Yorkshire Road Trip- Lulu’s First Tour

Posted on September 13, 2020 by mrdked

Yorkshire Road Trip- Day 1

Friday September 4th and day 1 of our Yorkshire road trip- Lulus’ first tour, and our first Big Adventure! Now I know that, for all you seasoned vanlifers and tourers, a 10 day trip around Yorkshire is small beans, but for van newbies, like us, this is a big new adventure! As a (former) tent camper the thought of erecting and striking a tent every day for ten days would be hellish, but for us motorhomers, it’s a breeze! And we can’t wait!

The night before departure day, we do as much as we can. The water tank is full. Electric is hooked up, the fridge will be good and cold. Wardrobes (cupboards!) are readied. Dry and tinned goods are stashed in every available nook and cranny. Marley is whisked off to Linda and Jim at his favourite kennels http://www.pawsawyle.com, tail wagging as he hotfoots it up the path!

The Big Day Is Here -Llandeilo to Whitchurch!

We aim to be away at 10:00am and manage to get all the last minute stuff loaded, and actually get on the road by 10:10am- RESULT!

And We're off- image of Mags & Kev in Lulu
And we’re off!!

The satnav is set. We discover that the journey time to our first stop is 2h 45m, not 1h 45m as we thought. Hmmm. A quick call to our daughter, who we are meeting for lunch when we land, and all is well.

We are happy and excited! As you may know from our last post-https://luluvantravellers|holidayplansscupperedtwice! , our last holiday was just about a year ago, two weeks in Kefalonia last September. We are TIRED! We need this!

Things are trundling along quite nicely. The weather is good, the traffic is pretty light, we are all on track. Until we meet the poop tanker. We follow said tanker for a while. We follow it for a while longer. In fact we follow the tanker for what seems like hours. Normally this pace would suit us fine, we are all for the slow road, but we have a daughter to meet, and a van to settle in.

Finally, with tempers fully intact, we arrive at Whitchurch Marina www.whitchurchmarina.com. It’s our first time to England since face masks became mandatory, so naturally I forget mine and have to go back to the van! Check in is easy and painless, and we make our way down to our pitch, pitch 4, the first pitch of our first tour! A small moment of joy!

Canal Boats and Crane at Witchurch Marina
Lulu on Witchurch Marina

We haven’t even got squared up when “You can’t pitch there!” appears at our window, the caravaner from pitch 3. “ We were told pitch 4 is vacant”. “No, You can’t pitch there, we’ve friends coming and we’ve booked pitch 4 as well”. We pull off and move down to pitch 5, which is actually a nicer pitch, firmer, with no ruts, and a full view of the canal. Pitch 4 remains empty!

Lunch Date at last!

Our baby girl (27!) turns up about half an hour later and, after the obligatory cup of tea, we wander into town for lunch.

The walk in to town is interesting! There are a couple of very busy roads between there and the marina, but Whitchurch is quite a nice little place. We stroll around, taking in the little shops and cafes, it’s worth mentioning that quite a few of them are closing at 3-4pm at the moment, and find Luke’s Café Wine Bar (They don’t have a website but check them out on Facebook). We spend a couple of very pleasant hours sat at a pavement table drinking wine and beer, eating tapas, and catching up with everything that has happened since we were last together in January.

Luke's Cafe Wine Bar- Whitchurch
Luke’s Café Wine Bar Whitchurch

Back to the van, and some socially distant goodbye hugs (😉) and we settle in for the night.

Quick veggie rice, couple of beers, and out comes the Ludo. I’m not a naturally competitive soul, never have been. Unless playing against Kev. I have never forgiven him for coming up with COAXIAL at Scrabble, and completely wiping me out, so now I want to win everything! As it stands we are even stevens at 1 all, with everything to play for! Might have to get the Scrabble out later!

Good night all, catch up with you tomorrow! X

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Holiday Plans Scuppered Twice!- Cue Lulu’s first tour!

Posted on August 31, 2020 by mrdked

Disaster- 2020 Holiday Plans scuppered– twice!

