Apr 02

2010 – Wellingtons

02/04/2010
Off to Wellingtons again. We missed visiting here it’s always relaxing. April had hurt her knee so Jez was left to organise most of the work and sorting. The Journey was good but when we got on the pitch the water thingy (technical) was broken and we had to go out and buy a new bit or no water. After that though we took a quick look around. New animal area, a Circus, American Civil War re-enactment and new loo’s. (Lot’s to do tomorrow) Weather a bit showery but not too bad, looking forward to tomorrow.
03/04/2010
We had to go to Asda as we forgot cash (Derrr!) We left Theo in the car while we shopped and he did really well. Home, we walked around the lake and played in the park a bit. Back to the van for lunch then we went to the Circus – it was a mini Circus but really good, Josh got called up the front and a man on a unicycle jumped over his head which both boys thought was cool. Toby especially liked the trapeze lady and the clown that sprayed the people. Back again to the van as we rested and the boys played in the woods. Evening was tea and a DVD.
04/04/2010
We went off to see the Civil War re-enactment – lots of very loud cannons and shooting. Toby and Theo not so impressed so left Josh to watch. He had a good time and found it all interesting – Though we thought the people were mad – under canvas with no electric or tools!!

 

Wellingtons 2010

Aug 02

2009 – Longleat

2nd – 7th August
Due to Yob camp, Scout Camp etc we didn’t go away until a bit later but first Stop was Longleat – Lisa came too this time which was great!
It was very weird driving down the long driveway into Longleat House through a load of day visitors with a caravan. The site was very busy but a really short walk from the centre of the park. We had organised passports for the few days which allowed us to go on everything.
First there was the adventure castle – lots of climbing, swinging etc but best of all for Toby was the water jets. The weather was cold, windy and showery but there was Tobes true for form up to his armpits in water, with no clothes except pants and a t-shirt having a wail of a time. Josh, as per usual, was off making friends and swinging from a high wooden fort by his toes.
Then there was Postman Pat Village – for your average grown up, more than a little dull however the boys seemed to love it (go figure).
Pets Corner was next and it was as you would expect . The activities on the other hand were great, Josh held a ferret and a large snake, Jez held a tarantula and Toby held and was kissed on the neck by a snake. There was also a great parrot show with lots of tricks which was fab.
Then the boat ride on the lake to see Gorilla island. Josh said he wanted to move in as the  gorilla got to eat Jam sandwiches, sleep and Watch TV. Toby liked the sea lions that chased and swam with the boat. We couldn’t see the hippo’s though they were hiding in a bush.
Then there was the train which of course Toby loved.
We went in the house as April is very keen on old houses, but the boys moaned the entire time (especially Josh who had been told off for taking photos!)
Toby’s favourite bit was, of course, that Sportacus was putting on a show and Toby got to dance with him. (Good old Josh he did a great job at the front as Toby was a bit shy)
Finally the Maze.. We all went in full of confidence in our ability and criticism of anyone who was lost. As time went by we began to discuss whether we should have bought supplies and which way was north. We were finally rescued by a young man however we did suspect him of preying on innocent people and that he probably was watching as we walked to our doom. However, shame on us as we found the middle the way he said and proceeded to be smug and laugh at those still lost. (We did help some of them though)
Last (but by no means least) the Safari Park. Oh Dear – it was raining – busy and dull. However we soldiered on, saw all the animals we wanted to see, got up close to some giraffes and saw a man break down in the wolf enclosure.
It was great being able to camp so close. At dawn and dusk you could hear the lions roaring and sea lions throughout the day..
And the our final day there approached and we packed up and headed for Dartmoor.. River Dart Country Park..

