Cali has been to Dawlish Warren

We had hoped to go away for the weekend again but as more storms were forecast over the weekend we stayed at home and had a day out on Monday as Steve was off work.  We decided to go to Dawlish Warren - not too far to travel and perfect at this time of year as it's not too busy (it's a place we avoid in the summer!).

In the morning we walked into Dawlish and found a new cafe, Le Cygne, which stood out amongst all the other eating places in Dawlish and had fabulous hot chocolate and cakes. 

The Dawlish black swans

After a walk around Dawlish we headed back to Cali at Dawlish Warren for lunch.

Just packing away after lunch

In the afternoon we had a walk along the beach but as the sky started to look very dark, we cut short our walk and came back via the dunes path to Cali.  It was a good call as we had only been back at Cali about ten minutes when it started to pour with rain - again!

From the dunes path looking back towards Exmouth

A lovely Cali day out making the most of a (mostly) fine day.

18 March 2019

Cali has been to Wareham - again!

We wanted a weekend away so having checked the weather forecast decided that we would head east.  The Hunter's Moon Caravan Club Site is only a couple of hours from home, so Steve met me when I finished work on Friday and we drove across to Dorset.

Pitch 65 Hunter's Moon

Friday evening was blustery with showers, but Saturday was dry so we walked into Wareham for lunch.  The path through Wareham Forest wasn't too muddy although it was a bit grim walking through a couple of farm fields.  After lunch at The Old Granary we walked back to the site on a different route to avoid the fields.

Wareham Forest

The forecast for Saturday night was winds up to 65mph so we put the roof down before going to bed.  Even so, the strong winds and torrential rain woke us a few times in the night but at least we avoided any damage to the roof.  By morning it was a little calmer so after a lazy couple of hours on site we headed home, stopping off at Lyme Regis on the way back for a walk along the front. 

Lyme Regis

Another lovely Cali weekend away.

8-10 March 2019

Cali has been to Stourhead and Stonehenge Campsite

It seems ages since we've been away in Cali, so were pleased to hear the forecast for the weekend was good.  It was a challenge to find a site at such short notice - not many open for the winter and also it's the start of half term but we managed to book a pitch at Stonehenge Campite which had been recommended to us.

We had an early start and visited Stourhead, a National Trust site we had wanted to visit since seeing photographs of the beautiful gardens and woodlands.  It didn't disappoint and it one of the best NT places we've visited - the gardens were beautiful (even on a grey winter day) with so many viewpoints and cute grottos.  The house was closed for the winter but there was one room open where the volunteers explained about the renovation and cleaning process for the house - they have 150 volunteers working over the winter to get the house ready for opening in the spring!

Stourhead Lake

Stourhead Lake

The Grotto

After leaving Stourhead we went to the Stongehenge site - which wasn't what we were expecting.  The pitch we had booked wasn't available so they gave us another small pitch next to the Camp Kitchen.  It was probably in a better location than the original pitch, but not one that we would have chosen as the pitches were all so close and our pitch was also used as a short cut for people using the kitchen!  The toilet blocks were basic, which is fine, but they were grubby, which isn't fine.  

Pitch 11 Stonehenge Campsite

Although the site wasn't great, it did give us a change to try the new Rainbow Screens pop-up cover, windscreen and rear window covers.  They worked really well and kept us warm whilst also reducing condensation.

16-17 February 2019

Cali has returned to Chesil Beach

We had hoped to have a weekend in Cornwall, but having seen the weather forecast we changed our plans and headed east to have a day out in Dorset.  We returned to the car park in Chesil Beach as we wanted to walk the coast path back to Nothe Fort (where we ended our walk a few weeks ago).  It was a bitterly cold day so we tucked Cali behind some shrubs to try and get some shelter when we opened the door.

After breakfast we walked to Nothe Fort (closed over the winter but somewhere we want to return to over the summer) and walked down to Weymouth Harbour.  After a hot chocolate and slice of cake we returned to Cali for lunch and walked across to Portland in the afternoon.

A lovely day out in Cali.

27 January 2019

Cali has been to Weymouth

We decided to have a day out and went to Weymouth as it's almost seven years since we last visited..  We parked on the Swannery Car Park as there was no height restriction and it was near to both the Country Park and seafront.   Most of the cars were jostling for spaces at the front of the car park, but we were like Billy No Mates away from the hustle and bustle.

Cali on Swannery Car Park

After breakfast in Cali on the car park we walked through the town to the harbour and then to Nothe Fort.

Weymouth Harbour

We headed back to Cali for lunch and then walked through the Lodmoor Country Park and along the seafront to Preston in the afternoon.

12 January 2019

Cali has returned to Cirencester for Christmas

We hadn't booked a Christmas site as I should have been working over Christmas, but when I started a new job and was off over the holiday we decided to return to Cirencester Park Caravan Club Site.

We arrived on Sunday and got set up before the rain arrived.  It rained all evening and overnight but we had a fine day on Christmas Eve.  After walking into town and having a potter around a few of the shops we had a lovely lunch at The Bear Inn before returning to the site.

On Christmas Day we opened our presents (we opened the larger presents before we left home and took the smaller ones with us) and then had a walk in the park.  Lunch was a Quorn and pickle sandwich followed by Christmas cake and mulled wine - perfect!  The weather was fine and we had a good walk along rides and paths we'd not previously walked upon and only saw three other people all day!

Long Ride from Horse Guards towards Cirencester

Boxing Day was a bit misty as we headed into the Park again for another day's walking.  We arrived just as the Boxing Day Hunt was about to start so it was far busier than the previous day.  We heard the hunt for several hours, but didn't see any of the hounds or riders once they had left the Long Ride as they were on the outskirts of the park.

Start of the Boxing Day Hunt

After a very muddy walk (a lot of the tracks had been churned up by the horses) we headed back to Cali late afternoon.

Pitch 152 Cirencester Park

We had another lovely Christmas in Cali and spent plenty of time planning our next trip!

23-27 December 2018

Cali has returned to Padstow

After a couple of wet weekends the forecast was good for Saturday and Sunday so we decided to return to Padstow.  We arrived at Padstow just before 9.00am, parked by the harbour and popped the kettle on for our breakfast drink.  The morning was cold and grey so we walked out along the Camel Trail before returning to Cali for lunch.  After lunch we walked along the coast path before returning to Padstow.

Padstow Harbour

We had booked into Padstow Touring Park for Saturday night and had a sheltered pitch near the bottom amenities block. The facilities were good although they could have done with more heating - I had goose pimples when getting undressed for my shower. The following morning I used the other block which did have a bit more heating, although it was still a bit chilly!

Pitch H05 Padstow Touring Park

After a leisurely breakfast on Sunday we packed everything away as we had to be off the site by 11.00am.  We don't know that stretch of the coast very well so drove along the coast road stopping at Bedruthan (free NT parking), Mawgan Porth and Watergate Bay for a short walk at each before heading home.

Bedruthan

Another lovely weekend in Cali although she is looking very grubby as we've been away three times without her being cleaned.  Hopefully this weekend will be fine for a good wash before we travel up to our families the following weekend.

17-18 November 2019