, so more relaxing required!

• Date: 19th July 2024
• Nights: 3
• Pitch #: 52
• GPS: 54.568506, -1.286260

Sat: A good pack-up and journey as we begin the second leg of our summer tour! Weather still great, very pleasant. All went to plan bar a hold up on the M1 due to roadworks. We arrived at the site in good time, booked in and found our pre-booked pitch. We were soon set-up again as not everything had to be packed away. The sun was beating down and we retreated inside to cool off a little before tea.

Sun: A trip to Barrowhill Roundhouse was the order of the day. We arrived early at 10am, enjoyed the signal box tour and seeing the turntable in action. We then had a coffee in the cafe before returning to the site. It’s well worth a visit, nice way to spend a few hours. Lots of locos to keep you entertained. Weather still very hot!

Mon: Stay on site day, just relaxed with the heat. Although night time was getting a little uncomfortable with the humidity, we could literally have been in France!

Tue: A walk to Rother Valley Country Park today. On the map it looked straight forward, but alas, the undulations were not shown and it was quite a hike. Fine on the way down, but a steep climb back up. We nevertheless made it to the South lake, Cath was a little exhausted and sat down as I walked further around to the North lake and managed to take in the railway line that runs past. Disappointingly, no trains passed during my brief time there! Upon return we decided that I would go back to base and fetch the car, which I duly did. Returning with the car via the road to the park, I discovered that it was pay upon entry, so £1.70 later I collected Cath and we returned to the site. Weather scorthing again, all windows open in the caravan.

Wed: Peak Rail was on the cards today. About an hour’s drive from the site, we headed off to catch the 11.40am from Matlock. The journey there was pleasant, mostly good roads. The line itself isn’t too long, only 3 stations, with a nice 30min turnaround at Rowley South. There was an interesting delay on the way due to a token being stuck at the middle station, so the line couldn’t clear the bock, but it eventually got sorted. We completed the journey and then headed back to base.

Thu: Weather has turned cooler and windier, relax on-site day!

Fri: Usual last day routine, some packing down and away and then just staying in the ‘van. Site is filling up again for the weekend The site is very nice, very ‘French-esque’ with the higgledy-piggledy layout (all flat pitches though), burnt cut grass, low hedges, outdoor washing-up spaces and bar on-site. And with the extreme hot weather we’ve just had, this really made it feel like we were back on a French site. The pitch we were on was a very good large size, good size of gravel, so didn’t get everywhere and was fully serviced. We would certainly return.

• Date: 22nd June 2024
• Nights: 7
• Pitch #: 65
• GPS: 53.342418, -1.312985

Approach: M1 > A57 > A618 > Delves Lane

Sat: Early start, picked up the ‘van and headed over to our first stop, which was at Southwaite Services. Then a drive down the M6 to Keele Services, through some torrential downpours, but no traffic snarls! Then onward to our destination, Ludlow Touring Park. We were given a professional booking-in and then we made ourselves at home on our allocated pitch, 84.

Sun: No time to relax, we’re off to the Severn Valley Railway. It was a bit of a long twisty road to get there, but then enjoyed some glorious weather as we soaked up the trains. We did the full line, Kidderminster to Bridgnorth. But on the return journey, we took some time out at Arley, to reflect on the location as seen in a few famous films. Very relaxing, very peaceful, very much enjoyed it. Back at base it was BBQ time for tea and time to deploy the Satellite, as there is no TV signal here, although in fairness they do have a booster system.

Mon: Relax day, weather okay but not quite as good. Tried to get the satellite working again, but still no joy, a fix at home is required again. So instead we utilised the booster system, which was fairly good, so no complaints.

Tue: A trip into Shrewsbury today. We spent the first couple of hours in the town itself. Quite a large place, plenty of people about and lots of shops. Following this we headed to the prison, where you can get a guided tour most weekdays at 2.30pm. The prison itself closed in 2013 and has since become a visitor attaction. It was very intersting to listen to the history of the prison and other prisons in general over the centuries. You’re given access to pretty much all areas, including the excution room! I never knew Ricky Tomlinson was a prisoner here back in 1973. Also worthy of note, is the the train station which is just oposite the prison, it still uses semaphore signals to this day 🙂

Wed: Just up the road and we’re into Ludlow. We were thinking of walking or maybe the bus, but instead took the car, as we needed fuel and a little bit of shopping. Tesco’s first for the shopping, not a very large shop but we got what we needed. Then we headed into Ludlow via some very narrow streets, thanks satnav! Eventually found the carpark and then enjoyed a puruse around the market, St Laurence’s Church and the shops in general, with some splendid Tudor buildings. Following this we refuelled and headed back to the site, weather very hot today.

