Reading Buses open day

After a morning at the local school carboot sale we headed out to Reading for the afternoon. Reading Buses were once again throwing open their doors to let the public see how the depot works. Walking in the yard was full of modern buses from all the routes. Lily spent ages running in and out of most of them and trying out some drivers seats.



Behind all the modern stuff were a few classic buses. The AEC Panarama a look back to a bygone age of A road trips and nasty upholstery.







After a trip through the bus wash in a Pink route double decker we clambered up to the top deck of the oldest bus in the fleet. An AEC Regent from the 1930s.





Lily got to try out the fastest bus in the world, the cow poo powered machine hitting the dizzy heights of   80.73mph at Brooklands





We ended our day with a tour round the town on an old open top bus.



Steve.

JK Open day

With Kim on hike training, Lily and I had some time to kill and with Just Kampers having another open day we set off in the Beetle. Sunshining and little traffic meant we were soon parking up next to the camping field.





After a snack we headed off to see the other cars and campers parked up.







Heading over to the trade area we had a quick look round, disappointingly the usual "damaged stock sale" was no where to be seen. In previous years we have picked up some useful bargains here. Grabbing a burger we sat down.









After a ride on the teacups we had a walk round the camp site. Some people were making a weekend of it. I'm not sure I could find enough to amuse Lily for three days!







Heading around to the workshop Lily took charge of the camera for a bit.









After seeing everything twice we decided to head home. Its nice for a local supplier to throw its doors open, but its changed a lot since the first event with a free BBQ and sale bargains. Times change I guess.

Steve.

The little Wally Campout

Another year rolls round and its time to start camping again. Starting off like last year I booked up a trio of pitches for us, Lily's friend Rupert and his family, our friend Steve and Kims old friend Emma. During the week the weather was slowly getting worse and Friday morning it dawned very damp. Undeterred the camper was packed and I headed the long way round to Wallingford.



Rolling in we were given a new pitch under some trees and pitched. The last of the showers eased up and the sun came out. With the three pitches filled we lazed out for the afternoon. The kids running together and the first of many trips to the old tractor.









After tea the temperature dropped as we got the kids ready for bed. With them all eventually tucked up we donned a variety of blankets and honchos to stave off the cold.





After a few hours chatter and freezing cold by now, the adults clambered under layers to sleep. A chilly nights sleep dawned sunny and bright. Awake we rustled up breakfast and planned the day.





The plan was the same as most years. Slow wander int town. Look round the shops, get some lunch and picnic by the castle. Let the kids burn off some energy up the hills before getting some meat in for a BBQ and relaxing round the campsite. First stop the tractor.







After raiding the charity and bookshops of town, Emma joined us from London for some food and a wander round the castle.









A trip to the local park gave the kids another chance to run around before we split up. Kelly took the kids back to the campsite for an ice cream. Kim and Emma headed for the fabric shop. Ian and myself headed for the local butchers. For years now we've been getting fantastic meat for here and once again they came up trumps with burgers, minted chops, sausages and ribs. A brief stop in the supermarket saw everything for a grand meal. Back on the camp, the kids were now providing a puppet show before the coals were heated and the cooking started.











We dined well. There was nothing left and everyone was stuffed. Once again kids were dispatched to bed and we wrapped up for another nights nattering. The conversation was very random and never to be repeated! As the sun set the camp was quite again. The predicted rain that had threatened the spoil the weekend finally arrived about 11pm










Sunday was wet, the rain came down as we got up, but eased enough for a"finish up the leftovers" breakfast before packing away damp.

 





Much bird poo was scrapped off the awning and gazebo (note to self, avoid those trees next time!) And we slowly loaded the Camper. With Kim on hike training, Lily and I headed off home, by the end of town she was asleep and only woke as I backed on the drive.



The sun shone as we arrived home so I rebuilt the camp in the garden to hose off and dry everything. Our next camp is over a month away at the moment. We can't wait.

Steve.