2010-07-30T09:17:19Z Edna Copyright 2010, Edna SPHPBLOG It has a panoramic view of Glastonbury Tor and the Somerset Levels – truly lovely although a bit misty. As we headed back to the campsite the patch of blue sky widened slowly till the sun really took over! Corned beef hash tastes so much better whilst watching the sun descend slowly in the sky and listening to the evening chorus of the local birds! Maybe the local cider made it taste all the better!
It’s off to Glastonbury tomorrow to peruse the eclectic mix of shops!

Monday 12th April

After buying Apple and Pecan Danish Pastries from the campsite shop it was off to Glastonbury via the Cheddar Gorge to mooch around the weird and wonderful shops and alleyways. Every little alleyway seems to offer a different array of ‘new age’ shops and characters.The most mystical character of all was a tall Eastern looking gentleman (well he appeared gentle!). He was wearing a long white robe, a pointed black hat with white turban around it, he also possessed a very long black curly beard which he was continually ‘preening’ whilst viewing the world through very small round spectacles. I just wish I could have covertly taken his photograph as I did this character who was playing a very strange stringed instrument……………We then left Glastonbury and on our way out of town our dear sat nav tried to take us up Awkward Hill (Honest!) but one look at the gradient was enough to make me avoid it! Whilst in the shops in Glastonbury I had seen an imaginary map which listed a place called Velvet Bottom – now that I would have navigated!

A late lunch of Scrambled Egg and Smoked salmon was enjoyed at Deer Leap, although the view over to Glastonbury was misty it was lovely to spend the afternoon sat in the sunshine.

Back to the campsite for a curry, a bottle of wine and watch the sunset. What never ceases to amaze me is the number of campers who appear to spend hours sat inside their campervans watching TV whilst ignoring the bigger picture! I suppose each to their own!

And so to bed to the sound of church bells ringing, sounded like practice evening, and horses in the next field neighing loudly. They obviously try to sing along.


Tuesday 13th

Collect the Cornish pasties and off to South Wales Rhiandamon C&C Club site also fondly known as Round the Moon.’ After a smooth drive we crossed the border control into Wales where we found a lovely layby at the side of the A40 to eat our Cornish pasties and take the above panoramic photo. It was then onwards through some lovely Welsh countryside to the camp site .We found it to be a lovely peaceful site beside the river Tawy. The sun came out again and it was a lovely warm evening.So to bed to the sound of the river.

Wednesday 14th

Dawned cloudy but we decided to take the high road around the Llyn Brianne reservoir. It was very scenic.

I found this lovely water chute but Geoff wouldn’t oblige by sliding down it so I could get a really good photo! The wind was coming up the valley from the North East and it was mighty nippy and as you can see a bit grey.

We found a lovely parking spot for lunch beside boggy pool or as the Welsh say Pwll Bo when the sun put in an appearance. Then on our travels we called in at a local ‘craft’ centre which will remain nameless because all it seemed to be stocked with was foreign goods and overpriced photographic prints that had been on the walls so long they had faded! Their saving grace was a good cup of tea and a slice of Barra brith (Fruit loaf to me and you!

Back to a sunny campsite for welsh steak for tea and the proverbial bottle of wine.

Thursday 15th


We awoke to yet another blue sky. We headed off to Lampeter for shopping via a small village in the middle of nowhere where we saw a Father Christmas look alike waiting at the bus stop. When we got to the supermarket it was obviously clear no one there was in a hurry. In fact I’ll swear the man in front of me was wearing his pyjamas! Shopping on board we found a lovely spot at Cwm Berwyn (Above Pano)for lunch. Then it was a scenic drive through an almost alien landscape back to the campsitr for another sunny evening. We have decided to go to the St Davids campsite on the coast tomorrow to make the most of the sun.

Friday 16th

Up early – well before nine O’Clock – breakfast in the sun and we fortunately spoke to the site warden who informed us that St Davids campsite not open till later this month so we headed to Cardigan Campsite which we found peaceful, scenic and even another Bongo languishing in the sun. After lunch and a sun bathe we took a drive out to Aberaernon. This we found to be a very picturesque place made up a fishing harbour and numerous multi coloured houses which made for a good photo opportunity.


