Yearly Archives: 2017

France day 1 – Breteuil

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Awake at 6 am, quick wash and we were away before 6.30 to catch the 10.50 Chunnel crossing. The trip was uneventful with much of the road empty of traffic except for one hold up caused by a broken-down lorry on the M25, and rubber necking drivers a mile on who were looking at a van in a seemingly impossible position on the embankment above the barrier of the M25.  Travelling on a weekday is always faster than the weekend.  Weekend delays often caused by inexperienced drivers slowing the traffic flows down. We arrived in plenty of time and were offered an earlier crossing than our booked trip.  Yes, I had already bought my Thames crossing. Did that back in March!!!

We parked at the terminal and availed ourselves of the hospitality offered by Starbucks, coffee and pastries.  Last minute loo breaks and then we were back in the van to board the train. One little break as we were taken aside to have our gas cylinder inspected, seemingly to check it was turned off. Soon we were moving off and left the terminal ahead of schedule. 

We headed off south using toll free roads in a route planned by Google, passing by Boulogne, Montreuil, Vron, Nouvion, Abbeville, Blangy-sur-Brestle, Rouen, Evreux, finally stopping for the night at the campsite  Camping Des Berges De L’Iton in the town of Breteuil where we arrived at 16.39. We overtook a Number 9 Routemaster bus on one road, seemingly devoid of passengers and conductor.

The final 100 yards to the campsite was fun, all roads to it were closed, but we worked around and came to the site from the opposite direction, only to find a Dutch couple coming in from the original direction.  The works for the night had just stopped.  One of the workman who had seen us attempt access from the other side smiled, grinned and laughed at our arrival.

On checking in we were told by Madame we could camp anywhere, so preceded to a nice spot overlooking the mill pond only to be told by some towel waving Dutch that the two pitches were reserved for their friends.  So, we generously moved on to another pitch, and then I laid a long cable to the nearest power point, only to be told by Madame that I could not use that point.  The other nearest power point had two spare slots, but these were for the towel waving Dutch.  Rescue came from another Dutch couple on our other side who offered to plug us into an adaptor they had.   This put a kibosh on the planned chicken meal as not sure we could cook while the Dutch couple were also using the power.  We decided draft beers were needed from the campsite bar. Later, we ate emergency rations for the night, being tuna , pasta, pesto and cheese.

After dinner, we took a walk around the town, but it was totally dead, all bars and restaurants were closed-up tight. The only people we saw were workers taking down the funfair.

R not happy about the site, saying the very few toilets had no seats. (this became a common refrain during the three weeks).  The showers I thought were rather primitive as well.  The washing-up kitchen was rather chipped and worn, too.  The disorganisation of allocating pitches and power points was also rather a downside.  The pitches though are of a reasonable size, all delimited by low hedges.  As is usual now, there were quite a few static caravans here.  The site is not up to the cleanliness of many British C&C Club sites, and nowhere near the best sites like Fforest Fields.

Not to worry, we are here just for the night, before we rush on for the next 5 hours on toll free roads to Arçais to meet up with Linda and Mike.

Pilton Party 2017

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During the Glastonbury Abbey Extravaganza I knew the Pilton Party tickets went on sale. While R and I were drinking at The Who’d A Thought It pub we saw the ticket office queue, snaking around the corner. After our drink, the queue was smaller.  I joined and left with a ticket, cash only. Any tickets left over went on sale on Monday in the village of Pilton.  The rest went on the Internet.  None made it to the Internet, all tickets sold on the two days with no national advertising. It is supposed to be a local event.

On the Friday I drove down to Somerset, had lunch at the The Who’d A Thought It pub and then bought four special Torsy Moorsy fruit cakes from Burns the Bread. Headed over to Pilton and parked in the party car-park. Camping is not catered for, but there were a few vans, and overnight many cars were left in the car park. I parked next to another camper who had been at the Glastonbury Abbey Extravaganza, and had been next door to us.

Walked up to the field where the event was held.  It is near where the John Peel stage and The Wood is. (At least I think so.) It was all fenced off, bar food and stage.  Somewhere like 4,000 people were expected, and the weather was lovely.