Image of the pool at the Tara Beach Hotel, Cefalonia
Pool, Tara Beach Hotel, Skala Kefalonia

After 2 weeks of lazing around the hotel pool in Skala https:/tarabeach.gr, Cephalonia last year we decided, almost as soon as we came back, that this year we were going to do a hotel tour of an as yet undiscovered, (by us!) region in our beloved France. Sadly, our holiday plans were scuppered-twice!

We booked an overnight ferry from Portsmouth to Caen and then, via Booking.Com, arranged a series of overnight stops south to Sarlat la Caneda, where we planned to stay for a week before driving north to Ste. Mere Eglise and our favorite restaurant ‘Un Monde Sans Faim’ www.unmondesansfaim.fr.

Image of Un Monde Sans Faim, one of our favourite restaurants
Un Monde Sans Faim, Ste Mere Eglise

We had planned to go for Mags birthday in April! Disaster! Cue lockdown, ferry rearrangements and hotel cancellations!

We hastily rearranged almost everything to coincide with Kevs birthday at the start of September, only to be thwarted again by regional lockdowns, imposed quarantines, etc.

Since rearranging our plans the first time, we have become the proud owners of Lulu, our 2006 Trigano Tribute, so we have taken the opportunity to move our ferry booking (again!) to June 2021, and update our vehicle details to Lulus. This will be Lulu’s first continental tour in the van and come hell or high water, we will be in France in 2021.

Anyway….back to 2020…

It’s a ‘HOLIDAY’………not a ‘staycation’!

After multiple evenings ferry juggling , we have joined the millions of fellow Brits who have embraced the ‘staycation’ this year.

Surely staycation means ‘stay at home’? Vacation means ‘vacate home’? Or…………go on holiday!! Perhaps its just that I have had enough of the raft of new words that 2020 has brought to the English language so far, Who knew what furlough meant way back in February?

Cue Lulu’s First Tour!

We have therefore decided to take Lulu on her first extended UK van tour. We are heading cross country to the North Yorkshire coast before turning around, recrossing the country and coming home straight down through Wales.

Using a mixture of CLs, club sites, small independent sites, Britstops and Park4Night stops, we have sites booked or planned at:

1.        Whitchurch Marina, Shropshire

2.        Chatsworth Park Caravan and Motorhome Club site, Bakewell, Derbyshire

3.        Hebden Bridge Caravan and Motorhome Club site, Yorkshire

4.        Foxholme Touring Caravan Park, Nr Helmsley, Yorkshire

5.        Marfit Head Caravan and Motorhome Club CL, Pickering, Yorkshire

6.        Barnard Castle Caravan and Motorhome Club site, Barnard Castle, County Durham

7.        Acre Hill Farm, Clitheroe, Lancashire

8.        Beaconsfield Holiday Park, Upper Battlefield, Shrewsbury

Two’s company…………

We have decided (Kev has decided!) that 10 days, possibly 10 wet days, cooped up in a van with Marley this early in our vanlife adventure, would be too much for us (him!) to bear. So Marley is off on his annual holiday, once again with Linda and Jim at Pawsawhile boarding kennels www.pawsawhile.com.

Being a super intelligent border collie, just as soon as we indicate right to turn into Pawsawhile, he knows where he is, and can’t wait to get out of the car to see Jim. He loves it there and we know that he is well looked after – we have been using Pawsawhile for eight years or so now. A quick visit also to Teilo Vets www.teilovetsltd.co.uk for his annual booster jabs, and Marley is good to go.

Van and Equipment updates/ upgrades

Over the past few weeks, we’ve been updating/upgrading some of our previous spontaneous, purchases for Lulu. These will be reviewed as we go, but include- new chairs, Cadac barbecue, yet another screen cover, a Lagun table, 25m hook up cable (not getting caught again!). We have changed the handing of our wardrobe door, removed the hanging rail, and added shelves, we have also installed LED striplights over the sliding door and along the cab step.

Leaving Marley behind will also give us the opportunity to take our old Land Rover bikes with us, and to hopefully use them. We’ll have to see if we can find some quiet cycle paths or country roads, for me to gain a bit more confidence. Before we go the bikes will be given a little service, a bit of a clean up, and new inner tube for my front wheel. No doubt we’ll let you know how we get on (or fall off!)

