• Pip Greenwood
  • John Anslow
  • Pip Greenwood
  • John Anslow

Harvey 9 Back to Cumbria again

A 15-day adventure by Pip & John Read more
  • Trip start
    July 26, 2023

    Chirk, Wrexham

    July 26, 2023 in England ⋅ 🌧 15 °C

    Heading from Narberth Pembrokeshire up for a holiday in Cumbria. Breaking the journey tonight on a small caravan and motorhome club site near Chirk. These are cheaper sites, No WC or showers but still costs £18 per night. Pretty wet out there.Read more

  • Natland Park Campsite

    July 27, 2023 in England ⋅ ☁️ 16 °C

    Arrived this afternoon. So much better to break our journey as usually it feels such a long drive from Wales. Dropped by Garstang Marina, Bramley was out of the water and had been blacked. Being there confirmed to us that we're glad to be living in a house again. Sam called by to collect a cabinet we'd brought up, we'll be seeing them next w/e. Had a little walk around Natland and turns out Ailsa's parents former bungalow is just across the field from here.Read more

  • Walk into Kendal

    July 28, 2023 in England ⋅ ☁️ 14 °C

    Walked into Kendal, much of it along a cycle and footpath following the route of the old canal. This evening Mags and I went for a Thai meal then to see Barbie film. A good night out.

  • Saturday socials

    July 29, 2023 in England ⋅ ⛅ 13 °C

    Had a good day, after a trip to the osteopath at Garstang, and of course a pie from Hamlets, Mags came out for chats and cuppas with us in the van. Later Scott and Caroline came and picked me up for a party at Beccy Scott's house in Bowness. Sarah and Aileen were there plus Madeleine so I had a lovely unexpected chance to see lots of friends, and an amazing barn conversion.Read more

  • Sunday in Sedbergh

    July 30, 2023 in England ⋅ 🌧 14 °C

    Met Bridget and Rod (and Sarah and Aileen in the tearoom) at Farfield Mill in Sedbergh. An interesting place with some really good art and craftwork. Had a Greenwood Zoom back at Bridget and Rod's plus food and drink. Got home just before nightfall. An enjoyable day out.Read more

  • To Windermere ... wet wet wet

    July 31, 2023 in England ⋅ ☁️ 14 °C

    Went to see Sarah for lunch and spent the afternoon with her in her lovely 'Mews'. Heating on during daytime in July, felt very cosy with wind and rain outside. Sam and Larrissa called by this evening for a consultation with John deciphering the surveyors report for a house they've had an offer on.
    Heating on in van for a while too.
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  • Hutton Roof with Caroline and Scott

    August 1, 2023 in England ⋅ ☁️ 14 °C

    Dropped by Kirkby Lonsdale to pick up my tree which we'd left with neighbours when I couldn't fit it in the removals van in March. It was a salix willow (?) which Ailsa had given to me so has sentimental value. Lovely to have a chat with Bernard, Sally and Nichola.
    Then we joined Scott and Caroline for lunch and admired progress on the house and beautiful garden which Scott designed. Delightful!
    Feeling blessed to be spending time with so many lovely long standing friends on this trip. 💕
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  • Van Day

    August 2, 2023 in England ⋅ ⛅ 13 °C

    A lazy day hanging around on site in the van relaxing and reading. Dull and often wet weather. I went out for an evening drink with Sam at the Brewery.

  • Dentist day

    August 3, 2023 in England ⋅ ⛅ 15 °C

    We walked into Kendal for my appointment. Then John made his way back. My whole reason for coming up at this time was to see my lovely NHS dentist, having had an extraction in February and had intermittent problems since but unable to find an NHS dentist in Pembrokeshire.
    Had inspection, consultation and advice but then he told me he's retiring soon. Oh no! That's foiled my plans to come up for checkups. Been there 40 years and saw my kids through to adulthood. A lovely man. He'll be a hard act to follow.
    Afterwards Caroline, Bridget and I went to see Barbie. Fun and clever as ever.
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  • Must be the weekend

    August 4, 2023 in England ⋅ ☁️ 15 °C

    It's got a bit crowded on-site today ... we have neighbours! A sunny day so we parked the van in a layby and walked along the canal and old haunts to visit Julie, my former neighbour at Cow Brow, Lupton. She'd made scones, which we had with blackcurrant jam and butter. Yumm. Lovely for me to have a catch-up and for John to meet her. Sneaked a view at the whole group of houses and the place is looking much smarter than when I lived there. I left about 20 years ago and it's changed for the better. Even has a proper tarmac road now.

