By keef and annie hellinger, Mar 29 2018 06:47PM Motorhome trip No32 : March 22nd – 27th 2018 A KeefH Web Designs Travel Blog NOTTS->Threlkeld, Lake District NP, Cumbria ->NOTTS 396 miles What we call our 2nd White Horse Bent (WHB) reunion Used the truck nav which took us up the east side of the country i.e M1, M18 , A1(M) until about Scotch corner where we travelled across the fabulous A66 and old roman road route through the Pennines to Penrith and then onto Threlkeld to the Threlkeld Hall site on a farm. We were meeting up with our group of long time friends who had initially camped over the fell at White Horse Bent by Scales in the Lake District National Park in August 1973 some 45 years ago. This is our 2nd reunion having met up in London in August 2016. Sadly not everyone could make this one but we welcomed back into our fold Peter Linnett who I personally have not seen in the last 45 years, such a joy to reconnect! The whole weekend was a delight and we both still have a heavy glow of happiness and inner well being. The expression may well be “Far out & Solid”! The campsite was a short walk across fields into Threlkeld where most of our pals were staying in the cottage opposite the Horse & Farrier Inn called Heather View. At night if the A66 was closed for road works we could walk up it back to the campsite with torches in the dark. If not it was generally a muddy trek in the dark avoiding the dog dirt (a personal pet hate…. If you will forgive the pun) The site was hard standing with all 3 services, water, electrics and grey water disposal which was good. However on the negative side at £25 / night the facilities were very very limited for 20 pitches having only one shower and loo and sink for men and women. Apart from its convenience to us in terms of closeness to Threlkeld I could not recommend it. We were on pitch 9 and our pals Chris & Allyson were on pitch 12. Some of the things we did were catching up, Keswick, Threlkeld views, eating/ drinking and making merry, Mandy’s local fete near Ullveston, Blues festival at Bowness. We were really lucky with the weather in the Lake District for March with 3 days of sunshine, lets not talk about the other days…. There were elements of monkeys and brass involved and the proverbial liquid sunshine. On the way back we used the M6 and cut across at Stoke. It took 5 hours returning and 3 and half hours getting there. the last supper 😉 Re the fab band we saw at the Bowness Bay Blues at the Hole Int Wall pub they were Changing State and they were fab. Changing State are a young South Lakes-based band. This group of talented teenagers play solid blues infused rock music, but they draw their influences from diverse sources including modern jazz and punk as well as classic Led Zeppelin-style rock. Changing State are: Michael (vocals); two Jacks (both guitar); Fergus (bass); and Maddie (drums). 2021 Update, Sadly now disbanded to follow their own other musical interests changing state, an ace band especially the lead guitarist with the hair, just superb, now sadly defunct friends just about just about to listen to the band blencathra with snow on the top, click to see the cumbrian timeline via dropdown #motorhome #motorhometravels #travelsin2018 #campsites #friends #music #timeline

By keef & annie, Oct 16 2012 01:51PM Blackwall Plantation ,Carsington Water, Derbyshire A KeefH Web Designs Travel Blog Motorhome trip No7 : Oct10th – 12th Oct 2012 NOTTS->CARSINGTON WATER->NOTTS 60 miles We had 2 free pitch night vouchers kindly given to us by the Caravan Club (CC) after an issue at one of our earlier Scottish site. So we decided to head off to the Blackwall Plantation CC site for a few days R&R. It is not that far from our home and we haven’t been to Carsington Water for many a year so it seemed an ideal choice, plus we had arranged to meet up with our pals Pete & Wendy in the Barley Mow @ Kirk Ireton on the Wednesday evening. One of the world’s best pubs. Everything about is is pre 1900 including the staff. The pub itself is 1600s. The beers (all great real ales) are only available straight from the barrels which are propped up behind the bar. HEAVEN for a Camra geek. Like camping in a pine forest Blackwall plantation is a lovely site. We will revisit for longer next time. Our pitch no 12 had a view through the trees of Carsington water. We had 1 ½ good days weather and did the walk around the site via the outer path which takes about 40 mins and good views high up of Carsington on the front side. In the evening the walk out of the site back gate is only about 1.1 miles to Kirk Ireton but if you go for a pint or 3 in the eve be sure to take a torch as it’s a very narrow set of roads and very dark and the locals drive really fast down these back roads. Be warned! On the Thursday we did a 5 mile walk via Millfield car park around the Water to the visitor centre and back. The views are spectacular and tranquil. As you walk across the Dam wall you have Debyshire hills and undulating countryside on one side and Carsington water on the other side. Oh and we had a nice coffee and cake in the visitors centre café , the mainsail haha! So all in all a lovely mid week break, very relaxing , quiet and great scenery and beers! Anyone else been there and want to share there views on the campsite or the area? Our van at blackwall plantation, derbyshire near carsington water, a fun walk See the SLIDESHOW of 48 images

By keef and annie hellinger, Sep 9 2019 06:51AM Motorhome trip No40 : Sept 6th- 8th 2019 A KeefH Web Designs Travel Blog NOTTS->Swiss Farm Touring and Camping, Henley-on-Thames ,Oxon->NOTTS 290 miles Almost 260 years around the table and 30+ camping years under our belts collectively , you could call us the Master Campers *smile* We visited Swiss Farm Touring and Camping with our dear pals Pete and Joy. A very well laid out site with good amenities, camping ground for tents, café and swimming pool (heated outdoors). If the weather had been warmer outside I would have gone in but on Sunday morning chickened out as 10c but it certainly warmed up later in the day. We were on hard standing pitches 37 & 29 respectively on the same row but sadly not adjoining as we had rather gate crashed their weekend away and booked later, also we were on a 6m(etre) pitch and Pete & Joy on a 7m pitch. The lady on reception however had done a good job of getting us reasonably close. portrait time , on the bridge at henley on thames, oxon After setting up we all walked into town , about a 20 minute walk at my slow pace. A lovely old market town on the river Thames with some amazing architecture. We had a few bevies in the 3 Tuns pub and a good catch up. In between it bucketed it down, just glad we were inside. Henley seems to have more pubs and dogs than people and the dog of choice for how shall I say this , “the somewhat wealthy” is the pug, not the most beautiful dog in my humble opinion. Stands back to deflect hurls of abuse *smile* friends lunching , angel inn on the bridge, henley on thames We then strolled down to the old river bridge sandwiched between the angel and red lion pubs, see what I mean about the number of hostelries and surprisingly they are all still trading, great views, great stories, great pictures. We then moseyed back to the site along the edge of the boating Thames, well as best we could. Between Henley and Hurley is the Leander club, home of some very famous rowers. More chatting and supper of lasagne, garlic bread, salad followed by cheese and bikkies and some good wine, #bliss Saturday we made our way back into town for a slightly longer explore and a bit of retail therapy. Asquiths world famous TEDDY bear shop was a real hit. Amazing animals in there as well as the very expensive Stief bears under lock and key. We then strolled along some of the back streets , half timbered houses, Georgian palatial abodes down to the river and back up to the Angel Inn on the bridge where we had lunch and ale / wine / soft drinks. Pete Joy & I had seafood chowder and very good it was too. Annie had terrine salad and rustic toast. The place was packed! Bit more shopping as we strolled back to the campsite, sitting outside for a bit until the chill set in. Lovely evening BBQ steak, halloumi, kebabs, burgers salad and cheese and bikkies. Yummy! Thanks Pete & Joy. Sunday after breakfast of croissants, pack up time and fond good byes until the next time. We went via Beaconsfield in search of Annie’s granddads grave in the historic Jordan’s Quaker burial ground 1688 and with the help of John in the Quaker meeting house found it easily. After that we returned via M25 / M1. All in all a lovely weekend and would recommend campsite and area. We will be back #motorhome #motorhometravels #travelsin2019 #campsites #friends #timeline timeline 2019 what we call "levelling up" tee hee

By keef and annie hellinger, Oct 8 2016 08:23AM Motorhome trip No29 : Sept 26th- Oct 6th 2016 A KeefH Web Designs Travel Blog NOTTS->Dawlish (Devon) to Fraddon & Bude (Cornwall) & Stonehenge (Wiltshire) ->NOTTS 698 miles Amazingly good weather for this time of the year in the UK or maybe not, our Motorhome experience tells us that May & September are generally great months to go away weather wise! Anyhow travelled to the lovely Cofton Country Holiday Park (ACSI site) near Dawlish in Devon where we stayed for 4 nights. We called in on Dawlish before making camp and had a good look around. This is the coast where the railway was washed away by sweeping seas not that long ago and is a traditional seaside town , slightly run down but we liked it. At Cofton there is lots to do and lovely large grassy pitches, only a few hard standing. Met nice couple from Leicestershire of all places. One outdoor and one indoor pool, indeed on the last day we had it to ourselves for most of the time, plus games rooms, keep fit (you are joking?), bars ,cafes and restaurants . On our second day there we caught the Stagecoach bus just up the road to Starcross and took the ferry over to Exmouth landing at the fabulous marina. Great fun day out – well worth it. The next day we did the short country walk from Cofton to Cockwood passing very interesting wild flowers, nature gardens and loved seeing the wild pink orchids. It was a lovely sunny day and you come our at the boat moorings inlet of the river Exe. We did our own version of a pub crawl visiting both pubs in Cockwood. The Anchor (an old smugglers inn) did the better beer but the Ship had the best gardens and flowers. After our fab 4 day stay in Devon we set off to visit my sister Linda and her husband Ian in Fraddon Cornwall for 3 nights parking the van outside their lovely new house. On route we used our English Heritage concession membership to visit both Okehampton Castle (still Devon), originally owned by Baldwin de Brionne of 1066 fame and Launceston plus town. Launceston was the original capital of Cornwall (Kernow) and has lovely panoramic views from wherever you look and a load of history, namely St Cuthbert, the messenger who delivered details of Nelsons death at Trafalgar up to London and its place in the Civil war. We know the one in Tassie , Australia but not this one on home soil. They are quite unalike but we love them both. At Linda’s we went out for a lovely meal, visited Pendennis castle with lovely views of St Mawes, Fraggle lighthouse, Falmouth and the river Fal…. Views to die for! We also went to the very tropical gardens of St Marys and a café at Gyllyngavase beach , Tribute from a barrel, bliss and a nice drive around some great places they knew especially Chapel Porth. Only October but we also had a nice Xmas dinner including our nephew Adam. Saying our fond goodbyes we drove off to Wooda Farm (ACSI) site just past Bude (Cornwall) visiting the recommended Widemouth (pronounced wid-ee-muth) bay and the lovely Bude. Bude is fab, nice walk along the canal to the sea where it joins with the river tributary. Great craft shops as well and Annie got talking to the lady in the wool shop. We had 3 nights on pitch E50 at the site with a perfect view of Bude castle and coastline from our pitch, whilst very sunny it was mega windy on occasions forcing us to “come inside”. The site is great with many facilities – farm yard animals, woodland walk (with pixie dell see the pics if you don’t believe in them), lakes galore, 9 hole pitch and putt (big course probably golf really I’m no expert), restaurants bars and craft shops. We went walking 2 days in a row. Would highly recommend this site also its proximity to Bude. Falmouth Docks Cornwall with family #family #motorhome #motorhometravels #travelsin2016 #campsites