May 25

2009 – Morn Hill

25th May 2009
We went to Morn Hill in Winchester. The site was very nice and we had nice neighbours with a boy of a similar age to Toby and Girls a similar age to Josh so they were both off playing happily. There was a steep ramp that the children raced down on their bikes. Toby managed to end up over the handlebars and ate gravel.
On the first day there April went to Fareham to have spa day with her Mum and sisters which was very nice and the boys and Jez went to Southsea for the day.
26th May 2009
Very wet so we went to a technology centre where the boys could fiddle and experiment to their hearts content – all very cool. We went into Winchester and ended up going for a long walk which took us to the city gate, castle, cathedral etc which was exhausting but interesting.
Toby and Josh had their photo taken in the grand hall while brass rubbing to go in a promotional leaflet for Winchester.

Apr 14

2009 – Alderstead Heath

14th April 2009
Arrival at Redhill
First Hols of 2009. We are off to Alderstead Heath near Redhill. We took a long leisurely time to get packed and left around lunch time. The journey was suprisingly good considering we went on the M23 and M25. The site was lovely – nice and big, relaxed but with lots of things for the kids. We pitched right next to the playground which usually is a bad idea but Toby seems just big enough to go and play. So we put out our chairs and have actually been able to relax. Josh took 3 seconds to make some friends and seems to be enjoying himself.

15th April 2009
Redhill, Reigate and Dung
Rain and Thunder last night but everyone slept well. The boys didn’t wake up until 9am which really threw us. We couldn’t decide where to go so we decided to explore Redhill – however it was rubbish so we moved onto Reigate; that was also poo.
So, back to the van where we relaxed and played. Toby learned to climb up the slide and was very proud of himself and Josh did a really long painting. This place is lovely so far.

16th April 2009
British? Museum
Today we went to the British Museum. We went by train from Merstham on a travelcard which was nice and cheap. On the underground, which Toby loved the escalators, he needed the loo which meant a nice lady had to pay for me as it had gone up to 20p. It was very rainy and we got drenched. The British Museum wasn’t all that amazing. Toby was a pain, so we gave up and went to Hamley’s. Again that wasn’t great. However we enjoyed the trains so it wasn’t a complete loss.

17th April 2009
April’s Birthday
Crappy rainy day. We went to Croydon which was ok, lots of shops but not much we haven’t seen a hundred times before. We then went to Ikea and bought some stuff. Then back to the caravan for a rainy afternoon. Oh well, all holidays have bad days.

18th April 2009
Toby’s Birthday
We decided as it was Toby’s birthday to go to London Zoo. We went again in by train which Toby loved and then walked to the Zoo. Jez managed, on that short walk, to find a pair of shoes to buy.
The zoo was great. April remembered it being rather rubbish but it was really quite good. Toby and Josh seemed to really enjoy it too. We spent all day there and although we were very tired we had a good day.

19th April 2009
Departure from Redhill
We are off home today. We all agreed that this was one of the best campsites and that we should definitely go again.
The journey home was awful – the car decided to break down again. We managed to get home but I think it’s not good news.
Anyway home safe and sound and look forward to the next trip. (If we have a car)

