Category Archives: Camper

Time off

It already feels like a long time ago, but we closed the bar for 10 days, so we could have a break and do some work in the bar.

Beginning in Peterborough, we visited familiar places.

A walk along the river was quickly abandoned due to an insane amount of flooding.

We did find a new (to us) micropub though.

After two nights in Peterborough, there was a day/night in York (which was also flooded).

Then, after a day at home, we were off to Edinburgh. We met up with a brewery rep for a couple of drinks; he introduced us to The Guildford Arms, a lovely old pub.

Another discovery was the Fierce bar, which had opened since our last time in Edinburgh. Fortunate, since we’re quite fond of their beer (we’ve had a few kegs in the bar). Weirdly, the bar person had been in our bar.

We spent the following day mostly in Leith.

It was good to fit in a couple of brewery taps, as well as some bars we’ve previously visited.

Of course, we took the customary picture of the cool T3 in Leith.

Bakewell

I’d never been to Bakewell before, or (until a couple of years ago) know about the Peakender beer festival. I really wanted to go last year, but knew it wouldn’t be wise to leave the bar for four days in our first year (I’d already done that for Glastonbury).

So, this year, we made the decision to go as a team and close the bar. We didn’t regret it for a second.

The festival was more than a beer thing, there was music and a lovely vibe about the place. It was dog friendly and we even found a nearby stream for the hound.

The Thornbridge brewery tap room was a must at the close of the festival, as was some time in the town itself.

And we were so pleased that the van only smoked a little bit and just one bit fell off.

Dubfest

A little late, but we made a return (after a couple of years) visit to the Mighty Dubfest, in Alnwick.

We called off at Alnwick Brewery on the way, we had one of their empties in the bar. Their place is pretty cool, with a great tap room and beer garden. Lovely people too.

We knew what to expect with the festival; local bands and a limited choice of beer. But the weather was great and we bumped into a few people we knew, mostly through the bar (we don’t know many campervan people).

The hound seemed to have a good time too.

Christmas camping

Christmas, the perfect time of year for camping.

Think about it; Boxing Day bus services end pretty early in the day. And it can be a real pain to get a cab late at night.

Fortunately, when faced with a long, cold walk home last night, there was an alternative.

Tent thing

So, we bought a big tent garage thing.

Despite sandbags and bolts (a nightmare to drill into tarmac), the thing was on the point of taking off today.

So the decision was taken to undo the 3-4 hours’ assembly and dismantle it.

Anyone want a 6m long flying garage?

Glastonbury 2020

So, two years late, Glastonbury happened this year.

While a slow and expensive form of travel, the van made a huge difference to the experience. It wasn’t just down to sleeping in a bed (sort of); there was a lot more space than on the campsites and no need to carry everything from a car park.

This was going to be my last Glastonbury, but I’m already wondering about the chance of a ticket next year.

Unfortunately, the van’s new oil leak became something of an issue as we drove through Bristol.

This resulted in a large amount of smoke and the need to have a lengthy break to let the engine cool down.

Oh, and a wing mirror fell off.

MOT

So the van (the old one, not the everyday van) went in for an MOT and service a week and a bit ago.

A quieter, or less noisy, version of the van came back today. Regrettably, that meant that my bank balance is now £800 lighter.

Thinking positively (I try to do that), it’s running well and should make it to Glastonbury next week.

Less positive is the financial impact of 19 MPG.

Nottingham

I’ve only been to Nottingham a couple of times in the past, so our eBay purchase of a van front end created the opportunity for a third visit.

It made sense to drive down yesterday and pick up the rusty lump up today. That gave us a chance to fit in some decent pubs, starting with the Doctor’s Orders, a pretty cool micropub I’d found on Mansfield Road the last time we were there.

It’s everything a micropub should be; decent prices too. Also discovered last time was the Crafty Crow, also run by the Magpie Brewery.

Naturally, we had to visit Ye Olde Trip To Jerusalem, allegedly the country’s oldest pub. I knew that the beer wasn’t going to be the best, but the building’s a real experience.

There were one or two other pubs, but I didn’t take pictures.

One minor negative was the £25 dog surcharge at the hotel, the highest of the three hotels accommodating the dog this year (£10 and £20 at the other two). So we made sure that the dog made the most of the facilities.

This morning, we collected the van front end. Fortunately, we managed to squeeze it in without resorting to the angle grinder I’d taken.

Yes, it has holes. But I love it. We’ll attempt to remove it from the van in the morning.