For our August ’23 main trip we opted to visit the small site at Thornton Le Dale https://www.facebook.com/prospectfarmcampsite, just behind the Mathewson’s garage and auction house (the subject of a popular TV series ‘Bangers and Cash’, about vintage cars and motorbikes). Although the site is small it is still affiliated to the Camping and Caravanning club. We thought, as Thornton Le Dale was not a very big place, that a two night stay would be enough for our needs, and decided, that as we were in that area, to extend our trip by taking a two night stay in the Rowntree Park Camping and Caravanning club site in the centre of York. We have a friend who has, on a number of occasions, asked us to visit her in York, and we arranged to meet her there.
We decided that a Friday to Tuesday trip would suit us best, and we set off on Friday 11th August to traverse the Pennines and visit the delights of Yorkshire. At mid morning we set off on, what we believed would be, a two and a half hour trip. But as the weather was very good that day, and we were travelling during the school holidays, the traffic was very heavy, and progress was slow. Our trip, in the end took over three and a half hours, with delays due simply to the level of traffic. The weather was so good that day that we had the windows open all the way across
When we eventually arrived in Thornton Le Dale, and at the location where we had perceived the campsite to be, we found, around the corner from Mathewsons that there was a narrow lane, which was signposted as a cul-de-sac. We discounted this as being the entrance to the campsite. There was no indication that there was a campsite nearby, and as Sue had only inputted Thornton Le Dale, and not the campsite into the GPS, we drove further into the town to see if there was a sign for a campsite. We soon found one, taking us right, and away from the Mathewson’s garage. I soon realised that we were going the wrong way, and we pulled over whilst Sue searched on her phone for the campsite, Prospect Farm Campsite. Confusingly, there were two campsites of that name, and we began driving towards the wrong one. Again, my instincts told me that we were wrong, and we stopped and performed a u-turn on the main road through the town. We then found out that the campsite we were looking for was up the narrow cul-de-sac that we had earlier discounted.
The campsite was very small, split into an upper and a lower section, and there was a white board detailing names and allocated pitches, between the two entrances. We discovered that we had been allocated pitch three on the lower section, and drove up a narrow lane into, what appeared to be an old farm yard. It was quite unusual, as we were expected to park sideways on in our pitch, which was confusing as it is usual to either drive front ways in, or reverse onto the pitch. The owner of the site helped Sue onto the pitch and confirmed he was happy with the result. We were separated from the neighbouring pitch by a thick hedge. Once parked up I set to in connecting the electrics and switching the gas on whilst Sue took Finn for a much needed toilet break.
We then decided, following the stressful trip we had endured that Sue had deserved a Gin and Tonic, and me, a cider. We then walked into town, but first looked in the Mathewson’s windows at the goods on offer. Sue had her eye on a red metal petrol can, given that I had given her previous one to my son a few years previously. We soon discovered the Buck Inn not that far away and enjoyed a much needed drink, and perused the menu there to see if it would suit us for an evening meal. It was your standard U.K. pub grub, and not very exciting, and I decided that I would prefer an Indian curry to be delivered to the motorhome, Sue decided she didn’t want anything. Finn was given a little attention by the bar staff, but not offered a treat or drink. We then took our leave, with the plan to give Mathewson’s a more thorough inspection on the way back to the motorhome. We stopped off on the way to stock up on white wine and cider. When we arrived at the garage Derek, the proprietor, was on the forecourt ready to depart in a classic Morris Minor Traveller, and gave Sue a smile and a wave as he departed. She was delighted. We then looked through the windows again, as the business was now shut, and selected the items that we wanted to look at the next day when we were to visit. We then returned to the motorhome where I ordered my Indian meal online.
It was not long until I received a call on my phone from the man delivering my meal, which turned out to be very good. Sue was happy to feed herself from the items in the fridge that she had brought with us. With the sun still shining we settled down for the night.