Oct 26

2008 – Wellingtons

26th October 2008
Back to Wellingtons – Hooray!!
April back from work around 8am, we slowly finished packing and getting organised and set off around 12:30. The journey was easy enough. Toby slept while we listened to the Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy. We managed the height barrier with ease and after a rather stressful placement of the caravan and 2 sets of clothing for Toby (due to seat-dropping in puddles) we are finally in and settled. Tomorrow is supposed to be good weather so we hopefully can get out a bit. Completely knackered we’re off to bed!!
Hopefully this can be our proper holiday for 2008 (crossed fingers!)
27th October 2008
Normal Wellingtonyness
Traditional Day at Wellingtons. A walk around the lake, playing on snakes and ladders, adventure playground, train and time a go on the merry-go-round cool!!
Toby was nervous of the Dinosaur but loved the little houses. We are looking forward to a relaxing, fun-filled holiday to make up for the summer. Let’s hope there are no disasters this time. I think we are due some good luck.
Autumn Wellingtons is beautiful and definitely a good time to come. Only about 10 caravans here out of 50 something pitches so all quiet and practically perfect.
28th October 2008
Clown Show
We got up slowly and had breakfast and as it was a nice day we decided to take a wander through the deer park. It was, as always, lovely but with the lovely autumn colours and the low sun through the trees it was idyllic. After a lunch in the van we went into the park to see the ‘spooky clown show’. It was really busy so Josh watched while Toby, Jez and I played on the snakes and ladders and of course the tractor. Josh took Toby on the train which Toby loved and we went back to the van for tea. After Toby went to bed, however, it got rather cold and for the first holiday ever, it began to snow! Wow!
29th October 2008
Living History – Ran out of Gas – Ate Out
Wellingtons covered in snow – amazing – (but chilly).
We had planned to visit the Living History Museum in Basingstoke so despite the snow we set off. The Journey was slow and boring but when we got to the museum at least we were inside. It was a weird museum – real buildings etc you could walk around but it was all set into a hill in an aircraft hangar. Toby hated not being able to touch and climb on stuff and Josh got bored. We did get to dress up though. When we got back to the van in the cold and dark we had run out of gas – so a desperate dash to a local petrol station and we decided to go out for dinner as we were a little stressed – Phew!!
30th October 2008
Swimming, Ice Skating and Pumpkins
Still some snow on the ground and still chilly but we had planned to go swimming so off we went. First we decided that as we were already cold we would go ice skating. Josh and Jez were good (as usual) Toby was a bit hit and miss and April was pants. So we gave up and went swimming.
Toby enjoyed the rapids and swam well on his own (for the first time) Josh and Jez both got bruised bums on the slides but Josh did a cool otter impression.
Back at the van we prepared for halloween by doing our pumpkins. Josh did his first one on his own which was great and Toby enjoyed watching their light out of the window.
31st October 2008
Reading and Halloween Walk
Today we’re off to Reading shopping. April bought a jumper and a hat. Toby got a peppa pig book that he loves and Josh got some cool new books and pokemon cards. We ate a subway then went back for more slidey, tractorey etc. fun.
But then darkness fell. Time for our halloween walk. We dressed up with our face paints then with our torches went into the park. That was dull, so we went into the woods. That was when it got freaky – weird lights in the trees and crosses on the ground. Josh was well spooked so home for tea and to light the pumpkins for protection.
1st November 2008
Awning – Rain and Painted Faces
Up early to take the awning down – rain is forecast. Well they weren’t wrong. We still went into the park to do some apple bobbing and sweetie hunts. we had lunch in the cafe and the boys had their faces painted. Josh as a ghost for the dress up competition and Toby as a Tiger.
Josh Painted a bat pendant and we walked through the woods in the rain back for a cup of tea and an afternoon of tele.
Home tomorrow, so last chance for a chill out. Been good though.

Aug 10

2008 – Freshwater

10/08/2008

We have come on holiday with Dawn and Scott, Paul, Mel, Jordan, Kieran, Bump, Lucy and Lisa (Who is in our awning). April got home from a sleep duty at 8am and we finished packing and hitching and were on the road about 10:30. The journey wasn’t too bad, Toby slept some of the way so not too stressful. We got there first and pitched, followed by Paul and Mel. We helped them put up their tent (then had to move it). We then helped Dawn and Scott with theirs – it’s new and we hadn’t pitched it before. Lucy was late, she had a puncture on the M27 then discovered she wasn’t supposed to be there until tomorrow so is staying with Dawn and Scott. Everyone came round for a cup of tea in the evening. Weather was wet and windy but we are used to that.

 

11/08/2008

Lucy finally pitched we went to Morrisons and Bridport. It rained really hard so we went home drenched. Nice town though but the people are really rude. We went to see the beach – not good for swimming as it has a steep shelf and it’s quite rough.

This afternoon we made Kieran take his stabilisers off his bike and within about an hour he was off and running (good lad)

Everyone came over for a BBQ and we ended up drinking Pimms. Toby was a pain to get to sleep.

