St.Neots.

Monday 3rd November

Mileage Start 14852 - End 14956 = 104 miles.

It was a bit of a grotty day but as it was Simon's day off we decided that it was a good time to winterise Tallulah.  This means emptying out the grey water tanks, toilet cassette etc.  We pondered how and where was best to do this and decided our best bet was at the nearest Camping and Caravanning site where you can pay a small fee to stay just 4 hours to use the facilities. 

Our nearest site is the St. Neots one.  We sort of knew where it was as we have been to St. Neots many times to the big park there.  The CC site is right next door to the park and on the riverside.   It looks like it would be quite lovely but in the event we didn't really find out.

When we arrived, it looked very quiet with only a few vans and the gate was shut.  We opened the gate and drove through to be greeted by the wardens who were in the process of packing up!  It seems that the site had actually closed for the winter just an hour before!

They were kind though and did allow us to empty out our tanks.  On chatting to them we discovered tha the vast majority of Camping and Caravanning Club owned sites do close for the winter period. We hadn't realised that.  The wardens were off to spend the winter in their vans in Spain.  I wouldn't have minded joining them as by now it was absolutely pouring with rain.

We needed to eat our lunch and therefore needed somewhere close by to park up.  We ended up going to the park and had lunch in the car park there.  Couldn't even walk around the park as it was so cold and wet.

  

 

 

 

 

 SELFIES!

 

We did try out the TV while we ate lunch.  Simon had tested it at home but we hadn't actually used it since.  We were quite impressed as the Satellite spun  around  on the roof making its little whirring noises and in less than a minute we had a perfect picture.  I hope it does that everywhere we go!  You can see the TV in the pictures above.

As the weather was so horrid we just went home after lunch.

Just for reference you can check out St Neot's Club site here: C&C Club site St. Neots

Jilly

Tattershall Castle

Thursday 30th October

Mileage Start 14789 - End 14852 = 63 miles

School half term week so Simon was at home.  We had hoped to get several days out in Tallulah and I can't remember now why we only ended up having one.  

Mind you we were reminded during this trip that half term is not the best time if you do not wish to be over run by unruly children!  Seriously!  There were quite a few children literally running riot in the castle and the parents were just ignoring them.  We would never have allowed our children to do that.  There is a time and place for everything.  

Anyway, we went to Tattershall Castle.

 

 

Tattershall castle is a 15^th century, red brick, castle built between 1434 - 1447. It is now owned by the National Trust. It has 6 floors. There are 149 steps on a spiral staircase to get to the roof. The views outside on the roof top are lovely but I didn’t stay out there long. It was too cold, I'm not overly keen on heights and the pesky children running around up there screaming was just too much. I left Simon to it and waited back at the bottom.

 

I have to say that we were both fairly disappointed with the castle. It looks quite impressive from outside and brick built castles are a bit of a rarity. However we felt that the inside didn’t really live up to its promise. Each room is more or less bare, devoid of all furnishings. They are all laid out exactly the same and are basically big empty voids. The fire places on several levels were impressive and also one level had a tapestry. There was a nice vaulted ceiling but that was about it.

 

 

 

 

 

We have seen it and won't be going back to visit again.

If you want to learn more about the history click here: Tattershall Castle

Jilly

Rutland Water

Monday 27th October.

Mileage Start 14725 End 14789  = 64 miles

It was a bright sunny day but actually quite chilly.  However it was Simon's Monday off so we decided on another day trip.  We have been to Rutland Water many times over the years.  The children used to really enjoy it.  We have even cycled right around it on 2 occasions.  Once with all the children and once just the two of us a year or so back.  We did it on a tandem!  It is a distance of 25 miles.

Here are the photos from the day.  As you can see, lunch was the first priority and we ate it sitting on a bench looking out over the water.

 Lake Views.

 

 Whilst walking around we spotted a Moorhen,  (at least that's what I think it is!)  loads of ducks, loads of rabbits and these 2 guys in a boat.

 

 

The following 3 photos show Normanton church which is built on a little spit in the water.  From a distance it appears to be on an island.   It was originally St. Matthew's church but was de-consecrated in 1970.  It is now a non denominational church mostly used for civil weddings.

It is in fact, not only the place where Josh proposed to Charlotte but the place they have booked for their wedding.  In just over 19 months time our entire family will be gathered here.    Saturday 13th August 2016 had better be a gorgeous sunny day!

 

 

Rutland Water is Anglian Water's drinking water reservoir and is located near the town of Oakham in the county of Rutland.  It was opened in 1976.   You can find out more here: Rutland Water

Jilly

Easton Walled Gardens. Part 2

This is a continuation of the post on Easton Walled Gardens.

As it was late October they were preparing for Halloween and harvest festival.  One of the things they had was pumpkin rolling! You stood at the top of a slope of terraces and bowled (threw) your pumpkin down. The aim being to get it to roll the furthest when it hits the level ground at the bottom.  Of course Simon had to have a go.

This is the top of the terrace, looking down.

Me at the top.

Collecting his pumpkins.

Ready to bowl.

Half way down and then at the bottom.  

Sheep.

Wooded area.

You all know, how I  love my close up flower shots, so get ready for lots more!

 

Aren't those flowers just awesome?  We had a great time here and it is somewhere that I am sure we will go back to.  Maybe In February when the snowdrops are out.  They are said to be quite spectacular.  

After a lovely day we headed back to Tallulah for a nice cuppa and a rest before driving home.

Jilly