Somewhat late – but it’s time to put pen to paper – or more accurately fingers to keyboard and regale you/bore you rigid (delete as appropriate) with my grog skewed recollections of my autumn half-term getaway. No Crystal Palace this time – the site sadly closed at the end of last year - but Abbey Wood in south-east London.
Friday
The directions suggested by Google Maps varied significantly from the route recommended by the club so I plotted various stops on the app to ensure the correct directions were followed. This was easy enough; I just picked bus stops.
All was going well; there was the usual queue to leave the M25 at the A2 junction but after that traffic was benign and my cunning plan seemed to working.
Then came the penultimate waypoint, just where I needed to make a right turn. Mistake. I ended up on a slightly nerve-racking detour through a housing estate, with cars parked both sides of narrow roads, there was a heavy sigh of relief when I rejoined the prescribed route. Check out the site arrival video HERE which includes said diversion.
I’d booked a non-awning pitch as that was all that was available – and there were few of them left either. After circumnavigating the site I came to rest near the exit, a long sloping gravelled area to the right back near reception and also, handily, near a service point.
The new motor mover did it’s stuff but even with Patsy’s offside wheel perched precariously on top of the ramp she still wasn’t level. No matter, it would do. Handbrake, chocs, and an extra turn of the legs would ensure she stayed put. First impressions of the site were very positive; pleasant, peaceful, and the trees looked lovely with the changing colours of autumn. I made a note to have a walk around and jot down some pitch numbers as likely candidates for any future visit.
Set up was swift and everything seemed to be working, aside from the fan on the Truma blown air heating which is an ongoing problem and one that will take a fistful of folding to put right. I could certainly manage without it though. Patsy is never cold for long.
Patsy’s internet needed loading up. As you may know she has a roof mounted puck connected to a mobile router and, for the first couple of years I used a Smarty SIM – on the Three network. I liked how you could start and pause the service – i.e. not pay for data when Patsy is sitting in storage.
However I was getting fed up with patchy coverage and so the beginning of this year tried Lyca – who operate on the EE network – arguably one of the best. Like Smarty you could just pay for a month and over the year I’ve found coverage and speed to be excellent, though the ‘auto-renew’ option was enabled by default and the option to disable was somewhat hidden away in the menu.
I booted up the app to load up some data and selected what they said was my most used package – except it wasn’t – I’d inadvertently signed up for a 12 month package. Doh. After finding a contact number and navigating a labyrinthine menu I eventually got to speak to someone who promised to cancel the package and switch me to a 30 day package. I’m still waiting to this day and can’t help feeling a little bit miffed. Oh well, in the greater scheme of things, not a disaster.
A nap followed a beer, then a pizza was thrown in the oven for dinner. After which I decided a bit of reconnaissance was necessary and set out towards the station, the south-eastern end of the Elizabeth Line which has certainly proved a game changer for the site – and no doubt for locals.
It was about a 10 minute walk through some residential streets then a short shopping parade which included a Morrisons Local, several eateries and the Abbey Arms just by the station – handy. The early evening air was thick with the smell of pot through the shopping parade. I tried not to breathe too much in, honest.
There were lifts as well as stairs up to the station, with a plethora of bus stops on the main road, the area certainly seemed pretty well served public transport wise.
Somehow resisting a pint I returned to the site and spent a nice cosy evening in, looking forward to the week ahead.
Saturday
An overcast but dry morning greeted me as I opened the curtains before making a cuppa.
With breakfast wolfed down I got myself tarted up in the usual ‘uniform,’ selecting the ‘military gothic’ as the long coat of choice. I was only away for a week but I’d brought three, as well as a raincoat. Well you’ve got to have a choice haven’t you.
I was off to town, to Euston, to meet Sandra who would be joining me for a few days, which meant my first trip from this end of the Lizzy Line.
Trains were every few minutes so I didn’t have to wait long and within half an hour I was at Tottenham Court Road station to swap to the Northern Line. It’s noticeable how bright, cool and airy the platforms and halls are on the Lizzy Line, a stark contrast to the stuffy and cramped older Underground stations, many of which were built in Victorian times.
I’d given myself plenty of time so on arrival at Euston I repaired to the bar upstairs for a delicious if pricey pint of Fullers ESB to await Sandra’s arrival. They recognise me in there now, oh dear!
Sandra’s train was late but I resisted – just – the opportunity to have a second.
We located some vacant seating and sat down to have a packed lunch which I’d brought with me – the usual slow cooked gammon in baguettes. Euston is hardly one of the ‘grand old ladies’ of stations, in fact it’s arguably the least aesthetically pleasing of all the mainline stations in London – and nowhere near big enough. However it was fascinating to watch the tides of people ebbing and flowing as trains arrived and platforms for departures were announced.
After lunch it was a simple reverse ferret – Northern to Tottenham Court Road, then Lizzy to Abbey Wood. A lone cab was waiting and we grabbed it without hesitation for the short ride back to the site, where a cuppa and nap followed.
