Saturday 15th March
Just four weeks after my last trip it was Patsy time again. With Easter falling later the powers that be at the private school that I work at had brought the ‘Easter’ break forward. I’m not complaining – we still get a long weekend for Easter proper too – and with state schools not breaking up for another couple of weeks or so, everywhere is quieter.
I was heading north again – hardly surprising, If I headed more than half a mile south I’d get wet – to the northern border of Cambridgeshire – not too far from where I’d spent the half-term break, to a CL a few miles west of Wisbech.
A prompt start, calling in for the usual caravanning ‘essentials’ on the way to storage and I was on the road before 9am – unbelievably, as planned.
A straightforward journey with mercifully no queues at the Dartford tunnel, the nice lady from Google Maps wanted to send me cross country once north of Cambridge but I ignored her – not for the first time. To be fair she doesn’t know I’m towing an old lard arse like Patsy, who, talking of which, was bouncing around like Zebedee on speed on the final approach to the site. Good old Fenland roads – what’s left of them. Check out the Site Arrival video HERE
Greenacres CL is relatively new and the site was empty when I arrived – no complaints there in fact it’s probably just as well given the swearing and cursing that soon followed. I couldn’t get the knackered motor mover to stay physically engaged and on the brief occasions it did progress was slower than an arthritic tortoise.
The water pump decided to gang up on me as well and when water finally did flow it became apparent that the waste pipe had become detached under the ‘van. I crawled under – and out again to get my specs, returning to discover that Coachman had helpfully positioned the bracket right where the join was with the elbow joint, making getting any purchase on the two sections to push back together virtually impossible. I was grateful when the time eventually came for a sit down after getting the inside of the ‘van sorted, and to await Sandra’s arrival.
Sandra recalls:
Another Saturday dawned – early if not so bright – the girls and I were off down the A14 again to meet up with Richard for the Easter break. It was a good run, apart from an unavoidable queue on the A5 due to the M54 being shut at the weekend which made me later than I had hoped. No matter – we had arrived and the sun was out by now so a relaxing cuppa and chat whilst Richard had his lunch, time to put the porch awning up for the second time. We had learnt a couple of things since the first time the other week. Storm pole springs and heavy duty pegs had been purchased in the meanwhile and they were deployed – this has made the awning much firmer and avoid so much movement which is a battle in any type of porch awning. We will have another try next week when we move on to Lincolnshire. A couple more pointers have been noted and will be tested – I will let you know how we get on. Suffice it to say, it is a superb piece of kit and as this week, at least, is forecast to be very sunny and warm, we will be making use of it a lot.
I wasn’t relishing putting up the awning – the aforementioned shenanigans, probably coupled with the fact that I’d skipped breakfast, had left me with a pounding headache. However a hastily thrown together ham and paracetamol baguette made me feel a bit more human and it was good to be properly set up again.
A beer was poured, Final Score was put on the telly and my old home town team Cambridge United lost at home to nearby arch-rivals Peterborough again. Ouch.
Plans to go out were altered and after a batch cooked sausage casserole from the fridge we had a quiet night in in front of the telly.
Sunday 16th March
Sandra continues:
One of the main reasons for coming back to this area so soon is that there are a couple of funfairs being run – the first one being at Peterborough. We had visited a summer fair last year and stayed in a hotel that time, so we were making a return visit, this time in Patsy. Fortunately, where the fair was this time was right by the entrance to the Nene Valley Heritage Railway – again a tourist attraction we had visited last year and, therefore, we knew exactly where to park and it was a flat walk to the fair and a relatively dry, if cold, evening visit. It was very quiet – much more so than I had expected. The girls were duly ensconced in their prams, sadly no TV crews this time. Equally, no staid Ferris Wheel for me to partake on. Richard, however was a different story – his to tell.
The Peterborough Mart – another important fair in the Showmen’s calendar and of course it was all about the Waltzer for me. Just the one this time – William Percival’s Waltzer entered service as an Ark/Speedway in 1963, built by Maxwell and later spent time at Coney Island Pleasure Park in Wales and on Clacton pier too. Bearing the Percival name since 1978 it was converted to a Waltzer around the late 80’s. Another cracking machine and a generous ride time too. I had a second go before we left.
Sandra continues:
Dawned dry, cold but forecast to stay that way. The map book and internet were perused and a destination agreed. We were going to see where the River Nene enters the Wash and two small lighthouses which guard the entrance to the river. It is a couple of miles drive down the side of the river but you eventually end up at a small parking area with a couple of picnic tables, bins but nothing more. A pathway can be walked right to the very end, probably a ¼ mile further on – not possible for either of us by some margin. We walked past the lighthouse a little bit and luckily came upon a noticeboard which explained what we were looking at. We had actually passed a small wharf with a coastal tramper in – we had hoped we might see it leaving – unfortunately, it was pretty much low tide and would be some hours before it could move.
I love places like this, a remote almost end of the earth feel and nice and quiet.
