Wanda’s Night Out

On Saturday the 13th May 2017 gorgeous hubby and I drove to Penrith in our VW Campervan…

...to meet some friends. The weather did not look all that great, considering we had had some lovely days recently.

Gorgeous hubby went to fetch Wanda from storage and brought some food supplies, whist made some. We were providing a picnic for everyone. But I had asked my friend to supply her delicious coleslaw. I do not how or what she does, but it's the best! I always ask for it. There is no point in me trying to replicate it, I certainly will not make it any better.

At 11am we set off with our mugs of coffee. Gorgeous hubby drives. I will do one day, but not yet! We headed for the B6271 out of Northallerton to the A1(M), where works are still continuing to widen the road. So, not exceeding the 50mph average speed limit, haha, we exited at Scotch Corner for the A66W. With black clouds looming in the distance my gorgeous hubby carefully navigated against the strong cross wind. The trees and bushes were practically horizontal from the wind. We swerved occasionally getting a gust from the side. But, my gorgeous hubby is a great driver, also stating that “we had a head wind making it more tricky, especially up hills”! We would have the open road ahead of us when travelling along the single road. But, once we hit the dual carriageways the speed freaks would zoom past; cars, lorries, and buses!

Unfortunately, this part of Cumbria along the A66W appears bleak and cold. It really is uninspiring. There were two layers of clouds. The lower, darker layer obscuring the white fluffy clouds. We had the occasional glimpse of blue sky. We have no heater in Wanda. But, we are wise to this; thermals, hats, fleeces, etc. So, as usual I fell asleep until we came up to the roundabout at Penrith.

We stopped for petrol and alcohol supplies … this is a must! And, made our way along the A686 to Edenhall Church and parked up. I set up the picnic on the table with chairs. And my friends arrived with kids and a dog. We tucked in.

Homemade:

Carrot & Coriander soup

Sunflower Seed bread

Cheese & Tomato quiche

Spinach & Ricotta quiche

My friend's Coleslaw

Salad Leaves with cherry tomatoes and cucumber

Cheese

Mini sausages

Mini sausage rolls

Cheese puffs

Ham & Pineapple pizza

After a cup of tea to warm ourselves up as we were getting chilly we trotted for our walk with Lena, their delightful Staffy dog. We walked through the fields to a forest and down to the river. The wind had died down by this point. It was beginning to feel a little warmer, only a little! Cows, sheep, birds filled the air over our voices with their noises. The river flowed slowly with ducks and swans. We saw a Heron on the opposite bank before it flew away. A gaggle of Canadian geese were meandering on the opposite field squawking to each other. We stopped by the river as the boys skimmed stones. Lena kept digging in the muddy shallow water to bring us some huge rocks, strange dog! There were plenty of dog walkers. “Hasn't it turned cold?” “Atleast it's not raining!” “We've had such lovely weather recently!” “End of summer!” The usual English pleasantries were exchanged. We continued along the circular walk back to the Church, stopping off at the obligatory swings. Child or adult, swings are a must! Age not restricted!

Arriving back we had been joined by half a dozen other cars. Obviously, a place for walkies. One by one the cars manoeuvred out while we enjoyed a cup of tea and my homemade cupcakes: Lemon or Chocolate & Brazil Nut.

It was time to say our goodbyes, but gorgeous hubby and I stayed a little while longer to discuss camping requirements for the night. It would be on the route homeward.

We left for a place called Grandie Caravan Park in Dufton near Appleby (www.duftoncaravanpark.co.uk). We headed back to the A66E and a time later we parked up and put up our “wall” windbreak. The windbreak was probably not needed as we were by some trees and in a dip, the wind had been reduced to a noise of the rustling trees. But, our first time since we brought it. What the heck!

We relaxed and listened to the rustling of the trees and the birds. We had a quick chat with the owners paying our £20 a night fee. A Robin landed on the fence behind us, studied us for a second or two and flew off. We could here village life of kids playing and adults talking on this May evening. A plane is heard overhead, but it is too cloudy to see.

At 18:45 gorgeous hubby makes a start with tea. A Lego beaker of Leffe beer is delivered and soon, smells waft from the kitchen area of Wanda.

Tea is served: Turkey mince bolognaise with pasta and courgette. Gorgeous hubby has Cranstons (www.cranstons.net) thick Cumberland sausages. Red wine is Malbec.

We eat outside as the sky gets slowly darker.

After washing up we retreat inside for a DVD. Tonight's film is Blood Diamond. Awesome acting but very violent. Our first with a film in the Campervan. Pretty good.

We awake on this Sunday morning at half 7 with bed tea. You can not beat bed tea! We had breakfast outside of muesli and toast with a cup of coffee. Slightly warmer this morning, although a full blanket of grey cloud. We headed homeward, back to reality, shortly after 9am.