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March 2020- Preparing Lulu for van life

Posted on August 16, 2020 by mrdked

March 2020

With the (built up over many months) excitement and enthusiasm of becoming Van Owners, our 10% deposit paid, we set about waiting for the necessary MOT and habitation checks to be carried out. There were a couple of odds and ends needed- a new skylight, a small crack in the shower tray which had to be sealed and recoated, full service and cambelt change. We discovered on handover that Lulu has had three cambelts over 14 years, and 26,000 miles, good news! And, in March 2020, preparing Lulu for van life began in earnest.

Then, after a week of waiting for a delivery date, LOCKDOWN HAPPENED! Cheers Boris

Preparing Lulu- Planning and wishing!

Ah, well! We’ll spend the next couple of weeks browsing and creating a shopping/wish list. As the list grew and evolved, like a living, breathing entity, Mags realised that owning a motorhome didn’t end with those words. Initially, this was going to be a little expensive…..

I, on the other hand, realised that ALL my birthdays, and Christmases, had come at once, and Jeff Bezos, and his teams of couriers and drivers, were going to be retiring early thanks to us! I learned recently that Jeff’s wealth increased by $10 million in June. I’m waiting for my thank you card and an invitation to the Amazon Christmas shindig!

Having been avid followers of many vanlife travel vloggers and bloggers, we had an idea of what we wished to bestow upon (and within) our soon to be beloved Lulu. We looked at products to enhance her, to bring her into the 21st century, and to make our travels and lives easier.

I remember my dad telling me when I bought my first car, a £200 mini in 1985, not to spend money on anything but the engine in the first instance. “Get the engine right first son, then add bits as you go along”. “OK Dad” I thought, as I put the fluffy dice, wheel arches, stereo, and 8″ steering wheel into my red and blue pride and joy!

With my dads sage words of wisdom in mind, I set about creating our wish list!

The Wish List!

THE BORING STUFF: Insurance and breakdown cover. Caravanguard and Green Flag came up trumps (after some negotiating with Green Flag – check their telephone quote against their online ‘new’ business price, then ring them back!!https://caravanguard.co.uk

FIAMMA BIKE RACK: We have owned matching Land rover bikes since the inception of the Cycle To Work scheme. Mags has ridden hers around four times in that time, always in Pembrey Country Park, or around our farm yard. Never having learned to ride as a child she lacks the confidence to ride on the road in traffic. It is something she is desperate to do, so we will be taking our bikes wherever possible

Fiaama Bike Rack
Fiaama Bike Rack

VAN MUSIC SYSTEM: We love music. We have to have music in our van, in our life, and on our travels. Any genre will do, from reggae and Gregorian chant to French Gypsy jazz and Bach, it doesn’t matter. Our musical taste is as eclectic as it comes. We will need to update Lulus basic system to a usb/ CD/ Bluetooth unit, with Bluetooth speakers, and an Amazon Dot, just so Jeff doesn’t think we’ve forgotten him.https:/amazon.co.uk

VAN WI-FI ROUTER: We need to stay connected to the outside world. We will be taking the plunge and adding a Mi-Fi router and 4G aerial set-up.https:/motorhomewifi.com

SOLAR PANEL: We will need to charge our batteries, leisure, starter and human! We eventually intend to be off grid as much as possible, rather than paying upwards of £20.00 per night for campsite fees.

LEISURE BATTERY (IES) Unaware of the age and overall condition of the 80aH battery that is fitted to Lulu, we want to upgrade her to a minimum of 105aH, to make the best possible use of the solar power we will be generating.

STARTER BATTERY: We didn’t actually realise we wanted/needed one of these until a couple of weeks after Lulu arrived, when the battery gave up the ghost, along with all of its charging capabilities.