By keef & annie, Oct 5 2013 09:44AM Stamford Caravan Club Site, Lincolnshire A KeefH Web Designs Travel Blog Motorhome trip No12 : September 28th – 29th 2013 NOTTS->FINESHADE WOODS, NEAR STAMFORD, LINCOLNSHIRE ->NOTTS 140 miles A weekend of truly wonderful weather, incredibly hot when one considers it was the end of September. We only stayed the one night at the Stamford Caravan Club site as Keef is now back at work. Lovely site and we were lucky to get an end pitch against the sloe bushes with uninterrupted views across the woods. Fineshade woods is a Forestry area set aside for walkers, cyclists etc. with a café and a few cycle / walking paraphernalia shops. It is lovely and tranquil and because the weather was so good we sat out reading until quite late with a spot of collecting sloes at the same time for the trad family sloe gin… 6 bottles this time, hic! One drawback of the site is there is no amenities block but that is adequately compensated for by the stunning price of £13.60 for the night , plus the café 5 minutes walk away has a loo but beware it shuts at 5pm. Did mesquite chicken, new potatoes & veg for tea all washed down with our scrummy and very alcoholic plum wine. Oh and I confess the odd beer throughout the afternoon, heaven! Then on Sunday after a leisurely breakfast we packed up and travelled off to Burghley house via the lovely village of Duddington, who has heard of this hidden gem? Weather at Burghley was again fan-tab-e-dosie. House , gardens, gardens of surprise with water features for the kids (and us), sculpture garden and the lake with sculpture & boathouse were all wonderful. Drove back through Rutland and stopped at Frankie & Benny’s for tea in Nottingham before returning home. All in all a fab relaxing weekend! We loved the area so will be back again soon, we hope. Anyone else been there and want to share their views on the campsite or the area? Sloes for sloe gin at Stamford Caravan & Motorhome CL site, Finshade woods 86 photos in the SLIDESHOW If you would like to look at all the UK Campsite stays we have made please return to the HOME page When we took a trip across farmers fields in 2021 around Bulwick, Northants you could see Fineshade woods, indeed a local villager told us about her walks to there which she did often, a lovely spot, if you would like to read our Blog 156 it is associated with this blog OR The INDEX page has TAGs for all Blogs or you can use the SEARCH page to look for something or just use the search facilities here on the BLOG or the associated Blogs attached to each Blog, entirely up to you, there is a wealth of ways to find what you want, thanks for looking motorhome-travel blog

By keef & annie, Sep 15 2013 04:42PM Mid Wales, Not The Motorhome trip No2 : September 7th – September 14th 2013 A KeefH Web Designs Travel Blog NOTTS->LLANGRANNOG,CEREDIGION & About->NOTTS 550 miles Didn’t take the motor home this time as stayed at wonderful Seaview cottage in Llangrannog Ceredigion overlooking the bay inspired by Saint Grannog. Went with Craig, Leanne, Bill & Lady dog and had the most wonderful time, weather mixed but better than can be expected for that time of year and good food and company for the whole week, not to mention the home made ice creams from the beach café, yummy!. Visited most beaches from Cardigan to Aberystwyth, including Aberaeron, New Quay, Poppit Sands, Penbryn, Aberporth to mention a few. Nice welsh pint of David Davis in the Pentre (old welsh word for village centre) Arms. Craig & Leanne walked around the coastal path from Llangrannog to Penbryn on the last day with doggie and we drove and met them there parking in the NT car park with very nice coffee shop and memorable kitten who was definitely not best mates with lady! Hee hee. Will definitely bring the campervan back to this area, just so beautiful but will need to take care of some of the very steep and narrow roads, not really suitable for a large motorhome but ours will probably be OK. If you want to see our previous family holidays in Glenholm cottage KESWICK Cumbria look at blog 46 for the 1st and as this is the 2nd here in Seaview cottage in Llangrannog CERIDIGION Wales Blog 64 for the future the 1st is staying at Hesleyside Hall, BELLINGHAM Northumberland Blog 73 and the 2nd one was at Rose Cottage FROSTENDEN Suffolk Blog 89, they are associated. Anyone else have any Motorhome / RV experiences on the Ceredigion Heritage coast they want to share? The INDEX page has TAGs for all Blogs and by year or month, or you can use the SEARCH page to look for something or just use the search facilities here on the BLOG or the associated Blogs attached to each Blog, entirely up to you, there is a wealth of ways to find what you want, thanks for looking motorhome-travel blog 129 photos available in the SLIDESHOW Comments From old website pre Nov 2021

By keef & annie, Jul 29 2013 08:05AM Motorhome trip No10 : July 26th – July 28th 2013 A KeefH Web Designs Travel Blog NOTTS->FIELD BARN FARM, CLAPTON ON THE HILL,COTSWOLDS->NOTTS 183 miles A weekend of mixed weather, incredibly hot Friday and ½ of Saturday but some serious rain in the afternoon and overnight. T’was a case of opening and closing the windows and fly screens ad nauseam. Had a lovely relaxing weekend away with our pals Pete & Joy on our yearly camping trip with them , this year in the Cotswolds near Bourton on the Water. And the first year neither of us were under canvas as they now have a lovely Bessacar motorhome. The field barn farm site is an interesting one of mixed pros and cons. The very roomy grassed pitches with wild flower hedges are perfect for a lovely relaxing time, the setting in a dip near the wind rush valley is also perfect but the long hike to the excellent amenities block, poor water taps and unclear waste disposal sites a bit of a problem, still it was a lovely weekend. Did a BBQ of garlic chicken, sausages, salad etc on Friday evening – stuffed accompanied by the odd beer and wine, very nice too. The walk down the hill into the lovely Bourton on the water on Saturday , although a little strenuous on my failing knees was a lovely one and the village beamed with Cotswold charm and was packed with families picnicking and paddling by the river. Fish & chips, merriment, ice creams and the lovely Charles Wells Duke of Wellington pub made for a really enjoyable ½ day. Sunday was spent dodging showers, chatting, reading and packing up the vans. Then after a slight direction malfunction we had a nice Sunday dinner at the Lamb, Great Rissington before heading our separate ways. Thanks Pete & Joy for another fab weekend away, here’s to many more! We loved the area so will be back again soon, we hope. Anyone else been there and want to share their views on the campsite or the area? Note: The Index shows ALL blogs already published or you can find Blogs about a specific subject by clicking on a word in the TAG CLOUD, thanks, motorhome-travels. 80 pictures in the SLIDESHOW #motorhometravelsblog #campsites #motorhome #friends The INDEX page has TAGs for all Blogs and by year or month, A-Z INDEX alphabetically, or you can use the SEARCH page to look for something or just use the search facilities here on the BLOG or the associated Blogs attached to each Blog, entirely up to you, there is a wealth of ways to find what you want, thanks for looking motorhome-travel blog

By keef & annie, May 28 2012 08:35PM A KeefH Web Designs Travel Blog Dorset and North Devon, Motorhome trip No2 : May 8th -21st 2012 NOTTS->CAMBRIDGE->NEW FOREST->DORSET->NORTH DEVON->NOTTS somewhere between 633 and 1000 miles depending whether we are using google maps, my speedometer in the van or the travel blog route creation app. Prefer to listen to the audiobook version of this Blog, click HERE thanks Want to view the short travel blog route videos? click HERE thanks Apart from our trial run for a couple of days to Clumber Park, Notts (in the rain) this was our 1st holiday in our brand new van. Our lovely Autosleeper Clubman Anniversary (nicknamed ‘Wendy House or Gav' initially but Gav was just too silly, sorry can’t tell you why but it makes us laugh 😉 We stocked up and set off to visit my friend Kev in Linton, Cambs and parked the van at the Caravan Club (CC) site at Cherry Hinton, Cambs. Quite a nice site but with differing levels and a rather sereve one-way system which meant you had to queue up at the gate to be registered and then ferried in one at a time, still very convenient for Linton, which we must say is a lovely traditional English village, give it a visit if you have not been there. We then set off the next morning after a lovely meal, wine fest and sleep at Kevs for the Centenary CC site in the New Forest, Hants travelling round the outskirts of London, it never stopped raining so we were glad to arrive at the site (one of CC’s best) based on an old airstrip. Very modern and well laid out but guess what it never stopped raining. The setting for the site is brill and just out of the gate to see New Forest ponies. We will certainly go back again and maybe spend a little longer there next time. We travelled from the New Forest to Knoll beach Studland one of our fave beaches in all the world to meet up with Annie’s 3rd cousin to ‘do some’ genealogy. Alas no beach today as a washout but nice coffee and lunch in the café. We then went off to Hayman’s Cross , Dorset and stayed at Haycraft CC site for 2 nights. Just opposite Dunshay Manor, originally owned by one of Anne’s relie, way back. Rather fortuitously our Thurs / Fri stay there coincided with the Railway & Beer Festival, 5 mins walk from our site, now what more could one ask for, well ‘no rain’ really is the only answer! Went into Swanage on the steam train and visited the family tree research centre on the pier to finally meet up with the wonderfully helpful David Haysom who runs it. After leaving Haycraft we spent the day as getting sunny on Studland beach and did our first walk in the sand dunes. Even read our books on the beach. After this we checked into Crossovers CC site near Bovington. Best site in the UK we have been to so far, like being in a Canadian outback forest site, but with eco long drop toilets. Not as bad as they sound (honest!) The Sunday we spent walking and sun bathing and reading, bliss! We visited T.E. Lawrence, better known as Lawrence of Arabia, place at Clouds Hill. He owned a 1929 Brough Superior SS-100 motorbike, nicknamed George VI. It was one of 10 motorbikes on display in Clouds Hill, Bovington to commemorate 100 years since Lawrence’s involvement in the Arab Revolt of World War I. It was customized to fit Lawrence’s height, with the top of the fuel tank cut away to allow for the lower saddle. That motorbike is still locally owned and ridden. It was a weird place. My dear pal KJ was obsessed with him and also visited and wrote about him. Monday morning did some shopping in Tesco’s on the outskirts of Dorchester then visited Athelhampton house in the rain. Not NT but privately owned. Interesting history and gardens, never stopped raining alas BUT local uni students shooting a movie there, medieval costumes, swords etc what a hoot . We then travelled on to almost Sidmouth / Honiton and a rather nice CC site at Putts Corner where we met a German couple on the next pitch who had bought their hired van over for Hannover for 3 weeks in the uK, claiming it was cheaper to hire and pay the ferry costs that hire in the UK, now that worries me . What are our UK companies doing? Our new pals had difficulty in getting the electrics to work, nothing too difficult, it was just the usual CC site electric ¼ twist to get it to lock in. How many others have suffered form that 1st time – I know I did We then moved onto visit NT house at Killerton, been there before but love it, especially Tom the bears house. After Killerton it was onto Minnows campsite at Sampford Peverell, Devon. Lovely walk out the back of the site along the Grand Western canal, and such a lovely evening stroll ending up with a pint of Otter ale in the local pub. We then had a lovely drive across Exmoor via Bridgetown. We both fell in love with Exmoor and are ashamed to say it is the 1st time we have visited but we will definitely be back again. After Exmoor we visted the delightful medieval village of Dunster and the NT castle before moving back into Somerset from North Devon and stayed at the Minehead CC site. A nice 3 levelled site with easy walking into town, we even went to see the outside of Butlitz (hehe), actually I was expecting minehead to be quite tacky and tasteless in a Scarborough sort of way but it was surprisingly nice, in fairness I’m sure Scarborough is now, it’s just memories I have from my childhood (Discuss!). From Minehead we went off to Selworthy up a very interesting narrow road, not ideal for Motorhomes but do-able and visited the NT Holnicote estate (pronounced Hunnicutt), now this is what quaint English thatched villages are all about. After Selworthy it was the prospect of Porlock hill (1 in 3), I chickened out and we went along the Porlock Manor Estate toll road (£4 for a van) and so glad we did and the views are tremendous. You can stop at the top and look out across Porlock Weir and the coast, yummy and those Exmoor ponies ahhh! Then onto the lovely UK’s little Switzerland at Lynemouth & Lynton. Loved the place. The old funicular railway still runs but seems to be no longer water powered, which was its claim to fame. Nice place, nice Devon pasties. Oh and the Glen Lyn gorge is well worth a view. We stayed the night at Willingcott CC site (no one there) having been through Coombe Martin and Ilfracoombe, not really our cup of tea I’m afraid, but Woolacoombe we loved. Voted 3rd best beach in the UK and I can see why. Went to visit NT Arlington Court and the National coach and cab museum, all very interesting especially the convoluted link to Sir Francis Chichester. Then stayed our last 3 nights at Damage Barton associated CC shared between the Caravan Club and Camping and Caravan Club, nice site, great sea views would thoroughly recommend it. We had trips out and visited the charming Appledore and had fresh fish and chips whilst overlooking the sea. We gave Clovelly a miss as probably similar and just too packed /steep for the van. We did visit Bridport / Barnstable/ Broughton & Westward Ho as well. Since the Olympic torch was being run thru our area causing 6 hour delays we got up at 5am on the last day and were well clear of the hold ups by the time the procession started. We made pretty good time back to home here in Nottingham. Its been a true 5🌠 experience #tick scary tag because of Porlock Hill although we chickened out and skipped around it SLIDESHOW 192 Photos available, go on you know you want to look *smile*, see SLIDESHOW. Comments Left on old site before Nov 21 AUDIOBOOK TRAVEL BLOG ROUTE VIDEOS #shorts

