Jonesy and his own blog!

There was always the chance that Jonesy would take over this blog and pictures of him would take over photies of our trips so to avoid this we gave him his very own blog. Please see the link below.

http://jonesywelshie.blogspot.co.uk/

In the meantime here is our new addition.

Jonesy arrives home...".at last a bed of my own".

Autumn in the Lakes.

The long wait for our new puppy continues. We’ve decorated the ‘nursery’ under the stairs and put some child proof gates in various places. We now officially have more gates than Buckingham Palace! To stop us from talking puppies all day we headed to the Camping and Caravan Club site at Keswick. Whenever we try to get on here its always fully booked, however we booked 4 nights, arrived here Sunday 1^st November and on arrival we were given the best pitch on the site.  The only one with an uninterrupted view of the lake.  Again the weather was glorious for our entire stay.  We walked an average of 12 miles a day, ate out every night apart from one and annoyed the sales lady in an outdoor clothing shop that was closing down . With only 4 days left of the shop we went in every day, sometimes twice, and made her tempting but silly offers for some of her items, Eg waterproof breathable trousers...”5 pounds and no more”.  This was one of quite a few really enjoyable uk breaks that we’ve had this year...feel so lucky.

Camping and Caravan Club site at Keswick.

Camping and Caravan Club site at Keswick

The best pitch on the site without doubt.

Walking up Latrigg

Late afternoon view of Keswick from Latrigg.

Keswick Marina area.

We walked around the entire lake from Keswick, this is early on in the walk and on the north eastern section.

The eastern section of the lake.

Barb looking out over eastern section.

The southern section of Derwentwater.

Autumn colours just before the sun started to go down. 

View of Derwentwater from our motorhome.

On Sunday 13^th of September we left the Italian Lakes and drove down to the French Riviera. We planned on staying around Antibes but when we got there we weren’t impressed with the area.  We always imagined these type of resorts to be lovely picturesque old fishing villages and they may well be. However camping accommodation is spread along the coastline between the resorts to the extent that the coastline consists of a daisy chain of campsites, supermarkets, shopping malls , aqualands and fairgrounds.  This might be an unfair description as its based on a very brief visit but we knew there were better places so we headed to Frejus.  Frejus has its attractions but again is extremely popular and touristy but we found a site outside St Aygulf called Campsite La Plage d'Argens. A large popular and commercial site, but like I always say commercial sites out of season are often ideal for budget conscious couples who want to be occupied.  The beach here was only a short walk away, there was a cycle path running along the coast and there was an excellent swimming pool on site. Ideal for us. We cycled to St Aygulf and Frejus feeling safe on the cycle path, we also had a pleasant swim in the pool and were really starting to get into our ‘french mode’. Little did we know what was to come.

On Tuesday 15^th September we received a telephone call from Maureen my sister. She was holidaying in Cornwall with Sam & Harriet and my 98 yr old mum.   My mum had fallen and broken her hip, arm and hand was about to be operated on.  We packed up immediately and headed for Truro hospital a distance of1200 miles. We had an overnight stop at Campsite Château de l'Epervière in Gigny-sur-Saône (Saône-et-Loire) and then carried on the next day, taking the evening channel tunnel crossing and then stopping overnight at Thriftwood Holiday Park in Stansted. Next day straight to hospital.  We arrived in Truro on Thursday 17^th. We stayed just outside Truro at Chacewater park until Friday 25^thjust as an improving mum was due to be transferred back up to Southport. 

We decided to try to resurrect some of the ‘holiday’ and headed for East Devon.  We stayed a few days at Cofton Park near Sidmouth and then stayed a few days at Ladram Bay. We’d stayed at these great sites before and so didn’t really take any photographs. During that June visit we wanted to try Wood Farm in Charmouth but unfortunately it was full. So we booked Wood Farm before leaving Ladram and had 3 nights there. This is a great site that I can really recommend. For all of this stay in East Devon and Dorset the weather was amazingly warm and sunny. Whilst at Wood Farm we walked into Lyme Regis twice, Charmouth and took a bus to Bridport and West Bay.

West Bay beach where Broadchurch was filmed

West Bay beach.

Alec Hardy's house in blue on the left (part played by David Tennant.

Looking down on Lyme Regis

Lyme Regis

Lyme Regis

Lyme Regis

Wood Farm outside Charmouth.

So relaxing....not much happening so here are a few photies.

The pretty little town of Mergozzo on Lake Mergozzo

Mergozzo

Lake Mergozzo 

Camping Conca D'Oro beach area, looks slopping but its
actually flat, my disc must have slipped again.

Great pitch, flat and large, unusual for some Italian
sites.

