Thurs 12 Oct 11° York

Tony's birthday and 1 year retired.

Great chat with Elliot this morning, he starts his new job in Auckland on 25th.

We walked round to the park and ride and caught the bus into the city £5.80 2 senior returns , then got the hop on hop off bus  £20 for 2 seniors,  again good commentary so much history here, Dick Turpins burial place, the Vikings and Roman history and the narrow Shambles where the houses are so close on the upper floor, neighbours could shake hands across the street from their windows.

We had lunch the Shambles market and found a new hat for Tony, we had tried to get one in Scotland but they only had one size fits all....and they obviously didn't....so were able to get one here,  pretty good new look.

new look hat

Famous for Terry's dark chocolates and the Chocolate Orange

lots of buskers...even a very good pianist singer..

The stocks and whippings  were held here...

No I didn't ride it.....just for show haha

Walked around the city, which is very easy and pleasant to do with most of the old centre turned into pedestrian only walking areas.

We went to the Yorvik centre £8.25 each, valid for a year, very interesting,  went round twice...

Had been recommended a multi national  buffet restaurant for dinner Cosmos, just across the bridge, we had a look, but soooo much to chose from , although very tempted, we didn't think we had long enough as we were told the busses didn't run much after 7.30pm so opted for the Slug and Lettuce which was very nice and a great way to celebrate 66 years for Tony.

Got the bus back, last one actually 8pm, but as Tony had left his new hat at the restaurant and had to do a quick run back...just as well we got there it time haha.

Very dark walk back down the lane to the camp site,  not too bad to find in daylight but very difficult in the dark.

Jenna rang for Tony's birthday and had a good chat, they fly out tomorrow to South Korea and Japan for 2 weeks.

Wed 11 Oct11° Ashington to York

Wet and windy as we pack up,  unplug Ehu and wait for the phone call to say the fuse board has arrived, 11.30 Malcolm rang, it has arrived It turns out to be the fridge feed that worked loose and sparked and burnt out. It was a real puzzle to plug it all back in, so many wires and leads, then it was done and everything was working....yeahhhhh!  £216 not too bad, so 1pm paid and on our way, first stop to get some lunch.....then no where to eat it. Finally came to a P on roadside, bit close for our likeing ,but ate and continued  on our way.

Through Gateshead and got a fill of diesel £1.17 £40 for 34 ltrs.a young  cyclist got too close trying to pass us at traffic lights and knocked off our wing mirror cover, he stopped and picked it up and gave it us with an apology.

Into Whitby, birthplace of Captain Cook. Up a 20% gradient hill and onto the North York Moors National Park. All the heather was brown in its last stages for life, if you looked hard enough on a clear day you may just see Denmark.....off the coast.

Our first campsite was full , plan B was also full, it was getting dark so asked at a pub just before York, they didn't want us.....finally got a campsite not far from the park and ride into York.....talk about  a hidden garden.....3 phone calls with the camp,down a long dark lane and there it was. Never parked in the dark before....but managed with our torch, got hooked up,  dinner on,  little boiled potatoes, fluffy omelette with fresh salad....so nice after a few days without fresh veges, even if it was 8pm...late for us.

Tues 10 Oct 12° Ashington

Looks like we had a shower overnight but the day is again dry, overcast with sun at times but still that very cold breeze.

After doing the domestics we sat and waited for the phone call...nothing by 11am so I rang....it still hadn't arrived.......waited....had lunch....waited Malcolm rang about 3pm to say looks like another night here....still hadn't arrived so he will phone us as soon as it arrives tomorrow. They definately sent it yesterday but we are in the hands of the courier.

Decided to go to the restaurant for dinner tonight.

Mon 9 Oct 12° Ashington

Sunny but still a cold wind, after breakfast I cut Tony's hair and beard, we had showers, paid for an extra night tonight and had egg and bacon toasted sandwiches for lunch.

We did the banking and prepared for our Insurance, service, MOT etc at Oaktree plus of course, however much it will be for repairs to the fuse board tomorrow.

Read another book, Tony read another paper,  then after dinner he walked to the club to watch football Ireland vs Wales,  but he had 2 very chatty jordies wanting to talk to him all the way through....not a happy chappy...never mind it was a nice outing for him.

Sun 8 Oct 12° Ashington

Mild and very quiet...big camp sleep in after the fun and games last night with the littleies up till midnight  haha.

Egg, bacon tomatoes and toast for brunch.

Tony walked to fill our water bottles again, bought milk and a Sunday paper from the shop. We had a relaxing afternoon and a long chat with Jenna to catch up before their 2 week holiday in Sth Korea and Japan. Alex was in the other room chatting to a South Korean 'guide' to arrange to meet for a tour...a private site that young people who want to meet tourists and practice their English over there. Jenna and Alex have 3 days there before going onto Tokyo.

