tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26634831069033733012024-03-12T20:21:28.911-07:00The PuckNickBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03091192203574547162noreply@blogger.comBlogger21125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2663483106903373301.post-66710050085249466392012-03-31T10:05:00.002-07:002012-03-31T10:12:00.675-07:00Brighton, March 2012<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbJbaO6y-3sawBYvur19VS8QfD5MbWR-RxWbylyT9CrpHudDPywJPjJ71Lq1MGUB3V1LgLK2uyGGMHbhMeVXV39xZXGrJH_EFGggZG1EwAeH_qw4Y8blzKgeCfQXJSnX2h2XdO72NQImVPVUw/s1600/GTcafe.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbJbaO6y-3sawBYvur19VS8QfD5MbWR-RxWbylyT9CrpHudDPywJPjJ71Lq1MGUB3V1LgLK2uyGGMHbhMeVXV39xZXGrJH_EFGggZG1EwAeH_qw4Y8blzKgeCfQXJSnX2h2XdO72NQImVPVUw/s200/GTcafe.jpg" width="173" /></a>A new camping year and we managed to catch the sunny days of the month.<br />
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The usual arrangements, taking marinating chicken to bbq and then a curry on the second night.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHhyvI744iLE29hqxfKS0NeD_Gz-WwRhY43CpVi4bpjhDfk-yKgPMwRmV4f6B_haJROgLJHTD2qm0GEmXdODXNmbHAupMwwZQ_E98IDCnsVJnMpom0sN8ZUFE1A1p4CDypWK35n1PziZTqZBA/s1600/PuckMar12.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="165" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHhyvI744iLE29hqxfKS0NeD_Gz-WwRhY43CpVi4bpjhDfk-yKgPMwRmV4f6B_haJROgLJHTD2qm0GEmXdODXNmbHAupMwwZQ_E98IDCnsVJnMpom0sN8ZUFE1A1p4CDypWK35n1PziZTqZBA/s200/PuckMar12.jpg" width="200" /></a>An excellent potter on the Bromptons, taking in creditable beers at the Wetherspoons and, on the second day, a bracing game of golf (pitch and putt).<br />
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A caravan storage service was advertising at the site so the Puck now lives near Lewes and we don't have to heave it onto our front 'garden'.<br />
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The photographs are GT à cafe and camping by moonlight. I'm not sure why the first is shaky, but the latter is a 4-second exposure with fill in flash for the foreground. I usually keep a tripod in the boot but, unfortunately, not this time. A beautiful moon, the main reason for the snap, becomes a smudge.<br />
<br />NickBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03091192203574547162noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2663483106903373301.post-39710094217542822112011-08-05T11:35:00.000-07:002011-08-07T01:06:19.441-07:00Brighton, July 2011<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Photos and links to follow</span><br />
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<div style="font: 12.0px Cambria; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">Brighton, 26</span><span style="font: normal normal normal 8px/normal Cambria; letter-spacing: 0px;"><sup>th</sup></span><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">-28</span><span style="font: normal normal normal 8px/normal Cambria; letter-spacing: 0px;"><sup>th</sup></span><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"> July 2011</span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Cambria; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Cambria; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">The motivation for the visit (apart from the inherent pleasure of visiting our past and future home town of Brighton) was to attend a <a href="http://supercollider.sourceforge.net/">SuperCollider</a> course at <a href="tp://www.brighton.ac.uk/prospective/shortcourses.php">Brighton University</a>. Unfortunately, the course was cancelled due to insufficient takeup, but as the weather forecast was reasonable, we went anyway.</span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Cambria; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Cambria; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Minor changes to the arrangements at home made deploying the Puck easier: firstly, in addition to the advantage of experience, I have applied some cement to the edge of the parking space to smooth the passage. Secondly, we have adopted a policy of emptying out the contents before moving it – particularly the awning poles, the weight of which must be a significant proportion of that of the van itself.</span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Cambria; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Cambria; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">This was the first real chance to use the <a href="http://www.brompton.co.uk/">Bromptons</a> and they are brilliant. We are still getting used to the folding and unfolding (there was that embarrassing question to the eBay vendor when we thought that the front fork of the red one was assembled backwards). There are three key principles:</span></span></div><ul><li style="font: 12.0px Cambria; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Symbol; letter-spacing: 0px;"></span><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">The order for unfolding is <b>rear wheel, front wheel, saddle, handlebars</b> – reverse it for folding</span></span></li>
<li style="font: 12.0px Cambria; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Symbol; letter-spacing: 0px;"></span><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">When folding the front wheel, keep it facing forwards</span></span></li>
<li style="font: 12.0px Cambria; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Symbol; letter-spacing: 0px;"></span><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">The saddle locks the folded front wheel in place, so, when unfolding, raise the saddle first.</span></span></li>
</ul><div style="font: 12.0px Cambria; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">The quality of the bikes, combined with Brighton’s excellent provisions for bikers has resulted in a super time. It used to be a real slog getting into town from the camp site on foot, or even walking to the bus stop, but now, pedalling along the front is a joy (with the additional options of shopping at the Marina Asda and taking a beer at the <a href="http://www.jdwetherspoon.co.uk/home/pubs/the-west-quay">Marina Wetherspoons</a>).</span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Cambria; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Cambria; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">We have found our favourite pitch at <a href="http://www.caravanclub.co.uk/caravanclubapps/applications/uk%20sites/Site%20Details.aspx?csid=21975">Sheepcoate</a> (113 for future reference), as secluded as it gets here (we first visited in Gerald the Camper in the first year they opened, before any of the inter-pitch foliage had a chance to grow – there are photographs somewhere) but with good access to the facilities.</span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Cambria; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Cambria; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">The only sand in the holiday’s vaseline is the fridge not working, a fact that we did not realise until the morning of Day 2. Reading the instructions, the likely culprits are a blown fuse or the caravan not level. I bought a set of fuses in Brighton’s 99p shop, but fiddling with the corner steadies to level the floor did the trick. A lesson learned - I thought it was only in gas mode (which we don’t use) that this matters, but that is clearly not the case.</span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Cambria; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Cambria; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Anyway, events have been:</span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Cambria; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Cambria; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Day 1</span></b></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Cambria; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Cycle to town for a potter; back via the Marina Wetherspoons and Asda; walked up and up and up the hill to the racecourse, pausing at a children’s cricket match; bbq chicken (brought with us en marinade) and salad.</span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Cambria; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Cambria; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Day 2</span></b></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Cambria; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Cooked breakfast, including Asda chicken burgers instead of sausages: excellent portions as the fridge had become a warm cupboard.</span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Cambria; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br />
