Wednesday, April 29, 2015

April

April 2015


I pitched my Vango Astoria 800 in the garden to make sure it was OK for my son to take to Borrowdale. I had a bad experience in the tent in December 2013. With gale force winds blowing, I had to sleep in my car as the tent was flattened. I managed to repair the holes and got new poles from Vango.




Digby always camps in the garden with me. He loves the heater; a bargain from Go Outdoors at just under £30!





Barney and I went to the Camping and Caravanning Club site at Braithwaite Fold (Bowness on Windermere) for five days at the beginning of the month. We had 60 mile an hour winds but the Pennine folding camper and awning stood up to it beautifully. I had to visit Bardsea leisure www.bardsealeisure.co.uk near Ulverston to buy an awning tie down strap and it did the trick. 
This site was excellent for walking/strolling into Bowness for shopping or pub food, drink. There is also a cafe on the slip road into the site (didn't try it) and a road train to take you into Bowness but it's only a five minute walk anyway! The warden on this site went out of their way to help me set up my camper and awning; they could not have been more helpful. AS I was leaving the site manager came over and apologised for not having helped me put the camper away! Over and above the cause of duty!


I haven't used the Pennine awning since I bought an Outwell Country Road awning from Outdoor Action www.outdooraction.co.uk  in Blackburn in October 2013. I wanted to try it out again. The Outwell awning would have been better in the high winds but I was reminded again that the Pennine awning is such a superb quality! 



Essential camping equipment when on electric hook up is my TASSIMO... Quick coffee heaven...



Drove to Ambleside for a walk and to sample the grub at The Wateredge Inn  www.wateredgeinn.co.uk. Dog friendly with a roaring fire and eclectic menu. My kind of pub!



Inside the Pennine Fiesta... it's so cosy! I could live in it. I sometimes camp out on the drive.



Barney loves camping! I bought interlocking mats for my awning. They are really warm and better than walking across a hardstanding floor. They mean more comfort for Barney and me! These were Aldi specials!



My son was in Blighty for three weeks and spent his first weekend camping at Chapel House Farm, Rosthwaite, Borrowdale. www.chapelhousefarmcampsite.co.uk I've never camped in this valley before but I will do again. It is a simple site. No hook up or fancy bits. Just a good old fashioned campsite with excellent views and a friendly pub within walking distance. The Langstrath Country Inn was superb! Food amazing and I saw a red squirrel cavorting around in the back field! In their own words (or somebody's) Traditional village inn with pub dining, cosy guest rooms and fell views. 



A view across the camping field at Chapel House Farm. Cars stay on the car park!


I had a big birthday this month (say no more) and was treated to a trip to Great Langdale Campsite for this. We went to Long Valley Yurts sited within the National Trust site. My children know me so well picking this as a treat. I must admit to being embarrassed to say that I bullied my son to tell me where we were going and felt ashamed afterwards. The yurts are amazing!



Long Valley Yurts, Great Langdale National Trust campsite



David, Matilda and Ben relaxing at Langdale.




Relaxing on comfortable futons in the yurts; a log burner made it very cosy!



Went to Outdoor Action in Blackburn and fell in love with the Outwell Alabama 7. What a tent... if only I needed a new tent...


Outwell Alabama 7



Rounded off the month with a weekend in Pooley Bridge on Ullswater. Returned to Hillcroft caravan park for a weekend and what a joy. Pooley Bridge is a relaxing laid-back village in the eastern Lake District, with three pubs (dog friendly) an excellent general store and camping shops... perfect.
We ate and drank in The Crown Inn and The Sun. Didn't try The Pooley Bridge Inn.
www.crowninn-pooleybridge.co.uk  www.pooleybridgeinn.co.uk  www.suninnpooleybridge.co.uk



Sun Inn


We visited a stone circle at Little Salkeld near Penrith; Long Meg and her daughters




The camping field at Hillcroft Caravan Park



Came home and walked the dog on Lower Rivington Reservoir.


Also managed a garden camp in the Vango Velocity!





April has been a tremendous month for camping, glamping, family and fun. I hope it's a taster for the season to come!


I might try to fill in my camping escapades since my last blog entry in January 2013 to explain my semi-conversion to the dark side in my Pennine camper... who knows?

2 comments:

Tigermouse said...

Great photos, I'm glad you enjoyed your time away in the camper. When I saw the photo of Rivington res I thought it was still in the Lake District until I read the text! It's ages since I went round there and it's not that far from me - you've inspired me to take my two dogs now :)

Mickey Mouse said...

Glad I inspired you, Tigermouse! We really are lucky with Irvington so close to Bolton! :-)