More new experiences

It has been a hugely enriching experience researching for my book "Wonderful Walks from Dog-friendly Campsites throughout the UK".

One reason was the many new places I discovered.

Another reason is the variety to be found throughout the UK and the phenomenal countryside.  I am continually surprised by my discoveries.

I am often asked which is my favourite campsite.  This is difficult to answer because there is something special and unique about each one.

Two campsites perfectly illustrate reasons mention above:-

Burghead Beach Holiday Park

• Delamere Forest Camping and Caravanning Club site.  Here I explored the forest and discovered the delights of Chester
• Burghead Beach Holiday Park. As the name indicates this campsite was ideally situated for a beach walk also convenient for trips in the bay

I have also enjoyed the experience of promoting my book
particularly at the Motorhome Show I went to in May in Newbury .  As a consequence in the middle of July I am doing another Motorhome Show in Norfolk.  I hope this will be as successful.

Do drop by if you are attending.  I so enjoy talking to fellow walkers and motorhomers.

Climate Change Protest

As you all know the research I did for my book "Wonderful Walks from Dog-friendly Campsites" has had a profound effect upon my thinking. So much so that my daughter has remarked I have become somewhat militant.   I have definitely become more passionate about the countryside, wildlife and the whole issue of climate change.

As a consequence when I received an invitation from CPRE to join them at a protest gathering in London I was intrigued and decided to investigate.

So it was on Wednesday morning I found myself at Bristol Bus Station waiting for the specially chartered coach to London

My day began exceptionally well.  I opted to get to the bus station via the recent "metro bus". 
As it was the first time I had used this bus the system was totally new to me.  I asked the bus driver to explain.  He spoke quite quickly, then hopped out of the bus and actually got me a ticket from the machine beside the bus stop. I told him I did not have the exact money and would need change.  He said not to worry. 
So I gave him all my change; about 3/4 of the fare. 
How wonderful to meet such a kind and thoughtful person.

The journey to London was uneventful.  We were dropped off beside the River Thames close to Albert Bridge (I think) by the Houses of Parliament. 
I did not take careful note of names and places etc, I just followed the people from the bus.  They very quickly got swallowed up in the crowd all along the road.

I was not sure precisely what was happening and what the procedure was so I wandered around having a close look keeping a watch for any CPRE members

It was NOT a march.  Instead there were groups of people of varying sizes waiting patiently on the pavement along both banks of the river as well as across the bridge,
It was suggested that as many as 16,000 people were on the streets.  Certainly there were lots of organizations such as WWT, Wildlife Trusts, RSPB,  CAFOD, Friends of the Earth, Greenpeace. 
I also saw a Buddhist  group  and a WI group.

I soon realized beside each cluster of people was a name of an area in the UK. Eventually it came to me it was the name of the various constituencies.  The groups were waiting for their MP to come and talk to them.  I listened to some of the MPs.

It was most impressive.  They spoke without microphones or anything; no notes; and they answered the questions the crowd put to them without fobbing anyone off.

I listened to a Labour and a Conservative MP. 
They were both brilliant. (No other word for it).

What of my MP; well he did not turn up.  I don't know why.  I was not surprised.

The four hours or so I spent in London was a real tonic. I saw another aspect of life and society and it was not nearly as black and depressing as portrayed in the media; TV, print and digital.

With so many organizations and people right across the age range concerned about climate change I feel more confident that something positive will happen.

Then it was time to board the bus for the journey home.  This too was eventful.
One young man was missing when we set off at the appointed time.  As we drew out into the traffic and onto the bridge the people in the back of the coach saw him running along the pavement.
Unfortunately the coach could not stop to wait for him.
He kept running round the corner onto the bridge chasing the coach.
With the heavy traffic the coach moved across the bridge very slowly.
The closer he got to the coach the slower he ran, unsurprisingly; it was a long bridge.  Nevertheless he did get to the corner at the same time as the coach.
When the coach turned left off the bridge the driver could pull over for the man to board.

Now we had the full contingent it was homeward bound after a day full of pleasant surprises.

A final message;-
Please join an organization concerned with the planet earth. 
I would be delighted if you would make it the CPRE. 
Help protect our countryside, flora and fauna.

Read of the Month (June 2019)

Apologies for being late again with the June"Read of the Month".

June was not only another busy month but an injury to my knee rather hampered me besides the difficulty I had walking. 
I may have been injured but I still had to take the dog out for a walk.  Actually walking was good for the injury as I was informed by a doctor, but it did tire me so.

Also I was dog sitting for a friend.  I learnt a lot from this dog as it was very very different from Pearl and her ancestors.
 It was a miniature dachshund. 
It did not like going out in the rain and this week we had a lot of that. 
Also it did not like long grass so it meant I had to adjust the walks I did with Pearl.
I found it a interesting week.



