After breakfast we had the van packed up and were on the road by about 10:30. Our first stop was a pretty little seaside resort called Brightlingsea about 12 miles from our site. We arrived about 11:00 and parked up in good order just back from the beach.
It was a glorious morning and the two cafe's near the beach were busy even though it was out of season. There were lots of coloured beach huts with names like "Done Roaming" and "Rest Awhile". We spent a good hour walking round and taking photo's and for the second time in as many days we spotted a Wherry Boat moored close by.
The next stop was Colchester. We intended to park up and look around but couldn't find a suitable spot to leave the van. We took advantage of the local Asda and stocked up on some Ale and a few other essentials before heading back to Martello Beach Resort.
In late afternoon we went for a walk across the fields and past One of the Martello Towers. The Towers are battlements built to repel invaders.
Pie, peas and gravy was thoroughly enjoyed for diner. We had bought the pie and peas at Morrison's the other day and the thought of them had me salivating all day. The rest of the day passed as normal, sitting out till after dark with a glass of vino and a bottle of ale. Tickety Boo.
13 September 2016
I've decided that calling the tent "conservatory " is too posh so this morning I had breakfast in the renamed outhouse before getting down to the job of cleaning the van.
The plan was for me to clean the outside whilst Val did the inside and for me to do half today and half tomorrow. I used the clean water from our tanks and caught it in two buckets underneath the drain tap, which worked quite well. It was half one by the time we sat down to lunch. Van cleaned, hovered and tent moved. A good mornings work in 30° heat. Half the van looking resplendent.
The rally we were on had a wine and nibbles event which was well attended, so much so that two small glasses of red and a glass of cider were all that was managed before the wine turned into water. It was a good afternoon though with a chance to chat to other Motor-homers and the odd Caravaners.
I got chatting to a guy called John who spent his winters in Benicasim at somewhere called Havierre. I'll have to do some research when we get some wifi.
In the evening we retired to the outhouse and enjoyed a glorious sunset which our photographs didn't do credit. We stayed out till after dark and then had an hour watching TV before hitting the hay. Apart from ending the day with a painful lower back it was a great day.
14 September 2016
I woke with a sore back so Van Cleaning Part II would have to wait. We had a text from our daughter-in-law that our childminding services may me needed next week in London and our house which we haven't managed to let yet insurance is only valid for two more days.
The childminding is no problem, we can easily get a train to London. The letting agent has been disappointing. They talked the talk about getting some tenants in but so far haven't walked the walk. It will be very soon time for a change. The Landlord's house insurance would be no problem if the place was occupied but it's more expensive unoccupied and comes with lots of regulations about inspections and other things. Having very limited wifi doesn't help but these are the things you have to embrace when your a Zendog Traveller. I'm sure we'll get them sorted. I spent the afternoon on the phone and Val cycled into Clacton to use the libraries Internet and get our train tickets booked for next week.
The evening was spent enjoying a Thai Green Curry washed down with a couple of bottles of ale. By the time we had done the washing up and had a chat with one of out fellow campers about modern Diesel engines there was just time for a couple of hours to stretch out and relax and another day was done. Happy trails.
15 September 2016
I woke early, made a cup of tea and located to the outhouse whilst Val enjoyed a little more slumber. My back felt much better so the van cleaning process continued after breakfast. It was finished by noon and looking resplendent in the sunshine.
Just as I walked down to the pot wash after lunch the phone rang. It was the dermatology department at Lancaster Hospital with good news of Val,s biopsy. She has to go up to Lancaster next week to have a displastic melanoma removed, but that is the only treatment that is needed. It means we can now book our ferries and rally sites for later in the year.
We then set off into Clacton on the bikes. After the first few metres I realised I had a puncture so Val had to go on her own. She got back just in time for the final swimming session of the day which we both enjoyed.
We retired to the bar for a celebratory beer and quickly realised the Man United game was on the TV, so there was no choice but to stop and watch. Not a great game with a terrible offside decision costing United the game. Life has its ups and downs.
