Man of leisure.
Walked up to L&M after breakfast. Weather cloudy and sunny and warm. R&L spent time collecting beans from the allotment. Lunch and supper at L&M. I did go for a short cycle ride on one of their bikes. A tad uncomfortable and tremendously heavy. Spent a while in the garden photographing a bumble bee in a passion flower,
Up, showered and breakfasted, we set out on a cloudy day, which intermittently showered, that annoying rain with the wipers on intermittent wipe. Please rain hard and get it over with, please. We headed off on the D840 joining he N12 at Verneuil-sur-Avre. Turned off on the D401 and then the ever so straight D938. Suddenly the D938 veered to the right on a brand-new road Google knew nothing about. Unusual that a new road does not appear in Google maps, at least in the UK they appear very soon after they have opened. We continued the D838, D301 to Le Mans. This time for our very first time we went past the race track.
We continued through Noyant, Saumur, Thouars and stopped for lunch at an Aires on the D938. The Aires had a closed café and some loos. There was a farm nearby selling melons. On again we then skirted Niort, passed through Coulon and at last reached Arcais.
On the way a couple of events occurred. Man standing in the middle of the road doing a survey, no Day-Glo jacket. Lucky to be alive, has health and safety bypassed the French? A little while later there was another man in the middle of the road stopping us and asking us to move to the side. He was an outrider for a rather large boat that was being transported along the road.
At Arcais we booked into the campsite, the weather was looking up, sun shining. We erected the awning, phoned Mike who was on his own, Linda being out at a choir practice. He came over with a bottle of wine and we chatted. He left to be at home when Linda returned, and we then cooked our meal. Alas the rain (very very light drizzle) had started again
Awake at 6 am, quick wash and we were away before 6.30 to catch the 10.50 Chunnel crossing. The trip was uneventful with much of the road empty of traffic except for one hold up caused by a broken-down lorry on the M25, and rubber necking drivers a mile on who were looking at a van in a seemingly impossible position on the embankment above the barrier of the M25. Travelling on a weekday is always faster than the weekend. Weekend delays often caused by inexperienced drivers slowing the traffic flows down. We arrived in plenty of time and were offered an earlier crossing than our booked trip. Yes, I had already bought my Thames crossing. Did that back in March!!!
We parked at the terminal and availed ourselves of the hospitality offered by Starbucks, coffee and pastries. Last minute loo breaks and then we were back in the van to board the train. One little break as we were taken aside to have our gas cylinder inspected, seemingly to check it was turned off. Soon we were moving off and left the terminal ahead of schedule.
We headed off south using toll free roads in a route planned by Google, passing by Boulogne, Montreuil, Vron, Nouvion, Abbeville, Blangy-sur-Brestle, Rouen, Evreux, finally stopping for the night at the campsite Camping Des Berges De L’Iton in the town of Breteuil where we arrived at 16.39. We overtook a Number 9 Routemaster bus on one road, seemingly devoid of passengers and conductor.
The final 100 yards to the campsite was fun, all roads to it were closed, but we worked around and came to the site from the opposite direction, only to find a Dutch couple coming in from the original direction. The works for the night had just stopped. One of the workman who had seen us attempt access from the other side smiled, grinned and laughed at our arrival.
On checking in we were told by Madame we could camp anywhere, so preceded to a nice spot overlooking the mill pond only to be told by some towel waving Dutch that the two pitches were reserved for their friends. So, we generously moved on to another pitch, and then I laid a long cable to the nearest power point, only to be told by Madame that I could not use that point. The other nearest power point had two spare slots, but these were for the towel waving Dutch. Rescue came from another Dutch couple on our other side who offered to plug us into an adaptor they had. This put a kibosh on the planned chicken meal as not sure we could cook while the Dutch couple were also using the power. We decided draft beers were needed from the campsite bar. Later, we ate emergency rations for the night, being tuna , pasta, pesto and cheese.
After dinner, we took a walk around the town, but it was totally dead, all bars and restaurants were closed-up tight. The only people we saw were workers taking down the funfair.
R not happy about the site, saying the very few toilets had no seats. (this became a common refrain during the three weeks). The showers I thought were rather primitive as well. The washing-up kitchen was rather chipped and worn, too. The disorganisation of allocating pitches and power points was also rather a downside. The pitches though are of a reasonable size, all delimited by low hedges. As is usual now, there were quite a few static caravans here. The site is not up to the cleanliness of many British C&C Club sites, and nowhere near the best sites like Fforest Fields.
