First 'wild' camp, and Angela Barnes

Friday 28 Feb - Off to Great Ouseburn for the village quiz with Hugh, Sharon and David. We came joint third, one place down from last year. I took the van as I was en route to Pocklington, and did my first night  not in an authorised place - the car park! I hesitate to use the phrase WILD camping, as I had heating, a loo and a cooker, and was 100 yards from a shop, so not exactly Bear Grylls. 

I came to the rescue of a man in a BMW parked next to me, who couldn't reverse off the grass - used my traction mats for the first time and they worked a treat. I used them again in the morning and got off first time - phew! 

Saturday 1st March. 

Breakfast at Cliften Moor Costa - the wilderness trek continues. Before pitching up at the site in Pocklington I took a spin through Market Weighton, which looked nice, and then a beautiful drive under bright blue skies, over the Yorkshire Wolds via Goodmanham village. It looked like lovely walking territory and there were lots of cyclists on the lanes.

Stopped at St Helen's Well, which was on the route of the Wolds Way and one of four in the area. St Helen (AD 248-329) was the mum of Emperor Constantine the Great. So chastity not a pre-requisite then. 

It is a natural spring that emerges from the chalk, and people had taken to tying ribbons to a nearby tree for good luck - makes a change from dog poo bags I suppose.

Pitched up at The Mile campsite in Pocklington and walked down to Arts Centre to see Angela Barnes matinee show. She was excellent and I enjoyed her support act too, James Ellis. Back to the van before 6pm. It was St David's Day but I had tinned Haggis for tea - blimey it would put hairs on your chest. 

Sunday 2nd March

Awoke with a definite cold, and no voice. It has been coming on for a day or so. I got some toast and coffee (yuk) from the campsite cafe and took it back to the van. I decided to change plans and just walk in to Pocklington to see the Stewart museum, Burnby gardens, and the church. The longer canal walk will have to wait for another day.

Major Stewart has shot his way around the world it seems. He took 8 world tours in 20 years - 1906 to 1926 - and the museum did have some interesting items from the Pacific as well as the heads.

The surrounding gardens were full of snowdrops and spring bulbs, and very scented jasmine (I think). A lake, aviary, and walled garden made it a lovely spot. There was a cafe but it was rammed.

Last stop was the village church which had some remaining medieval carvings, after having been knocked about a bit by Henry Tudor the big fat vandal.

Had a dreadful night with my cold, and headed straight home on Monday. I'd probably go again.

Cancelled Due to No-show Snow

I was supposed to be meeting Paul and Sue near Lincoln, at a pub site called the Railway Inn, but an amber warning of snow was forecast for Harrogate, and also sleet all weekend at Lincoln. I didn't fancy driving in icy conditions, it's wobbly enough in the dry, so we cancelled. 

In the event the snow didn't show up this time. 

Later in the month I took the van in to have the windscreen washers fixed, but it was a 2 minute job so he didn't charge me! Maybe I could have done it myself - I must find out how to open the bonnet! I'll need to put washer fluid in at the very least.

Nithered in Matlock

Friday 7 Jan 

Oh my god, the wind felt like liquid ice on my face, it was so cold the water pipes froze on site. The gods were looking after me though because the van started first time after a week covered in 8 inches of snow, and sub-zero temperatures.

First time at the Lickpenny site, really nice characterful site, stepped in to the hill, lots of vegetation. Let's see how long til CMC homogenise it beyond recognition. View from the top of the site looked like it was going to be great, looking forward to it tomorrow. Heating on and stayed put.

Saturday 8th

No view, freezing gloom. Unusually for me I'd had to keep the heating on low all night too. Walked down a narrow busy lane to the bus stop for Matlock. Soup and toastie for lunch then a pootle round the shops, including the huge, stuffed, and well-known Matlock Antiques and Collectables which is a tourist spot in its own right.  This is part of the town trail, which goes through the park. Luckily I wasn't there in 1965 or I would have drowned.

Finally a short but steep climb up to Pic Tor, which has a war memorial on the top. 

Got off the return bus ride at Tansley, which left me a hell of a slog up a hill on a busy road without proper pavements. Hmm, now I appreciate the negative comments on the site reviews.

Sunday 9th

Short walk to the garden centre near the site entrance. Bit of an odd place out of season but I bought some fleece gloves and room scent for the van (to get rid of old curry smells!). Then more hunkering down and tea drinking. Still, nice to get away and decided it would be a bad idea to drive through Matlock in season, very congested even in January!