Holiday Memories 2015 - Packing and Getting There

One of the most stressful activities prior to going on holiday for me is the preparation. It doesn't

matter whether it’s three weeks or three days, I always wind myself up about what to take with me. And it’s even worse when you go camping, because space is so limited. Apparently, the tent, sleeping bag, cooking materials, gas tank and associated gear are more important than my clothes!

Will it be cold? Will it rain? If we’re going away for three weeks, should I take twenty one changes of knickers with me? Or will we be going anywhere where I can wash things? Or will the weather be hot with no need for jumpers and fleeces? So should I pack sun-dresses, shorts and T shirts? I never know what to pack and it can takes ages just to decide what to take, with clothes being laid on the bed for consideration. Goodness knows what I would be like going on a cruise!

I like to think I'm fair low maintenance when it come to cosmetics and washing gear, but I then have to consider what reading material to take with me, together with the all important notebook to jot down things that occur to me; my Kindle and my MP3 as well as my mobile and the relevant chargers, the sad truth emerges that I'm very high maintenance in other areas.

It’s not just the packing; it’s the thoughts that occur in the days before we go. Will the tent go up alright? Will there be any unexpected holes or other damage to make us vulnerable to wet weather? Will the sites that we've planned to go to be fine? Will the log cabin be as we remembered? I do acknowledge that I am a grade A worry guts. It wouldn't quite so bad, but it is Alan that does most of the work. So why do I worry?

It’s not until everything is crammed into the car and we set off, that I start to relax. What’s not packed will have to stay at home. And it is only when we are all sorted at the first site, based near Chichester that I really start to enjoy our break. With the tent erected, air bed and sleeping bags sorted and Alan cooking our meal – traditionally the first night we always have a curry; all I really need to do is enjoy myself and look forward to the rest of our time away.

Our First Site in 2015 - The Osiers, near Chichester

I've seen the Future and its Clean, Clean, Clean!

I know it happens in the best regulated household. Once one piece of equipment goes wonky in the house then all the others want to join in.

First it was the washing machine which starting leaking, resulting in discussions as to whether it should be repaired or whether to spend money on a new one. It was decided that as it had been in the house when we moved in and we had no idea how old it was (had to be at least 10 years old – I’d say a bit more), that we would bite the bullet and buy a new one.

After a visit to a QDA store, we returned home a little lighter money wise with the washing machine arriving the following day, together with a tumble dryer – for those times in the winter when you can’t dry the clothes outside. I'll admit it. I had been seduced by the drying of my clothes in a tumble dryer when we went camping a few weeks ago (of which more in a future post).

 

Then the television started to play up. This was really a no-brainer. It had to be at least 14 years old and bought before flat screen televisions became popular (and more affordable). After a bit of research involving copious hours on the computer, we eventually made a choice and ordered, this time on-line.

Much to our surprise, it arrived the following day, and as we thought to also update our Sky package to HD, it was 5 days before we could switch it on and view the difference.

I had now got into buying mode. So when my dear husband suggested that instead of buying new dust bags for our upright vacuum, I purchase a new one, I didn't hesitate.

It wasn't that it was old – we had only purchased it just over 2 years ago. But it didn't seem to be doing the job and on one carpet in the house, didn't seem to pick up dirt there at all. I had previously been told by a vacuum shop manager that all vacuums have an 18 month life, so I thought now (again) was the time.

Much on-line research later, looking in detail at the performance rates and reviews, I chose a Vax Air Series upright vacuum cleaner; one of the lightest available. Again, doing nothing by halves, I also bought a small hand held cleaner for the car.

Both arrived the next day. I don’t know who was more excited, Alan or I. We put the machine together and tried it on the carpet that had exercised my thoughts and, after it bit of trial and error, not being one to fully read the instructions before trying things out, achieved great success. To say it was a revelation would be an understatement. The carpet actually changed colour and the pile lifted and yes, the vacuum picked up all the bits.

What was more amazing was the amount of dust that was picked up (and I had very recently used the old vacuum cleaner!). I have now fallen in love with a vacuum!

