Love your videos of your walks and the cathedral caves looked great ,I cant walk far these days but did do walks like you do before my knees gave up ,so thanks for showing all these things that I can't get to anymore ,I use a fairly off road mobility scooter these days so I can still get out and about in the woods, I'm from Cheshire so easily reach some of your wkend away travels ,keep them up 😊
Thanks for this Barry- we are glad that you enjoyed the video and you are getting something from it. Great news that you are managing to get out and about on the scooter. We just love the fresh air and sunlight- it is a real lift every time we get out. Give our regards to Cheshire, that is where we brought up our kids before we made the move to Yorkshire. Have a good week👍
Great video, thank you, being early retired gives you the spontaneity of an unplanned midweek break. We look forward to this from next year 😊. 😀🚐❤️🐾 Xx
Thanks as always Janet. The freedom to make decisions like this is one of the major pluses for us. It just opens up so many opportunities for us...particularly when the weather is good🌞 You must be really looking forward to it. Have a great week👍
We stayed at Coniston Park Coppice 2 years ago wonderful site. Sadly we didn't know about Cathedral caves which looked amazing 😍 It was also where I learnt that rock pegs and a rubber mallet don't work together, thankfully another camper came to my rescue with a lump hammer 😅
It sounds like a good excuse to go back to the lakes 🚐 The caves are about the same distance from the Langdales national trust campsite if you wanted a change. We did really enjoy the campsite and the surrounding areas and the caves were pretty impressive to wander around
I’ve had my Zamberlan boots for donkey’s years but on one hike the front of the sole came off and was flapping about. I was really reluctant to bin them so once home I bought some waterproof sealant, stuck it back on, clamped it really well, wiped off any ooze then left it for a couple of days. That was about 5 years ago now and whilst they don’t get the use your boots do too far so good.
Thanks Michael- I did try an emergency repair with super glue😂 but I think I used the wrong type of adhesive. It lasted a few days- but soon went brittle and went again. I am thinking about possibly using a local cobler to re-sole my Scarpa's as I love them so much. Jackie thinks I am crazy to do this- but they are so comfortable and they took too long to break in and get to that point. Thanks for the tip👍 R
Nice! We stayed there en route to Scotland last May. Great site but as usual for the CAMC sites the staff were officious and blunt and instantly made me regret turning up when we arrived. I think the key is because of the Conniston Hall site on the edge of the club site - in the BH weekend we were there it was literally rammed full with probably 500+ vans and tents on top of each other and absolutely horrendous. No doubt the loos would be full of people from there if not locked! Loved the area around there and had some great walks as well.
It was a great campsite and from the contact that we had with the staff they were super friendly - but it was a very quiet Tuesday afternoon when we arrived which I am sure will have made a big difference! It is in a lovely location - I love the valley around Coniston and leading into the Langdales and finding the caves was just an extra bonus 😊
Really good to meet you both on the campsite! So pleased you enjoyed your impromptu break, we certainly enjoyed our 3 nights and weren’t we so so lucky with the weather! We went on Steam Yacht Gondola on Thursday as a treat and a meal in the pub afterwards to celebrate our 54th wedding anniversary! Hope to bump into you again on our travels x
It was really lovely to meet both of you too - I hope you enjoyed the rest of the trip and your voyage on the steam gondola, the weather was so good on the Thursday after we left the campsite. Wow - 54 years is a definite cause for celebrations! Congratulations to you both. I will have a look at your vlog of Skelworth fold later as it is one of the campsites we have jotted down to stay at while we hike some more Wainwrights 😊🚐🥾
Enjoyed watching this. Beautiful views and amazing caves. We stay in lots of CAMC sites. You don’t need a key or code for toilet blocks on all CAMC sites. It tends to be the case in areas where there are likely to be wild campers or touristy areas where they might get abused by people not staying on site. Well done to you both for getting such a cheap couple of nights away. 😊
It's a campsite we have wanted to visit for a while now and it didn't disappoint - we loved that it was very foresty like some of the alpine campsites. I am glad they don't all have the keys for the toilets because that was a real faff when we forgot in the middle of the night. It was a good job we didn't have any close neighbours to wake up with the sliding doors opening and closing a few times 😂 It makes sense though if the campers from the site below are cheeky enough to be sneaking in to use the facilities!
