Day 1 - Welcome to Idris

We have now owned our Adria Twin Campervan for nearly 6 months and have finally completed one of the most important tasks. We have named …him. Yes we have decided it’s a he and named him Idris. Didn’t take us this long to name either child! So it’s Idris, not after the actor or after the dragon in Ivor the Engine (that was a she) but because we like the name and there’s some Welsh Celtic mountain association.

So now that has been finalised we are off on another trip. Once again we have packed everything we might possibly need including a kitchen sink and praying we can’t possibly be over the 3.700kg permitted.

After a very early dash to drop a 30th wedding anniversary present at a friends’ house we left Tiptree at 715. We set the satnav for Ribblehead Viaduct just the 270 miles away which was suggesting a 5 hrs 15 mins journey.

It was the usual rather boring A120, A14, A1 which finally progressed to the A1(M). Traffic was surprising good so no hold ups.

We earmarked Wetherby services as a suitable loo stop. We parked up with all the campervans opposite the million coaches full of retired people. We darted through the throng, used the facilities, grabbed a coffee and chocolate bar and were back on the road within 15 minutes.

Not long after we left the motorway and headed west into the Yorkshire Dales.
We drove through familiar places such as Leyburn where we stayed four years ago, Hawes and on towards Ingleton.

The Dales are beautiful.
Vast open spaces with streams flowing through valley floors and green grass. Yes after months of a very yellow Essex it was lovely to see a green and pleasant land.

Just before 1pm we arrived at our destination; the Station Inn next to the Ribblehead Viaduct. We planned to stay in the carpark overnight, knowing they allowed a few each night on a first come, first served basis. There were already 4 campervans parked up. We backed in to a space so giving us a view of the viaduct from the back doors.

Jonathan went into pub to book us in (if you fail to register they will turf you out). Whilst I got our M&S sandwiches out for lunch.

Jonathan came back with our registration form for the window which prompted a couple of other campervans to go inside and do the same. Don’t people read up on these things first?! The form also gave us the secret code for the toilet, so we can keep Idris a poo-free zone!

After a leisurely lunch we walked
up to the Viaduct. It’s an enormous structure. With 26 arches it stretches 400m and is 32m high and carries the Settle to Carlisle Trainline, plus occasional gravel trains. It took 1500 navvies just the five years to build before they moved on to the next one.

It was a very pleasant stroll through the arches and then up to a view point on the other side of the valley. We walked back and headed up to the station which has been refurbished to include a visitor centre. I bought the obligatory fridge magnet and we walked back to the van for a cup of tea and quick afternoon nap.

I woke up to Jonathan rummaging around trying to find his drone. He has no idea where I pack everything. It was soon airborne and he got some fantastic photos of the viaduct and surrounding area.

We had already booked dinner in the pub for 6pm, so at 5.45 we headed inside. Jonathan had a pint of Ribblehead bitter with fish and chips. I had a cider with my usual scampi and chips. It was very nice if a little expensive.

There were now 12 vans and motorhomes in the carpark and all of them eating in the pub. All tables were booked as they also have rooms to rent here. Several walkers arrived weighed down with heavy rucksacks. They were quickly taken to the ‘bunkhouse’ which I assume is like some sort of hostel next door.

We finished the meal off with sticky toffee pudding and a cheesecake. After a quick stroll down to the Viaduct as the sun set we retired to the van. We had a glass of Malbec and watched Mission Impossible before bed by 10pm.Read more