We arrived at the Newark Showground about 11oclock and met Jan & Mike. As we were towing the Smart car the man organising the queues told us to tell them inside that we were together and they would let us park together on the main area. When we got inside the marshal said we could not go to the main area with a car there was an area set aside for people towing cars, she finally agreed that Jan & Mike could park by us there. We got parked and set up and the marshal came and asked us to move, she didn't want us side by side but one behind the other! After a deal of arguing we decided to leave the car by the gate and park in main area. Once we were set up Rich fetched the car and parked it by our van and no body bothered us at all about it. Jilly had been very quiet all day and overnight had one of her turns and seemd quite poorly. She got better over the next few days.
Thursday 28th June 2007
After a bit of lunch we caught the shuttle bus to the Brownhills site, there was not a lot to see other than the motorhomes for sale. When we got back V & J went to get fish & chips from a mobile shop, we were amongst the first in the queue, about 15-20 people before us, but it was 1 hour & 10 minutes before we got served!!!! It got increasingly cold as we waited and people were getting very irate (us included) especially as marshals were coming up to the side window with large orders, jumping the queue and getting theirs free!!! After we finally ate our meal we went to the hall for a salsa evening, there were demonstrations and lessons for anyone interested and free drinks. Didn't stay too late. Heavy rain again over night.
Friday 29th
V & J went on double decker bus into Nottingham, it was very grey and raining bus steamed up so unable to see views as we travelled. We were dropped by a shopping mall so we looked around shops for a while, had a drink and sandwich then back to bus station, had to wait ages for bus, the sun had come out by then and day turned warm but still showery. When we got back J & M went to Brownhills to get some mattresses. In the evening we had a BBQ then went to the hall for a barn dance evening. Free drinks again and a pate supper. V & J had great fun doing barn dances.
Saturday 30th
V & J went in the Smart to Newark to have a look around, a very nice town with some interesting architecture and different areas of town linked through passages. R & M watched to Grande Prix on TV. When we got back we braved the shower block on the far reaches of the field. Not very salubrious!! The weather was warm and showery again. In the evening there was a 70s disco, BBQ and again free drinks.
Sunday July 1st
Went over to Brownhills again for couple of things from shop. R & M watched grand prix, very heavy showers with strong winds. Had a BBQ again then R took awning down before we went to the hall for last evening’s entertainment by local dance troupe and free drinks again. We reckoned that although it was £40 for the 4 nights camping we probably had our moneys worth in drinks!
Monday 2nd
J & M went home to attend Katie’s graduation ceremony, R & V moved to Brownhills camping site for overnight stop. This is a site where anyone who has purchased from Brownhills can stay free at any time; there are washing and drying facilities provided a swimming pool with sauna and jacuzi and a lounge with TV and tea/coffee making facilities.
V went for swim, sauna and shower, then went to do some washing but the washing machine was broken, got washing done by sitting holding the button in through the wash cycle!! Went in to Newark for a bit of shopping, it was sunny but muggy. When we got back to the van there was more very heavy rain and thunder.
Tuesday 3rd
The site which had been very wet when we arrived was like a lake when we woke up. 
V went to have a swim before setting off but the pool was not open. We set off about 10 and there were heavy showers all the way. We arrived at Carr House Farm near Pickering to find a very boggy field, the sun did come out and we found the driest - or least wet - area to set up. Once we'd set up there was very heavy rain again. The site was on a working farm, there was a small shower/toilet block which was quite new. We were able to buy fresh milk and eggs. At £8 a night we thought it good value.
Wednesday 4th
Went to Eden Camp.
"This is no ordinary Museum - Not another Military Museum - Not a glass showcase Museum - We have reconstructed scenes using movement, lighting, sound, smells, even smoke machines to transport you back in time, to make you feel that you are there taking part in history. Our special award winning Museum is an original Prisoner of War Camp built in 1942. Our fascinating displays hold, and reveal to you, the vital spirit which eventually triumphed in 1945. These superb and lifelike exhibits make a visit to EDEN CAMP a wonderful and educational day out for all the family."
This was very interesting, a good day out and at only £3.50 admission very good value for money. We took about 5 hours to see it all, every hut had a different exhibit; unfortunately half of Yorkshire's school children seemed to be there on their end of term trip which was a bit distracting at times. We had fish and chips in the cafe and although it kept dry all the time we were there we had to make a dash for the car through yet another heavy shower. We drove in to Pickering to suss out the train times and parking for the next day before heading back to the van.
Thursday 5th
Went to Pickering and caught the North Yorkshire Moors Railway train to Grosmont, the engine was a diesel for this trip. Got off and had a look round the engine sheds where restoration work was going on, saw Sir Nigel Gresley in the shed.
