We’ve taken Freddie away before, but not Allegra – so we are looking forward to a holiday break with them both not too far away from home while Rich and Nic go to Henry’s wedding (in Rutland). After collecting them both from Taplow Sainsburys (about half way!), we have a horrendous traffic jam driving back home. So we are more than ready to set off on Tuesday to Aldeburgh, Freddie sat with me in Bertie and Denise took Allegra in the Skoda. The weather wasn’t predicted to be too nice, so having the car meant we could get further afield from the campsite and Aldeburgh – but we all took…

Wasn’t 100% sure if I’d be well enough to ride, hadn’t trained at all this year due to the asthma holding me back. But since I had managed to secure a place (and paid!) I was determined to enter just the 60 mile route and take it easy instead of attempting the 100 miles. I rode a 50 mile the week before at a steady (15mph) pace to Mersea Island and back so I reckoned I could manage it without suffering or cramping etc.. Russ was all set to ride the 100 miles, not long after his IronMan on Mallorca, but Mike Jacob’s place was taken by Dave – the…

Another ‘bargain’ trip and stay booked by Denise, cancelled and postponed twice already due to Covid-19 but honoured by the booking company. It’s just an hour and 20 mins away from home, so we arrive in good time to visit the Italianate style house. A lot of it is not on public display however, probably not until March next year – so it only takes less than an hour to discover the house. We take a drink and cake on the sunny terrace (lucky again with the weather!) and then afterwards I took a long walk (about 6km) around one of the several bike/walking trails around the huge estate (the…

We stay in a hotel for a change, the Bear Hotel, Woodstock. Bertie is probably in hibernation for the winter now! The hotel is just a walk away from Blenheim Palace, we’re finally using up a gift from Jim and Linda to visit the famous grounds and house after some delays due to lockdowns and health. We choose a gorgeous afternoon to arrive and park up at Blenheim Palace, we convert our gift vouchers into an annual pass – we’ll be back! We are able to visit inside the house, except for the lower and upper floors are a separate visit, so we’ll book them for next time. Within the…

Looking forward to this trip, we did meanwhile make a trip to Moreton in Marsh (Cotswolds) on 18-20 August but we didn’t really enjoy it and stayed only two nights and headed off to Rich and Nic’s in Aust instead! Here at Dunmere it is a Caravan Club CL (certified location) site, meaning only 5 pitches maximum and few if any facilities. But it is located just a few yards from the Camel Trail, a 10 mile disused railway turned into a cycle trail that runs from Bodmin to Padstow. Since Denise is still not riding a bike, we rent a car in advance from Newquay airport. I have to…

We take Bertie to Run Cottage touring park in the village of Hollesley, close to Woodbridge in Suffolk. Beautifully kept and run site, part of the ‘Tranquil Parks’ group (adults only). We had to cancel the booking from July because of Denise’s knee operation. Just 5 weeks after the op, this is a trip just to get away from home and is part of her recovery. Regardless, she managed to walk to the village pub and back on crutches – about 800 meters away – not bad eh! Of course she was not able to ride a bike, so I was on my own there. I made a few reccies…

We chose to return to two of our ‘old haunts’, we’re getting comfortable and more familiar with them and they are our favourites already – even so they are relatively close to home. Once again, Denise takes her e-bike and I’m on the titanium gravel bike. The weather was really nice and sunny. We take a few short rides out on the Tuesday, just around the estate at Sandringham. On Wednesday, we first of all load up with BBQ supplies from the royal butcher – such a nice shop! I even managed to get up the hill from the site without any issue unlike last year, I wasn’t sure about…

Our first escape in Bertie from the Covid-19 lockdown of winter 2020/21. It is the Caravan Club’s ‘Centenary’ site set on the western edge of the New Forest, it was busy (I think full!) with many others looking to get away for the first time in a long while. A really nice site though, well laid out and quiet and spacious. Next to some old airstrips and an airfield used during WWII, perfect for some cycling and especially ‘gravel’ riding through the forest trails that were easy to get to from the site. Good opportunity also for Denise to ride her e-bike, despite her knee getting worse. We were originally…

Russ was scheduled to compete in the Ironman Italy for this week, but as with most things it eventually got cancelled with a few weeks to go. Denise and I had planned to take Bertie over and meet up with my brother and Dixey and form a big support crew to cheer him on (Cervia, Italy). Oh well, maybe another time – instead Russ kept his holiday dates the same and I kept him occupied on a mini cycling tour in the south of the UK with Bertie. Yes, Russ took most of the photos whilst waiting for me – usually at the top of all of the climbs 🙂…

We decided to take Bertie away to somewhere new, not too far away under the circumstances. Denise and I have fond memories of Rye and the surrounding area from our childhood so we take a chance and select a CAMC club site located between Hastings and Rye. I took my hybrid bike and Denise had her e-bike – just as well because it is very hilly. I am still suffering a bit with my asthma so I took it carefully – even so I managed to get up a 25% incline without stopping – just! That was on a solo reccie ride, I daren’t let Denise tackle it, so I…