Not to worry, we are here just for the night, before we rush on for the next 5 hours on toll free roads to Arçais to meet up with Linda and Mike.
During the Glastonbury Abbey Extravaganza I knew the Pilton Party tickets went on sale. While R and I were drinking at The Who’d A Thought It pub we saw the ticket office queue, snaking around the corner. After our drink, the queue was smaller. I joined and left with a ticket, cash only. Any tickets left over went on sale on Monday in the village of Pilton. The rest went on the Internet. None made it to the Internet, all tickets sold on the two days with no national advertising. It is supposed to be a local event.
On the Friday I drove down to Somerset, had lunch at the The Who’d A Thought It pub and then bought four special Torsy Moorsy fruit cakes from Burns the Bread. Headed over to Pilton and parked in the party car-park. Camping is not catered for, but there were a few vans, and overnight many cars were left in the car park. I parked next to another camper who had been at the Glastonbury Abbey Extravaganza, and had been next door to us.
Walked up to the field where the event was held. It is near where the John Peel stage and The Wood is. (At least I think so.) It was all fenced off, bar food and stage. Somewhere like 4,000 people were expected, and the weather was lovely.
First on were two winners from the long-running Pilton Working Men’s Club ‘Battle of the Bands’ competition, UK:ID and Arcadia Roots. As you can see not many came to see UK:ID. A rap band with a woman singer who was very good. I saw a tweet which is asking for bands to audition for next year’s Pilton Party. Though Glastonbury is not running, the party is. Watch this space.
Next up on the line-up is the fabulous Declan McKenna, who won the Emerging Talent Competition in 2015. And finally topping the bill this year were the incredible Bastille, who were last in Pilton to play a triumphant set on the Other Stage at Glastonbury 2016. They also had played Leeds & Reading in 2017, where I saw them with Selina..
I have a few pictures of Michael Eavis, should have got a selfie with him. Was so close.
Back to the camper van where I slept, very noisy in the car park, the party seemed to go on there for a while. In the morning after a lie in, headed off to find some brunch at a cafe called Hartleys Kitchen. Its on a country industrial estate and seemed very popular with cyclists on a Saturday. Two groups, one with normal bikes, and another with the latest carbon bikes and SPDs.
First time I have participated in a music festival in a campervan. Rosemary had given me permission to take Van the Van to Reading festival. I am under no illusions though, permission was granted only because Selina was coming along with me (as the responsible adult)..
I picked Selina up after 9.30 and allowed Google Maps to navigate a route to the White Gate. Google took us down some very narrow and meandering roads. We arrived at the festival with hardly any traffic and checked into the campervan area. We were searched for glass and pineapples and then let through into the van area, where we parked next to a few other VWs. Once parked we walked for 20 plus minutes to the arena in time for the first band on the main stage.
I couldn’t find the real ale bar. Reading always has one, but all the usual locations were without craft beer. Late afternoon I spotted some people walking around with what looked like real ale. Accosted them and eventually found the bar. It was much larger than before and seemed well organised, but not at all busy. As the days passed more people found it and on the Saturday it was heaving with a queue.
Judas – Main Stage
A band recommended by a work colleague of Selina’s. Rock band in the old style. Gave a credible performance.
Mallory Knox – Main Stage
Josie Long – Reading Alternative
Rob Delaney – Reading Alternative
Circa Waves – Main Stage
Jimmy Eat World – Main Stage
Two Door Cinema Club – Main Stage
Bastille – Main Stage
Bastille played a stunning set, I will be seeing them again at the Pilton Party. The sun had set before Kasabian came on.
Kasabian – Main Stage
Kasabian are always good. The stadium filled with fans wearing the blue Leicester City footie shirts.
After the band had finished we made the mistake of leaving immediately and then getting lost and ending up where the silent disco was. Had to backtrack to find our way back to the campsite.
A nice morning, and an examination of the other campers and motor homes around us. There was a huge double decker coach nearby with an electric cooker outside making breakfast. Some other campers thought the coach was a breakfast venue! We also had several people want to look at our van, they were part way through their conversions and were wondering if a popup roof would be useful. Here is Van the Van aka Morrison with his neighbours.
