SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 6, 2009
Norfolk - Ludham, Great Yarmouth, Lowestoft
Ludham, the one time home of Edward Seago.
I'd like to do a poll, Who knows who Edward Seago is? I bearly do, and I have probably been told about 100 times over 10 years.
Edward Seago is an English watercolourist who lived, at least part of his time, in Ludham, Norfolk. If I understand correctly, he started a movement for a certain quality of watercolours beloved of many today. Great men and women came after him, and many point back to Seago as some type of innovator of the form. If you are into this type of watercolour you may know of him, and it certainly was an exciting prospect for Wendy to travel to Ludham, and see where he lived and painted, and get a feel for how it would be to paint there now.
The place is beautiful, and extensive, and Wendy was thrilled to be there. We walked down a little lane and observed a scene of two English ladies having a chat on the path. Ah England at its best. Straight up, Wendy approached and asked if they knew where the house of Edward Seago was? He had passed away ~ 20 years ago, so, naturally, isn't part of village life any longer. What's the odds? Well, if you're like me, you'd be wrong. Helpful directions were courtiously given without hardly a break in their conversation, and we trudelled off to pay homage, and take lots of photos.
Wendy is a true follower of this man's work and life, but there is absolutely nothing comparable to actually going and visiting a place. It just speaks to you in ways that books can't. She got an awaful lot from visiting the town and surrounding area, and was not the least bit happy in finally leaving the place. When we eventually did, she would hardly speak to me for a whole day. She's over it now, but we'll have to visit it again sometime, and when we leave, I'll leave a day or two ahead of her to give her time to get over it before we meet up again.
We felt obliged to visit Great Yarmouth as well. Not sure that was such a great idea. It's a typical English sea side town, and extensive. Probably simillar to Blackpool on the west coast. I actually don't like these places very much - I'm intrigued to observe the culture of my teanage years but it can be a little depressing as well. Anyway on the way to the camp site we drove through G.Y. for a look-see and noticed a row of camper vans way down the end of the promanade, next to a camping ground. 'Has to be something in that. For our visit to G.Y. we checked it out. Ah yes! No parking charges, and easy to park against the curb - plenty of space, a nice walk along the prom' to G.Y., or, if you prefer, take the tractor-driven road train for a couple of quid. We prefered it on the way back.
The highlight of this 1/2 day out, was making our way off the prom' to the market square, visiting a very much "local's" pub and being chatted up by a lovely local man, and later on, when she came to pick him up, by his wife. The whole experience really lifts one's confidence in humanity. They have been great walkers in their lives, used to like a drink together afterwards, but now she "drives him to drink, ..... and later drives him home again" as he liked to tell us. They gave us lots of advise of places to visit and routes to take locally. After our drink at the pub, we looked for a place for a good sampling of fish and chips. Interesting the market has many vendors of chips, but hardly any fish, or anything else was being eaten. We took this as an omen, and had chips only for lunch. Absolutely lovely. It pays to eat local, and eat what the locals eat!
On route we visited North Nofolk. Some photos available at
Nice place. Cold day. Will have to visit again sometime and see more of it.
And then there were 2
Norfolk Broads, (Lowestoft), North Norfolk, trip Up North.
Picked Wendy up from Heathrow terminal 4. Unfortunately the short term parking there has a height restriction that I wasn't game on risking. 2 Meters I think it was, which looked shorter than my high-top camper. Must learn it's height - it's written in the manual. Still, they provide parking at the Hotel (Hilton I think) which is at Terminal 4. Not cheap, but there is a nice covered walkway from T4 - 4 mins to the hotel and car park. Worth using if you have a high vehicle and picking up somebody from there.
Wendy looked totally relaxed on arrival. Amazing since she had flown direct from Melbourne. The jet lag would later take its toll, but even that was well managed. Amagine this though - You fly alone across 1/2 the planet, pretty much non-stop, to be met by a crazy who takes you to a car sized van for the remainder of the trip? Good job that Crazy is your hubby or you might 'av 2nd thoughts.
Wendy has taken to camper van camping, and the van has managed to accomodate 2 almost as well as one. Just makes routine and order a little more important. Storage space is a little more challenged as well. But we do have travelling cases for 6+ weeks. Actually some things we hadn't considered was that you have a laundry permanently available, so you really don't need too many clothes.
