Blackberry Wood and The Half Moon

It is rare that I go through a day when we go out that I'm really impressed with all I see. Today was such a day. In our research on camp-sites in the East Sussex area, we had discovered what seemed like an unusual one near Lewes called Blackberry Wood. The web site was professional and showed some unusual static caravans – by unusual, I mean a double decker London bus, a helicopter (yes, really) amongst others.

Thinking that it may not really be for us, we decided to go up there this morning to take a look. We are finding out just how friendly campers and those running them are. If it was going to be any good, we reasoned, then they won’t mind us visiting.

The first surprise was that it was reasonably easy to find; just off the road near to Plumpton College and a few miles from Lewes. And even though we had quite a lot of rain over the weekend, we were both struck by how ‘unmuddy’ it was. And yes, it had a double decker bus and helicopter in the main area, together with other unusual static cabins, including a Curvy Cabin.

On asking at the reception area, we found they were happy for us to explore, and gave directions so that we could view nearly the whole site. The areas for tents to pitch seemed to be in the wooded areas, each with their own fire grill for camp fires. As it was mainly empty it was difficult to say how secluded each pitch was, but as we intend to go along mid week before Christmas, this wasn't a major issue. It looked impressive and I wanted to try out our bell tent there (more about the bell tent in another post!), like now! But patience is a virtue….

Next stop for us was the The Half Moon, a public house that we had passed on our way to Blackberry Wood. Once again, a big surprise awaited us in the form of lovely food at reasonable prices and beautiful surroundings. And following our meal, we had a swift walk to Plumpton College and back before making our way home.

I am now eagerly awaiting our next camping trip. Hopefully, the weather will dry up a little in the next couple of weeks so we can try Blackberry Wood out (and eat at The Half Moon again). We are fortunate that we can try these places out without having to travel too far and to enjoy the beautiful Sussex countryside up close and personal, as it were.

Camping at Hartfield - Day 3 and lessons learned

In spite of the very early night, I didn't get to sleep properly until after midnight. Alan also did not sleep well – acid indigestion from gorging on fish and chips. Both of us just aren't too good after eating fatty foods, as we do not eat them at home any-more.

We also listened to the rain and wind and to a Mr. Fox killing one of the ducks who lived on the lake (or at least, that is what it sounded like - a ghastly Donald Duck scream, or screams as there was more than one).

But I did sleep, much to my surprise. Morning found me refreshed and ready for another day. After breakfast and tea, Alan went off for another hour of fishing and start to pack up and dismantle those bits of equipment that I was able i.e. the air-bed, packing the sleeping bag and taking the inner bed down and folding it up. Had one very impressed husband when he arrived back.

Once everything was packed up, we left the site for a leisurely trip home, stopping for lunch on the way, believe it or not, another fry up, this time a full English breakfast - delicious!

So what has been learned on this camping trip, which,  in fact,  I did enjoy, but if things didn't go wrong there would be nothing to write about?

1)      Preparation may be everything, but communication helps as well. Alan had been so good in sorting everything prior to getting to the site. He didn't however tell me of his expectations, which made for an awkward start. Probably wasn't his fault. Maybe I should have asked more questions, rather than ‘just turned up on the day’ as it were.

2)      Air-beds should be properly blown up, or else sleeping will be difficult if not impossible (as well as getting in and out of bed - imagine feeling like you're walking on water). We realised as we were packing up that Alan’s side of the air-bed wasn't even half full. No wonder he was complaining bitterly for the two nights we were there.

3)      It rains a lot in this country, particularly when you want to go camping.

4)      Camp fires are fun and I have an extremely adept husband who sets them up.

5)    And finally, both of us agreed that comfort might be improved if we had an inner tent that allowed space either side of the air-bed, so that getting out in the middle of the night would be that much easier. So began the research towards buying another tent that may fulfil our needs. More about that in another posting - think canvas.

Camping at Hartfield - Day 2

Neither of us slept all that well that night. There is something about sleeping in a different location to your usual bed at home. I tend never to sleep well the first night. And it was very cold – not when you got warmed up in our double quilt and put the zips right up- but when you have Jessie, or dog deciding she wants a piece of the warmth as well, and it’s dark and you can’t see why the quilt isn’t where it should be i.e. over me – it doesn't make for easy sleeping.

Alan was, I know, having the same difficulties, plus getting out of bed to relieve himself. We had decided this time to place the air-bed and quilt so that the pillows were furthermost from the door. That was probably not such a good idea, because it did make getting out a little more awkward, including the fact that by the time you had made your way where you wanted to be, everyone had been disturbed.

Yet, when we finally woke up, having had a very broken night, we didn't feel tired, just excited.

Breakfast was toast and jam with coffee, taken in the open air. We were completely alone in this peaceful countryside and it did feel good.

After washing both ourselves and the dirty plates, we decided to go into the village for the paper and a few other items. We had been told of a walk down to the village, so we thought we’d give it try. It was one of the best walks that we had been on for quite some time; very scenic and not too arduous. I suppose the only thing was the stiles, of which there were around eight. On the way back, my hips were starting to moan about the new exercise.

Once in the village, we carried out our chores and decided to get some coffee while we waited for some kindling to arrive at the small store there, because we fancied another fire at the site that night. I succumbed to the chocolate croissants whilst there. Well, I thought I deserved it.

Lake at St Ives Farm, Hartfield

On returning to the site, we encountered a lone fisherman trying his luck on the lake in precisely the spot that Alan had pre-baited earlier in the day! So he went fishing at another swim. The other fisherman however ended up catching a 17lb carp, which he was very pleased with. Me? I just sat in one of  our new chairs and soaked up the sun.

Went back into the village late afternoon in the hope of eating at one of the pubs, but food wasn’t being served until after 6pm. We happened to find a mobile fish and chip van in the village and went back to the tent to gorge ourselves on a large cod and chips each. It was the best meal of that sort I had had in years.

Alan lit another camp fire which we sat beside until it started again to rain and we decided on an early night – 8.30pm, very unusual for us.