Carsington Water with Iona

Carsington Water, Hognaston:- Trip:10

June 19th-28th

🌖🌗🌘🌑

We left home at about 10am and headed towards Derbyshire, I got the sat nav to give us an alternative route via Nottingham, the route took us through Derby city centre which I thought was a mistake but we kept to the inner ring road and it was quite painless.

However from Derby to Ashbourne it was a bit more stressful with a queue forming behind us at one point. It got worse from Ashbourne to Carsington Water as the roads got narrower and twisty, and the Peak District lived up to it's name with some steep hills. We should not have worried the satnav took us to the right place.

The site was in a field over looking Carsington Water, and it gave us great views of the surrounding valley. Once the camp was setup we did not travel anywhere, it was so hot, with all the windows open the internal temperature was 30c. The fridge was struggling to get below 10c so I took the covers off in the hope the the slight breeze would dispel all the hot air around the  pipes. We have parked so the fridge does not get midday sun on the vents, but the ambient heat is the problem.

The bar-b-que came out and I cooked tea which we ate outside in the sunshine.

Day 2:

The weather has changed slightly. There is a wind from the north cooling everyone down. The fridge is down to 4.5c but it is still struggling a little. With the cooler temperature we have decided to go for a walk to see the visitor centre by Carsington Water.

We set off at about 10.30am to the visitor centre but before we quite got there we came across the marked circular route, there were also directions to the wildlife centre so we turned left and set off. The wildlife centre was basically a viewing area and on our visit a small party of school children were getting a talk from one of the Rangers. 

Ducks on a Bird table

We left them to it and for some unknown reason continued on our walk around the reservoir. We took Grace Bear,(from Spinney Motorhomes) and took a pic at the 5km marker for the website. We came to a point where a sign said 5 miles to the visitor centre, so we had walked 3.5 miles already, we decided to go for the full 8.5 mile walk. 

Grace Bear at the 5km marker

The walking was on very good paths that were also used by cycles, so you had to be aware of them approaching from behind.  The first few miles were fairly level but this changed as we rounded the far end of the reservoir. The paths climbed up the valley sides and it seemed there were more ups than downs. We passed the 9km post and diverted down the footpath which lead to an old barn that was full of wooden furniture carved or made from tree trunks. There was a table and chair, two armchairs, a piano, a TV, standard lamp, fireplace even a picture.

3.5 miles into our short walk.

 We continued our journey and came to a visitor centre that was really only spotlessly clean toilets and a tea bar that was not open. This lead to the dam across the valley which felt like a mile long on it's own . 

Eventually we reached the other end and the visitor centre where we sat down and had an ice cream cone each. There are a few shops in the centre but we will come back another day to see them and walk over to the Stones Island. We arrived back at the van just after 3pm. Four and a half hours and nine miles of walking done.

 

The Dam

 The weather has changed again, there is thick cloud, a northerly wind and a mist rolling in. The wind turbines on the hill are now shrouded in mist. Not to be put off, out came the Cadac (bar-b-que) and I cooked lamb steaks in a foil parcels, sausages, mini corn, with a couple of  tapas portions and a salad. We sat outside and ate but we were soon back inside. 

Day 3:

Today is the Longest Day. There was Sunshine this morning , with a cloudy day ahead but hot with a possible thunderstorm this afternoon. The ice cream parlour at the visitor centre is calling already. We are planning to call in later when we go for a walk, but not 8.5 miles today. Well things changed we stayed by the van most of the day making the most of the sun. We met a couple, John and Angela, who had an Imala 620 that they also bought from Spinney Motorhomes and we had a good chat with them. They have got a gas-it system (refillable gas bottles) fitted so I was interested in hearing about how it worked for them.

A day chilling in the heat

We had a rain shower mid afternoon but no thunderstorm as forecast. Another bar-b-que tonight now that it has stopped raining and sunny intervals are back. The evening turned out very calm and warm, the bar-b-que went well with great burgers, chicken and large Bratwurst sausages. 

We sat outside until about 23.30 and it was still warm in T shirt and shorts. The longest day now over for another year.

Day 4:

We woke this morning to patchy sunshine and wind. So we decided that today we would walk to the reservoir visitors centre and have a look at the shops. Our first port of call was Stones Island which is joined to the mainland and it has a sculpture of stones that have viewing holes that face various features around the island.

The Stone Sculpture

 

The Centre Stone

Looking through one of the stones

We had a walk along the shoreline and then made our way to look at the shops and we sat in the plaza and Sue tried another flavour of ice cream, Butterscotch and Pecan. I was tempted to look at the Tilley hats but at £67 they were soon back on the display, again I was tempted by some Regatta jackets and trousers but now I know what the fabric is like I can search eBay for a better price.

We finished the visit with a walk through the main exhibition  explained the reservoir in detail from how many football pitches it covers, 700, to the maximum depth of 31m or 7 double deck buses. There were also interactive pieces for children and adults explaining how Severn Trent Water works to provide eco friendly water treatment and energy. 

We left for Iona as the sky had darkened and the wind had got stronger, by the time we got settled down and put the kettle on it started to rain although it was more like hail but it did not last long. 

The weather did brighten up enough for a final meal outside before we retired back inside in the warm.

Day5:
Heading home today after a good break. We had put the windbreak away last night so it did not take too long to get loaded. We left Carsington at 11.30am and we were home in two hours. Our next outing is to Chipping Norton in the Cotswolds.

