Journeys in our Camper in the 1990s Part 2

1993 continued

25 March Mileage 55690
Me: We decided to go to Leeds Castle  and set out at about 10.15 and filled up on Reigate Hill. [This was our first trip since we visited Hever Castle on the 17th. which I have not copied here.]
Our planned route was the M25 East then on to the M26 and M20.
At the top of Reigate Hill, where we should have joined the M25, we found the traffic lights working and the M25 closed.
Returned  via Reigate Hill to the A25  and missed the motorway exit and found ourselves on our way to Coulsdon and before we got there found ourselves caught up in a traffic jam so turned off onto a B road to go through Caterham and then connect with the M25. Discovered then that the M25 was closed  and found ourselves in a terrible traffic jam on to the A25 so decided to make for East Grinstead by which time it was 2.15pm!!! We had lunch in a lovely lay-by and decided the fates were against us and, unsurprisingly, I had a migraine coming on by then so we headed home. Well at least the weather was fine! Had a laugh telling it to Heather later on.

13 April 9.45 Mileage 55774
Me: We dropped Cindy off at the kennels and were away by 10. Arrived  at Shire Hall, Reading at 11.30 and spent a few hours successfully searching records for my Basters. Left about 4.30 and found our way to Four Oaks Caravan Club site at Henley where we were to stay the night.
We couldn't get the electrics to work so lots of grunts and groans and sighs - and still no electricity until a nearby camper came over  and said he'd had the same trouble and to twist the connection at the outlet and hey presto everything worked.
Walked into Henley to get Joe some whisky, about a mile there and back and then had carbonara for supper.

14 April Mileage 55860
Me: Left Henley at 10 and drove to Benson in Oxfordshire (once name Bensington and where there is an RAF camp - RAF Benson - which houses the Queen's Flight) where we bought salad for supper and visited the church. Then drove on to Newbury where I called in to the Museum where they gave me some information about Joseph Baster of Rowde and Devizes who was the older brother of George of Shalbourne and Inkpen, my fifth great grandfather. Then on to Salisbury where we visited the Cathedral.
Joe:  Arrived at the camp about 6pm and filled up with water. Still a slight leak from water tank. The salad supper was excellent.

15 April 10.20-ish Mileage 55963
Me: On way to Trowbridge, stopping for petrol and milk. Arrived at county record office to find we were in the staff car park and subject to clamping so made a swift retreat and found correct car park.
Good day searching. Found an earlier couple of Basters and discounted a couple also. Then on to Longleat. Friendly site. The house is very impressive. Children would love it. Found the Longleat Arms, and had a couple of drinks and chatted with the friendly barman.  We plan to visit tomorrow and take some video including the impressive drive and the bluebell wood.

16 April Mileage 56024

Toured Longleat House and saw the doll's houses and a collection of miniature cups and saucers. Then checked out and then drove round the estate taking video of the views and the safari park (from a great distance.)

On way to Winchester engine overheated, water boiled and there was some leakage so stopped for a cuppa which is where we are now. Have had problems with engine overheating every now and then over last few days.

Mileage 56065 - We have stopped twice for water so far!

Mileage 56083 - Another stop to top up with water!  Now on A34 to Winchester  and the Morn Hill Camp site.

Mileage 56100 - Arrived at campsite OK and called out the RAC. The thermostat was on upside down!!! and he thinks the radiator needs cleaning out. Suggests we take the return home in stages  and get the radiator seen to.

Joe: Had a very nice meal at the Percy Hobbs pub right by the entrance to the camp. The pub was named in 1982 after an old chap who drank there every day for sixty odd years.

17th April

Joe: While getting ready to leave started talking to a chap who had an auto sleeper. It had been raining quite heavily overnight  and he told me that he had bogged down at a campsite near Sidmouth and had to be pulled out by tractor. It turned out to be Little Bulstone  - the very same site we had to be towed out. 

In future avoid Little Bulstone.

We nursed the camper back and it behaved OK. Heating up a little bit but then dropping back. I'll still have the rad flushed out. Picked up Cindy who was very pleased to see us, and arrived back at Sherwood Crescent just before 12 noon.

12 April

Joe: Neal flushed out the radiator and put in a new thermostat and did a test run to Smallfield and the van did not overheat so fingers crossed - everything is now OK. Especially as a new radiator would cost £175! He found a crack on the top of the tap on the water tank and has promised to repair it with fibre glass.

Me: Neal tried to repair the tap but it is still leaking.

29 April Mileage about 56200

Me: On the spur of the moment we decided to take a trip to Kent, taking Cindy with us. Just for an overnight stop. Saw some lovely cottages and oasthouses on the way. The orchards were close to blossoming and the bluebells are out. Spent night at Normanhurst Court, a very nice quiet campsite. Not many people there.
At about 9pm when we are in the camper we start preparing for bed and Joe now builds up the steps into the van and makes Cindy's bed on top.

30 April Mileage 56291
Me:  Woken early by Cindy snuffling at the door and acting strangely. Very unusual for her so I opened the top of the door to see what it was about and found the field was filled with rabbits! We left the camp about 9-ish after breakfast and took the wrong road as we had intended going by Herstmonceaux and instead went through Bexhill.
Sometimes it seems such things are pre-ordained. We took the A27 to Polegate and then, I think, the A27 to Hailsham but turned off to Michelham Priory (which sounded interesting being founded as an Augustinian priory in 1229) and found ourselves in Arlington where a bluebell walk was signposted. I couldn't resist (having nostalgic memories of the woods round Reading and Caversham in 1940-41) and we decided to stop and take the walk. It was a beautiful day and we had a lovely time meandering through the woods with Cindy on the lead. The bluebells were magnificent.
Cindy enjoyed her walk and had a good snuffle and peer down a badger's sett. Good job we had her on the lead or she would have been down there.
Back in the camper we took the A27 to Lewes, A26 to Little Horshed (Ridgewood), A 277 to Newick and up to  Haywards Heath, B2111 via Lindfield , B2028  to Turner's Hill and on to Copthorne, Shipley Bridge and home. What a wonderful trip. Mileage 53638
Joe: An excellent trip out although engine still overheating but not boiling. Must keep an eye on it. The most memorable part was the Bluebell Walk. I have never seen so many bluebells. It was beautiful and made one realise that England is the best country to be in.

19 May Mileage 53638
Left home at 10.40 and proceeded via Charlwood to Horsham then down the A272  to make straight for Winchester at our own pace - slow - and saw some lovely cottages and houses. Stopped near Midhurst for coffee and bickies. Beside us (we had parked on a disused part of road, still with its road markings) the verge was a mass of wild flowers including clover in bloom. If it weren't for the passing traffic it would have been very peaceful there.

On the way to the campsite we passed Avington and looked around the Georgian church. It looked very small inside compared to the outside, probably because the pews were divided by 4 feet high partitions into box pews reputedly made from Spanish mahogany taken from one of the Armada fleet.  

I was rather upset when I noted that the path to the church was made with monumental stones which were wearing down.

Joe: We then made for the campsite next to the Percy Hobbs pub and booked in and then took Cindy for a walk along the country lane next to the pub. What a feeling of freedom! Then back to the pub for a drink before returning to the camper for supper.