Wolf Alice – Festival Republic
Blaenavon – NME
The Pretty Reckless – Main Stage
Cabbage – NME
Migos – Main Stage
Bill Bailey – Reading Alternative
Korn – Main Stage
Turbowold – Pit
Group Love – Festival Republic
Major Lazer – Main Stage
Glass Animals – NME
Yes pineapples were in evidence despite the festival pineapple ban.
Eminem – Main Stage
Watched Eminem, not really my thing, as were Migos and Major Lazer.
When we left, we alas left with the crowd, went the correct way and ended up walking at a snail’s pace.
Pins – Main Stage
Vant – Main Stage
Slotface – The Lock UP
Pond – NME
Flo and Joan – Reading Alternative
Katherine Ryan – Reading Alternative
Giggs – Main Stage
Blossoms – Main Stage
Liam Gallagher – Main Stage
Liam is rather a miserable person. The songs were good, and when the old Oasis songs were sung, the crowd responded.
Waiting for Liam Gallagher
Muse – Main Stage
A great show by Muse with fireworks coordinated with the music.
The third day we had learnt. We stayed on in the arena, had a late supper and then left when the crowds had gone. Back at the campsite we saw the double decker coach leave.
Tea in beds (yes, we have two – one in the main body & one in the roof, where I was) at around 8.00am and then a quick pack up and away with very little traffic. The large double decker coach had left the night before. The camper campsite was beginning to look empty, but very tidy.
We visited Valerie and Norman for a couple of nights. On the Tuesday we set off with hedge trimmer and chainsaw to trim their hedge. First job on arrival was to consume an excellent soup lunch. Then the hedge was attacked, lopping off a couple of feet.
That evening we walked to The Cradock Arms. We ordered and were soon eating. But there was a pub quiz that night. What to do. We adjourned to the bar and entered the quiz, team was named SadGits. We didn’t come last! Walked back home, nursing our bruised egos.
Wednesday morning after a fry up, we headed out to Southwell and parked in some free parking by the leisure centre. Our first stop was the Southwell Minster where we spent more than an hour looking around. Rosemary was hunting the carved mice on the furniture, think she found 9 of the 22. There were numerous carving of small heads, one which looked very much like Donald Trump, which even had been mentioned in a church pamphlet. The small carved heads stood in contrast to the rather squat fat pillar holding up the knave.
The chapter house had exquisitely carved leaves throughout. These leaves have caused a few books to be written. The chapter house also housed a picture exhibition themed on Adam and Even. There was some quite interesting representations, Unfortunately the two we might have considered buying had been sold,
A quick walk down the road to The Hearty Goodfellow for lunch. Small pub, with good beer and menu. I ate a special of Moules Frites, We then walked to the Workhouse owned by the National Trust. Interestingly, there were some rooms that had been turned into bedsits for mothers with children which were still being used in the 70s, the fathers had to stay away. Tea and then back to the Minster to visit the Great Hall in the Bishop’s Palace.
On the way home we made a detour and stopped at the excellent pub called The Ale Classroom. The Classroom is small, two rooms, but sells excellent beers, constantly changing, all served straight out of the cask. Rosemary, embarrassingly for me cos I had to buy it, wanted lager.
Back to V&N’s for a good pasta supper. The next day we left mid morning to drove back in some large downpours. Thank you Google, you seemed to have missed predicting those. Back at home there had been little rain and the garage was progressing.
We met for lunch at Peter and Janet’s meeting up with a number of former Walker employees. At the lunch party were John, Peter, Steve D, Ann, Steve & Rosemary B, Tessa & Pete R, Their better halves being Carol, Janet, Kathy, Chris, Dagmar & Robin (who was a late arrival turning up in his & Tessa’s 2CV). We were all very full after an excellent roast beef joint cooked by Peter.
The weather again held good, not sparklingly hot, but sunny and no rain.
We met up with Ceila and Richard at the Hatton Arms. Walked along the Grand Union Canal and back for 50 minutes or so in some unexpectedly brilliant sunshine. Yes, the weather had taken a break from the incessant cold and wet weather we have been having. We met C&R here before several years ago, the metal dragonfly is still in position.
Back at the Hatton Arms we had lunch on the terrace and continued to catch up with each other’s lives.
We had tickets and a campervan pitch for the Glastonbury Abbey Extravaganza. There were three acts on the Saturday night, The Black Dyke Band, Corinne Bailey Rae and headliner Brian Wilson.
