On the road.......

Well 23rd August was a momentous day, about 1.30 got the call to say that the house had completed.........and I read today that house prices are starting to rise but hey ho!! The emptying of the house went according to plan but it was pretty exhausting as I was also trying to fit in other things.

 We left the North East in Ruby the Roadstar on Wednesday 21st August and headed for our first stop , Chester. We had 3 nights in the Delamere forest which was very nice. The train station was minutes away and we had a lovely day in Chester. I know I visited years ago but don't really remember it. Our second day was much less exciting-I was too tired to do anything so just pottered about and read and cooked.

We decided that we would try and buy local produce where we had the chance and base our meals around what we could find. Next to the site in Delamere was a little farm shed , with an honesty system, and we got beautiful green and yellow courgettes, carrots and potatoes. They were all delicious. 

Our next stop was Llanystumdwy,( Lloyd George lived there till he was 16 and his grave is there.) which is on the Lleyn peninsula in North Wales. A good little site with good walking and cycling. We had a cycle to Criccieth , a lovely little seaside town. I have a new bike, which Chris found on Gumtree, and it is much easier, it is lighter, the gears are better and the saddle is comfy!! The next day we did a longer cycle but the village pub sold excellent local beer, certainly needed but you had to wait till 6pm to get a drink.  Everyone was very friendly and we had some lovely bara brith in the local village hall. The local farmer came to the site evry day at 5 pm and we bought gorgeous beetroot and the tastiest black pudding I have eaten for years-wrapped in bacon mmmmm.

From there we made the long trip to St David's on the Pembrokeshire coast , for a stay of only two nights. We were near Abereidy an old slate quarry, and the hedgerows were full of blackberries. On our one full day we walked on the Pembrokeshire coastal path from Abereiddy to St David's, a beautiful walk with not many people till we got closer to St David's. The walk was about 9 miles but quite a lot of ups and downs. St David’s is the UK's smallest city but the cathedral is huge and magnificent and well worth a visit. We used the local bus back and as there are only 3 a day we had plenty of time and I used it wisely getting my hair cut-all of £7. We left Pembrokeshire with some local potatoes, 10lb for only £2 and they are delicious.

From there we left Wales , and part of me was glad to be coming back to civilised England as despite its stunning scenery and friendly people it is devoid of mobile signal!! So Thursday saw us in the van on the slog from Pembrokeshire to Devizes in Wiltshire. We are here 3 days in all and the site is on the banks of the Avon and Kennett canal. Yesterday we cycled into Devizes, only 4 miles........and I thought it would be flat for cycling. Ha, not when there are 29 locks in sequence !! It was hard work but very enjoyable, we spent a bit of time in Devizes and had a bit of lunch and enjoyed the downhill return. In the morning we found a local farm shop and bought 2 sirloin steaks and last night Chris cooked them and they were to die for-praise indeed from someone who does not eat loads of meat.

Today we cycled about 16 miles in total to Bradford on Avon (BOA) and back, a beautiful journey along the canal side. We talked to a few people who live permanently on the canals and it is certainly a simple and easy way of life. Even spotted Timothy West and Prunella Scale yesterday. BOA is beautiful, fabulous houses, full of lovies and the BOA fringe started today so we bought sandwiches and listened to music in the park. A pint at the Barge pub on the way home was very welcome. So our first few days in ruby and it is working out fine. As we go we find little bits and pieces to help make life easier. We have an awning for this van and putting it up the first time at Delamere was a disaster-90 minutes and very fraught but we have got it sussed now. It does give us much more flexible space -and some shade from the wind when outside.

Tomorrow we pack up are off to Stonehenge first thing then to Chris' sister's house for a few days. Chris will visit his mum in the home she is in and catch up with his sister Tricia. From there we will head over to Colchester before leaving for France on 9th September........but more of that another time.

Sorry no photos-internet too slow!!

Till next time

Norma xx