By keef & annie, Oct 5 2013 09:44AM There's no business like Sloe business Stamford Caravan Club Site, Lincolnshire A KeefH Web Designs Travel Blog Motorhome trip No12 : September 28th – 29th 2013 NOTTS->FINESHADE WOODS, NEAR STAMFORD, LINCOLNSHIRE ->NOTTS 140 miles There's no business like Sloe business - Soak up a sun‑soaked late‑September motorhome break at the Stamford Caravan Club site, with peaceful woodland views, sloe‑picking for homemade gin, and a relaxing evening of good food and plum wine. This blog follows walks in Fineshade Woods, a visit to Burghley House, and scenic Rutland villages. Ideal for readers searching Lincolnshire campsites, UK weekend motorhome trips, and real‑life travel diaries. A weekend of truly wonderful weather, incredibly hot when one considers it was the end of September. We only stayed the one night at the Stamford Caravan Club site as Keef is now back at work. Lovely site and we were lucky to get an end pitch against the sloe bushes with uninterrupted views across the woods. Fineshade woods is a Forestry area set aside for walkers, cyclists etc. with a café and a few cycle / walking paraphernalia shops. It is lovely and tranquil and because the weather was so good we sat out reading until quite late with a spot of collecting sloes at the same time for the trad family sloe gin… 6 bottles this time, hic! One drawback of the site is there is no amenities block but that is adequately compensated for by the stunning price of £13.60 for the night , plus the café 5 minutes walk away has a loo but beware it shuts at 5pm. Did mesquite chicken, new potatoes & veg for tea all washed down with our scrummy and very alcoholic plum wine. Oh and I confess the odd beer throughout the afternoon, heaven! Then on Sunday after a leisurely breakfast we packed up and travelled off to Burghley house via the lovely village of Duddington, who has heard of this hidden gem? Weather at Burghley was again fan-tab-e-dosie. House , gardens, gardens of surprise with water features for the kids (and us), sculpture garden and the lake with sculpture & boathouse were all wonderful. Drove back through Rutland and stopped at Frankie & Benny’s for tea in Nottingham before returning home. All in all a fab relaxing weekend! We loved the area so will be back again soon, we hope. Anyone else been there and want to share their views on the campsite or the area? Sloes for sloe gin at Stamford Caravan & Motorhome CL site, Finshade woods 86 photos in the SLIDESHOW If you would like to look at all the UK Campsite stays we have made please return to the HOME page When we took a trip across farmers fields in 2021 around Bulwick, Northants you could see Fineshade woods, indeed a local villager told us about her walks to there which she did often, a lovely spot, if you would like to read our Blog 156 it is associated with this blog OR The INDEX page has TAGs for all Blogs or you can use the SEARCH page to look for something or just use the search facilities here on the BLOG or the associated Blogs attached to each Blog, entirely up to you, there is a wealth of ways to find what you want, thanks for looking motorhome-travel blog

By keef & annie, Oct 27 2013 07:06PM Blackshaw Moor, Staffordshire Blackshaw Moor, Nr Leek , Staffordshire A KeefH Web Designs Travel Blog Motorhome trip No14 : October 26th – 27th 2013 NOTTS->LEEK,STAFFORDSHIRE & INTO THE PEAK DISTRICT ->NOTTS 89 miles Explore Blackshaw Moor in Staffordshire with this motorhome stop at the Camping & Caravanning Club site near Leek and the Roaches. The blog shares site impressions, local walks, Peak District scenery, pub stops, and early‑season travel notes. Perfect for readers searching Staffordshire campsites, Peak District motorhome breaks, scenic UK touring ideas, and real‑life motorhome diaries. Didn’t get away until about 12.15 after sorting out car and glasses and doing a little of the Big Shop, tee hee! Fairly bright and sunny and arrived in Leek after about a hour, never been there before. A very Victorian town with cobbled market place and some old mill trade factories in Victorian small red brick, plus some much older ones. Parked on the outskirts and walked in. Interesting place, the centre of which reminded us of Ashbourne. Bought some stuff in the Trade hall indoor market (see pic with stain glass type mosaic). Then back into the van and onto the Blackshaw Moor caravan club site. There is a Motorhome & Caravan club site about ¾ mile back down the road from this. Both for families to take their kids to Alton Towers which isn’t that far away. Our site had 50 kids on it so we pitched as far away from them as possible, sad old gits that we are, LOL xxx Nice site and very close to the Roaches and 2 reservoirs. Alas it rain most of the afternoon and all of the night but very relaxing reading and having the odd bevvie! Annie's nice homemade oat cheese and onion quiche for tea heated in the oven plus cheese & bikkies and posh pudding. Yum! Extra hour in bed as well so can’t be bad. Very windy Sunday morning, packed up in the rain and headed across the border into the Peak District, Derbyshire, mountain and rock formations that were amazing , never seen them before, must come back in the summer as beautiful views but all too windy and wet so we came home early on the Sunday. All in all a nice relaxing weekend! The Roaches in the Peak District National Park 31 photos in the SLIDESHOW #timeline an autosleeper we saw in leek