Saturday 17th

We set off early from Cardigan Bay Camp site in Search of the coast through very narrow windy lanes. When my Sat Nav told me to Zig I rebelled and decided to Zag and we came across this lovely bay only two miles from our campsite.

It was lovely and quiet and boasted a little cafe that made a good Bacon buttie! Then it was onwards to ........... with the reamins of a church that had been destroyed in a storm in 1839.

Sunday 18th

We had a a lovely relaxing day at ......... bay.

Monday 19th

We drove to Wynchcombe Caravan and camping club site. It boasted a lovely fishing lake with plenty of families of ducks!

Tuesday 20th
We had a lovely day ambling around Hidcote and our cameras worked overtime.


]]> http://www.g8dhe.net/blog/index.php?entry=entry100506-170014 2010-05-06T00:00:00Z 2010-05-06T00:00:00Z

Sitting here listening to the fireworks and the rain battering against the window it seems like summer is a long distant memory! We spent three weeks in the July and August touring Scotland, travelling all the way up to John O'Groats and the Isle of Skye. Our trusty Bongo didn't miss a beat, the weather was reasonably kind to us for the first two weeks but it went rapidly downhill the third week.

Skye was beautiful we found a lovely bay to wild camp in and the sunset that evening was stunning. Whilst on the island I visited the Shilasdair yarn company Geoff did a panorama inside the shop in which you can see what an ‘Aladdin’s Cave it was. The camping and Caravan club site on skye is right on the shore of Loch Greshornish.

We also spent a couple of nights at the Rosmarkie campsite on the shore of a half-moon bay on the Moray Firth which is a wonderful spot for Dolphin watching.

John O'Groats was so commercialised and really a disappointment. The shops were full of cheap foreign souvenirs. But I am determined to go back and take the ferry to the Orkneys.



As the weather began to worsen we rapidly headed Southwards calling in at Oban and Moffat on our way home. In all we covered over 2,500 miles so it was no surprise to find the bongo needed new brake pads!
]]> http://www.g8dhe.net/blog/index.php?entry=entry091106-202257 2009-11-06T00:00:00Z 2009-11-06T00:00:00Z

Thursday saw us heading towards the annual gathering of Bongos at Lickhill Manor in Stourport. The sky in Worthing was cloudless but as we headed away gradually the clouds appeared, albeit the little fluffy variety! After the usual couple of ‘pit stops’ we soon found ourselves driving into the rally field to join the early arrivals which were already sporting a good collection of county flags and various other ,sometimes cheeky flags or twirlly bits! After setting up camp we soon found ourselves enjoying a singsong with Johnny H.

Friday dawned somewhen I wasn’t aware of and after a late breakfast Hadyn instructed a small group of us on the mysteries of bleeding a bongo! Then we walked the mile along the riverbank into Stourport for some ‘essentials’. Friday evenings entertainment was provided by the Angels of Sin very closely followed by Kirsti’s fire twirling and people launching Chinese lanterns over the field. Saturday everyone was smiling and relaxed and the number of Bongos steadily grew. Slowly we began to ‘put faces’ to names from the forum site. Just two to mention were Dizzy Dots and her handmade crafts, and Crazy Uncle G who displayed amazing talents in washing up carrying four ice cream cornets in one hand , not at the same time though!!! . Old friends were located and last year’s gossip was continued.
Saturday we ventured ‘off site’ for a very short drive. It was very good of Ian the Bongomeister to organize a Bongo Wash for all vehicles (well at least I think that’s who ordered the short sharp shower!). Saturday nights entertainment was Exclusion with more fire twirling and many more Chinese Lanterns being launched.

Sunday it was the AGM which was well attended and slowly but surely the field emptied of Bongos. Sunday evening it was time to chill out before packing up. .Monday morning we waved goodbye to newly made friends and headed to pastures new.
]]> http://www.g8dhe.net/blog/index.php?entry=entry090624-211152 2009-06-24T00:00:00Z 2009-06-24T00:00:00Z

The sun has been glorious the last two days but as a nation we are never satisfied. If it rains it’s too wet, if it doesn’t rain us gardeners are moaning, when the temperature does go up its too hot for some. My garden at the moment looks like the weather has ‘got it right’ for once. The roses are beginning to bloom, the sweet peas are just starting to climb up the trellis, the grape vine is looking promising this year, and the potatoes I planted are looking healthy. I thought I’d take the above panorama then repeat the processes at a later date to see how everything is coming along.