First on were two winners from the long-running Pilton Working Men’s Club ‘Battle of the Bands’ competition, UK:ID and Arcadia Roots. As you can see not many came to see UK:ID.  A rap band with a woman singer who was very good. I saw a tweet which is asking for bands to audition for next year’s Pilton Party. Though Glastonbury is not running, the party is.  Watch this space.

Next up on the line-up is the fabulous Declan McKenna, who won the Emerging Talent Competition in 2015.  And finally topping the bill this year were the incredible Bastille, who were last in Pilton to play a triumphant set on the Other Stage at Glastonbury 2016. They also had played Leeds & Reading in 2017, where I saw them with Selina..

I have a few pictures of Michael Eavis, should have got a selfie with him. Was so close.  

Back to the camper van where I slept, very noisy in the car park, the party seemed to go on there for a while.  In the morning after a lie in, headed off to find some brunch at a cafe called Hartleys Kitchen.  Its on a country industrial estate and seemed very popular with cyclists on a Saturday. Two groups, one with normal bikes, and another with the latest carbon bikes and SPDs.

 

Reading Festival 2017

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First time I have participated in a music festival in a campervan.  Rosemary had given me permission to take Van the Van to Reading festival.  I am under no illusions though, permission was granted only because Selina was coming along with me (as the responsible adult)..  

Friday

I picked Selina up after 9.30 and allowed Google Maps to navigate a route to the White Gate.  Google took us down some very narrow and meandering roads.  We arrived at the festival with hardly any traffic and checked into the campervan area.  We were searched for glass and pineapples and then let through into the van area, where we parked next to a few other VWs.  Once parked we walked for 20 plus minutes to the arena in time for the first band on the main stage. 

I couldn’t find the real ale bar. Reading always has one, but all the usual locations were without craft beer. Late afternoon I spotted some people walking around with what looked like real ale. Accosted them and eventually found the bar. It was much larger than before and seemed well organised, but not at all busy.  As the days passed more people found it and on the Saturday it was heaving with a queue. 

Judas – Main Stage

A band recommended by a work colleague of Selina’s. Rock band in the old style. Gave a credible performance.

Mallory Knox – Main Stage

Josie Long – Reading Alternative

Rob Delaney – Reading Alternative

Circa Waves – Main Stage

Jimmy Eat World – Main Stage

Two Door Cinema Club – Main Stage

Bastille – Main Stage

Bastille played a stunning set, I will be seeing them again at the Pilton Party.  The sun had set before Kasabian came on.

Kasabian – Main Stage

Kasabian are always good. The stadium filled with fans wearing the blue Leicester City footie shirts.  

After the band had finished we made the mistake of leaving immediately and then getting lost and ending up where the silent disco was.  Had to backtrack to find our way back to the campsite.

Saturday

A nice morning, and an examination of the other campers and motor homes around us.  There was a huge double decker coach nearby with an electric cooker outside making breakfast. Some other campers thought the coach was a breakfast venue!  We also had several people want to look at our van, they were part way through their conversions and were wondering if a popup roof would be useful. Here is Van the Van aka Morrison with his neighbours.

Wolf Alice – Festival Republic

Blaenavon – NME

The Pretty Reckless – Main Stage

Cabbage – NME

Migos – Main Stage

Bill Bailey – Reading Alternative

Korn – Main Stage

Turbowold – Pit

Group Love – Festival Republic

Major Lazer – Main Stage

Glass Animals – NME

Yes pineapples were in evidence despite the festival pineapple ban.

Eminem – Main Stage

Watched Eminem, not really my thing, as were Migos and Major Lazer.  

When we left, we alas left with the crowd, went the correct way and ended up walking at a snail’s pace.

Sunday

Pins – Main Stage

Vant – Main Stage

Slotface – The Lock UP

Pond – NME

Flo and Joan – Reading Alternative

Katherine Ryan – Reading Alternative

Giggs – Main Stage

Blossoms – Main Stage

Liam Gallagher – Main Stage

Liam is rather a miserable person. The songs were good, and when the old Oasis songs were sung, the crowd responded. 

Waiting for Liam Gallagher

Waiting for Liam Gallagher

Muse – Main Stage

A great show by Muse with fireworks coordinated with the music.

 

 

The third day we had learnt. We stayed on in the arena, had a late supper and then left when the crowds had gone.  Back at the campsite we saw the double decker coach leave.

