Towing For The First Time

I don't know what all the fuss was about.  I had been wound up into an almost frenzy of anxiety at the thought of towing the van for the first time on the motorway, but when it came down to the minute when I actually joined the M60, I was too busy concentrating on keeping the caravan between the white lines to notice I was on the motorway.

DB kept making encouraging noises from the passenger seat while engrossed in his laptop on his knee.  But other than that, I was on my own, and managing quite nicely, thank you very much.

There was a tiny blip when the motorway merged at the Swinton interchange.  I didn't realise just how narrow those lanes were until I was sandwiched between two rather large lorries.  When I finally reached the M62 turn-off I felt my shoulders relax and breathed out for the first time in about 5 minutes.  Maybe I should take up free-diving if I can hold my breath for that long.

The rest of the journey went off without a hitch (excuse the pun), until we arrived at the 'newly re-furbished' Bay View site in Carnforth.  All I can say is it's a good job we have been there before and know how friendly the people are and what a lovely site it usually is.  Unlike the people who arrived just after us, new to caravanning and the first time at this site, you could see the look of dissapointment in their eyes when they saw the building site we were pitched next too.

You can hardly notice the gravel heap in the background!

After navigating my way, very successfully I might add, through the tiniest gate in the world, I managed to back the van onto the new pitch.  It looked like it had just been laid that morning and quite possibly had.  Surrounded by burly work-men and diggers galore it was very apparent that the 'newly refurbished' bit wasn't quite finished yet.  The lady in reception apologised for the noise and mess explaining that it was the bad weather that had delayed the work  by a month.

Then we discovered the charger wasn't working in the caravan so no 12volts for the night.  Luckily we had been invited to the brother-in-laws for tea.  After an excellent fortifying meal of home-made lasagne and a bottle of red wine, the world looked a more positive place.

Arriving back at the site we decided to call it a night.  I did discover though that iphone torches really aren't that bright when walking back from the toilet block in the middle of a builders yard at midnight.  Think I might invest in a torch for the next visit.

Walking towards a Brief Encounter

The caravan is on the driveway, washed and ready to pack for our trip at the weekend.  The first trip of the year always sees us returning to our birth-place of Morecambe, Lancashire.  It is always a joy to visit the places we grew up but so much has changed over the years it's like seeing it for the first time too.

Morecambe grew in popularity in the late 1800's due to workers from Yorkshire and Lancashire holidaying in the seaside resort.   Over the last few years it has seen a rejuvination programme put into place and once again, Morecambe is becoming a popular seaside holiday destination.  With it's close proximity to the Lake District and the many Wainwright Fells, it is a great spot for walkers.

Boats in the Bay

Midland Hotel

We will be walking along the promenade from Carnforth to the Midland Hotel on Saturday, taking in the many sights along the way including Happy Mount Park, built in the 1920's and one of the few remaining parks which cater to the entire family with trampolines, miniature golf, bowling, crazy golf, paddling pool and the beautiful Japanese gardens and miniature railway.

We will then continue along the promenade towards the town centre passing Eric Morecambe's statue, created by sculptor, Graham Ibbeson.  The clock tower, the Winter Gardens and finally reaching the Midland Hotel located on the promenade near the Stone Jetty.  We may even try some of the world famous Morecambe Potted Bay Shrimps, by Royal Appointment, before finally taking the train back to Carnforth Station.

Clock Tower, Morecambe

Eric Morecambe Statue

Carnforth Station is famous for it's part in Noel Coward's masterpiece, Brief Encounter with Celia Johnson and Trevor Howard filmed in 1945.  The station has been voted the 8th most romantic film location in the country and rightly so.  Every year hundreds of fans visit the station to run through the subway and stand under the famous clock to have their photo taken, or sit in the Brief Encounter Refreshment Room and pretend to have grit in their eye waiting for that special someone to come along.

Brief Encounter Clock & Subway

Well, I will let you know how we get on with the walk and post some photos too.  Until then, 'I'll see you next Thursday!'