Tanglewood Park, Silloth, Cumbria - 1st - 2nd July 2005

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The camper came out for the first time when we took it to Silloth. It was just John and me, oh and the dog. Since buying the Dandy we had made new curtains, carried out rust treatment and paint jobs, and repaired some beading round the pelmets.

I chose Tangelwood Park in Silloth because the ancient cherry tree on the brochure appealed to me and I though it would be good to paint; unfortunately when we arrived at the site the cherry tree, along with several other old trees, had not survived the previous gales. Anyway, the site was pleasant, the toilets clean, and the owners friendly. The camper took about forty minutes to set up before we were able to put the kettle on. Teddy settled in quickly; we covered one of the seats with an old blanket so that we could keep the cushions clean.

Later we drove into Silloth centre. I had been saving two pence coins for the coin cascade machines so we spent some time in the arcade. It was the day of the Live8 concerts but I didn't think I'd get much T.V. viewing done however that night the weather took a turn for the worse. The wind had been brewing up a head of steam all day; by the time we went to bed the camper was rocking from side to side. Never the less I thought I should still get some sleep. While I was lying in bed trying, unsuccessfully to read I remembered the trees I had seen on the site, felled by the last gale, and my mind turned to the fifty footer we were camped beneath. That was it for peace of mind. If all those other old trees had fallen, then why not this one, especially as it might have been weakened by the last gale. By now the wind was howling and whistling  round the camper. The whole thing shook so much that despite John's snoring there was no way I was going to get any shut eye. I got out of bed and put the T.V. on. Live8 was still going and the really good bands were in full swing. - or should that be rock. It was quite cold but that might have been me just being scared - anyway I sat watching the bands until they went off, then anything at all until about five in the morning when the wind started to ease and I got into bed.

Here endeth the first day.

    Note the tree

Saturday. 

Went to Abbeytown and spent the afternoon working on designs for a mural. Teddy is enjoying the long walks and all the attention, not having to share it with Nipper. A lovely relaxing day.

Sunday

We had the cool box plugged into the car all night and got up to a flat battery. Bump start did not work so we scrounged a jump start from out neighbours. Immediately the jump leads were connected, the alarm went off and refused to stop. John drove the car around Silloth to get some charge into the battery, but still the alarm was still going off when he returned. Finally worked it out, without any charge, the alarm didn't know that the car had been unlocked at the drivers door (which switches off the alarm) and we needed to lock and unlock the door with the electrics working. Peace at last.

Finally with the car sorted we went off to explore Silloth and area with the dog. We saw a heron and vowed to come back on foot with the intention of getting some photographs. We visited the car boot where we found a fridge, ideal for the camper for eight pounds - a real bargain. It was a big learning curve discovering what we needed in the camper to make life easier, like an orange juicer and a fan heater. Couldn't wait to get out in it again.

Teddy kept getting his head in the picture.

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