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And or A

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Thing one we didn't have that we should have had: A European domestic plug to outdoor camping plug adapter. Thankfully the camp site loaned us one, and wanted just €10 as a deposit (for which we got a beautifully laminated fake €10 note as receipt). We figured out this probably wouldn't be the last place we needed one of these so did some Googling for a nearby shop that would sell us one. There weren't any. So in the early hours, under the cover of dawn, we made off with theirs... and their fake €10 note. If you're reading this Angosto: sorry 😞 So with our ill-gotten goods we headed for the border, to Andorra, hoorah. Stopped for lunch at Huesca, but actually couldn't stop for lunch in the city as there was no where to park the wagon, so instead we drove around it for a bit looking at its walls, and then got a Maccis instead. Stopped to take a selfie next to a waterway to send to Mother's picture frame, then headed up hill. Got confused at the border, tried to ...

Foxy business

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First day of figuring out MTB routes not in England. Plotted one that seemed not to smash through anyone's garden and set off. Glorious day, sun out but not crazy hot. Set off through a little village, then hit the first trail up the hill. Groundworks dude in an excavator half way up laying pipes stopped what he was doing and let us past. Saw virtually no one (perfect), rode through the woods for a bit, and found the trail. Easy but fun gradual descent. Steep enough to maintain speed without trying, but that meant it lasted for ages. Saw a cheeky fox darting about infront of us. Got back to the campsite and had a burger from the restaurant for tea. Tickets for Crankworx in Austria went on sale so nabbed two of those bad boys!

Sabat 23 Begins

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After a farewell lunch in Plymouth yesterday we got on the overnight boat and crossed the Bay of Biscay. Treated to some delightful on board entertainment 😬, and a truckers breakfast, we landed in Spain on Monday morning. Passport control consisted of a dude asking if it was a camper van then waving us through. Few hours on some twisty roads, and then a few hours across some barren land that felt like we'd get ambushed some dodgy types any minute, we arrived at stop one: Camping Angosto. Filled up the water tank at the wrong place - at least we think that's what the Spanish dude was trying to tell us :/ It begins!

Bowbrook Campsite - Worcestershire

Nice campsite not too far from Pershore. Code activated electric gate, and a warden living on site who was happy to talk about the local area. Toilets / showers were pristine, but there was no segragation between pitches. Had picnic benches scattered around, and a fairly big lake to walk around. Nice place, but also home to big safari tents they rent our - which happened to be occupied by a rowdy hen-do whilst we were there.

Bryn Du Campsite - Breacon

Relatively new camp site, so all the facilities were as-new in a purpose built wooden building at the centre of the site. Super clean, low sinks for kids, plenty of washing up space. Tiny shop, hardstanding pitches. Only downside being that the entrance is on an A road, so getting from the camp site to anywhere else means walking or riding with shit doing 70. Awesome site though, even had a falcon turn up one morning (strapped to a dude of course, not just flapping his way in).

Hawthorne Cottage Campsite - Coleford

Small site run by Ranger Bev. Only a handful of pitches on a quiet site on the edge of the Forest of Dean. No shop, only a couple of toilets and a shower - but for the size of the place, that's plenty.

Corfe Castle Camping - Dorset

Great campsite a short stroll from Corfe Castle. Super friendly owners, pitches separated by hedges, small shop selling the necessities. Showers are a bit old and tired, but they do the job.

Willow Springs Campsite - Port Talbot

Interesting place. Pitches are pretty secluded, and the area is lovely: half way up the hill connected directly to the MTB trails near Afan. Run by a very chill dude with a big fur coat. Water is from a spring, but because of that, very hard to fill the van's tank with. Toilets and showers are just about acceptable. Could definitely do with some TLC, but it doesn't feel like that is this place's vibe. Loads of midges - but they advertise that on the website so can't complain.

Longriver Farm Campsite - Wiltshire

VERY sloppy field attached to an equestrian centre. Were advised by the owner we could hook up the electric to "the big blue box" - which it turned out was some commercial grade thing, and definitely not intended for campers. There was no hot water for washing up, but the shower block was pretty clean. Massively overpriced for what it is.

Ashen Plains - Gloucestershire

Open field off a quiet country lane. Only one washing up sink, and the shower block felt pretty tired. No other facilities. Close to nature though - and cheap.

Menehay Campsite - Cornwall

Had only one washing up sink which was not enough for the size of the campsite. Quiet enough, fairly small. Nothing to write home about.

Ninham Campsite - Isle of Wight

Family friendly site with lots of pitches, but a good size. Had a pool, small shop, and big sanitary/washup block. Was incredibly windy whilst we were there, and there were monster doodlebugs! Would definitely stay again, was directly attached to trails for getting around the island... and was only 5 minutes from a supermarket.

Kingsettle Campsite - Somerset

Very peaceful small site run by a lovely lady. Pitches defined by mown areas, with the rest left to grow longer. Composting toilet (which was clean), and 'rustic' showers (that were hot!). Back to basics, but perfect as an escape. No facilities other than washing up.

Long Meadow Campsite - New Forest

Open pitches with little privacy. Were escorted to the pitch and given very strict instructions about speed on the site. Food truck that did pizza and breakfasts on the weekends. Had laundry facilities, but no shop.