After breakfast, knock on the door, Steve the husband of the lady yesterday, asked if we were ok for water etc, had quite a chat. He left then came back and invited us to their place for dinner, would love to hear about our travels and Ireland as they were thinking of going. Plenty of room on their drive for us to park overnight, they live just around the corner. How nice was that ! We accepted and agreed about 4pm.
"A knock on the door at quarter past nine, a nice local had come to ask us to dine" heehee
We got organised and started off on 35 miles back Northwards to Ashington, Malcolm put it a new top board...not working, Ian put in a new back board....not working...they were at a loss, rang Thetford....closed 2pm for weekend....!!! Ian had disconnected the gas hose, so said there would be a bit of an air lock and would take a few ignitions to start again. He said gas was the most efficent takes ehu a lot longer to chill and freeze.
So after nearly 4 hours had to now wait until Monday and drive back again 70 miles round trip !
Round the corner to Shell for lpg top up 60p £3.90 for 6.5ltrs.
Drove 35 miles back to Steve and Nadia 's, very tight getting between posts into his driveway, parked behind his Autotrail . Lovely couple, she has just retired from 10 years as Sunderland football players mentor, mother figure, house finder, school finder, bank account sorter etc for all the new players , very interesting.
Lovely home , very tasty meal, potato, leek and blue cheese soup, beef ragout with pasta and cheesecake for desert. Insisted we sleep in the house, which was an added treat, good company and travel talk, very interesting and their two very large Labradoodle dogs, Marley a black curly and Finn a straight hair chocolate and strangely wire haired with an unusual beard, very different looking but both real softies. Didn't get any photos unfortunately.
Good company, a really hospitable couple and a great treat for us.
Saturday, 30 September 2017
Thursday 28 Sept 15° Stocksfield
Another sunny day, Tony feeling better, car park full with dog walkers, he got directions to the Golf, from a local woman with her big dogs, she and her husband have a motorhome and was chatting to Tony for a bit.
Drove to Golf, Car Park 2, had to have a pass which you get with tickets, can't buy one there. Car Park 3 ok but large field....one motorhome and lots of cars, we tried twice but grass very boggy and we just skidded and turned the grass to a big muddy hole. So that was out.
Plan B cultural day of Roman Town and Hadrians Wall. Drove to Corbridge Roman Town, but it was closed for renovations. We got information and map to other sites.
Decided on Housesteads Fort, so glad we did, it was fantastic, we arrived in time for 2pm tour, the guide was excellent he had an amazing memory and good amount of humour to make it very informative and put the flesh on the bones of the ruins and almost made it come to life. He said close your eyes and imagine.......he described the noise, hustle and bustle the smells and activities. The pub with beer brewing, the bakery, soldiers quarters, sauna, steam room and hot and cold baths. Toilets, complete with description of close encounters with a 'wiping brush' that was shared and kept in a tub of vinegar solution, to kill any germs.....eekkkkk. The General had his own house with servants and underfloor Heating! incredible technology they got mostly from the Greeks, and when the Romans left all their knowledge was forgotten and England went backwards for hundreds of years.
The fort was re-used over the centuries and in the 1700s extra buildings were added for corn drying as there was a mini ice age and down in London the Thames froze over and people would ice skate on it....so our weather patterns are certainly not new.
For £6.50 each it was well worth it for the 2 hours.
We had climbed up about half a mile to the fort, and the full description of the many buildings. After the tour he recommended we walk another little way and along the only part of Hadrians Wall allowed to be used to the Mile Fort 37, about another half a mile.
So we did, quite steep in parts as it climbed and meandered over the hillside. The wall had nothing to do with deviding England and Scotland as back then there was no Scotland, they think it was to protect the minerals around there and to collect taxes from people selling their wares into the fort. Most of the soldiers were Belgium but could come from all over the Roman Empire.
They had a Bank, savings and pensions funds and when soldiers left they got no more income, so they saved it for when their 25 year service was up. Fascinating.
After the walk we went into the museum to watch a little film and we got an ice cream then back to car park.... £5... which we thought was a bit steep, but hey overall it was excellent and the weather was perfect...the guide said it was the best day all year..,it was even quite Warm! He said it often is blowing a gale and usually very cold up at the fort, so we got it right to come today.
Drove back to free woodland park and Stocksfield, rang NE Caravans the fridge panel was flashing again No 6 this time which was not working on 12v which is when we are driving, and as you are not supposed to drive with gas on....this could be a problem.
Spoke to Ian, Malcolm had the day off to go to the Golf. He said bring it back and they will have a look tomorrow late morning. Ian said it won't be the Thermaster that just controls the temperature.
Drove to Golf, Car Park 2, had to have a pass which you get with tickets, can't buy one there. Car Park 3 ok but large field....one motorhome and lots of cars, we tried twice but grass very boggy and we just skidded and turned the grass to a big muddy hole. So that was out.
Plan B cultural day of Roman Town and Hadrians Wall. Drove to Corbridge Roman Town, but it was closed for renovations. We got information and map to other sites.
