Monday 10th August (Day 1)
So off for a few days to meet Alan, my cousin, and his wife Lyn at Bilingshurst, Sussex. A short 60 mile trip for us both. First of all though we had a quick walk to Hayley’s parents to drop off some fridge food for them to take with them and to say goodbye to both them and the grandchildren as they are off back to Switzerland. First error of the day trying to get on the bus with our pass before it is operating. (We were still let on!) Back home and by 10.00am we were off. A stop at Thurrock for a Tesco shop followed by cheap Costco diesel then M25 / M23 was the route. A good journey, accepting a slow bit by the Clacket services, no surprise there. Arriving at the campsite behind the Lime Burners pub, I was a bit disappointed. It looked a bit tired and there were children kicking footballs around - a ‘no no’ around motorhomes and caravans. I was wrong. It was a pleasant site that was quiet. Having set up, and were soon joined by Alan and Lyn, and we all had lunch, this was followed by a stroll over for a pint in the pub garden. Then it was sit around slowly drinking, chatting and playing games. (We played a new, to us, game called Mexican Train Dominoes, a good, simple, addictive game and one we will get for our future trips.) The evening meal was cooked by Lyn, chilli with french bread, and we sat out until 11.00pm in the balmy heat until we decided to go to bed to ensure we didn’t disturb any neighbours.
Tuesday 11th August (Day 2)
A good nights sleep, as despite the heat of the day, the motorhome was cool. We have changed our mind about the quietness of the site. The site itself is quiet but from around 5.00am the road is busy and noisy. A road that goes from nowhere to, well, nowhere. After breakfast we had decided go for a walk before it got too hot - failure as we did leave. In the heat - 30+ degrees. Off we went to the Arun Canal and Locketts Lock. Well the canal was a poor description and the only thing of note the lock which had a waterwheel within it, the only one in the country. It was a circular walk of about 7km ending up back at the pub, a result. We then sat in the shade of the motorhome as it was so hot and played a couple of games. Having cooled down a bit we played both International Kubb and Molkky. Kubb 3 -1 to us and Molkky had Alan as the world champion. Then a joint BBQ before a sitting in the 25+ degree heat at gone 8.30pm until bed.
Wednesday 12th August (Day 3)
Another walk planned, this time a bit longer. So after breakfast off we strolled in the near 30 degree heat. It was a circular walk to skirt the edge of Billingshurst. So many stiles - approaching 30 at a guess. Having reached the local town we found it, well, almost shut. We managed to purchase a drink and a pie at a Sainsbury’s Local and made our way home. An interesting return trip as part of the footpath was covered by brambles and it virtually closed the pathway. We had to walk like ‘Umpa lumpa’s’ along a 30m stretch that was like a tight tunnel of bramble. it took quite a long time! The last leg was a short walk across the fields to the campsite. Having sat and chilled for a while, Alan was gagging for a beer so we felt obliged to join him. We then sat in the shade of the motorhome again and played some games again. 7.00pm, after a gin and tonic, we returned to the pub for a meal which was really nice. Then back at our pitches for a few more ‘toddies’ before bed.
Thursday 13th August (Day 4)
Some very light rain during the night but the forecast for the next few days is predicting thunderstorms. After we had a big fry up and a bit of looking up joint family history we went off on a walk to Wisborough Green. A short walk of about three miles. At one point we lost our way and ended up climbing a five bar gate which had barbed wire over the top. A careful climb! Our destination was a pub, (surprised?) which turned out to be the Cricketers Arms. While enjoying a drink the heavens opened and thunder rumbled (luckily for us there was a huge marquee to run under)A second drink was called for and by the time we finished the rain had stopped, so we scurried back to the campsite. Every step the heat built up again until it was back in the 30’s. A repeat of previous days, ie sitting in the shade and playing games. The evening meal was our turn so we had a Chicken and Chorizo Jambalaya which we had not tried before but turned out well. We then packed away the Quest house and other items as they were dry in anticipation of moving off tomorrow.
Friday 14th August (Day 5)
Another cool night and a simple breakfast while packing the last remaining things away. We went through the empty / fill routine and then followed Alan to Bracknell for a shop for the weekend and then to their house to get some items they needed. Unfortunately driving through the narrow lanes we hit a branch sticking out and broke our indicator bulb and cover :( Around 2.00pm we were off to the Hedgehogs Retreat, Arkely, just north of Buckingham - a certified site. Along the M40 we had the ‘Queues Ahead’ warning and we re-programmed the satvav and were offered an alternative route with the same arrival time but shorter than the original one. Around 3.00pm we arrived with Gary and Pippa pulling in before us who we were meeting up with (plus Pepsi the jack russell). We lounged around chatting until we cooked and then sat around outside putting the world to rights. Despite the change in the weather - 30 degrees yesterday and 20 today it was pleasant sitting out until after 10.00pm though we did have a fire alight as well.
Saturday 15th August (Day 6)
A slow start but by 10.00am we were all sat down for a big fried breakfast. The weather is even cooler again today and much rain is the outlook. Gary had planned a walk of about six miles and so off we went. It took in a bit of a back road before off into footpaths. Passing cows, bulls, sheep and follies (part of Stowe National Trust which we could only visit if we booked and no places were available until Monday). It was a six plus mile walk and most enjoyable. As we were almost back to our pitches a few spots of rain fell but not enough to really even get us wet. We sat out on arriving back but quite soon scurried in to the pop up house as the weather deteriorated, and was torrential at one point. We ended up with the waterproof side walls on and we were snug as a bug. The rain got very heavy and Garry and Pippa went for a lie down so the four if us played the Mexican Train Game until 6.00pm. Then it was ‘dress for dinner’ and gin and tonics all round. By 7.00pm we walked the short distance, about 1km, to the Bull and Butcher pub where we were expected for a meal. A limited menu. The food when it arrived was, to be frank, quite disappointing. That, coupled with a bottle of wine from Montepulciano which was like Ribena, resulted in,at best,an ok experience. A stroll back and we sat around the fire pit chatting and drinking.
Photo. Walk and follies
Sunday16th August (Day 7)
We were, again, the last up of the group. All weekend the other two had issues with vehicle batteries, with the AA attending on Friday. Garry and Pippa had their engine running and were packed away, leaving by about 9.15am. Alan had a totally dead battery so I moved ours over to jumpstart his. (He cannot open his doors without power.) We continued to pack and left about 10.00am, 15 minutes or so after Alan and Lyn. An easy run home with no hold ups so home by 12.20pm.
Hedgehogs Retreat, Akely: This is a CCC certified site. It is a large flat and mostly level site that is well kept, with all the basics you need, plus toilets. The owners were extremely helpful and friendly and in the next field were Alex and Alfred (alpacas).
