Messing about by the River

The River Ouse to be precise!

 

Poplar Farm Holiday park is in Acaster Malbis and stands on the banks of the River.  Again we walked in beautiful afternoon sunshine.



 

 

I was eager to try out the new Drive away awning - advertised as very easy to erect I managed to complete the task in about 40 minutes - not bad for a first time awning erector!  Now those of you that are seasoned campers will probably think that 40 minutes is an awfully long time to take for this task.  However, you must remember I am a City girl and I gave up camping (or did it give me up)? when I was 16 and I am still a bit of 'girl'!  Anyway I was very proud of my achievements and also very glad that Reimo did not break any advertising standards by promoting this awning as the 'Easy Tour 2'

 

Larger than expected it gives me loads more space and means I can leave chairs/table/stove out between uses without packing everything away in Heidi - I can also, of course, drive away in the Van and leave the awning 'in situ' - great stuff!

Acaster Malbis is 5 miles south of York and has several claims to fame!

The Latin word for a camp is castra indicating that the Roman army may once have been based here. The village is mentioned in the Domesday Book as Acastre. The Malbis is derived from the Norman Malbysse or De Malebys family. Malbis was a Norman personal name that in French means "very swarthy".


So a Roman Norman village with a dark French past!

In 1848 the village population was 322 - it was only 538 in the 2001 Census.  With no shops and only a few houses, two Churches and  The Ship Inn -  one of the oldest building - 17th Century.  Its current owners report many 'ghostly' incidents.  The Inn also features in a book by Barbara Whitehead - 'The Girl with the Red Suspenders' ........ What a claim to fame!

I was hoping to stay a second night but remembered that I had a meeting on Monday morning, so having put the awning back in its carry case (another proud moment) Heidi and I returned home.

Costa del Sutton

For my next trip I decided to travel a little further afield and having seen the advance weather forecast decided a trip to the Coast was in order.

 

Yes! this is England

 

Using trusty Google I located a site at Sandilands on the East Coast - adults only and just 5 pitches available.

 

What a delightful spot - lovely level pitch screened from the coastal wind with a hedge and a view of the Sea bank in the distance.  The only sounds to be heard was the waves and bird chatter.

 

I set up quickly eager to make the most of the glorious Sunshine and within 20 minutes we were on our way to the Beach.

 

 

Sandilands is on the very edge of Sutton on Sea which in turn is between Skegness and Mablethorpe.

 

I have not been to the coast in England for some time and did not relish the thought of all those daytrippers wondering about the tacky souvenir shops, eating rock and playing in the games arcades.

 

 

Did I get a shock!!!  None of the above present just miles of unspoilt beach, gorgeous little beach huts and the occasional café - I was in Heaven.

 

 

I want ^ ^ ^

 

The dogs and I walked along the front right into Sutton and back again.  It was the first time either of the dogs had seen Sea and Sand and they absolutely loved it.

 

 

Dinner was taken in the nearby local pub (dog friendly) within walking distance.  We all collapsed into bed exhausted before it was even dark!

 

 

The next morning we awoke early due to the Sunshine again streaming into the Camper.

 

It was time to try out all my new camping equipment so breakfast was prepared and eaten outside.

 

We then set off in the opposite direction along the beach towards Huttoft.  It is actually quite hard to walk long distances on sand (unless you have 4 paws) - I didn't realise this and the going was quite slow.  When we reached Huttoft there wasn't much to see - except blue skies, dunes and Sun!  Many campers were parked right on the beach here which is useful to know for future use.

Later in the day we took the camper down to Anderby Creek for afternoon tea and a look at the Worlds first 'Cloud spotting Bar' and not a beer in sight!

The Cloud Bar was the idea of artist, and Cloud Appreciation Society member, Michael Trainor. Replacing a disused beach shelter, the handsome wooden structure looks out to sea from this unspoilt stretch of the Lincolnshire coastline. On the viewing platform, are ‘Cloud Menus’ identifying the different formations, mirrors that can be swivelled to reflect different parts of the sky and specially designed cloud-viewing seats, on which visitors can recline and enjoy the view.

Would have been quite an interesting and useful resource - but alas - no clouds to 'spot' (no doubt highly unusual for this part of the coast).


After walking back it was time again for pub fayre before bed.  As I lay there dropping off all I could hear was the sea and those very noisy birds - its amazing just how loud birdsong is when it is not drowned out by other noise pollution!

Another successful jaunt - finished off by a cuppa on Huttoft sands (couldn't resist) before making the journey home - this has got to be the biggest advantage of owning a campervan!

who needs the Costa del Sol when we have weather and views like this at home?