This was our second weekend out in the caravan since its repair it was the weekend of April 15/16/17/2011 this time we travelled to Horsley Caravan Park East Horsley Nr Guildford Surrey, the journey was uneventful till we get near the site. These places always seem to have a little sign right opposite where you have to turn into and most of the time it is covered by a piece of shrubbery, this happened to us again a mile after the SatNav had said “you have reached your destination”. Obviously we had missed our turning, so now the mood had changed up till now Valerie (my wife ) had done a good job but why had she missed the sign? The excuse I am no good at map reading is not good enough she has a pair of eyes, her reply was some what not lady like but I forgave her. So a few enquiries from some locals set us on our way but finding a turning space for a caravan is no mean task sometimes you may have to travel miles before you can turn, this time I was lucky and found a large opening which informed everyone DO NOT TURN HERE , they must have known I was coming to stop everyone else,so I was lucky there was no one in my way and back we went. Coming the other way the sign was visible even Valerie spotted it.
Horsley Caravan and Camping Club site had nice fishing lake bang in the middle, the staffs were very friendly and we got a good spot. There are many Caravan associations but we find the Caravan and Camping Club the best, the sites are always clean they do not allow any rowdy behaviour and the pitches are quite large, there may be an area where kids can play but this is normal well away from the caravans. Some do have little halls where people can gather as yet I have never seen one in use but am told Christmas and New Year a few sites open and are inundated with vans and the hall are filled. The toilets etc are housed normally in a relatively new brick building on this particular site there were 3 showers for men and the same for women, plus lots of toilets and section for chemical wastes some have washing machines and dryers. There is no charge for using the showers but some have that terrible push button instead of a proper tap system but all in all good place. The more commercial sites are totally different they have bars, restaurants, swimming pools etc but with that comes rowdy behaviour several years ago we got on one of those sites just a day before the kids holiday when we arrived there was just 10 caravans within two days there was 500 a mini housing estate.
Now I know a lot of you are thinking all us Caravan people are anoraks well far from it, you see and meet people from all walks of life with an assortment of equipment. This weekend was typical around me we had good size Camper Van, a small Rascal Camper where the attached an awning, several small new caravans, tents of all sizes and shapes, there was one suitable for one person and other twice the size of my caravan it took him hours to erect. I am one for home comforts and easy life, so my Compass Rallye 650 is ideal, takes 20 minutes to set up another 20 minutes to set Porch awning up and we are in. Inside we have Oven, Fridge/Freezer, Microwave, shower(not big enough for me) and toilet (not to be used for big jobs) and of course most important of all TV, DVD etc. Caravan and Camping people are very friendly, polite and helpful, everyone acknowledges each with a Hello or good morning, if you have difficulty setting up there will always be some there to help. I wish I started year before I did but I do not think I could cope with 3 kids in the caravan as well no matter how much I loved them, to me caravanning is an adult pursuit. Valerie has just reminded me that we did take the kids when I had a Ford Camper back in 1983, now I know why I sold it,I must have been mad.
On Saturday we had a drive into Guildford, well as far as the Park and Ride, these are marvellous £4 return to the City Centre is the best way to get to a major town you do not know and the marvellous thing is only car drivers are allowed on non of those horrible pedestrians who can not afford cars are allowed. I am sure these bus companies hire drivers from the same agency that supplies drivers for the airports, all love driving at a break neck speed, enjoy throwing you around the bus and breaking hard plus they all have a face like a smacked cows rump. The city Centre is cobbled and hilly quite a pleasant place but full of up market shops, restaurants, coffee shops etc so quite upper crust but at the same time there were several tramps sitting around the place. I particularly enjoyed the street artists one was playing a saw have not seen that for 30 years, coffee was good but expensive. The City Centre was a wash with foreign languages and maybe 25 years ago one would have thought that unusual and exciting but today your thoughts go to what has happened to the English, why does everyone serving have an Easter European accent and I saw a multitude of women is strict Moslem garb, I find this worrying. One thing is for sure Caravanning is very much an English tradition you do get the odd Dutch, German, Belgium and French but 99% of the time all you hear is English thank god.
Sunday we rejoined the National Trust and had a walk round the grounds of Hatchlands Park thoroughly enjoyable, done the bluebell route brilliant display but can see them in our own chestnuts woods. Always on these walks you will get some one who will latch on to you, this time it was a couple with greyhound same age as us were real National Trust Campaigners and told us all about the different places to go plus told us all about their ailments, mind you I can bore for Britain when it comes to talk about my Knee and hip replacement and now I have a should injury plus nerves in my elbow are trapped and my hands are beginning to waste away, so who am I to talk. On the way back to the Camp site tried to find a pub we travelled for miles without any joy when we did find one it was full of vintage sports cars and we could not park.