B-B CHARGER: We need to make sure that the new starter battery is kept fully charged via the solar panel, especially when we are staying off grid for a couple of days so, obviously, we will need a battery to battery charger.https://www.camperbros.com

LED LIGHTING: The addition of warm white strip lighting, and LED bulbs throughout the van (along with Mags’ essential fairy lights!) keep costs down, and reduce the amount of 12v power we will use

LPG SYSTEM: Again to reduce running costs, and to make obtaining gas in Europe easier, we really want a refillable gas system. We were initially looking at an underslung tank but, with the position of Lulus handbrake cable limiting the possible tank size to 6Kg, we found that a single refillable bottle could hold the same amount of gas, for half the price of the kit, and I could fit it myself.https://www.gasit.co.uk

REVERSING/REAR VIEW CAMERA: Speaks for itself! I have driven many vehicles over the years, and am happy to do so. Over the years I have driven 2-seater sporty numbers to 4x4s’, forklifts and dumper trucks, lawnmowers and excavators. There is something about reversing a van, with no view of the rear end, that makes me nervous! It will come with practice, but until it does I will take all the help I can get, thank you!

As you can see, dear readers, all of these “wants” are actually necessities as far as our Lulu is concerned! I will post reviews of our mountain of purchases over the coming weeks and months, as we get used to their pros and cons, but until then……….cue Amazon, eBay, et al, and happy shopping!

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Site review- Dol Llys Caravan & Camping- Llanidloes- Powys

Posted on August 10, 2020 by mrdked

As I mentioned in my earlier blog post https://duncombesroaming.com|Lulu Vanlife- Feeling the Love here is the site review for Dol Llys Caravan & Camping Powys,https://dolllyscaravancampsite.co.uk

Entry to Dol Llys Caravan & Camping
Entry to Dol Llys Caravan & Camping

Kev and I have camped quite a bit over the last 20 years, and have generally favoured quiet sites, adults only, small and friendly. We arrived at Dol Llys Caravan & Camping mid afternoon on Friday August 7th and it appeared to be a pretty busy site. There were lots of people milling about, couple more vans came in behind us, and I wondered whether we had made an error of judgement.

Check in was quick and easy and, after a little discussion between Andrew & Janet, the site owners, we were shown to our pitch. The site is much bigger than you first think! The road drops away from reception, leading down past a field with hook up available, a side road at the bottom leads to another field with the River Severn running alongside it, finally reaching the last field with gravel hardstandings all around with large, open, tree lined area in the centre.

Large, privately owned caravan & camping site in Llanidloes, Powys. Family friendly, dog friendly, mix of grass and gravel pitches with and without electric hook-up.

C0st of stay £48.00 for 0ne camper van, two people, one dog, for two nights with EHU

FACILITIES

Reception

Male & female toilet blocks

Unisex showers

Dishwashing and laundry facilities

Chemical toilet disposal

Wi-fi at the top of the site only

Ladies toilet block
Ladies toilet block
Facilities at Dol Llys- Shower
Facilities at Dol Llys- Shower
Dishwashing area
Dishwashing area

The toilet blocks are dated, but are clean and functional. The showers are much more modern, a new block having been built about eight years ago. They are cleaned several times a day but, on a site this size and this busy, it is almost impossible to be able to keep them spotless at all times, bear this in mind if you happen to use them and they are less than perfect.

The facilities are located at the top of the site, by reception. The site is on a working farm, in the middle of the Welsh countryside, it gets dark! Carry a torch in the evenings, there are speed bumps which can catch you out!

GENERAL

Dol Llys is beautifully kept! The lawns are lush, and well cut and there are some spectacular plants around the site (biggest thistles I’ve ever seen!). There is a beach area off one field, which gives access to the River Severn, popular with swimmers, paddlers, and inflatables. At the very end, behind where we pitched, there is a flock of sheep, and cows with calves.

Huge thistles!!
Huge thistles!!
Entry point to the river
Entry point to the river

There are no entertainment facilities on site, but that didn’t seem to bother anyone! They allow controlled fires and, as dusk fell, the smell of barbecues and campfires filled the air, as people made their own entertainment. The area is popular with cyclists, and there were a couple of small groups who seemed to magically disappear by morning as they made their way to their next stop.

In the end we were pleasantly surprised by this site. It is probably bigger than we would like, but Andrew and Janet were so nice, and the location is so beautiful, it’s a fair bet we will go there again, but maybe out of season!

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LULU VAN LIFE- FEELING THE LOVE!

Posted on August 9, 2020 by mrdked

This weekend saw us on our third mini adventure into Lulu Van Life- and boy were we feeling the love!

