Sorry about the delay in this post but life seems to of got busy again, so here we go.
Sorting out where everything should go was the first thing to consider, there seemed lots of cupboards and drawers in the bedroom but not a lot for storage in the kitchen or elsewhere. We sorted out our pots pans etc and food, made the bed and sorted out cothes etc.
The weather was quite cold so we were grateful for the central heating, I had taken a radio and my tablet computer and Jane had her laptop but no access to the internet. Instead we had plenty to read plus it was a novelty for me to be out in the countryside so a trip round the site eas a good start.
It was interesting to see how the site had been laid out, they had obviously gone to great lengths to avoid the typical rows of uniform caravans, instead there were pleasant cul de sacs and part hidden units on a slope with plenty of hedges, trees and other vegetation to break up the view. There were also daffodils scattered about in various random areas on the site and some bluebells were starting to appear. Depending on where and which direction I faced the view of the countryside changed. To the left it was a raised view across the countryside and the hills, the other way it was trees with a view of a village in the distance, it was a pleasure to wander round the site.
I also took time to explore how people in the different units had their patio laid out, some had decking others the flags, there was a whole range of garden furniture from very expensive full suites to small fold up chairs. Nowhere did I see any sign of a garden swing which I am contemplating buying. Some people obviously wanted more privacy going by how they had their seats whilst others were very prominant.
At different points of the site there were very good places to stop and see the deer, rabbits and pheasants going about their daily life. I met a mixture of people as I walked round the site some would engage in a brief chat, others I would get a nod of the head, then there were the others who just did not engage at all. There does seem to be a difference between those that are there permanently and those that come down at weekends. It seems those regulars have more time and are more relaxed as the staff at the site are and they seem willing to put themselves out more.
Within the site there are a number of nature trails to explore, which I found quite relaxing, but I am not sure about how the deer felt when I came a little to close and they ran away. The pheasants seem obliviously to anything else and the rabbits I have only seen in the distance so far.
During our time there we went out in the car a few times for food and extra bedding, but also to visit the local villages nearby. It seems that this is an area of outstanding beauty, so I am now contemplating joining RNID and the local association that runs a series of courses and events to encourage people to become more involved in the community.
When we went there we took Janes halogen cooker which she had found very useful at home, and our plan was to make soda bread, which I enjoy, we bought the ingredients and then tried the first loaf, I know it sounds silly but we were both quite excited to see how it came out. The first loaf was a little bland but then the second was just right, so for the rest of our time there we cut out normal bread and ate the soda bread, maybe this will become a new cottage industry for us both.
Fortunately or not we spoke to the staff about their internet provision and it seemed that if we signed up now we got a better package for when their new service came into place. This was a mixed blessing as then we spent time checking our e mail websites etc rather than just sit relax and read as we had been doing. I am hoping to try to limit my usage in the future.
One of the things we chatted about was buying magazines and writing in to them with a view to them paying us for our contribution which could help with the running costs of the caravan, so far we have bought magazines but not followed through.
The weather over the 10 days was a mixture of very cold at night but quite warm some days, so I spent time trying to insulate underneath the beds to make it warmer, I am obviously unsure how things will work out in the summer.
At the end of the 10 days we had to go through a process of turning off gas, boiler and water and draining diwn, as well as emptying the fridge and freezer as well as gathering together the bedding and other washing that still needed doing, it was quite sad in a way leaving after the pece quiet and tranquillity of the site, but at least now we have a better idea of what to expect next time and what to take