By keef and annie hellinger, Jan 16 2015 10:25AM Not The Motorhome trip No4 : December 11th 2014 – January 12th 2015 A KeefH Web Designs Travel Blog NOTTS->SINGAPORE->NOTTS c 14,000 miles Didn’t take the motor home as the drive to Singapore is either via the top of Russia or thru the middle east countries of Iraq & Iran , neither of which to be honest Annie nor I are keen to do although I’m sure the motorhome would make it. 33 days spent visiting family, our son and his wife and new granddaughter , Charlie #bestlookingirlinsingapore for Xmas and New Year. We had a lovely time and enjoyed every moment of it. Slightly cooler around Xmas and New Year as opposed to when we went last time April/ May although as Singapore is on the Equator it is never cool and the humidity is the sapper of one’s energy. Left on a 13.5 hour night flight from Heathrow via Singapore airlines, cattle class but managed 3 movies and possibly 2 hours tops sleep oh and the odd sling!. Took a few days for us both to get over the jet lag but seeing the family “Singapore branch” certainly helps Take a look at some of the pictures and videos to get a feel, but highlights are Charlie, Pensioner swimming at Geylang, experience all the diverse food available (including Malay, Indonesian, Indian, Chinese, Chicken Rice, Bak Kut Teh, Pork escalope, Fish cheeks, Tapas, Waggu beef, Donkey skin, Cows intestines, Green frog HELP did I really eat those last 3 ;) ), Singapore Flyer, Da Vinci Exhibition at Art Science museum, seeing Doug & Phoenix, Night Safari, Yuzu, Mustafa’s emporium and samosa’s, MRT, Orchard Road, Hard Rock café, Muddy Murphies, wine from China, Singaporean building cleaning and painting, Queues at Postoffices, DJ’s fruit and veg, Malay barber, Stadium, Serangoon, BBQ at Sims ville, old chop houses, Clarke Quay walk, Vida vino & Japanese BBQ restaurants, Chimjes, Slings in Raffles, peanuts on floor, Fair Trade (Price) Xtra, Cold storage, rip off in Raffles place, Hobbit3 with subtitles, candy crush players, air con….and Charlie! Left 6.30am by comfort taxis to Changi and 15hr flight on the way back, watched 4 movies the best of which was “what we did on our hols” with the Big Yin & Dr Who! Had more slings and ½ hour max kip. Wet,wet,wet all the way back in hire car and crashed out about 9.30pm after 24hrs+ travelling, tired but happy. Looking forward to the next trip in 2015, which will be in the motorhome! Anyone ever taken a motorhome to South East Asia? If so let us know here on the blog, we would love to know. Leave a comment on this blog and we will get back to you, regards Keef & Annie Note: 1) If you want to see our previous trip to Singapore click HERE 2) The Index page enables you to search by TAG i.e Singapore and / or Family 3) Other family fun can be found on the FAMILY page which is arranged by year 303 pictures in the SLIDESHOW , plus you can see video of Charlie and our other family fun, including the museum etc. To see the latest (2021) MRT map click HERE Slideshows and the Talkies

Created by KeefH Web Designs  , October 8th, 2024, 9.06 AM Not The Motorhome trip No 23 : 23 days, 13th September to 5th October 2024 MENU for this Travel Blog INTRODUCTION Maps Calendar Panoramas Family & Friends The Rocky Mountaineer Railway Journey ALASKA Sunday 150924 1st day at sea Monday 160924 My 70th birthday at sea Tuesday 170924 Icy Straits Point Wednesday 180924 Skagway, Yukon Bridge and White pass railway Thursday 190924 Endicott arm, Dawes glacier, Juneau Friday 200924 Ketchikan a very wet day Saturday 210924 last day at sea, inside passage CANADA BRITISH COLUMBIA Friday 130924 Heathrow to Vancouver Saturday 140924 Wet local UBC walk Carey Centre Sunday 220924 Tsawwassen, meet up David & Cathy , Sidney, Vancouver Island Monday 230924 lunch in Victoria's provincial parliament Tuesday 240924 us in Victoria, Linda in Vancouver Wednesday 250924 a wet day in Cordova Bay Thursday 260924 HOHO bus Victoria plus China Town Friday 270924 ferry back to Vancouver, pick up car drive to Kamloops Thursday 031024 Rocky Mountaineer Day 2 Friday 041024 Carey Centre then fly back ALBERTA Saturday 280924 Kamloops to Canmore Sunday 290924 Canmore to Stettler Monday 300924 Meet up with Rob and Sandy in Stettler Tuesday 011024 Stettler to Banff Wednesday 021024 Rocky Mountaineer Day 1 AUDIOBOOK Clippings The Best Slideshows THE END INTRODUCTION We have wanted to be in the position to write THIS travel blog since 1999 for numerous reasons 1. We wanted to do the Rocky Mountaineer train journey when we motorhomed with Doug aged 15, in the western provinces but just couldn't afford it 2. We spent a long time about 20 years ago trying to plan an Alaska trip but again boats & planes was the only real solution, you could motorhome to Dawson city, Whitehorse and Skagway but with no roads / inaccessible roads the boat / float plane solution was too expensive. Luckily my dear sister Linda told us on a visit they were doing a cruise to Alaska and we cheekily asked if they could put up with us coming along... a WIN-WIN in my book. This travel blog goes into much more detail, feel free to dive in or just select the bits that take your fancy from the MENU. Its the adventure we chose to celebrate both our 3 score and 10 years. #fact Feel free to look at our complete North American travel over time! Return to Menu MAPS For this travel blog I show the route map and directions and showing our trip was really in 4 parts. 1) Cruise to Alaska 2) Time on Vancouver Island with friends 3) Car hire travelling for Vancouver to Stettler in the Prairies then back to Banff 4) The Rocky Mountaineer train ride thru both Mountain Time zone and the Pacific time zone, zones changed round about Golden. And here is a more glossy view of the whole trip, to compare with the first image So the trip was inside passage, Icy straits point, Skagway, Endicott arm, Dawes glacier, Juneau, Ketchikan, Inside passage, Vancouver, Tsawwassen, Swartz Bay (Vancouver Island), Cordova Bay, Victoria, Saanich, Vancouver, car hire, drive through most of the Trans Canada Highway in BC and Alberta, including Hope, Merritt, Kamloops, Chase, Salmon Arm, Sicamous, Revelstoke, Glacier NP, Rogers Pass, Golden (time for a clock change), Lake Louise, Banff, Canmore (site of hugely overpriced motels), Kananaskis NP, the Stoney trail around the north west of Calgary, Airdrie, Red Deer and onto Stettler for 2 days, then back to Banff, drop off hire car then travel back to Vancouver by the Rocky Mountaineer train giving a very different view from the road of the terrain. Return to Menu CALENDAR This is our calendar post trip which mostly matches my pre planning exactly but with a bit more of the detail fleshed out with exactly what we did each day. It was an absolutely memorable trip and we both loved every moment of it. Return to Menu PANORAMAS Here are a selection of the panoramas I took whilst we were on holiday #pano #enjoy Some additional facts and comments Icy Straits point is owned wholly by the local indigenous peoples known as the Tlingit (pronounced KLINK-it) peoples and you can walk into their small village of Hoonah from there. It is the highest point in southern Alaska our cruise ship the Solstice went on this cruise. At this time of year especially getting to Anchorage in the north is tricky iceberg wise, indeed the ship's captain noted that as we approached Dawes glacier he had never seen so much broken off ice. The Charlotte and the Quail gardens is a wholly gluten free restaurant, food to die for and you then get cheaper admission to their gardens which are spectacular, we were so lucky with the weather. Juneau is the capital of Alaska, a fine place but in our humble opinion not as nice as Skagway which has a real Klondike gold rush feel about it. I went up the Goldbelt tram ride to the top of Mount Roberts. Spectacular views although at the time we had to fight the mist and weren't allowed out at the top as a bear was there 2 days before. Joe Juneau was a gold prospector whom the capital was named after. The centre of the universe observatory in Saanich, near Victoria, Vancouver island gives spectacular views of the surroundings and on a clear day, which we got, you can see across the border into Washington State and the Olympic mountains. The road to Stettler took us through much of what we would think of a very flat Prairie lands, indeed the line is you can see your dog run for 5 days, however off the David Thompson highway and around the Summer river it was much hillier than we had expected. The farmland stretched for miles. David Thompson the cartographer, is well respected in this area and both the Thompson river and lake we encountered on our Rocky Mountaineer trip pay further homage to him. A man after my own heart, if i had lived in a different era I would like to have been him, but just maybe in Australia instead. Return to Menu FAMILY AND FRIENDS Our adventures were seriously enhanced by these wonderful people, our lovely family and friends. Linda and Ian , my lovely sister and hubby whom we did the Alaska cruise with, especially for decorating the outside of our cabin door with some embarrassing old photos and all the lovely 70 memorabilia pressies which just to serve as a reminder we are getting old, not mentally, I'm still 21 but the body doesn't seem to be able to downgrade to follow suit. Sadly the elixir of eternal yoof on eBay was sold out. Thanks folks! David and Cathy , our lovely pals from Edmonton , Alberta who happen to be house sitting in Cordova Bay on Vancouver Island and suggested the lovely Air B&B we stayed in, which was just down the road from them. Their warmth, generosity and trip advisor 5 star tour guides were to be wholly admired, we had some great times together , shared a lot of laughs and saw a whole lot more of Victoria and surrounds than we would ever have managed on our own. Thanks folks! Rob and Sandy , Annie's cousin Rob whom she had never met, he was born in London but left for Canada when he was only 18 months old, we have had contact with them over the years whilst working on an old aunt's India memoires , so it was just so special to finally meet up with them in Steller, Alberta. They live in Lloyd (Lloydminster to non Canadians) so Stettler was kinda half way between Banff and Lloyd. Rob is also a 1954er (what a great year eh?) so the 3 score and 10 theme continues. Great times folks, thanks. We will keep in contact. A new friend Sunny Ng , part Malaysian, part Chinese, who became our de facto taxi / limo driver for all our hopping around places, we met Sunny on our first arrival in Vancouver as he ferried us out to the University of British Columbia's (UBC) Carey Centre, department of Theology. What a lovely man, so friendly, knowledgeable and kind. He took a pic of us in the back of his limo and even stopped so we could get pix of the Coyote studying at UBC #haha Return to Menu THE ROCKY MOUNTAINEER RAILWAY We had so wanted to do this trip when we in Canada in 1999 with Doug when he was 15 but just could not afford it so as pensioners who are more than happy to give up their winter fuel allowance for the needy (as Ben Elton would say "bit of politics there" #smile ) we now decided we could afford it, having done some of the other worlds great train journeys, i.e. the Ghan and the Indian Pacific , it was so on our bucket list. The Rocky Mountaineer's "First Passage to the West"  route from Banff to Vancouver  is a spectacular journey through the heart of the Canadian Rockies. Here are some key details: Route Highlights Banff to Kamloops : The journey begins in Banff, a charming mountain town, and travels through the Spiral Tunnels  and Continental Divide . You'll witness breathtaking mountain passes and dramatic canyons. Kamloops : After a full day on the train, you'll arrive in Kamloops, a lovely town where you can enjoy a stroll along the riverside. Kamloops to Vancouver : The next day, the train continues its journey to Vancouver, offering stunning views of the Canadian wilderness along the way. Experience Daylight Travel : The train operates exclusively during the day, allowing you to soak in the scenery and take plenty of photos6. Luxury and Comfort : You can choose between GoldLeaf Service  with dome cars for panoramic views or SilverLeaf Service with comfortable seating. Overnight Stops : Since the train doesn't offer sleeper services, you'll stay overnight in hotels at Kamloops. Season and Schedule Travel Season : The train