Monday 29 June 2015

The Kids Are Powered Up

L28/06/15 Weston-Super-Mare to Oud Manor to Clapham 12kms


After a very nice English breakfast, we rushed ourselves ready to go pick up the bikes from Bridgwater. It was a busy 20 mile drive, but fuss free. Luck would have it, there was a parking spot right outside the door to SJS Cycles.

Inside, Dave came out with some brand spanking new bike boxes for the trip home, and then he brought the bikes out. All work done, dynamo's on the front wheels (we can plug our phones/IPads in and they will charge while we ride), I got mud guards and a new goose neck to give my handle bars a lift and more comfortable angle, and they were serviced and ready to get back on the road. We paid the bill, ouch, said thanks to the team, and loaded the bikes into the van.


Boxes for the ride home, and the pimped up rides.


We are really happy to have them back, and securing them in the van.


Back at the B&B, we chilled out for a while, as it was supposed to rain, and then we would head off for our test ride. It didn't take long until we were too bored waiting and the rain hadn't come, so we decided to just do a short ride around town. Once we reached to seaside, we rode along it and headed north through a nice foresty road to Sand Bay. We found a Cafe and stopped for lunch. Then the rain started, so we waited for about an hour until it stopped before heading back. It felt great to be riding again, and for me, awesome to not get a wet back and mud all over my face.



Going for a "short" ride, so better put on my stupid hi vis vest.


So you can see our new power dynamos.


This place has the hugest tides, 7-8 meters. Poor little boats.


Back to the selfies, and the cycling gear.


The New Castle Cafe and Bar. We had lunch and a couple of drinks while waiting.


Poor Betty and Yellow finally get out and get rained on...


That was the limit of our adventure today, and we spent the evening just reading and resting. Tomorrow we are driving back to London, and then going to visit with Will's cousin Alison and her family. The drive back was busy, with the weather being so gorgeous, everyone was out and about. The world famous Glastonbury festival was on, The Goodwood Speed Festival was on, and it was a warm clear day.

We made it back to Sue and Brad's around one, then took about a half hour walk to the train station to catch the train to Clapham station. From there, we waited for Alison to meet us and walk us to her place about a kilometre and a half from the station. Keith, Zoe and Henry met us at the door, and we all walked to Clapham Common ( a community park), had a couple of beers while the kids played, and when they were hungry, we caught a bus to an area called Brixton. It was a great spot. Multi cultural, food, markets, smells and a great place for people watching. Afterwards, we sat in their courtyard drinking way to much red wine, and listening to the foxes. Yes people, in the middle of London, Foxes!


                                         
                                           Clapham Common with the crew .. 


                                 
                                    Brixton markets and they were great.                    
                                        
                                       What should we eat guys. ....


                                   
                  Jenny, Beth, Alison, Keith, Henry & Zoe



                                       
Catching the bus to Brixton. We went up top of course.


We had a great night, and woke up a bit late, and took our time chatting and drinking coffee before heading back to the train station and Oud Manor. Alison and Keith looked after us last time we visited, and this time was the same. We really enjoy their company, and the kids were a lot of fun. Now we are just chilling with Sue and Brad, helping to unpack the stuff for their kitchen, and cooking the first dinner in the awesome oven. Roast lamb, can't wait. 






Sunday 28 June 2015

B&B Luxury

27/06/15 Bridport to Weston-Super-Mare

We had a great sleep, but woke early, and did the usual. We are at the end of this mini adventure, and we're a bit tired, and a little homesick, so we talked about staying in a little bit of luxury for a couple of days before picking up the bikes and returning to Oud Manor. The bikes are in Bridgwater, and there was nothing reasonable there, so we decided to head to Weston-Super-Mare, which is just down the road, has a beach, shops etc, and some good options for accommodation.


Quiet little camp with lots of bunny rabbits.


Once we were all packed and ready to go, we went for a walk down to the beach to have a look. It was one of the best weather days so far in England, and it was supposed to be a nice beach. It was! Not like we are used to, it was little pebbles, but the cliffs that met the pebbles, that met the crystal clear water was stunning. We just had to take our sandals off and put our feet in the water.  Bloody idiots, it was frickin torture! Three steps on the pebbles, and the little buggers were between the toes, stuck to the arches, digging into the heals, and the water.....well that was like ice! Holy crap, and you couldn't quickly run out, 'cause the pebbles just killed you. Put your sandals back on, and that was worse, as the pebbles just ran into every gap and wedged themselves between your feet and the material.....oh my god, how do you enjoy these beaches? Just sit down! Don't move, just relax into the beach, watch the other people doing what you just did, and it was lovely. Really beautiful.


Looking towards West Bay....what a great day.


That water is bloody freezing......


I feel like one of those cats who hate getting their feet wet. Shaking out the pebbles.


Until you had to get off the beach! Repeat your last manoeuvre then a huge sigh of relief when you reach the grassy hill. What a crack up. It was time to head off and find a B&B to stay in for a couple of days.

Will drove us along the route DC had set for us, until she told us to head up some crooked looking laneway in the middle of nowhere. We stayed on the road we were already on, as it was wide enough for two way traffic (just). A quick check on Maps.me, and we refused to take her laneways until we came to Taunton. Then we decided to have a stop and a sandwich from Sainsbury's.

