It's a year since we collected Cali - in that time we've had several day trips, spent 52 nights at sites in Cornwall, Devon, Dorset, East Sussex, Gloucestershire, Pembrokeshire and Somerset, as well as journeys to the Midlands to visit our families.
We've learnt a lot, mainly about being creative with storage when living in such a small space especially when the weather is bad. It's been a fabulous year and a pension well spent!
19 April 2018
Thursday, 19 April 2018
Wednesday, 18 April 2018
Cali has been to Godrevy
We haven't been away for a while as the weather has been awful, but this weekend looked good so we went to one of our favourite sites - Godrevy Park Caravan Club Site. We arrived on Friday afternoon and got set up for the weekend. It's a breezy site so we found a pitch behind a small hedge with the wind blowing to the rear of Cali.
On Saturday we walked from the site across the Towans to the beach and walked into Hayle. We wandered around Hayle for a while and had lunch before walking back along the beach. It was a lovely warm day and there were loads of people on the beach and surfing - perfect!
On arriving back at Cali we noticed the wind had changed direction and was now blowing onto the front of the roof, but as it wasn't too strong so we left the roof open. Overnight the wind got much stronger and even though the Cali topper and windscreen cover were fastened down tight, they still flapped in the wind and were very noisy. There were also some strong gusts that rocked Cali slightly, which was rather alarming! After a sleepless night we packed up to head home and managed to get the roof down safely between the strong gusts. In hindsight we should have dropped the roof before going to bed - another lesson learnt!
13-15 April 2018
Pitch 108 Godrevy Park
On Saturday we walked from the site across the Towans to the beach and walked into Hayle. We wandered around Hayle for a while and had lunch before walking back along the beach. It was a lovely warm day and there were loads of people on the beach and surfing - perfect!
Godrevy Lighthouse from Gwithian Towans
On arriving back at Cali we noticed the wind had changed direction and was now blowing onto the front of the roof, but as it wasn't too strong so we left the roof open. Overnight the wind got much stronger and even though the Cali topper and windscreen cover were fastened down tight, they still flapped in the wind and were very noisy. There were also some strong gusts that rocked Cali slightly, which was rather alarming! After a sleepless night we packed up to head home and managed to get the roof down safely between the strong gusts. In hindsight we should have dropped the roof before going to bed - another lesson learnt!
13-15 April 2018
Tuesday, 27 February 2018
Cali has been to Padstow
We haven't had any overnight stops since Christmas as each weekend we've been free the forecast has been awful. Last weekend the forecast was for cold and dry, so we booked three nights at Padstow Touring Park. It's a private site just outside of Padstow with a footpath leading to the Camel Trail.
We arrived on Thursday afternoon and set up on site. As the site is open all year round, there was a lot of work taking place in the toilet blocks and reception, but the available facilities were very good. After a bitterly cold night we woke to a heavy frost and used the remote control to switch the heater on before we ventured out from under the duvet. We walked into Padstow towards the Camel Trail along one of the muddiest paths I've ever seen! By the time we arrived in Padstow my feet felt so heavy I thought I was wearing diving boots. We walked the Camel Trail to Wadebridge (stopping off en route to paddle in the sea and try to get some mud off our boots).
The day was bitterly cold even thought it was quite bright with a lovely blue sky. After eating our sandwiches at Wadebridge and a cup of tea to warm us up we headed back to Cali. We cleaned boots and trousers ready for the following day's walk before having an something to eat and an early night.
Saturday was lovely - still cold, but bright and sunny without the biting wind. We couldn't face the mud on the footpath to Padstow so caught the bus from outside the campsite into Padstow. After pottering around the shops in Padstow and buying a pasty for our lunch, we walked the coast path to Stepper Point.
Returning to Padstow we were a little early for the bus so went to the Old Custom House for a drink. I'm not sure if it was combination of the walk, cold weather, alcohol or whatever, but we were both so tired we were in bed for 9.00pm and didn't wake until about 7.00am the next day!
On Sunday we had a leisurely breakfast before packing up and driving home, stopping at Port Isaac for a walk and a pot of tea and cake at the Chapel Cafe.
We had a great weekend and liked the site, although it will be one for us to visit out of season when it's not too busy. Hopefully it won't be too long until we go away again!
22-26 February 2018
We arrived on Thursday afternoon and set up on site. As the site is open all year round, there was a lot of work taking place in the toilet blocks and reception, but the available facilities were very good. After a bitterly cold night we woke to a heavy frost and used the remote control to switch the heater on before we ventured out from under the duvet. We walked into Padstow towards the Camel Trail along one of the muddiest paths I've ever seen! By the time we arrived in Padstow my feet felt so heavy I thought I was wearing diving boots. We walked the Camel Trail to Wadebridge (stopping off en route to paddle in the sea and try to get some mud off our boots).
