Where did we ever find the time to work?

Thursday, May 29, 2014
York, England, United Kingdom
We've just finished supper here at the Wagtail Caravan Park, around 4 km out of York. It's 7:45 and still very light. No sun but no 'dark' either. Glad to report that it has stopped raining . . . at last.
In between Cambridge and here we spent two nights at Sandringham, as recommended by Peter and Sheila . It was a miserable day when we visited the Palace. Slow, steady drizzle with bouts of rain. We wanted Le Van to catch her breath so we took the local bus. Being late morning the first port of call was the Visitor Centre's Cafe - a very satisfactory Latte with a back bacon and cottage cheese baguette. That really set us up for the rest of the visit.  

At first Peter was convinced what we were seeing was a Museum and that the Royal Family lived in the adjoining apartments, but all the guides assured us that this was not the case. We were walking through and viewing the actual rooms where the Royals eat and play. The rooms were sumptuous - not quite in the same league as Versailles, in essence it had a more homely quality! I would hate to be the person having to dust all ornaments and bric a brac. One of the features of the tour was an exhibition of the artist Seago (Edward), who accompanied many of the Royals on their visits both in the UK and abroad. It was interesting to note that Prince Phillip was a pretty good artist himself, with a painting of Seago on the Britannia . The museum, besides being a wonderful pictorial history of the Royal Family, included a display of the midget cars driven by the Royal ankle bitters and to cap it all, a display of the various motor vehicles and carriages used by the Royals over the last 100 years.

Having missed the bus, we sat in the shelter, rain pouring, for an hour. To our relief (from boredom) a young Chinese girl joined after about 10 minutes. She was a talker and sometimes listening can be quite exhausting. Finally the bus arrived and we were parted from our companion.  

The next day we were aiming to stay at the Market Rasen Campsite with a stopover in Lincoln to see the Cathedral and Medieval Bishop's Palace. The Cathedral is a marvel of Gothic architecture and you can literally shoot a great photo from any point. What else can one say - awesome!

The visit to the Medieval Bishop's Palace was accompanied by a marvellous audio guide which really brought to light what it was like for the servants, monks and priors of those times.

Just a word on how things are going at present. Le Van is behaving beautifully, carrying us comfortably and keeping us warm on these cold nights. It is surprising how quickly Peter has adjusted to lefthand side driving. This was a big fear before the trip, but he has adapted very easily, however, Kathy provides a very necessary second pair of eyes and ears.

Tomorrow is a full day in York before our next port of call on Saturday - the Old Hartley Caravan Club site on Whitley Bay, just north of Newcastle.

 
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Comments

Martin & Ann Kin-Cleaves
2014-05-29

Hi there. We are Ron Hastings friends in Carlisle UK. I know Ron extended an invitation to visit us which we sure hope you will take up. You will be made very welcomed. Bear in mind that we are away in Portugal on 3 July to 10 July but apart from that our door is opened to you. Contact details below :

Martin & Ann Kin-Cleaves
3 Howard Place
Carlisle CA1 1HR

E: Ann@Kin-Cleaves.com
M: 07801 851701

Hope to see you and enjoy your stay in the UK.

Stay Safe.

Smile
Ann

Jenny Talbot
2014-05-29

Wow, you two are legends. Got the whole 'Grey Nomad' thing down pat. I'm very impressed with how much you've seen and how far you have driven. And very impressive driving on the left in a left sided van. Hopefully it will be easier when you get to Europe! Hmm maybe not - whole lot of other issues! I'm sure you will be fine. Loving reading about your adventures and revisiting all the places that Lindy and I went in 1985 albeit in less comfort than Le Van. Love & hugs.

Charl & Cheryl
2014-05-30

Our prayers for the rain to stop on your trip have been answered !!
Great photos, glad to see that you start the day with good coffees. Looks like you guys are having fun.

Is it my imagination or ...?? you visit many beaches, look at rope being made, also looking at boats ?? Does this mean you'll buy a boat at the end of your trip and sail back to OZ ?? could just be my imagination !! Love, Charl & Cheryl

Joan McMurray
2014-06-03

HI Travellers on the path well travelled. All that seeing stuff must be great. I'd love to see how other people live. Even here when I walk pass somebody's house I try to guess what goes on there. Not necessarily being nosey just a bit sentimental.

Your camper van is ideal no housework to do, well not much must be great.

Keep travelling, keeping writing and keep you the pics am very, very interested just luuuuv it.

Lotsa LUVVIES

JOAN

Joan McMurray
2014-06-18

I'm looking at messages. I can't make out if I just can't spell or type. Ohmigosh. Probably both. Lots love Joan

2025-02-10

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