operates from mid-April to mid-October . We were on the second to last trip which was great as snow had fallen on the 1st part of the journey. Complimentary Transfers : Motorcoach transfers are provided between the train and hotels in Kamloops. Passengers often describe the experience as "unforgettable and luxurious"  and "the best way to explore Canada’s Rocky Mountains" and we would whole heartedly concur with that. Return to Menu ALASKA From Vancouver, in sequence we saw the Inside Passage, Icy Straits Point (Hoonah) , Skagway (amazing), Endicott Arm a long narrow fjord if you like leading to the Dawes Glacier, which the wonderful ship's captain got as close as he dared, he described it as the most icebergs he had ever seen there, it took a Titanic effort (geddit?) to avoid them #smile then we headed into Juneau , Alaska's capital, Ketchikan and returned to Vancouver on the inside passage past Vancouver Island. Here are the ships daily newspapers delivered each night to our cabin, with chocolates no less, luxury indeed for us Septuagenarians. Southern Alaska, up to Skagway, is a region rich in natural beauty and history. Here's a quick summary: Geography Southeast Alaska , also known as the  Alaskan Panhandle , is a narrow strip of land extending about 500 miles from  Misty Fjords National Monument  to the  base of Mt. Fairweather . The region is characterized by its stunning  Inside Passage , a network of waterways, fjords, and islands. Key Locations Juneau : The state capital, accessible only by boat or plane, known for its scenic views and outdoor activities. Ketchikan : Known as the "Salmon Capital of the World," it's famous for its totem poles and rich Native American culture. Skagway : A historic town that was a gateway to the Klondike Gold Rush, offering a glimpse into the past with its preserved buildings and museums. Activities Wildlife Viewing : Opportunities to see bears, whales, and eagles in their natural habitats. Hiking and Boating : Numerous trails and waterways for outdoor enthusiasts. Historic Tours : Explore the Gold Rush history in Skagway and other historic sites. Transportation Alaska Marine Highway : A ferry system that connects many communities along the Inside Passage. White Pass & Yukon Route Railroad : A scenic train ride from Skagway to the Yukon border, offering breathtaking views. Return to Menu SUNDAY 150924 FIRST DAY AT SEA ON THE SOLSTICE After a hearty breakfast at the Carey centre on Endowment land at UBC Oscar picked us up about 11.05 am and drove us to the cruise ship terminal at Canada place in downtown Vancouver, you know the one that looks a bit like Utzon's Sydney Opera house #justsayin Canadian friends. Getting there in downtown was a nightmare, unbelievable levels of traffic controlled by the cops, if you are in the wrong lane you are going around again, 1 hour maybe, luckily Oscar has been there before. Traffic levels so intense as 4 cruise ships all in together with passengers coming and going. Anyhow we did the customs checks etc. and then much to my surprise but sheer delight because of my walking stick Annie and I were fast-tracked through everything and onto the ship. We were supposed to board 1.30 pm, got on by 12 noon, poor Linda was supposed to be on at 11.30 am but spent almost 3 hours queueing and Ian's legs were killing him. Anyhow Annie and I did the emergency learning stuff and headed to the buffet for an early lunch. Nice it was too. We then discovered our cabin for the next 7 days and our luggage arrived a bit later on in the evening. All very smooth. Great weather so some fab views from our balcony as it left Vancouver. Take a look! Return to Menu MONDAY 160924 KEEF'S THREE SCORE & TEN BIRFDAY! What you can't be 70 I hear you all shout. Mentally I would totally agree, physically however I might have to start agreeing. I seem to be sticking it to the stick much more often these days and I've promised Annie and Linda I will start the knee replacement process. Anyhow enough of the gloom, it was a truly fabulous day. Cheeky Linda and Ian had decorated the outside of our cabin which obviously we didn't notice until coming out for breakfast. Very embarrassing but it meant I got to have a long chat with the Rhinestone cowboy who was celebrating his 25th wedding anniversary , we matched on the same ship's cakes, but with a different legend. #haha The day was spent relaxing mostly on the balcony with the usual cruise interruption for a top up of food, what's the line , "come on as passenger, go off as cargo" #smile I had pre booked my birthday meal for Le Petit Chef experience and it was certainly memorable. The beef wellington element in terms of food was mouthwatering. See the videos especially those of the little chef in action, memorable and completely different. After the meal in the evening, we went to the theatre which although spectacular was a little confusing. Tired we retired a very very HAPPY and memorable 70th birthday, thanks to all for making it so much fun. Return to Menu TUESDAY 17th SEPTEMBER, ICY STRAITS POINT We completed the inside passage and arrived at the Hoonah collective made cruise ship terminal at Icy Straits point, the 2nd highest location for our trip in Southern Alaska below Skagway however. Beautiful sunshine as we arrived c 1.30pm. After disembarkation and a nice walk across the bridge we exchanged our excursion passes for the red gondola ride to the top of the mountain and the forest excursion tram. We ascended to be afforded some wonderful views and a chat with 2 Americans whilst we waited for our forest ride. A local Klink-it (pronunciation not spelling which was Tsilingit band) elder did some tribal demoes around the fire, all very interesting. The forest tram ride was very informative and asking questions of the Kling-it driver it was totally clear that they would favour independence from the states, which my guess is will never happen, too much rich minerals and oil at stake. The driver also told me that they had started with 4 cruise ships day, they are now up to 260+ per months so a steady stream of profit for them. Anyhow have a look at the slideshows. Return to Menu WEDNESDAY 180924 SKAGWAY, YUKON SUSPENSION BRIDGE & WHITE PASS RAILWAY Arrived whilst it was still dark in Skagway. We had by now mastered the fine art of ordering breakfast and having it delivered to the door on our selected time in the next morning. Luxury, you just leave your order sheet pinned to the cabin door handle, and they deliver, I've tried it since we are home but sadly it didn't work #haha Anyhow as our trips in Skagway started early it was ideal. It was a full day but in our humble opinion the best day in Alaska, truly memorable, nice to share with Linda and Ian. Initially a coach trip up to the Yukon border meaning we crossed back from the States into Canada, initially visiting the Yukon Suspension bridge and as our driver, a resident of Skagway got us their early we had the place to ourselves, as we were leaving the tourist coaches were filling up. We even got our passport stamped, a touristy thing similar to the forgotten world highway in New Zealand. After that he collected us and took us to the Fraser border crossing to board the White Pass and Yukon train back into Skagway, one of the real great train journey, following the gold mining Klondike trail. Have a look at the slideshows, the second of which about 4 minutes in will give you a complete train journey. Hope you enjoy! The coach driver told us that by 20th October more than half the population of Skagway, himself included, would leave Skagway for the winter, no cruise ships, no employment and mostly stuck indoors. They all head off to Whitehorse and way beyond for the winter. Return to Menu THURSDAY 190924 ENDICOTT ARM, DAWES GLACIER, JUNEAU Another early rise but just so worth it, initially dark when we entered the Endicott Arm, which is traditionally a fjord, not naturally associated with Alaska. Some fabulous views and then the first teeny icebergs came floating by, which got more and more intense as we approached the end of the fjord which is the Dawes glacier. The captain did a 360 degree turn as close as he dared to the glacier having already announced that this was the most ice he had ever seen, now was another ship and icebergs but the less said about that the better. Such spectacular views, waterfalls everywhere, some elements of Milford sound as a comparison. We were treated to Dr Ann's commentary to accompany the voyage up the fjord to the glacier which created some wonderful learning points. After the glacier we headed off to Alaska's capital. Linda and Ian did the Mildenhall glacier trip, we walked around, did a bit of tourist shopping, called in at the cultural centre, had a chat with an elder and admired many woven rugs and totem poles. Juneau is fairly cut off but there were still a surprising number of cars there. The road runs out in about 37 miles from downtown. Annie was a little tired so returned to the cabin. I decided to go up Mount Roberts via the Goldbelt Tram, the mist faded, and I got some fabulous views from the top. Sadly, we were not allowed out, probably sensibly, because of the presents of a bear at the top a few days earlier. On descending I walked along the board walk past the brewery (no I didn't go in, honest) reading up on the Haida culture as I went. We all met up in the restaurant for evening meal before going to the show. Served ably by Kier who was great and his boss Miguel who was...less good and a little to pushy on "good feedback, I need score 10" #smile Return to Menu FRIDAY 200924 KETCHIKAN, A VERY WET DAY We arrived in a very wet Ketchikan having had lunch with Linda and Ian. After their glacier tour yesterday Linda was feeling exhausted and didn't want to go on the crab fishing trip with Ian, we were asked but passed. Annie and I left the ship for literally 5 minutes, it never stopped pouring down. We had a chat with the ex-harbour master who offered us a free trip on his salmon boat, we declined far to choppy and wet. He told us they were down on visitors in Ketchikan today as 4 cruise ships had decided not to land. Anyhow we all met up for supper in the restaurant later, Ian had been at a crab feast (not their catch I'm afraid as not eco) so only joined us for puddings. Return to Menu SATURDAY 210924 LAST DAY AT SEA, INSIDE PASSAGE THEN DISEMBARKATION The last day was spent at sea, relaxing , watching the Inside Passage views, admiring both the British Columbian coastline as well as that of Vancouver island as we traversed between the two, eating, drinking, chatting and playing trivia games in the observation lounge (guess the Diva music - Hmm the modern ones we really didn't know but Tina etc. were easy) and at about 5am on the 22nd being docked in Canada place, downtown Vancouver. It has been a wonderful trip. Return to Menu CANADA This is our 3rd trip to Canada, once in 1999 when we travelled very similar the same path to this trip with Doug aged 15 and then again in 2010 which enabled us to say we have travelled from west to east coast of Canada in a hired motorhome. We say mile 0 of the Trans Canada Highway (TCH) on Vancouver island in the park and we have also been to North Sydney in Nova Scotia where it apparently officially ends but as you can see from the map we have even been further through Newfoundland and Labrador as far as Red Bay. So we have probably travelled most of the TCH's 7476 km's. If you want to see some of our previous Canadian travels https://www.holiday2010.co.uk/ please do. This trip was basically Vancouver, Tsawwassen (in Delta), Vancouver Island featuring Swartz Bay, Sidney, Cordover Bay, Victoria, Saanich, Hope, Merritt, Kamloops, Chase, Salmon Arm, Sicamous, Revelstoke, Roger's Pass, Golden, Banff, Canmore, Dead Man's Flats (love that name), Stoney trail around Calgary, Airdrie, Olds, Red Deer, Stettler and back to Vancouver. What a privilege it was to travel on the Rocky Mountaineer. Return to Menu BRITISH COLUMBIA The home of Vancouver Island, we travelled through all of British Columbia (BC) west to east then east to west on this trip firstly by foot, ferry and car, then the Rocky Mountaineer back westward. The border with Alberta is between Field and Lake Louise although the time zone changed around about Golden in BC. Field was a fascinating place but the scenery through BC is spectacular. There is no point in me using words, just look at each individual day's images. I also learnt a lot not least that Victoria on Vancouver Island is the provincial capital not Vancouver, its biggest city or Raincouver as we learnt to name it. Driving from  Vancouver to Kamloops  on the TransCanada Highway 1 is a scenic adventure through some of British Columbia's most beautiful landscapes Here's what you'll see along the way: Vancouver to Hope Fraser Valley : Start with the fertile farmlands and charming small towns of the Fraser Valley. Coastal Mountains : As you head east, you'll enter the lush, wet coastal mountains, with dense forests and rushing rivers. Hope to Lytton Coquihalla Highway : This section offers stunning views of the  Coquihalla River  and the surrounding mountains. Lytton : Known for its hot summers, Lytton is nestled in a narrow valley with the  Thompson River  running through it. Lytton to Kamloops