Trip 10: Distance 134 miles, 27.1 mpg, av speed 29mph

Iona gets some TLC

We had to have the cooker hob repaired under warranty and Nick, our engineer commented that he thought that a new van should have some rubber matting on the floor of the gas locker.

  

After only 800 miles the metal floor skin was already showing signs of wear, so I put it on my list of things to look at. I looked at my friendly shop, eBay and there are lots of firms selling rubber matting, unfortunately most start at a metre square. Our gas locker is 55cm x 39cm so spending £20 was expensive for the size needed. 

After a good search I found a company that offered 3mm matting in 1/2m lengths x 1.5m wide. It was still more than I wanted but it cost £8.50. I can do the locker twice and have some spare to put between the waste water tank and the holding straps, this will stop the tank from moving because people have found the straps are wearing grooves in the tank.

Iona goes to Bakewell

Bakewell Showground THS - Trip 9

June 5th - 9th.

🌔🌓🌒🌑

We have been to this site before in our first motorhome, 'Matilda', but this is all new to 'Iona' so we will start again. The weather forecast is not brilliant. Today Sue went shopping and I prepared the garden. Sue packed Iona this afternoon and I put some fresh water in the tank to check the systems.

It is a good job I did because I just made sure the system was primed with no air in the pipes. The pump did it's thing and switched off but then proceeded to pulse every seven seconds. After asking questions on the FB group I thought I had better check for leaks, and after removing a shelf I found a drip from the bottom of the water pump. To cut to the chase, I removed the pump, stripped down the diaphragm housing, nothing was loose, cleaned it all up and put it all back. Luckily it has cured the problem, it must have been some grit affecting the seal. So we are all ready for Trip 9.

We set off in sunshine ☀️ but as we went further inland the skies got darker and the heavens opened climbed over the hills before heading down towards Bakewell. It was still raining when we reached the site on the showground and there were a number of large puddles. The rain eased and we filled up the water and found a pitch that was nearly level. We were soon eating lunch and settling down to read as the rain came back. The hills behind us were clear when we arrived but now they are shrouded in mist.

Tonight we had goat cheese in breadcrumbs on a bed of salad leaves with Cherry Bomb Chilli and soft cheese as a starter, followed by battered prawns with ginger, potato wedges, garlic mayonnaise and salad. Motorhoming food is great!

Day 2:

Awoke at 7am to rain and wind buffeting the van, it was cold so we stayed in bed until 9am, the temp inside was 14c so the heating went on to get it back to a more manageable 20c.  Rain is forecast all day again but we have wet weather gear to fight the elements.

We walked into town at about 11am in full wet weather gear, we got to the Agricultural centre by the river and the heavy rain turned to light rain. The bridge over the river Wye has even more padlocks than last year. Despite the rain the river was not in full flood and we could still see huge trout drifting with the current. We walked around town and then followed the river to the recreation park that has a large cricket pavilion.

Along the way we watched three mallard drakes diving for food on the bottom of the  river, it was so clear you  could follow their progress under the water.

The Paddlock Bridge

 On our way back we stopped off at a pasty and pie shop. Two Steak and Stilton pasties were purchased and we found a bench by the river to eat them, even though it was still raining. We made our way back to Iona and while still in wet weather gear, I went on Elsan duty and Sue took care of the rubbish.

The wind is still strong and the van got down to 17c so the heating went on then off, then a warning sign appeared on the control panel. The gas was nearly out, so back on with the waterproofs to changeover the gas bottle. That one lasted 8 days mainly wild camping. 

Tea tonight was an inside bar-b-que with belly pork,chicken, potato wedges and salad. The wind is still rocking the van and the batteries are down a bit without the sun but we should be ok.

Day 3:

The wind is still shaking the van and at 9am there is little sign of the forecast sunny intervals. The wind is meant to drop by 10am and the sun should come out. 

Today we walked away from Bakewell town along the river Wye until we came to a crossroads of paths, we headed for the Monsal trail that is the old railway track of the Midland railway. The line closed in 1968 and it has been made into a cycle/walking trail.

We climbed up a steep embankment onto the old track bed and found a viewing point where we could see Iona on the showground.

Following the trail was quite hard because of the incline up into Bakewell. We were dressed for wind and rain but in the shelter of the embankments it became warm enough to lose a layer of clothing. Eventually we came to the old Bakewell station where there were twin tracks to enable trains to pass. The buildings are in use as a business although the canopy over the track has long gone.

The Old Bakewell Station. The Platform edge can be seen as slabs.

The Station Front now a business premise

From the station we walked down into town and headed back to the campsite for lunch. The afternoon was spent reading and then at 6pm we walked into town to get fish and chips which we ate sitting on a bench by the river, then we took a slow walked back home. There was no wind for a change and the sun was still warm. Tonight and tomorrow will see the return of the rain but the winds will not be as strong, we may see some sun.

A Lagonda in the Showground car park

Day 4:

The bad weather returns, heavy rain banging on the roof at 6.30am and now thick cloud and light rain. Today I am told it will be retail therapy but I shall not get too involved.

Sue walked into town to do some shopping and I stayed in the van and then went for a short walk along the river wye.

There was not a lot we could do today because of the weather. Tea tonight was Cheeses and cold meats.

Day 5:
Typically the sun was out and the weather was looking good as we prepared to travel home. I was joined by some ducks and I gave in and fed them. The drake even took bread from my hand.

The drive home was fine and we changed the route after Mansfield so we could avoid Kelham Bridge which is a bit narrow as we found out on the way to Bakewell, a Lorry and Iona just pass each other with inches to spare.

 Trip 9: distance  138 miles, av MPH 27,  MPG 26.5