 

12/08/2008

Got up and booked the horse riding for Thursday lunchtime. we went to fly the kite with all of the kids, then April had a nap while Jez took the kids off for a bit. We went swimming in the afternoon although it was really windy. Then decided to have an early night.

 

13/08/2008

We `re off to Brideport. April decided to do the charity shops.Then we are going to see Lyme-Regis – Lyme Regis was nice but not a lot to do – stayed on the beach for a while but it was very windy and rainy. Came home early, had tea then everyone came round for a game of super cluedo. No-one won and it took forever, but Pimms again helped it along. D+S anniversary tomorrow. (We also had a good game with the parachute on the field)

 

14/08/2008
Dawn and Scott off to Lulworth Cove today we had a lazy morning – it was finally sunny so Josh and Jordan’s ride should be good. It was great they both loved it. It took about 45 minutes up on the hills and seemed good fun. Toby and April went on a Pony and trap ride and Kieran went on a Donkey. we had lunch and Jez did the washing. We then ventured to the beach where the children (and Paul) swam and paddled in the estuary and climbed the sandstone rock cliffs. Then home for tea and showers* and off we went to the children’s ‘flopper’ show in the evening (Oh My God) it was 1960’s Hi-De-Hi.. So bad it was funny. Kids had a good time although Toby was so scared he was chewing on his knuckles. Off to Collumpton tomorrow – all in all it’s been a good few days. 

* Toby had a ‘bath’ in the Caravan sink (he’s a bit big but hey!)

Aug 18

2008 – Collumpton

15/08/2008
On to Collumpton today.

Everyone helped take the awning down. A quick group photo then off we went. The journey wasn’t too bad though.

Collumpton is quite nice – the ground is really muddy. First time I’m glad it’s hard standing. It has a games room where we had a game of Ping Pong while Toby played in the ball pool and Josh played a racing game – then a quick game of pool. It has a large adventure playground with a death slide which both boys enjoyed.

We went to Tesco’s to stock up then it began to rain again so a night in..

16/05/2008
RAINING!!!! We went to Sidmouth but it was really wet and windy so we just went round the town.. Very Quaint.. We stopped for a cream tea which was very nice.

We tried a few caravan shops but nothing doing. Josh tried out the pool which he enjoyed but is very small. Another night in – hopefully tomorrow will be better..

17/08/2008
Not Raining!!!! Well, yet anyway. Got up relatively early and set of for Clearys Adventure Park. Wow! We all had a blast here. Josh loved the animals, Goats Horses. He even fed a calf its morning bottle of milk. Toby got his first horse ride which his mum led around a short course (blindfolded – erm the Horse not April) and Josh and Jez went on a Rollercoaster and Water Ride. Top day out for a tenner each. we decided as tomorrow was going to be rainy that we’d come back and “do all the inside bits” our tickets came with free entry for a week! As it is me that is writing this entry I have to mention the cute bunnies in the cage have a look at the camcorder tapes they are just soooo cute…

18/08/2008
Inside Bits – we did more animals and Toby watched a weird show which strangely he loved. We then went in the large indoor play area which was packed and manic but cool. Lunch then into the smaller indoor area and Josh, bless him, took Toby to play while we had a sit down. A quick pan for gold and we condered off to Exeter for a shop. Not much good so back to the campsite for a swim, Off to Cheddar tomorrow…

Aug 19

2008 – Cheddar

Off to Cheddar.. Pack up was ok and the journey went well, not too long and nice scenery..

Then Oh My God AAAAARRRRGGGGHHHHH!!!!!!

Well, we arrived and the NOT helpful man told us we had too big a caravan and that he had no room for us. Even though we showed him our copy of the booking which said 26ft + he said that’s not what my computer says, and showed me it saying 13ft.. We argued for about 5 minutes back and forth and eventually he reluctantly caved and said he had room for us but only for one night..