By keef and annie hellinger, Mar 29 2014 06:26PM Cromwell, Nottinghamshire Milestone Caravan Club site, Cromwell, Nottinghamshire A KeefH Web Designs Travel Blog Motorhome trip No15 : March 28th – 29th 2014 NOTTS->CROMWELL ->NOTTS 75 miles Cromwell, Nottinghamshire - Discover Cromwell, Nottinghamshire through a relaxing early‑season motorhome break at the Milestone Caravan Club site. This blog explores campsite facilities, fishing lakes, village walks, micro‑brewery visits, great food, and essential motorhome checks for the 2014 season. Ideal for readers searching UK motorhome trips, Nottinghamshire campsites, weekend breaks, and real‑life travel stories. Set the van free from its over wintering by removing the covers on Thursday, was a little drizzly so put the waterproof membrane in the garage and then finished off on Saturday in the sun after returning from our 1st trip of 2014 away. Amazing to note that the motorhome started 1st time after nearly 6 months stored away, bless it. VW engines are just so good! Packed up and set off early Saturday morning. Reasonably short drive but good to get the engine ticking over again. Arrived at site just before 12. Lovely day, cold but sunny. Lovely site, 2 fishing ponds and a large fishing lake behind it. 3 motorhome filling stations and 2 toilet blocks, both heated. Mixture of hard standing and grass pitches. Set up and went for an explore in the village. Quite close to A1 so reasonably noisy but lovely old buildings, spring flowers and trees blossoming. Village has farm shop and lovely old church plus a dolls museum but we didn’t go in that. However it does have the milestone micro brewery and we had a look around and chat with the main man. They have lots of awards for best beers especially their raspberry wheat beer. Bought a 3 beer sample box and tried out the stout. Very nice Cooked lunch of Pukka pies (good meat content), ciabatta garlic bread and muffins, all washed down with lemon & mint squash. Read for most of the afternoon, very relaxing. For tea the site has the mobile chippie visit so since Keef had left the piazza’s in the freezer at home we had fish & chips, almost the best beer battered chips ever, yummy! We had a couple of glasses of our sloe gin after and watched Line of Duty series 1 on DVD, well 2 episodes anyway before retiring to bed. Tried out most of the usual motorhome things, fridge, heater, water, fire, blown air etc etc so all looks good with the “home” for the season. All in all a nice relaxing weekend! Note: The Index shows ALL blogs already published or you can find Blogs about a specific subject by clicking on a word in the TAG CLOUD or under these new blogs, thanks, motorhome-travels. wendy on pitch 43, at the Milestone motorhome & caravan club site, cromwell, nottinghamshire fishing lake at the Milestone motorhome & caravan club site, nottinghamshire brewery just outside the site #result 35 pictures in the SLIDESHOW Comments left on old site prior to Nov 2021 burstner, types of motorhome #vanswelove

By keef and annie hellinger, Apr 6 2014 05:28PM Blog 70 Oxford 462 Abingdon Rd, Camping & Caravan Club site, Oxford, Oxfordshire Motorhome trip No16 : April 5th – 6th 2014 A KeefH Web Designs Travel Blog NOTTS->OXFORD ->NOTTS 216 miles Blog 70 Oxford - Spent the weekend with our wonderful friends Pete & Joy. Keef working late Friday eve so we travelled early Saturday morning. Site is a little rundown and they fully accept that but it is right next to the Park & Ride to get the bus into Oxford, less than 10 mins and £4.50 return for 2, superb for entry into what is one of England’s premier tourist cities and a world famous seat of learning. Pete once went here to Keble college so we relied on his local knowledge, well pubs really (joke!) The site is all grass with a perfectly adequate but slightly dated amenities block. After setting up we walked into town via the river tow path, lots of college 8’s,4’s,2’s, single and skullers / kayakers practising on the water, bikers on the towpath and pedestrians, not a bad day with smatterings of sunshine if a little cold and windy. Ended up at the wonderful Head of the River pub (Fullers) where the boys had 2 pints of Seafarer, a nice light ale and the ladies Peroni & Cinzano & lemonade. We sat right on the water’s edge outside. Had smoked salmon fish cakes, Cajun chicken burger and double cooked chips between us, yummy! A very busy pub with a mixture of foreign tourists, students and gracefully aging motorhomers like us. 240 years around the table, almost *smile* Caught the bus back to the site where we had some more drinks and a lot of nice chat. Lasagne , salad and cheese & bikkies all washed down with Italian red, NZ Sav Blanc and a lovely Taylors port. Early to bed , its all that fresh air and in