The site is walking distance, about a mile, from Leominster, which is a very pretty little market town.
We walked in on Friday and found a lovely quiet walk by the Priory and along beside the railway line back into the town via another pub (it was very hot and we needed a cool drink!).

Unfortunately I had overheating problems with the van and had to call the AA out on Friday aftemoon. We thought we had it under control.

On Saturday we went to Croft Castle, a National Trust property 7 miles away. I had to call the AA again so
had to wait by the van - it was the same man who, fortunately, had a sense of humour and he did a temporary repair to the expansion tank and followed us back to the site (I think this was because we make very good tea).

We would both definitely recommend the site and would go again - maybe if something was arranged a bit sooner we could grab a few more pitches, although it wasn't full on any of the nights we were there.

Nora

The raffle/auction was also a victim. we were not able to hold it on Saturday evening since we did not have exclusive use of the room at the pub. Hopefully the intended prizes will reappear at Dan yr Ogof.
The Saturday evening meal was excellent, marred only by a communication blip which resulted in four members going to one pub and thirteen to the other.

Doug Almond

Friday dawned to sunny weather with some ominous storm clouds inland. Dawn was earlier for some than others, especially Roy who happened to be sited under the rook colony, who gave him an alarm call.
As well as numerous other "presents".

As usual all went about their individual enterprises during the day but most took the chance to have a ride on La'al Ratty, the Ravenglass & Eskdale Railway.
We did our usual cross country ramble and picked up the train for the return trip, while other took the less energetic option of a return ticket. Needless to say, none were disappointed with this lovely railway and none managed to stay completely dry when the heavens opened in the hills.

Having come equipped, Frank and I were determined to try and catch something on the high tide and armed with information from a friend and our tackle we went down to the estuary.

Saturday was spent again with everyone doing their own thing, Roy cleaning rook droppings off his van (again) and another travelling to Whitehaven to get glue to do a DIY job on a tooth and others doing equally normal activities, ending the day with a meal, ably organised by Nora & Dot, at the local hostelry, formerly the rail station.

Sunday saw the usual activity as all packed their vans in time for the customary gathering for coffee, apart from Roy who made an early departure as he had to collect Sheila.

We were of the opinion that the injured rook on the grass between Roy's and Donny's pitches was purely co-incidental.

Needless to say, Frank, Donny and I had to go into Stratford to sample Jimmy's Spices again! It was still excellent.

Before we left for home on Sunday - a lovely sunny day - we visited Anne Hathaway's cottage. A picture postcard scene with a beautiful cottage garden plus a lovely orchard.
Crossing the road to the café, we had a nice lunch sitting in the sun and then reluctantly went home.
Dot
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The site was Grindley Brook Wharf, just outside Whitchurch, it's a CL with only 5 hook-ups which was just the right number as there were 5 vans. It's a lovely little site, quite basic but with toilets and a shower kept spotlessly clean. It is on the canal side near the famous staircase locks so lazy days can be spent watching the boats going up and down, or fishing if you like the freshwater variety.

We arrived at about 1:15 on Friday, having bimbled down the M6, M56 and A49. John & Wendy, Roy & Sheila and Spannerfingers MkI were there already with Nora arriving in her new van shortly after we did.

After all the preliminary setting up, plugging in and erecting awnings etc. it was time to brew up and natter. We decided to go for a meal together on Saturday evening and held discussions about which pub to go to. One had a good reputation for food but was quite a trek along the canal, the other was an unknown quantity but much closer to stagger from.

Roy & Sheila went on a reccy to the nearest one (Horse & Jockey) and reported back that the clientele considered the food to be good but the place would be busy as there was a caravan rally going on in the field next to the pub. Nora, Dot, John, Spanners and myself offered our services to venture there after tea and book a table for Saturday night. Having completed this task we all relaxed with a drink or two (or was it three?).

Saturday was another hot sunny day, Mrs Spanners arrived in the morning to keep an eye on Spanners, swelling our ranks to 9.

Some folk walked into Whitchurch, some around the betting shops of Nantwich and some just had a stroll along the canal. Later on we had a sweep on the National which was won by Sheila. Spanners also backed the winner but he did it using skill and judgement rather than trusting to Lady Luck.

The meal went well, with many questions of "what's yours like? is it good? etc." I don't think there were any complaints except that the petite pois were a bit large. After the meal, we meandered back to the beer tent (Spanner's awning) to round off the night and put the world to rights (as you do).

Sunday morning was bright and sunny which makes packing up a bit more bearable, John and Wendy's van liked the site so much that it wanted to stay longer but Spanners persuaded it to start - where would we be without him?

Dot and I had planned to visit Beeston Castle on our way home but on arrival we were told that the path up to it was long and steep - too much for Dot's hip or my gammy knee so we gave it a miss and bimbled home for a nice cup of tea and a bun.
Frank

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On the Friday night we had a party in the Social Club hall up the road and it was only because they didn't shut until 12 that we didn't get chucked out!

We had an auction with John Lyons as the auctioneer (who else?) and his two lovely assistants (eh, Dot?). We made a good profit for the club as we had a table groaning under the weight of the donations. The food was excellent as usual and we had a special birthday cake.

There were two good pubs within walking distance of the site (one actually within falling distance), the one next door, on the canal, also having a very nice tea room. On Saturday night quite a few of us went to the Queen's Head in the village where there was
a brilliant live band.

I would suggest that this site is definitely good for another rally in a year or two because there was quite a bit going on within a few miles' radius. I spent Saturday at the Black Country Museum at Dudley, which was about 30 minutes' drive, and I saw quite a few signs for other places of interest locally.

Nora