Shell Island October 2007

http://www.shellisland.co.uk/

Fri 19th

We drove through glorious sunshine to Shell Island and arrived about noon. We drove around for a while to find where we wanted to park, there was plenty of choice. It was possible to park more or less anywhere on the island and it was very quiet. The rules say that with a motorhome you have to have a tent as well, then the motorhome becomes you r vehicle to travel in. We put up a small beach shelter to comply but no one else seemed to bother. We decided to park at the end of the car park overlooking the beach, we wanted Jilly to be able to get down onto the sand easily. After a bit of lunch we walked along the beach picking up shells, as you do. Whilst sitting in the van in the afternoon we watched at least 3, maybe 4, porpoises playing in the sea. We drove the van to the bar/cafe for a meal. The food was ok but the bar had some very noisy people in it.

Jilly went on the beach, was not very enthusiastic but had a bit of a mooch.

There was a gorgeous sunset.

I had to take Jilly out in the middle of the night but I didn't mind as the night sky was breathtaking. With little light polution and a clear sky I saw more stars than I have done a long time. I could also see the Milky Way which I haven't seen for years.

Sat 20th


When we first woke up we looked out of the windaw and saw 2 hares just outside the van. Walked along the beach again at low tide and there were hundreds of star fish stranded along the shore, some had been pecked at by birds, oyster catchers, turnstones, redshank. We also saw crows, curlew, heron and lots of gulls.


After lunch we walked across the island to the harbour, again in glorious sunshine. We called at the cafe for tea, again it was not very wonderful, then walked back to the van.

Sun 21st

Cooler this morning and breezy. Packed up and drove home via Harlech, Llangyneg and Bala. Autumn colours lovely on the hillsides.

Weekend in Shardlow October 2007

Fri 5th

We set off early and arrived at Shardlow Marina about 11am. We parked the van then drove to Ilkeston where we visited Regal Furnishings, we are thinking of having the van reupholsterd. We met Barry, the owner, and he was very helpul and we had a good look at samples of fabric and discussed what we would want. We saw a fabric we both liked but decided to go away and think about it. We got back to the site and set up properly. After a bit of lunch took a walk around the gravel pits. We saw 2 kingfisers together, a kestrel perched on a tree, moorhen, various ducks and some swans. We went to the pub on site for a meal and it was lovely, fish and chips.

Sat 6th

Having talked about the upholstery we decided to go and order it. We went to Ilkeston first thing and got a date of 22nd Nov to have it done. Had late breakfast/lunch then Rich watched Grand Prix practise. After lunch we walked all around the site. We went to Brenda and Doug's about 5 oclock to return the key for the house in Spain. They took us to the Rugby Club for a meal. Across the road from the club there is a water buffalo, called Oink, in a field. As we went to have a look at it it's owner turned up with a snack for it - two large loaves of bread and 36 weetabix disappeared without a trace! all the time it was eating it was making "oinking" noises. We had a reasonable meal in a very noisy club room then went back to B & D's and then on back to the van.



Sun 7th

After breakfast went a walk round the gravel pits, saw a flock of linnets and kingfisher again. Rich watched Grands Prix then we packed up and left by 2oclock.