Tuesday 22 October 2019

Cali has been to Chapel Lane, the NEC, Moreton-in-Marsh and Tewkesbury

We decided to visit the The National Motorhome and Caravan Show at the NEC as VW were exhibiting for the first time and we wanted to see the Grand California.  We also wanted to look around a few other campervans that were going to be at the show as we're considering changing when Steve finishes full-time work and we do more touring.

We were both on leave on Friday so drove up to Chapel Lane Caravan Club Site on Friday as it's close to the NEC.  We were glad we arrived early afternoon as we had a good choice of pitches, but the site was full by early evening. 

Pitch 47 Chapel Lane

The weather was awful overnight with torrential rain.  It not only kept us both awake but we had the covers were also wet when we packed them away - luckily we had decided not to take the roof cover so we were able to pack away quickly.  We left the site early on Saturday to drive to the NEC for the day.  The show was great - we both dislike the Grand California but fell in love with the Knauss, Burstner and Hymer campervans and their continental layout.  There's a lot more research to do, but we plan on changing in a year or so as they all had fixed beds at the rear, washrooms and a high level roof - all that and they are only half a metre longer.

After the show we drove to the Moreton-in-Marsh Caravan Club Site for Saturday night.  We arrived later than planned and the site was almost full with a limited choice of pitches but as we were only staying for one night the wardens suggested we stay on the reserved pitch near the toilet block.  We were both really tired and I think that spurred us on to get set up as we were finished within ten minutes.

Pitch 46 Moreton-in-Marsh

On Sunday morning we packed up after breakfast and walked into Moreton-in-Marsh for a look around the village and a coffee.  There's plenty of walking from the site, so this is definitely a site we'll return to in the future.  After returning to the site we drove across to Tewkesbury Abbey Caravan Club Site for the final two nights.

We had booked a multi surface pitch - something new to the Club.  Basically it's a block paved area for caravan/car or motorhome and a grassed area for awnings.  We were surprised to see that some of the grass pitches were still in use and so pleased we hadn't booked one as the ground was very muddy. 

Pitch 106 Tewkesbury Abbey

The site is lovely and surprisingly quiet considering it's so near to the town - although the Abbey bells ring every quarter of an hour!  We were both feeling rather tired after our busy few days so stayed on site on Sunday.

On Monday we walked into Tewkesbury and had a look around the town as well as lunch at Rosado Lounge and a visit to the Abbey.  The Abbey is beautiful, especially the amazing gold and green colours in The Denny Windows.

The Denny Windows, Tewkesbury Abbey

We visited Tourist Information to pick up some walk leaflets as we hope to return next year.  There are plenty of walks along both the Rivers Avon and Severn as well as various town trails.  

After breakfast on Tuesday it was time to head home.  As we plan on returning to the Caravan and Motorhome Show next year we've already booked the Chapel Lane site, but having learned from this visit we've booked it for both the Friday and Saturday nights as it will be easier to return to a site we've already booked into if we're late back from the show.

18-22 October 2019