It was a lovely few days in the lakes - I don’t think there are tent pitches on the campsite? But the national trust site in the kind dales and Low Wray are both fab and in that area (ish)
It was lovely and quiet everywhere except the parking in Elterwater which was the start of our hike to the caves. That was a real bun fight with cars everywhere! He tried on a couple of pairs that he likes particularly a pair of Scarpa ones that have gone on his Christmas list (he won't need them in Thailand!) 🥾
Thanks Rebecca- the weather really was very kind to us. We love autumn and the change of the trees, but still like the last rays of summer. We were very lucky on this trip.
Looks like a great campsite especially outside school holidays. Grabbing a couple of nights away is a real tonic this time of year. Heading to Port Salon at half term for 3 nights in Donegal. Beaches to die for.
It is a place we have wanted to stay at for a few years but it's very expensive if you are not a club member and in the holidays so when we teachers it was out of the question! Have a great time in Donegal - a couple of our friends have just got back from a 4 week trip to Ireland and absolutely loved it - they stayed in Donegal and showed us some of the photos 🚐 🏝️
Thanks for this Joe- I will look them up. I had the chance to try on some La Sportivas and Scarpa boots that I have had my eye on for a while. I had high hopes for the Sportivas as I love my TX4 shoes...but unfortunately the trekking boots were too relaxed and the winter boots too rigid- secretly I was gutted! They have stopped making my current Scarpa's, but I quite liked the equivalent. I am looking to try on a few more pairs before I commit as I want them to last a long time. I only use boots in winter, so I have a bit more time before having to make a decision. You can probably tell- I quite like the whole process of getting it right. That's part of the fun as I don't make purchases that often. Have a great week👍
I have tried on a couple of different Scarpa styles and have found one that has a slightly less rigid sole - just like my old boots 🥾 Jackie had a pair of Scarpa walking shoes with an really rigid sole that she just couldn't get on with.
We still haven't used our free night voucher either! We keep finding CLs to be easier/cheaper as per couple and if without EHU much cheaper (even with the voucher offer). I do remember that site from when my parents had a caravan and we took our sailing dinghies plus obviously walking the Old Man etc But the appeal of being waterside for our SUP/Kayak we keep in the van it's one I do want to visit. We had a great few nights 2-3 years ago at Outgate Fell CL that's not too far away, £15 a night year round. Grizedale Forest is brilliant for mountain bikes too. (we're not experts!)..just the Lakes is too far now for a weekend to use our voucher! lovely video as ever. Must visit is the Ice Cream shop in Hawkeshead... if you know you know.
the voucher email arrived at just the right time! It was a great spot and a nice little get away in relative luxury compared to our usual trips 😊 🚐 The site is quite a walk down to the lake if you had a canoe or paddle board - you have to go through another campsite to get to it. A lot of the CL's do not have a toilet so we can't use them but look forward to that when we get the new van in a year or 2. I am not sure f I have ever been to Hawkshead but will put it on the list and the ice creams 😊
Looks like a great mid-week adventure. The caves would be so fun to explore. I can't wait to hear how your trip to Thailand goes. The food is so amazing that I'm sure you will enjoy your time.
Thanks Tina- we are obviously a bit apprehensive about the trip- and we are quite happy to share that with everyone. At the same time we are really excited as we know we have a whole world of adventures and new experiences coming our way! Have a great week👍
Awesome! Thank you! Glad you enjoyed the video - it was great to just pack up a few bits and bobs and get away for a couple of nights 🚐 A great campsite with lots do do around it
Many thanks for the video, we are staying at the same campsite at the end of the month for a few days. Not been before so your video is very helpful along with the nudge to use our free night which we will definitely do. Looking forward to your next adventure.
A well timed video for you then! We really liked the campsite in the woodlands - there were plenty of walks to do around there and coniston had a few nice pubs for food and a pint. I think you had to book before the 13th to claim the free night - I am not sure when the voucher was valid until but we were super happy that it all worked so smoothly as we also had a £10 voucher from when we joined! Have a great trip and hope the weather is nice for you 🚐
Great site, went there several years caravanning and sailing on the lake. Must have been up the old man a dozen times! We’re taking an impromptu few days to south Devon Kingsbridge / salcombe / bigbury on sea area. Should be good!