Heading back to the A17 we carried on west, through Long Sutton, pausing for lunch at Holbeach where we tracked down a stone marker indicating the Prime Meridian.
Tuesday 18th March
Sandra:
The day dawned much warmer and sunnier with even better weather forecast for the rest of the week. We went to Chatteris, saw a house and then called into March on way back – no sign of the funfair starting later in the week. [eds note – we drove past the turning and it is sited to the rear of the High Street]!
Despite only walking a short distance my knee was giving me grief and to be honest getting me down and it clearly showed. We stopped at Tesco for a few bits, Sandra elected to go in while I stayed in the car with the girls and emerged with a few items guaranteed to cheer me up – ale, cheese and Kiwi Merlot. Good on her, it did too!
Wednesday 19th March
An even brighter and hotter day was forecast, so we decided upon a visit to Castle Rising www.castlerising.org.uk We had actually driven past it a few weeks ago but it was much colder then and we were heading further up the coast. Today, it was their turn. The weather had turned glorious and we were treated to a visit to a much more complete 12th century castle than I have seen before. It is owned by the Howard family but entrusted to English Heritage. We spent a pleasant couple of hours here and could just imagine all the medieval splendour there would have been – a definite relic of the Norman Conquest. We then drove down to the village – built to serve the Castle and its occupants originally and the village bears the same name – this can make SAT NAV have something of a headache – two tours of the one way system in the village were required before we found the car park entrance. A makeshift or homemade sign on white wood really didn’t help matters.
I do enjoy places like this, so much history and they set off a long leather coat well too which, given the weather, wasn’t strictly necessary!
Sandra:
One thing it did do, however, was enable us to spec out the beautiful café/tea-room and a lovely old pub next door. Next along was the village church – although its size did make me think of it possibly having been an Abbey in earlier times – some further research will be required. It seems to be a common feature of many of these villages – pub or hostelry of some kind – right next to a Church!
Of course, as is our way, we adjourned to rest up and partake in a toasted teacake and two pots of tea – the pub was closed at the time of our visit. It was so warm and busy; we were able to sit outside under the table umbrella and it got a definite thumbs up from us both.
Another trip done, we turned and headed for home. A quick stop in Kings Lynn for a few food supplies and we were back and enjoyed a late lunch of our usual rolls and banana sitting outside in the sunshine once more. We were able to open up all the roof lights and doors so Patsy had a great blow through and is certainly better for it all round.
Dinner tonight was courtesy of Chef Easy – I am so glad that I have taught him to cook, I get to eat scrumptious meals. It is a hobby he enjoys and it’s great to share. So on tonight’s menu was home-made beefburgers, grilled mushrooms, home-made herb and garlic wedges with some left over baked beans, (yes from a tin, tut 😉). It went down a treat and we finished up with blackberry and apple crumble with a pot each of custard we had purchased earlier.
Neither of us felt like getting moving again, so some TV – a catch up on the blog so far and our nightly crossword – time to say goodnight.. see you tomorrow.
Thursday 20th March
Another beautiful day weather wise and after a lazy morning we had a run into Whittlesey for a short wander around and a cuppa. With my knee as it is, short is necessary, however some good news on that front – I have an appointment with the musculoskeletal unit the day after I get home. Some mince and veg that was chucked in the slow cooker earlier formed the basis of a couple of pies which, along with some creamy mash went down very well indeed. As I’ve said before, I do like cooking in the ‘van. I don’t have access to the range of herbs and spices that I have at home but now have the confidence to throw something together that will at least be edible. At the age of 53 this is hardly something to be proud of but I’m chuffed nonetheless.
Sandra:
And so you should be!!
Friday 21st March
Overcast though still mild, we had a lazy morning then headed into Wisbech in the afternoon. We’ve passed through a few times – likewise called into Elgoods brewery in the picturesque area across the river, but we’d never been into the town centre.
Clearly it was a town not in the best of health, an abundance of charity shops, betting shops and gaming outlets alongside a few of the usual chain store suspects and a number of empty units.
Homelessness and substance abuse was evident and we didn’t feel particularly at ease, it was sad to see.
The evening saw us head south to March for the second funfair of the trip and for me the chance to bag a ride on my fourteenth Waltzer.
Neal’s ‘Total Confusion started its life as a Swoop in 1936 – think a Matterhorn style ride - but was soon converted to an Ark/Speedway, then later on, to a Waltzer. At first glance, less decorative than most but the artwork was very unique, the tunes were good – i.e. something I recognised from the 90’s - and it was a good ride.
Saturday 22nd March
Best laid plans and all that, we’d considered a run to Houghton Mill, near Huntingdon, where, handily, there was a fun fair on over the weekend. Two birds, one stone etc, however the forecast was depressingly correct and it rained all day. The only excursion was to the chippy – one of two recommended by the site owner. The Jolly Fryer was clearly popular but service was prompt and once back at Patsy, a lovely meal was enjoyed.
That's it for Part 1. Part 2 coming soon where we spend 10 days in Lincolnshire.