Val had gone back to the van at half time and when I got back one of the rally wardens was having a chat with her. The news was that coastguard had been in touch with the site and there was a chance of torrential storms and flash floods. So the rest of the evenings entertainment involved taking the tent down and the outdoor carpets up. All in all an eventful day.
16 September 2016
We woke to grey cloudy skies but fortunately the overnight storms had missed us completely. Not so for some of the other surrounding districts according to the news on the radio.
Breakfast had to be served inside the van for the first time since we arrived at Martello Beach. I had to look through the windows to admire all the silver birch trees surrounding the touring sites. They look fantastic blowing in the wind.
We spent most of the afternoon in Clacton Library doing admin work and then over at the Railway Station booking a secure spot for our bikes for when we travel to London.
We called at Tesco on the way back to the site to stock up on some essentials, namely red wine.
The weather had all of a sudden changed from summer to winter and we didn't feel like putting up the tent. We spent the night in the van and enjoyed a tender sirloin steak and some stinky cheese and crackers.
We watched a Ryan Gosling movie called Half Nelson which went right over my head. I couldn't understand the plot and neither could Val. Perhaps it's coz we're old ruddy duddy's. It was a windy night but it didn't stop plenty of people arriving and erecting tents. It made the van feel warm and cozy. Happy travels.
Breakfast had to be served inside the van for the first time since we arrived at Martello Beach. I had to look through the windows to admire all the silver birch trees surrounding the touring sites. They look fantastic blowing in the wind.
We spent most of the afternoon in Clacton Library doing admin work and then over at the Railway Station booking a secure spot for our bikes for when we travel to London.
We called at Tesco on the way back to the site to stock up on some essentials, namely red wine.
The weather had all of a sudden changed from summer to winter and we didn't feel like putting up the tent. We spent the night in the van and enjoyed a tender sirloin steak and some stinky cheese and crackers.
We watched a Ryan Gosling movie called Half Nelson which went right over my head. I couldn't understand the plot and neither could Val. Perhaps it's coz we're old ruddy duddy's. It was a windy night but it didn't stop plenty of people arriving and erecting tents. It made the van feel warm and cozy. Happy travels.
17 Sepember 2016
Where did the morning go. We woke at 9:00 and by the time we had breakfast made one or two phone calls and packed up the van it was lunch time.
After lunch we found the coordinates for a local bike shop and headed of into Clacton once again. We found a spot to park the van close to the shop and where lucky enough to have a wifi signal. I left the bike to have a new inner tube and Kevlar tyre fitted and then we sat in the van using the Internet to find some Landlord Insurance for our property in Morecambe. It took a while but we finally accepted a quote that suited our needs.
It was back to the site for high tea with the happy campers. Scones with strawberry jam and whipped cream were the fare on offer and very nice they were too.
We then spent a while in the entertainment complex and Val went for a swim whilst I caught up on the footy results.
We had some delicious smoked fish for diner washed down with a bottle of ale and a couple of measures of sake. The evening entertainment was Noah, the Russell Crowe movie and that was the end of another day on the trail. Happy camping.
18 September 2016
We were up just in time for the Andrew Marr show and the a quick shower before the Sunday Politics. Nigel Farage was good entertainment as usual.
I did my good deed for the day and pumped up the Rally Stewards tyre so that she could have a ride into Clacton on her electric bike and the it was almost time for the footie.
It was hard work watching United. They seemed lacklustre and Watford looked up for the challenge. A disappointing two hours spent watching the football.
I got the Cadac going in the afternoon and cooked two of the best burgers I've ever tasted. They we from Sainsbury's and well worth the extra bit they cost as they were delicious.
We sat out in the sunshine for the rest of the afternoon and I got stuck in to the latest Lee Child novel. We retired to the van as it got cold and kept the reading going till just before 9:00 when we switched on the box for a bit of "Have I Got News For You".
Another day over on our European tour. Happy travels.
No comments:
Post a Comment