Review Brittany Ferries .Portsmouth to St Malo and Back.

 It had been around 20 years ago that we last travelled on the Portsmouth St Malo route. We decided to give it another go as we were travelling to Spain and using the Western route through Bordeaux. 

We booked the ferry back at the beginning of the year as originally we had been going in April/May. Due to the purchase of our new family member "Pebble", we delayed the trip until August. Changing the original booking was relatively easy as we had booked a "flexi", a Commodore cabin on the way out and a 4 birth indoor cabin ( which was all we could get) on the way back. So both overnight sailings. I guess we had rather a rosy view of our last Portsmouth sailing many years ago and thought it would make a relaxing start to the holiday.

Our sailing from Portsmouth made for a much shorter journey from Somerset and as we were not sailing until 20.18hrs, we had all day to get there. This felt like a good idea when we booked it initially one cold wet January day. However, in reality, it meant we spent the whole day hanging around waiting until 15.00hrs to leave home. It felt a bit of a wasted day as we were really itching to get on the move. 

The actual drive to Portsmouth was very simple and quick, we were soon lined up on the dock waiting for the off. No real in depth checks, passports stamped and we were pretty much at the front of the queue.

 

The new St Malo ship was huge. Boarding was straight forward and we were soon happily settled in our Commodore cabin. Nice big bed, mini fridge, TV and bathroom with a porthole. Good start. The lady who showed us to our cabin  muttered something about the special lounge for our complementary breakfast, as it turned out we should have paid more attention 😔.

This was the positive start to the journey! ⛵⛵⛵

We were actually starving, so made our way to the restaurant Le Littoral on Deck 7. Seemed OK and not much of a queue. We got a table for two but the tables were very close together, so in reality we may as well have been on a table for four or even six. We got drinks and decided to go for the buffet with a main course 28.30 euros each, so not too bad price wise for food. That was before we got the bill at the end, when we discovered our mediocre bottle of plonk, which we thought was 17 euros was actually 27 euros, a bit steep we thought! 

The buffet was acceptable though a pretty small selection, we noted they didn't top up the smoked salmon or prawns, so I guess we were lucky to be early. The main course was OK, a beef stew of some description. After the wine we just wanted to get moving and then get some sleep. The ship bobbed on the water but didn't actually go anywhere!! We left the port finally at 22.30hrs, apparently waiting for fuel. The total bill for the meal was 93 euros, not too bad but we felt the drinks were a rip off. Maybe we should have bought a meal deal package, still you live and learn. The service was pretty good though but we had got to the restaurant pretty smartly, when it was relatively empty.

What can I say about a peaceful night sleep...NOT! What with the engine noise and aircon blowing and doors banging it was anything but peaceful. To add to our enjoyment and relaxation the "peaceful" wakeup music went off at 5.30am as cabins had to be vacated by 6.15am. Never mind, a complementary breakfast coming up, we couldn't wait!!

Eventually we found the mysterious Commadore Lounge behind an unmarked door at the end of a corridor. We should have paid more attention when we boarded. Interestingly, the lounge was packed with people in the know all munching on their free fayre. There did not appear to be any checks on who was in there, which begs the question about "complementary" food and who qualified. The breakfast was very poor quality, mushy scrambled eggs, beans, mushrooms and bacon on a bain marie. Drinks in paper cups from a machine and dried up overbaked croissants and pastries, we didn't bother.

Disembarkation was simple, no checks and we were soon on on the way to Spain. 

So much for a relaxing start to the holiday, we were shattered.

The return journey was much of the same. The parking in St Malo port is dire, so do not arrive early as parking is restricted. As our return ferry wasn't until 20.30, we drove out to Cancale along the coast and spent the day overlooking the sea, which was very pleasant. 

Boarding for the trip home was easy, again no checks. We had been very good and were not carrying any contraband food. 

We tried to get a cabin change onboard as we had altered our return trip and been allocated a disabled dog cabin, as the only one available. Interestingly it seemed OK with an enormous wet room. I was not too keen on the "doggy" aspect of the cabin though it seemed very clean. Den went for a quick shower which quickly turned into a deluge, as the whole cabin flooded. Literally water everywhere, we were sailing or rather sinking!! 😟😟 After a visit to Reception, we were quickly moved to a drier 4 birth cabin, what a relief. The ferry definitely wasn't full and there were other cabins available, C'est la vie. We spent a quiet uneventful night and even got an extra hours sleep with the move back to GB time.

