Camping photojournal - Walcott May 2021

 

Day 1 Walcott Beach

Short break in the rain.

Parked at Walcott Beach

Shopping for teatime treats.

Crumpets for tea,

and breakfast.

In search of the sun. Parking at Sea Palling, Day 2.

Sea Palling beach. Alf needed his raincoat all day.

Pedestrian Access to Sea Palling Beach.

Bought Alf a ball at the kiosk.

It was a sponge ball and lasted all of ten minutes. 

Day 3 dawned dark and wet. Off to Southwold in search of dry weather. 

View from the van as the skies began to lift.

Alf knew exactly where he was and led me through the dunes. Not coat required.

A couple of long walks on the beach to Gun Hill and back, and Alf was ready to sleep all the way home.

Sandringham Trip

 

 The journey to Sandringham was not uneventful. At one point, on the A10 near Ely, the rear door popped open. I probably hadn't checked that it was locked properly before setting off, but the potholes on t\he roads didn't do it any favours. I pulled into a hand car wash and waved the workmen away, t\elling t\hem I had a problem with the rear door.

I spent the remainder of the journey on edge, waiting for the door to pop again. The weather was cloudy but the rain held off. When I arrived at the entrance to the site, at 2pm, I was disappointed to see that the queue for check-in was all the way back to the forest road. Not only that, but it was also the exit. Vehicles were trying to get out, and others, who had already checked in, were trying to get in.

Fifty five minutes later, I was escorted to my lovely grass pitch in the middle of a clearing in the trees. I had just plugged in the EHU when the heavens opened. I decided to wait for the rain to stop before putting up the Skadu. Lunch was way overdue. As it was now past 3pm, I had an early afternoon tea. 

As soon as the rain had stopped, I put up the Skadu, so that there would be a place for wet-weather gear, tables, and chairs. It's not difficult to put up, alone, and my cunning plan of raising the pop-up roof without dislodging it seems to be working. 

I took |Alf for a walk, both of us clad in our wet-weather gear. Luckily, it was not needed. The walks are marked and are, in the main, footpaths through the woods . We were both tired from the stresses of the drive and, so, it was an early night for the two of us, 

The van was warm and the bed, with its newly-configured-sleeping-bag-mattress, was much more comfortable. Alf decided he would sleep with me, under the duvet, rather than on his own fleece-line sleeping spot. He is really a very anxious traveller at the moment. I'm hoping that will change the more often we go out in the van.

Tuesday was a wet day. Most of my neighbours left the site in their cars to seek activities elsewhere. My nearest neighbours, a man and woman with their toddler, new-baby, and dog slept in this remarkable 'tent' It has a stove!

The Skadu provided shelter from the rain, and even allowed for play with Alf (on a long lead, tethered inside the van - campsite rules) I rested, read, listened to Audible and began to feel a little better. Even inside the van, with the rain pouring down, it was peaceful - and green. Alf discovered a family of squirrels and became a bit fixated on getting at them. Pigeons were no long of interest. Squirrels can't fly, but my goodness can they move fast - and climb really high.

Alf and I decided to reccy the Dog Walks from the site. He was very enthusiastic and ended up almost stuck beneath this gate. He realised he needed help and didn't complain much when I dragged him back out.

In the evening, we watched many of our neighbours packing away their awnings. They were obviously leaving early the next day. 

Our nearest neighbours spent much of the early hours of Wednesday packing away the tent and their belongings. I was amazed that their car took so much without any trouble. 

By 9am, I had this part of the campsite to myself. The view from the Skadu was lovely. 

Wednesday was dry and warm. Alf and I had two walks through the woods. They're beautifully managed. Tree fungi of different sorts, ferns newly-unfolding, and constant birdsong were everywhere.

Back to the van for lunch. Steak and stir-fry veg, with Prosecco, in the shade of the Skadu.

After lunch, I turned on the water heater and washed myself and my hair. I used two bowls, one with warm water in it, the other to rinse myself in using a jugful from bowl 1.  I wore a towelling robe which kept most of the water off the floor of the van. 

