Travels with Floozie2

Happy Easter everyone! Like a good deal of the country we’re in the grip of a cold snap with snow coming in from all directions. It soon melts away in the warm spring-like sun however. It’s a real feat of seasons; sometimes warm and the next minute snow and biting winds. I admit to being well and truly cheesed off with this winter! Swaledale is one of the most stunning and friendly places in the UK for my money and I have enjoyed living here. BUT, the climate is fairly harsh with long, long winters, dark, windy and cold and a summer which seems to be over in a flash. I’ve decided that as a destination there’s very few places that can top it, but I need a better climate to live in. I was born and raised in Yorkshire, but somehow I think it was about 3000 miles too far north for my genes! The only thing I’m really going to miss is the community and the good friends I’ve made who live in it. That really is going to be a hard thing to leave behind.
All the wet weather has taken its toll on the campsite here. The influx of caravans and cars for the statics has turned the grass into mud and there’s pools of water lying everywhere. We’ve managed to walk most of it into Floozie2, so she’s looking a bit grubby at the moment. There’s no point doing anything about it until we’re at Carvynick on a gravel hardstanding. We are looking at some sort of porch awning to go over the entrance so we can leave muddy boots and stuff outside and get the dog cleaned down before he comes into the ‘van.
We’ve just spent a few happy hours at the Bridge Inn at Grinton, which is one of our favourite haunts. It’s great that we have just a short amble to get to it from Floozie2 here at Orchard Caravan Park. A nice lunch, a couple of pints of real ale and a game of pool – It’s a great way to enjoy an afternoon. Amanda and Pooch are snoozing. Amanda has had two restless nights as it’s been very windy and she is such a light sleeper that it keeps her awake. Pooch just snoozes any time he can. Oh to be a small, well looked after doggie. Me, I’m going to adopt a similar approach on the sofa having done this. As I write, the sun has struggled out from behind the clouds and there’s a small boy in his wellies enjoying a splash through the mud and puddles outside the ‘van!
Peter and Pam, the wardens here at Orchard are just brilliant. It has to be said that the park really isn’t 100% RV friendly with awkward access into the site and awkward access to the water and drains. The macerator has come into its own these last few days! But Peter and Pam couldn’t have been more friendly, welcoming and helpful if they tried and always with a great sense of humour. They are a ‘retired’ couple who fell into the job last year and are starting to add some life to what was a dated and scruffy place. Peter seems to be omnipresent in his laid back style and seems to enjoy every minute of his time here, despite the weather. The pair of them are a damned fine role model for anybody who wants to be in customer service and the world would be a lot better if there were more people like them with a ‘can do’ rather than ‘can’t be bothered’ attitude. If you are looking for a great place to stay in a smaller m/home or caravan or tent, you’d be hard pressed to find anywhere as nice. OK, the facilities are tired, the electricity is only 5amps, but let’s face it, we become a little too reliant on all of this and miss the point of being at a place like Orchard. It’s a back to basics, full of character and charm, clean and friendly site. Try it! (01748 884475)
Pooch is snoring now! Think I’ll join him!