After our first outing only a week ago, we were soon getting Lotti ready for our next voyage. This time, we were heading to a little quite private site in Southall, Nottinghamshire for a couple of nights, to meet up with some friends, at New Hall Farm and from there over to CAMC site, Chatsworth for 3 nights to meet long time friends who were coming up for a weeks stay from Cornwall in their caravan.
This was our fist venture out of county lines! About an hour or so to the Farm. On arrival, we were greeted by a friendly welcome and some pointers about the site and facilities. We were then given a choice of pitches we could set up on. At this point, our friends had yet to arrive, so now I was unsure which pitch to take because our friends who have had a motorhome for 10yrs, had helped us no end in our search for our own motorhome and always offered great advice, tips and pointer to look out for or consider PLUS, I didn’t want to take what may have been seen as the ‘best’ pitch and leave them with one not so good. So, pitch decided (we left the best one for them) we backed Lotti into place, set down the levellers and got set up and a beer in hand in no time.
Had we learnt anything from our initial trip? Absolutely! Notably, we wanted an outdoor mat and some storm straps for the canopy. Now, whilst each pitch had lovely grass adjacent to its pitch we didn’t really need a mat but, since we’d bought it that week after Carsington was a bit rough under foot (no complaints just an observation) we wanted to try it out as you can see in the picture. Storm straps were simply because they make sense. And a step. Every vehicle seems to need a step! Oh, and also bought a couple of ground spike solar lights but we think we need to do better there!
I also figured out I didn’t like the canopy crank handle (left on the ground in the picture) as it was badly designed with a view to storage. I’ll have to address that in due course!
Soon our friends rolled into camp with their Swift Motorhome. She’s a beauty! after a quick and somewhat excitable greeting, the stared to pitch up on the next spot to us. As we looked on (we have learnt that most folk don’t want or need a hand, preferring to do everything themselves after years of practice) with cold beer in hand it was like watching a well oiled machine swing into action and boom, before we could say “fancy a beer” they were level, water tank filled and BBQ ready to go! Very impressive.
The first evening chatting away in the September warmth outside and under the canopy of Lotti, was just the best way to spend an evening. Laughing, joking, inspecting vehicles and exchanging useful ideas (although our friends did most of the exchanging) and drink a few cold ones. Was this what all the fuss I read about? Because if it was, I wanted more of it!
The next morning there wa. coffee and cake morning on the site. Who am I to refuse?!! After early morning treat, we packed up backpacks and headed off for a walk on a route which took us through fields, villages (with a pub stop of course) and areas of local interest all within a 3.5mile radius of the site. and all well know to our travel guide, Paul. Weather was perfect, and after stopping to eat packed nibbles I thought life couldn’t get much better.
Sadly, were only booked here for just 2 nights but our first impressions were a very clean, well kept site with friendly hosts. Showers and toilets were very clean with plenty of hot water and the pitches was close to water taps and 16amp hook ups. Would definitely return BUT we are already thinking that the whole motor-homing gig is about travel and finding new places to stay and visit so not sure when we’ll come back. Soon we we dropping camp and setting off an hour up the road to meet our droned who were already in Chatsworth site.
For saying this was only our second time packing Lotti away, we already felt like we were getting in to a rhythm. This got here, that goes there, pack this, empty that. Another note: A Checklist is without doubt, the best way to go. Just when you think you’ve packed and secured everything, a glance at the list tell you the TV arial is still up!
After the goodbyes (our frowned were staying on for another night or two) we set off feeling content that life was just starting a whole new chapter for us. A steady drive across the Midlands region for an hour saw us pulling into Chatsworth Caravan & Motorhome site. That’s a tight and quite long single track road for a big MH from the main road through to get to the reception but we made it without a scrape!
As were turned in to the main area of the site, our second couple of friends were waving away to get our attention. Luck would have it, the pitch next to them had been vacated not 10 minutes before we arrived. Perfect. After nosing Lotti onto the pitch front first so we could have ‘hab’ doors looking onto each other, a few hello hugs and fussing of Meg their lovely little dog who sadly is very much on her last legs, we set to work setting up again. Note to self: Carry a suitable hammer for putting pegs into (very) hard standing ground.
Within the half hour, we were sat in chairs enjoying afternoon sun, drink in hand and chatting. Them about their week so far (seems funny coming from Cornwall to Derbyshire for a holiday) and us about the previous couple of days in Lotti. Chatsworth for this who have never been, is well worth a visit. Staying on this site gets you a key to the ‘Secret Gate’ that leads you straight into the Chatsworth House Gardens where you can stroll the beautiful grounds, visit the shops and of course enter the house itself Louth this does cost a fee. We didn’t go in the house but did spend a good few hours roaming the gardens, eating ice-creams and just enjoying the surroundings.
As you’d expect with a CAMC site, the facilities were impeccable and the staff ever helpful as ever which seems to be the case at every stop so far. Long may that continue. But before we knew it, we’re packing away again to return home. After all, these early trips are more about discovery than venturing too far and wide. We’re still very much on the steep learn curve but loving it.
Our journey with Lotti was off to an unforgettable start, setting the tone for more incredible adventures to come. We hop you stay with us as we discover new places and explore new horizons, near and far with our beloved new motorhome.
Next up… A few little upgrades to Lotti are on he cards.