A further cuppa, then we had a late afternoon walk around the site, the main road runs in a rough circle, rising towards the back of the site, with the odd cul-de-sac off it here and there. Although bigger than Crystal Palace – and with three facilities blocks – it didn’t feel like a big site. We liked it very much.
Sandra recalls:
October half term was fast approaching, and it was time to make the journey to London to stay for a few days with Richard at the Abbey Wood Caravan Club site. This was to be my first visit to the site along with Richard as well.
For once the trains largely behaved and my usual assistance was ready and waiting to help me off the train and to the concourse to meet Richard. We made our way to the tube at Euston – something of a trial given part of the access is currently out of operation because of the HS2 works being carried out next door. This time we were only on the tube for a small number of stops, alighting at Tottenham Court Road tube station and getting on the Elizabeth Line all the way to the end of the line at Abbey Wood station. The difference is truly remarkable. I have used other parts of the line – mainly to the West of London, so I have probably travelled on most of it now. The airiness, air conditioning, seats, and space make for a very comfortable experience indeed.
We trundled along at quite fast speeds, and before long we were pulling into the final stop – Abbey Wood. The station itself is split into 3 sections, the Elizabeth Line platform: the national rail platform and the station forecourt itself. They are all accessible and lifts are available everywhere. On leaving the platforms, you go up in a lift to the forecourt of the station. Upon exiting you walk across to yet another lift which takes you to ground level to access the streets up to the site. The reason for this seemingly odd set up is due to the station forecourt being built on a flyover. It is about a 15-minute walk uphill if you are physically fit but after a long day, an Uber is not much more expensive than two bus tickets.
The site is large and pleasantly rural in nature, somewhat different to the Crystal Palace site – sadly now shut. The facilities in one block were newer and great to use – during our stay, the second older block was starting to undergo refurbishment – it was tired and obviously in need of an update. Hopefully by the time we visit early next year, then it will have been completed. Richard’s pitch was conveniently located but was rather small in length, certainly something we will rectify at out next visit. An awning pitch, even if we don’t break out the awning will be much better.
An evening in followed – Sandra had had a long day at the mercy of Avanti West Coast and I was feeling the effects of early starts and a long and very trying term.
Sunday
A nice lazy start to the day. Having been getting up at silly o’clock for the last eight weeks it was nice to enjoy a cuppa or two in bed. Opening the blinds revealed a pleasant morning although it was not forecast to last.
After brekky we had a walk to the supermarket, just the other side of the station. We lingered over a coffee in the cafe which afforded great views of the new and on going housing developments in the area, the Elizabeth line no doubt being the catalyst.
Lunch or Dinner? Well our main meal of the day anyway, some delicious air-fried salmon, preceded a nap, then it was time to head out and into town.
We decided to eschew the Izzy line and instead took a bus from a stop near the site to North Greenwich, seeing at last the er, iconic Plumstead Bus Garage! I say iconic, but it came a bit of running joke whenever we used to board the 122 bus from Crystal Palace, that one day we'd go to the end of the route to have a look!
Anyway, the light had faded and the rain was making an appearance as we made the 10 minute walk to the jetty to catch the riverboat for our journey into town. It was roughly a half-hour journey and, despite the rain, London looked fantastic under the lights.
It was, by now, most definitely beer o'clock and the Sherlock Holmes pub was only a short walk away, however they had apparently run out of milk, denying Sandra a cuppa. I refrained from pointing out that there was a Tesco Metro not two minutes walk away but decided against it. A purveyor of caffeine was found around the corner.
Sandra recalls:
The Ghost Bus Tour – a little disappointed tbh, it was pitched as a new route but there were only a couple of newish stops. Still it is very funny, and the children enjoy it very much, the gorier the better!
Yes, the bus headed west first then down Whitehall, turning at the Houses of Parliament but from then on it was pretty much the same as before. We sat downstairs this time though and had the lower deck to ourselves.
Monday
Theatre night. After a chilled morning which may well have involved a book, coffee and naps we headed into town again, perusing Denmark Street, known for it’s many music shops and also the office of fictional Private Investigator Strike from the TV series of the same name. Looking in the windows was fascinating; jaws frequently dropped at the price of some of the instruments.
We managed to find another pub unable to serve hot drinks so retired to a cafe, sticking out like sore thumbs amongst the Millennials hunched over laptops and sipping skinny frappacino oat milk lattes – or whatever they were.
Alcoholic relief came in a pub down Drury Lane before we headed for our pre show meal at the good old White Hart. Again it didn’t disappoint, friendly service and reasonably priced grog and grub.
Sandra recalls:
The show we had chosen was the Live Aid for a Day. We were in for an excellent musical and for those of us who remember the day, it reflected it very well indeed. There were no big names in the cast; well certainly ones neither of us had heard of before. I actually believe that this enhanced the show overall. Well worth a viewing and a trip down memory lane. 40 years ago!!
It was superb, and quite emotional, I found myself with something in my eye several times but overall a real uplifting musical that is heartily recommended.