Sunday

Tea in beds (yes, we have two – one in the main body & one in the roof, where I was) at around 8.00am and then a quick pack up and away with very little traffic. The large double decker coach had left the night before.  The camper campsite was beginning to look empty, but very tidy. 

Valerie and Norman

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We visited Valerie and Norman for a couple of nights.  On the Tuesday we set off with hedge trimmer and chainsaw to trim their hedge.  First job on arrival was to consume an excellent soup lunch.  Then the hedge was attacked, lopping off a couple of feet.  

That evening we walked to The Cradock Arms.  We ordered and were soon eating.  But there was a pub quiz that night. What to do. We adjourned to the bar and entered the quiz, team was named SadGits.  We didn’t come last!  Walked back home, nursing our bruised egos.

Wednesday morning after a fry up, we headed out to Southwell and parked in some free parking by the leisure centre.  Our first stop was the Southwell Minster where we spent more than an hour looking around. Rosemary was hunting the carved mice on the furniture, think she found 9 of the 22.  There were numerous carving of small heads, one which looked very much like Donald Trump, which even had been mentioned in a church pamphlet.  The small carved heads stood in contrast to the rather squat fat pillar holding up the knave.

The chapter house had exquisitely carved leaves throughout.  These leaves have caused a few books to be written.  The chapter house also housed a picture exhibition themed on Adam and Even.  There was some quite interesting representations, Unfortunately the two we might have considered buying had been sold,

A quick walk down the road to The Hearty Goodfellow for lunch.  Small pub, with good beer and menu.  I ate a special of Moules Frites, We then walked to the Workhouse owned by the National Trust. Interestingly, there were some rooms that had been turned into bedsits for mothers with children which were still being used in the 70s, the fathers had to stay away.  Tea and then back to the Minster to visit the Great Hall in the Bishop’s Palace. 

On the way home we made a detour and stopped at the excellent pub called The Ale Classroom.  The Classroom is small, two rooms, but sells excellent beers, constantly changing, all served straight out of the cask. Rosemary, embarrassingly for me cos I had to buy it, wanted lager.

Back to V&N’s for a good pasta supper.  The next day we left mid morning to drove back in some large downpours. Thank you Google, you seemed to have missed predicting those.  Back at home there had been little rain and the garage was progressing.

Lunch with “Old” Walkerites

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We met for lunch at Peter and Janet’s meeting up with a number of former Walker employees. At the lunch party were John, Peter, Steve D, Ann, Steve & Rosemary B, Tessa & Pete R, Their better halves being Carol, Janet, Kathy, Chris, Dagmar & Robin (who was a late arrival turning up in his & Tessa’s 2CV). We were all very full after an excellent roast beef joint cooked by Peter.

The weather again held good, not sparklingly hot, but sunny and no rain.

 

 

 

 

 

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Celia and Richard at the Hatton Arms

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We met up with Ceila and Richard at the Hatton Arms.  Walked along the Grand Union Canal and back for 50 minutes or so in some unexpectedly brilliant sunshine.  Yes, the weather had taken a break from the incessant cold and wet weather we have been having.  We met C&R here before several years ago, the metal dragonfly is still in position.

Back at the Hatton Arms we had lunch on the terrace and continued to catch up with each other’s lives.

 

Glastonbury Abbey Extravaganza

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We had tickets and a campervan pitch for the Glastonbury Abbey Extravaganza.  There were three acts on the Saturday night, The Black Dyke Band, Corinne Bailey Rae and headliner Brian Wilson.

We drove down on the Friday, stopping off on the way at CJ Van Designs for some advice on wear on the popup roof.  He recommended placing some strips of carpet over the lights in the roof before closing down the lid.  We arrived at the site and parked the van, but we did not erect the awning as we were only there for a couple of nights. We sat out in the sun and drank our bottle of fizz before eating our supper which was Coronation Chicken, finished off with raspberries & cream.

The site was much as it was as the previous year, except that there seemed to be more campervans (of all ages) this time, and where we had camped last year there were now vans there.  The loos were not the composting type this time, but the traditional Glastonbury long drop, a large tank with cubicles on top, open to the weather at their roofs. Even after only a day it was getting pretty stinky.  There was also a van this time selling bacon butties (not that I was allowed to buy one).

