Storm Francis - 25th August ‘20

 What a night. Storm Francis woke us up at 2 and it wasn’t until gone 5.30 that we were tired enough to get back off to sleep.

It turned out most folks had took down their awnings but because, being a “Foreign” van we had the awning on the “wrong” side, Brunnehilda protected her from the strong westerly winds.

I am pleased to say that although Isabella made some funny noises and shapes, she stayed put. The storm strap was rattling which needed fixing in the morning and the strap also came off at one stage but apart from that it was just the slight anxiety to contend with that any stage Isabella might be heading out to sea - with or without us and Brunnehilda!

The rain stopped in the morning but the wind isn’t due to reduce from its 60mph maximum until 7 am on Wednesday. I think our Whitby experience in February was over 80 mph but of course Isabella was not attached that time!

During the morning, Kim got the van sorted and I prepared the inside of the awning - carpet / furniture etc.

Laura, George and boys arrived at about 3pm. The Twinnies are very excited, thankfully Storm Francis was not a concern for them. After unpacking they went off to Ilfracombe for a few hours. It would have been lovely to have joined them but we didn’t feel right leaving the site given the situation.

I had a chance to show George “the Brunnehilda ropes” and we hit the road at 8.45pm. Arriving back in Long Buckby at 1am. It was a much easier and faster journey without our German friend on the back.

Laura reported back on Wednesday morning that the wind had now dropped and they survived the night. George even reported having the best nights sleep he’s had for ages!? Apparently, they’re going kite flying this morning!

After we go down in a week to take down Isabella, then that’s the last of us in Brunnehilda for a while - nothing booked up at the time of writing. She and Isabella have once again survived the worst that the horrible British weather can throw at them. I think it’s only snow we haven’t encountered yet but I’m sure we will soon?

South to North Devon & More Weather Related Stress - 24th August ‘20

Normally we have glorious weather for our moving days - this one wasn’t. A bit of sun but mostly grey and cold. By the time we got to North Devon we were faced with very low cloud and drizzle.

The journey, especially at the North Devon end was extremely busy. It should have taken us 1 3/4 hours but ending up taking over 2 1/2. So we arrived at about 2pm to the Damage Barton Club site at Woolacombe. Our 2nd visit this summer and 3rd overall - we like it.

The purpose of today’s visit is to set up Brunnehilda and Isabella for Laura, George and the boys to have a weeks holiday in her.

So, having arrived in plenty of time to get set up, it then all started going a bit astray. Firstly, when we arrived there was a big sign up advising against putting up awnings! We had just survived Storm Ellen on the south coast and now we had Storm Francis on its way in. It’ll be Storm Gobsh*** next week no doubt! What bloody weather. Problem is , we didn’t have any choice - no awning, no holiday for Laura et al!

The second problem was the almighty mess I made of levelling her. The pitch was heavily sloped from back to front so I needed to get the jockey wheel as low down as possible to enable her to be wound up to maximum height. Im not sure how I did it but in messing around, the jockey wheel came apart and went so low I could neither raise her or lower her - I was stuck. I grabbed one of the wardens, a very helpful chap called Phil and with the help of a very powerful drill (to raise the front stays) and huge dollopings of experience and common sense - he got us sorted!

Then straight onto the Isabella erection. You could almost feel the Storm brewing in the air so we had no time to waste. As it happened she went up fairly easily - not much over an hour. We also put on a storm strap - we got it last summer when we where on this same bloody hillside in the wind, but hadn’t yet used it.

It was quite ironic though, as we were putting our awning up, the bloke opposite us was taking his down in preparation of the brewing storm?!

Into Woolacombe then for a bite to eat. We went to our favourite- The Red Barn. The service is excellent, the food good and fantastic value - especially as it’s a Monday and another chance to eat out to help out!

Back to Brunnehilda and to bed. The rain is lashing down outside now. Although, according to the forecast, the worst of the wind won’t hit until tomorrow evening! So it’ll be Laura and George not us lying awake cursing the British summer weather tomorrow night!

