Hexham, Northumberland June 1977

Wednesday
We set off at 5 to 10 and went to grandma's to pick up the caravan. Then when we were there we put some things in the caravan and put the foot rests up then we had a drink and hitched up. Then I tested the lights and they all worked. After that we set off and stopped at the other side of the street to adjust the wing mirrors. Mum went back to get a loaf of bread and a shopping basket. We went through Cottingham, but when we were going up Harland Way, it started to pour with rain. But after a while the rain stopped and the sun came out [great!].

We came down Market Weighton hill and reached the town at 16 minutes past 11, then after a while we went through Shiptonthorpe. At 25 past 11 it started to rain but at half past it stopped [well observed]. We reached York at 19 1/2 minutes to 12. We left York at 5 to 12 [very precise]. We went on to the A19 at about 7 minutes past 12 and mum saw a snipe or woodcock in a field. At 15 mins past 12 it started to rain again. Then we saw the white horse and Sutton Bank.

The white horse at Kilburn/Sutton Bank from http://www.walkingenglishman.com/northyorkshire03.htm

We passed Thirsk and carried on up the A19; when we arrived in Middlesborough it was 1 O'Clock. We filled up with petrol at quarter past one and then stopped for lunch. At 2 O'Clock we started again with about 92 miles to go. We passed into the County of Durham. It started raining heavily at 12 minutes past two. It stopped at 14 minutes past two. Very sunny at half past three [safe to say the weather was a mixture of sunshine & showers!].

We lost our way in Newcastle but got out alright, kept a look out for Hadrian's wall, but did not see it. We went up a very steep hill and reached the caravan site at 4 minutes to 4. After parking the caravan we went to Hexham to buy a bucket because we forgot to bring one. Came back and played football until tea which consisted of spaghetti, potatoes and broad beans, then a Jubilee cake which mum bought. Then we played football again and then french cricket and badminton. Then we went in and watched telly and then we got washed and went to bed.

Jubilee cake with raspberries - looks good! from http://www.food.com/recipe/golden-jubilee-cake-79992

Thursday

I had a good sleep and woke up at 25 past 7, did some carttons on my pad then got dressed,washed and had breakfast. Had Weetabix and toast and after that Stephen and I explored a bit more and played a game of war. Then I came in and went out again because it was time to go. Today we were going to see Hadrian's wall.

We set off about quarter past ten, the weather was beautiful and sunny. Wall sighted at 21mins to 11. We stopped at Housesteads (a Roman fortification) and i bought a pen and pad and looked round the museum. We walked along an undulating path by the side of the wall for about 2 1/2 hrs. Played with the magnifying glass.

Hadrian's Wall from Housesteads (from http://www.essentially-england.com)

 After that we drove to Alston (the highest market town in England). Had a Strawberry split. On the way back we stopped near the river Tyne and had a game of football. We came back for tea and had stew with peas, carrots and potatoes and then a cake. After that we went out and played football again and then played French cricket. Two boys came and asked if they could play so we let them. One was called Nigel and the other one Richard. We played French cricket for quite a long time until we decided to go in. We got washed and ready for bed.

Friday
I woke up at 5 to 7 though i don't know why (!) Dad got up at 7 and we went to the showers. The weather had turned cold and rainy. Set off for Newcastle after breakfast. When we arrived we looked around for a car park but could not find one. Dad stopped and asked a traffic warden. He said he would come in the car and show us and he did. We found a space on the 8th floor of a multi-storey car park. We went down to street level in a lift and asked another traffic warden where the shops were and he told us the way to an indoor shopping centre. We bought some bread and some pease pudding and a ham stottie. We looked around the shops and bought a cookie. Stephen bought a torch and batteries. After that we went upstairs to a recreation area with a bowling alley and other sports and had our sandwiches. Mum bought me a pair of corduroys at Marks and Spencers. Then all of a sudden an alarm started ringing and we all had to get out of the centre, but nothing happened.