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Cycled to town where Jan met two old neighbours for lunch while I pottered further - an unsuccessful search for a small amount of paraffin for the lamp rescued at the last moment from the Oxfam bag</span></span><br />
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Then to ? church for some snaps </span></span><br />
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">And to the library which does not provide internet access for non-members.</span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Cambria; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br />
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Reassignated at the library and cycled around town towards Hove (a likely downsizing destination) then back all along the front, again via Wethers and Asda.</span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Cambria; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Tonight a chicken curry is planned.</span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Cambria; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Cambria; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Day 3</span></b></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Cambria; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">A reasonably early rise and a simple breakfast (no cooking = little washing) and back in time to go to the gym.</span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Cambria; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><br />
</div><div style="font: 12.0px Cambria; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Cambria; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">The Asda <£5 toaster is an excellent thing - we had a strange gas-driven toaster left over from Gerald, but it was primarily a novelty item and I would rather make toast efficiently with the site’s electricity than at length and imperfectly with my gas.</span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Cambria; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Cambria; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">The cheap Asda wok, on the other hand is rubbish. I’ll get a small John Lewis model before we camp again.</span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Cambria; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Cambria; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Avoiding the excessively expensive French wooden spatula was wise - the John Lewis 3 tools for £2 was a good deal and Wilko’s 28p model would have been even better. France is remarkably expensive these days.</span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Cambria; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Cambria; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">I lost the boules, forfeited by losing the little wooden dobble in the foliage during the third set, but we played on anyway with a golf-ball dobble and the loss was reinforced, 11-13; 13-8; 8-14.</span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Cambria; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 18.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Cambria; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 18.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></div>NickBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03091192203574547162noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2663483106903373301.post-67315251017681455682011-07-22T14:08:00.000-07:002011-07-22T14:08:51.728-07:00Another cancellationCancelled Nottingham again because of the weather. Provisionally rebooked for September.<br />
Regarding Brighton, the <a href="http://www.audiosynth.com/">course </a>which motivated the visit has been cancelled due to insufficient takeup. We'll go if the weather looks good.<br />
And we've bought an Asda £5 toaster.NickBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03091192203574547162noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2663483106903373301.post-91957555657162532532011-07-10T09:46:00.001-07:002011-07-10T11:56:50.309-07:00Day 1 (3rd July)<div><div class="MsoNormal"></div><div class="MsoNormal">Original full tank @£1.287 from Asda</div><div class="MsoNormal"></div><div class="MsoNormal"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic7qindSXTGgZijQj3CvDcE8luCaDlCJd75I1mrcukxjjkv1lmpk9_6xmu4DyP-aWIPDMPX4Dqbe8V8V1tXA91-CmkiySnOLUejIRi-f9ZL9ffkCS1O23mcwCnklRPKpcJTos8Omoqk8esqhI/s1600/Rookesbury.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="146" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic7qindSXTGgZijQj3CvDcE8luCaDlCJd75I1mrcukxjjkv1lmpk9_6xmu4DyP-aWIPDMPX4Dqbe8V8V1tXA91-CmkiySnOLUejIRi-f9ZL9ffkCS1O23mcwCnklRPKpcJTos8Omoqk8esqhI/s200/Rookesbury.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>103 miles to the Rookesbury campsite, an extra 35 to pick up the 2nd bike in <span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1310316365_0" style="border-bottom: 2px dotted rgb(54, 99, 136); cursor: pointer;">Lymington</span>. We passed a broken-down Eriba (possibly a Puck) on the way and felt a bit guilty for not stopping. A break at Lyndhurst on the way for additional bread and cheese supplies. The new Garmin satnav is hopeless and we'll be seeking a refund from Amazon when we get back, meantime, we're back to the old, fat but reliable TomTom Go500. The 2nd Brompton looks to be in good condition for a 15yo bike. Two excellent pints of 49er in <a href="http://www.beerintheevening.com/pubs/s/37/3730/Borough_Arms/Lymington">The Borough Arms</a> while waiting for the vendor to arrive. </div><div class="MsoNormal"></div><div class="MsoNormal">Pre-marinated BBQ chicken and salad: on a preliminary washing-up foray, met a lady with a wonderfully small and secure bottle of washing-up liquid: she's had it so long that she cannot recall where she got it, but it's so useful that she keeps refilling it: we're still using a 10yo bottle of vasile rescued from the camper and which had leaked copiously in the van since our last outing</div><div class="MsoNormal"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY2zGQjK6QxmyvkaT_JvwvDrTzf57g6SEduy-KYa24qxaKdIaz2mm0vhE3WsWGmLMwcibvMwkDn-farZudhOLmp12x2jT-Rkm6I1PDPQOLIuzn2jczZkVM1ewx2W9vxBXLGjtS2a_Pb5fk148/s1600/Pentax.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="140" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY2zGQjK6QxmyvkaT_JvwvDrTzf57g6SEduy-KYa24qxaKdIaz2mm0vhE3WsWGmLMwcibvMwkDn-farZudhOLmp12x2jT-Rkm6I1PDPQOLIuzn2jczZkVM1ewx2W9vxBXLGjtS2a_Pb5fk148/s200/Pentax.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>I’m travelling with a new small camera, a Pentax Optio LS1100: remarkably cheap and effective and the only downside is a flimsy battery compartment cover. Forgot to get a toaster, but the van is filling up and we must beware of filling it with kelterment.<br />