Keef’s case waking up at 4.10 am, saddy… It rained quite a lot and heavily overnight. Sunday morning spent relaxing treading and having a brekkie of croissants. Then we negotiated leaving the vans on the site whilst we took the bus back into Oxford for a mooch around the town, fab architecture and interesting colleges before having roast dinner in the Mitre hotel. Nice times before heading back by bus to the site and saying our fond farewells to Pete & Joy. All in all a nice relaxing weekend! Great times, we love our little motorhome. Note: The Index shows ALL blogs already published or you can find Blogs about a specific subject by clicking on a word in the TAG CLOUD or under these new blogs, thanks, motorhome-travels. lunch at the head of the river, thames, oxford ladies at the campsite before our walk along the thames tow path, oxford 64 pictures in the SLIDESHOW Comments left on the old website (prior to Nov 21) Poster Time

By keef and annie hellinger, Aug 31 2014 10:22AM Matfen, Northumberland Matfen, Northumberland - A joyful trip for Chris and Allyson’s wedding brings family moments, shared laughter and a celebration filled with love. This cheerful blog captures the journey, the gathering, the ceremony and the simple happiness of being together for such a special day. A warm, affectionate look at a trip where the smiles were wide, the memories lasting and the whole occasion beautifully unforgettable. We also saw some more of Northumberland. See the "Daily Fail / Male - 28/8/14" for more details #haha Motorhome trip No18 : August 27th - August 29th 2014 A KeefH Web Designs Travel Blog NOTTS->WHITLEY BAY->MATFEN ->NOTTS 404 miles Trip to our beautiful friends Chris and Allyson’s wedding at Matfen High House Farm & Brewery. An absolutely fab time, sadly as Annie had caught a bad sore throat and early cold we came back a day or two earlier so as not to pass it onto the bride & groom before their honeymoon to France. Weather mixed but considering how poor August has been it was good. Initially we stayed at the caravan club site at Old Hartley farm listed as being in Whitley bay but it is more Seaton Sluice. Fab views of St Mary’s island lighthouse from our pitch. Nice meal in the eve, bit of reading, prepping speech and up early the next morning to travel across to the wedding venue near Matfen which is I guess between Newcastle and Hexham. The whole day was fabulous, see the slideshow for a pictorial reminder. So happy for my bestest mate and Allyson. The wedding breakfast (wonder why they call it that?) food was fab and the hog roast in the evening excellent and the band , the shake down band where brill. They even played our requests of Summer of 69 and Sex on fire, what a nice bunch of lads *smile* I’ve included a copy of the spoof newspaper I did for them and a repeat of my best man speech. We got up about 10-ish on the Friday, had brekkie, sadly said our goodbyes and made the long journey back with the usual motorway hold ups to vex us. We had lunch with the brides mum and partner, Eve & Norman at the Weatherby service station. Quite a coincidence as we were all travelling back down south. If you would like to see the text of the best man speech click HERE 71 photos in the SLIDESHOW Best Man Speech Intro self – Keef, for those of you who don’t know me and Happy for those that do. I’ve known Chris since v v young. My mum met dee at FPC back in the early 50s I believe (it clearly didn’t work, we are both here) Definition of Best Man: - googled a few of these and picked out my favourite 3 1) Noun: an acquaintance with whom you trust a five minute speech that could, potentially, ruin the rest of your life. 5 mins - no chance, far too short! You can’t reveal much in 5 mins. 2) Antiquated expression used to delineate the "best swordsman" by your side as you kidnapped your "betrothed". Remember Vikings & Northumbrians stole their brides. 3) At one stage the best man would stand guard as a sentry to protect the bride and groom from anyone who wished to stop the wedding. He would sometimes continue this vigil outside the newlywed’s home after the ceremony- In today’s parlance that is a Stalker or Perv Ice breaker: Want to play a quick game? 3 quick facts about Chris. 2 are true 1 isn’t. I’ll take a show of hands once I’ve been thru them 1. We almost missed a once a week bus across the top of Scotland when the warden at the Tongue youth hostel made us complete our chore having spent the night there. The chore may have been toothbrush on urinal porcelain, but I can’t remember. I do remember travelling on the post van with livestock, fruits, vegetables and newspapers however. 