The most interesting part for me was that with all our new kit, I was very struck by how technology had really moved on. The washing machine spin speeds were much increased; the tumble dryer is a condenser one so there was no need to vent it externally; the television had a better quality picture and we could now download series on the television that we hadn't seen till now; and the vacuum appeared more efficient that what I had experienced in the past. It’s a whole new world. I have seen the future and it's clean (or cleaner!). 

2015 - More of the same please

At this time of year, it is impossible to look forward to the new year without looking backing at the old one and musing. For me, it has been a good twelve months, with many things having occurred that I would never have believed could happen. So what are these things and why do I feel so surprised?

A Happier & Healthier Maria

Well, almost three years have passed since the operation on my nose and I still feel amazed and grateful at the improvement to my health. I appreciate that I'm still going to have problems - chronic fatigue doesn't fade away. But the things I can do now that I found hard or even impossible for many years! All I can say is more of the same please.

In 2013, I made the decision (at last) to lose some weight, having come off the steroids after polymyalgia rheumatica. To date I have lost a stone and feel so much better for it. For this coming year - more of the same please.

Our Holiday Cabin

In 2013, Alan, Jessie and I went on a holiday, the first we have had with our dog and the first two week spell that we have had in years. One week of this was spent in a log cabin and was the greatest fun. For more about that read my holiday blog posts. The other days were spent under canvas and were also hugely enjoyable and a great learning experience. More of the same, please.

We also took the opportunity, as we had the tent, to visit villages in the north of East Sussex (the county where we live). We experienced beautiful countryside, lovely people and huge laughs along the way. I didn't think I would take to camping in the way I have done and am so looking forward to the different places we intend to go to this year, when the weather warms up a little. So, yet again, more of the same please.

Husband & Jessie

Finally, I am so lucky to have a wonderful and patient husband and a lovely dog, who have been my companions on most of my adventures over the past twelve months and, for this coming year, more of the same please!

Weighty Thoughts

Over the past few years, because I have not been in good health and at one point was prescribed steroids for a long period of time, my weight has steadily been increasing. I knew this because the clothes I had no longer fitted as well, if at all. I had read that one of the side effects of steroids was that they stored fat in the abdominal part of the body. This meant that my waist was non-existent and I become in shape much like a cylinder with a bulge in the centre.

My mind has a habit of ignoring the obvious. I had assumed that on my return to better health and having come off the steroids, that my weight would just fall without me doing anything. How wrong I was.

It was only when my dear husband rested his hand on my stomach, in that way that a husband does to  his pregnant wife that I realised that things would have to change. I felt uncomfortable; everything felt tight and I wasn't happy with myself. But, what to do?

The day after that incident, we had my stepson and his wife over. Charlotte had lost a lot of weight recently and looked exceptional. During our conversation, I asked her how she did it. She told me that she had followed a slimming programme with Weightwatchers. So, with much scepticism, I joined up for three months. The said feeling of scepticism wasn't against the company, but me. I love my food. My idea of heaven is a large slice of coffee and walnut sponge or any fruit crumble and ice cream or both, if possible. But something had to change.

I joined Weightwatchers on a special 3 month offer. Looking at the different plans, I came to the conclusion I could do this. And so it started.

Myself before the Diet!

At first the weight came off relatively slowly. I would get a three pound drop one week, then a week or two with nothing to speak of. The worst bit was when I went five weeks at the same weight. But gradually the weight has fallen. To date, I have lost eleven pounds and have dropped a dress size. And, I can hear you ask, has it made a difference?

I can truly say that it has. Camping was a bit of an ordeal, with the bending and stretching involved, I would end up with acid indigestion. Just recently we went camping and I had no problems at all. Another good thing is that I've lost a few centimetres around my waist. My stomach is no longer prominent and I have had to put a new hole in my belt. This means that I can wear dresses and skirts without feeling self conscious. Finally, because I'm doing more exercise, I have this feeling of well being and enjoying life, which has to be a good thing.

