We're off at last

On Wednesday 5th February we left home in our campervan and travelled to Exbridge on Exmoor stopping the night in the car park of the Anchor Inn right next to the very swollen River Exe. Really nasty rainy weather.Nice meal in the Pub.

On Thursday 6th February we travelled to the Cotswolds and stopped for the night at a viewpoint's car park with great views down to the Severn Estuary - though we didn't see much when we first arrived as the visibility was poor and it was pouring with rain. However on Friday 7th morning the views opened up!

Here's another view looking west towards Wales.

The Nympsfield neolithic long barrow was only a few metres away from our parking place.

Later that day we moved on and visited Charlcote Park National Trust Property near Stratford on Avon.

The River Avon which flows through the grounds at Charlcote was very flooded and most of the park was therefore inaccessible. We stopped for the night at a layby near Welford in Northamptonshire.

On Saturday 8th February we continued north and stopped for the night at a car park at Sherwood Heath in Nottinghamshire. The Heath is a very pleasant wild area and we went for a good work only returning to our van seconds before a violent rain storm.

On Sunday 9th February we visited Sherwood Forest - famous as the home of the legendary Robin Hood. The tree above is The Major Oak, thought to be about 1,100 years old and propped up with metal supports these days.

Later we moved on to Cresswell Crags, just over the border in Derbyshire. Many early human and animal remains have been found in the caves here and quite recently extensive prehistoric rock art has been found.

We stopped for the night at Hatfield Moor National Nature Reserve near Doncaster. This is a beautiful wetland area which is now recovering from many years of peat extraction.

The next morning, Monday 10th February we had a good walk around the reserve. We saw numerous ducks, geese and other birds but no adders which are supposed to be very common at Hatfield Moors. Maybe too early in the year?

That night we stopped at a car park next to the Selby Canal in Yorkshire - really nice spot as you can see from the picture above.

On Tuesday 11th February we visited York Minster.

We got in free because Ann told the person on the door that we were on a pilgrimage to Canterbury and could we have a reduced rate? We stayed the night in a car park in Malton, Yorkshire.

On Wednesday 12th February we stayed the night at the car park of the RSPB Reserve near Flamborough Head. The weather got worse and worse with driving rain and extremely strong wind. It was quite difficult to sleep as the van was rocking and the wind very noisy. In the morning of Thursday 13th February we went for a walk around the Reserve. Still very cold wind but sunshine rather than rain. Saw Fulmars, Gannets and a Peregrine Falcon. Ver impressive limestone cliffs.

We stayed in a car park just outside of Beverly last night and today 14th February we visited Beverly Minster. Impressive but not as impressive as York. 

Later today we came south over the Humber Bridge into Lincolnshire and on to the town of Caistor on the Wolds where we will stay tonight. We are in the (free) car park next to the Town Hall and can pick up their excellent wifi with our new aerial - hence this post. Another major storm is brewing up as I write.