Sat: Early start, forgot to check the battery as we hadn’t been out for a month, the motor mover died within a few minutes, but thankfully we got the ‘van out just enough so that I could get the car onto the ‘van and hitch up from there. Pleasant journey encompassing the A69 and M6, although we had a bird strike on the A69, one less pigeon on the scene now. Usual stop at Southwaite on the way to refuel with a bacon buttie, coffee and some diesel. Following this the journey became stop and start with the volume of traffic. We ended up being delayed by 45 mins in total, pleased to reach the M53 where things finally settled down to a steady flow. Arrived at the site with no issues and used the fast check-in which worked faultlessly. The site was pretty full naturally being the holidays, be we found a good pitch and settled in for the night. No TV signal whatsoever, so a film it was – Beauty & the Beast (live action).
Sun: Railway trip time – Llangollen was the heritage line to visit on this occasion, a very rewarding 10 mile trip with gorgeous vistas along the way. We got there early doors as it was only a 15 minute journey from the site. We enjoyed a drink at the cafe (well I did, Cath didn’t enjoy what was supposed to be a hot chocolate!) and then embarked on the 10.30am. The journey pretty much hugs the river Dee along the way, making for some spectacular views. Following this we had a little wander in the town itself, very pleasant and quite busy, we managed to secure a couple of thimbles I’m pleased to say. Returning to the site and I attempted to put the satellite dish up to get some TV, but the trees were getting the better of me!
Mon: Relax stay onsite day!
Tue: Weather good, so first job before breakfast was to wash the ‘van. Following this, we headed out for a walk encompassing the aquaduct/viaduct in Chirk. This was a pleasant hike, quite undulating, but worth it, a total of 3.5 miles. Back at the site, I posed for some photos from the club magazine photographer and then we relaxed for the rest of the night.
Wed: A rainy start, but this cleared in time for us to head for the Cambrian Railway in Oswestry. This is a small heritage line with just two stations, resulting in a 20 minute return train journey, although you do get 30 minutes in Weston Wharf, which has just recently been completed, very nice it is as well. We managed a drink in the buffet car and then returned along the line, passing a large corn field, which triggers watching ‘Field of Dreams’ tonight! Back at Oswestry, we took a look at the railway museum as well. Picked us some fuel at a rather busy BP station along the return journey back to the campsite.
Thu: Onsite relax day!
Fri: Onsite relax day, complete with fish & chips from the visiting site van. It’s been a nice week, the site and surrounding area are very picturesque and worth exploring. The Llangollen railway was spectacular and well worth a visit. The site has recently been updated and the toilet block is first class, complete with dual access, so it doesn’t close completely for cleaning. However, there is no TV signal and no booster signals on the bollards, so most pitches can’t access TV even with a satellite due to the high surrounding trees. A little cut-through from the lower level to the toilet block is complete one side, but then just exits behind two pitches with no official cut-through – a bit awkward! Some pitches are car in-front pitching, being quite small width wise, so not the best especially as some of these are fully serviced pitches. There are no bins at the service points, being centrally located at the toilet block. This didn’t bother us, but it was strange never seeing a warden, as they didn’t have to collect the waste and we didn’t have to book in! I’m sure they were active and on-hand however. Despite this, a quality site and worth a visit for the area.
Sat: Rained through the night, but clear for the pack-up! Good journey back home, albeit we took the M62 route as I missed a turn on the M6! Worked out well though, we managed to stop at Hartshead Moor which we haven’t used in a while, nice and empty! Passing Wetherby further up proved that Hartshead Moor was the correct choice, as it was very busy and we wouldn’t have got in. A little busy passing Leeds, as the festival was on, but then back to storage as usual.
- Date: 19th August 2023
- Nights: 7
- Pitch #: 60
- GPS: 52.929607, -3.067850
Approach: A5 > B5070 > Station Avenue