2. In our yoof we had very powerful (not) Honda 50 motorbikes tearing up the strip and terrorising the neighbourhood. We eventually progressed to more powerful bikes. Please feel free to visit Chris’ in their garage sometime. We had leather jackets with Harley Davidson written in studs across the back. 3.At many a party armed with Party 4’s and 7’s (basically a bigger baked bean can filled with Watney’s Red Barrel ale or better stuff – Abbot ale/ Bishops Tipple (maybe)) we would prance around energetically to the Motors Airport, nowadays it is called “dancing like your dad” but we thought we were the bee’s knees Time for some facts-ish: Daily mail handout (35 copies – take one and pass them on please) after I’ve done the paperboy bit….. At 12 I was a Paper boy, delivering in Clapham (or Clame as we prefer to call it now) to Rodenhurst rd , the posh bit HAND OUTS (lovely assistant) this is where Chris’s family lived Chris & I were almost foetuses together, 60 years we have known each other, Chris is my longest & best friend, in class we sat next to each other before and after I went to oz as a child, travelled Scotland together when we finished 6th form as well as attempting an early commune in the lake district with a group of friends where we survived almost entirely on custard and oat cakes , we visited Taize (a religious community) vaguely near Cluny in France in our early hippy days. Speaking of Australia Chris & Allyson went in the “modern day” at the start of this year to see Laura & Steve, there they got engaged, what I suppose you could call a bit of a whirlwind romance (larf) they are both v happy and that makes us all here the same, they have now started travelling in their motorhome, my ambition is convince them to travel with Annie & I thru central outback oz or the forgotten world highway in nz by motorhome, perhaps one for the future maybe. We can then all be gray revellers sponsored by Saga, Must mention Chris other passions besides Allyson i.e music, blues, his various bands with Cordell and others, before the Sage it was early day concerts @ the Finsbury Park rainbow, we saw amongst others Pink Floyd, ELP and yes (Chris made a clock from side 2 of TFTOs - pure sacrilege), Chris was also into John martyn ,pete adkin, clive james, strawbs, jonathan kelly, FYC,tom petty, jimi Hendrix, roxy etc etc, and now he and Allyson are groupies or troublemakers for those in the know! Many a beer festival from the 1st great British to the latest, I have so many tribute glasses from these that I needed an extension on the kitchen , only sorry I couldn’t make the latest recent London one with you mate Mustn’t forget family & friends – this really makes Chris tick and I get that too….. ENOUGH – your real ale will get cold One Final category What about this day in history? 28th August I may add a few quiz questions Birthdays - born on this day 1749 - Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, wrote the play Faust (d. 1832) 1828 – Leo Tolstoy, Russian Author 1906 - John Betjeman, poet laureate of England 1917 - Jack Kirby, cartoonist (X-Men, Spiderman, Hulk, Capt America) 1943 - David Soul, [Mr Solberg?] Chicago, actor (Starsky & Hutch) 1949 – Hugh Cornwall of the Stranglers 1965 - Shania Twain, Windsor Ontario, Canadian singer (You're Still the One) 1968 – Billy Boyd, Pippin from Lord of The Rings 1969 - Jack Black, American actor 1986 - Florence Welch Flo & The machine Marriages/Anniversaries 1811 – Poet Percy Bysshe Shelly eloped with Harriet Westbrook to Scotland to get married 1924 - British children's writer Enid Blyton (27) marries editor Major Hugh Alexander Pollock, DSO (36) 1997 - British-Indian novelist and essayist Salman Rushdie (50) weds Elizabeth West Events 1640 - King Charles I's English army loses to a Scottish Army at the Battle of Newburn 1850 - Richard Wagner's opera "Lohengrin" premieres in Germany 1921 - Babe Ruth starts best streak ever of an “extra-base hits” whatever that means 1955 – Rock around the clock by Bill Hayley hit no 1 1963 - Martin Luther King Jr. delivers his "I have a dream speech" adressing civil rights march at Lincoln Memorial, Washington DC 1964 - The Beatles appeared on the cover of LIFE magazine 1965 - Bob Dylan booed for playing electric guiter at a concert in New York's Forest Hills 1967 – For the cricket fans amongst us (Allyson) Asif Iqbal & Intikhab Alam make 190 stand for 9th wkt v Eng 1973 - "Smoke on the Water" by Deep Purple goes gold A personal one for me 1982 - "Sugar Babies" closes at Mark Hellinger Theater NYC after 1208 perfs 1986 - Tina Turner's star unveiled in Hollywood 1987 – Luka by Suzanne Vega no1 And one final one…. 2014 Chris marries Allyson, He is my best mate and always will be, it is a real privilege and honour to be asked to be his best man, please join me in a cheer and toast to the happy couple, health and a long fun life together …. “Chris & Allyson, the new Mr & Mrs Langthorne” A KeefH Web Designs Travel Blog