It wasn't much further and we arrived at Weston-Super-Mare. It was heaps busier than it was on our last visit, 3yrs ago, so we parked on a quiet street and used the IPad to find and book a place. The reception wasn't good enough on the coast, but we have full service here. We've had an email from SJS Cycles to let us know the kids are ready to be picked up, woo hoo, we're really missing them. So first thing tomorrow we'll scoot over to Bridgwater and get them, and take them for a ride.


The Grand Peer.


We found our little B&B, and met Darren. He is a nice guy, running things all by himself. Upstairs, we relaxed before walking and finding Hussain's Indian restaurant. It was delicious, and we ate way too much. Better make sure we have a ride tomorrow.

Friday 26 June 2015

Deery, Deery Me

24/06/15 The New Forest to Bridport

When we crawled out of our tent on Tuesday morning, the camping field was full of deer. Munching away, casually, and just generally munging out. Even though Steve and Heidi (CGOAB Run, Ride, Roam) and Others had told us about them, it was still amazing, and we sat and watched them for ages. The caretakers were hooning around on the big tractor, mowing the field, and the deer just ignored it. He even had to stop while a couple of them walked across his path.


Deer! Lots of them. Apparently these are all males, the girls are in the forest with the babies.


It is really cool, so many of them, just ignoring all the dampers.


After breakfast and deer watching, we decided to walk to Brockenhurst along the trail through the forest and Heath. A nice couple we'd chatted to yesterday (Roger and Mary), had said it was nice, easy and there were wild ponies, cattle and deer to see. It took us about half an hour, and as we got into town, there were horses everywhere throughout the village. A couple of donkeys eating people's gardens, and the driveways even had cattle grids. We had cream teas, and walked back to the campground.



Whoah, Nelly, don't trust them, they are sneaky animals.


I'm not confident! They know it, and now they are following me.....


Most driveways have these, or a bloody big gate.


These horses are outside the dentist. I'm not hanging around here.


The beautiful New Forest walk. Luckily we got a great weather day.


As the sun was shining, we just relaxed and watched the deer again, until they decided they were bored with us and left. So we hopped in the van and drove a about 15 miles to check out the Sammy Miller Motorcycle Museum. Bloody hell, Will, two museums in two days. Enough already! But, again, it was pretty interesting, with over 350 restored bikes from all eras. Sammy Miller is a world renowned Trials rider, and just loves bikes. We were a bit late to meet him, as he was off with a few of the old bikes to Goodwood, in Chichester, for a show.


Driving to the museum, these horses were just relaxing out of the sun....on the road!


Looked like a shitty old barn from the front. Wow, nice.


We met Barnaby on the way in, he was very cute for an Alpaca.


Hundreds of motorbikes lovingly restored and researched.


Some had pedals as well as motors, as the motors were not yet reliable.


So much information, I can't take it all in.


This motorcycle has the same brand seat as my bicycle. It is 101 years old.


After the walk and the museum, we were buggered, so we decided to stop in Brockenhurst and have dinner early. We chose an old pub with a name that reminded us of Australia a bit, "The Snake Catcher". The food was okay, but the pub story was good. It was originally named The Railway Pub, but was changed in respect of one of it's patrons. He was a recluse, who lived in The New Forest in a cone shaped hut made of bracken, and he used to catch snakes to sell to tourists, zoos and for research. If he got bitten, he would treat himself by cutting out the bite and putting on home made ointment. He used to frequent the pub, and died there, in one of the out houses. 

They have some really funny named for their pubs. 


Back at the campground, we had a visit from Roger and Mary, who had been walking all day, and we enjoyed chatting about our families and children. They  have seven kids, including one special needs daughter, who they care for. Their other children are grown and live all over the world. They were a great couple, having a well earned rest for a few days.


Roger and Mary (just over 70yrs old) giving us some tips on what to see.



This is our English Fridge, we just leave it outside overnight....ha ha ha, not really!


After the beautiful day, the night got cold, so we jumped into bed, read our books and fell asleep.  In the middle of the night, we were woken by rustling, and footsteps outside the tent. At first I was totally freaked out, but once I gathered myself enough to listen properly, what we could hear, were deer, next to our tent ripping up the grass and eating it. They were so close, we could hear the saliva in their mouths swishing around and them swallowing. Oohhh, disgusting. One of them accidentally kicked the stupid alfoil BBQ, and they all got a fright and ran off. When we got up in the morning, there was no sign of them.

After the, now usual, breakfast, coffees, relax, we chucked everything into the van and headed back west towards Lyme Regis. We have to pick up the bikes on Friday, and we're ready to head back to Sue and Brads. We stopped at a little village called Bishops Caundle (means small hill), to use a loo, and ended up in The White Hart pub, having lunch. Gale, the owner, tried to get us a yurt down the road, which sounded cool, but they only rent them for "Mini Weeks" at £600 for four nights......holy crap, do you get a butler and a maid, and a prostitute each?


The narrow, windy roads through the forest. Very pretty when you aren't the driver.