This is all rather appropriate to the "Read of the Month".

"The Genius of Dogs" by Brian Hare.


Like some previous books the ideas expressed in it and the theories suggested are all based upon a raft of scientific studies carried out all over the world.
Who knew there were people studying the humble dog. 
Perhaps this explains why the author is American!!!!

I know of lots of people who would be only to happy to have a job studying dogs.
Despite this the studies quoted are fascinating and produce some surprising results. 
Many of them are simple enough to be replicated with any pet dog.

If you have a dog or are interested in dogs this book will help you understand them better.

House Buiding

Just a few days ago I received this update from CPRE (Campaign for the Protection of Rural England).

It made for grim reading but is VERY important.   PLEASE PLEASE read on.

Do you enjoy the countryside?

Are you an outdoor enthusiast?

If so you need to be worried VERY worried.



If the present situation continues soon in certain parts of the UK there won't be countryside as we know it just parks.  These won't be like the National Parks such as Exmoor or New Forest but more like Hampstead Heath in London. 

Is this what we want?

The CPRE (Campaign for the Protection of Rural England)  not only strongly opposes building on the Green Belt but also offers alternative strategies.  See below

As an individual there is very little you or I can do but together anything is possible so come and join the CPRE and fight to protect the countryside which is amazing.

JOIN THE CPRE  https://www.cpre.org.uk/

Take part in "The Time is Now" Mass Lobby on Wednesday 26th June in London
https://takeaction.cpre.org.uk/page/43002/data/1?ea.tracking.id=home-carousel&_ga=2.154656496.973056202.1560283281-1826634896.1560283281

The CPRE's statement about housebuilding.

• More and more countryside is under threat (this I know from my research for my book).  The CPRE point out there is enough spce on suitable brownfield land to accommodate 1 million new homes
• Not enough homes are being built (to me this seems odd)  but I concur with CPRE the vast majority of houses being build are not affordable the the government's own definition.
• Fewer houses are being built than before 2008 crash (I can't verify this) the government has failed to solve the fallout of the crash
• Loss of the countryside is accelerating whilst industry profits are skyrocketing  - companies are sitting on land hoping to increase profits.

Read of the Month (May 2019)

It is still May so I can just squeeze in the Read of the Month.

In keeping with the couple of serious posts I have written recently this book is especially pertinent.

Please do not be put off by its size.
It is

• interesting
• enlightening 
• informative
• revealing
• instructive
• 
  

It is The Silk Roads by Peter Frankopan.

The format of the book is ingenious and allows the reader to divide the book into manageable chunks.

Each Chapter is "The Road of ............."

It looks at a part of the world that is unfamiliar to most of the Western World, which I would call the near East.  It is the region now occupied by countries such as Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, Turkmenistan and Tajikistan as well as Syria, Iran  and Azerbaij. 
Yes I too restored to an atlas to find the exact location of these countries. 

The book examines the influence this part of the world has had throughout history.

It starts with the ancient civilizations such as the Phoenicians and the birth of Christianity right up to modern times.

I found the first few chapters fascinating. 
Unfortunately I found the last few hugely depressing.
It seems we never learn from history.
The book appears to indicate the driving force of human activity is greed.

Without doubt this book has caused me to        re-evaluate things. 
As a result I am becoming more of an environmental activist. 
Hence my continual refrain to join CPRE www.cpre.org.uk 

I won't say I hope you enjoy this book because it is not really a book you can enjoy.  Instead I would like it to make you look at the world differently "globally".

First Motorhome Show

So here I was at Warner's Southern Motorcaravan Show at Newbury.  This was my first, perhaps only, Motorhome Show.  Only time will tell.

Friday arrived overcast, cold and rather windy.  After breakfast I explored the grounds with Pearl and then did the final preparations of the stall setting up a table, chairs, posters, banner and books,

Soon I was all set to go. 

Watching the other stands scurrying around tweaking their displays was interesting.



Then it all began at 9.30am when the gates opened.  I was surprised to see so many people surging along the path so soon.  They barely hesitated as they passed seemingly looking for something specific. After this initial rush things settled down to a steady trickle.


There was quite a bit of interest in my book and I sold some; 6 in fact..  I found it a difficult day because it was cold; dry but VERY cold.  I kept adding layers throughout the day. The arrival of a friend to help was a most welcome distraction.  I was delighted when the show closed at the end of the day and I could stay in my warm motorhome.

Reflecting on the day I was rather disappointed. It had been a slow seemingly unproductive day. Saturday, we were told, was usually a little better with Sunday similar to Friday. It appeared the show was not going to produce the results I had hoped for.