Had a quick drink in a pub, well sat outside because the sun was shining and it was warm. Got Got on another train to go back to Goathland, this time it was a steam engine.. Got off at Goathland and walked up to village, famous as Aidensfield in "Heartbeat". Went to pub first, "Goathland Arms" aka "Aidensfield Arms", were surprised to find that the interior is the same as on television, thought it would be different; apparently they used to film there but now use a studio mock up. Had a very nice sandwich and drink before going on to see the rest of the village, not much to see really but very pretty location. Back on steam train to Pickering. 
It had been warm and sunny all day but as we got back to the van there was more heavy rain with thunder and lightening.
Friday 6th
Packed up ready to move off, 
Rich so anxious about whether he'd be bogged down forgot to remove electric hook up! Moving off nicely 'til I shouted, stopped and got bogged down!! Had to be towed off with a tractor, very ignominious. Socket damaged but owner understanding and no charge. Drove to Rigg Farm site near Whitby along very hilly, winding narrow roads. Jan and Mike arrived at about the same time. A lovely site with view to Whitby Abbey. Amenities very good, each hardstanding had its own hook up, water tap and washing line. The showers were good with plenty of room and hooks and shelves. Reasonably priced at£16 a night unfortunately it was too far and too hilly to cycle anywhere so we decided to only 
stop one night, we rang around and got in at Muston Grange near Filey. In the afternoon R & M rested after their drive so V & J took Smart in to Whitby, it was raining so took a bus tour round the town which also took us up to the Abbey. When we got off we realised nobody had taken our fare! Rain eased up a bit so looked round shops then back to vans. Had a BBQ then played cards 'til bedtime.
Saturday 7th
Moved to Muston Grange near Filey, this was a big site with security barriers; the 
wardens were very welcoming but despite having hardstanding it was very wet. There were a lot of seasonal pitches and it was quite crowded, the toilets were in an old brick building and were acceptable, at £13.50 a night good value but we were none of us keen on the site. R & M watched Grand Prix V & J took Smart in to Filey. Sunny until we got there then very heavy rain with hail, sat in car 'til stopped. Town very high above beach, walked in some gardens then in to a craft fair and on round town. Decided to go down to beach but then it looked like rain again so changed our minds. Back to van and had BBQ.
Sunday 8th
Nice morning R & M watched Grande Prix so V & J went in to Bridlington. Busy one way system but finally parked in Somerfield car park. Walked to front, very "Blackpooly". Walked round shops and market dodging showers. Found a department store, Boyes, which had a museum and cafe on top floor. Had cup of tea and toast watching storm over sea. Back to car and drove round looking for another site. Found "Beacon House" and booked in. Stopped and picked some strawberries then came across a farmers market in old Bridlington, stopped for a look around. Driving back rain came down so heavy with thunder and lightening overhead we had to stop for a while. Jan cooked a lovely Sunday dinner.
Monday 9th
Moved to Beacon House, a lovely CS,
hardstanding and drainage so grass not boggy. We had a nice greeting from Phyll and Colin, the owners, and were presented with a loaf of freshly baked bread each. Once we were set up we sat out in the sun and had lunch. V & R went to Mossisons and when they got back Mary & Alan arrived. Sat and chatted in the sun for a while then drink & nibbles in A & Ms van before tea, a short shower whilst there was the only rain all day though thunder had rumbled round on and off. 
A beautiful sunset.
Tuesday 11th
Caught the bus to Bridlington, a double decker and very rough ride going round villages and estates. Wandered around a bit then got some chips and walked along front got bus back. After a bit of 
lunch went on a bike ride. First we went down Danes Dyke which is a very steep path down to a cove with chalk cliffs; there were a couple of recent land slips down cliff. Climbed back up to road 
and went to Flamborough lighthouse, did about 7miles, it was breezy but sunny and warm. When we got back had a BBQ and sat out 'til about 8pm.
Wednesday 12th
Jan & Mike left. R&V M&A went to RSPB reserve in Smart, 
Started ferrying but all piled in in the end, much to the amusement of other motorists. It was warm and sunny and 
we saw a lot of gannets and puffins, we also saw razor bills, guillemots and kittiwakes amongst others, they were all nesting on the most unlikely looking ledges and the noise was tremendous. Went back for lunch then set of for a walk to Danes Dyke then along the cliff path to Flamborough, there was a very large land slip taking down the path and closing it off, although we made our way through. Saw quite a few yellowhammers on walk back. Had a BBQ and sat out for a while.
Jilly seemed to enjoy the sunshine.
Thursday 13th
Packed up and set of at 10.30, home by 2.30, sunny all the way then a shower at Telford.
