York to London

 Wednesday 21st April, 1982                  camping York             fine and sunny

Lazy morning - up into town - some to see the museum and Minster.  I walked around shops and visited the museum.  The camp is right near town on the banks of the “Ouse” so it's only a short and pleasant walk to town centre - pity the new owner wasn't as pleasant - he wouldn't let the kids play ball, gave them lectures - no washing.  The camp looked like an army camp -all lined up like tanks - patrons comfort forgotten.  Glad to see last of him.  Across country, past Selby to Lincoln where we found the Caraville which has about six plots for transits - the funniest washing facilities - one toilet - the slowest washing machine, but quickest dryer.  The people were nice - we had drinks and Sandra went to bed - we all read for awhile then followed Marie and Lee, having to wait for the slow washer, walked up to pub.  Sandra not too well - Sean improving.

Thursday 22nd April, 1982                 camping Lincoln                     overcast

Slept in till 8:30 a.m. then up and off this a.m. early, as water was too cold to shower.  On past the Boddington airbase were lots of activity spells possible war.  Then on through Spalding where acres and acres of tulips lined the road side - more than we saw in Holland.

We lunched in Spalding - a nice town - then on through St Ives where Oliver Cromwell was born, past another airbase and on to Cambridge.  A lovely camp, the nicest facilities we have seen - in a huge paddock - kids are running wild.

Friday 23rd April, 1982               camping Cambridge                fine and cold

Up and lazily packed ready to leave.  We hate to leave this Caraville - lovely facilities, washing machine, dryer - small personal cubicles.  On to the War Museum at Duxford - too early so we went into a nearby village of Thriplow - a lovely little one-shop village with lovely people.  The 10 of us took it over, the Post Office wasn't big enough to take parcels.  Back at 11 a.m. to Duxford War Museum - very well done.

Luxford air museum, UK

We inspected the Concord - won't be flying in one.  Too narrow!  Spent two hours there - loved the old posters put out during World War II.

Arrived at Saffron Walden for lunch - lovely little village - sent 2 parcels - books, crochet rug, tablecloths and Koblenz in one and a Cuckoo clock in other £32 - wow!  

Saffron Walden, UK

Off then down to Audley End to view the Castle which belonged to Lord Audley who was given it by old Henry VIII -a lovely old home and the gardens were magnificent with a tree 440 years old - beautiful! 

Audley End, UK

On then to visit Trudy and Brian - we had passed Beckett's farm when Brian jumped out on Lee so we had to backtrack.  Live in a lovely area.  Anhesden, in Saffron Walden spent a pleasant couple of hours, then along through lovely country to Duddenhoe End where we spent the night at the "Woodman" camping behind a pub.  Had a nice evening in the pub.  Rae lost watch - the ablutions were clean but antiquated - the doors were like stable doors.  Two weeks to D Day.

Saturday 24th April, 1982            fine but cool

Up and on winding country roads through small villages - Linton - brought food - had a lovely pub meal at  "The Duck and Dog" on then to Bumpstead - lovely but no Park - on to Bumpstead South - no Park - so through green country to Finchingfield a village with a village green, a typical one that you read about in books, a pond with ducks, the bridge, children playing on the green and people picnicking.  

 

Finchingfield, UK

We had lunch, then walked around and then headed for Thaxted - a nice little town with an old Guildhall built in 1300 and a mediaeval church being restored to its beauty.  

Thaxted, UK

Sandra saw a lovely set of Punch Books for £18 in Mary Poole's bookstore, a lovely windmill.

Essex is lovely, so green.  We came to Dunmow and spent a bit of time browsing through antique shops and lovely streets.  They have a pub called " Kicking Dickie", lovely English name.

Then through High Roding, Anythorpe Roding - where windmills lined the road side, then Leaden Roding on then to Chigwell and Grange farm camping area.  Next door is Spanish Circus the first one to visit -English - washing on after a lovely hot shower - a wind blows over the green.  Sandra found Rae's watch.

York to Chigwell UK