Italy, famous for cappuccino, pizza, ice cream, beautiful voluptuous 60’s actresses , well dressed fashion conscious people and the Mafia….makers of dammed good gangland movies.

We have now had 4 memorable days in the Italian Lakes. Our site is probably the best in the area and is on the edge of Lake Maggiore with splendid views in all directions. It is also next to a gorgeous little town called Feriolo Di Baverno. Fortunately the beauty of the area has been intensified by the clear skies and sunshine we’ve been receiving since our arrival. We’ve mainly been relaxing by the lake or swimming in its clear waters but Tuesday saw us out on our bikes wandering around in circles in a nearby nature park, until an Italian couple who we had passed several times stopped us and directed us to a cycle path that led to Lake Mergozzo. We took the 3 mile ride passing the stunning lake until we reached the village of  Mergozzo at the head of the lake. A little sleepy village on the waters edge with several fine restaurants and bars. We sat and had a cappuccino at a bar overlooking the lake and just watched. The activity of sitting and watching is so crucial to any trip to Italy. You see Italy is one gigantic film set where all of the ‘actors’ walk about, alone, in pairs or in groups, practicing their lines and more importantly their gestures, revealing the beauty and rhythm of their language, a seeming mixture of latin passion and their famous opera aria’s., as they almost sing through their conversations and dialogue.

The importance of sitting and watching became even more significant on Tuesday when we cycled to Stresa, a place that should be renamed De Stressa, as it seems to extract all of your cares and woes as you sit along its stunning promenade. As you walk along the prom and lakeside gardens you cant help but be impressed with its majestic regency hotels. The lake views look north up Lake Maggiore towards Switzerland, in fact the northern section of this lake is actually in Switzerland. Closer just off the shore are the Borromean islands. Most attractive of these is Isolo Bello with its centrepiece being the Palazzo Borromeo, a large house with terraced gardens. If you don’t fancy the boat trip you can just admire the views, views can be so underrated. If only we had views like this everyday at home then Sky Tv would be made bankrupt!

Today we celebrated what Italy is famous for, we had a cappuccino at a bar, ate ice cream on the promenade and in the evening had pizza at a restaurant.

 

Our pitched van at camping Conca D'Oro

5 minute walk from site...Feriolo Di Baverno

Stresa prom.

The island of Isola Bella.

Looking north up Lake Maggiore towards Switzerland

Stresa

Stresa

Thursday 3rd September.
We drove about 48 miles to Interlaken. Campsite about 45 minutes walk into the town. Again a good site with clean facilities. However what was an 18 euro a night site in the book turned out to be a 27 euro a night sight. The taxes added on included a 6 euro a night levy just for taking our rubbish! It seems that the bin men around here must drive to work in Mercs and BMW's! We walked along a riverside track into Interlaken. We passed some black squirrels which from all accounts are black red ones, but whatever they are they were definitely black in colour. Interlaken was pretty but not as interesting as Lucerne. It was very popular with chinese tourists who spent most of there time taking pictures of themselves whilst balancing on one leg! Had coffee and cake and walked back to site.

Friday 4th September.
Left the site and a bit undecided. Not sure if to just do the drive straight to the Italian Lakes but when we saw the lovely weather decided to have one more night in Switzerland. Good decision as its150 miles to the Italian Lakes and the roads through the alps are mountainous and winding. We therefore stopped at a medieval town called Brig. Excellent site on  a river overlooking town. We parked close to reception and got an excellent internet connection even managed to stream uk tv.Walked the 10 minute riverside walk into town. Some nice shops and lovely old buildings. Found an Aldi and topped up with provisions. We didn't bring any Swiss Francs but everwhere takes euros, giving you change in swiss francs, must remember to use these before leaving Switzerland. Great swimming pool close to site with expansive lawns. We rested in the afternoon heat and went for another walk along the river going out of the town. Beautiful canyon walk.

Black Squirrel or is it a Black Red one?

Interlaken

Interlaken

Road from Interlaken to Brig

Brig

Brig

Tuesday 1st September. Left the site at  Epinal around 10am and went to nearby Leclerc to fill up with provisions. Drove 150 miles to Bad Bellingham in Germany. Germany is famous for its engineering, beer festivals and penalty kicks. This was a brief overnight stay in Germany before crossing into Switzerland. We merely crossed over the Rhine and followed its course for several miles before stopping at the site. However for our motorhome this is the Fatherland, the place of its manufacture, and in response to this return home it reared its beast of a head like a stallion let loose on the plains and roared and galloped down the autobahn displaying its sleek lines and showing off to the rest of the herd.
Good site, typical German cleanliness and organisation. However a worrying trend is emerging on some ACSI sites where sites seem to be adding a bit in taxes. Book price here is 18 euros but we were actually charged 21 euros.

