4 days around Lancaster celebrating Jemma getting her degree.
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  • Day 1

    Lancaster

    July 17, 2018 in England ⋅ 🌙 13 °C

    Set out at 8.30 am to pick up the folks, having been up since 4.50 and having had a short (1.5 mile) walk around the village. Against the advise of the sat nav I headed onto the A14 and after a quick recycle centre stop we were on our way. The first leg of the journey was pretty uneventful, a peckish pit stop at a small petrol station at 11 and arrived at Clumber Park National Trust at 12. It’s the third time I’ve been there and again I found a different entrance. 3 visits 3 different ways. This time we drove over a beautiful lake that seemed to go on forever, I didn’t remember the lake in front of the church either! Refreshed from a lovely lunch in the cafe we had a short walk down to said lake and around the shop, would have been rude not to! Only purchase was a new passport, think I must have lost custody of previous one 🙁
    The next part of the journey was far more picturesque, all rolling hills, deep valleys and sadly almost empty reservoirs. But what amazing scenery along the A628, we hit some traffic which delayed us by about 40 minutes but it was well worth it. Back onto motorways for the last leg and arrived at Old Hall Farm Caravan Park just before reception closed at 5! Phew! Was a short 10 paw bimble and comfort stop and then off again to Tewitfield Marina to meet the rest of the Clark Clan. Quick chat and tea then back to base camp via Tesco for a pillow.....first thing I’ve forgotten won’t be the last I’m sure! Could only get a camping pillow so likely stiff neck tomorrow. Lovely quiet site and the toilets and showers are lovely and clean and cubicles are large with everything you need, loo, big sink and shower. Let’s hope the showers are hot and powerful!!
    Windermere bound tomorrow!
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  • Day 2

    Day 2 - Part 1

    July 18, 2018 in England ⋅ ⛅ 16 °C

    Raphie had me up at 4.45, bless him! I laid quietly for 10 minutes hoping that he might give up but he was determined, he needed a wee and there was nothing for it! I chose this campsite for the advertised 70 acres of woodland so I though I’d better explore it, plus I was putting off the inevitable campsite shower. I’ve been spoilt with my own bathroom in the caravan in recent years and I wasn’t relishing the thought of going back to public facilities. The walk was short for us about a mile and a half and some of that was through the static caravan site. But the path was all concrete and there were an impressive array of trees and wildflowers, but wasn’t really what I was expecting and a bit disappointing. I couldn’t put off the shower any longer so everything wrapped in my towel I headed off. I’m only 1 pitch away from the facilities and when I got to the key code entry it was a good job as I had to go back and find the paperwork with the code on! D’oh! But how impressive! As I opened the door the lights all flashed into action and there were 4 or 5 cubicles to choose from. All were large with toilet, sink and shower cubicle. Power showers with no push buttons and endless hot water. Was all very new, clean and spacious, so my first foray back to public facilities has set the bar high! A far far far cry from the last campsite I endured in Lancaster!Read more

  • Day 2

    Day 2 - Part 2

    July 18, 2018 in England ⋅ ☀️ 16 °C

    After the lovely shower we headed to Tewitfield Marina to meet everyone and supposedly be on our way by 9 - as if! I made the mistake of taking in the Tassimo so at 10.50 we finally headed out the door. The best laid plan was to meet at Wray Castle a National Trust on the banks of Windermere. The plan being I drive Mum and Dad straight there and Paul, Jacquie and the girls catch the pleasure cruise across from Bowness. The website said the car park is small and often is full by 11 so I was pretty sceptical that our plan would work, but was proved wrong as the car park was small but relatively empty when we arrived about 11.45. Dad had missed his elevensies, so first stop was the cafe. I think it’s relatively new as was quite sparse. I just had a coffee as the scones weren’t ready, not impressed as the menu advertised chocolate scones! Found a fabulous spot in the shade with stunning views of the hills and glimpses of Windermere. As the plan was to have dinner at the castle, that’s when it all started going pear shaped. Paul phone and couldn’t get a cruise for an hour, so when I said no food apart from sandwiches he suggested we meet in Ambleside, with it’s 80 odd eateries......not touristy at all!! 😁 so Mum & Dad had a quick wander inside the Castle, a gothic revival with turrets, towers and informal grounds, built by a Liverpudlian industrialist who’d made two fortunes, lost the first and decided to make his mark with the second by building a castle. (Thanks Dad for the lesson) 😁, while our 10 paws wandered around the grounds.
    Bit of a hooha, and a u turn in Ambleside but eventually parked and went into the nearest eatery, despite trawling through trip advisor looking for somewhere fo 20 minutes! The Wateredge Inn only served food until 2.30 and we arrived at 2.20 so bit of a rush to order, but the service was quick food was very nice, it was dog friendly and the woofs got plenty of free biscuits and attention. Always makes for a good review in my book!
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  • Day 2

    Day 2 - Part 3

    July 18, 2018 in England ⋅ ⛅ 15 °C

    Quick pillow stop followed dinner, Asda in Lancaster, worth the trip even with all the road closures and lousy diversion signs or lack of! Diesel was 6p a litre cheaper than everywhere else!! Rest and coffee at Tewitfield then back to base.
    Went the opposite way for our walk this time and found the very impressive woodland walk. Definitely not disappointed this time and looking forward to exploring more in the morning. Was informed as I followed the barked path that there were badgers, roe dear, foxes rabbits hares, woodpeckers and a sea trout stream. Sadly the weather had pretty much dried up the stream but there were a few parts that were babbling over the rocks. Found wild raspberries, some lovely wild flowers and the woods had larch, hazel, oak, birch, ash and Scottish spruce all carpeted with lovely green ferns. Now that’s more like it!
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