We were up bright and early the next morning, and after a bacon butty for breakfast were ready to head into the centre of town to find out which pub was screening the Ladies World Cup quarter final between England and Columbia. But first I called into the garage to enquire as to when they shut. We had up to 4.00pm to visit. The match had already started so we wasted no time in finding a screening. As the Buck Inn was so near, and we knew it was dog friendly from the previous day, I went in there to enquire whether they were showing the match. The man at the bar pointed into the next room, and when we got in there we found that we were the only ones wanting to watch the match. We ordered our drinks and chose the best place to watch the football, and sat down.
England were playing very well and I was glued to the TV whilst also chatting to a lovely old couple who, it appeared, had called in for their regular treat of chilli prawns and fish and chips. They were very chatty, and the husband, who had served in the army during the war, had many interesting tales to tell. They had also come to watch the football, but the husband’s eyesight was that poor that he could barely see the TV screen. We told them that we were visiting, primarily, to visit the garage when the wife said that Derek had been ‘a naughty boy’ as he had left his wife to live with one of the female staff from the office, who is 26 years younger than him, at 45 years old. We all found this very amusing.
Whilst we were chatting the bar was filling up with more people eager to watch the match, with one family with unruly children running around the pool table upsetting Finn. I had to take him outside for a while to stop his barking. When I returned to the bar Sue took Finn to another area in the bar to join some women who were fussing over him. The match was nearing the end and it was tense in the, now crowded, bar. After an extensive period of extra time England finished as winners, beating Columbia 2-1. England were now to play in a semi final against the hosts Australia. Once the match had finished we bid farewell to the elderly couple and took our leave.
Sue, first, wanted to visit the Chocolate Factory in the town, and I waited outside whilst she went inside to inspect the wares. Whilst waiting outside I noticed the Balderson’s Ice Cream Parlour across the road, which served teas, coffees and cakes in it’s garden, and we agreed to visit for a short break. We were soon shown through to the rear of the café to a table under a giant vine that had masses of grapes growing on it. Most of the tables were under cover, which was good as the sky looked so dark that a heavy rain would not be unexpected. Once we had filled up on cakes and drinks we decided to leave to see what else Thornton Le Dale had to offer, and left via an exit to the back, for dogs, to prevent them re-entering the café. This route took us behind the Buck Inn, which had quite a nice beer garden, and back onto the main road, where I had planned to call in to the Brandysnap Bistro, to check whether they were dog friendly, and book a table for that evenings tea. Unfortunately it was shut and by looking through the window we concluded that it would be unlikely that it would be dog friendly so we reviewed our plans. I said, again, that I would be happy with an Indian meal, and Sue, again, did not have much of an appetite. We then set off to see what Mathewson’s had to offer, stopping off to buy some bread rolls on the way.
It was very busy when we got there, and I checked whether Finn would be welcome. Luckily he was, as long as his wagging tail didn’t upset the very nicely staged tower of branded mugs on offer. Sue sat with Finn whilst I explored the shop to look for items of interest, and once I had finished we were to reverse our roles. I soon found the branded T shirts, and a humorous sign, which included the following text ‘Lost wife and dog, reward for dog’. I was told I was being very brave by the cashier as I paid for my items. Sue then took her turn in the shop, and soon found out that the metal petrol cans in the shop were for display purposes only. She then decided to buy a humorous sign for my new shed, which stated ‘Man Cave, manly men doing manly things’. After we looked at all the classic cars and motorbikes on offer we decided to return to the motorhome. Just as we turned the corner into the cul-de-sac the expected cloud burst began. It was a very heavy rain, and we took shelter under a convenient arch between two houses as the rain beat down on the road. It lasted a good ten minutes or so, and as it eased off we continued on our walk back.
When we got back I set to booking an Indian meal for 6.30pm that evening, and we tucked into snacks to keep us going for the interim. Then we sat back to enjoy a bit of peace and quiet. However I soon get bored, so suggested that we visit the town again. We soon set off, admiring the classic vehicles and signage at the garage as we passed. When we arrived in the town we found out that there was little to do so opted to visit the other pub in town, the New Inn. It was a nice evening so we decided to sit in their ‘beer garden’, which turned out to be a yard overgrown with weeds, with broken glass on the ground and old tables and chairs stacked unceremoniously by the walls. The sky began darkening, and with memories of the earlier shower we downed our drinks and left. As we had just entered the cul-de-sac Sue’s phone rang, the man delivering my Indian meal was waiting for us at the campsite, it was 5.55pm. I ran up to collect my meal and apologised to him that I had kept him waiting, rather than point out he was 35 minutes early! After that busy day we settled down for the night.