Smallcombe Farm CL:

Pros:

1) Very friendly and pleasant owner

2) Nice views across Dartmoor

3) Handy placed between Salcombe, Dartmouth and Totnes

4) Good facilities - nice shower and ok toilets (unusual for a CL)

Cons:

1) All those Devon Lanes - with and without Brunnehilda

2) Noisy - could hear the A38 over the fields 

3) No where easily to walk from the site

4) Poor 4G. 

Visiting Greenway & an Evening at Brixham / Dartmouth - 23rd August ‘20

Normal morning schedule in Brunnehilda today except ... I had a shower (yep, that’s news!!?) ... their was no mushrooms left so I just had a cheese omelette (hold the front page - now you know why you bother reading this stuff eh?!!) ... we were out before noon as we had an appointment (first time we had to look at our watches all week!).

We actually had plenty of time to get to the National Trust’s Greenway Estates but it is the other side of the Dart so we thought we would allow someone extra time for a wee drive around. That wasn’t hugely successful but we did arrive in plenty of time for our 2pm appointment - they kindly let us in 10 mins early.

No rain today. Pretty chilly though but enough sun nearly to convince you that it was the summer. The house at Greenaway used to belong to Agatha Christie but, unfortunately due to COVID was shut. The gardens were only partial open as well but it didn’t stop us having a very pleasant couple of hours poking around. As enjoyable as it was there wasn’t a lot of colour in the garden (time of year?) and we were a bit surprised that the sheer amount of trees / shrubs got in the way of the fantastic views over the Dart.

As with all NT visits you really must go to the cafe on the way out for a nice cuppa. COVID has had its way with that as well - no longer a proper teapot with nice tea cups but now cardboard cups with a tea bag - we had coffee! We did however share our food with a wee robin who was feeling particularly bold and wasn’t as worried about socially distancing as most. The first of 2 ornithological experience today - and a nicer one than the 2nd!

We decided to go to Kingswear (other side of the Dart to Dartmouth) and get the foot ferry across. We parked the other side of a huge marina and walked through all the very impressive boats to get to the ferry.

We were very decadent when we got to the other side and the bright lights of Dartmouth - we got ourselves a drink from Bar 1620 (a lovely wee bar on the quay) and drank it watching the boats and all their comings and going’s.

Amongst the highlights of our viewing was a seagull getting stuck in some crabbing net string (it released itself eventually) and a couple on a very big yacht getting themselves (and the yacht ready) for a night in Dartmouth. Kim was convinced they were Swedish but after a bit of impressive googling (on her part) it turned out they were Dutch. As I’m writing this I’m thinking that this all sounds a little creepy and voyeuristic - so I’ll stop! 

And stop we did when a seagull did an almighty s*** on Kim’s back. It was more like a flying Labrador’s poo than a bird’s to be honest. The woman on the seat next to us was in total amazement as to the sheer quantity - it took Kim a bit by surprise too. Luckily it missed her gin glass!

Thank goodness for wet wipes and a spare mac packed in case the rain returned. We scuttled back over the ferry and set off for Brixham to get a bite to eat - Kim now in my sweatshirt.

Brixham is nice enough but you can clearly tell the difference to the likes of Dartmouth, Salcombe etc. Let’s say it’s more English seaside than boaters paradise or even hippy hangout like Totnes. It was a little scruffy to walk around but had a very impressive harbour with more boats to watch - this time more working ones than those for pleasure! It also has a full size replica of the Golden Hind which was pretty cool.

We grabbed a Chinese takeaway at the Lucky Boat and, due to the genuine fear of more seagull attacks, we went back to the car to eat it looking out across the harbour. It was no Long Buckby Dynasty (nowhere is!) but it was more than acceptable. By this time it was 8pm and we remembered Ben and Beths weekly Zoom quiz. We swithered about joining it but in the end we decided to. So we spent 90 mins in the car park watching the tide turn, the boats dissolve into the darkness, the lights of Paignton twinkling across the bay and us coming 2nd (again!!) in the quiz.