The weekend finish by having a nice steak meal, a few gins and watching Lewis on the Box , can not wait for next weekend Easter we will be at one of my favourite places Romney Marsh
Wednesday, April 20, 2011
Friday, April 15, 2011
The Enemy within "Obama"
LONDON DAILY TELEGRAPH - very embarrassing!
The American people can now more readily "understand" why the Obama's were omitted from the guest list to the Royal wedding in April! This is a very sobering article. Our handling of relationships with the Britons over the oil spill didn't help either.
From The London Daily Telegraph Editor On Foreign Relations
Quote:
"Let me be clear: I'm not normally in favor of boycotts, and I love the American people. I holiday in their country regularly, and hate the tedious snobby sneers against the United States . But the American people chose to elect an idiot who seems hell bent on insulting their allies, and something must be done to stop Obama's reckless foreign policy, before he does the dirty on his allies on every issue."
One of the most poorly kept secrets in Washington is President Obama's animosity toward Great Britain , presumably because of what he regards as its sins while ruling Kenya (1895-1963).
One of Barack Hussein Obama's first acts as president was to return to Britain a bust of Winston Churchill that had graced the Oval Office since 9/11. He followed this up by denying Prime Minister Gordon Brown, on his first state visit, the usual joint press conference with flags.
The president was "too tired" to grant the leader of America 's closest ally a proper welcome, his aides told British journalists.
Mr. Obama followed this up with cheesy gifts for Mr. Brown and the Queen. Columnist Ian Martin described his behavior as "rudeness personified." There was more rudeness in store for Mr. Brown at the opening session of the United Nations in September. "The prime minister was forced to dash through the kitchens of the UN in New York to secure five minutes of face time with President Obama after five requests for a sit down meeting were rejected by the White House", said London Telegraph columnist David Hughes. Mr. Obama's "churlishness is unforgivable", Mr. Hughes said.
The administration went beyond snubs and slights last week when Secretary of State Hillary Clinton endorsed the demand of Argentine President Cristina Kirchner, a Hugo Chavez ally, for mediation of Argentina 's specious claim to the Falkland Islands , a British dependency since 1833. The people who live in the Falklands, who speak English, want nothing to do with Argentina . When, in 1982, an earlier Argentine dictatorship tried to seize the Falklands by force, the British -- with strong support from President Ronald Reagan -- expelled them.
"It is truly shocking that Barack Obama has decided to disregard our shared history," wrote Telegraph columnist Toby Young. "Does Britain 's friendship really mean so little to him?" One could ask, does the friendship of anyone in the entire world mean anything to him?
"I recently asked several senior administration officials, separately, to name a foreign leader with whom Barack Obama has forged a strong personal relationship during his first year in office," wrote Jackson Diehl, deputy editorial page editor of the Washington Post, on Monday. "A lot of hemming and hawing ensued." One official named French President Nicolas Sarkozy, but his contempt for Mr. Obama is an open secret. Another named German Chancellor Angela Merkel. But, said Mr. Diehl, "Merkel too has been conspicuously cool toward Obama."
Mr. Obama certainly doesn't care about the Poles and Czechs, whom he has betrayed on missile defense. Honduras and Israel also can attest that he's been an unreliable ally and an unfaithful friend. Ironically, our relations with both Israel and the Palestinian Authority have never been worse. Russia has offered nothing in exchange for Mr. Obama's abandonment of missile defense. Russia and China won't support serious sanctions on Iran . Syria 's support for terrorism has not diminished despite efforts to normalize diplomatic relations. The reclusive military dictatorship that runs Burma has responded to our efforts at "engagement" by deepening its ties to North Korea ..
And the Chinese make little effort to disguise their contempt for him.
For the first time in a long time, the President of the United States is actually distrusted by its allies and not in the least feared by its adversaries. Nor is Mr. Obama now respected by the majority of Americans. Understandably focused on the dismal economy and Mr. Obama's relentless efforts to nationalize and socialize health care, Americans apparently have yet to notice his dismal performance and lack of respect in the world community. They soon will.
-- London Daily Telegraph editor -- Alex Singleton
The American people can now more readily "understand" why the Obama's were omitted from the guest list to the Royal wedding in April! This is a very sobering article. Our handling of relationships with the Britons over the oil spill didn't help either.