    We were hoping to see Mags again last night but she broke her ankle in 3 places a few days ago on a coastal path at Anglesea. Had to be airlifted by helicopter to Bangor hospital. She's now got a leg brace and can't drive for 6 weeks. So we're unlikely to see her again this time.
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  • White Scar Caves

    August 5, 2023 in England ⋅ 🌧 13 °C

    Tour of White Scar caves with Sam and Larrissa.
    Had a good day out at Ingleton involving 80 mins underground traversing dark, wet caves with sections of paths often requiring us to stoop right down at the hips. A bit tricky with my back playing up and John's height so it was a joy to stand up normally afterwards. The hard hats came into their own and saved us from sore heads at these points. They took some knocks!
    The guide had a very strange delivery style and an odd accent but she was loud and clear. Some impressive sights, my favourite being the arun lily stalactites.
    Both John and I got dripped on under the 'devil's tongue' all lit up in red so I don't know how we didn't see it coming. This means we will have bad luck! Sam and Larrissa both stepped very gingerly around it I noticed.
    The bacon / breakfast rolls in the cafe at the end were the best we'd had for a long time and good value. Then a Mr Whippy 99 topped it off nicely.
    After a brief chilly and damp walk around Ingleton, they headed home to prepare for a night out at the cinema to see Oppenheimer.
    We headed to a salvage and antiques place called Lords. A real treasure trove and great for photography. We were very restrained, John spent £1.
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  • Levens

    August 6, 2023 in England ⋅ 🌙 13 °C

    Met up with Sam and Larrissa and had a lovely circular walk around the river Kent at Levens. Parkland with beautiful majestic trees and some herons spotted. Finished up with coffee (and cakes for some) at Levens Hall cafe. Raincoats carried around but not required at all.
    Spent the afternoon reading, sorted laundry, did a butterfly watch session but (despite buddleia plants) saw nothing in 15mins on campsite.
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  • Kirkby Lonsdale and Clappersgate

    August 7, 2023 in England ⋅ ⛅ 12 °C

    Last day in these parts today. Went out to see Mags in Kirkby Lonsdale, complete with leg brace. She's bought herself a 2nd hand mobility scooter to manage getting to the shops. Eric was there too but working from home so didn't see him much. The coastguards were very impressed with him having the advisory gear with him; whistle, survival bag, torch, map etc. So they've done a story of it for their website / newsletter apparently. Note to selves that we must do the same.
    Went for a meal this evening with Madeleine at her home right next to Lake Windermere (and I mean only about 20ft away) at the Ambleside end.
    Finished The Shepherd's Life last night. Rather chuffed to have read a book in time to place it back in the book share area.
    Another lovely day.
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  • Welshpool

    August 8, 2023 in Wales ⋅ ☁️ 17 °C

    Went to Garstang for a session with the osteopath again, which seemed to help. Backache and tight muscles. Then came on down to Welshpool to a club CL site. The owner was prompt to come out and greet us but then virtually accused us of trying to sneak a dog in. "Have you got a dog?" "No, we don't have a dog" Pause ... "did you think we were bringing a dog?" ... she then peers into van and says "I can hear one!". She was sure she heard one, then decides it must be one already on site that she'd heard but wasn't apologetic for implying we were dishonest. Not the most hospitable welcome!
    Walked into Welshpool. It had some interesting buildings but is a little run down. The solicitor's window dressing was from 40 years ago ... empty apart from leather case, books and image of scales above.
    Had pizza / kebab down by the canal wharf. Convenient fast food. Tasted as you'd expect.
    Pleasant green fields and hills.
    Looking forward to getting home now.
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  • Trip end
    August 9, 2023