Late back to Brunnehilda tonight and no Wire to watch. So we just stocked up our bladders with tea to give us the prerequisite number of ups and downs in the night and off to bed. Moving day tomorrow.

An Afternoon in Dartmouth - 22nd August ‘20

Another mixed day of weather. A bit of wind, some grey cloud, some sun and one rain storm. Or as the weather folks call it - changeable! As if to explain this meteorological  term, these 2 pictures were taken 5 minutes apart...

So after our normal lazy start (including mushroom and cheese omelette!) we headed out for Dartmouth. A measure of the laziness of our morning is that we arrived at 1.45pm and it was only a 30 minute drive!

Dartmouth was busy and has very limited parking in the town. After one fruitless drive through, we headed up to the park and ride at the edge of the town. Of course we didn’t have coins to hand so we had the usual frustrating experience of trying to do it via mobile! 15 minutes (and 2 missed busses later!) we gave up and somehow pulled together the necessary coinage. It helped, as it had taken us so long to get sorted it, was now past 2 and into a cheaper rate! 

The sun was shining so we headed for the quayside. Of course we were hungry so we found a nice fish restaurant, called Rockfish, and ate in their designated area outside. They used an App ordering / paying system that, once loaded, seemed to work quite well. The fish was ok but the curried mushy peas were a big hit! It was a bit like Peter Kay’s Garlic Bread moment - 2 nice things that really shouldn’t go together- but do!

A dessert of Dartmouth Ice Cream dangling our legs over the quayside and watching all the boats, ferries and canoes was rudely interrupted by the afore mentioned shower!

Once it stopped we had a mouch through the town. There are lots of interesting shops, old buildings and pretty little lanes to appreciate and explore. Culminating in a visit to M&S to buy tea.

The tourists were starting to drift away by this time and the “boaters” come into town. So we spent another pleasant 30 minutes with our legs dangling over another quayside watching it all going on. The ferrymen and water taxis packing up for the day. The folks coming into town on their small boats (presumably from bigger boats) to eat and the shoppers being picked up to go back to their boats. It was fun just to chill and be voyeurs on other folks lives for a bit.

We headed back on the bus to the park and ride at about 6pm.

The sun was out so we decided to go back via Dittisham. We had earlier been watching the Dittisham ferry packing up for the night so we thought if it had a ferry going there, it must be worth a visit!?

And it was. A pretty little place with lots of boats and gorgeous houses - old and new - to nosily oggle at. We spent a pleasant 30 minutes walking around. We did try and sit and read our books by the water but at this stage the wind was stronger than the sun and it was too chilly to stay static for too long!

17 miles home, of which 15 were on Devon single track roads. At one stage, not too far from home, we had the excitement of helping a guy move a big tree branch that had blown down and totally blocked the road. It wouldn’t have been a problem on a normal road but with single track and sheer sides it’s hard to find someone to dispose of a big tree branch on a Devon road?!

Back to Brunnehilda for tea and completing the remaining 2 episodes of The Wire Season 3 box set. Kim stayed awake and focussed for the entire 2 hours so I guess that says it all?

Spoiler alert!! RIP Stringer Bell!

Last day at Smallcombe Farm tomorrow.

An Afternoon in Kingsbridge & Salcombe - 21st August ‘20

Another windy night in Brunnehilda - if I had a £1 for every windy night in Brunnehilda..... well, I’d have a lot of money!

We got up and about fairly promptly to move her onto a pitch on the main field - we were temporarily put at the top end by the toilets / facilities! Locks off, services disconnected and hooked up for the 50 yard move. Didn’t take too long. The view is slightly better but this pitch is flatter, so no complaints. And, to cap it all, I managed to back her onto the pitch - wow, whatever next!?

After a slice of toast we hit the road to Kingsbridge about a 30 minute drive away. It wasn’t a stress free journey - Kim was driving and I navigated her onto the shorter, quicker but narrower lane route! It was very busy with cars, tractors, caravans and small trucks so lots of braking, pulling over and squeezing past! Let’s put it this way ... it wasn’t the most harmonious start to what turned out to be a lovely day!