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</div><div class="MsoNormal">We found the French Connectors inherited from Gerald, one wired each way to be used in conjunction with a £6.99 B&Q circuit tester (bought after rejecting a superficially identical £19.98) model from the normally pound-efficient nearby electrical trade supplier.</div></div>NickBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03091192203574547162noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2663483106903373301.post-31889734981787181282011-07-10T09:45:00.002-07:002011-07-11T12:12:11.110-07:00Day 2 (4th July)<div><div class="MsoNormal"></div><div class="MsoNormal"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBPcGLwCW_1Y8wBz0XX-WJhzFNxCS1E52csE8rtgOOfS91P2I8BG8kC_3yvJLCHUxAPgLLrkqPan2kaBApIiBNHhWoPaEKEXAj-u_BUTPqfp0caQNyCnqD3BfElhAxKXl9dK0LlSWw0sJNBlc/s1600/LeHavre.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBPcGLwCW_1Y8wBz0XX-WJhzFNxCS1E52csE8rtgOOfS91P2I8BG8kC_3yvJLCHUxAPgLLrkqPan2kaBApIiBNHhWoPaEKEXAj-u_BUTPqfp0caQNyCnqD3BfElhAxKXl9dK0LlSWw0sJNBlc/s200/LeHavre.jpg" width="173" /></a></div>Alarm at 5, bunny count of three as I emerged for a fox's breakfast. The real breakfast was tins of breakfast compote and prunes with lashings of yoghurt.</div><div class="MsoNormal">Departure at 6.15 after a smart hookup (note above on benefits of weight reduction), but something is squeaking. The <span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1310316196_0" style="border-bottom: 2px dotted rgb(54, 99, 136); cursor: pointer;">Norman</span> Arrow is a new (to me) boxy design of ferry, a multiple- storey car park with a barn and cafe on top, nevertheless, comfortable and efficient.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCT-SlBlTcsRyxZXDumkiEzusFg0rJ-hq9XP1B4HPcl7dwBF3AeebKJ0KBzFPFM4G9Bgf8PmVXN8uqUHbTBB_mmK5_0_r-pIsrvkT7C2aLS-uSvQFk9rp7sHCF5641VIDiEPTTUPSD3wUvqGw/s1600/Headlight.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCT-SlBlTcsRyxZXDumkiEzusFg0rJ-hq9XP1B4HPcl7dwBF3AeebKJ0KBzFPFM4G9Bgf8PmVXN8uqUHbTBB_mmK5_0_r-pIsrvkT7C2aLS-uSvQFk9rp7sHCF5641VIDiEPTTUPSD3wUvqGw/s200/Headlight.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>Our extensive and effective money-saving wheezes came to the fore with black masking tape borrowed from another chap in the ferry queue (£6.99 on headlight deflectors) [photo]; GB magnetic sticker found in the glove compartment (£3.49); cheese sarnies (£7) flask of coffee (£8.60). You can't spend it twice (unless you spend it on an income producing asset, which consumables are not). Also in the queue was a small vintage Saab convention. </div><div class="MsoNormal"> </div><div class="MsoNormal">The journey from <span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1310316196_1" style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% transparent; border-bottom: 2px dotted rgb(54, 99, 136); cursor: pointer;">Le Havre</span> to Chateau de Lez-Eaux was relatively pleasant and stress-free with the old satnav, but the poor old thing became rather perturbed towards the end when we followed Caravan Club directions rather than Tom’s. We were pleased to learn that because Gerald the caravan is so small we were only charged Class 1 tolls – around €3.10, €1 and €5.70 all the way.</div><div class="MsoNormal"></div><div class="MsoNormal"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCrbDo179rkmJef5RjoBIN4bqJBNY7g05zT5mq4zh3NcJ-DHaBgwTWI8kSS2fC-660Xlb76qb4Ka4WKAMUGeiKDi3F0Bqji3YgVy0UzASpEE2jlzLgLkl7AqAOloJs4w6WuNLd_-4rajreGeg/s1600/Foumagnac.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="157" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCrbDo179rkmJef5RjoBIN4bqJBNY7g05zT5mq4zh3NcJ-DHaBgwTWI8kSS2fC-660Xlb76qb4Ka4WKAMUGeiKDi3F0Bqji3YgVy0UzASpEE2jlzLgLkl7AqAOloJs4w6WuNLd_-4rajreGeg/s200/Foumagnac.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>We thought we knew the first campsite from earlier years with Gerald the VW, but I think we were mistaken. They had a band playing the first night we were there, <a href="http://www.youtube.com/user/Foumagnac"><i>Group Foumagnac</i></a>, "a mixture of popular and lively Celtic and Irish music": their setup and practice a few hundred yards away sounded just like being at Cambridge Folk and their performance was better than many bands we have seen at Cambridge.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdWJr_Jurbpt5cT4xenHxjzr43BWFq3YT0B6jQOBXUuSv6zEH3G2Z5V3R-Z38d-Yvjg7cOUX12rxHYYHbQG0Zc-bNPr4V517Mq-_Et18UjXYg6_7f38Vs375kkYjd5iUvH1VLfTg7IPgiuIxA/s1600/LesEaux.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdWJr_Jurbpt5cT4xenHxjzr43BWFq3YT0B6jQOBXUuSv6zEH3G2Z5V3R-Z38d-Yvjg7cOUX12rxHYYHbQG0Zc-bNPr4V517Mq-_Et18UjXYg6_7f38Vs375kkYjd5iUvH1VLfTg7IPgiuIxA/s200/LesEaux.jpg" width="150" /></a></div>The Bromptons have been taken out on a first mission and are relatively successful: just two problems – me getting used to the gears and, more importantly on the red one, picked up yesterday, seems to have been reassembled with the front fork in reverse, so it folds, but unconventionally.</div><div class="MsoNormal"></div><div class="MsoNormal">It was a pleasure to reacquaint myself with pâté de canard for lunch and it will be chicken curry tonight.</div><div class="MsoNormal"></div><div class="MsoNormal">I made the mistake of giving away one of our 907 Gaz bottles when we sold the camper, not realising that they cost £60 to replace – even on eBay they are remarkably expensive. The going rate in <span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1310316196_2" style="border-bottom: 2px dotted rgb(54, 99, 136); cursor: pointer;">France</span> is more like £45, so we’ll invest in another. Then:</div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst"><span style="font-family: Symbol;">· </span>We are very unlikely to run out of gas; and</div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast"><span style="font-family: Symbol;">· </span>I can run the Cadac and a burner simultaneously.</div></div>NickBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03091192203574547162noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2663483106903373301.post-25046689704804628162011-07-10T09:45:00.000-07:002011-07-11T12:13:42.269-07:00DAY 3 (5th July)<div>Excellent curry last night, <br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0cm;">Fry onion; add chicken thigh; later add chicken breast, garlic (real) and ginger (potted); seal the chicken then add curry paste to coat it; add a tin of chopped tomatoes and simmer for 30 mins; add garam at the end.</div><div class="MsoNormal"></div><div class="MsoNormal">The plan had been to visit <span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1310316196_0" style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% transparent; border-bottom: 2px dotted rgb(54, 99, 136); cursor: pointer;">Granville</span> today and <span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1310316196_1" style="border-bottom: 2px dotted rgb(54, 99, 136); cursor: pointer;">Avranches</span> tomorrow, but the site map shows the sea 4km away so it’s a walk this morning and probably just Granville tomorrow, unless the sea fails to detain us.</div><div class="MsoNormal"></div><div class="MsoNormal"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-bVkew1oO-ltZYlBHPSqv7MlzlVDwm3VVOOtdSKHZeSkKL1LTFpt8BZqKcMIJf5XMWRNTlNUxlMUtw2LDDuiqcMEg6z3Fw3-muFKvMOEoWN6PtK2lEPJq-XkuXxwzjEloV81Y-vmM5p_fB0M/s1600/Kairon1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-bVkew1oO-ltZYlBHPSqv7MlzlVDwm3VVOOtdSKHZeSkKL1LTFpt8BZqKcMIJf5XMWRNTlNUxlMUtw2LDDuiqcMEg6z3Fw3-muFKvMOEoWN6PtK2lEPJq-XkuXxwzjEloV81Y-vmM5p_fB0M/s200/Kairon1.jpg" width="131" /></a></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRO5ftsbev9mlulqD4QLXmL0H9V-kFcUfYBciUbeQyyUF-KyoQDEFIDPJcTi-JREKRfjvMCQjs05Wde49ooar3n3XjvOgCclb3Vb0G3AHrLl9xuPLjujnLHOAg1Q9iZkqDD77pVHfSPGSZpXA/s1600/Kairon2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRO5ftsbev9mlulqD4QLXmL0H9V-kFcUfYBciUbeQyyUF-KyoQDEFIDPJcTi-JREKRfjvMCQjs05Wde49ooar3n3XjvOgCclb3Vb0G3AHrLl9xuPLjujnLHOAg1Q9iZkqDD77pVHfSPGSZpXA/s200/Kairon2.jpg" width="168" /></a>[later] Finding the sea was trickier than the arrow on the site map implied, but when we found a map at the other end our route was pretty much optimal. At Kairon we found a church, which has one piece of modern stained glass amongst the numerous standard windows.