Next day it was raining, but it was predicted to get better with no rain for the show.  We hung around at the campsite waiting for the rain to stop, and headed into town on foot and made it to the pub called The Who’d A Thought It. Alas, as it was lunch time we were unable to sit outside, so had to drink our pints in the bar.  Outside I had spotted the long queue to the Glastonbury Festival Office where tickets to the Pilton Party were on sale.  When we left the pub the queue was short.  Rosemary gave me permission to buy a ticket for the 1st September, so I joined the queue where I soon heard it was cash only sales.  I had gone cashless, luckily Rosemary had not yet left the area and was beckoned over to supply the cash.

A couple more hours to spare was spent looking around the weird and wonderful shops in Glastonbury.  After a while, we joined the queue and were soon walking into the Abbey where we sat down on our chairs on a small rise.  I think next year I shall sit more over to the left of the site, this seems to be the area where Michael Eavis appears for pictures.

First on were The Black Dyke Band, a Leeds colliery band.  I thought they were good, Rosemary considers last year’s school band was better.

Next up was Corinne Bailey Rae, sorry did not enjoy the performance, nothing I could sing along too.  We used the time to purchase some wraps with Halloumi, salad and Hummus.

Brian Wilson came on finally with his backing band.  Much more pleasant, with recognisable Beach Boy sounds.  The crowd really enjoyed the performance. Brian is a bit past it, didn’t play much and only sung a little.  The backing band and singers though provided brilliant performances.  The event ended with a great firework display.  

We left quite quickly and were on the second coach back to the campsite.  Very efficient service.  I sneaked in a JD in the campervan before going to bed.

The morning was a bit soggy, breakfasted and left.  Stopped for lunch at 12.00 at the The Cross Keys Inn.  We still had time to kill before meeting up with Sue and Ken, so we visited the National Trust house of Lytes Cary Manor.  It would have been better if we had skipped lunch at the The Cross Keys and had just eaten at the NT house.  

We arrived at Sue and Ken’s, Sue was in, Ken was supporting the pub which had only recently reopened, but he came back fairly quickly. We inspected Sue’s vegetable plots, chickens & cats. Good to see them.

The drive back on the A303 was a pain, Google recommended a big diversion before we reached Stonehenge.  Duly taken.

 

 

 

 

 

Pink Floyd and the Proms

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Rosemary and I ventured into London on Chiltern Railways to go to the Proms.  We travelled from Bicester with bargain prepaid tickets.  Downside was that we arrived in London a little later than ideal and had to travel back home a little later than needed.  The trials of cheap tickets.  Rosemary also for the first time used her debit card to enter and exit the tube, while Steve used Android Pay on his mobile phone.  Not sure what would have happened if the power had run out between entering and exiting the underground.

We did arrive in time to go to the V&A, bought tickets for the Pink Floyd exhibition, alas there was almost an hour wait before we could enter, leaving us with only 90 minutes to view the exhibition.  We could have done with an extra 30 minutes to view comfortably, and I could imagine sitting on the floor in the exit hall for much longer listening to Pink Floyd.  If you have not been, then I suggest you hurry up, it closes on the 1st October.

We then walked to the Royal Albert Hall and met with Valerie and Norman in the Vivaldi restaurant for supper before the Prom.  Simon had booked the table and hoped to be along for desert, but he had been let out of rehearsals early and was able to order the main course with us.  The service was smooth and quick, I suppose it has to be because most people eating there would not want to miss the start of the performance they had booked.

The Prom was very good (much to the surprise of my rock tastes) – Korngold’s “The Sea Hawk Overture” (you could hear Errol buckling his swash throughout), the specially commissioned “Sirens” from Hillborg and finishing with Rimsky-Korsakov’s “Scheherade”. Simon sang in Sirens, which was highly innovative, the choir whispered, whistled, and clicked their fingers as well as sung. A brilliant treat and our thanks to Simon.

Fforest Fields and Croft Castle

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We decided to visit Fforest Fields again, after our March trip had been curtailed by the rain. Monday we set off in sunshine and arrived at Fforest Fields in sunshine.  Yes, it was warm even enough for people to swim in the lake and take out canoes.  It was also warm enough for Dragonflies and the hundreds of Azure Damselfly sitting in the reeds.  Despite the swimmers, and dog in the lake, there were Coots, Moorhens and Ducks with their broods swimming at the other end.