Another meal in the restaurant, much as on the way over, except it was busier and the service poor. We avoided the wine, but had a small drink in the bar before bed time, wine was only 8 euros a glass ( another rip off), listening to the entertainment with the other cruisers. An early night was welcomed and we had the excitement of telly in our cabin.

Would we use this crossing again......NO. Far too stressful and hugely expensive. A drive to Folkestone or Dover perhaps, with a night stop on the way, may be on the cards for a future trip. Possibly consider one of the shorter ferry crossings if pushed.

Sorry to the lovers of Brittany Ferries. This is very much our personal view and no doubt many feel, it's the perfect start or end of a trip for them. Each to their own opinion but definitely not for us.

Review Litton Lakes.Litton Cheney. Dorchester

 We were still searching for a site not too far from home.

 A place to paddleboard would be handy.

A nice pub which did food within walking distance.

Fairly flat camping field with good clean shower and toilet facilities.

Not too far from the sea ( a bonus)

Nice walking country.

Good access.

Not much of a wish list....

I think we picked the site up on Pitch Up. No electric, but we thought Pebble should be able to do her stuff for two nights.

The journey was "challenging", shall we say, down some tiny country tracks. Pebbles super duper satnag, not a patch on Garmin. A few minor renovations needed here. Bring back Garmin. Den coped well, though slightly stressed by the time we arrived. Not only were the tracks narrow with over hanging bushes but very steep in places.

The site was very busy with loads of campers and lots of kids enjoying their boards on the lake.

We were soon set up, cosied up in the corner of the field, by the road. At least it was flat and grassy.

The lake was a major disappointment. Being more pond than lake size. Very well suited to primary aged kids on paddleboards, not so good for grownups. There was a small café by the lake open from 10am to 3pm. It was very busy, we didn't try the food.

The lake was also very popular with local families and apparently OK to swim in. A bit too shallow for us though but lovely for little ones. Arm bands had to be worn for identification by campers, as access to the water was restricted when it was busy.

The café, nice on a hot day and overlooking the lake. The Purple Turtle. Tables must be vacated after two hours.

The saving grace for us was the pub up the road. There was a lovely path that went up along the river to the village pub The White Horse Inn. Very friendly local pub that did nice food at reasonable prices. Needed to book though, as very popular with "happy campers". Lots of tables outside so plenty of room on a summers evening.

Our first night passed pretty quickly. Some road noise but not too bad. 

The toilet block was for us the downfall of the place. A rustic brand new building. Unisex loos, washing up sinks and showers. However.... very poorly cleaned. The site was almost full with tent campers but there was very little hot water so having a shower was traumatic. Mentioned the lack of hot water to the warden who shrugged and said it was busy and the tanks only held limited hot water! Wait for 30 minutes or so, tricky if you are covered in soap under the shower.

The washing up area was OK but filthy, again lack of hot water didn't help.

We ate out both nights at The White Horse so no real washing up needed. If it hadn't hav been for the pub we wouldn't have stayed. The second night we were woken up at around 5am by very loud music. Luckily it didn't go on for long so we did get some sleep.

Would we go back? Ummm NO. A good place for camping with young children, as long as they didn't need a shower!! A nice friendly pub up the road, a small pond for swimming in.

To end on a high note. We unburied our Garmin and plugged it in. A nice easy main road drive home. Where did we go so wrong!! Sorry TomTom you're fired.

Review: Devizes Camping & Caravanning Club Site. Wiltshire

Quite a few years since we have been here, so time for a re visit. A handy stop for us as Den's brother and his wife live in Devizes. A good excuse for another meal out!

Only the third "shake down" trip for Pebble so we were on a roll. Everything neatly packed away, we were getting the hang of living in the new baby.

Devizes is not too far from us and is a Camping & Caravanning site, so we knew what to expect. £97 for two nights. A tad on the expensive side then, we booked onto a hardstanding with grass and electric. The site is on the edge of the Kennet and Avon Canal near Devizes. A convenient bus stop outside the site takes you into Devizes or on to Bath. A short walk to the left along the tow path, goes to Devizes via Caen Hill, an impressive array of locks. Great for an afternoon stroll, watching the bargees, navigate the locks.

Pubs in both directions so on our first afternoon we headed for The Barge Inn along the canal. A beautifully sunny day, so we spoiled ourselves with lunch and a drink of two.

