Over the last 2 months we’ve been very busy … met lots of friends on travels and spent time with family.  We’ve travelled a fair bit:

• North Devon – twice
• The Lakes
• Inverness
• Farnham, our home from home
• Bristol
• Urchfont, Wiltshire

Bristol:  10th – 18th June 2018

We had intended to take a few days wilding, but after loading and cleaning as we left the Aged P’s we felt a bit shattered … we came onto Bristol and got in early than booked at Newhouse Farm CL in Aust that we’ve used before – £12 pn.  Gentle views over the S Gloucester countryside, close to the Severn Bridge that J likes to run over (it was his lunch time run when working at the bridges), good dog walking and close to friends.

Supper in Bristol with friends from our erstwhile wine appreciation society – a group of ‘old socks’ – sorry, ‘old soaks’ wearing old socks!  K met with Thelma – ex-colleague from Cotham School……Stephen and Kay came to lunch at Newhouse Farm CL.

A trip to Bristol Caravans, who have picked up the warranty work after our supplying dealer went broke, to check out the hab door and a small area of floor vinyl de-lamination.

We woke this morning to strong winds. The awning is pitched on very HARD hardstanding, so the pegs were not fully home.  We looked out of the hab door this morning only to discover the awning had largely walked 2 foot to the left.  Clothes on double quick, mallet in hand and storm guys deployed. Fortunately the rain in the night has softened the ground a little so the pegs went in … hope they stay in.

Storm straps on.

Our view.

Our little buggers have been exiting the awning under the van … well Oscar … he comes out  to find K.  We’d bought a caravan skirt and fixed it to the van using a Kampa Limpit system.  However, the Limpits don’t stay on.  The question was posed on the wild camping.co.uk forum, and one suggestion was a cheap airbed.  This worked initially keeping them from exiting under the van, but Oscar has now taught Corrie to escape through the sides where the awning has a flappy return to the side.  Currently the pilates mats are ineffectively blocking this exit point.  Suggestions?   The little buggers also managed to switch on the radio (again) and the hazard warning lights when we were out last night.  Oh, and they found their way into the spare sack of dog food this morning … I had to come back for more poo bags on the early walk!

The air bed barrage. Now being head butted out of the way!

J purchased new back up running shoes.   They are getting some serious use with all running he is now doing. It’ll be matching lycra next!

 Naming no names … someone had a pootiful flushing time at work – a sh***y story! 

Two of my siblings, Michael and Amelia flew from Dublin to dine with us at Danniellie’s Sicilian restaurant – with Sinead and Shane!  A proper family affair!   Just a shame their flight was 2.5 hrs late … K who was doing the airport run was OK as she went back to the car to read … they spent a large chunk of it in the plane and on the runway!  Air Ryan!!!  

Just on siblings, did you know the word for nieces and nephews is nibblings?

J ran into Farnham the next morning for a quick hello and goodbye with Amelia.

 Ambleside:  30th June – 5th July – 2018

Amazing wild flowers near Windermere.

The MAS group allowing the cool breeze to dry us out after a steep and long hill climb.  Either that or doing an Angel of the North impression.

View from the top.  The rugby club, our campsite, is down there.

Half the stones were washed away a few years ago.

Elopement anyone?  The only elopement we know of was Delia, one of J’s sisters, who married Liam in Gretna Green. Not because the family would have objected to her choice in man, but she doesn’t like fuss.

Rydal Water one of our shorter walks.  A swim followed by lunch and a nap.

Doggy run up only at the C&CC temporary site.  Right next to the posts!

Overlooking Thirlmere Lake.  Same formula … walk, swim, eat and sleep. 

Bus into Keswick.  A first for Corrie.

Walking part way around Derwent Water.  No swim today.

Goodness knows how Corrie found mud with all this dry weather.

Wonder what it’s worth?  Although probably many of the coins are now out of circulation.

Walk from Ilfracombe.

View from the bar!

Woolacombe beach goes on and on.

Our New House!

Ours in the far part of the semi.

OSCAR and CORRIE’S DIARY

Oscar here, fellow campers!  How about this, then?  I have owned my pets for 2 golden years!  They are still a work in progress but coming along nicely…..  I remember the day they came to fetch me in Solihull (August 2016).  Since then, I’ve dragged them around Europe – including Greece – where Corrie found us in Ancient Corinth. Now, I have 3 pets to train – but I’m Spaniel enough for that!  Mind you, Corrie almost threw a Spaniel in the works – James and Katherine always said there would only be 1 dog in the family!  But she’s really ok and well-mannered – she even follows me when I bash my way out of the awning (regularly) – they don’t call me Oscar Houdini for nothing…  Here’s to the next 20 years – James is lasting well for a bloke in his eighth decade!  K is a young posh potty, anyway….   Corrie is only a little ‘chiseler’……

Corrie here, pets….. the above whippersnapper thinks he’s a gifted Lothario in charge of everything….  He doesn’t even get a sniff – well, maybe a quick bumsniff – nothing else – I’m saving my self for Mr Right……perhaps Mr Geek, no, Greek.  Now, I need to do some training – otherwise things get a bit sloppy around here!