By keef and annie hellinger, Sep 14 2014 12:03AM Bellingham Northumberland Not The Motorhome trip No3 : September 5th – September 12th 2014 A KeefH Web Designs Travel Blog NOTTS->HESLEYSIDE HALL, BELLINGHAM, NORTHUMBERLAND->NOTTS 750 miles Bellingham Northumberland - A family escape to Bellingham brings Northumberland at its friendliest — big skies, peaceful pitches and days shaped by simple fun. This cheerful blog looks back at shared meals, local wanders, cosy evenings and the easy rhythm that only a family trip can create. A warm, nostalgic slice of holiday life where the countryside worked its quiet magic and time together felt wonderfully unhurried. Didn’t take the motor home this time as stayed at wonderful Hesleyside Hall cottages on the extensive grounds of the Charlton family whose main hall approach and gardens were designed by Lancelot “Capability” Brown who was born at Kirkharle nearby. Went with Craig, Leanne, Bill & Lady dog and had the most wonderful time, weather so much better than we hoped for, sunny and warm often! Visited Hadrians Wall, Kielder Water, Alnwick (+ the fabulous Barter Books – even got an old Wham & John Lennon Vinyl LP),Low Newton by Sea, Bamburgh Castle, Hareshaw Linn waterfall walk at Bellingham, Carriages restaurant, Corbridge,Hexham,Kirkhale courtyard , church and lake and can 5* recommend the Cheviot Hotel in Bellingham for food and ales. Craig & Leanne cycled all 27 miles around Kielder, a fabulous achievement, well proud of them both!. Will definitely bring the campervan back to this area, a Camping & Caravan site is just outside Bellingham and each year at this time the BaaFest is on for a whole weekend, live music, food and ales. Its just so beautiful , we know the coastal areas well but not really the Northumbrian forest area. Anyone else have any Motorhome / RV experiences Bellingham and / or Northumberland they want to share? If so leave a comment on this blog and we will get back to you, regards Keef & Annie Note: If you want to see our previous family holidays in Glenholm cottage KESWICK Cumbria look at blog 46 for the 1st and, Seaview cottage in Llangrannog CERIDIGION Wales Blog 64 for the 2nd and the 1st future one at Rose Cottage FROSTENDEN Suffolk Blog 89, they are associated. The INDEX page will allow you to search for similar blogs via keywords or TAGs as they are known. Or you can use the SEARCH facilities to look for anything you want, thanks for looking, motorhome-travels blog uk. Annie at the Minotaur Maze Kielder Castle, Northumbria 153 Photos available in the SLIDESHOW

By keef and annie hellinger, Sep 29 2014 06:12PM Sussex Nostalgia Trip Motorhome trip No19 : September 23rd – September 28th 2014 A KeefH Web Designs Travel Blog NOTTS->EAST & WEST SUSSEX->NOTTS 552 miles Sussex Nostalgia Trip - A nostalgic wander through Sussex brings back childhood places, our 20s, familiar views and memories tucked into every corner of the landscape. This cheerful blog revisits old haunts, seaside stops, family connections and the gentle pleasure of returning to where stories began. A warm, reflective look at a trip filled with echoes of the past, easy moments in the present and the simple joy of rediscovering Sussex. George 3rd may have said “Bugger Bognor” but we say we LOVE the place! Took the “Wendy house” away for 6 days down on the south coast visiting family, friends, our old haunts and some nice restaurants and pubs en-route. The weather was really good even got a bit of a tan. We stayed at Chichester Lakeside view holiday park in the tourer area via our ACSI membership . Amazing value at €12 per day. It has nice lakes, an outside pool , bar with free Wi-Fi, shop and café and perfectly adequate facilities. They are not the newest but you get what you pay for. The only downside is the A27 noise and the fact that they put the height barrier to the field on at 5pm every day even though you have paid £10 deposit for the key fob to get in the front entrance. Still no real complaints the weather was mostly good! Whilst here we visited Chichester (Chi), East & West Whittering, Bracklesham Bay,Bognor Regis where we met 39 years ago, Felpham, Middleton on Sea, Elmer, Climping, Littlehampton (main & west beach), our dear friends Mike and Alison in Selsey, Pagham, Birdham, Chi Marina & Bosham. See the pix! We then drove onto Brighton via Worthing and stayed at the Brighton Caravan club site at Whitehawk in the east of the city. We took the bus into town to the Old Steine and did the usual touristy things. Pavilion, Lanes, Pier, Dome, Beach, Promenade as well as a lovely meal at our Niece Laura’s restaurant – Cocktails & Burgers (Giraffe) in North rd. Mixed weather but hot and humid! Saturday we drove to Lewes and stayed there all day, a really interesting historic town, architecture, quirky markets, steep streets, lovely gardens, vistas, Anne of Cleeves house, fish & chip dinner in high street pub, fab Harveys ales and 6 free Vinyl LPs from local record shop…. Result! Sunday we visited Laura, Ben and Obi (lovely dog) and had breakfast at Jamie Olivers before driving back home, all in all a fab week away, brought back many wonderful memories and created a few more! Anyone else have any Motorhome / RV experiences in Sussex UK they want to share? If so leave a comment on this blog and we will get back to you, regards Keef & Annie Motorhome outside Rodean School, Rottingdean, Annie used to work here in the 70s 218 Photos available in the SLIDESHOW Bosham Harbour bosham harbour, tide out 🌟 Bosham is a charming village located on a small peninsula in Chichester Harbour, West Sussex, England. Here are some interesting facts about Bosham: Historical Significance: Bosham has a rich history dating back to Roman times. The Romans