Camel Trail towards Padstow (on the left) and Rock (on the right)
The day was bitterly cold even thought it was quite bright with a lovely blue sky. After eating our sandwiches at Wadebridge and a cup of tea to warm us up we headed back to Cali. We cleaned boots and trousers ready for the following day's walk before having an something to eat and an early night.
Pitch 59 with freshly cleaned boots!
Saturday was lovely - still cold, but bright and sunny without the biting wind. We couldn't face the mud on the footpath to Padstow so caught the bus from outside the campsite into Padstow. After pottering around the shops in Padstow and buying a pasty for our lunch, we walked the coast path to Stepper Point.
Harbour Cove towards Stepper Point
Returning to Padstow we were a little early for the bus so went to the Old Custom House for a drink. I'm not sure if it was combination of the walk, cold weather, alcohol or whatever, but we were both so tired we were in bed for 9.00pm and didn't wake until about 7.00am the next day!
On Sunday we had a leisurely breakfast before packing up and driving home, stopping at Port Isaac for a walk and a pot of tea and cake at the Chapel Cafe.
Port Isaac harbour
We had a great weekend and liked the site, although it will be one for us to visit out of season when it's not too busy. Hopefully it won't be too long until we go away again!
22-26 February 2018
Sunday, 18 February 2018
Cali has been to Chesil Beach
We had hoped to go away this weekend, but the forecast for Sunday wasn't too good so we chose to have a day out instead. We decided to go to Chesil Beach as we hadn't been there for years. We parked at the Chesil Beach Visitor Centre and after breakfast set off for a stroll over to Portland.
The previous day we had walked about 15 miles so didn't want to walk too far, but the stroll turned into a nine mile walk. We walked up to the Portland Cenotaph - the views were stunning although the sun decided to go behind a cloud when I took the photo.
Another great Cali day out - hopefully the weather will be good next weekend as we're planning a few days away.
17 February 2018
Chesil Beach
Weymouth from Cenotaph
Another great Cali day out - hopefully the weather will be good next weekend as we're planning a few days away.
17 February 2018
Sunday, 11 February 2018
Cali has returned to Parke
We had planned to go away a couple of times in January, but on each occasion the weather forecast has been bad. The cold is fine - Cali has a great heater, summer rain is fine - we can hang things inside, open windows and get them dry but cold and winter rain is miserable! We've obviously taken Cali out, but haven't been anywhere for a day's walking until yesterday. The weather forecast was good and we were both off work, so we went back to Parke for a couple of walks we didn't do on our last visit.
The car park was almost empty when we arrived and we walked into Bovey Tracey to have coffee and cake at The Terrace Cafe before returning along the riverbank to Parke. We then followed their Red Route through the woods and also found a footpath to Lustleigh (saved for another day). It was a cold, windy day but lovely when the sun came out. Underfoot it was very muddy and at one point the mud almost breached the top of Steve's boot, but fortunately he moved his foot in time! Whilst walking up the hill away from the Bovey there was a bench at the top of the hill with the most amazing view across Bovey Tracey.
We went back to Cali for lunch and then had another short walk along the old railway line before it started to get a lot colder. Time to put muddy boots in bags and make our way hom
9 February 2018
Steve looking for something!
The car park was almost empty when we arrived and we walked into Bovey Tracey to have coffee and cake at The Terrace Cafe before returning along the riverbank to Parke. We then followed their Red Route through the woods and also found a footpath to Lustleigh (saved for another day). It was a cold, windy day but lovely when the sun came out. Underfoot it was very muddy and at one point the mud almost breached the top of Steve's boot, but fortunately he moved his foot in time! Whilst walking up the hill away from the Bovey there was a bench at the top of the hill with the most amazing view across Bovey Tracey.
Towards Bovey Tracey
We went back to Cali for lunch and then had another short walk along the old railway line before it started to get a lot colder. Time to put muddy boots in bags and make our way hom
9 February 2018
Thursday, 28 December 2017
Cali has been to Cirencester for Christmas
When we had our caravan we never went away for Christmas, mainly because we didn't fancy towing on winter roads and also because there were very few sites open over winter. We've found that a lot more sites are now open all year round as well as those that stay open until January so decided to go away for Christmas this year. We enjoyed our visit to Cirencester Park Caravan Club Site in September so returned for Christmas.
We travelled up on Saturday afternoon and had a walk into Cirencester. Christmas Eve was a lazy day in Cirencester and a fabulous lunch at The Crown. In the afternoon the Wardens invited everyone for wine and nibbles in the Reception which was a lovely start to Christmas.
After breakfast and opening our presents we spent Christmas Day walking on the Bathurst Estate. It started to rain around midday so we took shelter at Horse Guards for our lunch and then returned to the site by the quick route through the Estate.