Jenna has had her long hair cut up to just below her shoulders, it looks great and easier for her to style in different ways, she looks lovely....but then I am biased 😁

We watched Page Eight trilogy, part 2, on the tablet that Elliot had put on for us, very good, enjoying it, last one tomorrow.

Sat 7 Oct 10° Ashington

Cool overcast day today, first casualty of the freezer a pack of sausages and half a bag of frozen vegetables gone off...so pretty lucky really. Cooked the Frigadellen for lunch...they seem ok...cleaned the freezer compartment and fridge and left the doors open on the latch. Domestics again and filled our water bottles, interesting how much water we actually go through just for cups of tea and dishes haha, its not the best shower block, but water is hot .

Lots more caravans in for the weekend,,pretty full now, total 40 in the touring site and 400 cabins/chalets, so a very large place.

Tony went over to the clubhouse to watch NZ vs SA but only got the first half, then the football came on! Oh the English have their priorities all wrong...haha.

We had the mince for dinner as we didn't want to risk it going off then walked over to the clubhouse. First up was the children's talent show, then the Troupers singing....slightly off key...to be polite...and dancing....entertainment catered around the young families with their children. Later on a rock band set up, interrupted by a fire alarm, then all settled down. Very loud and we were amazed the large bar was chocker block full of families with young kids and babies...the noise couldn't have done them any good.

The little kids were on the dance floor running around and dancing having a great time and during one heavy rock song the dance floor was empty, then a young girl walked out pushing a baby in  a pram...it was hilarious...but they all had a really fun time. They played a couple of oldies that got the mums and young grandma's up and doing their thing before they finished and packed up to head back to Leeds.

Then there was a Kareoke going on in the bar, one good...2 shocking...then another good one, amateur night at its best but a really good, fun time for families and children.  we left after midnight and it was quite mild out for our walk home to Bessie.

Fri 6 Oct 7° Ashington

After breakfast we rang Malcolm at NE Caravans to check on progress, it just went to answer phone, left a message. Then took a load up to the laundry and put a wash on, had a warm soak into the heated indoor pool, came out, put the washing in the dryer and walked back for showers.

Malcolm rang to say the fuse board was repaired and would be sent back on Monday so he should have it Tuesday to fit it for us. was nothing to do with solar panel and car battery connection, just a loose connection that had arched and burnt out. whewww that's good. Not surprising after all the bumpy roads we have been over...probably lots of other bits and pieces worked lose as well.

Tony got the washing from the dryer, best ever, not a single damp bit anywhere, very good.

Lamb steaks, potatoes and vegetables for dinner. I will cook up the thawed mince to be heated up on Sunday as we have decided to go out tomorrow to the club for dinner and show.

Watched the last 2 episodes of Legends series on our tablets.

Thurs 5 Oct 9° Ashington

Happy Birthday Roz. A very rough night, strong winds, buffeting us and rocking and banging all night. Thought we might blow over. One of the caravan awnings did blow down, bad enough strong winds in a house but this was scary.

Went for a walk in the afternoon and had a beer in the bar, got talking to a family that live here in a lodge or large chalet, bit like a retirement village with  all the amenities . 

Heated up the rice and pork steaks from the other night, with soy sauce . Tony went over to watch the football, England vs Slovinia, he enjoyed it. I read my Kindle as don't need lights to be able to see it haha.

Wed 4 Oct 12° Ashington

Cool and dry, wind has dropped but sky now grey and threatening rain.

We had a walk around the complex,  the games room, full of seaside type machines, that you put 2p in and could win a little plastic toy or a cuddley soft animal toy. Lots of lights flashing and noisy fun of the fair.  Empty apart from a couple of children, through to the lounge, bar and restaurant,  good prices if we eat all our fridge and freezer supplies could give it a go. Everything completely thawed now,  so have to work our way through it.

Went into the camp shop, bought a paper, milk , some tin veges and a beer. We have wine and Tony bought me a Malabu  and Cola RTD can to try, on end of season special.
A large shallow heated pool, with a timetable of activities for young and ...not so young.

There were Parkdean Resort  'Troupers' rehearsing for tonight's show in another bar, different acts, quizzes and even bingo.....catering for everyone. Lots of fun for the kids too that give the parents a break. Great place for a family holiday.

Charged up my Kindle, lots of books on there to read...technology is fantastic when it works haha.

No phone call from Malcolm at NE Caravans so will call him tomorrow.
Salmon for me and Frikadellen for Tony with veges and little baby potatoes.

Tues 3 Oct 10° Ashington

Sunny again this morning, which is great, blue sky but very cold blustery wind. Certainly rocking Bessie around.