From The London Daily Telegraph Editor On Foreign Relations
Quote:
"Let me be clear: I'm not normally in favor of boycotts, and I love the American people. I holiday in their country regularly, and hate the tedious snobby sneers against the United States . But the American people chose to elect an idiot who seems hell bent on insulting their allies, and something must be done to stop Obama's reckless foreign policy, before he does the dirty on his allies on every issue."
One of the most poorly kept secrets in Washington is President Obama's animosity toward Great Britain , presumably because of what he regards as its sins while ruling Kenya (1895-1963).
One of Barack Hussein Obama's first acts as president was to return to Britain a bust of Winston Churchill that had graced the Oval Office since 9/11. He followed this up by denying Prime Minister Gordon Brown, on his first state visit, the usual joint press conference with flags.
The president was "too tired" to grant the leader of America 's closest ally a proper welcome, his aides told British journalists.
Mr. Obama followed this up with cheesy gifts for Mr. Brown and the Queen. Columnist Ian Martin described his behavior as "rudeness personified." There was more rudeness in store for Mr. Brown at the opening session of the United Nations in September. "The prime minister was forced to dash through the kitchens of the UN in New York to secure five minutes of face time with President Obama after five requests for a sit down meeting were rejected by the White House", said London Telegraph columnist David Hughes. Mr. Obama's "churlishness is unforgivable", Mr. Hughes said.
The administration went beyond snubs and slights last week when Secretary of State Hillary Clinton endorsed the demand of Argentine President Cristina Kirchner, a Hugo Chavez ally, for mediation of Argentina 's specious claim to the Falkland Islands , a British dependency since 1833. The people who live in the Falklands, who speak English, want nothing to do with Argentina . When, in 1982, an earlier Argentine dictatorship tried to seize the Falklands by force, the British -- with strong support from President Ronald Reagan -- expelled them.
"It is truly shocking that Barack Obama has decided to disregard our shared history," wrote Telegraph columnist Toby Young. "Does Britain 's friendship really mean so little to him?" One could ask, does the friendship of anyone in the entire world mean anything to him?
"I recently asked several senior administration officials, separately, to name a foreign leader with whom Barack Obama has forged a strong personal relationship during his first year in office," wrote Jackson Diehl, deputy editorial page editor of the Washington Post, on Monday. "A lot of hemming and hawing ensued." One official named French President Nicolas Sarkozy, but his contempt for Mr. Obama is an open secret. Another named German Chancellor Angela Merkel. But, said Mr. Diehl, "Merkel too has been conspicuously cool toward Obama."
Mr. Obama certainly doesn't care about the Poles and Czechs, whom he has betrayed on missile defense. Honduras and Israel also can attest that he's been an unreliable ally and an unfaithful friend. Ironically, our relations with both Israel and the Palestinian Authority have never been worse. Russia has offered nothing in exchange for Mr. Obama's abandonment of missile defense. Russia and China won't support serious sanctions on Iran . Syria 's support for terrorism has not diminished despite efforts to normalize diplomatic relations. The reclusive military dictatorship that runs Burma has responded to our efforts at "engagement" by deepening its ties to North Korea ..
And the Chinese make little effort to disguise their contempt for him.
For the first time in a long time, the President of the United States is actually distrusted by its allies and not in the least feared by its adversaries. Nor is Mr. Obama now respected by the majority of Americans. Understandably focused on the dismal economy and Mr. Obama's relentless efforts to nationalize and socialize health care, Americans apparently have yet to notice his dismal performance and lack of respect in the world community. They soon will.