Listening to Radio two this morning the strange phenomenon of how us women like to clean the house and do the ironing before we go away on holiday was being discussed. I must confess to this odd trait. Before we consider starting on our Bongo travels this year I have a 'To Do' list of really important little tasks.
:sdf:!

I’ve completed five today so at this rate it won’t take long but I do admit it’s a bit sad really! I’m just off now to find the list and make it six!
looooo -0-0-0-!)))

]]> http://www.g8dhe.net/blog/index.php?entry=entry090602-144856 2009-06-02T00:00:00Z 2009-06-02T00:00:00Z

We waited until everyone was heading back to work after the early May bank holiday and the weather had improved before venturing off on our travels again. We booked two nights at the Camping and Caravan Club Verwood site, packed up Minnie and off we set. It was really good heading towards the New Forest when everyone else seemed to be heading out! We drove via Hinton Ampner where we paused for lunch. It was then onward to the campsite.

Tuesday we headed off to visit Creech Grange Arch, which is a folly built about 1745 by Mr Denis Bond, who at the time owned the Grange. I believe another member of the family at that time, a Mr Thomas Bond, was responsible for building Bond Street in London. The folly is now owned and maintained by the National Trust. It was well worth the visit as the view through the Arches as you can see from the above photo is well worth the walk from the car park. We then decided to take a leisurely drive towards the coast, Kimmeridge Bay to be precise, but when met with a sign telling us parking for a motor home was £10 I executed a very nifty three point turn and the car park attendant disappeared back into his box. We have enjoyed a full nights camping for less than that in the past! I’m glad we did that u turn, Lullworth Cove was truly picturesque and none too busy either. As we walked down from the car park towards the sea someone had decorated a tree in their garden with an amazing selection of buckets and spades obviously abandoned by day visitors! Then it was onto Durdell Door where we enjoyed a cuppa and a very short walk before heading back to camp.

Wednesday we visited Mottisfont Abbey Gardens, the riverside walk is very tranquil. Of course I just had to visit the Ice House and check whether any of Jonus Jewel’s relatives lived there. You’ll just have to read my Dragon Story to found out! Just beyond the Ice house was a picnic site surrounded by 34 Beech trees. The roses in the gardens were not at their best but the tulips, wisteria and many other flowers made up for that! That evening it was back to the campsite via Deadmans Hill in the New Forest. That evening we were enjoying our usual bottle of vino when a car went slowly past stopped, the occupants observing us for a few minutes before the woman got out and walked towards us. Being a usual Bongo owner I thought she was coming to admire the vehicle. NO! Her question was simple, ‘We’ve just camped and have run out of Gas and now we can’t find out how to get off the site. Where’s the exit?’ Trying not to laugh I directed her toward the gap in the hedge!

As the weather was going downhill we decided to head home Thursday, pausing at Towsure in Southhampton to buy a few more ‘knick knacks’ for the season.

]]> http://www.g8dhe.net/blog/index.php?entry=entry090517-165006 2009-05-17T00:00:00Z 2009-05-17T00:00:00Z

Time has always fascinated me. We measure it in seconds, minutes, hours, days etc, but when it comes to the actual thing it seems to be so variable. I like the quotation “Time is nature's way of making sure that everything doesn't happen at once”. There is no fear of that happening with me lately. I honestly cannot believe it has been six months, almost to the day, since I wrote my last blog. I must get motivated! I’ve developed a lot of ideas for my Dragon Story but have I got it down on paper? You guessed, NO. I suppose other things have distracted me, Christmas, two visits to Lancashire, and many many hours waiting for hospital appointments, test results, surgery and finally Radiotherapy to ‘see off’, a nasty lump! But my visits to Lancashire whizzed by in a flurry whereas the waits to see various doctors seemed endless.