Tuesday
Sandra recalls:
Tuesday evening we made our way over to Kenwood House to see the Halloween Lights Trail. These are now really big business with, seemingly, any excuse to stage one. Given the number of people attending, it is not difficult to see why. The usual exorbitantly priced mulled wine, s’mores etc are tempting but I opted for a warming hot chocolate as it was a particularly chilly night. We strolled around marvelling at the displays and all manner of ghosties, ghoulies, coffins, skeletons were all over the place. I have to admit that I fell about laughing when, a seemingly wooden witchlike figure, sprang to life and made Richard jump out of his skin!! Prior we also visited a lovely olde worlde pub close by, just a proper pub, no food. The owners had put a lot of effort into decorating it in time for Halloween – the standard of the pub measured by how full it was.
Halloween is my favourite time of the year – a cliché I know but I love it. It’s the time of year when I get asked if I’m going to a party. No, I always dress like this!
Wednesday
Sandra recalls:
Well, the time passed very quickly and all too soon, it was time for the return journey, and we said our goodbyes and a relatively uneventful trip passed back up north.
We’d enjoyed a cracking few days together, as always and once I’d seen Sandra on her way I headed over to the Wetherspoons across the road for a livener prior, I thought, to a walk around Camden, only a short bus ride away.
However, just like a year previously, the rain came and after a second pint – purely to see if the weather cheered up – I decided to head back to the site for lunch – and a nap.
The rain had gone so an after an early dinner I decided I would make the trek over to Crystal Palace. The reason for my visit would be two-fold – I could take a look at the old caravan site to see if any building work had started – and visit the fun fair up by the park to get my Waltzer fix.
It was a tortuous journey – 90 minutes or so on two buses but my time was my own and I’d remembered my earphones. Yep, I’m old school and still use ones with wires.
The old caravan site was in complete darkness, the large wooden gates which I’d seen many times now closed and securely padlocked. Even in the gloom it didn’t seem as if anything was happening.
I ambled up Crystal Palace parade and decided on a pint in the Westow House pub, for old times’ sake. I sat in a contemplative mood, thinking of all the trips here, both with Trev and on my own. End of an era and time most certainly marches on.
Several goes on the Waltzer cheered me up and it was somewhat reluctantly I boarded the first of the two buses back to the site. A three hour round trip but it was worth the effort.
Another lazy day as my planned activity wasn’t until the evening. I left Patsy around 4pm in the fading light for usual journey on the Lizzy line, swapping to the Northern line at Tottenham Court Road and emerging at Camden.
My plan was to have a look around the markets and shops – I wasn’t looking for anything particular but you never know what might take your fancy eh.
However it was ridiculously busy – I bet Oxford St at Christmas wan't this bad. I decided instead on a pint at the ‘Spoons overlooking the canal, indulging in a bit of people watching in the fading light.
Soon it was time for the bus, to the western side of Hampstead Heath and, more specifically, The Old Bull and Bush pub. The name might conjure up rose tinted images of a good old fashioned London boozer but it was now very much given over to food for a well heeled crowd. They at least had London Pride on which went down well.
The reason for the visit was that it was the starting point for a ghost and pub walk. You may recall I did one in the area a couple of years ago and it was great fun. This was their 10th and final year and with a different route – and pubs – on the itinerary I soon signed up. I checked in with our hosts who recognised me – eek – and waited while the small crowd gathered.
Well as expected it was great fun, we headed south first traversing part of the heath, entertaining and gruesome stories on the way. The half-way point was the Duke of Hamilton in leafy Hampstead. Stepping outside there was the definite whiff of money, no doubt a delightful if expensive place to live.
Our tour continued through the streets of Hampstead, wonderfully atmospheric, culminating at the King Willaim IV just off the high St. All too soon it had come to an end, but it had been great fun, as expected. Clearly a lot of work goes in to putting it together and it was well worth the twenty quid or so.
A livener in the pub, a thank you to the hosts then it was time to take my leave. Fortunately, it was a straightforward journey back – a couple on minutes’ walk to the tube, then the usual change at Tottenham Court Road for the Lizzy line back to site.
My sole contribution to Halloween decoration was still glowing on the front of Patsy. Must do better next year!
Friday was my last full day on site and a slow pack up was the only thing on the agenda. Again I felt it was a bit of a waste but in truth my knees had had enough – the jab in the right one had worked pretty well but I was by now feeling the effects of having the temerity to use them for their intended purpose. I strayed no further than the Morrisons Local late afternoon for a couple of beers to lay the dust.
A prompt getaway was successfully executed Saturday morning. Following the recommended route in reverse wasn’t possible thanks to a road closure, but a chat with the wardens had helped me decide on an alternative route out – namely just following Google Maps. It worked well, the A2 and M25 were relatively quiet and Patsy was back in her resting place mid-morning. It had been another very enjoyable trip, more so having found an alternative to the sorely missed Crystal Palace site. Two further trips to Abbey Wood have already been booked.
Cheers and beers
Rich & Sandra.