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLQUiW9MBP8jbTwEE9e_TRzpL34B0uov0_fX7zjG4bhKHdo1r2lfBcyDW0eXSW_xEReLoazbetWJl8YTlLDr1Y6TZWgco3Xg60s_qrmFnzyvywLnYlptjqvjSqNvUBhxjrW2SZrVjBnbSI2n4/s1600/Nadir.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLQUiW9MBP8jbTwEE9e_TRzpL34B0uov0_fX7zjG4bhKHdo1r2lfBcyDW0eXSW_xEReLoazbetWJl8YTlLDr1Y6TZWgco3Xg60s_qrmFnzyvywLnYlptjqvjSqNvUBhxjrW2SZrVjBnbSI2n4/s200/Nadir.jpg" width="150" /></a></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4N90mf7TCinkuUc1LM97enpMLN6YH_iCKF3QmT5ZMPNI_h3C4Q5MXyw6iYZ76TSbw8lbjN1ndcCnAChHvj-XS4ZM7qoiFPhmVxkmIbjEInA5OBBKB65_l0MOGgTGucqZV-BvGKp5FrKQT42s/s1600/BardlPlage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4N90mf7TCinkuUc1LM97enpMLN6YH_iCKF3QmT5ZMPNI_h3C4Q5MXyw6iYZ76TSbw8lbjN1ndcCnAChHvj-XS4ZM7qoiFPhmVxkmIbjEInA5OBBKB65_l0MOGgTGucqZV-BvGKp5FrKQT42s/s200/BardlPlage.jpg" width="150" /></a>We followed a few false trails and considered giving up but (largely by heading downhill whenever possible) eventually found the turquoise Bar de la Plage and a welcome glass of Pelforth. The bar was opposite a depressing example of the nadir of the camping experience, peeling caravans packed to capacity into a mobile slum.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRWB33s5pE0_dAafNfLm4quW6LtM4rxLqMsPHroV3OsedIjurAs0jdJf6QsAGGZrDAlK1bBm2esuAfDPf6HP3I2sJZlmTUilNx4A4ljbWC1_NdOX8lpwXMDT6f2liA3RyL2WIT-kC4_o7E9wg/s1600/topiary.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRWB33s5pE0_dAafNfLm4quW6LtM4rxLqMsPHroV3OsedIjurAs0jdJf6QsAGGZrDAlK1bBm2esuAfDPf6HP3I2sJZlmTUilNx4A4ljbWC1_NdOX8lpwXMDT6f2liA3RyL2WIT-kC4_o7E9wg/s200/topiary.jpg" width="150" /></a></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivsH3BbRaCuYbUw9KDs0r2C2xGakIC7oSjVPJcUjeiP3i09mXOnvksMKcBk262bDI6BunbpxiCWVxV7pmklaiV52sv8wbJCrO1ZozYAR2NWswdiF9TWa4GHn-z4VFApjMO7msrKqM8xgHc5hc/s1600/beach.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivsH3BbRaCuYbUw9KDs0r2C2xGakIC7oSjVPJcUjeiP3i09mXOnvksMKcBk262bDI6BunbpxiCWVxV7pmklaiV52sv8wbJCrO1ZozYAR2NWswdiF9TWa4GHn-z4VFApjMO7msrKqM8xgHc5hc/s200/beach.jpg" width="145" /></a><br />
We found the beach eventually. On the way back, I snapped this topiary at the Chateau</div><div class="MsoNormal">[later] Significant volumes of rain, though at 8:30, the sky seemed to be clearing from (what we now know to be) the sea.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
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</div><div class="MsoNormal">Tea was rather a cheat, two tins of M&S Hot Chicken Curry (our emergency store) emptied into fried onion, garlic, ginger and chilli. Not bad at all. The campsite has a market <span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1310316196_2" style="border-bottom: 2px dotted rgb(54, 99, 136); cursor: pointer;">every Tuesday evening</span> – we bought dry cider and some strawberries (had we known they were €5, we might have walked on, but those folks should be encouraged). Anyway, while preparing to cook the curry, we suddenly realised that we were vegetable-light and so the strawberry vendors came to our rescue with carrots for 30c supplemented by tin of sweetcorn from the site shop. Thus, the curry accompaniment was a melange of carrot, broccoli, sweetcorn and (ostensibly microwave) rice.</div><div class="MsoNormal">The cooking plan for tomorrow is a fried breakfast (sausage and bacon we brought) and for tea (assuming we get the gas bottle) bbq chicken with a stir-fry.</div></div>NickBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03091192203574547162noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2663483106903373301.post-57258114362822524442011-07-10T09:44:00.000-07:002011-07-11T12:27:00.391-07:00DAY 4 (6th July)<div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZyJABQtPZfXk8A_VGV8iYdGk86Y_iFBu1IQmOyeNLCGoKGOZ43dG0PKYbZ79nXwguPwAlwo7fGE3OQ5OGVAMWSelRDBp_2vcaoGOMfHINfhycDCcQkn6MfW-6gpVKZenFPFdVAwRtqRLYvlk/s1600/breakfast.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="113" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZyJABQtPZfXk8A_VGV8iYdGk86Y_iFBu1IQmOyeNLCGoKGOZ43dG0PKYbZ79nXwguPwAlwo7fGE3OQ5OGVAMWSelRDBp_2vcaoGOMfHINfhycDCcQkn6MfW-6gpVKZenFPFdVAwRtqRLYvlk/s200/breakfast.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal">Good breakfast. The efficacy of the Cadac lid as a washing-up bowl is a boon in those campsites still in denial on the benefits of sink plugs.</div><div class="MsoNormal"></div><div class="MsoNormal">I am reminded of my Camping Advice from an earlier era: #46c, “when in the shower, turn your sandals upside-down”. Those logs have retreated into a forgotten internet place. [<a href="http://www.snap-dragon.com/camping2.htm">found some!</a>]<br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"></div><div class="MsoNormal">[later] After raining reasonably hard for the second half of day 3 and most of the night, today has been sunny, cloudy and dry: and so to <span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1310316196_0" style="border-bottom: 2px dotted rgb(54, 99, 136); cursor: pointer;">Granville</span>, a large but quiet maritime town<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5vsy16pwu3R2iV6hTledSSzOVKvj4A6-ui5k96viJRpXc6opoHiflOA5WAGRLcTjsPGoryRZfybHjcDK9DzwoN97Lq1u8srWAjLXQ1hse328ZlrpHe0JD3pw4SArP5OTnndG3mDeYa13OqnQ/s1600/GranvilleCath_sm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="156" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5vsy16pwu3R2iV6hTledSSzOVKvj4A6-ui5k96viJRpXc6opoHiflOA5WAGRLcTjsPGoryRZfybHjcDK9DzwoN97Lq1u8srWAjLXQ1hse328ZlrpHe0JD3pw4SArP5OTnndG3mDeYa13OqnQ/s320/GranvilleCath_sm.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgitt3as9K9ttCwIwUwGJAYfvNtlTidNCABZv6KSL3cvRMU9jsduRcIpHpiSv9Ife159y6LtotWYB_3DQPias7DoAcWAwYFwZPy9pyv3e6TfVByC8TApegZIEIh_XqifVkCgeOiAT1qFUkD6F8/s1600/window.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgitt3as9K9ttCwIwUwGJAYfvNtlTidNCABZv6KSL3cvRMU9jsduRcIpHpiSv9Ife159y6LtotWYB_3DQPias7DoAcWAwYFwZPy9pyv3e6TfVByC8TApegZIEIh_XqifVkCgeOiAT1qFUkD6F8/s200/window.jpg" width="77" /></a></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVCnyEWbS7u1BR64tOTqj30Yt0zLEh_mpNGnTU276ZXHxPndv2jCuGt6dD_0A2YKnxFufEoyxH4gvoc93GXFdBUFEgye7_XMQBgUwNWIJIykxHNUVjekVmTCziOvq7HHcLaYU0LmwIW-odfhc/s1600/Ceramic1Granville.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVCnyEWbS7u1BR64tOTqj30Yt0zLEh_mpNGnTU276ZXHxPndv2jCuGt6dD_0A2YKnxFufEoyxH4gvoc93GXFdBUFEgye7_XMQBgUwNWIJIykxHNUVjekVmTCziOvq7HHcLaYU0LmwIW-odfhc/s200/Ceramic1Granville.jpg" width="138" /></a> with a cathedral full of modern stained glass and ceramic pieces. The second highlight, after we took a well-earned pression in recognition of our climb to the cathedral, was that we had brought the wrong wallet and had plenty of £s but no €s to pay for the bier and cidre. The problem was soon rectified by the insertion of plastic at the Société Générale, but it remains to be seen what Barclays charge for the privilege [€50 = £47.76, could have been worse].</div><div class="MsoNormal"></div><div class="MsoNormal">We passed a Lidl on the way to Granville and called there on the way back to spend the cash we had – it is much cheaper than the Geant Casino where we later returned with the right wallet for petrol and a bottle of Gaz. Still on for bbq chicken and a stir-fry tonight, but <span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1310316196_1" style="border-bottom: 2px dotted rgb(54, 99, 136); cursor: pointer;">France</span> seems to lack the concept of a stir-fry sauce and the soy sauce was a silly price, so it will be a curry-paste-stir-fry.