Decided on Housesteads Fort, so glad we did, it was fantastic, we arrived in time for 2pm tour, the guide was excellent he had an amazing memory and good amount of humour to make it very informative and put the flesh on the bones of the ruins and almost made it come to life. He said close your eyes and imagine.......he described the noise, hustle and bustle the smells and activities. The pub with beer brewing, the bakery, soldiers quarters, sauna, steam room and hot and cold baths. Toilets, complete with description of close encounters with a 'wiping brush' that was shared and kept in a tub of vinegar solution, to kill any germs.....eekkkkk. The General had his own house with servants and underfloor Heating! incredible technology they got mostly from the Greeks, and when the Romans left all their knowledge was forgotten and England went backwards for hundreds of years.
Sycamore Gap Hadrians Wall 
The fort was re-used over the centuries and in the 1700s extra buildings were added for corn drying as there was a mini ice age and down in London the Thames froze over and people would ice skate on it....so our weather patterns are certainly not new.
For £6.50 each it was well worth it for the 2 hours.
We had climbed up about half a mile to the fort, and the full description of the many buildings. After the tour he recommended we walk another little way and along the only part of Hadrians Wall allowed to be used to the Mile Fort 37, about another half a mile.
So we did, quite steep in parts as it climbed and meandered over the hillside. The wall had nothing to do with deviding England and Scotland as back then there was no Scotland, they think it was to protect the minerals around there and to collect taxes from people selling their wares into the fort. Most of the soldiers were Belgium but could come from all over the Roman Empire.
They had a Bank, savings and pensions funds and when soldiers left they got no more income, so they saved it for when their 25 year service was up. Fascinating.
After the walk we went into the museum to watch a little film and we got an ice cream then back to car park.... £5... which we thought was a bit steep, but hey overall it was excellent and the weather was perfect...the guide said it was the best day all year..,it was even quite Warm! He said it often is blowing a gale and usually very cold up at the fort, so we got it right to come today.
Drove back to free woodland park and Stocksfield, rang NE Caravans the fridge panel was flashing again No 6 this time which was not working on 12v which is when we are driving, and as you are not supposed to drive with gas on....this could be a problem.
Spoke to Ian, Malcolm had the day off to go to the Golf. He said bring it back and they will have a look tomorrow late morning. Ian said it won't be the Thermaster that just controls the temperature.
Wed 27 Sept 12° Dunbar Harbour to Ashington then Stocksfield
Sunny day and the sound of sea gulls but still that misty haze as we drove South to Ashington and CE Caravans, licensed Thetford dealer and service centre .
We farewell Scotland and drive back into England
Just outside Ashington we stopped for diesel £1.19 £50 for 42ltrs.
It took just 30 seconds to remove old one and fit new thermaster, job well done.
B&M just around the corner, so called in to get some more mixed bean pouch meals....they didn't have any...dissapointing as they make the basis of a good healthy and tasty meal...will have to look in another one somewhere.
Arrived at out free stop in woodland car park, 20 min drive to the Close House British Masters Golf.
Tony has upset tum....first ailment in 11 months so not bad at all.,
Very popular with dog walkers, lots coming and going.
We farewell Scotland and drive back into England
Just outside Ashington we stopped for diesel £1.19 £50 for 42ltrs.
It took just 30 seconds to remove old one and fit new thermaster, job well done.
B&M just around the corner, so called in to get some more mixed bean pouch meals....they didn't have any...dissapointing as they make the basis of a good healthy and tasty meal...will have to look in another one somewhere.
Arrived at out free stop in woodland car park, 20 min drive to the Close House British Masters Golf.
Tony has upset tum....first ailment in 11 months so not bad at all.,
Very popular with dog walkers, lots coming and going.
Tues 26 Sept 11° Fisherrow - Forth Bridge- Dunfermline Abbey- Dunbar
The sun came out for our drive over the new 4 week old Forth of Firth bridge to Dunfermline Abbey where Kelly and Dan were married. Lovely old Abbey the resting place of King Robert the Bruce.
Then after lunch in the village, new cafe and tattoo parlour with one side full of fish tanks. the staff were covered in tattoos, but very very friendly, it was called Pagan Inspired and had lots of purple decorations and cutlery.
Back over the bridge and East to Dunbar on the coast. Our free stop at Dunbar Harbour, bit tricky to find directions it thru narrow village streets and quite a few pot holes, but found a good spot overlooking the fishing boats.
We went for a walk along the harbour , an Asian family were fishing for what look like sardines, small silvery fish, they had a bucket full, so doing very well....good dinner tonight for their family.
A little seal, the fisherman called Stevie came right up to one of the boats and the fisherman fed it and it played and rolled around right there by the harbour wall.
Then after lunch in the village, new cafe and tattoo parlour with one side full of fish tanks. the staff were covered in tattoos, but very very friendly, it was called Pagan Inspired and had lots of purple decorations and cutlery.
Back over the bridge and East to Dunbar on the coast. Our free stop at Dunbar Harbour, bit tricky to find directions it thru narrow village streets and quite a few pot holes, but found a good spot overlooking the fishing boats.
We went for a walk along the harbour , an Asian family were fishing for what look like sardines, small silvery fish, they had a bucket full, so doing very well....good dinner tonight for their family.
A little seal, the fisherman called Stevie came right up to one of the boats and the fisherman fed it and it played and rolled around right there by the harbour wall.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)