Well, Plans A And B Didn’t Work, So We Went To Plan C, Then Changed To Plan D….

So, Plan A was to meet James on a small campsite somewhere in the Lakes. He was hoping to be camping in his Tentipi with a recently ordered stove fitted in it….yes, really……

However, not all the parts had arrived for said stove, so Plan B was to meet up for some Wild Van Camping and walking in the Lakes.

But, the weather forecast for the weekend was looking absolutely dire, hence Plan C. This was Wild Van Camping and walking on the North York Moors instead.

Thursday evening saw us tootling across to a secret lay-by spot then, somewhere near Kilburn. Parked up, we settled down with a brew and noticed some Twitter messages had come in. Poor James had broken down in his Bongo, not far from home, and was awaiting rescue. Too far away for us to help, we just had to wait for updates.

Plan D was then put into action. James decided that he would come up the next day instead, in the car, and bring his Tentipi (but without the stove). He booked us all in at a small campsite near Kirkby Moorside for the Friday and Saturday nights, where we were to meet him the next afternoon.

Our secret Wild Van Camping spot was a good one and after a fairly wild night (weather wise, that is) we pottered off to Helmsley. Geoff had planned us a nice wander for the day starting from there, going up one Dale and down another. ‘Twas very pleasant, mostly dry, but with a rather cold wind and even a bit of sleet.

 

As you can see, Pebbles also tried out her new coat and declared it a total success.

The campsite was then found, with both us and James arriving at more or less the same time, and a rather convivial evening then enjoyed with James cooking us a most delicious, veggie spaghetti bolognese.

Despite the weather forecast for the Saturday being a touch wet, we actually ended up with a pretty dry wander. I’m not sure who planned the walk for the day, but it was certainly very enjoyable and involved lots of happy dogs running about, and lots of map reading…….

 

 

A fine day’s walk, not withstanding the final section with a few non-dog-friendly stiles requiring negotiating.

 

And this evenings culinary delight was a tasty bean and vegetable stew, produced by Geoff.

Sunday’s forecast was not especially good either, but still we managed a mostly dry walk around the local area. As on the previous day, I still couldn’t tell you who actually planned the route, but very happy dogs were once again in evidence.

 

And the finale to today’s walk? A very, muddy potato field we had to cross……

Tilly was in her element.

Well, the weather might have stopped us getting up on the tops for the weekend, but it was still a fun few days in great company.

Later however, when we arrived home, we discovered that James had had a problem with his car lights on his way back. I don’t really think that was fair – problems with both your vehicles over the course of three days does seem a bit much.

Here’s hoping it can all be sorted easily and at not too great an expense.