Then we wandered up upstairs to a cafe under a big dome supported on pillars where we had a drink of orange juice before going back to the car. On the way back we stopped at Corbridge and went for a walk. Dad bought some pacers, opal fruits and a bounty bar as well as some apples. After walking a bit further we set off back to Hexham and it started raining heavily. For tea we had ham and pork roll with potatoes, carrots and peas. After that we played Tell Me.

Take a card and say a name of the category beginning with the letter you spin

Then we watched 'The Water Margin' on telly. Then we played noughts and crosses (ps I won 3-1). After that we watched 'Call my bluff' and I got one word right (Lanner - a Mediterranean falcon). got washed and went to bed.

Saturday

I woke up at 25 to 8 and it was raining. I started writing my diary. I got up at half past eight and got washed and dressed and had breakfast. We helped with the washing up but then just sat in the caravan because it was very cold and wet outside. We went to Hexham at 20 past 11, parked the car and went for a coffee in Robbs, the main shop. After that i bought a joke coin purse. Then we walked around the town to the Abbey where i bought a badge.Had our lunch in the car.

Hexham Abbey (from http://www.ship-of-fools.com/mystery/2003/712Mystery.html)

After lunch Stephen and I went to Robbs to get some biscuits and milk for mum, then i opened my joke and tried it to see if it would work but i couldn't do it, so I gave it to dad who showed me. Then we came to Blanshard, a pretty 18th Century villiage. We walked around for a while then went back to the car. Back at the caravan site we had tea which consisted of carrots, peas, tomatoes and spaghetti rings. After tea I watched 'The Muppet Show' then went out to play French cricket. Then we came in to watch 'Trooping of the Colour' and 'Seaside Special'. After that we got washed and watched a bit of 'Carry on up the jungle' before going to bed.


Sunday
Woke up about 10 to 8 and got up at half past. After breakfast we played while mum cleaned the caravan and made some sandwiches. then we wound up the foot rests and moved the caravan into position to attach it to the car and Stephen tested the lights. We were lucky because the weather was sunny and warm and reached Newcastle at quarter to 11. Stopped for lunch in a layby at 20 past 12. Burned some paper [with the magnifying glass!] before setting off again. Reached York at 18 3/4 minutes to 2 [that is where the notes end].

Bronze Duke of Edinburgh Expedition (1978?)

Here is some backround info on the Bronze Award.

Day 1

Arrived at Cottingham Green at about 10 past 9 and the bus driver was already packing peoples rucksacks into the back. After that we got on and went to the back [can't quite remeber who 'we' were]. on the way there we played cards. we then stopped at a place called Devils Elbow [on the North York Moors] and everyone got out. I got my rucksack and quickly changed into my walking boots. When everone was ready, we set off down the edge of the road, over a style and onto the top of a hill.


We saw another group in front and so we went back down the hill and across part of the moor to a steep gorge. We stopped on the grass by the side and had our packed lunch. After about twenty minutes we set off again and got to a forest track that went on for ages and ages and ages and... We stopped quite a few times and had a rest. Also we saw about 500 small tadpoles in a little stream by the side of the track. Later on we came across an infinite number of ants which stretched along the path for at least 800 metres. We stopped and watched them carry dead beetles around.

Then we decided to move off again and after a while we climbed a big hill and walked along a very narrow ledge down the other side. Then we came to a little brook and then after a while we crossed over a railway line.

[unfortunately you have to imagine our journey as I am not sure where we are at the moment so cannot show any pics so far! Hopefully things will become clearer]

We climbed steeply upwards and then we levelled off so we could see the railway easily. Then to our amazement a steam engine came past. We then went off into another wood and after even longer we climbed up a very steep hill and came on to a tarmacadam road. It can't be far now, I said hopefully but I shouldn't have opened my mouth because there was another big hill. Then we turned off and went up a steep forest track and after climbing for ages we finally reached the back gate of the campsite.