With the way things are, and as we’re still newbies, we have been trying to stay within a two hour drive of home, and this time we landed in Llanidloes, Powys, on Dol Llys Farm http://dolllyscaravancampsite.co.uk .

Image of the drive through the farmyard at the entrance to Dol Llys Farm camping & caravan site
The drive through the farmyard to enter Dol Llys Farm Caravan & Camping Site

I’ll be honest! When we arrived I wasn’t sure whether we’d made the right choice. From reception the site looked quite small, and quite busy!

The owners were manning reception, there was some discussion and we were shown to our pitch. The site was busy, but it certainly isn’t small! I will go into more detail about the site when I do a review later on, but I will say this- site is lovely, as are the owners Andrew & Janet Evans!

Our pitch was at the furthest point away from reception possible. Gravel and grass, nice and flat. We were getting ready to set up, still chatting to Andrew, when Kev realised that there was no way we were going to reach the hook up with our lead! The pitch next to it was vacant, but Andrew wasn’t sure what the situation was so whizzed off on his quad bike to double check.

We mooched around, and tried to see if there was a way we could make it work. There wasn’t (if it’s too short it’s too short!). Within minutes Andrew was back, with Janet perched on the front of the quad, and a thirty metre cable perched on the back!

Disaster averted! And miraculously (for us anyway!) that set the tone for the weekend!

With everything set up, we opened up the van, staked Marley out the front (not literally!), and cracked a couple of beers in the sun!

Image of me taking a photo of Kev taking a photo of our dog Marley
Me taking a photo of Kev, taking a photo of Marley

Marley was a complete star! He loves to be outside, and if we (or Kev to be exact!) are there as well, he almost reverts back to a puppy! He now jumps in and out of the van a lot more easily and, when we return from his many wee walks, stands patiently at the door waiting to be let in.

A couple of hours just relaxing, in for dinner, and an early night. Marley only got me up once at about 2:00am and then slept through ’til 8:00am!! BONUS!

Day two- and the love continues!

Saturday morning started sunny but cool. After a leisurely breakfast of bacon rolls and strong coffee, which is fast becoming a bit of a ritual, we head off on foot into Llanidloes. A pleasant walk, about a mile from the site, along busyish roads, takes you into the centre of town.

As you come into town you cross an arched stone bridge over the River Severn, turn right as you come off the bridge, onto a lovely short walk along the river.

Image of Kev & Marley by the river in front of a stone arched bridge
Kev & Marley by the river
View of the river Severn
View of the river Severn
Sculpture of The Godess Sabrina, which is the Roman name for the river Severn. She has fish around her skirt hem and a bowl with copper coins, symbolising offerings from the locals
Sculpture of The Godess Sabrina, which is the Roman name for the River Severn.
She has fish around her skirt hem and holds a bowl of copper coins, symbolising offerings from the locals

A little bit about Llanidloes

Llanidloes is the first town on the River Severn after its source. It once held a reputation for the production of flannel and there is still an old flannel factory on the outskirts, which has now been converted to flats. I have been trying to find a word to describe the town, and the best I can come up with is odd! I went through unusual, quirky, individual, different, but settled on odd! Parts of it are absolutely stunning. The 17th century, black and white timbered market hall used to be a bustling flannel market. It has now had seating installed, for the use of customers from the nearby cafes, and houses a museum to timber framed buildings in the area.

image of a 17th century black and white timbered building which used to be the flannel market
17th century flannel market building https://www.llanidloes.com

As you walk around the little town, it’s as if it doesn’t quite know what to do next. There is a marked abscence of chains, which is a nice change, but not a lot to replace them. There are a couple of interesting cafes and artisan shops but, on the Saturday we were there, the streets were lined with what appeared to be locals selling bric a brac from their attics, alongside some quite lovely little craft stalls. It is a little bit of a shame as it’s a town which could be so much more.

We finished our walkabout, and settled in the beer garden at the Red Lion www.redlionllanidloes.com fror the cheapest pint we’ve had for a long time before wandering back to the site for a couple of Lidl mojitos, and some dinner, vegan bolognese with nooch (shout out for Sarah & Nick of https://theexpawers.com without whom we would never have even heard of nooch, let alone bought it!)