The weather on Boxing Day morning was bright and sunny, a real contrast to the previous day. There was a lot of activity on the Estate as the horses were arriving for the Boxing Day Hunt and we walked to Sapperton for lunch. Unfortunately it started to rain heavy on the way back and the ground was also very muddy after all the horses had been around the Rides. Back at the site we bagged all the wet and muddy clothes and settled down for the evening.
During the night it became very windy and when we looked out of the window there was a couple of inches of snow - we hadn't expected that. The site looked so pretty the next morning and another first for us and Cali - camping in the snow!
All too soon the holiday was over and it was time to head home. It may have been our first Christmas in Cali, but it certainly won't be our last. We also know that she's very warm and comfortable for winter camping, so are planning some time away in January.
23-27 December 2017
We travelled up on Saturday afternoon and had a walk into Cirencester. Christmas Eve was a lazy day in Cirencester and a fabulous lunch at The Crown. In the afternoon the Wardens invited everyone for wine and nibbles in the Reception which was a lovely start to Christmas.
Pitch 122 Cirencester Park
After breakfast and opening our presents we spent Christmas Day walking on the Bathurst Estate. It started to rain around midday so we took shelter at Horse Guards for our lunch and then returned to the site by the quick route through the Estate.
Horse Guards towards Cirencester
The weather on Boxing Day morning was bright and sunny, a real contrast to the previous day. There was a lot of activity on the Estate as the horses were arriving for the Boxing Day Hunt and we walked to Sapperton for lunch. Unfortunately it started to rain heavy on the way back and the ground was also very muddy after all the horses had been around the Rides. Back at the site we bagged all the wet and muddy clothes and settled down for the evening.
During the night it became very windy and when we looked out of the window there was a couple of inches of snow - we hadn't expected that. The site looked so pretty the next morning and another first for us and Cali - camping in the snow!
Cali in the snow
All too soon the holiday was over and it was time to head home. It may have been our first Christmas in Cali, but it certainly won't be our last. We also know that she's very warm and comfortable for winter camping, so are planning some time away in January.
23-27 December 2017
Wednesday, 8 November 2017
Cali has been to Brighton and Swanage
As we're currently limited to when we can go away due to my work, we went away for the October half term. We booked four nights at Brighton Caravan Club Site and four nights at Haycraft Caravan Club Site. Brighton is a new site and we've previously stayed at Haycraft for one night.
We arrived at Brighton just ahead of Storm Brian and set up on pitch 12, lovely sheltered pitch behind a bank and near some small trees. It took us a little longer than usual to set up as we sheltered inside Cali when there was torrential rain and thunder and we decided not to raise the roof on the first day because of the high winds. After setting up we walked down to the Marina to see the huge waves crashing over the sea wall - amazing!
We had a great night's sleep away from the wind but woke the next morning to find Cali and our pitch covered in bird poo from the pigeons who seemed to like the trees around our pitch. The wardens were happy for us to move so we drove across to the opposite pitch.
As it was our first time in Brighton we walked from the site to Hove Lagoon one day, from the site to Saltdean another day and then had a day pottering around Brighton and a fabulous lunch at Food for Friends. The weather was wild the whole time we were there, windy with very high seas.
After four nights we moved to Haycraft and after a long journey of holdups on the road, the sun came out and we got setup on site.
We arrived at Brighton just ahead of Storm Brian and set up on pitch 12, lovely sheltered pitch behind a bank and near some small trees. It took us a little longer than usual to set up as we sheltered inside Cali when there was torrential rain and thunder and we decided not to raise the roof on the first day because of the high winds. After setting up we walked down to the Marina to see the huge waves crashing over the sea wall - amazing!
We had a great night's sleep away from the wind but woke the next morning to find Cali and our pitch covered in bird poo from the pigeons who seemed to like the trees around our pitch. The wardens were happy for us to move so we drove across to the opposite pitch.
Pitch 13 Brighton
Brighton Marina from East Pier
After four nights we moved to Haycraft and after a long journey of holdups on the road, the sun came out and we got setup on site.
Pitch 20 Haycraft
The first day was a little overcast, but we then had fabulous sunny weather for the rest of our holiday. There was plenty of walking from the site - the first day we did a circular walk to Langton Matravers and Worth Matravers and on the second day we walked along the top of the downs to Corfe Castle.
Towards Studland and Brownsea Island
The Swanage Steam Railway stops at Harman's Cross Station which is only a ten minute walk fro the site so on our final day we had a lovely journey on the steam train to Swanage and spent the day walking through the Country Park and along the seafront.
A fabulous holiday with better weather than we had on our summer holiday in Wales!
21-29 October 2017
A fabulous holiday with better weather than we had on our summer holiday in Wales!
21-29 October 2017
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