North York Moors railway (from http://www.w-meier.com/Seite4.htm)

We all fell on the grass and did not move for 10 minutes; after I finished my drink, so I filled it up again at the tap. After we had recovered a little, we put up our tents and rolled our sleeping bags out inside. Then we got the methylayed spirits and lit the stoves. After a while we had some Smash [instant mashed potato], some spaghetti, 5 hot dogs, a sausage, some crisps and a banana. Then after washing everything up, we borrowed the girls ball and played football. 

Then some girls went to the village and when they came back they had a lot of drink with them so ew all got some cups and had some cider and carlsberg and harp lager [sounds like a party!]. Then I played ofobtall again [sorry couldn't resist that] but at 10 O'Clock we had to stop and get ready for sleep. I got to sleep at about 11 O'Clock but i woke up again later.

Day 2
Woke up about half past 7 and got up. For breakfast we had two small packs of cereals, a fried egg, two sausages and a small apple tart. We packed our lightened rucksacks after putting our tents in and set off at 10 O'Clock down the same route as we had come up [the previous day] and went onto Stony Moor but this time we went straight on to the edge of a big valley. We looked at the map and found we had to go down the steep sides of it and when we reached the bottom we all had a rest because it is just as hard going down a steep hill as getting up one.

Then we walked along the road to Levisham Station and were just in time to get a photo of the steam train [the one below isn't that one].

Steam train at Levisham station (from http://www.gres.org.uk/history_of_gres.htm)

 Then we had to walk up an enormous hill that went on for ages. We stopped at the top and had a rest. Then we walked quickly on across the moor to Skelton Tower where we had our lunch. We could see the whole wide expanse of a forest with the railway running through and where we had been the day before. After half an hour we set off again at a brisk pace up and down on the moor. After what seemed like hours and hours we could see the early warning system [though not as close as the photo below] and we went round the corner and up the very steep hill at Devils Elbow, climbed the stile and flopped down dead.

Fylingdales Radar station (from http://www.ringbell.co.uk/ukwmo/Page111.htm)

 After 10 minutes recovering we set off after the other group again. We saw some hang gliders. Went down a dirt track past a small aerodrome and then we caught up with the other group and had a rest. Then the other group took a left hand turn and we went straight on towards the Bridestones. On the way we passed Blakey Topping [It is said that the giant Wade, following an argument with his wife, scooped up a handful of earth (creating the Hole of Horcum) and threw it at her. He missed her and it landed 1mile to the east forming Blakey Topping. from http://www.dalestrails.co.uk/Blakey-Bridestones.htm]  and after hours ['hours'] of endless walking on a head wind we reached the Bridestones [The Bridestones is one of the major Yorkshire bouldering crags. Numerous small edges and boulders spread out on the hillside].

From there we went on and down a very steep bank into Lower Stain Dale, but then of course we had to climb what seemed like a never ending hill to a farm. Then we went down into Green Dale. Our assessor said Lockton was only two fields away but it was more like two miles and most of that was uphill, but we got to the gate up and over and then crawled to the bus and got out our emergency rations, flopped into a seat and almost died [phew!].

After about an hour the other group arrived, late because they took a wrong bearring and got lost. We set off in the coach and sang some songs. We arrived back at Cottingham at about five past 7.

Coming Up

The next notes I have are from my first Duke of Edinburgh expedition, on the North Yorks Moors.

Borrowdale primary school trip 1974

Monday

9.00 am left Cottingham Green [East Yorkshire, England]. Sunny at first. Pass Bishop Burton; stopped for petrol. We go through Hat[t]on, 9.45am weather good. Went through York at two minutes past 10. Saw wall of York. Saw [River] Ouse and Minster. Saw house boat on the Ouse called The Barge. Stopped 10.25 to go to toilet by Ouse [!]. Passed engine sheds. Through Knaresborough and Harrogate, past a radar station, then on to Skipton at 11.53.

Went on a tour around Skipton Castle

[I noted there were 15 octagonal towers and that the name Skipton may have been derived from Sheep Town. Drew a picture of the yew tree in the castle but this picture looks better].

Lady Anne Cliford planted a yew tree in the conduit court of the castle, in 1659, to mark the restoration of the castle.

