Monday 30 April 2007

Journeys in a Camper Van


We live in a beautiful country and the North West has some of the loveliest places in England and Wales.

As the forecast was for more dry and sunny weather, on Sunday we decided to take the van out for a run. If it was left to me our day trips would always included a drive to part of the coast from Angelsey right through to Southport. There are so many places to visit, the quaint coastal town of Rhos on Sea in North Wales, the very trendy Rhosneigher on Angelsey or even the beautiful Lancashire coast (not sure it is still called that though) from Formby up to Southport.

But yesterday we broke with tradition and went inland the the Yorkshire Dales. The weather, as promised, was beautiful and as we had set off early, the roads weren't too busy. We had intended meandering across the dales to the Aysgarth Falls in Wensleydale but along the way we spotted a sign for the Ingleton Waterfalls Trail. What a find! a 8k walk through the Ingleton Glen that has lots of fab waterfalls, beautiful woodland carpeted with spring flowers and some very interesting rock formations. And even though there were lots of people walking the trail it didn't feel at all crowded. The scenery was breathtaking in parts and and even though the rivers aren't full the falls were quite amazing. Well worth the visit (and the sore feet)

If you want to find out more about the Dales you might like to look at their website at:

http://www.yorkshire-dales.com/welcome.html

The joy of selling your house

We had a viewer for the house last Thursday and when he was 10 minutes late I was getting so angry. Why can't people be as punctual as I am? Do they think that it is cool to be tardy or is it that they just don't care? Why am I getting so bothered about it? Does it matter? I suppose that in the grand scheme of things it doesn't matter a jot but I am sorry I just think that it is rude.

I suppose that it doesn't help that the feedback via Estate Agent was the viewer felt that our house was a little small for their needs. This is from a man who told me that he, his wife and her 90 year old mother were looking to downsize! Well I'm sorry but if a four bedroomed house with a 21' lounge 24' conservatory 5 car drive 2 car garage and landscaped gardens with 3 decking areas a pond and a sunken sun terrace is too small what is he looking for , Blenheim Palace for £250K????

Rant over!!!

Saturday 21 April 2007

Family Business

Just home from a lovely afternoon with some of the family in Liverpool. It was David's first Holy Communion today and Sue and Mike had arranged a party for him in the tennis club. The weather was lovely (thank goodness) and Sue had laid on a delicious spread. We had to shoot off early to let Lesley get some of her packing done. We are taking her back to York tomorrow and are hoping that all her stuff will fit in the car!

Annita and I had a smashing day in Chester last Monday, mooching around the shops and strolling along the river, very civilized on a sunny spring day. Dave collected Lesley and Lawrence from Luton airport in the early hours of Tuesday morning and we have had a great time hearing of their adventures hitching to Morocco and riding camels in the desert. I'm not so sure that mountain climbing in flip flops was such a brilliant idea though! Wednesday was spent washing and on Thursday I met Yvonne to catch up on the news from the DfES. Needless to say I haven't been able to get much writing done but I am planning to spend most of next week typing away at it.

To wet your appetite here is another little snippet from Spanish Steps

For her cover as part of a husband and wife team with Geoffrey, she had to look at least sixty years old. To look her real age might have alerted their neighbours that this comfortable remote farmhouse was more than just a smallholding. They might have realised that Geoffrey was hunting for more than rabbits for the pot when he went walking the fields at dusk.

Tuesday 10 April 2007

Lobster Folk


We have just returned from a fab weekend down in Pembrokeshire. When I booked the campsite I was a bit miffed to find that they didn't have electric hook ups, but I needn't have worried the van worked perfectly off the vanity battery. The weather was glorious and we walked for miles. Unfortunately we didn't think to use sun tan lotion and Dave and I are now rather florid, some might even say lobster like, I would rather just say healthy. But I must admit that James burst out laughing when he saw us - cruel boy.

We stayed just outside St Davids at a campsite right on the coastal path. The views were great and the sunsets were to die for.

We have been keeping abreast of Lesley's progress down to Morocco via her text messages and were relieved that they had sailed for Morocco before Easter. Apparently it is a nightmare to find accommodation in Spain over the Easter weekend and I had visions of them wandering around like lost souls looking for a roof for the night.