It also seems unbelievable that we have owned our Ford Freda (AKA Mazda Bongo, AKA Minniebago) for over a year now. Towards the end of April we had our first night ‘out’ in her. We decided to take a tour around some Sussex villages, we visited Coolham, Slinfold, Rudgwick, Ellens Green, Cranleigh, Alford, Loxwood, all places in between and finally ended up at the Limeburners inn. This is a lovely place which serves good food at a reasonable price and also has the added attraction (Especially for me as the driver!) of a small but lovely camp site! We also were amazed by the many bluebells this year which seemed bluer than ever. It could have been the fact it was sunny which probably made them appear bluer. It also made for good photography and Geoff enjoyed creating some good panoramas . On the way home we discovered Shillinglee fisheries. Which was a very relaxing spot for those who enjoy fishing. Then we decided to head to Blackdown Hill but as it was a very hot day I'm afraid we didn't quite make it to the very top! Finally it was on to Duncton Hill to survey the views from there!


]]> http://www.g8dhe.net/blog/index.php?entry=entry090517-161955 2009-05-17T00:00:00Z 2009-05-17T00:00:00Z

Today was a day I had not been looking for ward to for some weeks. A dental appointment and the idea of three fillings fills me with dread! But fate smiled on me - they cancelled the appointment -0-0-0-!)))
As the day was beautiful and sunny we decided to make the most of it. We had tried to visit Sheffield Park gardens a couple of weeks ago but had forgotten it was half term and the queue was unbelievable. Today it was lovely and quiet but the wind had taken most of the leaves off the trees. We still enjoyed our amble round though!

We decided to head off towards Beachy Head but on the spur of the moment decided to have lunch at the Rainbow Inn, Resting Oak Hill, Cooksbridge. I can definitely recommend it, especially the sussex lamb shoulder wrapped in parma ham. There is a good range of bar snacks, a set price two or three course lunch or the A La Carte menu. The range of cheeses was amazing and the service excellent - we shall be returning!

So then it was onto Beachy Head for and afternoon cuppa followed by a lovely drive home into the sunset.

]]> http://www.g8dhe.net/blog/index.php?entry=entry081112-224833 2008-11-12T00:00:00Z 2008-11-12T00:00:00Z
The sun is out the sky is blue again and my mood is lifted!
Must make the most of it while I can.
I'm of to battle with the mound of leaves on the lawn ....

Kneck]]> http://www.g8dhe.net/blog/index.php?entry=entry081111-113630 2008-11-11T00:00:00Z 2008-11-11T00:00:00Z
bobobo]]> http://www.g8dhe.net/blog/index.php?entry=entry081110-124636 2008-11-10T00:00:00Z 2008-11-10T00:00:00Z
Where do I begin – The song ‘I’ve been everywhere’ comes to mind! *-))))))G
The third week in September we headed up towards Horsley Caravan & Camping club site. It is a lovely tranquil site, which boasts a nice fishing lake. We were amused to see the anglers sat one side of the lake whilst across the lake one of the wardens was hand feeding the fish who were clamouring for titbits. On our travels, we really packed in quite a few National Trust visits: The Vyne with its lake and beautiful stain glass windows in the chapel, Claremont landscape gardens, Runnymede and Great Childen gardens that I must say was my favourite by far, it was so peaceful and tranquil. Then it was on to Cheddar Campsite. We had booked for two nights and stayed four! Well I had to conduct a survey on the local ciders. ;)

After eight nights away, we reluctantly headed home to Worthing.

After some days at home the washing was done the bag repacked and we got itchy feet again so off we set heading for Conkers camping and Caravan Club site in Swadlincote Derbyshire. On the way north we stopped for lunch at Packwood house. The gardens were lovely especially the sunken garden. The topiaries were very neat and must be high maintenance. I found the spiral feature particularly intriguing. Batteries recharged it was onwards to Conkers. As we pulled into the campsite the wardens came out to greet us and for a split second I thought how nice then I realized they were more pleased to see our rear Thule box than us! The weather was kind to us whilst we up there.



Derbyshire never fails to lift the spirits. The acres and acres of wide-open spaces are scenic and the camera really was well used. Trouble is now I have dozens of photos to sort and catalogue. Our last day in the area the weather was even better so we decided to visit Lyme Hall Gardens. Every time I visit a National Trust property I wander round thinking this is the best yet. The competition is very high and they never fail to disappoint.

So now it is back to the real world. We did declare that we had done our last trip of the year, as the nights are growing longer. But who knows? :-oo
]]> http://www.g8dhe.net/blog/index.php?entry=entry081019-142457 2008-10-19T00:00:00Z 2008-10-19T00:00:00Z