Cambridge Cherry Hinton 26-28 Jan 24

The journey from Brighton to Cambridge was fine until we crossed the Thames and found out that, once again, the M11 was blocked and there was a 50 minute delay. Why is it that whenever we try to travel South of where we live we hit traffic problems! We detoured along the A10 and eventually arrived at the Cherry Hinton CAMC site. This is another CAMC site that they appear reluctant to invest in and we much prefer the Cambridge Camping Club site, but that is closed during the winter. The site was full, albeit there were a number of pitches unavailable as you had to cross mud to get to the hardstanding (why?) and the ground had churned up.

We decided to wander across the road to the Robin Hood Pub for lunch. It was nice, but there were some bloody awful screaming brats in there, which made it uncomfortable on the ears. After swallowing a bottle of bubbles we decided rest and relaxation was on order for the rest of the day, which was ruined by watching a dire Harlequins performance on the TV

On Saturday it was up, breakfast and then off to catch the number 3 bus into Cambridge to get her eternity ring checked at the jewellers, then on to Cambridge Rugby Club for a great afternoon watching Cambridge beat Caldy 33-14. After a few pints at the ground we finished the day with a nice meal in the Anchor before heading back to the site.

Sunday it was a leisurely morning then home via Morrisons to fill up with LPG.

Brighton 21 - 26 Jan 24

We arrived at the Brighton CAMC 15 minutes before the stipulated check in time of 1300hrs but the very friendly staff let us check in, even with the crap IT system still down. The site was quite empty and we had a good choice of pitch, so we tried to find one where we could ride out the oncoming storm without too much buffeting. Once we set up we wandered down to the marina for a mooch about before finding some food. We went into the Harvester. It was truly awful. Full of screaming brats, grubby tables and a very limited menu, so we walked out and found a delightful Café Rouge instead.

Brighton Marina

The Sunday night was rough apparently (I slept through it). After breakfast on Monday we wandered into Brighton for a look around and had a delicious lunch in Mowgli before heading back along the coast. We walked over 10 miles!

North Lanes

Brighton Pavilion

The Lanes

Tuesday was awful weather. It rained all day. We stopped in, only emerging to go down to Lidl for some provisions. Once again the wind picked up for yet another storm with a silly name.

Wednesday and the crap CAMC IT system was still down, but the weather was significantly better. Time for some exercise after a lazy day, so after breakfast we set out to walk east along the coast towards Rottingdean/Saltdean. It was a long walk. A very long walk! We stopped for a quick lunch in a delightful café in Rottingdean before continuing east. Up and down steep cliff tops and through some very slippery mud near Newhaven fort. Eventually, knackered, we took the bus back from Newhaven to the Marina where we descended the cliff path for a couple of pints in the Master Mariner pub and then dinner in Café Rouge before heading back to the site, absolutely exhausted. We walked nearly 32,000 steps. The cliffs are very nice along here but the houses look very tired and tatty. Don't think we'd fancy living here.

Beacon Hill Windmill

Newhaven

Newhaven Fort

Brighton Marina

Thursday and we deserved a rest after the long walk yesterday, especially as we were a little bit stiff. However, this was not to be. We walked the two miles into Brighton to get the bus to Lewes. It wasn't a comfortable journey as the bus stank of dog! Lewes is a lovely place, but bumpy. we walked up and down the steep hill and around the castle then searched unsuccessfully for somewhere to get some tea and cake. Hungry and tired, we got the bus back to Brighton and found a really nice little ice cream/cake shop in the lanes called Brass Monkey. The owner is a charming chap and let us taste his selection of absolutely delicious ice creams. From there we walked back to the site hoping that Phillipe, who runs a little café on site, would produce his advertised  Beef Bourguignon. We turned up, but he didn't, so we settled for a M&S curry in the van. Phillipe - you can stick your Beef Bourguignon up your...... Anyway, once again we walked for miles (18000 steps) and enjoyed our visit to Lewes, which is a very interesting and pleasant place.

Lewes Castle

Fifteenth Century Bookshop

Friday, bright sunshine and, reluctantly, time to move on, heading for Cambridge Cherry Hinton site.

Crystal Palace 19-21 Jan 24

Ever threatened with closure, yet still managing to somehow stay open, Crystal Palace CAMC was the first stop of our  2024 adventures. The CAMC are obviously not going to invest anything on the site (not that they appear to invest anything apart from on glamping pods and serviced pitches), so it is a bit tired and dated. Doesn't stop them charging a fortune for the site though. We landed on time, parked up and somehow managed to get the truma frost valve to accept water (the temperature was -5 degrees when we left) before jumping on a number 227 bus to Bromley to visit family.

On Saturday we headed to the Stoop to watch Harlequins v Ulster in the Champions Cup but, as ever, the trains were screwed. We had a long and circuitous trip to the game, enjoyed the match, then back to a lovely Italian in Twickenham for some good grub and a few bottles of wine with friends before eventually arriving back at the van.

We were due to head to Brighton on Sunday but there was an Amber warning on the south coast for very high winds. We were a bit concerned so we asked the warden if we could stop another day at Crystal Palace to ride out the storm there. It couldn't be done as the super new upgraded wonderful CAMC IT system was well and truly nadgered and nothing could be done. Pile of useless crap. As a result we set off through the awful 20mph limits in South London, kindly installed by that imbecile of a mayor, Saddiq Clown, and eventually arrived at the CAMC in Brighton.