Another problem suddenly materialized; a high pitch whining which I eventually track down to my solar panel inverter so I turned it off.  As it got dark the lights in my van dimmed and faded completely.  Next I noticed the pump for the tap would not work,  It emerged all the electrics in the van had failed. With no light there was nothing for it but to go to bed.

Saturday morning was easier because preparation was just a repetition of Friday morning.  This time I was all ready for a rush but there was none.   It was a better day however as not only was it warmer but the sky began to clear and the sun shine.  There was a steady stream of people all day many of whom paused as they passed to stop and chat.  There was a great deal of interest and I sold 15 books.  I felt much more optimistic.

My motorhome still had no electric so it was another early night. Tomorrow was the final day.  Now I had no idea how it would go,  The weather forecast was not very good.

Sunday was warmer and drier than expected.  Again there was no rush but a steady flow. It was another good day with many people interested in my book and several people purchasing a copy.  Several of the people I spoke to were looking at motorhomes with a view to purchasing one.  Even so I sold 14 books.

Then at 4.30 pm the show closed and everyone was rushing around packing up.  It did not take us long to take down the gazebo and pack everything in the motohome. It was extremely useful having the van just behind the stand.  Not just for the setting up and packing away but also for the convenience of having everything to hand. 
Shortly I was ready to go home.

Reflecting on the experience I feel it was well worth it and I learnt a great deal should I ever decide to do another one.

Busy Busy Busy

This month has been so busy I have not only been unable to do a weekly comment, but I also failed to do the "Read of the Month" and "Photo of the Month".
Things are quieter over the next couple of weeks so I can catch up.



Because things have been so unsettled I felt I needed a shot of "Countryside Calm". and went away for a few days to one of my favourite campsites "Burrowhayes.



The splendour  of the landscape always works its magic
creating an oasis of tranquility.  Also at most campsites wifi and phone signals are variable.  As a consequence all technological interactions are less efficient and time consuming.  I only deal with urgent matters and pick up the slack when I get home

This is the slack.

Book Signing - Bath
Despite my best efforts this was not a success.  I did sell 1 book.  Not only had she come some distance,  she was most complimentary.

Then it was

• off home.  Getting everything from Smiths to my car required several trips                                    
• load up the van. Loading the van ALWAYS takes me longer than I anticipate                                        
• drive to Newbury for the Southern Motorcaravan Show. Driving to the Newbury was the easiest part.  Registering  at the visitors gate and checking out my stand was simple.  Even though I was so late (after 8pm) I found a space behind the stand where I could park up my motohome for the duration of the show.  This made everything so much easier.                            
• erect the gazebo.  This was a nightmare even though I had done it successfully at home just a few days before and had carefully sorted and tied the various poles.  Every time I tried to add part of a leg the whole roof section crashed down.  There was nobody about to ask for help as it was so late.  It was rapidly getting darker and darker. I really did not want to leave this task for the morning. In desperation I asked a nearby security guard if he knew anyone who could help. He offered his services. Within minutes the gazebo was up and all I had to do was peg it down. By this time it was almost dark. 

• crash. I set the alarm as I needed to be up early to finalize set up for opening at 9.30 am.

• up, eat, exercise dog, set up stand.  Fortunately it did not take long to set up the table and chairs and put out the posters, banner and books.  I was ready in plenty of time.

So began my first Motorhome Show experience as an exhibitor.

Another Serious Thought

Ever since the local elections on 2nd May the current state of affairs have much occupied my mind.

The issues I discussed in the last post have now become mainstream news with the publication on 6th May of a report from the
UN Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC)
which in one sentence says "

Action needs to be taken NOW by EVERYONE ". 

Not only will the warming of the world have catastrophic effect on us humans but also on the diverse eco sytems which support us and as a result many many plants, animals and insects will become extinct.

So what can we do as individuals.
We may not be able to be hugely influential but that does not mean we should shrug our shoulders and do nothing.

We should


1. Be informed about climate change and bio-diversity

2. Join those organizations whose agenda is climate change and bio- diversity; 

make a donation and if possible volunteer. 
Four organizations which fall in this category are

• Friends of the Earth
• Greenpeace
• CPRE Campaign for the Protection of Rural England  (An essential one to join if you enjoy the British countryside)
• Woodland Trust

3. Use your vote at every election in your area.  If you do not like any of the candidates still go out and vote.  SPOIL THE BALLOT PAPER.  When the returning officer announces the number of votes each candidate received he also informs the public the number of spoiled ballot papers.  It will have more impact if this number is large.  PLEASE GO AND VOTE

A Serious Thought

One trundles along in ones own little or big bubble dealing with day to day ups and downs when
suddenly several seemingly small unrelated occurrences cause one to radically rethink

This has very recently happened to me.
I am not sure how to proceed.
Suggestions are most welcome.