We drove down on the Friday, stopping off on the way at CJ Van Designs for some advice on wear on the popup roof. He recommended placing some strips of carpet over the lights in the roof before closing down the lid. We arrived at the site and parked the van, but we did not erect the awning as we were only there for a couple of nights. We sat out in the sun and drank our bottle of fizz before eating our supper which was Coronation Chicken, finished off with raspberries & cream.
The site was much as it was as the previous year, except that there seemed to be more campervans (of all ages) this time, and where we had camped last year there were now vans there. The loos were not the composting type this time, but the traditional Glastonbury long drop, a large tank with cubicles on top, open to the weather at their roofs. Even after only a day it was getting pretty stinky. There was also a van this time selling bacon butties (not that I was allowed to buy one).
Next day it was raining, but it was predicted to get better with no rain for the show. We hung around at the campsite waiting for the rain to stop, and headed into town on foot and made it to the pub called The Who’d A Thought It. Alas, as it was lunch time we were unable to sit outside, so had to drink our pints in the bar. Outside I had spotted the long queue to the Glastonbury Festival Office where tickets to the Pilton Party were on sale. When we left the pub the queue was short. Rosemary gave me permission to buy a ticket for the 1st September, so I joined the queue where I soon heard it was cash only sales. I had gone cashless, luckily Rosemary had not yet left the area and was beckoned over to supply the cash.
A couple more hours to spare was spent looking around the weird and wonderful shops in Glastonbury. After a while, we joined the queue and were soon walking into the Abbey where we sat down on our chairs on a small rise. I think next year I shall sit more over to the left of the site, this seems to be the area where Michael Eavis appears for pictures.
First on were The Black Dyke Band, a Leeds colliery band. I thought they were good, Rosemary considers last year’s school band was better.
Next up was Corinne Bailey Rae, sorry did not enjoy the performance, nothing I could sing along too. We used the time to purchase some wraps with Halloumi, salad and Hummus.
Brian Wilson came on finally with his backing band. Much more pleasant, with recognisable Beach Boy sounds. The crowd really enjoyed the performance. Brian is a bit past it, didn’t play much and only sung a little. The backing band and singers though provided brilliant performances. The event ended with a great firework display.
We left quite quickly and were on the second coach back to the campsite. Very efficient service. I sneaked in a JD in the campervan before going to bed.
The morning was a bit soggy, breakfasted and left. Stopped for lunch at 12.00 at the The Cross Keys Inn. We still had time to kill before meeting up with Sue and Ken, so we visited the National Trust house of Lytes Cary Manor. It would have been better if we had skipped lunch at the The Cross Keys and had just eaten at the NT house.
We arrived at Sue and Ken’s, Sue was in, Ken was supporting the pub which had only recently reopened, but he came back fairly quickly. We inspected Sue’s vegetable plots, chickens & cats. Good to see them.
The drive back on the A303 was a pain, Google recommended a big diversion before we reached Stonehenge. Duly taken.
Rosemary and I ventured into London on Chiltern Railways to go to the Proms. We travelled from Bicester with bargain prepaid tickets. Downside was that we arrived in London a little later than ideal and had to travel back home a little later than needed. The trials of cheap tickets. Rosemary also for the first time used her debit card to enter and exit the tube, while Steve used Android Pay on his mobile phone. Not sure what would have happened if the power had run out between entering and exiting the underground.
We did arrive in time to go to the V&A, bought tickets for the Pink Floyd exhibition, alas there was almost an hour wait before we could enter, leaving us with only 90 minutes to view the exhibition. We could have done with an extra 30 minutes to view comfortably, and I could imagine sitting on the floor in the exit hall for much longer listening to Pink Floyd. If you have not been, then I suggest you hurry up, it closes on the 1st October.
We then walked to the Royal Albert Hall and met with Valerie and Norman in the Vivaldi restaurant for supper before the Prom. Simon had booked the table and hoped to be along for desert, but he had been let out of rehearsals early and was able to order the main course with us. The service was smooth and quick, I suppose it has to be because most people eating there would not want to miss the start of the performance they had booked.
The Prom was very good (much to the surprise of my rock tastes) – Korngold’s “The Sea Hawk Overture” (you could hear Errol buckling his swash throughout), the specially commissioned “Sirens” from Hillborg and finishing with Rimsky-Korsakov’s “Scheherade”. Simon sang in Sirens, which was highly innovative, the choir whispered, whistled, and clicked their fingers as well as sung. A brilliant treat and our thanks to Simon.