Soon Van the Van was parked, and after a struggle, the pod was inflated and attached.  I have issues with positioning the pod, this time it was far too close to the van.  I should have driven off and driven back a foot further away from the pod and re-attached. Dinner sorted, we were happy campers sitting out in the evening sun watching the House Martins & Swallows.

Tuesday morning we decided on an epic walk to the Seven Stars in the River Wye valley.  Unfortunately the campsite had run out of copies of their map, added to which they were not sure if the pub was open because there was a rumour that the actual licensee, had walked out the day before.  We decided to set off, we walked up the hill and on the path leading across the ridge.  Mixture of bracken, rough grass and (what R calls) winberries. Nothing could possibly go wrong, but, of course, it did. We alas went the wrong side of a marker, came across a fortress of a farm, where the only way through was down a terribly steep hill to the road with no guarantee of access.  We decided to give up and retrace our steps.  I took a detour and did find the gate which would have taken us on the correct course.  We did not continue to the pub, it would have been closed by the time we reached it, anyway.  The walk back was tiring, it was hot, we had done more than eight miles and had not taken water with us, expecting to find a pub at the end. Water bottles have been added to Van the Van‘s inventory.

Back at the campsite we bought a few bottles of, what proved to be very good, Welsh lager & beer.  There were now a hundred copies of the map to the Seven Stars, and we were also informed that Will (one son) had gone out to paint a big arrow at the place where we had gone wrong.

Wednesday we decided on a short walk to the local Hundred House pun for lunch.  The walk took us through the enchanted wood.  The chickens and turkeys were still at the house where we exit to path onto the road. (Interestingly the turkeys had disappeared when we retraced our route after lunch.  Rosemary suspected a turkey burger stall at the Royal Welsh Show next week.) We arrived at the pub before twelve, bought some beer and order our lunch.  Outside where a couple of riders and their horses.  They were doing a circular trip from Hay-on-Wye.  They left after one horse destroyed a wind vane and shat outside the garden gate.  The two horses and their riders were replaced with another six horses who I think were part of the same group as the other two riders.

After an enjoyable and good value lunch we walked back, but this time going by way of Telephone Mast Hill.

Thursday was spent lazing around the campsite examining the ponds in greater detail and watching the Final Cut of Blade Runner on DVD, and the making of Blade Runner.  The making of Blade Runner DVD was more than three hours long!  Before we started anything, we took down the pod in the dry, tomorrow our leaving day was forecast to be wet.

Friday the predicted rain had arrived and we packed away and left.  The further east we drove, the drier it became.  We stopped off at a National Trust house called Croft Castle.  Croft Castle was one of many old homes that were nearly destroyed in the ’50s, and saved by the National Trust.  Some of the home is still lived in by the Croft family.  This house stands in a 1500 acre estate, and has numerous walks.  I chose the one which took me to the highest point where there is an Iron age fort.  This walk took me through various landscapes of grass, mixed woodland and bracken.  Well worth the walk, and the rain just about held off. Lunch and tea were at the National Trust cafe.

 

TRNSMT at Glasgow Green

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There was no T in the Park this year (T is for Tennents the main sponsor).  Something to do with Ospreys who nest near to the arena making it difficult to use the space.  Restrictions including no fireworks.  Instead there was a three-day festival in Glasgow on Glasgow Green, which is very near to the city centre.  No camping of course, instead hotel accommodation, which of course doubled in price as soon as the festival was announced.

I travelled to Glasgow on the Thursday by Virgin Rail, first class with my Senior Railcard.  Nice and quiet in first class, fed and amply watered with wine.  I arrived in the evening, checked into my Lenny Henry hotel, and then went out for a rather nice meal at an Italian restaurant.

Friday

TRNSMT Festival at Glasgow GreenFriday was the first day of the music festival. Fifteen-minute walk to the west entry of the arena.  Despite the warnings of large crowds, long queues and long waits, entry was in a couple of minutes.  Armed police in evidence at the gate, we were all patted down.  Drugs sniffer dogs were the next obstacle.  Inside the arena there were lots of uniformed police and quite a few coppers in disguise.

There were four music venues, three very small and one large main stage.  I spent most of my time at the main stage, except when refilling with food and drink.  There I typically sat at the old peoples’ tables near to the Jacks Rocks stage, eating and chatting.  Usual fare of cider, lager and wine and a very nice Thai food outlet with a reasonably warm green curry.