Lytton Canyon : A dramatic landscape with steep cliffs and the Thompson River winding through1. Desert-Like Terrain : As you approach Kamloops, the scenery transitions to a more arid, desert-like landscape with rolling hills and sagebrush. Kamloops Welcome to Kamloops : A charming city surrounded by mountains and situated on the  North Thompson River . This drive offers a mix of lush forests, dramatic canyons, and desert-like landscapes, making it a memorable journey through British Columbia's diverse natural beauty Return to Menu FRIDAY 130924 HEATHROW TO VANCOUVER Left from home reasonably early just in case there were any further issues with the car, couldn't afford to miss the plane. Meet and greet at Heathrow terminal 2 was fairly painless once we had paid a fortune being in the lower levels which sign posted M&G, silly us, should have realised its actually on level 4, location row B. Note to self for next time at Heathrow "get it right" #smile So, the Air Canada flight was OK, not like the return journey but that is another story. Watched the Amy Winehouse biopic "back to black" but as I had a window seat spent a lot of time enjoying initially the Faroes, then Iceland with a spectacular shot over Isafjordur, then Greenland which seemed to be totally ice, wonder why it was not called Whiteland ? Then it was Hudson Bay and some of those Eastern Canada / Nunavut / Yukon areas until we landed in Vancouver. It was raining hence Raincouver. The scheduled taxi was late but eventually we met Sunny a lovely man whom we grew fond of over the holiday. Sunny ferried us to the Carey Centre, we saw the Coyote in the grounds and eventually jet lagged out slept well. We were in North America keen for the days ahead! Return to Menu SATURDAY 140924 WET LOCAL WALK AROUND UBC PLUS JET LAG SNOOZE Slept somewhat erratically, not surprisingly as no idea which time zone we were in. Had a lovely included breakfast in University , such a lovely lady serving and then booked lunch and dinner at the uni, both of which were very good. Went out so a walk around the area, it rained consistently and some kind ladies advised us not to go down to the beach as steep and slippy steps. Good advice. We did find a coast viewing spot but as Annie's knee was hurting we returned to the campus and read / drifted off to sleep in between meals. Good to catch up before our Alaskan adventure. We also learnt quite a bit about William Carey , the missionary after whom the Carey Centre is named, this area was big theology departments. Return to Menu SUNDAY 220924 FERRY, MEET UP WITH DAVID & CATHY, SIDNEY Sunny picked us up from the cruise ship terminal at Canada Place, well not quite. Our ship had arrived early, and they let us off really early and customs was a breeze, so I had texted Sunny to let him know the pickup time had been bought forward. He couldn't park where we had been dropped off by Oscar, so he asked us to make our way to the front of the Pan Pacific hotel just outside Canada place car park. He drove us through Richmond and Delta plus other areas to Tsawwassen, which was so much more built up than we remembered it for 1999. Quite a long limo journey, probably about 45 minutes. Then we got our ferry tickets, very cheap as foot passengers, weight our bags and sent them on as checked luggage, good stuff. Long queue to get on with lots of sports teams going back to the island, maybe they had been to Kamloops, he capital of mediocre tournaments on a Saturday, who knows. I texted David to say we were on the 10 am ferry, the journey is about 90 minutes. Amazed at the number of islands the ferry traverses around. David picked us up, Cathy was at church. So lovely to see them again. Travelled to Sidney, which I do remember from years back. David showed us a co habiting house set up they had looked at and explained what it was all about, sounds like their future. We then had a coffee and a lot of catch up, Cathy joining us. A stroll around the lovely Sidney and a fab fish restaurant on the sea front, bliss. After that we went to check in at the Air B&B in Cordova bay. Tee hee it was lovely but at the top of a steep hill and the key lock was bust so the front fell into the bushes . David kindly retrieved it #hero We then parted company to settle in, D&C house sitting just down the road. A fun day. Keef bought Annie some Canadian socks in one of the shops the ladies enticed us men to enter #haha Return to Menu MONDAY 230924 70th LUNCH IN BC's VICTORIA PROVINCIAL PARLIAMENT After breakfast and sitting out on the balcony reading and admiring the coast , David and Cathy arrived, after a quick catch up we headed off into Victoria. Cathy dropped the 3 of us near the parliament building and went and parked somewhere she knew about. We went through security, were given BC badges having parted with driving licenses as security , waited for Cathy, it what seemed like the dungeon or prison wing of an old Victorian building, in fact the BC parliament building. The Harvey's had kindly booked us in for lunch. It was a lovely lunch even if our waitress was a bit brusque, maybe she had been a prison warder there in a previous life #smile After lunch we had a stroll along the front with a brilliant set of tour guides, D&C, must give great feedback on trip advisor. We saw all the boats, including the bath tubs to Fisherman's wharf plus the front of the Empress, minus it's Virginia creeper after all these years, spruced up by Fairmont hotels which it is now owed by (along with Banff Springs and Le Château Frontenac in Quebec city. We visited the tourist info, spent time in Cathy's favourite Rogers chocolates, saw the floral killer whale display and then had a good nose inside the Empress, to the point where Keef was told he was not a resident and was not allowed out on the roof top garden, shame! Some fab architecture, all exhausted after that we returned to Cordova bay for the evening. Return to Menu TUESDAY 240924 US IN VICTORIA WITH D&C, LINDA IN VANCOUVER David and Cathy picked us up early, wonderful sunny day, for breakfast at a Gluten Free (Cathy is) cafe in the Saanich area called Charlotte and the Quail, food to die for and pretty good coffee. The lady serving us what a little high pitched, but we soon got over that as the food arrived, it was totally yummy. After breakfast we had a good look around the attached formal gardens, manned mostly by volunteers and what a great job they had made of it. David bought a gardening book, and we all strolled around taking endless flower and tree photographs, and quite right too, a fab gardens. After that we drove up and up to the centre of the universe observatory, with spectacular views. You could see the Olympus mountains in Washington State. After this they took us on a fab drive along the truly tremendous coastal road, flash house and hotel viewing, gardens, traditional cemeteries, whale watching in the mist, until it cleared listening to the sound of ship's foghorns, then only the even more wonderful Fisherman's wharf with its quirky housing and residents to match. #superb We had beer , wine and fish (halibut or salmon) and chips on the sea harbour front until such time as the temperature dropped. It being quite late in the eve , about 7.30 pm if memory serves me right, we returned to Cordova Bay, all in all a fab, fun day with many laughs. Return to Menu WEDNESDAY 250924 A VERY WET DAY IN CORDOVA BAY PLUS BBQ Cathy's cousin and wife had returned late last night so they stayed there today, having to both catch up, pack and tidy up after spending a while in their house both house and cat sitting. Max (the cat) certainly matched his name. I joked that he was a skinny thing before the Harvey's arrived and over fed him #teehee We picked a good day to chill, relax and read, the rain was torrential nearly all day both Vancouver and Victoria get their fair share of "weather". Cathy had given me some halibut and salmon her cousin had caught the night before and they did some shopping kindly for us I did a fish and salad BBQ in the evening, David had bought an apple crumble for pud and Cathy had cheese and bikkies. This was our last night together, we will miss them, we had an extraordinarily good time together, thanks so much for your hospitality, David and Cathy #missingyoualready We stayed in contact via text whilst we each went our separate ways. Return to Menu THURSDAY 260924 HOP ON HOP OFF BUS VICTORIA & CHINATOWN After showers etc., and a cooked brekkie to keep us going, we noticed a cracked window in the bathroom which was either there before or not? Victoria had had a 4.1 earthquake over night. Anyhow we got an uber to the Empress in Victoria and caught the Hop On Hop off bus , doing a complete circuit first around, much of which we recognised from the Harvey's guided tour. All hugely interesting with commentary on the bus. We were glad we stayed on to take the bus to Chinatown as lots a cruise ships were in later and the bus and place were heaving. Chinatown is very interesting, we visited the free museum down Fan Pan alley (sometimes referred to as tin pan alley) We had a lovely coffee (the best in Canada or Alaska) at a coffee shop just outside Chinatown plus lovely cake and bought a pasty to take back to cottage. It was raining a lot so we called it a day at about 4pm and got a uber back to Cordova Bay. Nice tea, packing for early start tomorrow and earlyish to bed for our onward travels and new adventures. Return to Menu FRIDAY 270924 FERRY BACK TO VANCOUVER, PICK UP CAR, DRIVE TO KAMLOOPS Up early, it was still dark, rang for an uber which annoying always stopped one block away in the main road down the hill. Care when putting the key back in the cottage outside key safe, as pitch black i didn't want to drop it, especially as the battery in my phone was now regularly dying. Wheeled the suitcases to the top of the hill, in the dark. Keef went slowly down to the main road , found the uber guy, and got him to drive up the hill to collect Annie and the suitcase, good driver, took us to Swartz bay. Ferry back to Tsawwassen, Sunny was waiting for us and kindly took us to the Avis office at Vancouver airport in Richmond. Checked in, picked up the keys, loaded the cases and off we went. Bit nerve wracking initially in a very busy Vancouver but soon got used to it and we were on Highway 1 heading towards Hope. After Hope it was onto to Kamloops, we stopped for both refreshments, mediocre coffee and many photo opportunities. A good days travel. We arrived in Kamloops as it was getting dark, some lovely colours on the hills. Kamloops is semi-arid. Kamloops is known as the "Tournament City of Canada" basically because on Saturdays the hotels / motels are free from Rocky Mountaineer travellers, the train comes into Kamloops 6 days a week, 3 journeys in either direction and that was true when we arrived late on a Friday evening and surprisingly found everything initially was fully booked with parents and their young lads for a mini baseball league tournament. As one of the wags on our train journey said you are most likely to end up in conversation with a mediocre lacrosse player #haha We did eventually find accommodation at the Ramada which had a great breakfast included in the price, which was quite high at approx. £175 but nothing in comparison to the extortionate price charged in Canmore the next day at £235 and there was no breakfast #ripoff Return to Menu THURSDAY 031024 ROCKY MOUNTAINEER DAY 2 - Kamloops to Vancouver Kamloops back to Vancouver Canadian National Railway (CN) station. We had been delivered to the Canadian Pacific (CP) station in Kamloops the night before, quite late, and after the key fiasco we were a little jaded in the morning, I had had bad cramp in the leg probably from sitting all day the day before, however we were LOVING the Rocky Mountaineer, one of the world's true great train journeys. Today's scenery was spectacular but different from Day 1 in mostly in Alberta and the Rockies, more lakes that rivers today. Oh, and the food and drink was pretty premium as well, so glad we did this! See the slideshows and videos to get a true feel of the day. We also got to see the famous " last spike " We chatted a bit to our new Australian friends from Penrith. Once we had arrived in Vancouver, not the greatest views in that last hour, we caught a taxi to the Carey Centre, checked in , resorted the bags for flight home tomorrow and exhausted , early mornings on the train had been a bit boot camp. On the Rocky Mountaineer journey from  Kamloops to Vancouver , you'll pass by several beautiful lakes. Here are the main ones: Enderby Lake : Located near the start of your journey, this lake offers scenic views as you head west. Shuswap Lake : One of the largest lakes in British Columbia, Shuswap Lake is known for its stunning scenery and recreational activities. Little Shuswap Lake : A smaller lake near Shuswap Lake, offering picturesque views along the way. Nicola Lake : As you continue your journey, you'll pass by Nicola Lake, nestled in the Nicola Valley. Coquihalla Lake : Located near the end of your journey, this lake provides a beautiful backdrop as you approach Vancouver. These lakes contribute to the breathtaking scenery and make the journey an unforgettable experience Return to Menu FRIDAY 041024 CAREY CENTRE THEN FLY BACK