The pub has a nice atmosphere, with lots of indoor and outdoor space. The wasps drove us indoors but the food was lovely and we could watch the world sail by outside.

Quite a few boats on the canal, moored or gliding along. Getting ready for the set of locks at Caen.

The next day we headed in the opposite direction. Through the tunnel and up the canal.

We didn't walk up as far as the whole set of locks at Caen, 

so no iconic lock picture this time. We will have to save that for a return visit.

So, another day , another pub. This time the Two Magpies", practically on the camp site. In fact they do have a small campsite of their own, well a pub carpark with facilities. Takeaways are also sold from the pub on certain days, which could be handy. After another great meal, with Tony Den's brother and his wife Lorraine we wandered back to Pebble to watch the sun go down.

A short break but on a very peaceful and quiet campsite with good facilities. Toilet block ,a little dated but very clean. Lots to do and see in the local area, very convenient for public transport, easy access.

Definitely one to return to for a longer stay, perhaps an Autumn break!!

 

Review Cofton Country Park, Devon.

A new site for us and just the place to give Pebble her third "try out".

Pebble has been packed and repacked AGAIN!! We have a new bit of kit to explore and an Isabella two sided wind screen. Courtesy of Davan Caravans, a reduced price ex demo in perfect condition and a sun screen to attach to the wind out awning. 

Cofton Country Park had long been on our radar for a visit at Dawlish Warren , a comfortable two hour drive on the motorway. Dawlish Warren was a place I remember as a child, staying in "camping coaches" on the railway lines. Time for a bit of reminiscing.

Cofton was easy to find and we got a warm welcome. We had a pick of pitches and went for the scenic view from the top of the site. We were given a choice of pitches. Our pitch was large, on grass in a well kept field. We were soon set up.

The main items to try out were the sun awning and the wind screen. We were lucky with endless sun this weekend so perfect weather.

The Isabella sun awning was perfect. I love it and when set up it feels like a proper room. So easy to set up and it takes up so little space when stored. We didn't bother with a ground sheet here, as we are only staying for 3 nights.

The wind breakers also are easy to put up and down and perfect to cook behind. Sorry no pictures taken of this...next time.

Cofton is a beautifully maintained park with clean facilities and very well run. Not too crowded mid week, but this was before the school holidays. It is really a "resort" with all the facilities you would want and good for kids. The two swimming pools looked really nice. We did eat one night in the camp restaurant it was a pleasant enough meal, much as expected. There is also a pub on the resort, tables can be booked at all venues using their app, we gave that a miss. The site is however, very hilly although well terraced so good exercise. A bit of a climb back from the showers and sinks must be good exercise!!

Dawlish Warren beach is a good thirty minute walk away, through the woods. A typical holiday beach, with bars , shops and restaurant. For me a trip down memory lane. We peeked in at the camping coaches where I had stayed as a child, still there, but now morphed into luxury accommodation, with toilets and showers. When I was a child conditions were much more primitive.

Much as I remember really, though not as tidy!

Outside the camping coach at Dawlish Warren circa around 1962. I'm the biggest one in the silly hat!! 

After having a good look around and trying to remember, I decided the old adage of never looking backwards, was probably a good one. Everything was so much smaller and scruffier than I remember.  Still ever onwards.

We walked along the sea front to Dawlish on a deliciously warm day. The beach was very tempting but the sea looked rather chilly. Not busy though, a few brave souls in the water.

The old Langston Cliffs were as red as ever. Dawlish is a good 3 miles flat stroll but I must admit we were shattered as it was so hot!!! We played with Uber,  (which didn't work well in these parts,)  then gave up and caught the bus back to the campsite. A much better option and great value using our bus passes. The bus stops right outside the campsite and is very efficient for a rural area. In fact, we actually used the bus twice which worked very well.

Dawlish is lovely for a day out, we found a great little pub which did excellent food. Lots of tourists and coach parties, so choose your times wisely and avoid lunchtime.

The opposite direction from Dawlish Warren and you arrive at the scruffy little village of Starcross. Home to the Exmouth Ferry ( £8 return) Probably worth a day out, but nothing much to do in Starcross itself. The pub on the edge of the village The Anchor at Cocklemouth looked quite nice, but we can't try them all.

The ferry at Starcross. Cross the platform to board the ferry.

