The Autumn of 2014 was a time when we also went on a couple of trips out in the van.  Barbara’s sister Anne came over from Brisbane, Australia so we packed up and went on a trip around central England.  To enable us to get around a bit more we also took the car with us.

 We spent a night at The Royal Hill pub and campsite about 5 mile NW of Shrewsbury. From here we went down to the Malvern Hills staying at the Camping and Caravan site at Blackmore. The weather was really kind to us and although it was mid September we spent most of the time in shorts and T shirts.  We walked in the Malvern Hills but it became a bit misty on the top of the hills.

From Blackmore we headed to the Cotswolds and had two nights at the Lemington Lakes site just outside Moreton in Marsh.  This was a really nice site although a little more expensive than some other sites in the area. From here we were able to go on some lovely walks around Bourton on the Water and Broadway.  All in all 4 lovely nights away.

In late October Barbara and I went on a bit of a walking tour around the peak district for 3 days.  Our first stop was the Camping and Caravan club site at Hayfield where we walked for 4 hours across Kinder Scout.  After that we went to the Caravan Club site at Castleton where we had two nights walking over Mam Tor.  On our way home we stopped at the Ladybower reservoir district and went on a 20 mile bike ride.

In late November early December we were invited to stay at our friends Sandra and Dennis in Jersey. They were going to Goa for 2 weeks so we stayed and looked after their two dogs.  We went in the car via the ferry so Pickles came with us.  We had no concerns about how he would get on with the two dogs but  late in the day we remembered that they had a cat.  Pickles has never liked cats and has always looked like he would attack them if given the chance.  However on our arrival he soon became very attached to Kato so much so that by the end of the holiday he would curl up alongside him.  This was a really enjoyable and relaxing break for us and we spent most of our time on cliff top walks with the dogs or just the two of us.  Whilst we were there we were asked by some other people we know if we would return in March to  look after their dogs so that looks highly likely.

Traditional xmas dinner with Pickles at the table. The back of the hat reads
"Yet again". Every year we think its going to be his last but with all he's been
through this year its more than likely it will be his last. But this gives us a great
memory to hold on to.

These pics were taken on our 'dog minding' trip to Jersey.
Pickles relaxes with his new friend Kato.

Some great cliff top walks here we look down at Beauport beach.

Curled up together.

Greve de Lecq beach.

Greve de Lecq.

We were lucky to have both Tim and Sophie over
 for a few days.

Sophie getting some pram practice in at St Brelades.

Waiting there turn in the 'pram'.

The reservoir near St Peters.

Pickles and Kato.

All together.

Late Octobers 3 day walking trip in Peak District.
 Hayfield Camping and Caravan club site.

Heading up Kinder Scout.

Near the summit.

Looking down from top of Kinder Scout.

Mam Tor Walk

Mam Tor walk.

Ladybower Resevoir.

Day out at Dunham Massey.

Outside the Royal Hill Pub and campsite near Shrewsbury.

Anne in The Malverns

Lemington Lakes Caravan Park Moreton in Marsh

Lemmington Lakes

Bourton on the Water

Walking near Broadway

Broadway Tower

Broadway

Another pint at Broadway

We finally arrived home on Sunday 14th July at around 8am. As planned we spent two great days at what is probably our favourite municipal site in France...Camping Municipal Sezanne. For around 11 euros a night you get a spotlessly clean terraced site with lots of well drained flat pitches. There is free access to a heated Olympic sized swimming pool. Because we'd already done the bike rides and walks in the area we spent these two days swimming in the pool and relaxing listening to the first test match on the radio. The weather continued to be hot with temps around 30c.
After leaving Sezanne around 8am on the Saturday we drove to Calais for our 4pm boat, stopping on the way for lunch and a visit to the supermarkets to fill up with fuel and booze.
We finally docked at Dover around tea time and drove to The Bowling Green at Banbury, a free overnight stop for motorhomes. Unfortunately this was not an ideal location as it was positioned right next to the M40 and the car park had a 2metre high barrier. The owners were kind enough to lower this for us but the traffic noise kept us awake for most of the night. Consequently we set off for home around 5pm on Sunday morning.

Camping Municipal Sezanne, spotlessly clean, flat and well drained...

...there always seems to be a council worker in attendance keeping the site well maintained and clean...

...the Olympic sized pool is heated with a large grassed area for sunbathing...

...Easy access and well landscaped.

Lake Settons