It was a great couple of nights away - last time we did the old man it was very snowy and frosty which made it even more stunning. Have a great time down in Devon 🚐
Regarding boots, have you thought about Altbergs, I’ve just had mine resoled by them after a good few years use. So I’ve got lovely worn in uppers with brand new Vibram soles, they come in five different widths and they’re made in Richmond Yorkshire, not cheap but bombproof.
Thanks Gary- no I hadn't heard about them, but I will certainly look into them. The pre-purchase research is almost as good as getting the new boots. I did think about having my Scarpa's resoled- we have a local shoe maker that does them- something to still consider as a love the boots and they are so comfortable- something that took years to establish and could now be lost😢 Thanks for the tip off👍
The caves looked amazing we must add this to our list. We are definitely with Richard on the Journal log. We would like to do the Wainwright too but when we start we are definitely logging it. Thanks for sharing 👍
The journals are great - there are loads of different ones on Amazon - it’s funny looking back on our thoughts of some of the peaks and the rubbish weather we have walked in when it was a blue sky day in the morning 🥾⛰️😂the caves were fab to explore 🚐
Beautiful scenery and filming as always. We got lost finding the caves too (glad it’s not just us), but worth it in the end. Love the fact you just popped out for an impromptu outing, we are so excited to start doing the same. We did try one in the Cotswolds this weekend and realised how much we had forgotten in our van (little food, no saucepan bar the ridge monkey and one knife between the two of us 😆).
Thanks for this Adam- it's definitely not just us...the caves were an absolute b***er to find! We are really glad we persevered- but we must have completely circumnavigated the quarry before we found them😂 You are also in good company- we forgot a few things but that's what makes it so much fun- make do and mend! It will soon be getting about time to completely empty the van and then re-equip it for everything for winter camping. It's always good to start a fresh as the seasons change. Have a great week. 👍
Stayed at that site for a weekend last summer. Learned the hard way not to leave food under silicone covers in the awning as mice ate holes through the silicone , devoured the food and nibbled my silicone spatula 🐭 Like you we walked through the neighbouring campsite on our walk to Coniston. It was absolutely crammed and apparently has the reputation of a bit of a party site and very limited toilet facilities The extra toilet block security in Coniston Park Coppice is required to prevent those staying at the neighbouring site trying to use the better facilities at Coniston Park Coppice. Those caves looked amazing. Will definitely have to go back to explore them.
I did have to chuckle at an image of the mouse nibbling away at your things - not that I would have been impressed if they had got into the van 😂🐭 I can image they are everywhere with all the woodland area - we were under siege from all the squirrels 🐿️ collecting their acorns. Makes sense with the toilets if that stops a deluge from the other site - I did curse a few times after having to trek back for the forgotten key 🤣 we really enjoyed our stay as it was lovely and quiet but can image that is not the case in the summer and busy weekends 😊🚐
Oh wow fingers crossed for you - hopefully Scandinavia will be beautiful and we do like a cold crisp morning where you can get out wrapped up for a walk 🚐
We love this site. I think the 'key issue' is because the site next door is very cheap and no facilities. Otherwise they would sneak in to use the CAMC facilities. Both sites get very busy during high season.
That makes sense - we did walk through the other site on the way to Coniston and wondered where there toilet block was 😂 We really enjoyed our little stay there 🚐
We went here on August bh weekend and its didn’t feel crowded. CAMC usually only have keys (or keycodes) for the toilets if there may be outside users nearby. There was a horrendous popup campsite next door when we went so we suspected it was to stop them using it. Most sites don’t have locked toilets. I think CAMC realise their prices are too high and there are deals you can find. Especially midweek. The caves look amazing and we can’t wait for your Thailand trip. We have only done a week in Bangkok so can’t wait to see what you get up to.
I was about to mention that we've had it before in Cairngorms and Switzerland where keycodes/keys are issued as so many people wild camping/back/bike packing. I'm also a bikepacker but would never dream of using campsite facilities if not staying, but so many do. same if a popular day tripping place.