I always feel much better after a hairwash. I spent the remainder of the afternoon out in the sun, with Alf, strolling the complete circuit around the outside of the site.

 I can't work out if the end of one leg brought me to the CMC, or if it was the edge of the CCC.

The Sandringham CCC has lots going for it. There were lots of campervans and motorhomes there. Despite that, it was very quiet. The site's facilities include Toilets and Showers; waste disposal and grey water disposal; and Glamping tents. 

There is a Reception Cabin which houses a small shop. The staff were available there, except for the times when  deep cleaning was done, between noon and 1pm. Arrivals were checked in after 1pm and those leaving had to vacate their pitch by noon.

Everyone was  very friendly and helpful. I left the site at about 9.30am, having spoken to one of my neighbours who was heading off for a boat trip to Blakeney Point to see the seals. I was about 5 miles into my journey home when my mobile rang (hands-free, controlled from my new SatNav). It was the CCC. Another neighbour had handed in the black cazr rubbish bag I had inadvertently left behind on my pitch. It is being kept for me to retrieve on my next visit. That may be sooner rather than later, as I could return home from my next trip to the coast via Sandringham.

New layout

 

 

After the April trip, I emptied the van and played with various layouts that would maximise comfort and useability.

I've kept the 'cross bed' idea but plan to use it as the head of the single bunk behind the driver's seat.

The red sleeping bag forms a mattress on top of the bench cushions.

The part behind the passenger seat is for Alfie, as he likes sleeping close to me in the van. The middle section is to allow me to sleep on my side without falling off the narrow bunk. The remainder of my bunk is just wide enough for my legs and is longer than the cross-bed. I'm hoping for more restful sleep.

I toyed with the idea of reinstating the Romahome's table, which attatches to a bar below the window, but decided it took too much space off the gangway. I've kept my home-made coffee table , beside the sink where there is now a viable seating area.

The worksurface beside the sink makes a useful space for the serving tray, freeing space on the table for a meal and drink.

Opposite this, the work-surface beside the hob makes a lovely little cafe table for morning or afternoon tea.

This is my favourite seating area for reading, knitting, listening to the radio and other relaxation. The seat opposite is a convenient footstool.

Both the hob and fridge are working perfectly, thanks to various people's help and advice. The fridge's front panel was very scuffed but, rather than replace it, I've covered it with tickers to remind me why I love Levant II.

Opposite the 'galley', the sink/toilet area is now working efficiently. I have a very small bowl in which to do the washing up (the Eberspacher now produces heat and hot water) , and an 8 litre filter tank for drinking water.

Below the sink is the porta Potti. The sink can be stowed in the drain in the bulkhead, the door beneath  opens to form a toilet booth.

 The one thing I lack, is an onboard shower. I'm thinking of getting a portable battery-driven (rechargeable) shower. The pump goes in a bucket (warm water courtesy of Mr Eberspacher) and the shower head hangs inside the Skadu. The Skadu can be made into a tent by adding the corner poles and side panels provided with the purchase.

For the time being, an all-over-wash in a bowl will suffice. I may need the portable shower in the Autumn, or I could just use the site's facilities.

I'm pleased with the reshuffle. I'm re-packing slowly, ticking every item off the packing list as it goes into its reserved place inside the van.

The plan is to pack light . I took far too much to Wolverley. I forgot my new second home isn''t a 45ft x 7ft  narrowboat that I was cruising for a few weeks. My little home-from-home is only 15ft x 5.5ft, and I will be away for only a few days at a time.  Less is more they say.

I have kept decoration to a minimum. What signs I have are to motivate me throughout my trips.

One of my plans for the future, is to open a mobile Bereavement Cafe. I'm hoping there will be the opportunity to put my vetting and training with the Good Grief Trust to champion the organisation and offer support to bereaved campervanners over a cuppa. 

I'm also hopeful that I will meet like-minded female solo campers and form new friendships on my travels.