Thu: Relax on-site day! Breakfast, cleaning the ‘van and chilling. Good weather again, so managed a nice walk around the campsite for the first time this visit. It’s a very nice site, well laid out, good size pitches and plenty of greenery and wildlife. The view from our ‘back garden’ is quite simply stunning, the best we’ve had to date I would say. All the birds: bluetits, moorhens, robins all in abundance. There’s one little young bluetit I like to call ‘chirps’ as it never stops talking with its distinct call, I feel for his mother! BBQ for tea, this is what it’s all about, thoroughly relaxed!

Fri: Another relax on-site day.

Sat: A reasonable journey to our next site via Tamworth services. We got held up on the M1 de to roadworks, but nothing too severe. To reflect, the site is very nice, one we would come back to many times if we were in the area. Pitches are very nice, ours was fully serviced and of generous size, although the pitch gravel was of the small variety, which means you’ve got to keep sweeping it out of the awning! Views were to die for, best we’ve ever had. We enjoyed the wildlife so much, so relaxing. Facilities were excellent, very clean and spacious. Showers a little hot, but nothing to detract from the overall experience. Food vans seem to operate on various days if that is your thing. The onsite shop is very well stocked with all the essentials including many chairs and BBQ’s, which is a real bonus. If we were in the area again, we would not hesitate in stopping here again, loved it.

• Date: 15th June 2024
• Nights: 7
• Pitch #: 84
• GPS: 52.345584, -2.716910

Approach: M54 > A5 > A49 > B4361

Stunning weather all weekend, finally! We pitched up on the Friday, taking our time as it was very hot. The site was pretty full as usual. The computers were down in the office, so they couldn’t take payment upon arrival. They would telephone me when the system came back online.

We were entertaining a couple of our friends on Saturday afternoon, so we did a little shop at Asda in preparation Saturday morning and then enjoyed a walk and a BBQ with them, concluding with a game of ‘Uno’. Computers were back online, so I went to the office and paid the balance.

Relaxed all day Sunday, helped a neighbour out who was struggling with his awning. Monday morning pack-up, still in the heat. Great weekend, looking forward to our summer holiday now.

• Date: 10th May 2024
• Nights: 3
• Pitch #: 56
• GPS: 54.568506, -1.286260

A pitch by the playground this time, but still quite a nice spot – not too many kids around!

Saturday’s entertainment was a couple who couldn’t get their dog under control and into the car upon departure. This escalated into quite a few members of the campsite trying to round the dog up, but it was a small and sprightly thing which evaded them on every attempt. After a good hour, they eventually left, hopefully with the dog!

We had chatterbox neighbours near the service point, so we engaged in quite a few conversations during our stay, all very pleasant.

Still not too impressed with the redevelopent, looking at caravan storage is not the best. And now the site is not open all year, White Water will become our new ‘home’ site, as it outscores Durham in a few areas now.

Still enjoyed the stay however, it’s a very popular site as on Friday it was basically full. Queueing at 1.00pm seems the order of the day here!

• Date: 19th April 2024
• Nights: 3
• Pitch #: 23
• GPS: 54.795747, -1.530499

Sat: Relaxed departure, the site only being 2 hours away. Picked up the ‘van after a battery swap and headed west. Good clear run all of the way. Stopped at Southwaite as usual for a break and then departed for a 1.00pm arrival. Weather pleasant, site fairly empty so we got our usual area of the site. Got set-up and then relaxed for the night.

Sun: Tried the satellite, as the TV booster from the site was giving nothing. But alas, couldn’t get a signal. Will take the kit home to explore further. However, we got a few channels from the ‘van aerial, so all was not lost! A bit drizzly, so we stayed inside all day.

Mon – Fri: Rain and wind all week, so didn’t venture anywhere other than a walk around the site. That’s the way it goes sometimes!

Sat: Sleet & hail, just to finish off the week! That was one cold and wet pack-up.

• Date: 16th March 2024
• Nights: 7
• Pitch #: 132
• GPS: 54.616943, -2.956263

Our second weekend of the year and again to White Water Park. Since Durham Grange is now no longer open all year, this has become our standard weekend option now during out-of-season touring.

Again, we didn’t take the awning, which kept all meals inside and gave me the opportunity to clean the ‘van all around. This time my focus was on the awning rails, so these got a real good cleaning this trip. As it turns out the weather wasn’t bad at all, but still a little cool to be outside for long. We did take in a Saturday evening stroll down to the marshalling yard, where you can always rely on plenty of class 66 action! The bird feeder also saw lots of action, with plenty of bird families popping out of the hedge for a snack.

Rain did appear on Monday morning however, so the ‘van returned a little dirtier than what is was on site 🙁

• Date: 23rd February 2024
• Nights: 3
• Pitch #: 55
• GPS: 54.568506, -1.286260