Needless to say, we continued on. We decided on Bridport, and luckily our route took us past the historical Cerne Abbas, which has the Cerne Giant. It is a man carved on the hillside, out of the Dorset Chalk. It is supposed to be hundreds of years old. Hhmmm, bit of a laugh really.


This is the Cerne Giant......I called it Dick Man on a Hill.....he he he, 


The only otter we were able to find...bummer.


We picked Freshwater Beach Holiday Park, and it was huge. It had permanent holiday homes, caravans, two fields, a club, restaurant, shop, pool, everything a small village has and more. It was also expensive. I didn't really want to stay and pay the price, but Will was buggered from driving, and I wasn't really keen to drive, so stay we did. We heated up some Sainsbury ready meals, and drank some beers from the little shop, had a great shower, and went to bed. Oh, don't forget, we watched the million bunny rabbits just on dusk. Cute.


Camp near Bridport. Expensive, and huge, but quiet and awesome showers.




















Thursday 25 June 2015

Sunday Roast at Last

22/06/15 South Lytchett Minster to The New Forest

Sunday morning was warm, and slow, and it had been raining through the night. We lazily sat around having coffees, reading and waiting for the tent to dry, while our washing was on, and enjoyed watching the other campers take their tent cities down. They took all morning, and it is amazing that all their gear actually fit back in their small SUV's with the kids and dog.


You should have seen the gear that came out of these massive tents.


By elevenish, we were bored, and they were taking forever, so we picked up our tiny tent and chucked it in the van. We were packed and moved into our new pitch in ten minutes. We had a nice chat to our new neighbours, Andy and his wife from near Hastings, and then walked down the road to St Peters Finger pub to finally have our Sunday roast.


At least we saw a badger....Hall & Woodhouse are Brewers.

It was warm, but the wind was chilly. The English have no idea what summer is supposed to be like. The pub was busy, it is Fathers a Day here, so we had to sit outside in the garden, with the kids playground, but it wasn't too bad. The Badger Ale we got, was traditionally served at room temp, shite temp, bloody warm, ugh! It would have been nice cold.


Out the back in the beer garden, the explanation of the pubs name. Cool.


The roast was good, and we didn't have to wait long, and then we sat in the warm sun and had a few more drinks. Pims was a better choice for me, and Will went for what ever was cold. We trundled back, to sit and relax, reading and planning our next move.


Wills version of an eski.....not quite as cold as he'd hoped.


My new cup, thanks Will, it is really cute. Doesn't keep the cider cold though..


Monday morning, we woke in the rain, and it had been raining most of the night. Bugger! We thought we might be able to stay put, as there was a few things to see and everything was too wet to pack. But no luck, we had to move. So we just threw all the gear in the back of the van wet, and went off to check out Poole Marina. It was still raining, but we had a walk around the marina, and checked out the massive boats. It seems that there may be a Sunseeker boat building centre here. We got ourselves some food for the day, and we headed off to the Tank Museum. 


It is a nice port, if the rain goes away. At least the ferry is sunny.


Who doesn't love a pirate ship?


Cool pub, and I hope that lady got a good picture of me.


These were the babies, the grown up boats were twice that size.


The sign says "Live & Eat Pie", my new life moto!


This was not my idea, I'm not that interested in war, machines or museums, but Will was interested, and it is one of the biggest of its kind, with over 300 tanks, many still operational, and The Fury tank from the movie. So we went. It was not cheap, at £13 each ($52), but it was comprehensive. Six areas, with all number of vehicles, displays and information. Amazing history, interactive displays, information overload. Sometimes, they will get the tanks out in the arena, and have demonstration battles and stuff. It was seriously cool. For anyone who has seen the movie Fury, with Brad Pitt, the Tiger tanks used in it came from this museum, and the staff at the museum were driving and maintaining the tanks on the set. The display was great.


Little Willie, was the first tank ever built.


This one was called "The Mother", they made males (canon) and females (machine gun).


The biggest tank from WW2. Bloody massive.


Don't go all "Cher" on me Willsie...


This is the actual tank used in the movie. It is still able to run. Way cool.


What the Germans saw coming over the trenches. Would have been terrifying.


After way too many hours in the museum, we drove to Lyndhurst in The New Forest, to try find Long Meadow camp ground. Andy had told us it was great, with wild deer, ponies and cattle roaming freely. Lots of nice walks etc too. It wasn't hard to find, being halfway between Lyndhurst and Brockenhurst. It is a big field once again, and as we drove in, we could see a big herd of deer. This did start a whole bunch of "Deer" cliches and bad use of the word by Will.


We are the most colourful outfit we've seen, other than Kombis.


We've seen lots of these BBQ's, let's try one?


It was pretty quiet, and the day had cleared to a nice sunshiny afternoon. We set up camp, and left it to dry while we drove into Brockenhurst to get a few coldies to have with our BBQ. we've bought one of the English style disposable ones. It's just an alfoil tray with coal in it. They are popular here, but it really didn't work very well, and we had to break out our little gas burner to finish off the sausages and steak. Bit of a bummer, but also funny.


"Oh deer, it's not really working, break out the gas!"