In 2012, I started writing Itineries for our trips – these were not set in stone and we have turned up at places and not stayed as the web description didn’t match the actual location or vicinity etc. We have also had to changeplans completely when we had a puncture on the Isle of Barra and could only get a replacement on the Isle of Lewis. We did have a small 50mph spare, but we didn’t want to risk another puncture!
Several friends have said we should say where we’ve been and share the photos, another reason we wanted to write a blog. I am aiming to share the photos and trips on seperate pages.
As I had previously said we started our camping trips in the Lake District.
In April 2008, we stayed in a campsite behind the Fish Inn, Borrowdale, where we made our first attempt at climbing Haystacks. we failed miserably – a combination of general unfitness and vertigo meant we had to turnaround, annoyingly admitting defeat. Later that year we discovered the Langdale Valley. We stayed at the National Trust Campsite and frequented the Old Dungeon Ghyll pub. The Langdale Valley is one of the most beautiful places we have stayed and I am loathe to publicise it, as want it kept secret 🙂 We then started to stay at one of our most favourite campsites Baysbrown, Chapel Stile again not somewhere we want to make public as it is so beautiful, peaceful and welcoming. The lovely Wainwrights Inn is a bonus and short walk away.
In 2009, we got Albi and he started to come withus on our Lake District Adventures from September.
In 2011, we decided to walk the Coast to Coast Walk, from St Bees in Cumbria to Robin Hood’s Bay in Yorkshire.
In 2012, we travelled through the Outer Hebrides (where we got our puncture) and spent time on Skye and Mull, before travelling back home and back to work.
In 2013, we travelled to the Isle of Arran, the Isle of Mull, Ardnamurchan, the Isle of Skye, Applecross and Loch lomand, returning home via Keld.
Late in 2013 we bought our campervan and had it converted by Bilbo’s. The first trip was to Worcester and New Year in Kendall.
In April 2014, we travelled to Slovenia, via France and Austria, returning home through Italy, Mont Blanc and France.
In August/ September 2014, we travelled to the South West of England – Devon, Cornwall, Somerset, Wiltshire and Berkshire – the trip had been arranged to tie in with a pre-arranged Lunch Reservation at the Hand and Flowers, Marlow (arranged the previous Christmas)!
We spent Christmas 2014, in the Lake District, in a rented cottage.
Then the big trip, we’d planned for ages – Norway in May / June 2015, just under 3 weeks travelling. France, the Netherlands, Denmark, Sweden (through the Tunnel and over the Bridge), Norway up to the Arctic Circle then the trip back home! In August/ September 2015, we travelled to Austria and Italy then back through France.
New Year 2015/6 was spent close to home – too close in fact as when the weather turned, we went home! Yes lightweights!
April/ May 2016, we hired a boat and spent a week on the Caledonian Canal, Scotland and another week travelling the Eastern side of England from Northumberland down. It was on this trip from the canal to Berwick on Tweed, we discovered why the Snow Road is so named! In August/ September 2016, we returned to France, travelling down the Eastern edge, from Champagne to Monaco.
New Year was spent at Eskdale Campsite – with the worst trip home ever…. we have always been lucky with the M6 until this trip – 6 hours to get from Kendal to the M40!
April / May 2017, we stayed close to home and went to Wales. So beautiful and lovely, in fact we went back in August September!
New Year was spent in Densole at the Black Horse Campsite – Densole.
Easter 2018, we spent in Cirencester after our original plans were litterally washed out and the campsite flooded!
April / May 2018, we drove the Wild Atlantic Way, Ireland from Kinsale, Co Cork to Derry.
In August / September 2018, we spent a long weekend on the Isle of Wight before travelling off to Brittany for 10 days.
New Year was spent in Cambridge.
2019 – the Adventure is about to begin ……..
Thank you for reading my ramblings, Sx