Off to London.

After a busy week unloading the motorhome and trying to sort out what to keep and what to dispose of, we still finished up with our bedroom piled high with full bags and cases. However our main objective was to deliver the motorhome back to Cranham Motorhomes for warranty repairs and preparation for shipment. After completing a check list, getting a refund on the Calorgas tanks and unused gas (they don’t get exported) and a final check on any necessary paperwork we headed off to catch a train into Tolworth.

Familiar views along the River Thames.

It sounds crazy but it was cheaper to stay at a hotel in London overnight and catch a midday train back to Peterborough the following day than travel back on the same day. It also gave us time to catch up with daughter Tracey who lives close by. That evening we ventured off down to the River Thames just below Kingston. Tracey took us to a pub overlooking the river which was glorious. Boaters were taking advantage of the hot Summer evening and the pub was doing a roaring trade.

A new catamaran ferry on the River Thames.

While waiting for Tracey’s partner Greg to arrive we had a couple of drinks out on the patio on the rivers edge but after an hour or so sitting in the blazing sunshine we had to retreat inside in the shade and cool. When Greg finally arrived we had a look at the menu but there was nothing that any of us really fancied so we walked along the river bank up to the main shopping area where we sought out the GBK restaurant. The Gourmet Burger Kitchen which it transpires is a New Zealand franchise with profits going back to a trust concerned with the welfare of the native Kiwi.

Tracey with a Strawberry something or other.

We had a real feast with a Kiwi Burger made just the way they are in New Zealand with the burger, an egg, onion, beetroot, tomato and lettuce packed between two good size burger buns. Not only that but we had Lemon & Paeroa drinks which are only produced in NZ and imported by the GBK group. Two other treats were Whittakers Peanut Slabs and Minties both New Zealand icons. A great end to a very hot and busy day.

Look what we found at the Gourmet Burger Kitchen in London. All NZ icons.

Cleaning, polishing and sorting.

26.7 Miles. Now at Elwyn Road March.

First of all we would like to thank all our friends and followers who have sent their best wishes and support to Tom and Jan of N/b Waiouru who are in dispute with Ben Harp Narrowboats. Hopefully if we all keep the pressure up it will get too much for this small minded little crook and he will be driven off the waterways for ever. We certainly hope so.

For us it is now a time of cleaning and polishing the outside of the motorhome because the New Zealand authorities will go over it with a fine tooth comb looking for any nasty stowaways. Inside of course we have been running the pantry down so we won’t have to throw too much stuff away. As far as clothing and personal gear we have a weight limit of only 23kg on our flight home to worry about, so it’s a case of what can we keep and what goes to the charity shops, at least there are a lot here in March. Oh happy days!

A total of 4241 miles, since 5 March 2011

BEWARE. Boat buyers BEWARE.

We have been following a saga for some time now of another New Zealand/Australian couple who were attempting to follow in our footsteps with a narrow boat being built to their own specifications. Over quite a long period we had been in communication over various matters including boat builders.

Well unfortunately the owners of N/B Waiouru have fallen foul of a an unscrupulous builder (Ben Harp Boat Builders Ltd)  who have ripped them off big time. The owner supplied Harp with a lot of electrical gear and interior fittings which were bought and paid for in Australia, and sent to Ben and Kelly Harp. All of this has disappeared without trace. They have also spent a small fortune on legal fees trying to get access to the boat which upon collection today by court order has been found to have been maliciously trashed and gutted of all fittings right back to the spray foam insulation. Is this criminal or what?

Photos from Tom and Jan’s blog this evening taken earlier today.

I won’t go into personal details except to say that anybody thinking of getting a narrow boat built should read N/B Waiouru’s blog before proceeding with any commitment what so ever.

Another lunch, another farewell.

The new pavement fountains in Cathedral Square, Peterborough.

After yesterdays glorious sunshine it was back to cool and overcast as we set off to catch the bus into town. Dot wanted to find a M&S store to buy a nice top she had seen advertised online. Unfortunately they didn’t have any in stock but have ordered one in for her so she will have to make another trip into Peterborough later this week.

Pam & John at Orton Hall

After a bit of sight seeing we headed off to an arranged place near the Cathedral to meet up with cousin Pam and her husband John. They whisked us away to a lovely restaurant not too far from the camp for another lovely lunch, (we could get to love this lifestyle). After lunch it was back to the camp for coffee before Pam and John had to leave for a bowls competition on the other side of of town. Another fabulous day but alas a sad farewell.

We don't often get a photo of us together either.

Final UK campsite.

65.8 Miles. Now at Ferry Meadows Caravan Club site at Peterborough.

Yesterday we spent the day with Terry and Polly, a couple that we had met on the coach trip to the German Xmas Markets. We had called in to see them on the start of our epic journey around the British Isle’s with the promise of calling back upon our return.

Terry & Polly our travelling companions from Burgh Le Marsh near Skegness.