Now I look forward to further weight loss and reaching my goal weight. I can see it ahead now and am patiently working my way towards it. It is funny how something I thought would be really difficult has become a way of life now. Long may it last.

Five Things to Remember When Going Camping

Camping at a small site near Burwash

Having taken up camping again after in the past year, after a decades long break, I thought I would share five main things to consider that may improve the experience. It did for us anyway.

1.  Planning
This aspect is so important, especially if you've never camped before, or do it very rarely.
Camping has changed over the years. Materials for tents have changed, as have designs. The amount that needs to be taken (if you want to enjoy the experience) is mind-boggling. Discussions on equipment ranged from the type of sleeping bag wanted as well as the size, to the type of camping stove, to the lamps that we preferred and which would do the job.
When we actually went camping, my husband started to pack five days before we were due to go, which  I thought was overkill, that we could get everything together the night before. When I saw all the different bits of kit that went into the car, I changed my mind. It would be a slog to do that. Taking your time and making lists of what you intend to take definitely improves the experience.

Another important planning issue was to know that we had a space to go to. I know that some campers we talked to reveled in the hit and miss of finding a pitch. Me, I'm a worrier. I like to know where I'm going to be. But finding the right location, that had the facilities we wanted (we're just talking loos and showers here - nothing fancy) and was dog friendly took time. It was worth it though. We have been on some lovely sites this year, which has made me keen to explore more next year.

2.  Have a Dry Run
If possible, go camping for a couple of nights close to home, just to experiment with your new gear and get used to the whole adventure. I believe this is important if, like us, you haven't camped in a while. It does mean that pitching the tent and trying out the stove can be experienced, without shouting matches developing and it all turning into a nightmare. We were fortunate. We did have a dry run and sorted out most of the problems before going further afield. I think the only major problem we came across, which it wasn't possible to solve was that of screaming children, which reinforced our plans to go off during term times.

3.  Don't Over Pack
It is so easy when you're getting things together, to pack for every eventuality. It might rain a lot; it might be cold; Alan might cut himself; or I might get soaking wet. As with any kind of holiday, a lot of what you think you need you won't use. When you have only a limited space to put everything in, it becomes very important that you only pack what you know you will actually use. Don't, for instance, pack four jumpers for a two or three day break. Are you really going to read all those books you're packing? Aim for the minimalist approach. I speak as one who isn't and finds that type of approach difficult in the extreme and learnt the hard way.

4. Keep Your Sense of Humour
You get to the site and get caught up in the moment. All of a sudden you want to help and your husband decides he wants to deal with this on his own and tells you to go away for an hour (or two). Or it pours down with rain and you're sat in the tent hoping that it will stop some time soon. Or you need to use the loo in the middle of the night and you discover that your trainers aren't waterproof as you walk through grass with a heavy dew. Or you get back and sit on the airbed, misjudge the position and bounce straight off, bruising your shoulder. Or, you spend the first night listening to all the unfamiliar noises, hoping against hope that the snuffling noise that you can hear is not a crazy axeman. Or you get to the site to find there is no shower and it isn't repaired until ten minutes before you leave.
Any one of these things can make a time away camping not enjoyable. For me, they have just been funny experiences and ones from which you learn. I have found that my husband likes to sort things out for himself, talking to the tent as he does so. When he has got the tent up, then I can help.
Camping has also made me very aware of the rain. But, we live in England and it does rain. The other matters I also learned from. But most importantly, I found I couldn't take them seriously. I have laughed more when camping than at any other time recently. Maybe it is the novelty of the experience. Or the fact that I haven't been on holiday for years. But I have found that the light touch emotionally is definitely the best.

5.  It's An Adventure!!
Most important - relax and enjoy yourself. Dig up your wonder at the world around you. Enjoy the different people that you meet and chat to. Camping, I have found is a very enriching experience and a very different way of life.

Sunrise near Burwash

Homeward Bound

We were sorry to leave our beautiful log cabin near Yealmpton, (which, we found out before we left, came all the way to Devon from Estonia as a flat pack). But all good things must come to an end and with sad hearts we packed up to make our way home, travelling to our next port of call - a campsite called Paddocks Farm, near Bridport.