The pitches were quite spread out around the campsite so I can see that it would still feel like you have your own space even on a busy weekend which is great to know. We really enjoyed our stay - that makes sense with the keys as it would be very annoying having dozens of extra people wondering in and using the facilities. We did curse in the night when we forgot the key - good job we had no close neighbours with the sliding door opening and closing lots to get it 😂 The caves were a great find (we did do about 3km extra as we got lost)! We are getting really excited about Thailand now and have booked a few more bits of the trip this week ✈️
We have come across key codes quite a lot - I can also never remember the codes but at least take a photo of them 😂 some people do just take the P*** and don't care!
Hi Barry- we use public loos or pubs/cafes on our travels. It does occasionally tie us to campsites, but that is also fine. Our next van we are planning will have a loo, just so that wild camping in the depths of winter in the high alps will be a little easier😂 It will also mean that we can use more Aires in Europe which will keep costs down. 👍
Don't worry Peter- it was on the campsite and there were still a few vans around. The site was very secure and well lit, but we really did feel like we had the place to our selves. It was so peaceful at night in the woods. Have a good week👍
Love your videos of your walks and the cathedral caves looked great ,I cant walk far these days but did do walks like you do before my knees gave up ,so thanks for showing all these things that I can't get to anymore ,I use a fairly off road mobility scooter these days so I can still get out and about in the woods, I'm from Cheshire so easily reach some of your wkend away travels ,keep them up 😊
Thanks for this Barry- we are glad that you enjoyed the video and you are getting something from it. Great news that you are managing to get out and about on the scooter. We just love the fresh air and sunlight- it is a real lift every time we get out.
Give our regards to Cheshire, that is where we brought up our kids before we made the move to Yorkshire.
Have a good week👍
Great video, thank you, being early retired gives you the spontaneity of an unplanned midweek break. We look forward to this from next year 😊. 😀🚐❤️🐾 Xx
Thanks as always Janet. The freedom to make decisions like this is one of the major pluses for us. It just opens up so many opportunities for us...particularly when the weather is good🌞
You must be really looking forward to it.
Have a great week👍
We stayed at Coniston Park Coppice 2 years ago wonderful site.
Sadly we didn't know about Cathedral caves which looked amazing 😍
It was also where I learnt that rock pegs and a rubber mallet don't work together, thankfully another camper came to my rescue with a lump hammer 😅
It sounds like a good excuse to go back to the lakes 🚐 The caves are about the same distance from the Langdales national trust campsite if you wanted a change. We did really enjoy the campsite and the surrounding areas and the caves were pretty impressive to wander around
I’ve had my Zamberlan boots for donkey’s years but on one hike the front of the sole came off and was flapping about. I was really reluctant to bin them so once home I bought some waterproof sealant, stuck it back on, clamped it really well, wiped off any ooze then left it for a couple of days. That was about 5 years ago now and whilst they don’t get the use your boots do too far so good.
Thanks Michael- I did try an emergency repair with super glue😂 but I think I used the wrong type of adhesive. It lasted a few days- but soon went brittle and went again. I am thinking about possibly using a local cobler to re-sole my Scarpa's as I love them so much. Jackie thinks I am crazy to do this- but they are so comfortable and they took too long to break in and get to that point.
Thanks for the tip👍 R
Nice! We stayed there en route to Scotland last May. Great site but as usual for the CAMC sites the staff were officious and blunt and instantly made me regret turning up when we arrived. I think the key is because of the Conniston Hall site on the edge of the club site - in the BH weekend we were there it was literally rammed full with probably 500+ vans and tents on top of each other and absolutely horrendous. No doubt the loos would be full of people from there if not locked! Loved the area around there and had some great walks as well.
It was a great campsite and from the contact that we had with the staff they were super friendly - but it was a very quiet Tuesday afternoon when we arrived which I am sure will have made a big difference! It is in a lovely location - I love the valley around Coniston and leading into the Langdales and finding the caves was just an extra bonus 😊
Really good to meet you both on the campsite! So pleased you enjoyed your impromptu break, we certainly enjoyed our 3 nights and weren’t we so so lucky with the weather! We went on Steam Yacht Gondola on Thursday as a treat and a meal in the pub afterwards to celebrate our 54th wedding anniversary! Hope to bump into you again on our travels x
It was really lovely to meet both of you too - I hope you enjoyed the rest of the trip and your voyage on the steam gondola, the weather was so good on the Thursday after we left the campsite.
