Tuesday, June 28, 2005
Fleet Review 2005
It’s the Fleet Review in the Solent this Tuesday so I decided to do my own review before the queen did hers. I travelled over on Monday on my motorbike so parking wasn’t a problem. As it happened there were plenty of parking spaces, tomorrow will be a different matter.
Most of the warships were in place with a few still arriving. There were loads of people around getting a preview of the fleet. The fleet is spread out in the Solent near to Stokes Bay, which is just around the corner from Portsmouth.
The air space was quite busy with lots of helicopters; I might have been on Sky News because their helicopter went by albeit along way away.
On the water security was high with lots of Marine Patrols, coastguard, harbour pilots etc. I don’t think I would have been allowed out in my rubber dinghy.
Most of the warships were in place with a few still arriving. There were loads of people around getting a preview of the fleet. The fleet is spread out in the Solent near to Stokes Bay, which is just around the corner from Portsmouth.
The air space was quite busy with lots of helicopters; I might have been on Sky News because their helicopter went by albeit along way away.
On the water security was high with lots of Marine Patrols, coastguard, harbour pilots etc. I don’t think I would have been allowed out in my rubber dinghy.
Monday, June 20, 2005
A Great Day Out - Hurst Castle
July 17th was a day out for us. Going to places at the weekend round here can be difficult with all the attractions and the beaches. As it happened we made the correct decision because the weather was exceptional.
En route to Hurst Castle we did a couple of geocaches which were nice and easy.
To get to the castle involves a 1.5 mile walk along a shingle bank or a boat trip. We opted for the boat trip. The castle is in the Solent and it is closer to the Isle of Wight than the mainland (I think). The return boat trip for one is £4 whereas the trip to the IOW is at least £9 a rip off.
The castle was built by Henry VIII in 1541 - 44. Then it was quite a small affair, but over the years it has been added to match the improvements in weaponary. The castle has loads of rooms and alcoves to investigate so the walk around took about 2 hours. If you want to read every info board and explore more thoroughly then give yourself 4 hours.
The round the Isle of Wight boat race was on whilst we there so we had a grandstand view. Talking of grandstands Wimbledon starts today.
En route to Hurst Castle we did a couple of geocaches which were nice and easy.
To get to the castle involves a 1.5 mile walk along a shingle bank or a boat trip. We opted for the boat trip. The castle is in the Solent and it is closer to the Isle of Wight than the mainland (I think). The return boat trip for one is £4 whereas the trip to the IOW is at least £9 a rip off.
The castle was built by Henry VIII in 1541 - 44. Then it was quite a small affair, but over the years it has been added to match the improvements in weaponary. The castle has loads of rooms and alcoves to investigate so the walk around took about 2 hours. If you want to read every info board and explore more thoroughly then give yourself 4 hours.
The round the Isle of Wight boat race was on whilst we there so we had a grandstand view. Talking of grandstands Wimbledon starts today.
Saturday, June 11, 2005
Blackwall Plantation
After Sherwood Forest we moved the caravan to Blackwall Plantation Caravan Club site, which is by Carsington Water. The caravan site was alive with people and kids; it was half term. A couple of days into the stay there was a power failure on our half of the site. We spent a couple of days without power and then decided to move to a site with power, a two-centre holiday without any extra cost!
Carsington Water is a newish reservoir; with a small island with sculptures hence the photo through the hole.
On one of the days we visited Jan and John Ackroyd. They kindly took us around for the day to show us the sights and made sure we were well fed and watered.
I had a few cycle rides, which are all well marked. Some of the trails are on old railway tracks and pass through some beautiful countryside.
We had a phone call (we actually had the mobile on!) from Phil Rylance to say that he would like to come across and see us. He motored across in his TR6 that had recently had a respray. He spent the morning with us and brought us up to date with all the news. It was lovely to see him.
Carsington Water is a newish reservoir; with a small island with sculptures hence the photo through the hole.
On one of the days we visited Jan and John Ackroyd. They kindly took us around for the day to show us the sights and made sure we were well fed and watered.
I had a few cycle rides, which are all well marked. Some of the trails are on old railway tracks and pass through some beautiful countryside.
We had a phone call (we actually had the mobile on!) from Phil Rylance to say that he would like to come across and see us. He motored across in his TR6 that had recently had a respray. He spent the morning with us and brought us up to date with all the news. It was lovely to see him.
A great day out!
Whilst at Sherwood Forest we travelled across to North Lincoln to see Sheila and Phil Nash. It was a nice sunny day so we visited the village of Nettleham, which was very picturesque. We had a lovely time with the Nashes and were well fed a watered during the day.
Jean Parton's surprise party
The Grand Tour started about 18 months ago when we were kindly invited to Jean Parton’s surprise 60th birthday party, by her daughter Bethan. This gave us the idea to do a tour and to visit a few people and places as well. Our second campsite was in Sherwood Forest, it was a very nice site, but became overrun by kids and campers on the bank holiday weekend.
On the Saturday we went to the party and Jean had a very large surprise that night. She had no idea what was about to happen and was quite overwhelmed, especially when she saw her son Daron who had flown in from New Zealand.
We met up with quite few old friends, which was great.
On the Saturday we went to the party and Jean had a very large surprise that night. She had no idea what was about to happen and was quite overwhelmed, especially when she saw her son Daron who had flown in from New Zealand.
We met up with quite few old friends, which was great.
The Grand Tour
On the 21st May we headed towards the Wordsworths, in Hemingford Abbots, with the caravan. The weather on the motorway was grotty and the demister on the car didn’t want to know. We had a very pleasant few days in and around Hemingford Abbots and Houghton Mill and were ably looked after by our friends.
Notable events were the hatching of the cygnets at Houghton Mill and also a visit around the mill itself while it was working. Even the ladies had a go at grinding the corn and David managed to repair one of the exhibits. Needless to say we had lots of coffee stops and on a couple of occasions I went off to do a geocache, which wasn’t too far away. I managed to do quite a few geocaches (most of which were David and Carols) by bike so I was out there in the early mornings scouring the countryside.
On another day we visited Wimpole Hall, which is very impressive, D&C are now the proud owners of National Trust cards so they have to be used. In one week this year we have managed to recoup our costs.
Notable events were the hatching of the cygnets at Houghton Mill and also a visit around the mill itself while it was working. Even the ladies had a go at grinding the corn and David managed to repair one of the exhibits. Needless to say we had lots of coffee stops and on a couple of occasions I went off to do a geocache, which wasn’t too far away. I managed to do quite a few geocaches (most of which were David and Carols) by bike so I was out there in the early mornings scouring the countryside.
On another day we visited Wimpole Hall, which is very impressive, D&C are now the proud owners of National Trust cards so they have to be used. In one week this year we have managed to recoup our costs.