Sunset at Paddocks Farm

Once more, we became gloriously lost down small country lanes trying to find this site, but were helped by the landlady of a public house called Shaves Cross Inn, to find that we were actually very close to our destination, so close that we went back to the Inn for a really wonderful meal later in the day.

Before our meal however, we went for a walk along one of the footpaths near by, which involved walking through a field of wild flowers. I felt exactly like someone in a 'Flake' advert wandering through flowers, some of which were at waist height - a lovely experience.

The campsite was lovely, with clean and tidy facilities and the surrounding countryside was beautiful. We were joined on the site later in the day by an Australian couple, who were at the start of an extended holiday. I'm afraid I gave the husband of that couple an unintended shock by leaving the toilet/shower room area door ajar while showering, so that when he opened the door, he was greeted to a view of my naked body through the clear shower door - not really an edifying sight.

Our last port of call was a small certificated site near Minstead village in the New Forest. This time, we were determined not to get lost, only on arrival at the correct turn off, we found that the road was closed due to work taking place to replace cattle grids.This resulted in a rather long but well signposted detour and the relatively easy finding of our last site of this holiday. Once more, we were treated to a lovely secluded and peaceful site.

Camping at Minstead Manor Farm

We set up camp beside a massive tree (believed to be a lime tree), and went exploring.

Minstead village was very pretty, with it's wonderful pub and a village shop that doubled as a tea room. After an enjoyable lunch,we walked up to the church where after exploring the interior, we went to see the grave of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle and his second wife.

The following day we went to Lyndhurst, which, even out of season was incredibly busy. The highlight of the day for me was the ice cream shop where the ice cream was actually produced on site - just delicious!

Conan Doyle's Grave

After two days, we packed up and started to make our way, finally to Seaford, our home. It was hardly surprising though, in view of the lovely weather we had experienced and the wonderful time we had had that both of us felt like turning around and starting all again. Happy days:-)

To Devon and Beyond

View of the Yealm Valley

Travelling in hot weather with a dog and a car full of camping equipment is not a good idea. And, if you're travelling to an area you're not familiar with, it's even worse.

There we were, riding in our car from Verwood in Hampshire to Yealmpton in Devon with Jessie our trusty Border Terrier. We hadn't been on the road ten minutes when I navigated us away from the A31, which was where we wanted to go, to somewhere completely different, which cost us some time. It had rained overnight and the tent was wet when we packed it up. We needed to get to our destination in plenty of time to dry it out.

After a while, feeling thirsty and needing a toilet break, we decided to stop at a well known service area to meet our needs. To say that stop was a disaster is probably an understatement. Everything that could go wrong did go wrong. One of the staff there had just told the boss he was leaving in two days. The atmosphere was bad and the service torturous. And the beginnings of a black mood began to develop for both of us.

Then I made the mistake of asking to stop at the Exeter Service area to use their facilities - on a Saturday afternoon - with someone who hates crowds - nightmare! This was coupled with the fact that Alan, who was doing the driving and was tired and hot, felt my directions were a bit slow in coming. Bad enough - but then things went from bad to worse.

Tempers were getting frayed.The driving speed was going up. Although the weather was hot, the atmosphere in the car was icy. Jessie was making her feelings felt by ensuring she had a lion's share of my seat, which meant that I was now sitting at an angle. I felt sorry for her as there was really nowhere else to sit, the rest of the car being filled with camping equipment.

I mentally breathed a sigh of relief when we turned off the A38 and started to make our way to Yealmpton. But I had reckoned without the slightly vague directions that we had received to find the location for the next seven days, Yealm Cabin.

As we drove up a hill on a single lane road, we looked in vain for the allotted place. Then came those magic words, "You've got us lost". I had been quite calm up till then, but something inside me snapped. With the words, "I'll get out and find it then", I exited the car, slamming the door as hard as I could and went marching up the road to the nearest property.

