Sandringham Trip

 The journey to Sandringham was not uneventful. At one point, on the A10 near Ely, the rear door popped open. I probably hadn't checked that it was locked properly before setting off, but the potholes on t\he roads didn't do it any favours. I pulled into a hand car wash and waved the workmen away, t\elling t\hem I had a problem with the rear door.

I spent the remainder of the journey on edge, waiting for the door to pop again. The weather was cloudy but the rain held off. When I arrived at the entrance to the site, at 2pm, I was disappointed to see that the queue for check-in was all the way back to the forest road. Not only that, but it was also the exit. Vehicles were trying to get out, and others, who had already checked in, were trying to get in.

Fifty five minutes later, I was escorted to my lovely grass pitch in the middle of a clearing in the trees. I had just plugged in the EHU when the heavens opened. I decided to wait for the rain to stop before putting up the Skadu. Lunch was way overdue. As it was now past 3pm, I had an early afternoon tea. 

As soon as the rain had stopped, I put up the Skadu, so that there would be a place for wet-weather gear, tables, and chairs. It's not difficult to put up, alone, and my cunning plan of raising the pop-up roof without dislodging it seems to be working. 

I took |Alf for a walk, both of us clad in our wet-weather gear. Luckily, it was not needed. The walks are marked and are, in the main, footpaths through the woods . We were both tired from the stresses of the drive and, so, it was an early night for the two of us, 

The van was warm and the bed, with its newly-configured-sleeping-bag-mattress, was much more comfortable. Alf decided he would sleep with me, under the duvet, rather than on his own fleece-line sleeping spot. He is really a very anxious traveller at the moment. I'm hoping that will change the more often we go out in the van.

Tuesday was a wet day. Most of my neighbours left the site in their cars to seek activities elsewhere. My nearest neighbours, a man and woman with their toddler, new-baby, and dog slept in this remarkable 'tent' It has a stove!

The Skadu provided shelter from the rain, and even allowed for play with Alf (on a long lead, tethered inside the van - campsite rules) I rested, read, listened to Audible and began to feel a little better. Even inside the van, with the rain pouring down, it was peaceful - and green. Alf discovered a family of squirrels and became a bit fixated on getting at them. Pigeons were no long of interest. Squirrels can't fly, but my goodness can they move fast - and climb really high.

Alf and I decided to reccy the Dog Walks from the site. He was very enthusiastic and ended up almost stuck beneath this gate. He realised he needed help and didn't complain much when I dragged him back out.

In the evening, we watched many of our neighbours packing away their awnings. They were obviously leaving early the next day. 

Our nearest neighbours spent much of the early hours of Wednesday packing away the tent and their belongings. I was amazed that their car took so much without any trouble. 

By 9am, I had this part of the campsite to myself. The view from the Skadu was lovely. 

Wednesday was dry and warm. Alf and I had two walks through the woods. They're beautifully managed. Tree fungi of different sorts, ferns newly-unfolding, and constant birdsong were everywhere.

Back to the van for lunch. Steak and stir-fry veg, with Prosecco, in the shade of the Skadu.

After lunch, I turned on the water heater and washed myself and my hair. I used two bowls, one with warm water in it, the other to rinse myself in using a jugful from bowl 1.  I wore a towelling robe which kept most of the water off the floor of the van. 

I always feel much better after a hairwash. I spent the remainder of the afternoon out in the sun, with Alf, strolling the complete circuit around the outside of the site.

 I can't work out if the end of one leg brought me to the CMC, or if it was the edge of the CCC.

The Sandringham CCC has lots going for it. There were lots of campervans and motorhomes there. Despite that, it was very quiet. The site's facilities include Toilets and Showers; waste disposal and grey water disposal; and Glamping tents. 

There is a Reception Cabin which houses a small shop. The staff were available there, except for the times when  deep cleaning was done, between noon and 1pm. Arrivals were checked in after 1pm and those leaving had to vacate their pitch by noon.

Everyone was  very friendly and helpful. I left the site at about 9.30am, having spoken to one of my neighbours who was heading off for a boat trip to Blakeney Point to see the seals. I was about 5 miles into my journey home when my mobile rang (hands-free, controlled from my new SatNav). It was the CCC. Another neighbour had handed in the black cazr rubbish bag I had inadvertently left behind on my pitch. It is being kept for me to retrieve on my next visit. That may be sooner rather than later, as I could return home from my next trip to the coast via Sandringham.