used Chichester Harbour as a port, and Vespasian (before becoming emperor) is said to have had a villa in Bosham. The first parish church was built around 850 AD and allegedly over a Roman basilica. An enormous sculpted marble head, known as ‘the Bosham Head,’ was found in 1800. It might have been part of a statue of Emperor Trajan that stood at the harbor entrance1. Christian Heritage: Bosham is reputed to be the oldest established Christian site in Sussex. St. Wilfred brought Christianity to the South Saxons around 680 AD. King Canute (also known as Cnut or Cnut the Great) is associated with Bosham. He famously commanded the waves to retreat from here2. King Canute Connection: According to legend, King Canute’s daughter drowned in Bosham Mill stream, and her final resting place is believed to be below the foot of the chancel steps in Bosham’s Holy Trinity Church. King Harold (of the Bayeux Tapestry fame) set sail for France from Bosham3. Natural Beauty: Bosham is picturesque and a thriving center for sailing. Chichester Harbour, where Bosham is situated, is a sanctuary for migrating wildfowl and offers great walks along the sea shore4. Next time you’re in the area, consider visiting Bosham and exploring its fascinating history! 😊🏰🌊

By keef and annie hellinger, Jan 16 2015 10:25AM Singapore Family Time Not The Motorhome trip No4 : December 11th 2014 – January 12th 2015 A KeefH Web Designs Travel Blog NOTTS->SINGAPORE->NOTTS c 14,000 miles Singapore Family Time - A heart‑warming return to Singapore brings family time at its best — shared meals, easy days, laughter with the clan and that familiar feeling of being right where you belong. This cheerful blog captures moments with the Singapore crew, favourite haunts, simple pleasures and the joy of reconnecting across the miles. A bright, affectionate look at a trip filled with love, stories and memories that linger long after the flight home. Didn’t take the motor home as the drive to Singapore is either via the top of Russia or thru the middle east countries of Iraq & Iran , neither of which to be honest Annie nor I are keen to do although I’m sure the motorhome would make it. 33 days spent visiting family, our son and his wife and new granddaughter , Charlie #bestlookingirlinsingapore for Xmas and New Year. We had a lovely time and enjoyed every moment of it. Slightly cooler around Xmas and New Year as opposed to when we went last time April/ May although as Singapore is on the Equator it is never cool and the humidity is the sapper of one’s energy. Left on a 13.5 hour night flight from Heathrow via Singapore airlines, cattle class but managed 3 movies and possibly 2 hours tops sleep oh and the odd sling!. Took a few days for us both to get over the jet lag but seeing the family “Singapore branch” certainly helps Take a look at some of the pictures and videos to get a feel, but highlights are Charlie, Pensioner swimming at Geylang, experience all the diverse food available (including Malay, Indonesian, Indian, Chinese, Chicken Rice, Bak Kut Teh, Pork escalope, Fish cheeks, Tapas, Waggu beef, Donkey skin, Cows intestines, Green frog HELP did I really eat those last 3 ;) ), Singapore Flyer, Da Vinci Exhibition at Art Science museum, seeing Doug & Phoenix, Night Safari, Yuzu, Mustafa’s emporium and samosa’s, MRT, Orchard Road, Hard Rock café, Muddy Murphies, wine from China, Singaporean building cleaning and painting, Queues at Postoffices, DJ’s fruit and veg, Malay barber, Stadium, Serangoon, BBQ at Sims ville, old chop houses, Clarke Quay walk, Vida vino & Japanese BBQ restaurants, Chimjes, Slings in Raffles, peanuts on floor, Fair Trade (Price) Xtra, Cold storage, rip off in Raffles place, Hobbit3 with subtitles, candy crush players, air con….and Charlie! Left 6.30am by comfort taxis to Changi and 15hr flight on the way back, watched 4 movies the best of which was “what we did on our hols” with the Big Yin & Dr Who! Had more slings and ½ hour max kip. Wet, wet, wet all the way back in hire car and crashed out about 9.30pm after 24hrs+ travelling, tired but happy. Looking forward to the next trip in 2015, which will be in the motorhome! Anyone ever taken a motorhome to South East Asia? If so let us know here on the blog, we would love to know. Leave a comment on this blog and we will get back to you, regards Keef & Annie Note: 1) If you want to see our previous trip to Singapore click HERE 2) The Index page enables you to search by TAG i.e Singapore and / or Family 3) Other family fun can be found on the FAMILY page which is arranged by year 303 pictures in the SLIDESHOW , plus you can see video of Charlie and our other family fun, including the museum etc. wagu beef in chimes, near raffles, just fab mass rapid transport MRT map for Singapore, great for getting around and cheap To see the latest (2021) MRT map click HERE Slideshows and the Talkies