Sunday was much cooler. Marley slept through ’til 5:00am, after his exertions the day before, and we were able to take our time having breakfast and sorting everything ready to leave, secure in the knowledge that we would be back home by lunchtime.

The Great Escape- Old dog, New legs!

Marleys new found puppy legs nearly caused a bit of a do! The previously vacant pitch next to us had been occupied on Saturday afternoon by a family with a lovely big motorhome, a small tent, and a gazebo with zip in panels. The hairy wonder, on seeing our open van door, decided to make a break for it! It was one of those things which happens at breakneck speed, in slow motion!

Kev lunged for the dog lead, I lunged for the door….Marley managed to lunge between the two of us and headed straight for the gap at the bottom of the gazebo. Just the other side of the gap, clearly visible to us, and also to Marley, was the edge of a double airbed. Upon said airbed, lay the peacefully sleeping heads of the older son and his girlfriend, who remain blissfully unaware that they were about to get an earful of dog drool! Thankfully, Marley didn’t need to pee and Kev’s running legs have not seized up after four months of inactivity!

WAVING!!

So what about this waving thing, then!? There appears to be some debate about the van waving habit. Do you or don’t you? Should you or shouldn’t you?

Well, after being fans of The Overnighters TV YouTube channel twitter@overnightersuk , we decided that we should, and we would. And we have. But not very successfully! This weekend on the way to our site we waved at maybe ten or eleven vans (and one horsebox)….NOTHING! NADA! DIM BYD O GWBL! It was a little better on the way back, with 8 out of 15 waving back, so a success over all. I have decided that from now on, all posts will include a tally of waves given, and waves returned! So if you see a mad woman, with short grey hair, in an oldish silver Trigano Tribute waving at you frantically, just indulge me a little, it will cheer up my day, and make me smile! Lets see how that pans out!

We had decided that, as we are having our first long trip with Lulu in September, we would stay home on our next weekend off, in two weeks, and maybe catch up on some chores. By 6:00pm Saturday we were looking for sites, so I can’t see that happening; got to live the life, and feel the love, while you can!

All in all our most succesful trip yet! Can’t wait for more Lulu van life, and more feeling the love!

Happy travels!

Love Mags, Kev & Marley

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Site review- Caravan & Camping Club site- Rhandirmwyn- Llandovery

Posted on July 31, 2020 by mrdked

Welcome to our site review of- Caravan & Camping Club site- Rhandirmwyn- Llandovery http://campingandcaravanningclub.co.uk/campsites/uk/carmarthenshire/llandovery/rhndirmwyn-camping-and-caravan-club-site/

Entrance to Rhandirmwyn Site
Site entrance

Camping & Caravan Club site in Llandovery, Carmarthenshire

Small, family site, dog friendly, with a mix of gravel, and grass pitches for motorhomes, caravans, or tents, and log cabin type self catering accommodation

Gravel hardstanding, with electric hook up

FACILITIES

Reception & shop (currently closed)

Male & female shower blocks (closed for the remainder of the season)

Dishwashing facilities open

Motorhome service point

Chemical toilet disposal

Drinking water point

Wi-Fi (intermittent)

Designated dog walk area

grass pitches
Grass pitches
Dishwashing area

Dishwashing area

The shower blocks, dishwashing, and motorhome service areas are positioned centrally to the pitches, and easily accessible.

We stayed on this site a couple of years ago in our little two man tent, and were struck then by how well kept it was. I have to say nothing has changed, the site is immaculate, even the bark chippings seem to stay where they should! There are well tended borders, and neatly cut hedges, which break up the site quite naturally.

The river Towy runs the length of the site, which we love as you have a constant sound of running water, (I’m sure some would find it annoying!). The river is the source of the frogs mentioned in our earlier blog post Lulu Vanlife-Its Harder Than I Thought, they didn’t bother us but Marley was more interested than you would expect!

The weather was awful when we arrived Friday night, through to midmorning Saturday, so the Wi-Fi was sketchy at best. When the rain cleared enough to get out, we walked the perimeter of the village. Be aware that if you generally like a trek across the fields, it’s not possible with a dog- lots of stiles with no through access.