Now, Alan just cannot stand slammed doors at the best of times and I could hear him swearing at volume as I walked off. By the time I had received directions and turned back, the car had disappeared. My first thought, I'm ashamed to admit, was that he had gone home, which led to the thought "well, let him", as my overheated temper was totally in control and getting the better of me.

Making my way to the house where the owner of the log cabin's lived, I knocked and introduced myself. It was not really surprising, but she did look a bit bemused to be confronted by one person, with no luggage and not a car in sight.

At that point Alan arrived. The small time away had allowed both of us to regain our cool (although I was still angry inside - flaming even). How was the week in the cabin going to go, I wondered?

Drying Out the Tent!

On Holiday - At Last

Well, we actually did it - the first holiday in years and the first 2 week one that we can remember having in very many years.

Alan thought, that because I am such an unknown quantity with my chronic fatigue symptoms, I would not be able to cope with two weeks in a tent, so, we decided to spend the middle portion of our time away by booking a log cabin in Devon.

Camping at Verwood

The first three days were spent in Verwood in Hampshire and were fantastic. Even the service station where we stopped on the way there for a toilet break was a novelty.

The site we used, a Camping and Caravan Club site, I would not call scenic in itself, but was surrounded by wonderful countryside. Although it was beside a busy road, it was very well equipped with a toilet and shower block, a wash-up block and laundry facilities.

One of the main features that appeared to recur during our time away has been the easy ability to get most gloriously lost. It occurred twice in these first few days, but also at other times, of which, more later.

The first time was when we were driving back to the site from Fordingbridge, when we had a moment of serendipity. Arriving at a village called Dakerham, we came across a pub called 'The Compasses' and, on impulse we decided to stop and have lunch there. It turned out to be the most beautiful lunch in the beer garden, beside a cricket field with nothing to disturb us.

The second 'lost moment' was the following day, where we tried to find Moors Valley Country Park we had seen on the Ordnance Survey map. Just a few miles away, or so we thought. We learnt the lesson that day that what you actually see on the map is not how it looks on the ground, finding ourselves miles away in the opposite direction. But after asking directions, we eventually found our way there.

It was a most amazing place with the entrance road surrounded by tall trees, plenty of parking space and loads of people. And it was a week day!  There seemed to be a little bit of everything there, with a golf course, lake, miniature railway and forest walks. And it was there where I first realised that Alan did not want to spend his holidays mixing with crowds. Oops!

Then on the fourth day - off to Devon, to our log cabin near Yealmpton, getting lost yet again on our way to the A31. I'm really not used to this navigation thing.

The River Avon at Fordingbridge

Camping Preparations

Before we went on our holiday last month, it was decided that we prepare ourselves - test out the equipment and the tent, and see whether there was anything further we needed to purchase.

tent conditioning time

And so in May, with the permission of obliging (and very tolerant) friends, our bell tent was set up in their garden, so that it could be conditioned. This was accomplished by water being sprayed on it, then leaving it to dry overnight. 

All was successful, with no leaks to the tent and meant that we could move forward to the next phase - that of camping for a couple of nights to check everything out. For that, we went to St Ives Farm in Hartfield, near the Ashdown Forest in Sussex, not too far from our home.

As we were still in May, the nights were rather cold, the first night particularly so. And what with the lambs in a nearby field calling, the birds singing and a rather suspicious snuffling sound (which I later came to the conclusion may well have been a hedgehog and not a mad axe-man), I arose at 5.00am to make a cup of coffee and sat to watch the morning wake up around me.

golden dew

It was truly a magical experience seeing the sun rise and the heavy dew on the grass helping to colour it gold; watching the mist waft across the small lake there and to hear the sounds of the animals welcoming the new day.

One strange thing did happen while we were there. I had purchased a small bottle of hair conditioner on our arrival. On our first night, we both went to the 'wash-up' area to clean our dirty plates. On our return, we saw three birds, two black and one obviously a magpie flying away from our tent as we approached. Investigating further, we found that they had explored the bag of items left outside the tent,and had taken the bottle of conditioner. Their need was apparently greater than mine!

our tent at Hartfield