Devizes

 

As the light faded last night, we watched the sky turn pink. We walked across into the grounds of the Yeo Valley H.Q. where we could see the sun setting over Cardiff bay.

The patchwork of fields that lay behind Blagdon lake merged in to one as darkness fell and up in the sky behind Marge a half moon sat in a milky white light. We have overnighted in Marge in many places, both in England and Europe and this spot was right up there.

The view this morning still stunning. A metallic blue sky over a landscape of dappled light. Shadows casting over land and water. Our fellow vanlifers began to surface, one giving John cause to complain. Multiple car door slamming by a young lady sleeping in a car, unacceptable. Tai Chi, look at me. Leave that woman alone. Each to their own. We wanted to leave early keen to drive through Cheddar Gorge before the throngs of visitors arrived. As we left, we could see the three young German men from the van next to us sat silently on a bench taking in the view. There were no words.

We drove through Cheddar Gorge slowly, taking care as around every bend there were cyclists, walkers, sheep and even a pair of men's underpants in the road.  Where the owner was, who knows. Parking Marge up by some rock climbers we decided to walk a little way through the gorge as it would be easier to take photographs and for Angela to take in the view which is difficult when she has to concentrate on the road ahead, looking out for men's underwear etc! 

The gorge was impressive, and a doddle for Marge to drive through. After all she'd negotiated the overhangs of the Verdon Gorge in south eastern France. 

Next stop Wells. England's smallest city. Busy, busy Marge, where will we park you? Quick, nip into that Tesco car park. We walked to the Anglican cathedral, described as England's most poetic cathedral. It was beautiful, showcased in the lunchtime sunshine. We bought pasties for lunch from the nearby market and sat in the shade of the trees in front of the bishop's palace to eat them. Before returning to Marge, we returned to the market to buy a piece of vintage cheddar from The Apple Tree farm shop stall.

Our time in Welles had been short, but long enough, there were just too many visitors. We bought ice creams from Tesco before setting off, now a little drowsy from too much saturated fat and sugar. Our destination South Cadbury, a stop by a farm just near to the A303. We parked Marge in the shade of trees that moved silently in the breeze. It was hot, very hot. After an hour and a half rest we decided the stop was too boring and decided to move. Four years ago next week Angela's mother passed away, and she wanted to visit her parents grave to lay flowers, so rather than drive up to Andover from Poole we decided to divert across country to Devizes where we knew there was a nice overnight stop by the canal, and from where we could drive to the cemetery on our return journey home tomorrow. We know Marge, we're impulsive. We drove pass fields of golden wheat waiting not waning in the heat of the afternoon. In fields where the wheat had already been cut bales balanced on each other precariously. The scene, that of summer in the British countryside. Idyllic. 

Devizes welcomed us with noise and music. A wedding reception was taking place at the nearby wharf theatre. having not consumed enough of the wrong calories today we walked into town to buy yet another Chinese take away. Well, it is the last night of our trip.

Rhodyate, Blagdon

A quiet night last night, but this morning chaos! Four mini buses arrived each towing trailers holding eight canoes, pulling up onto the pavement opposite. Fortunately, after half an hour canoes and paddlers in the water they left. Before leaving Ross-on-Wye we decided to take another walk into the town. More interesting this morning as the shops were open. A mix of charity, antique and a few high street names.

Right Marge, drive back into Wales. Yes, we're sure, we're heading for the M4. 

No having left Ross-on-Wye until after one o' clock we soon needed to find a lunch stop. Pulling into a layby set back from the road we parked behind a lady with two teenage children. She appeared to be struggling with the cars bike rack. After waiting a while, not wanting to presume she might not be able to manage, John assisted her in attaching the bikes back onto the rack, for which she was very grateful. From then on, we were reminded that it was the school summer holidays. By the time we reached the M5 traffic had built up and we were in congestion which lasted around forty-five minutes. Now back in England, having crossed the Severn Bridge earlier the traffic eased. 

We are now in North Somerset. The roads narrow, the other drivers inconsiderate. Give way to the upcoming vehicle. No! Try and pass Marge at a narrow section, when it's obvious you can't really. Yes! No use mouthing those words, you're in the wrong.

Our stop tonight high above Blagdon lake and the Yeo Valley. In the distance the Mendip Hills. Adjacent to us is the headquarters for Yeo Valley (yoghurts etc). The view is absolutely stunning.

There are two other vans and a car here with us. Just after we'd finished our evening meal a local lady arrived on her way home after a week's holiday. She likes to stop here to take in her favourite view and fill her lungs with the fresh air. So excited was she about being here, she forgot to put her cars handbrake on. John to the rescue. No harm done. 

Tomorrow Marge Cheddar Gorge. We think you'll enjoy the drive through there, narrow and winding. For now we'll enjoy the scenery and take in the cooling evening air. And yes your handbrakes on and you're also in gear.

Ross-on-Wye

Another early start this morning as we once again had to buy a parking ticket at eight o' clock. The attendant was ready and waiting. We spoke with our French neighbours who were from Lyon. They were sad about Brexit. Sad, we were mad! 

O.K. Marge, a small diversion, we're going through the Brecon Beacons national park. No, not over the Gospel Pass. Warnings of a narrow steep single track road involving lots of reversing and a high risk of damage to your paintwork makes it a no! A gentler route took us pass Tretower where we pulled in to take a look at the medieval fortified house and tower.

We sat a while taking in the sights, sounds and smells of the surrounding countryside. Jostling clouds gave way to blue skies and we continued on to Abergavenny, stopping for a food shop.

We were near to the border with England now and decided to stop at our last Welsh castle of this trip, Raglan castle for lunch. The castle is said to be the grandest ever built by a Welshman. 

We are now in England. Angela no longer has to decipher Welsh road signs whilst driving. Marge is parked up by the river Wye in Ross-on-Wye with a few other vans and is settled for the night. As usual we took a walk out, along by the river and into the town. Three tractors each with trailers carrying hay bales passed down the high street. As you do. 

We are on the home run now, needing to be home by Sunday lunchtime , so we need to plan our onward journey carefully. Where will we take you next Marge?

Hay-on-Wye

An early start this morning, we had to be ready to buy a parking ticket at eight, which we did. But no one came to check! It's O.K. though, a few pounds to enable us to live away from the sofa, television and trappings of everyday life. In Marge we feel alive.

Right Marge, we're turning back on ourselves. We've decided we can't leave this area without visiting the Elan Valley and its string of reservoirs. The three artificial lakes were created between 1892 and 1903 to supply water to Birmingham seventy-three miles away. The drive over the remote moorlands, sheep in the road at every turn and beautiful views across the hills was pleasant, until we met a coach! Reverse Marge.

At the first reservoir we were shocked at just how low the water level was. Field mushrooms grew alongside the road, and of course John couldn't resist picking some.

(These are NOT the Field Mushrooms!)

Our lunch stop, beside the water, adjacent to dense woodland proved popular, and many other vehicles stopped to take photographs of the stone bridge and water. Moving on, the road narrowed. Logging lorry Marge. When we visited Scotland we came across these lorries all the time. The drivers nearly always very patient. Not in Wales. He's not going to back up is he? No Marge, let's us then. Arrogant, what's the word? 

We were glad we'd made the decision to visit the Elan Valley, but we needed to move east so our next stop was Hay-on-Wye where we are staying in yet another car park that allows overnight one in seven nights. Marge is one of eight vans so far. Our neighbours are German and French.

Tired from walking earlier today we still managed a walk into town, around the castle and past the many book shops. Fish and chips tempted us, and one. We sat in the picnic area down by the river Wye to eat them. How's you waistline? Expanding Marge.