There are two pubs in walking distance- The Towy Bridge http://facebook.com/towybridge/, which is still currently closed, and The Royal Oak http://theroyaloakinnpub.co.uk, which was open from 6:00pm, (steep hill!). We didn’t sample either this time due to covid-19 restrictions and awful weather!

The Towy Bridge Inn viewed from the Towy Bridge
The Towy Bridge Inn viewed from the Towy Bridge

It’s fair to say we really like this site. It’s small enough not to get too busy, and big enough not to feel too crowded. There are no entertainment facilities, bar, restaurant, games room, so may not be everyone’s cup of tea, but it suits us. I’m sure we’ll visit again.

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THE RISING SUN INN- MOSELEY GREEN- GL15 4HN

Posted on July 28, 2020 by mrdked
Image of the rear of The Rising Sun Inn, Mosely Green, from one of the beer gardens
The Rising Sun Inn

The Rising Sun Inn, Moseley Green, www.risingsunmoseleygreen.co.uk, was our second Britstop http://www.britstops.com , on our first trip out in Lulu. Once again we called ahead to check availability and were advised there was no problem, the only request was that we park in the gravel carpark.

This time we were earlier than anticipated, there were a few cars in the carpark already so we chose a space and set everything up.

As it was a beautiful sunny day, we decided to let Marley get some fresh air in the beer garden so, of course we had to grab a couple of beers! The service was order and collect only, from a table set up outside the main entrance.This was really well monitored, so there was virtually no waiting. On requesting some water for the dog we were directed to a repurposed keg, which was refilled with water, with a selection of different sized bowls for all your doggy needs.

The gardens here are extensive, there are at least three, one with a play are. The whole site is surrounded by the beautiful Forest of Dean. There are walks going off in all directions, a lot of which appeared to be popular with cyclists as well as walkers. We found out later that, on a Sunday evening, they have visiting brass bands to come and play in the gardens.

Image of the sloping carpark at the Rising Sun Inn
Sloping carpark at the Rising Sun Inn

We were there from Saturday afternoon through to Sunday morning, not long after the end of lockdown, and it was busy! The clientele is really varied, couples, families with and without children, cyclists and motor cyclists, even a surprisingly well behaved stag party. The atmosphere was friendly and relaxed, and it wuld have been quite easy for a couple of beers to turn into several, but it was time to eat so we headed back to Lulu.

Image of a woodland trail at The Rising Sun Inn
Rising Sun Trails

There was a bit more room when we got back to the carpark, so we moved to a flatter area ( the area does slope quite a bit) and settled in.

We headed back or another drink after dinner, but a younger crowd had congregated and, although they were well behaved and in no way intrusive, it wasn’t our vibe and we happily strolled back to the van, for an extremely peaceful nights sleep.

All in all another good experience. The pub was nice, with lovely outside spaces, the staff were really friendly, and the beer was good, and reasonable. we would recommend them for a stop, but get there early to get the flat pitch!

Posted in Pubs & Restaurants, Reviews, Stopover Reviews, Uncategorized | Comments Off on THE RISING SUN INN- MOSELEY GREEN- GL15 4HN

The Woolaston Inn- Woolaston, Lydney, GL15 6PW

Posted on July 26, 2020 by mrdked

Image of the rear deck area of The Woolaston Inn, Lydney
The Woolaston Inn, Lydney

As mentioned in our first blog post, Finding Lulu- The search for the perfect van, The Woolaston Inn, Lydney, was the first stopover on our first trip in our new van Lulu. woolastoninn.co.uk

Their website describes them as “a reputable Nepalese restaurant”.

They offer two level, tarmaced motorhome pitches at the rear of their carpark, with electric hook up. You have to call ahead to book, being members of the Britstop scheme britstops.com, which we did. We were later than anticipated and, by the time we arrived, both pitches were occupied. The owners were happy for us to park at the front of the property, as long as we didn’t mind no hook up. We were fine with this, there was a little noise from the main road, but not enough to worry any of us.