</div></div>NickBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03091192203574547162noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2663483106903373301.post-68990962710071141592011-07-10T09:42:00.001-07:002011-07-11T12:23:36.946-07:00DAY 5 (7th July)<div><div class="MsoNormal"></div><div class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq__pwseEktt5kitEitid5qu3joce_yK-LFjuWef5S5E8MEEeptOX5idt9UykDK2JVssB9B-Xqubql-sQm_EfFj_wg1mhS7Vhd-pJnyEJDF9CvKwAvv58q-p4F6ECLc4m0flMITI3hgqtXLaY/s1600/Martragny.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="110" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq__pwseEktt5kitEitid5qu3joce_yK-LFjuWef5S5E8MEEeptOX5idt9UykDK2JVssB9B-Xqubql-sQm_EfFj_wg1mhS7Vhd-pJnyEJDF9CvKwAvv58q-p4F6ECLc4m0flMITI3hgqtXLaY/s200/Martragny.jpg" width="200" /></a>The weather doesn’t know whether to shit or cough. Today we’ve had heavy rain, bright sunshine and drizzle. As I write this in Chateau de Martragny, an impressive thunderstorm has just arrived. The journey from Les Eaux was uneventful: an earlyish rise; breakfast of croissants, baguette and comfychair; and a leisurely packup allowed departure before 10 o’c and a prompt arrival at Martragny. Given the dodgy weather, we set out for the nearest of the three daily markets but (if it was ever there) it had given up before our arrival at Asnelles which was greeted by heavy rain. We continued to <span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1310315912_0" style="border-bottom: 2px dotted rgb(54, 99, 136); cursor: pointer;">Arromanches</span> (site of the Mulberry Harbours that my father worked on) which boasts an extensive D-Day display, some leftover D-Day hardware in the sea, a large party of English schoolchildren and not much else, except the church (rebuilt in C19), which has some relatively recent stained glass, which obliquely depicts WW2.</div><div class="MsoNormal"></div><div class="MsoNormal">Eschewing a bar in the town, we headed towards Bayeux, in search of a supermarket for tonight’s salmon and (after some supermarket- and soul-searching) a pack of Hollandaise sauce. On the way to the Intermarche, we noticed an impressive-looking church not far off our route and tried to locate it on the way back. Taking (what seemed like) the appropriate turn, we never saw it again and may try again tomorrow on the way back from Bayeux itself.</div><div class="MsoNormal"></div><div class="MsoNormal">Back for a bier, a read, then salmon, hollandaise and a stirfry. We watched two episodes of Frasier on the DVD player, which has performed excellently – opting for the 9” screen rather than a 7” was definitely a good plan. We brought <i>Leap of Faith</i> (not yet played), Frasier, Outnumbered and Due South.</div><div class="MsoNormal"></div><div class="MsoNormal">One entertainment failure has been the lack of all-night radio – my normal response to sleep failure is <a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio4extra/">BBC Radio 7</a> (now rebranded as 4extra) on a pillow speaker. We failed completely to provide for radio entertainment and information although the car will supply a noisy 198 long wave. Tonight I might hook up my ipod to the Dab radio and listen to my current story, Reginald Hill’s <i>Stranger House</i>.</div><div class="MsoNormal"></div><div class="MsoNormal">Tomorrow, scrambled eggs for breakfast then the tapestry and back for butter chicken from a Patak bottle.</div><div class="MsoNormal"></div><div class="MsoNormal">The original plan had been to camp again for one night at Rookesbury when we return to Blighty, but if the weather remains dodgy, we’ll head straight back for <span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1310315912_1" style="border-bottom: 2px dotted rgb(54, 99, 136); cursor: pointer;">London</span>: no point in spending a soggy night in a field with no awning as we couldn’t be arsed to raise it for a one night stop.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizCURmxDLYPL8LVvBkzYE4gN0-Wi9Pm5IInzRik9-L1uhu9FNIL5ylKYtKfhUEqyQ4oCjPnsI1Mf9beo5GeITt_Ir7LhOZz1_ZiRvUnTXYXm2EeHq4yvpk_4FSFNeqbqQIivAm2sLCQ4BCZ5k/s1600/RleC.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="135" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizCURmxDLYPL8LVvBkzYE4gN0-Wi9Pm5IInzRik9-L1uhu9FNIL5ylKYtKfhUEqyQ4oCjPnsI1Mf9beo5GeITt_Ir7LhOZz1_ZiRvUnTXYXm2EeHq4yvpk_4FSFNeqbqQIivAm2sLCQ4BCZ5k/s200/RleC.jpg" width="200" /></a> </div><div class="MsoNormal">The talk for next summer is of a long ferry down to <span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1310315912_2" style="border-bottom: 2px dotted rgb(54, 99, 136); cursor: pointer;">Spain</span>. We did that years ago and cut straight across to <span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1310315912_3" style="border-bottom: 2px dotted rgb(54, 99, 136); cursor: pointer;">France</span> on the way to <a href="http://www.renneslechateau.com/default-uk.htm">Rennes-le-Chateau</a> and the Mediterranean, but this time a tour of Spain may be the plan.</div></div>NickBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03091192203574547162noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2663483106903373301.post-46875238532277181002011-07-10T09:41:00.000-07:002011-07-11T12:17:15.928-07:00DAY 6 (8th July)<div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwbtLiVskXptVXvucoqJRTvwmbI1uaovtXvHH2pR1FZUNKZoKtDVRz7KgOYkzej_de65MfLFTIJxz7q30lsm-9JZ8HR7xHUgTgUvrRqAx17Fb8TPz43ZrvzdFCM8_xudDEwTH6pMwXumFt_v0/s1600/statue.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwbtLiVskXptVXvucoqJRTvwmbI1uaovtXvHH2pR1FZUNKZoKtDVRz7KgOYkzej_de65MfLFTIJxz7q30lsm-9JZ8HR7xHUgTgUvrRqAx17Fb8TPz43ZrvzdFCM8_xudDEwTH6pMwXumFt_v0/s200/statue.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"></div><div class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVe-xalFXFy9Qxuxg1_sVQkJvXIsQOK9RjH9JUqfR2k2LCrzc8kCr0Lm1htEkDvhf0ZkOa-qVNtgzCjDXz50oqNozbelt4bPDw6oRrxAlLV3wSeiQWYSgQLNSZGJ937Rx7yw_H1lM-DW1amBs/s1600/statuesign.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVe-xalFXFy9Qxuxg1_sVQkJvXIsQOK9RjH9JUqfR2k2LCrzc8kCr0Lm1htEkDvhf0ZkOa-qVNtgzCjDXz50oqNozbelt4bPDw6oRrxAlLV3wSeiQWYSgQLNSZGJ937Rx7yw_H1lM-DW1amBs/s200/statuesign.jpg" width="150" /></a>Saw the Bayeux tapestry and found a market on the way at Trévières. A modest market where we bought veg and pêches. The nearby church proudly displays a statue with war damage.<br />
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We failed to find the hidden church or, indeed, any supermarches on the way and so will try again later. <br />
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</div><div class="MsoNormal"></div><div class="MsoNormal"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNp3uaCbcU-omItjhwddKAwvApSgqMj9QdMZKLAWd42vU4acwsvqMV5GKcju_Q0bKepKgoXpvD5KsSmSdv-cLZRIDa892OfY2sjI5u1cOl-fyyR5sL0D_LaWM8co3aUaq75PAzFH5fFIqnlJE/s1600/BayeuxHarold.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="141" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNp3uaCbcU-omItjhwddKAwvApSgqMj9QdMZKLAWd42vU4acwsvqMV5GKcju_Q0bKepKgoXpvD5KsSmSdv-cLZRIDa892OfY2sjI5u1cOl-fyyR5sL0D_LaWM8co3aUaq75PAzFH5fFIqnlJE/s200/BayeuxHarold.png" style="cursor: move;" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8vLcnr5VlMO8g2Ipsg0C95CWkSJEArb31PFL_-_4fmLy2ZdsB0_mZo_AiXiHzIdg6WsqPjGaT8e5t7PkOKaL0497xtA05ohvyfafC8qFpGf3ivX8Bh6xiN0-lCZEDlzhunLkszcYVMKR92E8/s1600/BayeuxComet.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="127" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8vLcnr5VlMO8g2Ipsg0C95CWkSJEArb31PFL_-_4fmLy2ZdsB0_mZo_AiXiHzIdg6WsqPjGaT8e5t7PkOKaL0497xtA05ohvyfafC8qFpGf3ivX8Bh6xiN0-lCZEDlzhunLkszcYVMKR92E8/s200/BayeuxComet.jpg" width="200" /></a><span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1310315912_0" style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% transparent; border-bottom: 2px dotted rgb(54, 99, 136); cursor: pointer;"> </span><span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1310315912_0" style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% transparent; border-bottom: 2px dotted rgb(54, 99, 136); cursor: pointer;">The tapestry</span> is a remarkable thing, perhaps the first portable cartoon as cave paintings are perforce static displays. Photographs are not allowed and so these images, showing the comet and Harold getting one in the eye, are sourced in Google. We entertained ourselves (and probably annoyed our fellow observers) with our witty and trenchant interpretations of the images and inscriptions. In the gift shop we bought cartes postales for the grand-meres (which, unusually for us, we managed to both write and send while still on holiday), my usual commemorative fridge magnet and I secretly sneaked in a DVD of the tapestry so that we can relive the pleasure tonight.<br />