Our final morning in Thornton Le Dale broke fine, and after breakfast it only took minutes to disconnect the electric and switch the gas off. Sue had been dreading extricating the motorhome from the site, given the angle we were at, and the proximity of the other pitches. In the end after a couple of manoeuvres she was out, and we were soon on the road to York. The trip to York was uneventful until we encountered a narrow bridge near Stamford Bridge, the sign stated it was 7 feet wide. Sue suggested that I get out to assist with the passage through, and as I got out I recalled that I had, at some earlier time, written down the dimensions of the motorhome and affixed those details to the inside of the sun visor. I asked Sue to give it to me before I got out. The note stated that the motorhome’s width was 8 feet 6 inches, so we decided to reverse and find an alternative route, making all the cars behind us reverse also. We then turned right when we should have turned left, and had to take a circuitous journey of about three to four miles to find the correct alternative route. Once we had returned to the correct road we came across another hold up, a caravan owner replacing a flat tyre on his caravan, which had built up a large queue.
The above two problems added some time to our journey but it was not a problem as we were due to be early onto the York site, which is not permissible. We continued along the road until we entered York, the segment of the journey that Sue was not looking forward to, as she detests driving in city centres if she doesn’t know where she’s going. However, the drive through York to the site was quite straightforward, and no problems were encountered. We managed to get to within 100 yards or so from the site https://tinyurl.com/52vj9zuz, and managed to park up for the twenty minutes we would need to wait until the 1.00pm admission time. Another two motorhomes were waiting nearby doing the same as us. At 1.00pm we all drove onto the site where the staff were waiting to check us in. We were given free rein to find a pitch with 2 white markers and reverse into it. We drove around the site looking for a suitable pitch, and chose pitch 12. Once I had seen Sue safely into the pitch I ran over to the reception to inform them, and collect the keys to the gates and toilet block. I then set to connecting the electrics and switched on the gas, whilst Sue dealt with Finn’s needs.
At the same time a couple pulled in the pitch opposite us in a VW camper and set to erecting their awning. They were disagreeing on which was the best way to complete the job.
Sue and I had arranged to meet our friend at a nearby pub called the Winning Post https://www.winningpostyork.co.uk at 5.30pm, and I had asked at reception for the directions, but in the meantime the plans had changed and our friend was to meet us in the site. We still had an hour or two to kill so decided that we would take a walk to find a way to the Winning Post. Sue put the details in her phone, and we were directed down a series of alleyways and sideroads until we found the pub. We then decided to explore the shops on the nearby Bishopsgate Road (known locally as Bishy Road!) before returning to the site. We discovered that there were a number of cafes and bistros there, and decided to find one to sit outside, and enjoy a drink in the sun. Unfortunately, everyone else had the same idea and we were unable to find a seat, so decided to buy a bottle of white wine from the nearby Sainsburys and retire to sit outside the motorhome to enjoy the sunshine there.
When we got back the couple opposite were still constructing their awning and blaming each other for the days woes.
By the time we had returned to the motorhome and unloaded the table and chairs, and opened the wine our friend had arrived at the site (bringing Finn a bright green plastic bone, which to this day he hasn’t stopped playing with!) and we sat and enjoyed the day. But our peace was not to last for long, as time was ticking by, and it would not be long before our evening meal booking. We retraced our steps down the alleys and the sideroads to the pub, and we’re very pleased with the food and service provided. After our meal we decided to change venue to have a drink at the Angel on the Green on Bishopsgate Road, but after walking all the way there we found that it was very busy, with no seats available for us. Our friend then left us, and we agreed to meet the next day in York old town. We retired to the motorhome to finish off the wine in the evening sunshine.