Wow - 54 years is a definite cause for celebrations! Congratulations to you both. I will have a look at your vlog of Skelworth fold later as it is one of the campsites we have jotted down to stay at while we hike some more Wainwrights 😊🚐🥾
Impromptu trips are often the best. And you've reminded me to use my free night!
We saw the weather window and off we went! It was a fab little getaway 😊🚐🥾
Great video with lovely footage of the area. It brought back good memories of family trips to Coniston.
thank you - we really enjoyed our couple of days in the hills 🚐
Enjoyed watching this. Beautiful views and amazing caves. We stay in lots of CAMC sites. You don’t need a key or code for toilet blocks on all CAMC sites. It tends to be the case in areas where there are likely to be wild campers or touristy areas where they might get abused by people not staying on site. Well done to you both for getting such a cheap couple of nights away. 😊
It's a campsite we have wanted to visit for a while now and it didn't disappoint - we loved that it was very foresty like some of the alpine campsites. I am glad they don't all have the keys for the toilets because that was a real faff when we forgot in the middle of the night. It was a good job we didn't have any close neighbours to wake up with the sliding doors opening and closing a few times 😂 It makes sense though if the campers from the site below are cheeky enough to be sneaking in to use the facilities!
Wow, I'll have to finally go camping again after all these years. Looks amazing.
It was a lovely few days in the lakes - I don’t think there are tent pitches on the campsite? But the national trust site in the kind dales and Low Wray are both fab and in that area (ish)
Fantastic mid week break, best time to go to miss the crowds. Did Richard get some new boots😀😀
It was lovely and quiet everywhere except the parking in Elterwater which was the start of our hike to the caves. That was a real bun fight with cars everywhere! He tried on a couple of pairs that he likes particularly a pair of Scarpa ones that have gone on his Christmas list (he won't need them in Thailand!) 🥾
It has been a very mild autumn so far. Looks like you had a nice break
Thanks Rebecca- the weather really was very kind to us. We love autumn and the change of the trees, but still like the last rays of summer. We were very lucky on this trip.
What an amazing place thanks for sharing
Thank you - we had a really lovely couple of days away in the fresh air 🚐
Looks like a great campsite especially outside school holidays. Grabbing a couple of nights away is a real tonic this time of year. Heading to Port Salon at half term for 3 nights in Donegal. Beaches to die for.
It is a place we have wanted to stay at for a few years but it's very expensive if you are not a club member and in the holidays so when we teachers it was out of the question! Have a great time in Donegal - a couple of our friends have just got back from a 4 week trip to Ireland and absolutely loved it - they stayed in Donegal and showed us some of the photos 🚐 🏝️
For me Zamberlan boots are the best boots i have ever had.. great episode..
Thanks for this Joe- I will look them up. I had the chance to try on some La Sportivas and Scarpa boots that I have had my eye on for a while. I had high hopes for the Sportivas as I love my TX4 shoes...but unfortunately the trekking boots were too relaxed and the winter boots too rigid- secretly I was gutted!
They have stopped making my current Scarpa's, but I quite liked the equivalent. I am looking to try on a few more pairs before I commit as I want them to last a long time. I only use boots in winter, so I have a bit more time before having to make a decision.
You can probably tell- I quite like the whole process of getting it right. That's part of the fun as I don't make purchases that often.
Have a great week👍
@@earlyretirementwanderlust I have scarpas Richard! They are a good boot. However so rigid, with zero contact when your on ice or slippy surfaces.🤔
I have tried on a couple of different Scarpa styles and have found one that has a slightly less rigid sole - just like my old boots 🥾 Jackie had a pair of Scarpa walking shoes with an really rigid sole that she just couldn't get on with.
Have you tried Altberg walking boots. Handmade in Richmond.
Hi Paul- someone else mentioned these...they are firmly on the research list...which is all part of the pre-purchase fun.