-- London Daily Telegraph editor -- Alex Singleton
Wednesday, April 13, 2011
Saloufest shows worst of British as students wreak havoc | Mail Online
This is the same students who are complaining about payingtuition fees and rioting about cuts in education. Charge them even more so they can not aford to behave in such a way
Saloufest shows worst of British as students wreak havoc Mail Online
Saloufest shows worst of British as students wreak havoc Mail Online
Tuesday, April 12, 2011
To Editor on AV
Dear Editor
I am far from happy about our electoral system but the proposed Alternative Vote system is a nonsense , this is a system where you can get everyone last choice voted in a daft system. I think we have two choices Keep the first past the system where the where there is ONE MAN ONE VOTE but make it compulsory to vote with a “not one of the above” the reason we have a low voting turnout is because most people are too lazy to get to the polling station. Another way is Half of the MP’s would be voted in on first past the post with the constituencies being doubled in size and the candidate not allowed to show the name of the party on any electoral material, this would stop the major parties bringing in Party Stooges the candidate would have to work hard to get his name about. This will keep the link between the MP and the electorate and the other half on how you vote for the relevant political party i.e. if One party gets 50% of the vote they 50% of the MP’s and so on
Martin Clarke
Sittingbourne
I am far from happy about our electoral system but the proposed Alternative Vote system is a nonsense , this is a system where you can get everyone last choice voted in a daft system. I think we have two choices Keep the first past the system where the where there is ONE MAN ONE VOTE but make it compulsory to vote with a “not one of the above” the reason we have a low voting turnout is because most people are too lazy to get to the polling station. Another way is Half of the MP’s would be voted in on first past the post with the constituencies being doubled in size and the candidate not allowed to show the name of the party on any electoral material, this would stop the major parties bringing in Party Stooges the candidate would have to work hard to get his name about. This will keep the link between the MP and the electorate and the other half on how you vote for the relevant political party i.e. if One party gets 50% of the vote they 50% of the MP’s and so on
Martin Clarke
Sittingbourne
Monday, April 11, 2011
Death by dangerous cycling: New offence to crackdown on bikers | Mail Online
Death by dangerous cycling: New offence to crackdown on bikers Mail Online And about time to Now lets get Push Bikes of the Pavements
Sunday, April 10, 2011
Climate Change just a way to tax us
I got this of the DN nicely put
Ok, the climate 'changes' - so far it's changed 0.8 deg C (+/- 0.18 deg) in the last 100 years. It has always 'changed', it will continue to 'change' - that's how the world works. But there is STILL no direct evidence that man is the cause. Supposition, rumour, concensus, scaremongering etc but NO VERIFIABLE EVIDENCE. By allocating stories such as this a 'climate change' heading you not only mislead, you garner criticism of your biased reporting techniques.
- Dave, Oban, 09/4/2011 22:43
Ok, the climate 'changes' - so far it's changed 0.8 deg C (+/- 0.18 deg) in the last 100 years. It has always 'changed', it will continue to 'change' - that's how the world works. But there is STILL no direct evidence that man is the cause. Supposition, rumour, concensus, scaremongering etc but NO VERIFIABLE EVIDENCE. By allocating stories such as this a 'climate change' heading you not only mislead, you garner criticism of your biased reporting techniques.
- Dave, Oban, 09/4/2011 22:43
Saturday, April 09, 2011
Political correctness is crippling my police force: Gay Pride badges in, army medals out | Mail Online
Good humoured: But police officers spend more time in diversity training than they do learning to use batons and tasers GB Villian paradise and Poofs heaven Political correctness is crippling my police force: Gay Pride badges in, army medals out Mail Online
Friday, April 08, 2011
Ely school gives 717 children detention in 4 days after rules crackdown | Mail Online
Ely school gives 717 children detention in 4 days after rules crackdown Mail Online
Scotland said that Kids as young as 14 should be able to leave school as long as they were moved into an apprenticeship. I think this a great idea but feel 15 would be a more appropriate age. Keeping kids on till they are 18 is ridiculous, 16,17 and 18 they are Young Adults and to keep those at school who do not want to be there is a recipes for disaster. I know many youngsters who would be better being at work at 15, I am 61 and my generation all left school at 15 we soon grew up when we got into the work place. The money spent keeping kids at school would be better spent paying firms to take on apprentices or some other for of training, why not start training some to work on farms the farmers are always complaining they do not have the skilled worked force that’s why they employ foreign labour or even go back to the old YTS scheme. All successive governments have made to much on going to University anyone not going they consider a failure, they want have a system where all the British are the managers, doctors, professinals etc and the rest of the work can be done by cheap foreign labour leaving the rest on the scrap heap. The British Government no matter what party should be governing and responsible for all the people not just a proportion
Posted by Martin Clarke at 7:35 AM
0 comments:
Scotland said that Kids as young as 14 should be able to leave school as long as they were moved into an apprenticeship. I think this a great idea but feel 15 would be a more appropriate age. Keeping kids on till they are 18 is ridiculous, 16,17 and 18 they are Young Adults and to keep those at school who do not want to be there is a recipes for disaster. I know many youngsters who would be better being at work at 15, I am 61 and my generation all left school at 15 we soon grew up when we got into the work place. The money spent keeping kids at school would be better spent paying firms to take on apprentices or some other for of training, why not start training some to work on farms the farmers are always complaining they do not have the skilled worked force that’s why they employ foreign labour or even go back to the old YTS scheme. All successive governments have made to much on going to University anyone not going they consider a failure, they want have a system where all the British are the managers, doctors, professinals etc and the rest of the work can be done by cheap foreign labour leaving the rest on the scrap heap. The British Government no matter what party should be governing and responsible for all the people not just a proportion
Posted by Martin Clarke at 7:35 AM
0 comments:
Thursday, April 07, 2011
I am back on Caravan Trail
So 3 hours late we are off down the M20 with them big juggernauts pulling you over as they overtake doing a steady 50 mile an hour, yes you would have enjoyed following me. On arrival at Little Satmar we were one of only 3 caravans and now came the set up, surprisingly both the wife and I have set jobs and this went quite smoothly. Once inside the Caravan Valerie is the Boss and I do as I am told, I have no idea how the cooker, fridge, freezer and micro wave work as for making beds and using a dustpan and brush is beyond me so I think the best thing for me do is just sort the TV out and wait till she has made me a cup of tea.