Gypsy Rover at Ferry Meadows.

After a cuppa and a good natter Terry took us to one of the local golf clubs for a few ales and lunch. The girls had Scampi and Chips while us fella’s had Curried Chicken with a Mango Chutney which was so nice we had to get a second bowl full.  After about 3 hours at the golf club we retired to Terry and Polly’s bungalow for coffee and snacks. After much chatter and many laughs the clock struck ten, so Terry very kindly returned us to our campsite with the promise of keeping in touch and who knows, possibly a visit by them to NZ at some stage. It was great to meet up with such a lovely couple once more and hopefully we may meet up again some time.

A one tree carving at Ferry Meadows.

The opposite side of the one tree carving.

This morning we were back on the road to Peterborough and our final Caravan Club camp site. Tomorrow we plan to meet up with my cousin for lunch somewhere in town to catch up on all their news.

Ferry Meadows where we moored in N/B Gypsy Rover

This final camp site is probably the largest we have stayed at, with 265 pitches on 30 acres spread over two sites on either side of the lane. With school holidays now upon us the camp sites are going to be busy and there are going to be children everywhere but the next fortnight for us is also going to be busy. Preparing the motorhome for shipment, looking after a narrow boat and the crews dog for 4 days and then finally getting ourselves sorted out to fly home our time will be at a premium.

A total of 4214 miles, since 5 March 2011

Cleethorpes. Nostalgic visit.

41.0 Miles. Now at Nursery Bungalow CL at Burgh Le Marsh near Skegness.

Rather than mess around with having to change buses to get to Cleethorpes we had found that there was ample parking in the area so we drove there first thing this morning. Our destination was the Cleethorpes Coast Light Railway. It was here in the late 1940’s early 50’s that my father worked driving the miniature steam loco’s after being de-mobbed from the RAF.

Bassett Lowke class 10 #11 from the Sutton Collection. It carried the names Mighty Atom and Prince of Wales

"Sutton Flyer". Another Sutton collection loco built 1950.

Cleethorpes miniature railway break down crane.

Cleethorpes miniature railway. Different style passenger rolling stock.

The railway has changed over the years with more track and one station being relocated. Ownership has also changed a few times. The original Loco’s have all gone although one has been found and is being restored to return to the tracks later this year. Some of the rolling stock is original although much has been bought in from other railways that have gone out of existence. A recent addition to the railway is the Griffin Hall Museum which was built to house the Sutton Collection of miniature railways from where todays loco came from.

Cleethorpes miniature railway. Sutton Belle built 1933 rebuilt 1953.

Full steam ahead for the return journey.

This 0n9 model combines "N" gauge track and chassis's with "0" gauge size bodies and figures.

A total of 4148 miles, since 5 March 2011

A New Face to Grimsby.

After heavy overnight rain, this morning was warm and overcast. A 15 minute walk into the village where we caught the bus to Grimsby. Everybody associates Grimsby with fish and fishing as it was the largest fishing port in the world at the beginning of the 20th Century with 3 docks handling over 700 fishing boats. With the arrival of the railway in 1848 fish could be sent inland and south to Billingsgate Market greatly increasing the demand for fresh fish. It was in the 1950’s with the Icelandic “Cod Wars” that the fishing industry here collapsed putting hundreds of fisherman back ashore looking for alternative work.

The old face of Grimsby. A derelict warehouse awaiting a new lease of life.

A new use for an old barge.

Old warehouses on the inland navigation above the port of Grimsby.

Alexandra Dock lift bridge, Grimsby.

During WWII the port had a big resurgence being used by the Navy as a base for it’s Minesweepers. These days the port is renowned for the importing and exporting of Motor Vehicles. Whereas the port also used to export coal from South Yorkshire mines it now imports coal from overseas for use in the coal fired power stations around the country.

Old grain warehouse at Alexandra Dock.

A sidewinder trawler built in 1957 and fished until 1984. It was then used as an oil rig tender boat until 1992.

National Fishing Heritage Centre, Grimsby.

A fisherman's wife repairs nets in the back yard between other household chores.

In 1991 the National Fishing Heritage Centre was opened on Alexandra Dock to celebrate the work and lives of fisherman with guided tours of the largest sidewinder trawler “Ross Tiger”. The tour takes you through the crew quarters, down into the engine room and the hold where the fish was frozen and stowed. There are plenty of dioramas inside the museum depicting the lives of fisherman of the 1950’s.

Skipper standing on the bridge checking all is ship shape before sailing.

Trawlers radio room.

Trawler wheelhouse.

Memorial to Grimsby fisherman lost at sea.

Well, what have we here then!

You can even stand on the deck of a heaving trawler as the crew land the catch or in the wheel house watching the bow rise and fall against the horizon. The museum is well worth a visit and will quite easily fill in an afternoon, no trouble at all.

Taken tonight at 9.30pm. Does this mean we are going to get a sunny day tomorrow? It’s Long overdue.