HOME Bit of a lie in as no rush today and we were ahead of the game. Lovely extended breakfast in the uni canteen. Checked our just before 11 and waited for Sunny to come and collect us. He took us to terminal 2 at Vancouver airport, we had a bit of time to kill before we could check in at 1.40 pm, but time went quickly. Once thru security we had a meal, the plane left on time, but this was definitely the worst of the flights. Folk were in our seats and had to be evicted , the charger didn't work, the movie wasn't great (a Kevin Costner Cowboy) and the food was even worse. Still, we got back to Heathrow, had to register the fact that they had lost our suitcase , picked up car easily and drive home, stopping for coffee and some minor provisions, tried to stay up as long as we could then crashed at about 8 pm. We were home. What a FAB holiday. Return to Menu ALBERTA After Field on the TCH we entered the Banff National Park and for us the start of our Alberta time. As we were not visiting David and Cathy in Edmonton this time as had a fab time meeting up in Victoria, we travelled around Calgary on the Stoney Trail on up through Airdrie Red Deer, the David Thompson highway , Summer River and into Stettler for 2 days principally to meet up with Annie's cuz Rob, but Stettler itself proved to be a very interesting Prairie town. Driving from  Canmore to Stettler  via  Red Deer , while avoiding Drumheller, offers a mix of scenic landscapes and charming towns. Here's what you'll see along the way: Canmore to Calgary Bow Valley Parkway : Enjoy stunning views of the  Rocky Mountains , including the Three Sisters peaks and the Bow River. Canmore : A charming town surrounded by mountains, perfect for a quick stop to stretch your legs. Calgary to Red Deer Calgary : The bustling city offers plenty of amenities if you need to stop for supplies. Highway 2 : As you head east, you'll pass through the  Calgary-Edmonton Corridor , with farmlands and small towns. Red Deer : A vibrant city with a mix of urban amenities and natural beauty, including the  Red Deer River . Red Deer to Stettler Open Prairies : The drive through the  Central Alberta  region offers wide-open prairies with rolling hills and farmland. Buffalo Lake : Just south of Stettler, this lake offers beautiful scenery, day-use areas, beaches, and opportunities for outdoor activities like fishing and boating. Stettler Welcome to Stettler : A quaint town with a rich agricultural history, surrounded by picturesque farmland. This route provides a diverse experience, from mountain vistas to prairie landscapes, making it a memorable journey through Alberta's beautiful countryside.  Return to Menu SATURDAY 280924 KAMLOOPS TO CANMORE VIA BANFF After a hearty breakfast in the Ramada Kamloops, shared with a visiting 1st nations excursion group, we packed up checked out and hit the road with a lot of distance to travel today. We saw Salmon Arm (not great), 3 valleys gap, Revelstoke where we stopped for Pharmacy and Post office , Golden for Tim Horton's and lunch and clock change, as well as seeing lots en route. We thought we might stay in Banff for the night but as gridlock struck as we drove in we rapidly changed our minds. Saturday evening, Rocky Mountaineer train in, it was heaving and our budget didn't stretch to the Fairmont Banff Springs hotel. Interesting that Fairmont now own most of these classic Canadian railway hotels, Empress, Banff Springs, Frontenac etc. etc. So we went onto Canmore, filled with fuel and set about finding a place for the night. Wow Canmore is expensive.! See our slideshow. At the ski lodge we saw 2 guys kite surfing if that's the correct term, not something we would ever entertain at 70 #smile Here is the Trip Advisor review I left for the rip-off Rocky Mountain Ski Lodge , we have never been so disappointed or overcharged. " A COMPLETE RIP-OFF! No price list on display when we arrived. Extortionate charges for a one bed queen / no breakfast. As pensioners we were even promised a discount, but I’ve checked my bank statement, and the full price was charged so that was a lie. $420 cad / £229. We could have stayed in a posh London hotel for less, indeed I told the receptionist this. She told us it was high season, and the price dropped when the snow fell , which must be rubbish as it’s a ski lodge and winter will be when they make their money. It feels like they just charge what they like to tourists. Surely a reputable business should have its price list on display. I am even more upset that I could have got the same via the UK if I had pre booked for £75. I will advise my family and friends in the UK and Canada to NEVER use “Rocky Mountain Ski Lodge” Even the car park was a waterlogged dirt track and as disabled we had to lug suitcases upstairs after they got dirty thru the mud bath car park. So, so ripped off and angry. " Return to Menu SUNDAY 290924 CANMORE TO STETTLER We packed up at our hugely overpriced one bed in Canmore, it was pouring at the time so the muddy car park was awash with water and mud. I carefully carried each suitcase over the obstacle course to put each in the boot / trunk trying for as little mudslide as possible but slightly failing. We called in at reception to check out vowing never to return, at least to that establishment. We filled up with gas and had breakfast at one of the fast-food joints. Wendy's I think, perfectly adequate for our journey onto Stettler in the Prairies. Back on Trans-Canada Highway one we made our way around Calgary on the Stoney Trail, up through the outskirts of Red Deer and onto the David Thompson highway, where we stopped for the autumn colours at the Summer river before reaching Stettler where we had a subways for lunch before checking in at the Super 8 motel. One of the most amusing stories was when we arrived in Stettler at the Super8 (ok maybe not so super #smile more Adequate8) and checking in the lady asked us where we were from, we answered with our usual Nottingham, home of Robin Hood and Kevin Costner, and said we were there to meet Annie's cousin Rob Littlejohn, she laughed obviously not believing the coincidence , that was until I told her my real name was Will Scarlet #youcouldntmakeitup Return to Menu MONDAY 300924 MEET UP WITH ROB AND SANDY IN STETTLER Up early we had a really good breakfast at the Super 8, chatting to the lovely receptionist who was amazingly friendly. It is worth noting that 2 nights at the Super 8 and breakfasts was still vastly cheaper than 1 night in Canmore, you can tell I don't like getting ripped off! Anyhow after brekkie we drove around to discover Stettler especially the grain stores on the outskirts and surrounding the main downtown. Stettler has a mini stampede to rial Calgary, well when I say rival I clearly don't mean it. We liked Stettler , it had a lovely feel to it, to call it a one-horse town is unfair, I saw 2 #smile We went shopping in Dollerama and Walmart then returned to our room and waited for Rob & Sandy to arrive, what nice people. Annie had not met her cousin before. We had coffee in the cafe (lots of it and various interruptions from an over attentive lady waitress) however I did earn something about CFL Canada's equivalent of gridiron. We then had some drinks and a meal, the afternoon was a delight hatting about just about everything under the sun, with a lot of humour chucked in for good measure. So glad we made the effort to meet up, too good an opportunity to miss. Return to Menu TUESDAY 011024 STETTLER TO BANFF We had breakfast with Rob and Sandy, got the receptionist to take some photos, said our goodbyes , packed our cases and set off back to Banff taking a slightly different route back to the Queen Elizabeth Highway, cross land as directed by the Jeep's satnav, sadly because there were lots of road works (or construction as it is know in Canada). One back on the main highway it was full steam ahead, past Airdrie, Stoney Trail around Calgary, back onto the TCH 1 and into Canmore having first pulled into various tourist spots on route for some Fuji moments. Filled up the car in Canmore as had to return it full of gas. In Banff it was still raining but we stopped in front of the mega Banff Springs hotel, then checked in at the Bow View Lodge hotel, our refuge for the night prior to our well awaited Rocky Mountaineer train ride tomorrow. With time to spare until 4 we called in at the Avis office who said not here, all very confusing for car returns #recommendation You have to drop off in the bottom 2 floors of the local car park, shame Avis did not mention that, oh well, sorted we walked back to the hotel in the rain, it was not very far. After 4 we went and did the Rocky Mountaineer guest formal check in in the local mall, they gave us both a pin badge and sadly a load of irrelevant drivel, but hey the trip was magnificent. So it was early to bed for pick up in the morning. Cases would go straight onto the Coast hotel in Kamloops by coach and we passengers would be ferried to the train. Nice views of the Bow river outside our window. In the eve we ate at splendid Italian Lupo Restaurant in Wolf Street, and it was good. Return to Menu WEDNESDAY 021024 ROCKY MOUNTAINEER DAY 1 - Banff to Kamloops Up early at the Bow View Lodge hotel. Suitcases packed and downstairs in the lobby with quite a few other folk waiting to be transported to the Canadian Pacific Railway (CP) line station at Banff. Now we knew the guy at check in last night had lied when we said we had booked that hotel because it was where the coach picked you up from. He promised if we had to walk around the corner their staff would wheel our suitcases , clearly that didn't happen, not great service from Rocky Mountaineer, but in fairness the luxury of being promoted from Silver leaf service to Gold leaf service for no extra cost was brilliant. We were now in an observation car and our luxury food and drinks was served directly at our seat for us #luxury There was even a light dusting of snow in the Rockies getting down to ground level at times, such a romantic journey, the Christmas tree effect with snow was spectacular. We passed over / alongside 5 rivers. Loved every moment of this trip. See the slideshows of images and the movies taken whilst the train was rolling! Due to numerous reasons, mostly the hold ups due to cargo which has priority on the CP lines our train was running very late, so the chef prepared an evening meal for us (normally taken in Kamloops) and very nice it was to. We arrived at the CP station in Kamloops (not the one the train would leave from tomorrow) and were coached to our Coast hotel, which after a fiasco with room keys meant we got to bed about 10pm, a very satisfying day. On the Rocky Mountaineer train journey from  Banff to Kamloops , you'll cross several beautiful rivers1. Here are the five main rivers you'll see: Bow River : This iconic river flows through Banff and offers stunning views as you start your journey. Kicking Horse River : Known for its turquoise waters, this river is a highlight as you travel through the Canadian Rockies. Yoho River : As you pass through Yoho National Park, you'll see the Yoho River winding through the stunning mountain scenery. Columbia River : This river marks the border between British Columbia and Alberta, offering breathtaking views. North Thompson River : As you approach Kamloops, you'll cross the North Thompson River, which flows through Kamloops and is a key feature of the landscape. These rivers contribute to the breathtaking scenery and make the journey an unforgettable experience. Return to Menu AUDIOBOOK If you would prefer to hear the blog rather than read it, here you go. Return to Menu CLIPPINGS Here are some clippings from the trip that we haven't included in the individual slideshows for what ever reason. Held here for memorabilia reasons. Return to Menu THE BEST SLIDESHOWS Split in two we have the best of family and friends images taken on the trip and then just images that I quite like. All these are obviously included in the individual days write ups with slideshows but are shown here as a highlights. #enjoy The absolute best on the trip was being able to share it with family and friends, and spending my 70th birthday on the way to Alaska with Linda and Ian and the Petit Chef, what amazing visuals and culinary creations to match the work done by the little chef. I will never forget that. So two family and friends highlight slideshows. Alaska followed by Canada. And now some highlights taken at various location on the trip. Firstly Alaska then Canada. That's all for now for the highlights, trust you enjoyed as much as I did putting it together for this travel bog #KHWD #KeefHWebDesigns Return to Menu THE END Thanks for persevering through the travel blog, I know it is quite long but just so wanted to capture this lifetime legacy trip. Return to Menu