I watched Rag N Bone Man, London Grammar and Radiohead.  Radiohead were the headliners and played all the favourites.  They though did not interact with the crowd one bit, and for those not near to the stage there was no way to see them.  The stage screens did not have close shots of the artists, but instead a psychedelic screen show.   This had also been complained about by other critics after their Glastonbury show.  The music was good though.

Leaving the event was fast, and I was soon back at the hotel.

I didn’t dress properly for the weather, it did not rain, was cloudy but cool.  The hotel had confused me, I had been wearing my thick long-sleeved Fat Face top and was sweating profusely. The weather forecast said no rain, so I stripped down to a short-sleeved T shirt.  It didn’t rain, but by the end of the day I was a trifle cold.  It was good to get back into a warm bed.  One issue with the venue is they hold you hostage for the day at their inflated drink and food prices.  You cannot leave and come back in.  No re-entry.

Saturday

TRNSMT Festival at Glasgow GreenSaturday, it was a lovely cloudless day, though not warm.   Plenty of sunscreen was called for. This time I did wear my long-sleeved top.  Today I saw Stormzy, a rap singer who had rapturous applause at Glastonbury.  He worked so well with the crowd, putting Radiohead’s performance to shame.  Was well worth watching.  I saw some of Kooks, and  George Ezra.  I have been disappointed in some live shows with George, where the mixing is totally wrong.  You go to hear his voice, not the band.  TRNSMT got the mixing about right.   I missed Catfish and the Bottlemen, but returned for the Kasabian show.  Again, an excellent performance.

Saturday had been a sell-out, and the crowds were huge.  The bars had huge queues even before getting into the normal bar queue.  The toilets were similarly congested. The patriarchy rules OK and the men had no queuing, The urinals are large plastic tanks with four peeing positions around the tank.  You stand facing each other, peeing into plastic urinals over the tank and talking to each other.  These loos though are totally open to public view and are placed around the site.  So it was odd seeing men in view from the waist up talking to each other and peeing into urinals. Odd on two counts, including the talking bit when at a urinal.

Saturday ended well. I was elated and tired when I was back at the hotel.  Straight to bed

Sunday

TRNSMT Festival at Glasgow GreenToday rain had been predicted, and yes there was rain.  Not hard.  It had cleared up by the time I had left the hotel.  I took my poncho which I did put on when the light drizzle returned.  Not too bad, not enough to spoil the event.  Later in the evening it dried up so I could remove the poncho for the final gig where I wanted to get to the mosh pit.  (A newspaper described the rain as torrential, fake news.)

Crowds were far less today, at my first drink there were no queues and I spent some time chatting with the bar worker from Sierra Leone.  She said how most of the drinkers were OK, but there were some abusive and racist people in the queues on Saturday.

Watched the Blossoms from Manchester who played and looked very much like a hippy 70s band.  Very refreshing.  Next up for me was a band called Two Door Cinema Club from Northern Ireland.  Again, a good live session with plenty of interaction with the crowd. 

Now we had The 1975 from Manchester, a band I have already seen at T in the Park.  The lead singer Matty, (son of Denise Welch and Tim Healy).  Matty plays smoking a cigarette (I was told he pays the venue to do so), also looking as if he is high on drugs.  His disposition and eye-shadowed look reminded me very much of Richie from the Manic Street Preachers.  Now I understand why, when I read WikiPedia and found the name  ‘The 1975’ was inspired by scribblings found on the back page of a poetry book by Jack Kerouac that stated “1 June, The 1975”. The Manics were Kerouac fans.  It was a superior performance, and they now they have a couple of albums out.

Finally, Biffy Clyro, who I had missed in Reading thinking they were some girly band.  Oh how wrong I was, full-on Rock Music.  I went down close to the front to watch them.  Great rock and roll and great interaction with the crowd.  Finished off with a short and explosive firework display.

Back at the hotel had a celebratory drink in the hotel bar, including a dram of Talisker.

Monday

Took the Virgin Train back to London.  Was wondering why I went to London and did not go to Milton Keynes.  When I got home and checked prices for discounted tickets, it became evident that it was cheaper to go from London and not from Milton Keynes.  Why?