Now it is time to relax and yes that is exactly what we do, we both read, I write on my laptop, Valerie does her word search and we listen to Radio 4 till about noon and then we go out, oh I forgot Valerie makes the breakfast and washes up, I do dry the spoons.
Folkestone does not have a very good reputation, derelict buildings, Illegal immigrants and of course CHAVS. The latter especially the fat over weight female chavs seems to meet around the beach section of the harbour. They are easily spotted about twice the weight they should be, clothes to small for them, lot of wobbly fat on show, mobile to the ear, smoking and eating a burger. This amazing feat is splattered with swear words and pieces of food flying out of the mouth. Sitting round this beach area is quite interesting if you are in to people watching, the Chavs catch your eye straight away but there so many others, joggers, young families, older couples, people on mobility scooter and the amount of people with dogs unbelievable. Before you get to the Beach you pass all the sea food stands and the seafood in Folkestone is the best you will get any where local whelks and the home made chowder is to die for and if you like a drink there several Pubs although some of them do have that rather special breed using them,the PARENTS of CHAVS. Mind you may walk for a while without hearing the English language most are tourists thank god the illegal seem to congregate around the town.
The part which will remind you of the glory days of the town is THE LEAS this is a lovely area with clean beaches a beautiful little park which has an adventure playground for the kids and right at the end a nice little café with some good food and coffee, mind you my cup still had some lip stick on it but overall I like Folkestone and the surrounding country side and you have the Romney Marsh just ½ hour away a place where I spent most of my summers at, all in all a good weekend.
Little Satmar is a caravanning and camping club site and has all the amenities which are clean and tidy but I wish these places would not have push button showers which last for about 10 seconds, which shall return especially as Colin Carrott has a couple Judo and Sambo events near by.
Wednesday, April 06, 2011
Non PC Joke from Australia
A refuse collector in Cairns , Australia , is driving along a street
picking up the wheelie bins and emptying them into his compactor.
He goes to one house where the bin hasn't been left out, and in the
spirit of kindness, and after having a quick look about for the bin, he
gets out of his truck goes to the front door and knocks.
There's no answer.
Being a kindly and conscientious bloke, he knocks again - much harder.
Eventually a Chinese man comes to the door. "Harro prease!" says the
Chinese man.
"Gidday, mate! Where's ya bin?" asks the collector.
"I bin on toiret," explains the Chinese bloke, a bit perplexed.
Realising the fellow had misunderstood him, the bin man smiles and tries
again. "No ! No ! Mate, Where's your dust bin?"
"I dust been to toiret, I toll you!'' says the Chinese man, still
perplexed.
"Listen," says the collector. "You're misunderstanding me. Where's your
'wheelie' bin?'"
"OK, OK." replies the Chinese man with a sheepish grin and whispers in
the collector's ear. "I wheelie bin having sex wiffa wife's sista!"
picking up the wheelie bins and emptying them into his compactor.
He goes to one house where the bin hasn't been left out, and in the
spirit of kindness, and after having a quick look about for the bin, he
gets out of his truck goes to the front door and knocks.
There's no answer.
Being a kindly and conscientious bloke, he knocks again - much harder.
Eventually a Chinese man comes to the door. "Harro prease!" says the
Chinese man.
"Gidday, mate! Where's ya bin?" asks the collector.
"I bin on toiret," explains the Chinese bloke, a bit perplexed.
Realising the fellow had misunderstood him, the bin man smiles and tries
again. "No ! No ! Mate, Where's your dust bin?"
"I dust been to toiret, I toll you!'' says the Chinese man, still
perplexed.
"Listen," says the collector. "You're misunderstanding me. Where's your
'wheelie' bin?'"
"OK, OK." replies the Chinese man with a sheepish grin and whispers in
the collector's ear. "I wheelie bin having sex wiffa wife's sista!"
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