Why oh Why!!

It is wonderful to be out in my motorhome
exploring the countryside 
researching new campsites and walks 
for my next walk book.

An unusual campsite

I am currently at a most unusual campsite
in more ways than one.
(Details of this in the next blog).

Whilst at this campsite
I have been joined by other visitors.
Many of them are accompanied by 
their pet dogs.

This is not at all unusual.
Lots of people who go camping take their dogs.

What mystifies me and was evident these past few days
is why so many people do not feel it necessary
to take their dogs for an actual walk when camping.
Yes they exercise their dog;

• walk it around the camping field
  or one nearby.
  
• throw a ball or frisbee
  for it to chase for a short while. 

The poor dogs.
Especially as there are some interesting walks
for dogs nearby. 

I am also mystified by those
who stay for only one night.
(It is understandable if it is for the convenience
of visiting friends or family in the area).

The surrounding vicinity of most campsites 
is unique in some way; historical, cultural, political etc.
It just needs discovering.
This is most easily done on foot
and by talking to the locals.

I have had some amazing experiences
exploring the surrounding area of campsites 
and talking to people.

Having Pearl helps.
She is an amazing introduction.

At last We are Off

Not long now.
Pearl and I are off
tomorrow morning
on our first outing of 2021
to continue our research for our next book
another walk book from campsites.

Like everything since the pandemic was declared
this is different to previous excursions.

The biggest difference is that I have booked
many days if not weeks in advance.
I have had to do this because everyone
is holidaying in the UK
for obvious reasons
so unusually everywhere is rapidly
fully becoming booked.

Previously I would only book a pitch
a day or so before I arrived and only
for a couple of days just in case
the campsite was not suitable 
for my book.

So I booked the campsites I wanted to visit
starting from the very day
the government allowed travel.

One campsite prove unsuitable
as I was not prepared to pay £3.00
a night for Pearl!!!!! 
Shame as it looked a lovely place.
I had to spend a great deal of time 
looking for a different one close by.

Then a week before Pearl and I
were due to set off
she came into season.
I did NOT want to be away during this time.  
She finds it uncomfortable
I do not enjoy taking her for walks
especially in strange places.

So I had to change our bookings.
One campsite could not accommodate us;
the other could and the new place
accepted our booking.

We are off tomorrow. Hurray.

I am a bit nervous.
It is such a long time since
I was last out in it.
Reminding myself how things work
and checking that they are in order
is time consuming.
Trying to remember everything is onerous.

This has been a been a very busy week.
In addition to preparing the motorhome
in the usual way; food; water; clothes etc
I have had it washed and polished
and I need a broken hinge repaired.

This is another saga as a new on costs £100.00.
A lot for a hinge I think.
I found a metal company to make a new one.
Organizing the removal of the hinge,
getting it to the centre of town
collecting it and replaced is tricky.

I hope it will be ready this morning
otherwise I have a BIG problem.

I was also hoping to renew
the external markings and
add some additional graphics. to the outside
The company has not got back to me
so this will have to wait now.

I will be glad when I actually set off.
Unfortunately it is rather a long drive.
When I finally arrive I can have a rest

I hope the weather holds.

Read of the Month (Apr 2021)

So the vaccine roll out has gone well. 
Over 30 million have received a first dose
and of those over 5 million have received a second.

This time around after the third lockdown 
restrictions are being lifted more slowly.
There is about 5 weeks between each alteration
to allow time for sufficient data to be available 
to monitor changes in the impact
of the virus.

So next week we come to a significant time
for everyone.

At last we can meet up with people in small groups 
but outside only.

We can travel further afield 
for pleasure.
But not abroad yet.
Having just seen the high rate of infection
in so many other countries
(there seems to be a 3rd wave in progress)
hopefully most people will stay in the UK.

What does this mean for people like me?

I can go out in my motorhome.

I can explore the countryside

For the time being we have to stay outside.
(No socializing inside yet)
We have to sit, talk and walk outside.

With the weather getting warmer and the days lengthening
there is more opportunity to be outside for longer.
Taking extensive walks across the countryside is 
possible without having to rush.

This too is good for me

I have plenty of time to find fabulous walks.

and discover the hidden gems of the 
British country side.

This is why I have decided

This month the Read of the Month will be my book

Wonderful Walks 
from
Dog-friendly
Campsites

• It suggests places to visit in the UK
• It gives detailed instructions of 2 walks;
  a short one and an all day one.

Perfect for current restrictions. 

Dogs are optional.
I take mine everywhere with me. 

Buy it here