Late summer holiday

Yesterday we got back from our late summer holiday - or you could call it an early winter holiday. When we went away in July we planned on at least another break away in the caravan - sometime later in summer, after 3rd cut and the bulk of heifers calving etc. But the uncertain weather meant that 3rd cut was delayed until after Westmorland Show, and the calvings kept on happening (not unexpectedly as we had planned them), so the time slipped by. The calendar seemed to have something written on every week, but it was getting colder and the days were shortening. Last week we realised it was now or never, so booked a pitch at the Caravan Club site near Grassington.

We left home just after 5 o'clock and by we got there it was pitch black. We drove round the site a couple of times trying to identify a good pitch, though the direction of the sun would be irrelevant (we didn't expect to be sitting out, but had packed two garden chairs "just in case"). Setting up in the dark and cold (very cold) was a bit different to doing it in warm daylight, but we were organised and soon had the door shut and the heater switched on (still with warm clothes on). We put our M & S meal in the oven (secondary heating) and plugged the television into the aerial socket on the bollard and waited for it to tune in. We got a brief picture before the screen went off, leaving us with sound only. We had had this problem earlier in the year when we first got this television out of storage (in the caravan) and almost consigned it to the tip, but after a week in the house it returned to normal. We assumed it had suffered with the cold over winter. I hadn't thought it had been unduly cold yet this year, but it must be very sensitive. We had taken some DVDs as an alternative to the TV, but of course these didn't have any picture either. Backup plan A - watch a DVD on the laptop - OK for about 15 minutes then it froze (DVD fault probably). Backup plan B - music from the Ipod (docked in the TV) and Sunday papers, glass of fizz and supper.

Despite having to get up in the night to add another duvet to the bed (a hot spare) we had a good night and by we looked out on Monday morning the sun was shining. After a late breakfast (bacon sandwiches and proper coffee) we went for a ride out, not following a map or listening to the Sat Nav, but turning left or right on a whim when we came to a signpost. We were never really lost and eventually arrived back near Skipton so had a late lunch at The Bull at Broughton. We tried the television on and off (mainly off) and eventually the picture stayed on. Moral of the story - keep it in the house and try it before we go away. We also realised it we rely on it more in the cold dark months when we can't sit outside and read (or in Henry's case, sleep).

On Tuesday we had a plan - to drive part of the route of next year's Tour de France (starting in Yorkshire - click here). This was part of our reason for coming to Grassington. The campsite is on the route and we hope to book in there for Le Tour (but Caravan Club 2014 bookings don't open till 4th December!). We drove up the road to Hawes, marvelling how not only the cyclists, but all the publicity and support vehicles will get through some of the narrow roads and villages. We had hoped to see the creamery at Hawes in action, but it was a non-cheesemaking day, so had to be content with sampling (and buying) lots of different cheeses.

Back at the caravan we made the most of having no plans or timetable to keep to, and had another relaxing evening.

Wednesday we had another late breakfast and packed up. We had taken too many clothes and too much food, so we emptied the cupboards and bagged it up as we prepare to put the caravan away for the winter. Getting away when the stock is inside is difficult and we know the next trip will probably be next May.

There is another night way though - on Sunday we are going to see Bellowhead at Blackburn and living it up in a Premier Inn!