Over a period of several days random items of information have come to my attention

It all started with reading the Radio Times.
A review of the programme on Netflix narrated by David Attenborough remarked how distressing the programme was because it kept mentioning how the habitat of various animals which were filmed was disappearing at an alarming rate.

Then I saw a trailer on the TV about a forthcoming programme which shows satellite images of the earth over several years. It was frightening how big many towns and cities had grown across the world and how much light pollution there now was.



Just before Easter I went away in the motorhome for a few days. 


Wherever ones goes new buildings are being erected; usually houses.


Over Easter I visited a friend. On driving back to her house I had a brief glimpse of a partially completed road.  She told me it was part of extensive housing development which was going to demolish the nearby greenhouses.  Not long ago these greenhouses produced 85% of cucumbers consumed by the UK.  Now many of the greenhouses are empty and derelict (not a pretty sight) and cucumbers are now imported from Holland.  When I was told this Brexit immediately came to mind.

When I return home and finally caught up with the news the top story was the demonstrations in London to highlight various environmental issues.  I was pleased to think that so many people were concerned enough about the environment to protest in such a visible way.  However, though it is admirable to protest and bring issues to the attention of those in authority  it is important that a viable alternative solution is offered.

My reservations about the demonstration is the solutions suggested.

It is hypocritical to suggest places around the world like the rain-forests in Asia, the coastal area of Polynesia, the jungles of South America and the plains of Africa are more important than less well areas such as the UK countryside.

What right do we have to build on our countryside yet tell the people of Africa they cannot develop their land.

As an individual we have little influence.  Together we can make a difference as Yuval Noah Harari, the author of Sapiens emphasizes by joining an organization.

So become an environmentalist by protecting our countryside.  

Join CPRE (Campaign for the protection of Rural England)

www.cpre.org.uk

It is only £3.00 a month

Then and only then we can look at the wider issues

Magazines

It astonishes me how often the unexpected can result from unplanned, frequently incidental happenings.
(Maybe there is a lesson in this!)


My food shopping on this particular occasion was much quicker than usual.  As I had arranged to meet my daughter in the shop I decided to pass the time by looking at the vast range of magazines the store stocked.  I slowly moved along the aisle. What a plethora of magazines covering a huge rang of topics.



First I spotted "Practical Caravan" magazine.   As it was not in a cellophane envelope and having been told my book, "Wonderful Walks from Dog-friendly Camspites throughout the UK" had been requested by a caravan magazine as a prize, I decided to have a quick  flick through it.  Imagine my delight when I saw my book featured in it; but not as a prize. I looked around for someone to tell.  I could not find anyone whom I felt I could approach.


I then spotted "Practical Motorhome" and grabbed this to have a quick look.  Yes my book was in there too and the write up in both magazines  were almost identical and not bad.


Looking at the array of magazines I saw MMM (Motorhome Monthly Magazine).  It was encased in a large cellophane envelope and seemingly containing several publications in addition to the magazine.  There was no way I could check this magazine without buying it.

I was so thrilled at featuring in the other 2 magazines I bought both MMM and Practical Motorhome.

On arriving at home, a celebratory cup of tea was required whilst I savoured the moment.  I was browsing through MMM reminiscing about my contributions to the magazine .
(I had a momentary pang of despondency at not still writing for them.  I would have found it very stressful writing regular articles for the magazine and a book.  The book won out).

I was close to the end when again I spotted my book featured.  It was a thrilling moment.

I then read the review.
A good review but not especially clear.
This did not concern me too much.

It is an achievement just to be featured positively in a magazine, let alone three of them.

Whilst I was doing this my daughter was googling the book.  As expected it is on Amazon.

(I'm not a fan of that company because of their business practices and employee working conditions.  As a result I only use them if there is no other choice.
I have to consider them because so many other people do use them).

There is only 1 review on Amazon and it is not very favourable.  On reading the review it is because I did not include any campsites in the counties of Lincolnshire and Norfolk.  So all you people who have bought the book please go to Amazon and write a review.

Google also informed me that the book has been listed as a prize in a Dog Magazine; on checking this out it appears it is an instagram prize. It is difficult to find; this may be due to my ineptitude.

What has happened to the prize in the Caravan Magazine?  I was unable to find any evidence of this.

Googling my book and name definitely makes me feel like an author as both books appear on various sites.

The most prestigious, though not necessarily the most effective, is The Guardian Bookshop where you can find "Wonderful Walks..." book.

Now I just need to sell them in significant numbers.