Image of Mags & Marley in the garden of The Woolaston Inn
Woolaston Inn garden

We set up and made our way to the beer garden, for our first draught beer since the start of lockdown and it was gooood! While at the bar, the aromas from the kitchens were to good to ignore so we asked for a couple of menus. I ordered a Lamb Saag with Mushroom rice, while Kev went for the Raja Rani Chicken with plain rice. Both meals were fantastic! The staff were courteous and friendly, even though we were still eating well after their 10:00pm cut off for food service. Total bill came to £43.00 for two meals and four beers.

They are dog, and child friendly and, although we were happy to sit outside on the decked area, we could just as easily have taken Marley in with us with no problem.

All in all a great place which we would certainly recommend!

Posted in Pubs & Restaurants, Reviews, Stopover Reviews | Comments Off on The Woolaston Inn- Woolaston, Lydney, GL15 6PW

Lulu Vanlife- It’s Harder Than I Thought!

Posted on July 26, 2020 by mrdked

This weekend saw our second trip into Lulu vanlife- it’s harder than I thought!

Friday evening, 24th July, thought we were organised- just goes to show how wrong you can be!

We decided to stay close to home this time, so opted for a C&CC site in Rhandirmwyn, (review will be in our new CAMPSITE REVIEW section later), 35 minutes from home. Finished work at 5:00pm on the dot! Still didn’t arrive until 7:30pm!

Image of the entrance to Rhandirmwyn Campsite as you arrive
Rhandirmwyn Camping & Caravan Club

Got ourselves all checked in and set up and the heavens opened. Marley seemed a little unsettled and grumbly, so I took him for a wee walk (in every sense of the word). Back at Lulu, settled down for tea and cake, Marley still whiney so Kev took him for a walk, via the river.

Ten minutes later, Marley STILL not happy, (we now have a wet, whiney dog). Took him out again.

We finally sat down for our pasta (“we’ll just have veggie pasta-it’ll be quick”) only to discover that I had forgotten to pack cheese. And herbs. And patience!

By bed time we were so tired we opted for the single bed configuration, with doggo sleeping down the middle………..

4:25am

Marley needs a wee…..

Couldn’t open the sliding door (turns out I hadn’t shut it properly! OOPS!) Kev now up as well, but can’t open the back doors either. By some miracle of sorcery Kev gets the door open and off we go, dodging frogs as we go.

The valley is stunning! It’s just getting light and the surrounding hills are shrouded in mist, which cocoons the valley, encapsulating the sounds within- the soft breeze, the rain on the leaves, and the first awakening calls of the birds, divine!

Then the torch batteries run out!

We get back to Lulu to find Kev up and about, having dismantled my bed, with an offer of his bed (yep! This one’s a keeper!) I creep in and fall into a warm, cosy light sleep.

5:30am. WEE TIME! This time Kev takes him. All the doors work, and when they get back I’m still warm and cosy, and asleep.

6:45am. WEE TIME!

At this point we are having breakfast and going straight home!

We have a couple of rolls, with good thick slices of bacon, and a cup of strong fresh coffee, the rain stops, the wi-fi decides to work after all, and suddenly it’s a whole different day.

Boots on, coats and water packed in the rucksack, and off we go. Two peaceful hours of strolling at our own pace, through lush, green, Welsh countryside, and all is well with the world.

Picture of a gnarley old oak with all its scars and dead wood
Gnarley old oak!

Back at the site, cold beers and quiche out in the open, great music wafting out of Lulu’s new Bluetooth speaker, and the sounds of the country. Sitting outside our lovely little van, listening to the wind, the rustling of the trees, the birds and the bees, and the hushed voices of our fellow campers and all is well with the world.

Picture of Mags & Kev sat outside Lulu eating lunch, and drinking beer!
Lunching with Lulu

There’s a chance we will call up the local later, but probably not. We’ll grab an hour on the sofa, have an early dinner, maybe see if Netflix will work, and start preparing for our next vanlife adventure, two weeks from now. I plan to be more organised. I might even pack some cheese!

Vanlife- it’s easier than you think!

Posted in July 2020, Travels with Lulu | Tagged , , , , , , | Comments Off on Lulu Vanlife- It’s Harder Than I Thought!