By keef and annie hellinger, Feb 4 2015 11:07AM Keef's Beer Labels Keef's Beer Labels - A nostalgic dive into the 1990s beer‑label collection brings back bold colours, quirky designs and the kind of brewery creativity that made every bottle feel like a tiny work of art. This cheerful blog celebrates the labels saved along the way — some stylish, some strange, all wonderfully of their time. A fun look at a decade when beer branding had personality, attitude and plenty of stories worth toasting. Nothing really to do with Motorhoming apart from the fact that quite a few of these quality beers were supped by my good self under canvas and probably in a motorhome during our 1999 travels of British Columbia in Canada, and other holiday experiences. I have been collecting these in picture frames on my wall for a number of years and have now decided to digitise them. Prior to the picture frame era they were just bottles displayed around our kitchen and other rooms, Annie said it was either me or them that had to go ;) so they were condensed into picture frames, could not afford the extension to house them! See how many you know or have drunk. Some are tributes to the elections way back when how sad and some show some of the history of that era in the UK i.e. Viz magazine, 3 lions England 96 euro football etc. etc. By 2021 on the old blog this had over 20 likes, misspent yoof obviously by a few my beer bottle labels collected over a long period Slideshow of Beer Labels I collected in picture frames #nerd #sad #haha

By keef and annie hellinger, Mar 8 2015 05:06PM Shetlands Scotland Not the motorhome trip no.15 ( a retrospective, hence out of order) Shetlands Scotland - A summer hop to the Shetlands in July 2001 delivered big skies, bright nights and scenery dramatic enough to make the camera work overtime. This cheerful blog looks back at windswept cliffs, friendly wildlife and the kind of island calm that instantly slows the pace. A warm, nostalgic tale of exploring far‑flung shores, soaking up northern light and enjoying a trip where every turn in the road felt like a new discovery. This is a retrospective of a holiday Annie & I took to the wonderful Shetland Isles in July 2001. We returned some 24 years later than this! See our LATEST VISIT TO THE SHETLANDS Back in July 2001, we ventured to the far-flung Shetland Islands—where Scotland stretches into the North Sea and time seems to slow with the rhythm of the tides. This retrospective captures a journey shaped by dramatic coastlines, Viking echoes, and the quiet charm of island life. From Lerwick’s bustling harbour to the windswept cliffs of Sumburgh Head, we traced ancient paths and soaked in the long northern light. It was a motorhome adventure unlike any other—remote, rugged, and utterly unforgettable. Join us as we revisit those misty mornings, ferry crossings, and the simple joy of discovering a world apart. The islands we visited on this trip were Mainland, Bressay, Yell, Unst, Fetlar and Mousa. MENU Overview Brochs Viking Ships Slideshows Scottish Travel Routes Retro Scottish Family Travel vids (utubeo) Audiobook The End OVERVIEW Travelled up from Nottingham in our then red ford escort estate, stayed overnight in Aberdeen , picnicked in the grounds of an open prison (unbeknown to us until we were evicted) Overnight ferry to Lerwick. Stayed in a cottage not far outside Lerwick at Gulberswick Bay. Travelled thru all the islands and even a boat to Fetlar taking the car across. We visited the island of Mousa by tourist ferry and spent the day walking around and seeing the seal sanctuary. Cold and misty mostly but very interesting islands. Met a couple on Unst who had pigs etc. were very interesting. He did IT from home and she ran a craft shop, idyllic lifestyle, used to live in London Travelled on the SS Claire Aberdeen to Lerwick. Note we went back past this on the ferry to the Faroes & Iceland in 2019 Blog 135 after leaving Denmark straight past Sumner Head where we had sat on the beach in the sun all those years ago, next to the Viking settlement and the airport. The Shetlands are a lovely set of islands, much history, green, lush and rocky. Read a wiki overview here If you want to hear the blog as an audiobook? sumburgh head views,waves and cliffs, shetlands, scotland, just so wonderful, it has a lighthouse They are made up of Fair Isle, Mousa, Nista, Bressay, Unst, Mainland Shetland i.e. the one with Lerwick (pronounced Lerick!) , Whalsay, St Ninian's Isle, Foula, Yell, Papa Stour and the outer Skerries. What a wonderful memory we have of these lovely Islands, and the wonderful festival of Up Helly Aa. Read all about it HERE. Best Motorhome Travel Blogs Intro by KHWD VIKING SHIP Return to Menu BROCHs Here are some images of the Broch's we visited 🏰 Clickimin Broch – Lerwick’s Ancient Sentinel Located just outside Lerwick on the shore of Clickimin Loch, Clickimin Broch is one of the most accessible and visually striking brochs in Shetland. Its layered history spans over a thousand years, making it a fascinating site for both archaeologists and storytellers. 🕰️ Historical Timeline c. 1000 BC: Began as a Bronze Age farmstead with evidence of barley cultivation and livestock enclosures. c. 200–100 BC: Defensive walls and a blockhouse were added, likely to protect against raids. c. 1st century AD: The broch itself was constructed—originally towering up to 12–15 meters. c. 2nd–3rd century AD: Converted into a wheelhouse with cattle stalls and storage pits. Post-500 AD: Gradual decline and eventual abandonment before Norse arrival. 