Wendy was, and is, as Awe struck as me on the beauty of the English Countryside. It is wonderfull - beautifully green, and full of natural life. You just don't get to see much of this at all if you live in Melbourne, Australia. There isn't much countrside, you have to travel far to get to it, and when you do it's nowhere near as green, teaming with life, and so beautifully arranged. The benefit, I guess, of countless generations caring for a naturally watered island. I always loved this about the UK, and I forgot just how much.
Wendy joined me partly to be able to join in the tradition of seeing, sketching, and painting (in plaine air) that beautiful countryside that so many previous water colour artists have enjoyed. She has for many years poured over the various books where these paintings are reproduced, and now it's time for her to add to the cannon. Exciting.
After 4 nights around London to allow for aclimatisation, and catch up with family, we headed to Norfolk, and Ludham, the one time home of Edward Seago...
WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 2, 2009
A universal truth - size matters.
Writing as an experienced camper, ...... Writing as a committed camper, size matters. I admire those who camp with their home on their back; Not sure about those who stay in mobile-Hilton's. Camping has to be something different from staying in a 5 star hotel. My little van is the about as small as you can get a camper van. Not sure if the classic early model VW is smaller, it's certainly a lot more expensive - and very good looking. My short wheel base 1993 Ford Transit is not really much larger than a modern saloon car. I can certainly fit it in the standard supermarket parking spot, and go into any market town centre without problems. It did take a short while to gain confidence, but taking it easy avoided any accidents. Cooking, eating, relaxing, all in the van. Sometimes outside when weather permits. Other ablutions generally are external activities. That's OK. Not gone ferral yet (always stayed at a camp site). When I do, I'll use the already prepared chemical toilet. Occassionally at a camp site I'll look on the big hotel size campers and think about the space they have to stretch out, but once on the road again, I'll remember my camping is all about travelling, and travelling is a lot easier in a car sized van.
SUNDAY, AUGUST 30, 2009
A Night at Henley-On-Thames
Night before Wendy arrived at Heathrow, I needed a place to stay. The camp site at Henley-On-Thames, a river-side spot beloved of my beloved, had a spot available. I decided to stay there to get in the mood for the adjustment. Henley is really nice and a right-sized. Easy to walk around. An old-worldly, and fabulously provisioned hardware shop supplied a lot of the outstanding necessities to get the camper habitable to spousorial standards. Within throwing distance you have Waitrose, Boots, Sainsbury's and a host of others, so the fridge was looking good as well. In the morning I would (or as it ended up wouldn't) take an early morning walk to photo the river area as subject matter for future water colours, but the evening was free, so I decided to catch the falling light over the river and bridge. I enjoyed photographing the falling light, wet streets, reflections from the street lights, and the general sights of Heley. In the morning the light wasn't any good, but I made the Thursday morning market and stocked the camper with plenty of fresh local produce. That's the way to start in the good books. Pictures are available athttp://picasaweb.google.com/matthew.hargreaves/FINISHEDHenleyOnThamesAtNight#
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 26, 2009
New Forest, Bournemouth, Pete, Golfing
In a couple of days time I pick Wendy up from the airport to join me camping, but just now I have been enjoying a 4 day stay in The New Forest. It's not that new actually - no forest is.
The ride here was from Bristol - no motorways, just beautiful little country roads overlooking beautiful English countryside, lovely little village after village with thatched roofs. Farming all around.
I'm staying at a "Camping And Caravan Club" site, just opposite a golf course, down the road from Verwood.
A good friend who lives locally has been entertaining me good and proper to the wonderful golfing and country pubs. It's caught my imagination as a paradise - what else can you call an area which has some of the lowest crime levels, beautiful beaches but warmer than yorkshire's, beautiful countryside, lovely pubs, and incredible golf courses.
And one can work here - there is a local financial services industry now, and fairly good access to the city of London. We are all agreed though that commuting to any city louses it's appeal. A member of our fouresome, Phil, talked at the 19th' about moving down here - from Stains I believe. At first I couldn't get my head around that being much of a move at all. But now I understand it is. The pace is entirely different here from greater London (I used to live in windsor). It's got that seaside resort atmosphere - alla Brid, alla Port Douglas. I have yearned to move to Port Douglas, Queesland, Australia, but I know finding work would be a challenge. I'd *have* to make a big move to an entirely different kind of work. Bourenmouth has the benefit of perhaps working in the same or simillar industry for a while first.