Tony went for a recky around the camp, not many here, although lots of caravans, and  chalets,  end of the season though I suppose. He bought some fresh bread and baked beans to go with our bacon and sausage cook up.

Read Leslie's blog in South America, sorted out cupboard under the sink.....found a Leak!  Luckily the poached egg holders that we bought with Pat caught most of it, being perfectly placed by the hose...so no major damage done...whewww. The pipe that Oaktree replaced has come loose....could have been a lot worse.

Domestics day, cleaning,  sorting cupboards etc, then we read the newspaper and my book while we have daylight, no lights, water or heating for a week, thank goodness I bought the battery candle with Pat in Lidl,  surprising how much light it gives off.

Tony went for a long swim, I cooked Pork steaks and vegetables rice, at least the oven and hob work and the microwave with the Ehu.

Large skein of geese flew over us in a bright red sky....it was getting dark fast as I desperately tried to finish the last few pages of my book before it got too dark. Another good read, David Baldacci,  Hells Corner, murder, mystery,  detective, spies a real thriller. Thanks Pat.....

Mon 2 Oct 12° Cambois to Ashington to Sandy Bay Holiday Camp

A lovely sunny day as we drove back to NE Caravans just a few miles away.

Malcolm checked the 12v board under drivers side settee....he found a burnt out connection...his face was very serious...he said it could have killed us!  Falcon should never have connected the car battery to the board as if over heated...which it obviously had...this would happen,  very dangerous.  he should should have been connected directly to leisure battery.  Unfortunately they don't make these boards Anymore!! So it will have to be sent away for repair. He rang Stellings at Beverly near Hull, who said at least a week......

Malcolm found a couple of campsites nearby for us to hold up. He said we would have no lights or water and of course no 12v, but the gas would work but not the ignition so have to go to B&M to get lighter and plug in lamp for light.

Another worker then took out both the top and back boards of the fridge and replaced with our originals...as now seems nothing wrong with them it was the 12v connection.

When Ian put the back board in the first time, he pulled the fridge forward and rested it on the cupboard underneath and we couldn't open it...when he did manage to get it open,  he couldn't close it again...I said it had obviously buckled under weight of fridge, but he couldn't work it out, he filed bits off the catch and the cupboard still it wouldn't work. Malcolm came in said he shouldn't have filed it, just got a piece of wood to Jimmy it up in the middle...bingo closed perfectly....Malcolm said he will repair it all properly when we bring  it back. Malcolm will phone Stelling on Wed  to chase it up as urgent.

Drove to B&M  got lighter but didn't have a lantern torch so will make do for now, bought lunch from hot food stand, roast pork bun for me and bacon burger for Tony.

Drove to Sandy Bay Holiday Park,  it was huge, full of cabins, caravans and motorhomes,  £68 for 7 nights with Ehu.  they have a heated swimming pool, bar and restaurant,  evening entertainment...bit like Butlins...Hi Dee hi......found a site with sea view but decided not to get on the front as it is blowing a gale...but the sun is shining,  the sky is blue, we are safe, Bessie didn't burn down and it could have been a lot worse.  A very nice place to be for a week while we wait for the repaired board.

Freezer in thawing, so have mince to make a spag bowl tonight and will gradually cook up all the food so not a problem.

Pat suggested I rang Chris at Stellings to ask for a report and photo of board when he gets it, so we can phone Falcon, which I did.

Sun 1st October 11° Ovingham to Cambois

Showery this morning, had a bit of a clean up, then headed north again,

Fridge panel still flashing not working on gas. Got to our free park for tonight......not a shop to be found....drove around houseing estate...no luck. Eventually found a spa and bakery almost at Ashington!  Bought a Sunday paper and hot.....well warm pies and a fresh cream sponge  for a treat....a little of what you fancy does you good..,haha.

Back to our car park on beach, lots of room and lots of dog walkers...great spot and big sandy beach for them to run on.

Sat 30 Sept 11° Stocksfield to Ovingham campsite

Drove to site about 2 miles from the Close House Golf for the British Masters £20 very basic, parked at end of small site near some horses. The owner asked Tony if he had tickets and said the road was very dangerous as no pavements to walk on. He very kindly  offered to drive him there. Very friendly, kind chap.

Got the fridge going on Ehu...the NE Caravans said there would be an air pocket in the gas and take several goes to ignite it. Freezer not too badly thawed.

Caught up on blog...7 days behind, a rain shower passed and brightened for Tony's afternoon  at the golf, 3pm quite a heavy downpour, thankfully he took the umbrella.

He got back at 6.15pm having left at 5.15pm to walk back...thoroughly enjoyed himself £34 for a ticket, which he got no problem at all. He walked 12 holes following former No 1 Lee Westwood and former European No 1 Robert Carlson, then watched to the end in the stand. Great afternoon.

Chicken and vegetables for dinner.