All too soon, three nights faded away. We enjoyed our stay but these large resorts are not really for us. Still searching.

Review Croft Farm Water Park Tewkesbury

 We made our first visit here in 1986 ( or thereabouts) Using out Ercol Trailer tent we camped in the field by the lake and sailed in the newly excavated lake. No real facilities but there was a portacabin cafe and for the princely sum of £5 a night, we got the key to the cafe, so we could use the shower and loo. 

This was a picture taken back in 2005. I couldn't find one from 1986!

What a difference 39 years makes! Croft Farm is now a fully fledged, proper holiday resort, with lodges complete with hot tubs, water sports, a cafe and statics. 

School groups use the venue through the summer and the lake is as popular as ever. With the recent purchase of the fishing lake next door expansion is on the horizon. Still owned and run by the same family Alan Newell popped by to say "hello" when we were there. We had a lovely chat and catch up about the "early years" at the farm, they were about to celebrate 40 years, sadly the day after we left, so we missed the celebrations. 

The facilities on site are basic but clean and tidy. During term time there are children on site participating in all kinds of exciting water sports. However there was still plenty of room for us and our paddle board.

Den spent some time on the lake making friends with it. We are assured by our children , who are still regulars at Croft Farm after all these years, that the canal paddle up the river to a Tewkesbury, is an easy one. We are not ready to venture that far yet. However, Den's skills are in progress. No comment on mine!!!

We went for the lakeside pitch with electric, which was great. Loads of space! 

We were so lucky with the weather, wall to wall sunshine, could have been the Mediterranean. 

We ate in the on site café, huge portions. They usually cater for the school  parties. The menu was basic but the food well cooked. There is also a bar and sometimes evening entertainment. There is a basic local pub up the track with an easy amble home after. We went and sampled the beer and chatted with some friendly locals.

All in all, a lovely two nights, we could have stayed longer and will definitely be back. Quiet usually during the week, the kids were all in bed early, somewhat exhausted after all the water activities so caused us no problems. In fact it was great to watch children doing activities that didn't involve phones. Weekends are usually busy so booking essential.

Pebble performed very well and we slept very soundly.

Review Holiday Resort Unity Brean, Somerset.

 We were looking for a nearby place to do a " shake down" visit with our new van Pebble. At only a few days old, we really needed to check her (and our) response to the downsizing. 

After a few traumatic days of packing and re packing we were ready for a break. We never thought changing vans would be so stressful! A garage full of camping equipment, empty pockets and heads full of new instructions ( which we kept forgetting and having to look up) made our heads spin. To add to the confusion lots of things these days only come with on line instructions, which are not always easy to find. A few calls to the dealer for further instructions and the local Fiat garage, to sort out the extended warranty, (which had to be done within 14 days of first registration,) we were ready!! As well as all this, there were changes to insurance, registration details and  a new French Crit Air and German UmWelt to apply for.  The Avtex TV needed sorting, another phone call, we had the wrong bracket and the Wi-Fi router had no instructions, except online. Just as well we are retired with time on our side.

We are seasoned campers and Pebble is our eighth new van, so not exactly novices. How newbies manage we have no idea? Still ,we made it and we are still married!!

So off for two nights to Holiday Resort Unity at Brean Somerset. We thought we were on safe ground as we had been many times before and enjoyed the change. It is a massive site usually with things going on, we thought we would be safe off season. 

First big change the site has been bought out and is now called Unity Beach Resort, what's in a name?? We opted for the Yellow field with hard standing. We had stayed there before many times. We made an online booking for two nights for £80, OK short notice, so it was about what we expected in price.

Only about 45minutes from home maybe an hour with traffic. It was a Tuesday so all should be well. Alarm bells rang when we arrived at our pitch. The wardens gave us a few options all about the same type of pitch, pretty seedy we thought. Near to the toilet block. The Yellow field had changed from a nice open area to a new lodge field, landscaping still under way. The Wardens said that the touring pitches here had been reduced to 30 serviced pitches. We chose the best one flat with gravel, services and a small mouldy patch of grass.

The shower and toilet facilities were clean but dated, perhaps there are plans to improve them. The Wardens shack adds to the general feeling that tourers are not really welcome. We did go over to the Brown and Green fields to have a look, they were generally better for camping but a lot further from facilities.

It actually looks better in this picture than it was. Just for a contrast! Some previous pictures taken on the Yellow Field.