Wolverley Campsite Part 3

 

 

So, after the less-than-satisfying lunch at The Lock Inn, I decided to head over the lock to the Tea shop for a suitable stomach filler. 

The Tea shop had an Open sign facing the tow path. As I approached the building, I spotted a narrowboat approaching the lock. It was about the size and colour as Levant, although it had a cruiser stern so couldn't be our old boat. I decided to video its entry into the lock. 

Despite a good approach, the helmsman left it too late to slow the boat down. On putting her into reverse gear, he skewed the tiller the wrong way and the boat caught the lock gate and side of the chamber as she entered.

So many memories of cruising the relatively peaceful (compared to France) English waterways, came flooding back. I still yearn for life afloat.

Having watched the boat safely through the lock, I took the path to the garden behind the Tea shop, entered, and purchased the largest slab of Victoria Sponge I have ever seen.

The cake provided an amusing ice-breaker when I pulled it out of my bag as I sat down to afternoon tea with the Small Motorhome Group back at camp. I was informed that all new members were expected to provide cake to the rest of the group on the first occasion of afternoon tea. As my cake was so large, the group didn't see that this was a problem. The following comments of Hell freezing over and pistols at Dawn helped the group who had an even more frustrating lunch at the Queens Head, regain their composure. I made my mind up to stay an extra night to help cement the relationships that were forming.

On Thursday, the game of Kubb took place right beside Levant II. The pitch was a very generous size. The game really belongs on Discworld, given that tgedisputes it generates are akin to all out Civil War. It was fun to watch but, with my peculiar lack of eye-hand co-ordination, I would have made little difference to the defeat of the Women's Team except perhaps to widen the margin of loss.

Friday's packing left me tired and in need of some peace on the drive home. I didn't get any, thanks to the rear door and sat nav failures. Alf added to the stress.

He hated the campervan on this trip. I haven't taken him out in it since last October and he's decided it is a scary thing. Normally, he hunkers down on the back seat, in his seat belt safety harness, and goes to sleep. He spent most of the time, both on the journey to, and the journey home from, Wolverley, with his tail between his legs and panting. 

It's been a steep learning curve for both of us, not least the emotional fatigue that comes with spending time in the company of a group of people who know one another and with whom you are the Newbie. I'm sure it will get easier. I will learn from the mistakes and, on the whole, the pros far outweigh the cons.

Next Stop - St Neots Huntingdonshire.

Wolverley Campsite Part 2

 

 

The chief engineer of the Staffordshire and Worcestershire canal was James Brindley. It was completed in 1771 for a cost that exceeded the authorised capital, and opened to trade in 1772. It was a commercial success, with trade from the Staffordshire Potteries southwards to Gloucester and Bristol, and trade from the Black Country northwards to the Potteries via the junction with the Birmingham Canal at Aldersley.On the opposite side of the canal, on the way to the Queen's head, the road runs alongside the Mini Pro Golf Park and the River Stour. 

The view from the bridge over the River Stour shows the Golf Park and, beyond it, the canal and the Lock Inn. 

I'd forgotten how physical camping can be - whether in a 45ft narrowboat or a campervan less than half its size. By the end of Tuesday, I was very tired and sore. I'd used muscles I'd forgotten were there and my legs and knees had not had a good workout in the fresh air in over a year. As a result, Alf was neglected. He was anxious during the drive up to the campsite and, having slipped his lead on a nocturnal pee expedition on Monday night, I wasn't going to risk losing him to the tempting hunting grounds that surrounded us. He was very cross on Tuesday afternoon when I joined the group for afternoon tea. I'd put down his breakfast early in the day and he had ignored it. Now, it was left outside, in its bowl under the Skadu. When we returned later in the evening, it was to the sight of a huge Crow finishing the last few pieces of Kibble. 

A combination of lack of experience of camping in such a small space, too much physical work, and a long and physically demanding walk, meant that Alf never got the promised 'free running' on the playing fields beside the campsite.

