It's been a bit of a busy week on the motorhoming front. Firstly I installed a new leisure battery on Thursday and then, on Friday, we had to move to a new storage location on the farm, as they are building a new barn to accommodate the expanding gluten-free flour business. With typical farm health and safety, I dodged diggers, dumpers, HGVs and a road roller to get onto our newly laid parking spot, but it was a bit lonely....
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Tommy no mates
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On Saturday it was an early start and a drive to the NEC Birmingham for a day at the National Camping and Motorhome Show. We spent a good few hours wandering around the new motorhomes but must admit that the general build quality was not up to much and we still feel that our bus ticks most, if not all, of our requirements. I also resisted going to the camping and caravanning club stall to roast them over their rip-off prices and, by about 1500hrs we had had enough of the crowds and headed back to the bus to drive to the caravan club site to watch England beat the Oirish and have a few beers. We did buy a posh new dinner service at the show though!
The site itself is very pleasant but a bit like parking in a car park. I suppose it is a good option for exploring Birmingham, but there isn't really much to commend it (still better than the camping and caravanning ripoff club though).
On Sunday we had a bit of a sort out and an easy drive back home via Costco in Coventry. Shopping is so easy when you have a large fridge and freezer on board (plus unlimited space to carry bulk toilet and kitchen rolls).
Crystal Palace yet again, but it makes sense and saves quite a bit on extortionate train fares.
I arrived late afternoon on Thursday after dropping the mother in law home and, as it was raining, had a relaxing afternoon before walking to the station to meet Debs. We then had a splendid evening just chilling out after a very hectic week.
On Friday Debs went to work and I caught the No 3 bus to Trafalgar Square, walked along the Strand, through Covent Garden, up Fleet Street, around St Pauls Cathedral, and into the Museum of London at the Barbican. I am sure that this is a great museum, but the noise from the billions of schoolkids made it a fairly intolerable experience, so I had a quick look around, had lunch and then walked...and walked...and walked. Through Liverpool Street, Houndsditch, Guildhall, Petticoat Lane, Old Street and then into the old East End to Wapping and Limehouse, although a lot of these areas are now yuppified and not like the old tough East End that I remembered. Finally I arrived at Canary Wharf and had a quiet pint in the old Ledger building (now a pub) before Debs arrived from work and we had fish and chips (and very good they were too).
On Saturday we caught the train to the O2 and travelled across the Thames on the Emirates cable car, a thoroughly enjoyable trip. We then walked to docklands for lunch and then onto the Prospect of Whitby for a pint before returning the Wetherspoons in Crystal Palace to watch the England/France game.
On Sunday it was up and home and already planning the next trip (if the weather improves any time soon)