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</div><div class="MsoNormal"></div><div class="MsoNormal"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3kI8pGZIQudXoYFwhqoRgfRfbVD25ivw6_MbsJhNe10hHsppC8ecNXtZBKWYxuMg75T591dQ7yhNAVLXmdZbWIH9kcijiwsm1Hb2nkvflQzjO6vyXKacTzGcnFKHYQGHMVMKxH25H8dnjAVE/s1600/BayeuxCath.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3kI8pGZIQudXoYFwhqoRgfRfbVD25ivw6_MbsJhNe10hHsppC8ecNXtZBKWYxuMg75T591dQ7yhNAVLXmdZbWIH9kcijiwsm1Hb2nkvflQzjO6vyXKacTzGcnFKHYQGHMVMKxH25H8dnjAVE/s200/BayeuxCath.jpg" width="134" /></a></div>Bayeux cathedral is large but visually unexciting.</div><div class="MsoNormal"></div><div class="MsoNormal">We found the supermarches and the way to the church but the latter, in Sommervieu, is not accessible as it is owned by some Fraternal Ordre de Christ.<br />
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One more night (with butter chicken) and 8 o’c alarm clock with an intended 10:45 departure. A dry awning would be good, but looking increasingly unlikely.</div><div class="MsoNormal"></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b>The principle</b>: we have concluded that caravan camping is superior to camper camping because of the added freedom the car provides.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><b>The details</b>: the bed is significantly larger, far more comfortable, and much easier to put up. The water supply (cold in both) is usable in the puck. We haven’t used the cooker in either because curries tend to linger and, in any case, I would prefer to cook outdoors. The external table is also a boon.</div></div>NickBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03091192203574547162noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2663483106903373301.post-77576524211414999052011-07-10T09:39:00.001-07:002011-07-22T15:18:01.185-07:00LAST DAY (written on 10th July, the day after returning).<div><div class="MsoNormal"></div><div class="MsoNormal">The butter chicken was very good, for a bottle.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">More rain overnight, so we packed a wet awning, the clincher in deciding to head home. The journey to the ferry was well-timed but the ferry ran an hour late. The gendarme on French border control insisted on opening the Puck to look for “stowaways”.</div><div class="MsoNormal"> </div><div class="MsoNormal">Although in first place on the ferry, there was no advantage as they let the cars off first – the only effect was a covering of spray, which dried to a hard salt coating I spent this morning washing off.</div><div class="MsoNormal"> </div><div class="MsoNormal">We eventually arrived back at home closer to 9 than the estimated 7 o’c and managed to get the Puck back in place with some neighbourly help.</div><div class="MsoNormal"> </div><div class="MsoNormal">A jolly good trip.</div></div>NickBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03091192203574547162noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2663483106903373301.post-50017436554116059492011-06-30T01:35:00.000-07:002011-06-30T01:37:41.090-07:00Further preparations<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxhaYcogATsO1k40FrNlr5-msmsAvO880ZHa5_4YhhvIGnZdbt89laNoAbHgzaZ4N40J6tjPaiDARO0_eDWgUWqup7nhAdhAnlXVwUZLzvfFaaA18jYPsAodeDP7AmmMfVfr8JYCEL6gMPfng/s1600/tosh.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="176" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxhaYcogATsO1k40FrNlr5-msmsAvO880ZHa5_4YhhvIGnZdbt89laNoAbHgzaZ4N40J6tjPaiDARO0_eDWgUWqup7nhAdhAnlXVwUZLzvfFaaA18jYPsAodeDP7AmmMfVfr8JYCEL6gMPfng/s200/tosh.jpg" width="200" /></a>There's a Brompton in the post and another auction finishing today: we could pick that up on the way.<br />
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Just ordered a DVD player to pick up later today, a 9" Toshiba.NickBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03091192203574547162noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2663483106903373301.post-9207596847494398362011-06-25T10:13:00.000-07:002011-06-26T13:46:51.229-07:00Preparations for France<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGAlBY2__87FkrELyBeskASmclub56FKGiQjtDbZOfLTguWgOD6WqRd-JjwLSTe_ofgW3LFjdSUyAYqi-4kbjZSjDAQdaFxkY77cU2EKk0-Uw0aVz5p0IEPbiZeg3XlnVmwToFbyumQaC01zI/s1600/saw.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGAlBY2__87FkrELyBeskASmclub56FKGiQjtDbZOfLTguWgOD6WqRd-JjwLSTe_ofgW3LFjdSUyAYqi-4kbjZSjDAQdaFxkY77cU2EKk0-Uw0aVz5p0IEPbiZeg3XlnVmwToFbyumQaC01zI/s200/saw.jpg" width="200" /></a>No camping in June, but three outings booked for July, a week in France and two 2-night trips to Nottingham and Brighton.<br />
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Some new equipment to report, following the success of the firepit and the failure of the Wilko hatchet, I have invested in a folding saw from <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B0001IX7OW/ref=oss_product">Amazon</a>. And tongs from <a href="http://www.ikea.com/gb/en/">Ikea</a>.<br />
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In accordance with French regulations, I have ordered an <i>Hi Viz Tabard</i>. We already have a set of bulbs and a warning triangle.<br />
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We are trying to buy a couple of <a href="http://www.brompton.co.uk/">Bromptons </a>on eBay before we go. [Got the first, 26th June.]<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihSh1GgtCkOLOY0aAjVsRdiCf9N_JaGvp1l0xluAG5CaxgX1nigH6083Xb9Els_Y8ZxcRmLSiN-V1iLynPTjMFI_CiyTJFSEPXljtjf6huldW0nX2JQp8Wc5ZOf019C9hKB2IXFp-BY7joQWM/s1600/cheese.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihSh1GgtCkOLOY0aAjVsRdiCf9N_JaGvp1l0xluAG5CaxgX1nigH6083Xb9Els_Y8ZxcRmLSiN-V1iLynPTjMFI_CiyTJFSEPXljtjf6huldW0nX2JQp8Wc5ZOf019C9hKB2IXFp-BY7joQWM/s200/cheese.jpg" width="150" /></a><br />
Sailing from Portsmouth to Le Havre on <a href="http://www.ldlines.co.uk/">LD Lines</a>, we are booked into <a href="http://www.caravanclub.co.uk/caravanclubapps/applications/uk%20sites/Site%20Details.aspx?csid=21967">Rookesbury Park </a>either side of the crossing. We plan on three nights at <a href="http://welcome.lez-eaux.com/">Château de Lez-Eaux</a> (we spent some time there in the VW, probably a decade ago) and two nights at <a href="http://www.chateau-martragny.com/index.htm">Château de Martragny</a>.<br />
