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.