Thanks for the tip off👍 R
We still haven't used our free night voucher either! We keep finding CLs to be easier/cheaper as per couple and if without EHU much cheaper (even with the voucher offer). I do remember that site from when my parents had a caravan and we took our sailing dinghies plus obviously walking the Old Man etc But the appeal of being waterside for our SUP/Kayak we keep in the van it's one I do want to visit. We had a great few nights 2-3 years ago at Outgate Fell CL that's not too far away, £15 a night year round. Grizedale Forest is brilliant for mountain bikes
too. (we're not experts!)..just the Lakes is too far now for a weekend to use our voucher! lovely video as ever. Must visit is the Ice Cream shop in Hawkeshead... if you know you know.
the voucher email arrived at just the right time! It was a great spot and a nice little get away in relative luxury compared to our usual trips 😊 🚐 The site is quite a walk down to the lake if you had a canoe or paddle board - you have to go through another campsite to get to it. A lot of the CL's do not have a toilet so we can't use them but look forward to that when we get the new van in a year or 2. I am not sure f I have ever been to Hawkshead but will put it on the list and the ice creams 😊
Looks like a great mid-week adventure. The caves would be so fun to explore. I can't wait to hear how your trip to Thailand goes. The food is so amazing that I'm sure you will enjoy your time.
Thanks Tina- we are obviously a bit apprehensive about the trip- and we are quite happy to share that with everyone. At the same time we are really excited as we know we have a whole world of adventures and new experiences coming our way!
Have a great week👍
Your video appeared on my list, I must say I really enjoyed your vlog so much I have just subscribed to your channel.
Awesome! Thank you! Glad you enjoyed the video - it was great to just pack up a few bits and bobs and get away for a couple of nights 🚐 A great campsite with lots do do around it
Many thanks for the video, we are staying at the same campsite at the end of the month for a few days. Not been before so your video is very helpful along with the nudge to use our free night which we will definitely do. Looking forward to your next adventure.
A well timed video for you then! We really liked the campsite in the woodlands - there were plenty of walks to do around there and coniston had a few nice pubs for food and a pint. I think you had to book before the 13th to claim the free night - I am not sure when the voucher was valid until but we were super happy that it all worked so smoothly as we also had a £10 voucher from when we joined! Have a great trip and hope the weather is nice for you 🚐
@@earlyretirementwanderlust Thank you😀
We went to castlerigg campsite is Keswick- the walks are just amazing.. looks lovely! Thanks for sharing. 😍
we haven't stayed up Keswick way for a while - I will have a look at Castlerigg - as you say a great base for walking around there 🚐 🥾
Great site, went there several years caravanning and sailing on the lake. Must have been up the old man a dozen times! We’re taking an impromptu few days to south Devon Kingsbridge / salcombe / bigbury on sea area. Should be good!
It was a great couple of nights away - last time we did the old man it was very snowy and frosty which made it even more stunning. Have a great time down in Devon 🚐
Regarding boots, have you thought about Altbergs, I’ve just had mine resoled by them after a good few years use. So I’ve got lovely worn in uppers with brand new Vibram soles, they come in five different widths and they’re made in Richmond Yorkshire, not cheap but bombproof.
Thanks Gary- no I hadn't heard about them, but I will certainly look into them. The pre-purchase research is almost as good as getting the new boots. I did think about having my Scarpa's resoled- we have a local shoe maker that does them- something to still consider as a love the boots and they are so comfortable- something that took years to establish and could now be lost😢
Thanks for the tip off👍
The caves looked amazing we must add this to our list. We are definitely with Richard on the Journal log. We would like to do the Wainwright too but when we start we are definitely logging it. Thanks for sharing 👍
The journals are great - there are loads of different ones on Amazon - it’s funny looking back on our thoughts of some of the peaks and the rubbish weather we have walked in when it was a blue sky day in the morning 🥾⛰️😂the caves were fab to explore 🚐
Beautiful scenery and filming as always. We got lost finding the caves too (glad it’s not just us), but worth it in the end. Love the fact you just popped out for an impromptu outing, we are so excited to start doing the same. We did try one in the Cotswolds this weekend and realised how much we had forgotten in our van (little food, no saucepan bar the ridge monkey and one knife between the two of us 😆).
Thanks for this Adam- it's definitely not just us...the caves were an absolute b***er to find! We are really glad we persevered- but we must have completely circumnavigated the quarry before we found them😂 You are also in good company- we forgot a few things but that's what makes it so much fun- make do and mend! It will soon be getting about time to completely empty the van and then re-equip it for everything for winter camping. It's always good to start a fresh as the seasons change.