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A propos de rien, here's a pot of Puck cheese spotted in Asda today.NickBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03091192203574547162noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2663483106903373301.post-79814495423681483962011-05-30T14:08:00.000-07:002011-06-03T01:37:25.141-07:00Norwich<a href="http://www.caravanclub.co.uk/caravanclubapps/applications/uk%20sites/Site%20Details.aspx?csid=21912">Incleboro </a>remains my favourite campsite, especially if you get one of the secluded pitches. The weather was variable, but most of the rain was at night.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUaTueVgrFGYmBrAXwlo5rG7hilB-AUJgPoVQDsiqv9017ej4Kh0fOzYptTTV45pmosfpMPkSDfM3bxaArvI0-yne6SN_xzBFgiF8-5vcBIeYmer0bUInm3GnfYVEubSsztd85Cah3mPnw3hE/s1600/firepit.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUaTueVgrFGYmBrAXwlo5rG7hilB-AUJgPoVQDsiqv9017ej4Kh0fOzYptTTV45pmosfpMPkSDfM3bxaArvI0-yne6SN_xzBFgiF8-5vcBIeYmer0bUInm3GnfYVEubSsztd85Cah3mPnw3hE/s200/firepit.gif" width="150" /></a></div>Several of the <i>new items</i> were great successes. The old cast iron BBQ has been recycled as a firepit, small but delightfully effective.<br />
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The XMI <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B001UEBN42/ref=oss_product">small amplifier</a> is brilliant.<br />
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For the sleeping bag, we chose a <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B000LN5TA2/ref=oss_product">Coleman </a>which was a much better fit and remarkably comfortable.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0PEak4MMXaE5zH_a8NhMxBuxdI3nrZ-3FMSxEmLQ859VEJwghowQnYBnP-RoCq8M0KnegdmuYDHvJ9G1MDtOBWjm07gL3PVaREbAD1NphcE1CxNM6MGcGhoxPAIfcG4II0QDzmZlTj3xK2hA/s1600/Windham.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="149" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0PEak4MMXaE5zH_a8NhMxBuxdI3nrZ-3FMSxEmLQ859VEJwghowQnYBnP-RoCq8M0KnegdmuYDHvJ9G1MDtOBWjm07gL3PVaREbAD1NphcE1CxNM6MGcGhoxPAIfcG4II0QDzmZlTj3xK2hA/s200/Windham.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiahJ1YL_6mMsGhSCpLfE6pGRkxsg6V3lTDvg4DG5yYzvj5n2Oe09xHXCNqcNhyphenhyphenllp-yPgF_DGiSaeO-bGFDjC9F3z8CAObJe_51O5mTBsF66fgnbj4R3nBjD8gp-88W2MW6HO4SzGsAmbuTks/s1600/Nog.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiahJ1YL_6mMsGhSCpLfE6pGRkxsg6V3lTDvg4DG5yYzvj5n2Oe09xHXCNqcNhyphenhyphenllp-yPgF_DGiSaeO-bGFDjC9F3z8CAObJe_51O5mTBsF66fgnbj4R3nBjD8gp-88W2MW6HO4SzGsAmbuTks/s200/Nog.gif" width="188" /></a>We visited Norwich, the finest feature of which is the <a href="http://thebookhive.co.uk/aboutus.php">Book Hive</a>, Cromer and Sherringham. Sherringham's best pub is the <a href="http://www.thewindhamarms.co.uk/">Windham Arms</a>, which served the best pint I have tasted in several years, Woodforde's <a href="http://www.woodfordes.co.uk/html/our_beers.html">Norfolk Nog</a>.NickBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03091192203574547162noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2663483106903373301.post-89409756158169626602011-05-21T12:20:00.000-07:002011-05-21T12:20:32.148-07:00BikesWe have started a <a href="http://www.brompton.co.uk/">Brompton Fund</a>, but in the meantime, I have spent the day trying to resurrect an old <a href="http://www.dahon.com/">Dahon</a> we had in the attic. After spending around £45 (<a href="http://www.whitescyclecentre.co.uk/">2 inner tubes</a> £9; <a href="http://www.halfords.com/">2 tyres</a> a bargain £20; a <a href="http://www.sidcupcycles.co.uk/">chain tool</a> £8; <a href="http://www.diy.com/">oil and paraffin</a> £3; and <a href="http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_storeId_10001_catalogId_10151_productId_714317_langId_-1_categoryId_228374">cleaning substances</a> £4), viewing lots of <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pleOrf1p5Wg">YouTube</a> guidance; and perhaps 5 hours' work in the garden, it sort of nearly works. It certainly looks much better than when it emerged from the attic.<br />
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Regrettably, it seems to be designed for people shorter than me and I will not be able to pedal it for any distance in comfort.<br />
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And here's another thing, our neighbour, across whose entrance the Puck must be pushed took delivery yesterday of the materials for what I assume will be a patio. The have been working hard today (much harder than me) and there is hope that our exit will be clear for Norfolk on Wednesday.NickBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03091192203574547162noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2663483106903373301.post-26353095788982557122011-04-23T08:44:00.000-07:002011-05-03T12:42:22.469-07:00now up to dateI have finished posting the previous entries.<br />
<br />
We have today booked <a href="http://www.caravanclub.co.uk/caravanclubapps/applications/uk%20sites/Site%20Details.aspx?csid=21912">Norfolk </a>for May and <a href="http://www.ldlines.ferries.org/">France</a> for July. <br />
<br />
Regarding the previous wish list:<br />
<br />
bikes, toaster, chairs (suitable for eating with the table outside), a small toolkit, a first aid kit, a larger sleeping bag, BBQ tongs, a set of bulbs for the car and the van, mirror, install a new socket for the all-night radio (on my pillow speaker), speakers for the ipods, perhaps a small TV.<br />
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<ul><li> The bikes are probably out for now - 2 <a href="http://www.brompton.co.uk/">Bromptons</a> (even on eBay) amount to a large wad;</li>
<li>toaster - <a href="http://www.which.co.uk/">which</a> are not much use, for once, so probably a cheap and compact supermarket own-brand;</li>
<li>toolkit - <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/Toolzone-Pocket-Canvas-Storage-Wallet/dp/B002NH8GC2/ref=pd_cp_diy_3">here</a>'s a start;</li>
<li>first aid kit - done;</li>
<li>sleeping bag - it is remarkable how much larger the Puck's bed is than the VW camper's - still looking; </li>
<li>tongs, probably <a href="http://www.marksandspencer.com/Marks-and-Spencer-Stainless-Steel/dp/B002U8DXPY?extid=TP_2_SZ_T_MSF_">these</a>;</li>
<li>bulbs - definitely needed for France;</li>
<li>socket - no progress yet;</li>
<li>speakers - <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/XMI-X-mini-II-Mini-Speaker/dp/B001UEBN42">these</a> look good;</li>
<li>TV - probably not, while we're waiting for the UK to resolve its digital future. Either take the laptop or consider a DVD player.</li>
</ul>NickBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03091192203574547162noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2663483106903373301.post-38197020296124703512011-04-23T08:05:00.000-07:002011-04-25T02:06:16.123-07:0015th April 2011<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsgYhmbsmZ6nE3FXO4POemgtCAImIRPaTKTrJIXTrS8wKWE8UsslPSpw6gUFu_56Hu2Hqf9zgurc2bYv0QexDBFN13551LiHfQCoLAyND9GLLhr4TV8sJl7DhdI4HLTauRIu-CsLihgzLSMQE/s1600/Brighton14Apr11a.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="135" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsgYhmbsmZ6nE3FXO4POemgtCAImIRPaTKTrJIXTrS8wKWE8UsslPSpw6gUFu_56Hu2Hqf9zgurc2bYv0QexDBFN13551LiHfQCoLAyND9GLLhr4TV8sJl7DhdI4HLTauRIu-CsLihgzLSMQE/s200/Brighton14Apr11a.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>Back today from three days in <a href="http://www.caravanclub.co.uk/caravanclubapps/applications/uk%20sites/Site%20Details.aspx?csid=21975">Brighton</a> . The weather was ocassionally grey but it only rained a bit. <br />
For some reason (plain blind luck last time, I expect), it took even longer to put up the awning, but the next outing should be a breeze (subject to the efficacy of pound-shop masking tape) as I have labelled the components comprehensively.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP4RWdydHw0laS60V6IvwTpifAjtK7tMnZYOrEGzFz92O8xC_nuU4YQt3_uws8vKEFEN4Qo6o5fD6fgzEevQ7qeQbvOChflq6l7CAyP8uhtvwuuqlfCg9hPj2MCEj5ABiPKi1iXtQscSCC4PE/s1600/Brighton14Apr11b.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="168" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP4RWdydHw0laS60V6IvwTpifAjtK7tMnZYOrEGzFz92O8xC_nuU4YQt3_uws8vKEFEN4Qo6o5fD6fgzEevQ7qeQbvOChflq6l7CAyP8uhtvwuuqlfCg9hPj2MCEj5ABiPKi1iXtQscSCC4PE/s200/Brighton14Apr11b.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>The new <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/Cadac-Safari-Chef-Deluxe-LPG/dp/B000JUJMW8">Cadac Safari Chef</a> gas barbeque was a marked success, providing a late night stir fry after a visit to the <a href="http://www.the-little.co.uk/">Little Theatre</a> for <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Time_and_the_Conways">Time and the Conways</a> on the first night. Then griddle chicken (pictured) after a day of wandering and preliminary house-hunting. Finally a grand breakfast before setting off this morning. It is light and compact, works beautifully in all its modes, and cleans easily.<br />
