FRI 17TH MAR 2017

It's time for a shakedown run so we've arranged to spend the weekend in Devizes with Andy and Suzy.

We leave home around 11:30 and make good time to Sourton for a lunch stop. The roads remain clear when we continue up the M5 and then it's a slower 50 miles cross country through Frome and Shepton Mallet.

We reach the campsite at 17:10, check in, water up and settle onto the pitch.

The wind is strong but we close up at dusk and have chicken curry. Although the site is nearly full and all the other vans have aerials, we cannot tune in the TV so will have to listen to the rugby on the radio tomorrow.

A text from Andy confirms they will arrive tomorrow having travelled part way after work.

SAT 18TH MAR 2017

The wind is even stronger and there is the occasional shower, but the new curtains did their stuff and it's warm and draught free.

Andy and Suzy arrive just after the 13:00 check in time. We chat for a while, they take Wallace the dog for a walk and then we tune in to listen to the final 6 Nations match of the year. England are on a record of 18 consecutive wins and, having won the Championship are looking for a Grand Slam. Against Ireland. In Dublin. On a wet and windy St Patrick's Day. Ireland win 13-9. Disappointed.

Not to worry, the local chippy delivers to the site so we wade through a pile of fish and chips and a box of wine and chat until late.

SUN 19TH MAR 2017 LUNCH TIME LOCK INN

Not as windy but there are a few showers. No matter, we decide on a walk along the canal and hopefully a nice pub. The narrow towpath is quite busy with walkers and fishermen.

Before long we come upon a lock, then another and soon we are at the main part of the Caen Hill flight which has 16 locks, one after the other. Opened in 1810 a total 29 locks rise 72 ft in 2 miles, a gradient on 1:44.

Three miles from the site we find the Black Horse Inn. A happy landlord in an England rugby shirt sets out ramps so we can enter the bar. After roast dinner, apple crumble and good beer we make our way back downhill to the site. We get back inside just as the rain starts.

After resting a couple hours we get back together for the evening with cheese and nibbles.

MON 20TH MAR 2017 TREATED TO LUNCH IN A LAYBY

We pack up, service Mary*Lou and set off around 10:30. Sporadic showers follow us and after Shepton Mallet we take a different route down to the A303 instead of across to the M5

Near Ilminster we stop for coffee at Cartgate services, which is also a Camperstop.

Torrential rain makes Blackdown Hills miserable but nearing Exeter it brightens up.

We are really surprised how much more spring growth there is than back home, forsythia in full bloom, green sprouting in the trees, but they've had a few weeks sun that west Cornwall didn't

At 13:20 we arrive back in Sourton for lunch, but today it won't be burgers or bacon sarnies.

We pull in beside a familiar van and welcomed with smiles and kisses by Nick and Grete, who have prepared a lovely cooked lunch of pork, mushroom sauce and vegetables followed by Magnum ice-creams. A couple hours go by as they tell us about their trip to USA and give us some souvenir gifts. We part after agreeing to try and meet again in Italy in May.

On the way home we hit Truro at 17:15 but traffic moves freely, good for Nick as his cold is taking hold and the last 20 miles can't end soon enough. By 18:00 we are parked and settled indoors after a pleasant, if wet and windy, weekend.