[continuing on..] Went on M6 motorway to Penrith, then into the Lake District National Park.Went Brockhole, saw Lake Windermere 3.14pm (10 1/2 miles long, 1 mile wide). [the notes then jump to tea at our lodgings which although not specifically mentioned were at Borrowdale Youth Hostel]

We had stew, mashed potatoes and carrots, then chocolate mousse and pears. Went to Honiston Pass [excellent pictures here].

Tuesday

Saw two Magpies out of our window, also we saw some Chaffinches and some Crows. Breakfast - cornflakes, fried eggs and beans, then toast and marmalade. Went to Keswick in coach; got off and walked to the pier. Went for a boat ride in the 'Lady Derwentwater' on Derwentwater.

The 83-year-old Lady Derwentwater, has been owned and operated by The Keswick Launch Company since 1935

Water was rough, I got soaked with spray. Half an hour [later] we got off at Ashness pier and walked to Ashness Bridge. Went to Suprise View [A scenic footpath through the wood starts from the car park just beyond the bridge. The walk proceeds to a cliff edge point known as Surprise View which offers superb views of both Derwentwater, Skiddaw and Borrowdale.] good view of Derwentwater and Bassenthwaite.

Then went over a stile by the river and over a log bridge to Watendlath [a small hamlet] for lunch.

Then walked up very steep hill. Saw a Tarn, then down to Rosthwaite. Saw big houses used by Hugh Walpole - he wrote Brackenburn [Actually he was a novelist who had a house called Brackenburn, on the slopes of Catbells overlooking Derwentwater]. Got some Kendal Mint Cake here [glucose-based confectionery flavoured with peppermint]. Met New Zealanders [!]. Jonathon Palmer fell in and put his socks on a pole to dry. I tried to get a fish [in a stream?] but couldn't.

Went through Johnny Wood nature trail and had afternoon tea. Went to see the Bowder Stone - climbed it and slid down. Went to a quarry and went in caves [wonder what I saw there?].

2000 tonnes of rock left after the last ice age

[Back at the Youth Hostel, tea is described]. Tomato, fish, chips and peas. Jam sponge and custard [yum!].

Wednesday

Timmy's birthday [can't remeber him].Saw Magpie again and some Jackdaws.Breakfast, porridge, fried tomatoes and bacon, toast and marmalade. Went Ambleside on coach. Walked up a steep track then walked alongside Loughrigg Fell. We met some Americans from Seattle. Went on to Loughrigg Tarn and then Loughrigg Terrace. Saw a zig zag path. 

Grasmere from Loughrigg Terrace

Carried on until we reached a weir where we had lunch. Paddled in the water - it was cold! Crossed a bridge then walked to the coach. Coach to Grasmere - bought ice cream.Back to Youth Hostel had shower.

Thursday

Saw Robin, Crow, Chaffinch and Magpie [looking out of the bedroom window]. Rice Crispies, Spaghetti and sausages, toast and marmalade [for breakfast]. Went on the coach to Hawkshead then went to Beatrix Potter's house (Hill Top Farm, near Sawrey). There were two rooms downstairs and four upstairs. J.W. found a key which had been lost. Had lunch in the car park. Went to Tarn Hows . Got lost, then walked back to the coach on Coniston Road then went to Grasmere and bought souveniers - two crocodiles [just toys, don't worry!], a thermometer [decorated as a sign post to the town], a map and a china watering can.

[Evening meal isn't mentioned, probably as this was the last night and we were having a Disco! I can still remeber one song that we danced to 'Tiger Feet' by Mud]. That's where the diary ends, no details of the journey home.

 

How to start

I used to keep a diary of holiday trips. Not sure why i started, but I am glad that I did and also very pleased that I still have the notebooks.

The earliest notes I have are of a school trip to Borrowdale in the Lake District so I will start with that. I was in the last year of primary school and it must have been the first big trip away from home. The notes required a bit of editing as I couldn't read some of them. I will add some of my own comments in square brackets []. They're certainly not a literary masterpiece, nor were they intended to be, just notes of what we did on holidays.