InvictaMoto's Family Travels

The journey here was pretty straightforward, along the A259 from home to about a mile from the site. We checked in at about 4pm. We're in pitch 28. A bit of shuffling backwards and forwards to get as close to the pitch marker as possible later before we could hookup to the leccy. This threw up the first problem. The cable is just about long enough but not long enough to lay totally flat.  The electric point is two pitches away and a group share one. At Painters Forstal it was one between two and it was between them. After hookup we had a walk to check out the loos and then decided to have a walk through the bluebell woods to the pub. It's a nice scenic walk. The information sheet says 8 minutes. With Reggie enjoying new smells and a few photos it's about 25 for us.  A pint and a G&T later we came back to the Van. A bit of Kindle time and then we were back up there for dinner. The Two Sawyers is thoroughly recommended. Good beer and good food. None of it Slimming World a...

Rather than double-up postings - here is the link to Travellerpoint for this trip.

I began this write-up on the planning on Travellerspoint blog page. It is one I have used many times before and although it is a little complicated at some times and not as type and it works as Blogger, it does allow me to send posts by email. Rather than duplicate everything as I have done in the past, I have simply tagged all the posts with "three_goto_france" and will tag them all the same as the trip approaches and we are away on it! The downfall with Travellerspoint is that photos don't turn up when sent in an email.  I was sure from the instructions that they were. Maybe I need another read! Anyway here is the link -  https://devallfrance.travellerspoint.com/tag/three_goto_france/

With one shakedown over and done with, it has given us a few pointers on what to expect. What we need to pack and what we need to leave behind The former is actually a longer list than the latter. What we did forget were chairs to sit outside. Maybe if the weather is a little better on the next one, I mean not hovering around freezing once the sun goes down (!), we could use them and also deploy the awning. We need LPG. I have watched several YouTube videos on filling. It looks easy enough. You just have to find someone stocking LPG or Autogas. There are only 7 places in Kent! I have an app that shows locations. Fairlight isn't that far away either. It's along the A259 west of Rye in East Sussex. It's a  Camping and Motorhome Club  site. We joined that when we bought the Van. They have loads of sites up and down the UK. It will be our first visit to a club site.

So our first trial trip in the Van is not all that far. To Painters Forstal in North Kent. The problem locally is that since the very wonderful middle east owners of P&O Ferries sacked 800 seafarers we have been pretty much stuck locally! With an estimated 4500 trucks queued up on major routes, all hoping to get across the France we are pretty much barricaded in to our towns!! So before we go to Brixham we need to get some overnights under our belts. If course as well as the trucks and ferry problem, we have shortages of fuel!! Who knows why! I chose  Painters Forstal Farm  as it is near enough to get to with what diesel we have in the tank! Although we went out yesterday and the third station had diesel and we filled up. Routing might be a problem with roads either closed because of trucks or unsuitable for a Van. So I have downloaded an app for my phone called Co-Pilot. The search isn't as good as Google Maps or TomTom but hopefully it will get us to the village and camp...

We have had a run out already on Friday afternoon once we had brought the Van home and had lunch. Today we had a short run to Dungeness to see Reggie would get on. He seemed to enjoy it and laid down on his bed that we had between the rear seats. Getting used to the Van isn't just for Reggie, but for me driving it. The walk was nice until the train left the station and Reggie went mad. All in all a successful short trip.

Although I haven't quite tied up Day 2, I thought Day 3 might be easier. It's the drive down from Back of Beyond to the Garden House in Brixham. The problem is to fill the day. We have to be out from the camp about 10am. Can't  check into the Garden House until 5.30pm. There are a few places of interest I'd like to squeeze in. Clouds Hill, the last home of T E Lawrence - Lawrence of Arabia. Just down the road is a monument. I always planned to stop at Dawlish Warren where we had many family holidays when I was a kid. I last went there in 1976. More to add to fill up over 7 hours. Hopefully the weather will be good enough to park up and take in the sun.

So day 1 is sorted.. simply the drive to Back of Beyond and set up for the first night in the camp. We have two nights there before we move on. So for day 2 we need something to fill part of the day. I have been looking at National Trust sites. There are quite a few within a short distance, and a few that would be better off the next day as we head to Brixham. Waypoint 3 is Kingston Lacy . Another country mansion. Either side are two sights on the river. Waypoint 5 is Corfe Castle. I have never been there although in the 80's we used to go to biker rallies in the area nearby. I haven't finished yet as we need a visit to the sea whilst we are out. The start and end is of course the camping ground.