🧱 Architectural Features Broch Tower: Roughly 20m in diameter, with thick drystone walls enclosing two ground-level cells. Blockhouse: A unique freestanding gateway structure—rare among brochs. Causeway & Footprint Stone: A carved stone with two footprints, possibly linked to kingship rituals. Ringwork & Fortifications: Multiple layers of defensive architecture, including a ditch and stout outer wall. 🔍 Archaeological Finds Stone lamps, whetstones, bone tools, Roman glass fragments, and a die—suggesting trade and cultural exchange. 🏯 Mousa Broch – The Tallest and Most Intact Perched on the uninhabited island of Mousa, this broch is the crown jewel of Iron Age architecture in Scotland. It’s not just the best-preserved broch—it’s the tallest still standing, and steeped in saga-worthy drama. 🕰️ Historical Timeline c. 300–100 BC: Constructed during the Iron Age, possibly as a high-status dwelling or defensive stronghold. Norse Era: Featured in Egil’s Saga and Orkneyinga Saga—used as a refuge and siege site. 18th–19th Century: Visited by antiquarians including Sir Walter Scott, who called it “the most entire Pictish fortress in the world”. 🧱 Architectural Features Height: Stands at 13.3 meters (44 ft)—the tallest broch in existence. Structure: Built with two concentric drystone walls, forming six galleries and an internal staircase. Interior: Includes three wall chambers, a hearth, stone bench, and a floor tank. Entrance Passage: 5 meters long, with a bar-hole and upper cell above the lintel. 🐦 Wildlife & Legacy Mousa Broch is now home to thousands of storm petrels, nesting in its crevices—adding a living layer to its ancient stones Both brochs offer a vivid portal into Shetland’s layered past—Clickimin with its evolving settlement and ceremonial mystery, Mousa with its towering presence and saga-born legend. If you're weaving them into your blog or visual storytelling, they’re ripe with symbolic and temporal themes: endurance, transformation, and the rhythm of island life. Return to Menu SLIDESHOWS Created afresh with image text, 2025 by KeefH Web Designs our 2001 shetlands trip, bressay, fetlar, yell, unst & mainland Redid this old slideshow in 2023, makes it a little more watchable, hopefully My original, no sound, created with the redundant Photosnack app way back when... Return to Menu SCOTTISH TRAVEL ROUTES introducing the best motorhome travel blogs Return to Menu RETRO SCOTTISH FAMILY TRAVELS utubeo videos recreated by KeefH Web Designs in 2023 using Clipchamp and my original Photosnack vids created way back when Return to Menu AUDIOBOOK Return to Menu THAT's ALL FOLKS

By keef and annie hellinger, Mar 10 2015 10:33AM Blog 83 Crete Greece Not the motorhome trip No 14 (a retrospective, hence out of order) Blog 83 Crete Greece - A sun‑soaked escape to Crete in October 1988 brings back warm beaches, bright skies and the kind of holiday moments that only the late eighties could deliver. This cheerful blog revisits island wanderings, easy days, good food and memories that still feel golden decades later. A light, nostalgic look at a trip where the pace was slow, the weather was kind and every corner of Crete offered another reason to smile. Whilst processing some of our old photos for our family tree I came across some reasonable old scenery pictures of our family holiday to the Greek island of Crete way back when in 1988. See the picture in the slideshow of the self catering apartments (Argo) we stayed in. Just off the very steep and dangerous beach outside Rethymon town. We walked back into the safe swimming area in the harbour with the boys. Also we hired both a jeep and a car to see lots more of the island, Knossos, Ag Nik, Sumarian Gorge, Phaistos, Mallia, Omolaos, Plains of Messara, North, central and southern areas (although the south is much less easier to travel around by road - boat mostly) It was a fun family holiday when the boys were quite young and nice to remember almost 30 years ago! Note you can also see this on the FAMILY page if you look by year along with many other family fun times, maybe give it a look Keef & The Boys in Aghios Nikolaos (Ag Nik to us Party People )

By keef and annie hellinger, Apr 9 2015 05:54AM, Your motorhome is your castle Your motorhome is your castle - The motorhome is the castle — wheels instead of turrets, a kettle instead of a drawbridge, and far fewer dragons. This cheerful blog celebrates the joy of having a tiny kingdom that goes wherever the road leads. From cosy evenings to scenic “royal grounds” outside the door, it’s a fun reminder that comfort, freedom and a touch of adventure all fit perfectly inside one travelling home. We have seen quite a few unique Motorhomes in New Zealand on our various trips there. They are keen on conversion but have a look at the video below, it blew our minds away WWWOOOWWW!!! Can't remember if this one was 2007-8 or 2013 but its definitely a kiwi classic we HEART Nz