We started out on a four-centre trip in Hobby van on the 29th February.
Our first stop was at Abbey wood. This is a great little site on the outskirts of London with easy access to London shows and concerts. Our first concert was Seth Lakeman at the Union Chapel. very good. We then went to see the Lion King which was a good show – but expensive. Our third concert was a lunchtime concert with Bjarte Eike of Alehouse sessions fame – playing Purcell and Locke with the Royal Academy Baroque players, Very good sessions.
Our next stop was at Stonehenge camping and caravan park. A strange old place but suitable for exploring the area. in the three days there we explored Woodhenge, Silsbury Hill, Avebury, West Kennet Long-barrow, Avebury and Old Sarum. It was nice to connect with these places. Of course, Stonehenge was on the agenda but we didn’t go in. It was good enough to go on the Drove and view from a distance. People spoil the place, unfortunately. The Drove was a littered mess and full of pot-holes. Nearby Coneybury Hill drew my attention as it wasn’t too far away. It was good to catch up with Daryl and Susan at the Avebury.
The next stop was Barnscombe. When we planned this I had no idea that some ancestors may have come from the village. With a bit of research, I have found out that at least four have come from there and are buried in St Winnifred’s graveyard. This was later confirmed by parish records transcribed by a group of people called the Branscobme Project. It was great to actually visit the graveyard but the records aren’t complete enough to identify the actual plot where any of them are buried – especially James (d.1798.)
The idea was also to walk along the SW coastal path. I walked part of it for 6 miles with Ritz and she did another 9 miles on another day.
During our stay in Abbey Wood Ritz started feeling unwell and we think she contracted COVID. It was inevitable that I followed suite and it went down to my chest. The weather didn’t help and from Stonehenge all the way to the end of the trip we were both coughing and spluttering.
We left recent and ancient ancestors to move into the New Forest. The intention was to visit the fossil beaches of Lyme Regis area but we missed the fossil beach and ended up on the tourist beach area. It was a bracing walk along the seafront and a little disappointing.
We pitched up at the Red Shoot Inn – an old favourite of mine from yester year although the campsite is now much more geared up for camper vans.
Again the weather was terrible but we managed a couple of local walks in the Linwood forest area and the heathland that makes p the New Forest. Both occasions we happened to fall into a pub!
We left Red Shoot on Saturday and headed home.
A great little trip. Hobby performed well even on very narrow and steep roads at Branscombe. He was on EHU all of the time which allowed us to use the well-needed heating and hot water, Hobby has no issues and remains a brilliant asset as a mobile holiday home.
The trip was only marred by constant poor weather and illness. Can’t wait for the next one.