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The shopping list for the next trip includes: bikes, toaster, chairs (suitable for eating with the table outside), a small toolkit, a first aid kit, a larger sleeping bag, BBQ tongs, a set of bulbs for the car and the van, mirror, install a new socket for the all-night radio (on my pillow speaker), speakers for the ipods, perhaps a small TV. <br />
We have pencilled in <a href="http://www.caravanclub.co.uk/caravanclubapps/applications/uk%20sites/Site%20Details.aspx?csid=21912&pgrf=map">Norfolk</a> for May and France for June and September.NickBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03091192203574547162noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2663483106903373301.post-85067788687413878482011-04-23T08:03:00.000-07:002011-04-25T02:02:50.232-07:0030th March 2011<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjykkhD9zky2BLaXGUpHuttcxlmriBccJ8KIHP6OHFf2RhXjTVdFBwoMV3J3nKU-rSNcvPsSPE6hZ0W4gglo9xM9fysvXuosWKWjje9Wbp0L_bzZ-EAaUh4pH5RGWshWLZSHD156aiA0CslBzU/s1600/Puck27Mar11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjykkhD9zky2BLaXGUpHuttcxlmriBccJ8KIHP6OHFf2RhXjTVdFBwoMV3J3nKU-rSNcvPsSPE6hZ0W4gglo9xM9fysvXuosWKWjje9Wbp0L_bzZ-EAaUh4pH5RGWshWLZSHD156aiA0CslBzU/s200/Puck27Mar11.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>The first outing went very well and the camp site, <a href="http://www.southlytchettmanor.co.uk/">South Lytchett Manor</a>, was excellent. <br />
The awning was rather a struggle but we'll get better at it. And we should have taken a torch. The old charcoal barbeque worked quite well but I have ordered a new gas model for the next outing.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwPsfIvFbmn_v_Lx8kmipsfZW0nBfC33WXhJAznv2puSejuBTgkxdA98scyWfbYTHht6IlRnxxeHfQCfEdj5wOE2IGccNweEePZ0zRQsrNUv_Q4HOu0dc4GMuQ8ZGWFtx-x3rryQHPiYN0d8c/s1600/Puck28Mar11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwPsfIvFbmn_v_Lx8kmipsfZW0nBfC33WXhJAznv2puSejuBTgkxdA98scyWfbYTHht6IlRnxxeHfQCfEdj5wOE2IGccNweEePZ0zRQsrNUv_Q4HOu0dc4GMuQ8ZGWFtx-x3rryQHPiYN0d8c/s200/Puck28Mar11.jpg" width="200" /></a>We parked beside the splendid and ancient VW and Puck combination at Clacket Lane on the way back. [snaps to follow]<br />
The van is currently stored in front of the house where it is a snug fit.<br />
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[9 Apr 2011] The <a href="http://www.caravancovers.org.uk/">Pro-Tec</a> cover arrived on 7th and looks very well made.NickBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03091192203574547162noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2663483106903373301.post-13178287586478344692011-04-22T14:03:00.001-07:002011-04-22T14:03:48.033-07:0024th March 2011The list of tasks is progressing well. Now a list of stuff. <br />
cutlery tin opener corkscrew bottle-opener plates and bowls washing up bowl (safeway?) w-u liquid and scrubber radio heater bbq charcoal burner and gas hookup lead pot noodle beer wine marinated chicken veg tea towel saucepan milk chopping board and chef's knife large tea cups tea bags coffee and technology of choice beer glasses wine glasses griller microwave matches pillows sleeping bag blanket torch toilet paper kitchen paper wash bags and towels a small amount of clothing maxwell's silver hammer laptop and ipad camerasNickBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03091192203574547162noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2663483106903373301.post-14043327372606103052011-04-22T14:02:00.000-07:002011-04-22T14:02:42.250-07:0014th March 2011Bought a 2003 model from <a href="http://www.automotiveleisure.co.uk/">Poole</a> at the weekend, and will pick it up on 26th. Between now and then, I need to: <br />
<ul><li>buy a number plate for the Puck - ordered on eBay 14/03, £4.94, arrived 16/03.</li>
<li>buy one of those wing mirror extensions that allows one to see past a caravan - £3.99 on eBay, not much use.</li>
<li>insure it - <a href="https://www.caravanwise.co.uk/">caravanwise</a> £163 - <a href="http://www.snap-dragon.com/url">Caravan Club</a> £216 - <a href="http://www.safeguarduk.co.uk/">safeguard</a> £225- <a href="http://www.simplecaravaninsurance.co.uk/">Simple</a> (via <a href="http://www.gocompare.com/caravan-insurance/">gocompare</a>) £160 - done</li>
<li>get a towbar fitted (2x7-pin with al-ko): <a href="http://www.indespension.co.uk/">indespension</a> £307, booked in for 23rd - <a href="http://www.towbarcentredorset.co.uk/">Tow Bar Centre</a> £315 - <a href="http://www.snap-dragon.com/www.towbarexpress.co.uk">Towbar Express</a> no reply. Done.</li>
<li>clear the fitting of the tow bar with the car insurer - done</li>
<li>find somewhere to keep it - <a href="http://www.snap-dragon.com/url">Norsted Manor Farm, Orpington</a>, no reply and they all look rather expensive. Plan B, keep it at home: thus, remove a small wall - done.</li>
<li>book a camp site near Poole for the first night - probably <a href="http://www.southlytchettmanor.co.uk/">South Lytchett Manor</a>, done.</li>
<li>organise the stuff we need to take (BBQ etc.), see above.</li>
<li>learn to tow</li>
<li>sort out the cash - done</li>
<li>order a wheel clamp - ESL Stoplock from amazon, received 23rd.</li>
<li>consider a cover - <a href="http://www.caravancovers.org.uk/">Pro-Tec</a>, ordered £200, 4 weeks.</li>
</ul>NickBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03091192203574547162noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2663483106903373301.post-45816506268261735222011-04-21T11:45:00.000-07:002011-04-25T02:07:44.016-07:00Feb 2011<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghG28lJVHmaBqjT3tfPewN1t3I0QE7VGdEdeO-TD8IEYGN3ur2R3JNb-Jinb4V231ZXvllYKpvU60UPfZVyMZQqpnWcOr7illR-TSKz0q8GJvmewg3HClzC7RAFy-odvEun_zIFH-hDVvyOUI/s1600/Puck1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghG28lJVHmaBqjT3tfPewN1t3I0QE7VGdEdeO-TD8IEYGN3ur2R3JNb-Jinb4V231ZXvllYKpvU60UPfZVyMZQqpnWcOr7illR-TSKz0q8GJvmewg3HClzC7RAFy-odvEun_zIFH-hDVvyOUI/s200/Puck1.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>We sold Gerald the Camper this year after 15 fun years and, after toying with the idea of a teardrop, intend to buy a Puck.<br />
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<ul><li><a href="http://www.eriba-uk.com/index.cfm">UK dealers</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.automotiveleisure.co.uk/">Poole second hand</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.eribaforum.co.uk/">Eriba forum</a></li>
<li><a href="http://littleguy.co.uk/">little guy</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.365campingcaravanning.com/cvanstents.htm">teardrop summary</a></li>
</ul>NickBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03091192203574547162noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2663483106903373301.post-31986257342095269702011-04-21T09:50:00.000-07:002011-04-22T13:57:05.445-07:00introI started this blog recently on a <a href="http://www.snap-dragon.com/Puck.html">website</a> but I'm toying with the idea of moving it to Blogger.<br />
<br />
I will add the existing entries with headings of the original date, then carry on from there.NickBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03091192203574547162noreply@blogger.com0