Created by KeefH Web Designs  , August 4th, 2024, 5.30 PM Not The Motorhome trip No 22 : 13th-20th July 2024 We have not been to the Isle of Wight for over 40 years. When we last went way back when with pals we were on motorbikes and slept in tents. Now being septuagenarians we do it in luxury and take our family with us. We had a fab cottage and great adventurous and fun stay and boy the weather was good. Read this travel blog to find all about it #recommended By implication as this Travel Blog has many images and videos of our grand children I have separated out those images / videos and made them PRIVATE on You Tube, should you wish to see them you will need ask via email keefh@keefh-web-designs.org.uk  thank you for your understanding MENU Introduction Panoramas Overall slideshow and videos Isle of Wight overview DAY 1 - Saturday - Travel DAY 2 - Sunday - Blackgang Chine DAY 3 - Monday - Butterfly World DAY 4 - Tuesday - Godshill & Sandown DAY 5 - Wednesday - Tapnell Farm & Yarmouth DAY 6 - Thursday - Beach Day at Sandown DAY 7 - Friday - 3 English Heritage Sites & the Watermill DAY 8 - Saturday - Osborne House & Travel back Associated Tourist Stuff Audiobook The END TRAVEL BLOG INTRODUCTION We had a great week away staying at our cottage near Godshill at a place just outside in Lessland Lane Sandford. A word of warning some of the roads are a little narrow so should you ever use this lane I would recommend approaching it from Godshill end. We didn't know that first time in, and came across a motorhome en-route down a single track lane. We personally would not take our motorhome to the IOW for exactly this reason but there were many of them about. The holiday cottage was great, super clean , modern and sizable. Loved the outdoor eating space, conservatory and the grand kids loved the tree house, garden space and tractor. The owners were so kind, what a well equipped place especially when compared to our earlier Cambrian abode. There was so much to do and see and in general the weather was perfect. Sadly both Tate and I were ill picking up something fairly horrible that needed anti-biotics to resolve. Anyhow it didn't dampen our spirits. Read on through this travel blog to get a better feel for the detail and enjoy the various slideshows and videos. Thanks for looking. Return to Menu PANORAMAS Here is a sample of my fave panoramas from the trip, i have got the hang of it (finally) #smile on my phone but there is also a slideshow with most if not all of them in. Return to Menu OVERALL SLIDESHOWS & VIDEOS These are the ones featuring the grandkids so by implication they are PRIVATE, they cover the full 7 days which are summarised with freely available slideshows and videos under each day. Return to Menu ISLE OF WIGHT OVERVIEW A comprehensive overview for fellow travellers would be:- Population The Isle of Wight, located off the southern coast of England, has a population of approximately 141,000 people. The island’s population density is relatively low, contributing to its tranquil and scenic environment. Geographical Factors The Isle of Wight is known for its diverse landscapes, including rolling hills, chalk cliffs, and sandy beaches. The island’s geology is particularly notable for its fossil-rich cliffs, making it a significant site for paleontological studies. The climate is mild, with warm summers and cool winters, making it a popular destination year-round. History The Isle of Wight has a rich history dating back to prehistoric times. It was a significant site during the Roman occupation of Britain and later became a strategic location during the medieval period. The island is home to several historic sites, including Carisbrooke Castle, which has stood since the Norman Conquest. In the 19th century, Queen Victoria made Osborne House her summer residence, further enhancing the island’s historical significance. Best Places to Visit The Needles : These iconic chalk stacks are one of the most photographed landmarks on the island. Visitors can take a chairlift ride for stunning views or explore the nearby Needles Old Battery and New Battery. Osborne House : Once the summer home of Queen Victoria, this grand estate offers a glimpse into royal life with its beautifully preserved rooms and extensive gardens. Carisbrooke Castle : This historic motte-and-bailey castle offers panoramic views of the island and a fascinating museum detailing its history. Dinosaur Isle : A must-visit for families and fossil enthusiasts, this museum showcases the island’s rich paleontological heritage. Ventnor Botanic Garden : Located in a unique microclimate, this garden features a wide variety of subtropical plants. Shanklin Chine : A picturesque wooded gorge with waterfalls, lush vegetation, and a charming tea garden. Alum Bay : Known for its multi-colored sand cliffs, Alum Bay is a great spot for a boat trip to see The Needles up close. The Isle of Wight offers a blend of natural beauty, historical intrigue, and family-friendly attractions, making it a perfect destination for a relaxing getaway. We did some of those best places and have done some in the past. We wouldn't necessarily recommend Alum Bay / The Needles but Shanklin Chine, Carisbrooke, Dinosaur Isle and Osborne are a big must as featured here on our travel blog, shame we didn't have time to do the Botanic gardens but would add that if and when we return, you never know! Train, Ferry, Old skool poster time #enjoy Return to Menu 130724 Saturday travel on the ferry plus meal in Godshill at the Griffin We set out from home in the car this time rather than our usual motorhome trips. We arrived at the Red Funnel ferry terminal in Southampton with plenty of time to spare for our 2pm crossing. There had been some motorway hold ups but nothing out of the ordinary, the M27 / 271 into Southampton were the usual nightmare. Met up with family in the queue. The crossing is fairly short and was very calm. Arriving at East Cowes ...OK can't resist... Dad joke time... Q? "what's brown and comes outta Cowes back side" #poortaste #smile A! "the IOW ferry" #haha... We then drove onto the cottage. Pleasantly surprised when we arrived a great place for a weeks family holiday. After unpacking / familiarising ourselves we set off to the Hare and Hounds pub, near Arreton, one Craig & Leanne had been to and recommended the last time they were in the IOW. Sadly only one chef and we hadn't booked so went to the Griffin Inn in Godshill nearer to home. Nice swings etc. for the kids and lovely giant chairs in the garden, I can recommend the ale and Sticky Toffee pudding but the mains in my humble opinion were distinctly average and over priced for what you got, but maybe I'm just getting old and used to whining #haha Sadly Tate hurt his chin but soon recovered. Bit exhausted from the travelling we returned to the cottage and no early to bed for all as the Euros final was on and we (and the kids) had to watch. 58 years of hurt continued but Spain were definitely the better team so no complaints but it was hugely exciting. Somewhat deflated we retired to bed post match. Return to Menu 140724 Sunday Blackgang Chine After a nice bacon sarnie brekkie cooked by Craig we took the kids to Blackgang Chine and met Craig & Leanne there. We had a full day which the kids loved. The water bounce area was truly mesmerising and really did look like they were paddling in the waves of a beach. Very clever. Sadly us oldies couldn't go on much and Grandpa (me!) would have loved to go on the mega white-knuckle ride (still remember with fondness the 60 mph backwards in the dark ride in Florida) but my head wouldn't fit thru the test seat clamper (no commentary please #haha ). Latterly on their second visit Edie & Leanne went on it, Edie with her eyes closed and Leanne having to have a lie down when back at the cottage. Annie and I got chucked off the rotating carpet ride as they couldn't fit the security bar over our tummies. What you saying? #haha Indeed the only ride we managed was the tea cups but loved the haunted house (originally an old folks home on site) and undersea world. Grandpa (of course) went around it the wrong way meeting up with the family half way. The blue whale was amazing and Tate's shooting skills with the water canons a big plus. Lots of walking and fun. We had a snack lunch in Cowboy World, my name not theirs. Take a look at our travel blog slideshows and videos to get a true feel of the day which was long, tiring as so steep but we wouldn't have missed it for the world to see the grand children's happy faces. Grandpa cooked tea before the game. Here is a bit of background to the wonderful and historic Blackgang CHine a place I visited as a child. Blackgang Chine is a fascinating and historic theme park located near Ventnor on the Isle of Wight. Here are some key highlights: History and Background Oldest Theme Park: Established in 1843, Blackgang Chine is the oldest amusement park in the UK. Name Origin: The park is named after a now-destroyed coastal ravine (or “chine”) in the soft Cretaceous cliffs Family-Owned: It has been owned and operated by the Dabell family since its inception Attractions and Rides Lands of Imagination: The park features various themed areas such as Pirate Cove, Fairy Land, and Cowboy Town Thrilling Rides: Enjoy rides like “Extinction” and the giant waterslide "Waterforce". Interactive Walk-Throughs: There are numerous interactive experiences and play areas for all ages. Events and Activities Seasonal Events: Blackgang Chine hosts a variety of events throughout the year, including summer festivals with fireworks and Halloween-themed activities. Unlimited Returns: Standard park tickets offer up to 7 days of unlimited free returns, allowing visitors to explore the park at their leisure. Food and Amenities Dining Options: The park offers a range of food and drink options, with discounts available for season pass holders. Unique Features Scenic Location: Situated on the southern tip of the Isle of Wight, the park offers stunning coastal views. Historical Significance: The park’s history is intertwined with local legends of smuggling and shipwrecks. To read even more click on Blackgang Chine Return to Menu 150724 Monday Butterfly World and the Craft village We went to the Medina Garden Centre where Butterfly world is. Such lovely butterflies, tried hard to get them to land on our hands to no avail but one lovely one landed on Annie's back. The slideshow gives you a much better feel. We all learnt a lot and enjoyed the scary little creatures hands on experience, Granny and Grandpa showing Edie that holding a tarantula was not scary at all, the guy running it however would not let anyone hold the scorpion. All very interesting. After going all around a couple of times we called it a day, the weather wasn't great with endless showers so this was an indoor day. Annie and I visited the craft village at Arreton afterwards dodging the showers but watched some glass blowing. Click here to learn more about Arreton Barns . Grandpa cooked Spag. Bol for tea with garlic bread. Return to Menu 160724 Tuesday Model Village, Dinosaur Isle at Sandown, Crab & lobster at Bembridge We very rapidly realised why it is called Godshill, as you approach the village the church high on the hill gives it away. Anyhow Godshill was just down the road from our cottage. Great news free parking in the centre and then a walk through craft shops, restaurants etc. etc. Godshill is a truly touristy place but for us the model village is the highlight. We did the quiz as well which kept the kids amused, such clever detail and the whole scale model was just so well maintained. We loved it and got the quiz right. #smug After that we went to Sandown to the Dinosaur Isle centre, a must however don't be caught out by your Sat Nav as Annie and I were. We keyed in Dinosaurs at Sandown only to arrive at the pier. The Isle complex is much further along the sea front. What an amazing place Dinosaur Isle is. The kids liked it and the adults loved it too. See the remains of the recently discovered "Compton" dinosaur as an elderly inhabitant of the IOW was a true highlight. See our travel blog slideshow for a detailed inspection, thanks. Craig and family then went to the beach at Sandown opposite and had to go back to bath the kids to get rid of half the beach #haha sand wise, whilst Keef and Annie took a drive into Sandown to get some throat spray at Boots and then onto Shanklin past the chine and through the lovely village onto Ventnor and the remembered zig-zag hill, steep or what down to the sea front. Really liked Ventnor but not easy to park oh and due to diversions because of road closed between Shanklin and Ventnor a true diversion of many miles. We then all met up at the Crab & Lobster pub in Bembridge , through the housing estate to the coast, great views but only somewhere you had to know about it or you would never find it, Craig & Leanne had been there in the past so we were "in the know". I had the most wonderful crab salad and C&L has seabass, great food and rinks. We then returned to the cottage for the night. Here are a few more details about that newly discovered dinosaur, what a treat to see it in the flesh so to speak, ok bones only! The newly discovered dinosaur, named Comptonatus chasei, is a significant find on the Isle of Wight. Here are some key details: Discovery and Naming Discovery: The fossil was discovered in 2013 by fossil hunter Nick Chase in the cliffs of Compton Bay Naming: It was named Comptonatus chasei in honor of Nick Chase, who passed away in 2019 Significance Most Complete Dinosaur: This specimen is the most complete dinosaur discovered in the UK in the last century, consisting of 149 bones New Genus and Species: Initially thought to be a known dinosaur, further