What a nice place Kingsbridge is? My first visit - I think? It sits at the top of the Kingsbridge Ria with lots of boats and a rather large and busy Main Street going up from the quay. We spent an enjoyable couple of hours mouching around. As always we ended up at a coffee shop / cafe. This one was called Mangetout and it was really rather good. We both had Thai Coconut and Squash soup - gee, it was tasty! 

Kingsbridge has a similar vibe to Totnes. Not quite as laid back and a few more tourists but still very pleasant. By this time the sun was poking in and out of the clouds and the wind had dropped a bit so all was good with the world!

Then onto it’s neighbour at the seaward end of the ria - Salcombe. Again another really nice place. We came here with the Parrotts last summer but we were on their boat so only saw it from the sea! It’s that bit more touristy that Kingsbridge and Totnes and certainly more “up market”.

It’s a really interesting place to visit - lots of shops, eating establishments, ups, downs, nooks and cranneys. After a good old look around, we were looking to find somewhere to sit in and have a coffee. Then the rain came so everyone else had the same idea! Plans were swiftly changed and we bought a pasty and some cakes to take back to Brunnehilda for an early tea.

After tea and our daily dose of The Wire we were both sufficiently tired to justify an early night. So here I lie, at 10pm in Brunnehilda’s big old bed listening to the wind and the rain. Yes, the wind has got up again, as it tends to at night, and the rain has returned. Brunnehilda doesn’t seem to mind though - she is fairly hardened now to all that this countries’ sh***y weather can throw at her!

Travel to West Devon and a Trip to Totnes - 20th August ‘20

Moving day and the weather has perked up a bit. Still very windy but sunny spells today.

We stripped down Brunnehilda and said good bye to The Old Orchard at about 11am. Pros and cons of the site listed below.

The 3 hour trip down the M5 was fairly incident free except for .... I left the bloody skylight open again! Luckily a nice couple flagged us down just before we got onto the motorway to let us know.

A quick stop at Taunton Dene services and we were pulling onto the Smallcombe Farm CL site at West Brent, just outside Totnes. Being Devon, we had the obligatory final couple of miles of single track road with sparse passing spaces!

We have a fabulous view looking over Dartmoor but the owner has already asked us if we mind moving tomorrow to another pitch. Not ever so thrilled but said yes. Seems a nice site - even has a shower and wc, which is unusual for a CL.

After a quick cup of tea soaking up the view, we headed across the country lanes to Totnes. It’s only 5 miles away but takes nearly 30 minutes - a Devon mile is worth about 5 normal miles!

I like Totnes. It’s very “hippy” and “new age”, which makes it quite laid back and different. We ate at the Riverside Bistro. I had a smashing fish pie and, unsurprisingly, COVID restrictions were modest and not OTT and bordering on paranoia like some places.

We had a walk through the town before filling up with fuel and returning to Brunnehilda as it was getting dark.

We’re both tired tonight. We were up at 2am last night putting down Izzy. The wind really picked up and Izzy was tugging away all evening - by 2am, we thought it best to take her down. Problem is, after that, we were wide awake! So  some chocolate and a read before back to sleep. 

However, we did manage a cup of tea and a rendezvous with the Baltimore PD before turning in. The wind is getting up again but tonight, no Izzy and we are pitched front on against the wind, so we are fairly stable and should be in for a restful night!?

The Old Orchard, Ombersley:

Pros:

1) Great views across the fields

2) Close to Ombersley which is great for eating out

3) The pitches are huge / lots of space between you and your neighbour

4) Very clean 

5) All pitches have private water supply - ironically, except ours

6) Very “hands off” and laid back owner - Dawn

7) At £14 a night, great VFM

8) Close to main road but very quiet and peaceful 

9) Fabulous for dog walking 

Cons:

1) No toilet and shower 

2) Quite exposed to wind at top of a hill

It remains one of our favourites, if not our most favourite CL site. We’ll be back!

