16.06.10

Rivendell

Posted in Life, People, Travel at 5:34 pm by alby

We’ve recently bought a whole bunch of camping gear with an eye to more and longer camping trips.  To test said kit we headed off into darkest Derbyshire on Friday last for an outdoor weekend.  Place called “Rivendale” it was.

When I arrived the tent was already spread out ready for me.  The thing claims a 45 minute pitch time.  It took us over an hour but I reckon this will be much reduced next time round.

I then discovered that I needed a spanner for the gas connection.  But apart from that things went quite well.

Saturday saw me driving into Ashbourne for a photo-shoot of all things.  The new clinic I’m at is moving into swish new premises and the owner wanted as many staff to show up for the mandatory staff group photo in front of said new swish premises.

Got there to find a huge skip in front of the building and a fretting boss.  Luckily the photographer was a dab hand at this sort of thing and managed a decent few pics whilst avoiding dodgy skips and various other building remnants.

After the group photo (where I unfortunately got to stand right in the middle at the back cos I was tallest) we all had to do individual face shots.

Not a great thing for me is having portraits done immediately after getting up at a campsite after a reasonably unrestful night’s sleep.

But hopefully this points to me being a bit more than maternity cover (as I currently officially am).

I briefly shopped in the town discovering such delights as “Vampire Relish” and a Waitrose.  It’s quite a wealthy place.  At the local car park I parked behind an Aston DBS and a v swanky Jag.  My 03 Avensis really bringing the tone down.

Later that day P, C, D and d showed up for chats and games and barbie and beer in the campsite.  Fun was had.  We also discovered that kites don’t fly when it’s not windy. And I burnt, badly.

Sunday was rainy.  I woke up to rain and spent the morning worrying about decamping with a wet tent.  Luckily the rain stopped for long enough to get the thing down dry.  Pretty much as soon as it was down the rain started again and then didn’t let up.

This was a great shame as 2 family’s worth of friends showed up to join us for fun and frolics.  Ah well.  I did discover that kites do fly when it’s windy tho.

The campsite itself was ok.  Decent enough showers, a bit close to the road mind (and the on-site shop was appalling – v limited and not best friendly) but worth the entrance money.  Lovely views.

At least we figured out what to take and what doesn’t need to come with.  Next time will be a longer, more distant trip.  Maybe Norfolk would be nice.

Have fun.

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