Ah well, anyway. That's what I do when I visit a place. Start figuring out if it would be possible to live there - hopeless romantic. You only live once though.
First golf course - Burley Golf Club - In the new forest - in or near moorland. Lovely little 9 hole course. Really attractive. 9 holes : 18 tees. They really make a difference. Wild horses all around the place. Thankfully I didn't hit any. All I had to do to avoid them was to aim for the horses.
Secound golf course - Isle of Purbeck Golf Club. Wow what a golf course! "The Dunes" Victoria, Australia - eat your heart out. Melbourne has lots of fantastic courses, but this one is something really special. If you can hit the ball straight you're gonna love it; otherwise, go along for the walk and enjoys perhaps the best views from any golf course. My home course had black-hole rough, so I wasn't too phased. Even the air is really special.
Club site http://www.purbeckgolf.co.uk/
MONDAY, AUGUST 17, 2009
Career Options
The break will finish eventually, and I need to decide what to do next. It occurred to me I never decided to follow a career in computing. In fact I did decide *not* to follow a career in computing but to do it for a short length of time to get *some* experience of the subject I studied for three years. After that I was enjoying the experience of travelling to new place and meeting new people, and being paid well. I'd been out of work for about a month, and learnt that I had no money to rely on in that situation. Since computing was paying well, I'd stay in it for a while to get some money behind me while I figure out what I wanted to do with my working life. That was 1984. I did a couple of years contracting, and financed a trip to Australia where I could live cheap while I decided what I wanted to do. Got a bit of help from Aussie recruiters. Of course I ended up in an IT job with extra responsibilities. what else would IT recruiters steer me towards. It was nice doing different things, very very busy, but it was still IT/computing. Then I met Wendy, and "settled down". Not the time to change career it seemed. Perhaps it was though. Eventually following a career you hate more and more will have it's toll. It has. It's time to get back on track finding the career that gonna satisfy.
First Nights In The Camper Van
My very first night was after picking up the van. The kind sellers invited me to join their evening meal. Yummy. Gave me a run down of all the devices and maintenance. I was pretty exhausted from my day and really excited about getting the keys so didn't remember it all. Drove off in the dark to a pre-arranged spot. Arrived too late, and parked in their PRIVATE caravan park, far too close to the other van. Thankfully they weren't occupied. Been provded the code to the loo, so no accidents there. Set off very early in the a.m. to my 2nd camp site, Hertford. They are a "Camping and Caravan Club" site so signed me up to the club. Lots of support. Recommend them. Pays for itself in discounts after 6 nights at their camp sites. Nice uniform std. Everybody at the Hertford site seems to have some connection with Driffied, a town local to my home town. That night I stayed at my nephew's so not sure if it really counts as a night at the camp site. Been on a four night trip to camp sites since then and grown in confidence. Got the water tank flushed and filled. Don't know where the grey water is going yet though. Using the kettle for cups of coffee. Figured out the fridge. Will give it a thorough clean soon.
Camping - A New Experience
I have almost never camped before. Actually I have been once before ~1980, for one night as a guest of a kind family at a Newcastle Upon Tyne church. I wasn't exactly comfortable. My fault not theirs. I just don't think I got the concept of why anybody camps. Now I absolutely love it. Camp site fees aren't that bad, and you get a lot for it - 240 volt mains, water, access to a shower, and the security of being amonst other campers. Somewhere to dump your rubish, and advise on where to visit etc.
Setting Out
A camper van is the go. Renting one for the duration of the trip is about GBP 6,500. Ouch. Decided to buy 2nd hand for less than that. Gotta factor in tax, insurance, RAC. Lots of research. Lots of tire kicking. Moved up market a bit to get a nice internal design and condition. Nice van. 1993 high top, short wheel base FORD Transit. 2.5 Desil. Blows a little smoke. Always starts first time. 50 MPH is about as fast as I want to take it. Have had it up to 60 MPH. Prefer 50. Had it on a couple of small trips and its performed well. Still not cooked a meal in it yet, won't be long.
Rediscovery ?
Yes I am rediscovering - my English family, Countryside, roots, career direction .... All at once.
Oh yes, and I am graduating to be an overseas Aussie - Travelling the UK via camper van. Would have gone for the classic VW Camper, but they're expensive now, they need to be imported from Australia where they haven't rusted through yet.