The 5 Rules for Rainy Days in Caravans - 19th August ‘20

It started at 5 am and it stopped at 5pm. At that stage the rain gave way to the cold and grey ... welcome to Worcestershire in the middle of August. To cap it all, the forecasters are now saying we have another transatlantic storm due to hit the South West in the next few days, so the wet is gone  to be joined by the wind.

I genuinely do believe that Brunnehilda is jinxed! At least the boys are not on board so a day of rain can at least be salvaged - and that’s what we tried to do. 

 

Ok, so today’s blog is going to be educational - now there’s a first! There are 5 rules for surviving a rainy day in a caravan and I’m going to tell you what they are. Listen up ...

The first and most important rule of dealing with rainy summer days in a caravan is - don’t get up to early! That was an easy rule to follow - tea in bed saw us stretching get out of bed time until nearly 11! A bit of breakfast - inside obviously - and ablutions and you’re already well into the afternoon!

The second rule is go somewhere in the car. You can’t get wet in a car and who knows, the rain may stop by the time you get somewhere? It didn’t! In fact, by the time we got to Waitrose car park at Great Malvern it was coming down in bucket loads! A bit of shopping and a bit of a mouch around. Found out that HSBC shuts at 2pm still everyday because of COVID - scandalous! Found a nice little cafe (Lyttleton Well) - a little over zealous on the COVID stuff but unlike many it didn’t get in the way of a good coffee and agreeable egg roll - and all at EatOutToHelpOut prices as well. Found a nice shop to browse, Rhubarb Home, and spent some money on a desk mirror and beer can opener!

This brings me onto the third rule of surviving a day of constant rain - go spend some money. After Malvern we headed for a local caravan accessory shop. We just needed some toilet fluid but we just knew, given the weather and the size of Caravan Stuff For You’s showroom, it wouldn’t end there! 2 Isabella chairs, an awning cupboard and £120 later we were cleansed!

The fourth rule isn’t really weather dependent - eat!

So we headed back to The Crown and Handys at Ombersley to get Kim her pannacotta. As yesterday, the rest of the meal was excellent as well and all with the £10 off per person as well! Result.

We got back to Brunnehilda determined to get a bit of outside air before bedtime. In the end the moths forced us back in. To be fair they were only a few minutes ahead of the rain returning!

And so to the fifth rule - TV and appliances can’t change the weather but they certainly can take your mind off it! So we transported ourself to 2005 Baltimore drug gang violence of The Wire - oddly feeling jealous of their violent and painful lives because at least the sun was shining on them!!

Lying in bed writing the blog and guess what - it’s raining again? I’ve decided, not only do I want every Brexit voting person to personally apologise to me, I now also want anyone who wished for rain during the recent short heatwave to stand outside Brunnehilda this evening and give themselves a good soaking! Enjoying the rain now eh??

Onto Worcester (and back again) - 16th & 18th Aug ‘20

Horrible Weather, Nice Day - 15th Aug ‘20

The forecast changed overnight and said it would now be grey, overcast and quite cold until evening and then it would rain non-stop for a few days. This was pretty accurate apart from the 30 mins the heavens opened at about 1.58pm. I know it was 1.58 as it was exactly 5 minutes after we had all clambered on board a kayak on the river Wye.

The weather couldn’t spoil a nice day though - although I’ll give it an A* for effort! It started with another morning of impressive choreographed movements as the 5 of us negotiated getting up , getting ready and breakfasting in a small 3 berth caravan. We did eat breakfast outside again - albeit today Charlie had a quilt wrapped around him to keep warm! 

We thought we would try the kayak hire at Symonds Yat again. This time we made sure Charlie had so much food and drink inside him it would be biologically impossible for him to want more as soon as we arrived - it worked! As mentioned above we were on the water 5 mins before we got an absolute soaking. It was still fun but our freezing cold wet clothes took the edge of it. Ironically the water was much warmer than we were - it was tempting to dive in to get warmer - we couldn’t have got any wetter. I’ve got to say, I wouldn’t want to be relying on any of my fellow paddlers if ever we needed to get somewhere quickly!