This is where our holiday ended, this was our third or fourth excursion at distance, and the pitch he put us on was difficult for a vehicle our length to get on and Jez wasn’t very experienced at reversing so he asked the guy for advise.. He told us to pull forward across some grass and push the van backwards up a short incline as this was the only way we’re getting on the pitch.. After an amount of time with very little progress, Jez asked the guy if he was doing it right or if there was anything in the way as the clutch was smelling a bit he said no you’re fine give it more revs.. We did and it blew the clutch.. Apparently this isn’t a mistake on his part, he just stood there sniggering at our misfortune.. You have no idea how we were feeling. After an amount of time we pushed the caravan onto the pitch by hand, the car wouldn’t move at all so we had to leave it where it was.. The unhelpful guy went and got his work colleagues and they just stood there mumbling and chuckling at the car! One of them asked us how long we intended to leave the car there as it was taking up unnecessary room.. We even heard one of them say “well, should have booked the right pitch!!”

Both of us were incensed and we both said “We’re going home now!” and phoned the AA to come and get us.. After about an hour the AA sent a guy from Hinton Rescue and he was a very helpful and happy chap.. He quickly put the car on the back of his truck and with the help of a very nice other caravanner who towed our caravan up to the gate of the site and out onto the road, he hitched it up, plugged it in and we set off home.. This isn’t the end of the story though as he was only allowed to Tow us to Southampton where he dropped us off and we were collected by a real AA man who was Grumpy Old Fart number… (I’ve lost count now) he took us home.. Real AA man had a right royal whinge about the length of my caravan saying his vehicle would be over the legal length and if i actually bother to read my terms and conditions I’m not covered to have a trailer that length recovered.. Please people read your terms and conditions as they make no such claim therein.. I was tempted to phone them and ask at the time but the guy just hitched it up and we finally made it home after far too many hours..

Being Towed

 

Well number of old grumps, hours in a lorry and of course pounds later and we have had half a holiday and are crossing everything that October will be better..

Jan 01

And so it begins…

We’ve noticed that because we go on holiday quite a lot we forget where we’ve been. So we’ve decided to keep a blog so we don’t forget.

So far we’ve been to

  • West Wittering where we started out in our first family tent – no Toby as yet.
  • Wellington Country Park – we’ve been there loads of times, once a year. We’ve even had an accident (new sunroof for the caravan- photo below) but we can’t stop going back!
  • Red Shoot, New Forest – this was a sardine site, so I think we came home early
  • Adgestone, on the Isle of Wight we have visited this site three times, once without Toby, once when April was Preganant with Toby and then when Toby was a baby

See why we need the blog? I’m not even half way there

 
  • Chertsey – Lovely Noise from the M4 and Heathrow Flight path.
  • Horsley – Very nice, we went with April’s Mum, and Sister and co
  • Crowborough – again very nice – lovely views and surrounding areas, we even looked at house prices!
  • Verwood, Newforest – site was ok, first outing with the fleetwood (above), discovered we could manage without the awning which was great
  • Fishery Creek, Hayling Island – Again a lovely site and a nice area.

I forgot the horrible site nr Romsey with the regimental white lines. I think it was so bad I blanked it out – we even had our washing up liquid stolen!

We’re now on our third caravan after our tent which has been through our friend Dawn and has now moved onto Paul, Mel, Jordan, Kieran, Charlie and Ethan.

Our first caravan was a Bailey Scorpio from Michael Jordans in Guildford for £1500, it leaked like a sieve – however we managed to sell it on eBay for nearly £2000 after we had had it for a few holidays. We then moved onto April’s sister’s Lunar Sunbeam again for £1500. We only went away a few times then had the uplifting holiday in Wellingtons (see below).

Whoops!

Then we went to the lovely Sea Haven Caravan Sales where we met our lovely Fleetwood Colchester. 5 berth, twin axle, microwave and of course the light-up, green velvet lined drinks cabinet!

Fleetwood Colchcester