Carpark heaven in Bideford

Carpark heaven in Bideford

We are loving Torridge District Council’s car park policies. They allow up to two nights parking in five of their larger car parks. It costs just £3 for the day and £5 overnight. We spent two nights at the Riverbank Car park in Bideford which is right beside the River Torridge. We had a nice spot sheltered by some trees and great views across the river. Just a few minutes walk in to the little town of Bideford. Close to

Home again

Home again

Bertie is back at base, all unloaded and tomorrow he will go to the storage area to be winterised and have a rest for a while. His waterworks have finally been fixed with a smart new water pump. Last night we called J&M Caravans on the recommendation of the warden at St Neots campsite and this morning Mark arrived to fix Bertie’s waterworks. Even better the repair was covered by our warranty from MB&G that was included when we bought

Last night of this trip

We have just arrived at the Camping and Caravaning Club campsite at St Neots (Tuesday 20 October 2015). Not a good day today as last night Bertie’s water pump failed again. That coupled with no internet to find a repairer meant that we had a stressful morning trying to decide whether to divert to a caravan repairer, call someone out or just press on. We do have a 6 months motorhome warranty provided by MB&G so we rang them and

Starting Homeward :(

Today, Monday 19 October 2015, we are turning for home which we both feel is a bit sad. I know this was only ever a very short trip as a shakedown and it is not typical as it is quite structured and timed – there are places we have to be on certain days etc. We had a leisurely start from the hotel having again filled up on hotel brekkies and generally used all the hotel facilities to the max!

Berty Pomeroy Castle

Berty Pomeroy Castle

After a slow start this morning, Sunday 18th, and a leisurely hotel breakfast at the Holiday Inn Express at Exeter we set off to visit Berry Pomeroy Castle (English Heritage) near Totnes (now renamed Berty Pomeroy Castle for the duration of this post. We couldn’t resist replacing Berry with Bertie!). I must say it seems a bit strange to be staying in a hotel whilst we have Bertie but these three nights were booked some weeks before Bertie came in

Devon Lanes!

Devon Lanes!

Quite a day today (well yesterday really as I am writing this on Sunday evening). Saturday 17th October was our first full day in Devon with Bertie and we were still getting to grips with the reality of the ordinary roads here when viewed from a motorhome rather than a car. After the drive back to Exeter last evening I was concerned about the road to and from Beer where Joan’s 80th Birthday Party is being held. So we drove

Kingston Lacy and the challenges of Dorset lanes and hills

Kingston Lacy and the challenges of Dorset lanes and hills

Bertie is now resting in the car park of the Holiday Inn Express in Exeter. He has had a very trying day! We left the campsite at Verwood at 11am after a leisurely start. Another goodnight’s sleep was had by both of us. Bertie was a bit chilly first thing but we put the Truma heating on and it warmed the air quite quickly. After breakfast we emptied the loo cassette – our first experience of this staple motorhomer’s job.

Devil’s Punchbowl and New Forest

Devil’s Punchbowl and New Forest

We spent a warm and comfortable night on Bertie. Our first night in a motorhome. Eileen was so warm and comfy this morning it took several minutes to encourage her out of bed! Gave Bertie a sweep out after breakfast and we were on our way to Hindhead by 9:30am. Bertie braved the A3 tunnel at Hindhead but was glad to put his feet up for a few hours at the NT car park for the Devil’s Punchbowl. We had

First night on first site

First night on first site

We arrived at Horsley campsite just before 4pm. Campsite is ok but not special as was the welcome! The drive down was much easier than I had expected and I am beginning to think that I am getting the measure of this motorhome. We filled up with Diesel at Chelmsford Tesco and put in 36 litres for 429kms which works out at 33.5mpg which I am very happy with given the size of Bertie. Cruise control came into its own