study revealed it to be a new genus and species Physical Characteristics Age: The dinosaur is approximately 125 million years old Size: It had a pubic hip bone the size of a dinner plate, indicating it was a hefty dinosaur, similar in size to an American bison Unique Features: It has unique features in its skull, teeth, and lower jaw, distinguishing it from other known dinosaurs Scientific Insights Research: The discovery has provided new insights into the diversity of Cretaceous-era dinosaurs in England Ongoing Studies: Researchers continue to study the specimen to understand more about its biology and ecology This discovery not only adds to our understanding of dinosaur diversity but also highlights the rich paleontological history of the Isle of Wight. Return to Menu 170724 Wednesday Tapnell Farm, Lunch at The Cow and Yarmouth Keef really wasn't very well today, indeed dosed up with various medications I stayed in bed until about 11 am. Annie stayed with me to look after me, what a sweetie and did some crochet. We agreed to meet up for lunch at the Cow pub (pre booked, you have to it is amazingly popular) It is on the premises of Tapnell farm , an activity park with just so much for the kids including rides as well as a farm and aqua park. What a fabulous meal, possibly one of the best burgers I have ever had. The meat was very very local although the guy I talked to said they were indeed a diary farm, hence the fab ice creams, but got meat from their neighbours farm. Did I say Edie and I had spent all week looking for cola ice cream but even though this was Isle of Wight ice-cream the purveyors of cola ice cream they didn't have any, indeed the whole weeks searching got us nowhere so Edie and I made some back at home and yummy it was too! After lunch we had a bit of a look around the farm, did the wallaby and meerkats feeding sessions and watched the kids on various things, the bike centre being a true highlight. Not feeling so great we left them to enjoy themselves and Annie and I went to Yarmouth and Freshwater which were nearby. Love Yarmouth, my personal island favourite. See some of our fun in the travel blog slideshow. Note Tapnell was a bit of a drive from the cottage but to be fair nowhere is really more than half and hour away, especially as we were based in the middle. Return to Menu 180724 Thursday Beach day out at Sandown plus Yummy brekkie What a great day at the beach at Sandown, luckily we got to the pier beach front parking area reasonably early and paid our £11+ parking fee for the whole day. Initially as early and cool we walked along the sea front to Fin's beach cafe , a must and little know about I would suggest, apart from by the locals. Possibly as Carlsberg used to say "the best brekkie in the world". Classy food, smoothies and milk shakes and views to die for. C&L hired sun loungers and brolly for some shade from the man nearby, an interesting chap whom we talked to, what an office eh and he only lived across the rad in the flats so a short walk to work #smile Annie and I used our own camping chairs from the motorhome which we took with us. Paddling, sand castles, reading, sun worshipping / bathing and ice creams from the pier were the order of the day. We left late afternoon and visited the Garlic Farm for produce and fun. I look forward to sampling our Garlic Jam. All in all a great day. Return to Menu 190724 Friday 3 English Heritage site visited for a day out whilst others were at Blackgang Chine Part 2 The family decided to go back to Blackgang chine for a second day, even they said they were exhausted when they returned but had a great day, it was very hot and Annie and I rightly decided not to go and used the day to visit 3 English Heritage properties, starting with Appeldurcombe house, nice grounds and interesting ruins of a great house, which on the day we visited was being set up ready for a wedding. We by passed the Donkey sanctuary and headed out west and called in at the Water Mill in Calbourne, as featured on Alan Titchmarsh's IOW TV series. Sadly it was closed but we had a long chat with the owner and lady that was in the TV series, they had restored the original mill stone. Interestingly she said that Alan wasn't there (just a voice over) and it was all done by one cameraman and one sound recordist and oh they didn't even get a stipend from the TV company, not good! The mill featured in the Doomsday book, have a look at the history via the link if you are interested. I found it fascinating. We then went onto Yarmouth, what a lovely sunny day. Sat on the roof top cafe having coffee and cake watching the Lymington ferry leave. We then visited the Yarmouth castle site. Had a fab chat with the volunteer there and enjoyed discovering the history of the place, great views as well. After that we visited Carisbrooke castle , where Charles 1st was held prisoner before his execution and Queen Victoria's youngest daughter rewrote history to erase Victoria's various liaisons (TBC) post Albert's death, but who am I to spread nasturtiums. #smile We loved Carisbrooke, a wonderful place to visit and as English Heritage members a good days work. The museum even had an early work JMW Turner of the castle, I am in awe, he is one of my heroes. After the castle we went and set up our chairs further along the road and looked back at the battlements, before ringing Craig and setting up to meet up at the Fighting Cocks pub for our evening meal. A nice meal and good bouncy castle and swing park options afterwards and even a rich person taking off in their helicopter, maybe it was the fake or real Alan Sugar, who knows. It was then back to the cottage to do some packing ready for eviction tomorrow. Return to Menu 200724 Saturday Osborne House and travel back home Did our final packing and tidying up of the property and stashing everything in the cars before heading off towards Cowes and the Queen Vic, now known as Osborne house, as we are members we can get the grandkids in for free quite a perk. Always wanted to visit and we were not disappointed. The children got a free lanyard and a multiple choice of English Heritage badges including some of the limited edition ones, we have been collecting these for Edie over the year beforehand. Started with a lovely and historic Punch and Judy show which the kids found fascinating and the puppeteer let them be photographed with some of the puppets. He was a fun guy and told us that you can just about get away with a Prince Albert puppet these days. Grand parents then went around the house and the rest went to the play park, as it not really being a kids thing. We all met up for a light lunch at the gate house cafe. We then did a bit of shopping and I can thoroughly recommend English heritages rum and black cherry jam, a kirsch derivative that goes so well with scones and clotted cream, we tried it out post the holiday and it was such a hit we WILL be buying more jars. Tatey got some rubber bug toys, caterpillar and slug, what an ace choice. Anyhow after that we headed off to join the queue for the ferry when it started to rain and prepare for the long journey home. We said our goodbyes on the ferry and C&L and kids went into Wes Quay for tea and we just travelled home. A great holiday!!! Return to Menu TOURIST BROCHURES Collected whilst we were on holidays and scanned at home Return to Menu AUDIOBOOK If you prefer to listen rather than read this travel blog this is the place for you. Return to Menu THE END That's all folks!!! Return to Menu

Travel Blog created by KeefH Web Designs  , August 6th, 2024, 14.09 PM Motorhome trip No59: 25th-28th July 2024 Travel blog summary NOTTS-> New Lodge Farm, Bulwick, Northamptonshire -> NOTTS 160 miles This was out 3rd time at this wonderful campsite with our pals Pete & Joy and we were treated to potentially the best weather we have had over the many years of camping with them, who could ask for more, potentially better than the early 90s at Glastonbury when we had a heat surge and had to douse ourselves with water pistols, hey those were the days. If you want to see and read up on our 2 previous visits to New Lodge Farm scroll to the end of the blog and select either trip 1 (Blog 108) or trip 2 (Blog 156) thanks for looking Anyhow lots of sitting out in the sun, reading, drinking and chatting. Because of Annie's knee this year we were somewhat restricted in our movements. If you prefer to listen to the audiobook of this blog listen here Have a read through our travel blog , look at the images and slideshow, we would whole heartedly recommend this site for adults only. #recommended Keef and Annie didn't leave until after their dentist appointment, you can't miss those or nowadays on the NHS you would probably be struck off #haha Bit of a torturous journey I'm afraid due to accidents and road works en-route. Apologised for our late arrival, Pete and Joy were making use of the reworked cafe / bar / shop / restaurant here on site. A bit of a change for the last time we came, and all the better for it. After setup we joined our pals in the bar for some refreshments and an initial catch up. Joy looked well after herb knee op. She kindly gave Annie both advise and accessories for her impending op, its always nice to know someone has been thru it all before and learn from them. We tried a game of spot the difference with both the trad van they use for both advertising and collecting the rubbish. Interestingly one of the wardens uses a Segway to get around, what a great idea. We think but can't remember that the water pump had an old wooden barrel pond with water lilies last time, I have checked and it did but they are much more mature now and looked lovely with flowers fully out #flowerfun Joy cooked a lovely meal in the evening followed by apple strudel, cream and a third course of cheese and bikkies. After chatting for bit it was clear everyone was tired so we all retired to bed. The next morning Joy cooked us all her lovely scrambled eggs and smoked salmon #yummy The sun was shining so we all sat out *** ( chatting, reading, drinking , whatever ) *delete as appropriate #smile After our alfresco lunch we carried on as before relaxing and loving the chill out factor. We all got ready for our pre booked meal in the site restaurant, which was lovely. Pete and I have steak on a hot stone, what a clever idea, steak from the farm which you got to choose from the lady who bought you a choice of 4, the stone was at 400 degrees F , and after her showing you a first "turnover" you were left to cook your steak yourself to exactly how you wanted to. A great idea to rule out the usual variations when you say "medium to well done" etc. etc. #hintsandtips The ladies had what looked like a very nice beef lasagna and garlic bread. We all had puds and then retired to Pete and Joy's van to carry on the merriment after a brief sunset stroll around the site to stretch our legs. Again we retired early-ish , now we have some combined 280 years around the table we (ok I especially) #haha don't have the drinking credential I used to have. It is worth noting that whilst the site was fairly empty on the Thursday it had well and truly filled up for the weekend with motorhomes, caravans and tent of every variety, what a lovely relaxed picture, camping is many folks "happy place" Saturday we started the day with tea outside in the sunshine on our camping table and chairs, what a great start to any day. Keef then cooked bacon sarnies, via Pete's vans electrical outlet plug, wish we had one, what a great idea. Only necessary a Keef had foolishly taken his extension lead out of our van (now remedied) l so love cooking outside on both the teppanyaki and our 2 ring electrical stove. Saves on the gas as we always say, you are paying for the electrics anyhow #hintsandtips clearly though only a solution when the weather is fine although i did cook outside in the Faroes with a Icelandic hat, gloves and a blanket but that was possibly the exception to the rule #smile After brekkie Pete and Joy walked into Bulwick and the new cafe there, we stayed behind and enjoyed the sun, reading and relaxing #heaven We then all met up for a snack lunch and more story telling, drinking etc. etc. before Keef cooked tea outside. A little hounded by the odd light shower. We had lamb chops, sausages, mash and veg followed by strawberries, raspberries with ice cream all bought from the farm stall (fruit and veg setup Sundays) and cherries / cheese and bikkies all washed down with a variety of drinks. PS we cant recommend their vanilla ice cream, it felt like eating cold semolina, all very odd but the fruit was ace. After our evening meal we played travel trivial pursuit. Boys Vs Girls, it was fittingly a draw when we all called it a day. Sunday we both packed up early ready to go, unfortunately our van wouldn't start. Pete saved our bacon with his charging gadget and so all got hope safely. UPDATE had the battery replaced at Quick Fit today (6/8/24) a bit of a specialist battery so not straight forward BUT and here is the but the guy said it was the original VW battery put in in Germany so i reckon that means it was 21 years old, amazing that must be some sort of record. Here is a slideshow of our fun, cheers pals and here is to the next one. Love K&A xxx AUDIOBOOK That's all folks!!!!