Straight home to Brunnehilda to dry off. The boys watched another DVD while Kim and I read and chilaxed for an hour. We’ve just bought the 6th DVD of the 3 day trip tonight but, given the appalling weather, they have been a godsend.

We promised the boys a bit of fishing so we went the mile along our road to the footpath bridge that allowed us access to the water. This was the same spot I swam 2 days earlier. Amazingly it was almost unrecognisable as the water level had risen at least 6 inches - probably nearer a foot.

The fishing was successful with a bucket load of tiddlers caught in 30 mins or so. Finners had a few more in his wellies  too!? A few rounds of poo sticks on the bridge on the way back to the car and we were ready to head out for food.

We decided to go to Hereford - the nearest “big” place, about 18 miles away. After a wander around and being turned away from 2 places - no room at the inn apparently although we looked and smelt like 5 people who hadn’t had a shower for some time - we eventually stumbled on a Wagamama. A safe choice whenever you’re out and about in a strange city!

On our walk round, Hereford cathedral looked very impressive and of course it houses the famous Mappa Mundi - definitely worth a look. Note to self to go back one day - when it’s open!

Back home to Brunnehilda via a huge Asda - diesel, toys, chocolate bread and yet another DVD later, we were back on the road!

DVD, tea and reading was the repeat order for our last evening with the boys in Brunnehilda. We have Finners joining us in bed tonight which, after the horrors of Harry “horizontal sleeper” MacArthur last night, I’m quite looking forward to just the odd kicking rather than a contestant physical assault. Moving day tomorrow do I don’t expect I’ll get much sleep anyway?

And Then The Rain Came - 13th & 14th Aug ‘20

No blog for a couple of days. To be honest, I couldn’t be arsed and if you don’t feel like blogging it’s just best not to! Feeling sorry for myself is not one of my more appealing traits - in fact my box for appealing traits is particularly small - but my mood is often linked to meteorological events and my goodness that has changed quite dramatically in the last few days.

I thought I owed it to my audience to start blogging again. Just checked the readership figures and I’m sure they will both be glad to see Travelswithbrunnhilda back up and running!

13th August

One hell of a storm last night. It started about 10pm and went on for about 3 or 4 hours. A thunderstorm in a caravan is a mind blowing experience (and goodness we’ve witnessed our fair share over the last 12 months!). The sound of the rain is amplified so much that you literally can’t hear yourself speak. Every thunder clap sounds right on top of you and the lightening seems to shine through every window!

We were picking up the boys today - meeting Laura half way at a place called Lickey Hills Country Park bear Bromsgrove.

We went via Ledbury for a quick shop (with the shops open this time!) and a bite to eat. We battled through the rain storms and found Cameron & Swan cafe - it was OK although I probably picked wrong with fish cakes and the tea was a little too strong for me. Have to say though, their level of COVID avoidance measures were impressive! 

Lickey Hills was really nice. We gave the dog and boys a good run! The rain had stopped by now so the boys even had a go on the playground. The toilets were shut though so Kim had, and took, the opportunity to embarrass Laura as she desperately tried to find a “quiet” spot! I’m sure Kim didn’t need to explain why Laura was acting a bit dodgy but she did - to several bewildered passer bys!

Home to Brunnehilda via Morrison’s (DVDs) and KFC (chicken). All safely in bed before the storms came again.

14th August

This time the thunderstorms came in the middle of the night. They didn’t last as long as the previous night but they were just as intense!

And the storm left us with a drizzly morning - in fact the rain / drizzle didn’t really abate until 4pm.

After breakfast under the protection of Izzy, we headed out to Symonds Yat. We had a quick look around and assessed the situation - we could eat or we could go on the water - either hire a kayak or a boat trip. The boys all fancied the kayak but then Charlie piped up ... he wanted something to eat (chips in particular). He is so like his mother - we would get the whole family into a Disney Park paying just shy of £1K for the pleasure and as soon as we walked through the gates (and I mean as soon as walked through the gates) she would want to get something to eat and drink - with acres of paid for fun at our disposal and the clock ticking down, she would insist on spending even more money!

