Wednesday 18th August (Day 1)
We had a short 75 minute journey to the site but could not be there before 1.00pm. As we needed diesel and a quick food shop we left at 11.00am for Lakeside for the cheap Costco diesel and then Tesco for food. As we approached the M25 from home we heard that the QEII bridge and approach was heavy with traffic and so as a result we took the back roads to Lakeside. After filling with diesel and purchasing the required food we found the QEII bridge had cleared. So the journey to Crowborough Camping and Caravan Club site was a breeze. Just before 1.00pm we were seen to our pitch. Even on the top level of our blocks we were still ‘nose down’, even a four stage ramp would not have worked! we just had to put up with being unloved. Lunch was next followed by a walk around Crowborough town to see what was there. Back to the site and a couple of rounds of International Scrabble with a 2-0 to yours truly as the weather was not too good. A nice chat with our neighbours before a stir fry and then some TV before bed.
Thursday 19th August (Day 2)
The usual good nights sleep. After breakfast we were undecided what to do as the weather forecast was cloudy and rain showers. We saw our neighbours off on their bikes and planned a circular walk of about 5 miles. By about 11.00am we set off. It was a pleasant walk on the Weald, well signposted and with varied countryside views; woodlands, farm land and open land also. We got to the point of returning and we realised that an extra mile (each way) would take us via a pub. Well no contest! Off we set only to find after almost a mile that we took a wrong turn (my error). Retracing our steps we eventually arrived at The Huntsman at Eridge. We sat in the lovely sunshine having a Thirsty Ferret beer or two. The return walk was again pleasant. When almost back we stopped to talk to a local. The footpath / track we were on was the main route to Tunbridge wells and in the dip behind us was a village. In the 1300's the village was wiped out by a plague and so a new route was wanted which is not the A26. Almost a century later people took their dead to bury at this village and so the track was known as 'Rattlebones Lane', fortunately it has since been renamed. We had decided to overshoot the campsite to both see the statue to Arthur Conan Doyle who lived and died in Crowborough and to get some frozen chips for tea. Back at the site a foot weary I had a shower and Chris a foot bath. We then sat and watched the world go by and chatted to the neighbours when they returned from their cycle ride. As the evening cooled down we cooked steak, chips, onion rings and toms which was …… well ok. Washing up and then into the motorhome for the night.
Friday 20th August (Day 3)
So after breakfast we sat and planned a walk. By 11.00am we were off. It was a road / country woodland walk. The first part was through Crowborough towards the station, which was over a mile and a half away and quite a way from the centre of the town. We stopped at The White Hart on The Green and booked a table for two for the evening. On we went and then walked through some woodland in pleasantly cool (but not too cool) weather. A few unmetalled roads and footpaths and we eventually arrived after four plus miles at The Boars Head Pub in a place called, well, Boarshead. A pint and some crisps and then the return journey. Unfortunately most of it was to be alongside the A26 and, having missed the footpath, all of it was along the main road. Back at the site I found a couple of blisters on my feet which was unusual and not sure what has caused them. We then sat around watching others arriving and setting up and around 5.00pm went for a shower. 6.30pm saw us of for the mile walk for the meal. we then had a lovely meal with a nice chat with a couple expecting their first baby in October. We were back around 8.45pm and watched a TV programme of ‘oldies’ pop music followed by Kylie at Hyde Park which was delightful and a nice end to the day.
Addendum: Well, we found out on Saturday that we missed a front seat event while away having the meal. There was a family in a large tent near to us that were less than appealing as a family, mainly down to the man. We had a period of f’ing and jeffing on Thursday. The male was drinking from around 10.00am most days. Anyway, while we were eating at the pub, a major blow up occurred. One of the children went through another couple’s pitch and was, politely, informed it was not etiquette to do so. The upshot was some choice and vociferous language from mum and dad to this couple. When we returned from our meal they were packing to go and it was because they were asked to, or would have been had they not seen sense to do so of their own volition. The wardens on the site have never got so close to actually ejecting a camper in several years of managing various sites.
Saturday 21st August (Day 4)
/e had decided on a bus trip to Lewes today a place we had never been to. We had looked at the timetable and the bus was due to arrive at our stop at 10.20am. Arriving at the bus stop at 10.08am the bus arrived; the time table was wrong. As busses ran only hourly is was a result we arrived in time. Just under an hour later we arrived at Lewes. A quick visit to the Tourist Office for a map and then a stroll around the shops. Most of the shops were unique and it was clearly a centre for ‘antiques’ and other unique shops. No Greggs, McD’s, KFC or other ‘usual’ high street shops. Tescos, Waitrose, Boots were present but most shops were not the run-of-the-mill high street shops. After a lovely coffee we went for a walk along the river and back through the ‘Railway Nature Reserve’ a very pleasant experience. Part way to this walk we passed a man making exceptionally good wooden animals (mainly bulls) a photo is below and on the return we passed a vintage car sales / repair workshop full go MG's (mainly). All the time it was raining, but it was so light that we didn’t need our jackets and it was also warm. We then went to walk up the Weald Cliffs which was a real climb. Great views were the result. Back down we decided to have a pint; well the Harveys Brewery is in town so we needed to check the quality and also had a really nice big sausage roll in the John Hardy pub. The town was quite busy with Brighton and Hove Albion football supporters pre-loading before going to the ground - a 5.45pm kick off. Then a quick shop for dinner tomorrow while waiting for the bus back. Back at the site we chatted to various people around us before cooking the evening meal and watching some tv until bedtime.
Photo:
Sunday 22nd August (Day 6)
So today it was home time. We had a small cooked breakfast and then slowly sorted ourselves and left around 10.45am. A nice drive home with only a very short queue in the tunnel. Swapped over the motorhome stuff into the car and we were home before 12.45pm.
Photo:
Opmerkingen