Fimber, Sledmere House & Home - 1st October ‘21

The rain woke me up this morning but I waited it out and was walking the dog by 8pm.

A quick “pack up” and off to Fodder next door for their 9 am opening. 

Given the vegetarian breakfast was a big favourite last time, it was very disappointing. Over cooked poached eggs and they had changed the way they prepared the mushrooms - all very average.

I was on the road to Fimber by 9.45 after filling up (no waiting!) with some very cheap Sainos petrol. There is something not making sense about this fuel crisis - zero problems up here and then empty motorway fuel stations as I travelled further south? Never mind this will all be forgotten by the 70 plus demographic when they vote good all Bojo back in again - amazing!

It was great to see and catch up with brother in law. Ray lost his wife (my sister Jenny) nearly 2 years ago, so it was so helpful to hear his experiences and advice first hand. We had a cuppa in the paddock as the collies got to know each other.

Then after a bit of expert caravan reversing (helped by Ray’s instruction) I negotiated a very tricky manoeuvre so Brunnehilda was out the way and ready to go later. We packed the dogs in Ray’s van and headed out to the beautiful Sledmere House, about 10 minutes drive away.

We walked Tilly and 2 of Ray’s dogs around the magnificently kept gardens and grounds before eating a very pleasant lunch outside a very busy cafe on site. The Whitby scampi and chips was very acceptable!

Back to Fimber and another cup of coffee sitting in the sun with the dogs. I was on the road heading south at about 3.15pm. I stopped at one of the many fuel less service stations half way home. Rather annoyingly, they didn’t have very good caravan lanes and I managed to scrape Brunnehilda’s left hand side through a bush! Doesn’t seem to be too much damage though - phew!

I arrived back at Welton Fields Farm at about 7. By the time I’d tucked Brunnehilda up it was very dark!

The idea of this trip was to determine if I’m going to stick with Brunnehilda. The truth is, I’m still not sure. There is no doubt it had been a better trip this time. The dog was a huge help and not knowing the area and the subsequent Kim based memories made things easier. But, Brunnehilda and Kim will forever be connected. As those memories change and make me smile rather than make me sad (and cross and full of self pity) then it will no doubt get even easier. I think?

One good sign though - as I drove up the farm drive leaving Brunnehilda in my rear view mirrors, I had a sudden feeling of looking forward to the next time! 

Onto Harrogate - 30th September ‘21

No breakfast today just straight out the van at 8.30 to take Tilly for her last beach walk of the week. It had been raining for a couple of hours but cleared up just in time for the walk. We went to the beach we went to on Monday night and walked half on the beach and half on the coastal footpath in the dunes towards Dunstanburgh Castle. Very cold this morning so it was all very “bracing”. Nice though. It looks a lovely Links golf course - I haven’t played for a decade or two but almost made me want to pick up the clubs again!

Then onto buy some Kippers at Craster. I think I was first in the shop at 9.30. They’re nice but not a patch on the ones we got in Wetherby last year! Back to Brunnehilda by 9.45 to start the pack up routine.

I was driving out the site by 10.30 and had a good run - with no stops - down the A1 to Harrogate arriving just before 1.30pm. The site is positioned at the edge of the Yorkshire Showground and right next to a very nice farm shop / cafe called Fodder. Kim was a huge fan.

Another bad patch today. People say I’m brave but I don’t know how to handle this other than to face it! Today’s “down” period lasted longer than recent ones. I was ok this morning - being busy getting the van ready helps - but going to Harrogate hit my quite hard. Kim and I have been here twice before. I was talking the dog for a walk around the very pleasant park at the back of the site. I had done this walk lots of times before on my own but I was then going back to Kim still in bed with her cup of tea or Kim cooking breakfast or Kim getting washed and ready to go out - probably to Fodder next door to eat! I couldn’t get these things out of my head as I headed back to an empty Brunnehilda. I walked through the site with every caravan and camper van there with an old or middle aged couple settling down for the evening. A bout of the annoying “poor me” syndrome was with me for a bit. I had a shower to try and perk myself up and headed off to meet my old buddy Graham for a beer and a night out. That should snap me out of it!

And it did. A very pleasant evening - a couple of beers then a nice meal at a place called Tannin Level. By the time I climbed into a cab, we had spent 4 hours putting the world to rights. I’ve known Graham for 40 years so as you would expect, there was a lot of recollecting to do. The problem is, the older we get, the less we can remember!

A couple of episodes of The Wire and then, before I went to bed I had to make myself some soup. I had had one of the Kippers as a snack when I arrived mid afternoon and I could still taste it and smell it. I really needed some chocolate but the fridge is bare so tomato soup had to do the job!

The regular readers may have noticed - I certainly have - that these blogs are getting longer. Not necessarily more quality but certainly a lot more quantity. The reason, and here’s a continuation of a theme, is me being selfish. I find it quite therapeutic to be thinking about the blog during the day - what I’m going to write / have I got a picture? In the absence of someone to discuss things with during the day this gives me a useful alternative narrative going on in my head. Works for me but unfortunately just more drivel for you to read!

Early start in the morning but before I sign off here are the scores on the doors for Embleton Bay Caravan CL Site:

Pros:

1) Great position. You could walk to beach but lots of stuff just a 5 minute drive away.

2) Private water supply and nice spacey pitches.

3) Quiet. No owners around so if you want no one to bother you that worked well.

4) Ok 4G.

5) Friendly fellow campers  on site and locals in village pub.

Cons:

1) £20 is quite expensive for no facilities.

2) Having to open and shut the gate to get in was a little annoying - especially on your own!