So, at the will of my grandson’s stomach we trudged off in the rain to find somewhere to eat. One pub was full the other wasn’t! Now that in itself should have told us something!? I don’t want to be too critical of the Royal Lodge but I would say that once again, excellence in COVID avoidance measures was far more impressive than their ability to cook and serve food! And it took so long ...

By the time we got back to the kayaks they had shut early - they were worried about the rapidly rising river level. Ah well, at least Charlie had his chips- well to be fair, 1/3rd of a plate of them!

So, with Grandad’s wallet burning a hole in his pocket, we set off to the Toy Shop at Ross. The Wye’s loss was the toy shop’s gain as we stocked up with toys, books and more DVDs (at Morrisons).

The rain had stopped by now so we did get a pleasant short river walk in and a quick romp in the play ground. The boys threw some stones into the Wye but there was a family of swans menacingly watching us at rather close quarters for most of the time!

Back to Brunnehilda for a BBQ. The boys enjoyed playing with their £1 paper planes as we spent a pleasant evening under Izzy. Kim taught Charlie to play Jacks and the Twinnies helped me pick some blackberries to go with the ice cream. When I say “helped”, that consisted of them screaming at the top of their voices if they heard anything like a car approaching.

And so to bed. The forecast is pretty bad for tomorrow as well so ....

A Lazy Day down by the River Wye - 12th Aug ‘20

Ok, so I got the weather forecast wrong! It was another scorching hot sunny day today. However, as I sit writing this blog at 11pm at night there is a mighty thunderstorm raging outside - the weather has definitely broken now!

A lot of repeat stuff from yesterday. Pretty boring for you the reader but as yesterday was such a nice day ... more of the same for us!

Started with a lazy cup of tea in bed, an omelette al fresco for brunch and a read in the sun watching the river go by! We headed off for a walk- in the other direction this time - at about 1.30. Pretty much the hottest part of this very hot day!

We walked along the river bank - more fabulous views and then did a 90 degree right turn up a footpath to How Caple Church in the grounds of a big Manor House - How Caple Court. 

We had a look around - it was a beautiful little church - and then we chilled on a bench in the churchyard taking in the impressive vistas.

The walk down the hill was a lot easier than the walk up it! We got back to Brunnehilda in time for a bit of tunch and a vast quantity of drinks - beer, coke, water and tea. And some ice cream with a load of blackberries I had picked on the walk. S’funny when we’re out with Brunnehilda we eat a lot of brunch and trunch and not much breakfast, lunch and tea!

By 5pm I was gagging for a swim. The faint noise of thunder in the distance gave us the motivation to get moving. We drove about 1/2 mile along the road to a footpath bridge over the river. Here you could get down to river easily enough to have a paddle / swim. There was another family there already paddling and a couple taking their 6 (yes six!) spaniels for a swim. The water temperature was amazing. It was only about 2 feet deep even in the middle of the river. The current was scarily strong. It was very hard to swim against and answered our questions why we had only seen canoes and swimmers going down river and never up! I took a bottle of shampoo with me and washed my hair - that was a first for me. Not washing my hair - washing my hair in a river!

Once cooled down and refreshed, we headed into Ross for a bite to eat. First stop - hotel / pub fully booked. Nice chap recommended a pub down the road - not doing food. Nice chap recommended an Italian down the High Street - we got in.

And very nice Avellino was too. Real Italian staff (I think!) and lovely  pasta. Kim and I had pretty much the same except mine came with fish and her’s didn’t! When we came out it had just started to rain and the sky was turning black.

We fancied a drive so we went the 15 miles to Ledbury. It’s a lovely little old wool market town with typical Herefordian black and white Tudor buildings. We had a quick window shop - the best type of shopping to do IMO and then headed home.

Two episodes tonight of The Wire and then to bed to listen to the thunder and rain. The thing about a thunderstorm in a caravan is - there ain’t no one gunna get any sleep until it moves  on ...