Wednesday 2^nd September.

It must have been 1966 and only weeks had passed since Geoff Hurst sent that ball into the top corner of the net past a German paralysed goalkeeper named Tilkowski. We still had those famous words of Kenneth Wolstenholme ringing in our ears …”They think its all over….” Well you know the rest. The Blundell family were now on their first overseas holiday together. A journey that involved a flight from Manston airport in Kent to Basle in Switzerland, then an overnight coach drive through Lucerne via Lake Como to the resort of Lido di Jesola in Italy. Now almost 50 years later I am taking the same route. Passing Basle we had to stop at the Swiss border to obtain a 32 euro road vignette to allow us to drive our 3.5 plus motorhome on Swiss roads. Not an easy task when many of the border offices are closed but eventually we found one open and headed for Lucerne.

Switzerland, famous for watches, cuckoo clocks, neutrality and now a campsite in Lucerne that charges the equivalent of £35 a night! But with no other option, and granted its got everything we need and is placed close to the city, we handed over our hard earned pension to the Swiss authorities without a fight. Wouldn’t have had a fight anyway…remember….neutrality!

I still remember certain aspects of that trip nearly 50 years ago. Things such as the wooden bridges in Lucerne, the morning mist gently caressing the waters of Lake Como. So after setting up camp we walked into Lucerne. What a picturesque city. We walked the wooden bridges and climbed high to the city’s walls where a tower, a previous defence for its inhabitants now supported a large clock: we entered the tower to examine the mechanism of this giant timepiece and then descended back into the town retracing our footsteps along the lake waterfront returning to our site four hours later. Yet another enjoyable day.

Lucerne campsite.

Lucerne

Lucerne

Lucerne

Lucerne

Saturday 29^th

Drove 160 miles from Waldorf to Club Lac de Bouzey just outside Epinal. The weather has now reached the mid 70’s, sunny and hot. So after pitching we just relaxed and went for a late afternoon swim in the pool. For some reason there was a big Soiree in the area with most restaurants booked up and music and fireworks being provided up to 11pm.

Another good site with many empty pitches.

Sunday 30^th

The campsite continues to empty out mainly due to the fact that French kids are back in school tomorrow. Nice to see them going to schools and not Tory and New Labour institutions labelled ‘Academy’s’ or what ever the new jargon is.

Another lovely day hot sun, clear blue skies. So we offloaded the bikes and cycled mainly down the Canal d vosges to the town of Epinal. Returning rather sharpishly after we’d caught the local intermarche before it closed. All in all a round trip of 18 really pleasant miles. Another swim in the pool about due now after the afternoon kip.

Epinal

Epinal

Thursday 27th

We didn’t quite wake to the sound of the rain on the roof of the motorhome, as we were aware of it, and the traffic, throughout most of the night. We now realised that there are two sides to this aire, one being positioned next to the quieter river or our side next to a busy road, but we still got a few hours sleep. So it was off and away early, destination southern Belgium close to the Luxembourg border.

We stopped a few times on route but finally got to Camping Domaine Moulin de  Malempre around 2pm. The rain hadn’t stopped on route and it persisted throughout the day and well into the Thursday evening.  Even in the rain this was obviously a top class site with pool and well laid out pitches. Sadly it was fairly empty and looked uninspiring in the rain. However we booked a table in the restaurant that evening but imagined being the only ones in a damp cold cellar like restaurant. How wrong we were. We walked into a restaurant with an elevated position overlooking the site, a log burner roared and crackled in the centre and we chose to sit next to this on fine leather lounge chairs that were as comfortable as old slippers.  We were served a fine Belgium lager and persuaded to choose the Belgium stew with tasty beef chunks. A tasty meal an enjoyable evening, the rain was well and truly forgotten.

Friday 28^th

It was a fairly short drive of about 65 miles to our next destination Camping Left Beter – Uit at Waldorf in Luxembourg. Luxembourg is famous for ……?...Cheap fuel at 70p a litre?.......? Well if it isn’t famous for it then it should be famous for its cleanliness and tidiness. After seating the motorhome on a flat pitch we headed off to Vianden along an ‘alpine trail’. We eventually reached the outskirts of Vianden 90 minutes later. We wandered along the main carriageway wondering why we’d chosen this target for our walk, a few nice campsites along the rivers edge but what else. Finally we found the old part of the town centred on a medieval bridge. A really lovely spot where we sat in the sun at a restaurant and had a beer right beside the river. Up above us a large beautiful Chateau and ancient church looked down on us. When we got back to the site we had clocked 9 miles and burned up 780 calories.

Vianden Luxembourg

Vianden Luxembourg

Vianden Luxembourg

Vianden Luxembourg