Jolly’s got a brand new SatNav. The old TomTom recently gave up the ghost so we’ve opted for the Aguri Motorhome & Caravan RV720 deluxe edition which comes with a dash cam and free updates for life.
Seems to be just the ticket but we’ve yet to use it, that’ll be next week so watch this space ….
ONWARD!>>>>
Suzie & Bri
Blimey, Jolly’s raring to go!
House/cat-sitter sorted meaning we can get away on a rare 8-day Jolly adventure. Can’t blinkin’ wait!
ONWARD!>>>>
Suzie & Bri
The Old Post Office Campsite at Santon Bridge, Holmrook in the Lake District was the destination for our most recent Jolly adventure. It’s a privately run riverside site comprising both hard standing and grass pitches with the usual facilities. We used our onboard facilities though. Some of the pitches overlook the River Irt and we were lucky enough to be allocated one of these, a hard standing with EHU.
Couldn’t fault the location – riverside, countryside and just a short stroll over the bridge to the Bridge Inn pub which serves great food. We ate here on both nights.
Many people visit this area to climb Scaffell Pike and enjoy the various other walks the area has to offer. The scenery is truly spectacular in this less touristy western lakes area.
On the Saturday we jumped on our bikes to cycle the undulating country road that runs alongside the shores of Wastwater towards Wasdale Head. This area has a number of claims to fame as the home of England’s highest mountain (Scafell Pike), deepest lake (Wastwater), smallest church (St Olaf’s) and the biggest liar 🤥.
This was the route we took. If you look closely you can see I’ve placed faint red bike symbols along the yellow route. Sorry if it isn’t particularly good you’ll just have to look a bit harder 😛😂
Map of our cycle route
The weather during our stay was fabulously hot and sunny 😎, in fact possibly the best weather we’ve experienced in the Lakes. We had an active day, but made plenty of time to stop and take in the beauty of the area. At one point we were sitting on a steep, rocky mound overlooking the lake when we both caught a glimpse out of the corner of our eyes of a cycle helmet rolling and bouncing down the banking … then into the lake *splash* 💦😳. Bri enjoyed the feeling of the wind flowing through his locks for the rest of the day.
As you can imagine in such stunning surroundings, there were a lot of photographs to be taken so I’ll stick ‘em in a slide show:-
We had a well earned pit stop sitting out at the Wasdale Head Inn before our return journey by the same route, with a slight detour into Nether Wasdale.
Wow, what a weekend made all the more perfect by the weather. We couldn’t have hoped to see Wasdale in better conditions. After our little detour on the way home we cycled back to The Bridge Inn next door to camp for some tea before returning to site to relax.
The next morning was more overcast though still warm as we packed up for home, taking an unintentional route over some fell or other, we know not which (Birker Fell?). Anyhow, we were pleased to descend back down into Broughton-in-Furness to pick up the ‘A’ roads again.
Yet more great memories made. Our next adventure will be our annual Jolly June Jaunt. Bring it on!
ONWARD!>>>>
Suzie & Bri
Last week, we managed to link a 2-night Wedding Anniversary Spa break at the fabulous Coniston Hotel & Spa, near Skipton, North Yorkshire, with another Jolly adventure.
We had pre-booked an evening meal in the Huntsman’s Lodge restaurant at the hotel on the evening of our arrival followed by a full spa day the next day. It was fab, a really lovely couple of days, but instead of staying at the hotel we made use of a Camping & Caravanning Club CS Site just a 10-15 minute walk away. Heaps cheaper, but also our preferred option is ALWAYS to stay in our Jolly.
The site was Pot Haw Farm at Coniston Cold. It’s an adult-only site based on a working farm, beside Craven Country Ride, an off road horse riding venue. We have to say it was a real gem of a find. For the first day/night we were the only unit on site and enjoyed total peaceful countryside relaxation.
Wide open views and good sized pitches, the facilities here are very impressive, pristine, and even include an AGA cooker in a communal kitchen/dining area. The lady owner (Jacqui) greeted us on arrival and took us on a tour of the facilities immediately. She takes great pride in the site which is lovingly kept. The warm, sunny weather showed the whole area at its best during our stay. Here are some photos taken during our stay:-
By our second night there was a group booking of 3 more units pitched up and by the time we left the following morning the site had reached it permitted maximum of 5. It seems to be a place people return to. We can see why and will definitely return ourselves and venture out on our bikes, although not along the main A road that runs below the site. The owner warned that it’s one to avoid as it’s very fast and not cycle friendly, or walker friendly as there is no footpath. In fact the walk we did from our pitch to the hotel was one the owner recommended to us as a safe route through the farm fields. Be sure to ask for those directions if visiting the hotel. There are other walks from site too and apparently a bus stop a short distance away.
So, for us, this was just a cheeky last minute accommodation booking for our anniversary celebrations, but it turned out to be quite a find.
We didn’t take any photos at the hotel as we had a phone/camera free relaxation break, but we can recommend it for a pamper day and/or delicious dining.
A big fat 10/10 for this trip. Excellento! 👍
… until next time 👋
ONWARD!>>>> 🚐
Suzie & Bri
THE JOLLY MAJESTIC 