He hated the campervan on this trip. I haven't taken him out in it since last October and he's decided it is a scary thing. Normally, he hunkers down on the back seat, in his seat belt safety harness, and goes to sleep. He spent most of the time, both on the journey to, and the journey home from, Wolverley, with his tail between his legs and panting. 

It's been a steep learning curve for both of us, not least the emotional fatigue that comes with spending time in the company of a group of people who know one another and with whom you are the Newbie. I'm sure it will get easier. I will learn from the mistakes and, on the whole, the pros far outweigh the cons.

Next Stop with the same group - St Neots Huntingdonshire.

Wolverley Campsite and environs, Part 1

 

The best thing about Wolverley, for me, is that the campsite is right next to the canal. I could sit in comfort at The Lock Inn watching the boats passing through. 

The first was the 62ft Narrowboat Zappa, locking up towards Cookley on the Staffordshire and Worcestershire Canal.

The dog making all the noise is Alf. He was bored and hungry. He could smell delicious hooman food and we had waited over 30 mins for our cheese burger to be delivered to our table. He was sure there would be better pickings on board and wanted to join the crew.

We waited over an hour in total, for our order to be fulfilled. The half of cider appeared about 20 mins after the order. After a further 15 minutes, the waitress asked if I had ordered food. I had - with the cider. She went away and checked. 

No food order had been received in the kitchen. The kitchen would 'cook it right away' and the cider was 'on the house'. After a further wait of 20 mins, the burger arrived, sans chees, but with a layer of charcoal on both sides. It was inedible, so Alf happily disposed of it for me. I ate the chips. By now I was so tired and hungry and there was no point in making a fuss. The Inn was not coping with post-lockdown Covid rules. It had hired a multitude of waiting staff but was obviously short-handed in the kitchen. My waitress referred to 'she', singular. I imagine that the indoor working conditions left the Inn without sufficient experienced kitchen staff.

Earlier, we had walked to the Queen's Head to join the Small Motorhome Forum members who had booked lunch there. We were to be served in groups of six, so I waited until I presumed the first group had been seated and served. We passed the remarkable St John the Baptist Church on our way up towards the pub.

There was no sign of the others at the tables outside the pub and the route to the rear was barred. I assumed the group had finished lunch and gone walking. I made my way back down towards the canal, past the nature reserve and over the bridge to the Lock Inn.

The route was challenging. It was a steep climb up to the Queen's Head and back down again. Once past the Lock Inn, there was another steep climb back to Levant II. That was when I made the wrong decision to stop and have lunch at the Inn before the final climb. I was tired, out-of-condition, and sore. On reflection, I should have gone to the Old Smithy Tea-room on the opposite side of the canal instead of the Inn. The entrance to the Tea-room was through the carpark's garden. After the disastrous burger, I headed there and picked up an enormous wedge of Victoria sponge to have at what was a fast-approaching afternoon tea back at camp.

The area around Wolverley is lovely and rolling, as one would expect of the Stour Valley in Worcestershire. Kingsford Country Park & Kinver Edge is made up of over 200 acres of natural woodland and sandstone cliffs.  The area has many walking trails that cross over between the two counties and each with its own surprises.  The views of the countryside and forest from the top of the sandstone cliffs are wonderful.  On the Lock Inn terrace there is ample evidence of the sandstone cliff behind it.

Behind the Queen's Head the entrances to man-made caves can be found. I'm miffed that I was deprived of a view of these remarkable edifices. Image  By, CC BY-SA 4.0, Link

Descend into the valley and you’ll discover caves that were once houses that had been carved into the rock. Just over the border in Kinver, Staffordshire, the National Trust have restored several rock houses that are very much worth a visit. Most of the formal houses were carved into the sandstone cliffs around or before 1770 and may have expanded on existing caves or earlier dwellings.  The Kinver edge rock Houses have often been suggested as the inspiration the Hobbit Holes in JRR Tolkien’s masterworks ‘the Hobbit’ and ‘Lord of the Rings’. 

Another trip is called for to explore  Wolverley and the surrounding countryside.

to be continued .......

Thank you