Unity Yellow Field  June 2015

Yellow Field June  2013.

I guess the moral of the story is never go back.

The two nights passed really quickly. We enjoyed the most rubbishy drinks in "The Wonky Donkey" on site pub ( a revamp of he old Tavern) The drinks were so bad we took them back and had a refund. We think the new staff hadn't learned how to service the beer, or wash the glasses properly. The food provision seemed canteen style. We didn't risk trying it after the episode with the drinks. We gave up on the entertainment, RJ's club was closed, so no alternative food provision, the swanky new Pavilion, was closed too. Brean Splash and the golf course was open but the other outdoor venues ice cream, burgers etc. closed. Even the new flag ship golf course restaurant was closed for a private function.

We wandered into Brean to find food. The Seagull, a huge pub was closed, eventually we settled on a very nice curry in the Indian Restaurant, Bengal Bay, excellent service and good food.. The following evening we made our way to Ocean View up the road and had a nice drink and lunch there which was very pleasant.

Sad to say, we felt that Brean had been really neglected, which is a shame as the beach is beautiful. It was relatively early in the season  but the beautiful weather may have been an incentive to extend the season. There were quite a few people about but the general air was "neglect" and there was too much rubbish around the place.

Would we try Unity Beach Holiday Resort again? Down the road and really handy for us ......NO!! 

Knaus Boxlife 600 MQ. Pebble Adaptations!

 We have now had Pebble for nearly four weeks. Strange how you get a brand new van to your exact specifications, or as near as possible and then set about changing things.

First adaptations involved removing all the surplus equipment.

• Out went the bed boards and padded boards for making the front bed.
• Next the ladder, now resting peacefully in our loft.
• Closely followed by  the cargo nets for the bed on both sides and the fittings.
• The cab carpet also sadly got it's marching orders as it wiggled about a lot and felt unsafe.

With the weight considerably reduced we set about adding back things we felt we needed.

• An additional mobile fridge/freezer in the back. Fits perfectly and we have had an additional 12v and 240v plug point put in.

• A few little hooks in the space that housed the ladder. This proved another useful spot for flat things.
• Loads of small containers in shelf spaces for things like keys and glasses.
• A few lightweight plastic crates for storage under the bed.
• Two soft folding boxes for the wardrobe space. Not quite sure why its designated as a wardrobe, a short jacket just about hangs. Great place for storing other things like shoes though.
• A small really cheap magnifying mirror on the bathroom wall.
• Two mats to keep the muck out
• A new heavy duty mat for the cab which works really well and doesn't wiggle.
• A small fan for really hot weather.
• A couple of small door mats for muddy feet.

Everything else we carry fits in well. All our clothes fall into the back lockers over the bed. We even have empty lockers here, although I'm sure we will fill them. 

The big drawers under the sink are perfect for all the kitchen and eating essentials, including our small induction hob and coffee maker. I did actually find a mini washing up bowl but abandoned it for a rectangular silicon bowl instead, which I bought for the new super gas Cadac cooker. This bowl sits on the worktop without moving, so job done. The only extra is a small plastic fold up box under the table for anything else I want inside the van.

Bedding for our new fixed bed was slightly more challenging to source without spending a fortune. The bed has a foam mattress and foam topper. Lidl came to the rescue with double sheets and duvet covers at "Lidl" prices. A double duvet fits perfectly and a mattress protector, cheap and cheerfully, fits over both foam mattresses and then is covered by the fitted sheet. Job done. The bed is extremely comfy.

Linen duvet and pillow set in a stone colour. Bottom sheet jersey in grey.

Our very cheap magnifying mirror does the job.

Kitchens are always another challenge. We used non stick rubber coated shelf liners to cover the glass tops.

In the corner spot the silicon Soft Soak from Cadac. Made to soak the plates of the gas BBQ on the new Cadac 2 Cook Pro, range, doubles up as a washing up bowl ,with the added bonus that because it is silicon, it sits on the worktop and doesn't move. I usually use site facilities for washing up.

We have been pretty ruthless in getting rid of anything that we don't use. So far it has taken two trips. I suspect that more things will follow, after all we are supposed to be camping.

A  nifty little door mat and of course my bee cushion!!

We are in the process of putting a net curtain in front of the back door, as a privacy screen, bug net. Will report back when finished. We have yet to try the bikes on the new Thule Velo Swing, a job for next week.