Have a great week. 👍
A really nice vlog guys well done 👍
Thank you - we really enjoyed our impromptu little get away (and a rare few dry days to get out hiking) 🚐
Many thanks- we had a great little trip👍
What a beautiful trip away
Thank you - it was lovely being in the van again and a great weather window to get lots of hike in 🚐🥾
Stayed at that site for a weekend last summer. Learned the hard way not to leave food under silicone covers in the awning as mice ate holes through the silicone , devoured the food and nibbled my silicone spatula 🐭
Like you we walked through the neighbouring campsite on our walk to Coniston. It was absolutely crammed and apparently has the reputation of a bit of a party site and very limited toilet facilities The extra toilet block security in Coniston Park Coppice is required to prevent those staying at the neighbouring site trying to use the better facilities at Coniston Park Coppice.
Those caves looked amazing. Will definitely have to go back to explore them.
I did have to chuckle at an image of the mouse nibbling away at your things - not that I would have been impressed if they had got into the van 😂🐭 I can image they are everywhere with all the woodland area - we were under siege from all the squirrels 🐿️ collecting their acorns. Makes sense with the toilets if that stops a deluge from the other site - I did curse a few times after having to trek back for the forgotten key 🤣 we really enjoyed our stay as it was lovely and quiet but can image that is not the case in the summer and busy weekends 😊🚐
Isn’t it such a joy to be able to grab these opportunities when they arise - hope you have a fantastic few days and that the weather holds for you
It was lovely and the weather just got better each day!! We managed to get 3 different big hikes in 🥾🚐⛰️
@@earlyretirementwanderlustthat‘s the icing on the cake when the weather is good, I’m hoping we‘re lucky in the next couple of weeks in Scandinavia 🤞
Oh wow fingers crossed for you - hopefully Scandinavia will be beautiful and we do like a cold crisp morning where you can get out wrapped up for a walk 🚐
We love this site. I think the 'key issue' is because the site next door is very cheap and no facilities. Otherwise they would sneak in to use the CAMC facilities. Both sites get very busy during high season.
That makes sense - we did walk through the other site on the way to Coniston and wondered where there toilet block was 😂 We really enjoyed our little stay there 🚐
We went here on August bh weekend and its didn’t feel crowded. CAMC usually only have keys (or keycodes) for the toilets if there may be outside users nearby. There was a horrendous popup campsite next door when we went so we suspected it was to stop them using it.
Most sites don’t have locked toilets. I think CAMC realise their prices are too high and there are deals you can find. Especially midweek.
The caves look amazing and we can’t wait for your Thailand trip. We have only done a week in Bangkok so can’t wait to see what you get up to.
I was about to mention that we've had it before in Cairngorms and Switzerland where keycodes/keys are issued as so many people wild camping/back/bike packing. I'm also a bikepacker but would never dream of using campsite facilities if not staying, but so many do. same if a popular day tripping place.
The pitches were quite spread out around the campsite so I can see that it would still feel like you have your own space even on a busy weekend which is great to know.
We really enjoyed our stay - that makes sense with the keys as it would be very annoying having dozens of extra people wondering in and using the facilities. We did curse in the night when we forgot the key - good job we had no close neighbours with the sliding door opening and closing lots to get it 😂
The caves were a great find (we did do about 3km extra as we got lost)!
We are getting really excited about Thailand now and have booked a few more bits of the trip this week ✈️
We have come across key codes quite a lot - I can also never remember the codes but at least take a photo of them 😂 some people do just take the P*** and don't care!
@@earlyretirementwanderlust literally! 😂
Simple question how do you manage without a loo ,in your van at all
Hi Barry- we use public loos or pubs/cafes on our travels. It does occasionally tie us to campsites, but that is also fine.
Our next van we are planning will have a loo, just so that wild camping in the depths of winter in the high alps will be a little easier😂 It will also mean that we can use more Aires in Europe which will keep costs down. 👍
I would be a bit nervous parking the van in what looked like a rather deserted spot
Don't worry Peter- it was on the campsite and there were still a few vans around. The site was very secure and well lit, but we really did feel like we had the place to our selves. It was so peaceful at night in the woods.
Have a good week👍
Hi Jackie, I’ve sent you a message via Facebook messenger 🙂
Thanks I have sent you an email 😊