Through the night we were awoken by the rain drumming in the overhead vents, and the morning broke grey and wet. The rain was very heavy at times. Sue took Finn out for his morning walk and they both came back soaked through, that’s when I decided that my sandals wouldn’t be adequate for the day. I searched out some more appropriate footwear, and came across a pair of boots that I had repaired following the sole coming off on an earlier trip. They looked sturdy enough, and the sole appeared to be robust enough to deal with the day. I also searched out another essential for the day, a golf umbrella. After taking on board a breakfast and outfitting ourselves in our all weather gear we set off for York city centre in the rain.
The rain was incessant and the walk was terrible, and we were frustrated when we discovered that we were on the wrong side of the road after we had crossed the Skeldergate Bridge. We had to risk life and limb crossing a dual carriageway with the cars splashing us as they ploughed through the puddles on the road. It was not long before we were in the town centre, and we then took shelter in a shop doorway whilst we rung our friend to arrange where to meet. We met up shortly thereafter and the rain eased off slightly as we walked to our lunch at the Ambiente Tapas Goodramgate https://www.ambiente-tapas.co.uk/goodramgate (a dog friendly restaurant that I had previously discovered online). Although our friend lives in York she had never eaten at this restaurant before. Luckily, as we hadn’t booked, they had a table for us, and we sat down for an excellent meal. The tapas were very authentic, and the pairing of the sherries made the experience one not to be forgotten. Our friend was suitably impressed. I would consider another trip to York sometime just to eat in this restaurant.
After lunch we left the restaurant and crossed the road to Robertos Authentic Italian Gelato for an ice cream, where miniature ice creams are served with every drink of tea or coffee. I enjoyed a large slice of coffee cake whilst Sue and our friend savoured the ice cream.
When we left I mentioned that I would like to see some of the more historic sites of York, and we were led down College Street and Minster Yard to the Deans Park, along the side of the Minster. Once through the park we came across the magnificence of the Minster’s West front where the statue of the late Queen Elizabeth had recently been installed. It was at this spot that Finn took it upon himself to start barking uncontrollably, and he was clearly upset by something. The last time he did this we were at Eyam, so I’m convinced that he can see ‘dead people’ as in the film Sixth Sense. Sue had to take him away down Precentors Court to quieten him down, which seemed to work. We then continued to walk past the Minster, and he started again. To compound our problems part of the sole of one of my boots decided to come loose, and I was unable to walk without it flapping around. The sole on the other boot had done a similar thing on an earlier trip and I had glued it back on, so I decided to retain the sole for a later repair. I had to find a bench to sit down, to pull the remainder of the sole off the boot. The boots had been purchased in Switzerland many years previously, and had been very expensive, but overall had proved good value for money.
In the meantime our friend had given herself the quest of finding something to keep the sole in place, and disappeared for a while, whilst Finn was clearly still disturbed about something, and was voicing his displeasure.
Our friend returned with some elastic bands, but at this stage I had put the offending sole in my pocket. The rain, which had eased earlier looked as though it was going to return and we decided to start making our way out of the city centre. Our friend suggested that she accompany us back to the Skeldergate Bridge, and thereafter make her own way home, and we followed her lead. She took us on an alternative route back to the bridge via the river and St. George’s Field, not before she visited a pet shop in the centre to buy Finn a football, which he popped as soon as he received it. The rain was starting to get heavy again and our farewells were rushed, and Sue, Finn and I crossed the bridge to return to the site.
We returned to the motorhome wet and exhausted after our day out in York, and thoughts turned to food. There was an Indian restaurant nearby that delivered, and a Wagamama’s in the centre of York that delivered via Deliveroo. Given that Wagamamas provides plates and cutlery, meaning no washing up, the meal was going to be ordered from there. Sue again was not eating so it was up to me to decide the cuisine. A chicken firecracker with extra hot sauce was ordered online and a time frame of 17.55 to 18.15 was given. The rain had ceased and the opportunity was taken to retrieve the table and chairs from under the motorhome, so that the meal could be eaten al fresco. At 17.55 I walked to the reception area, and before I got there my phone rang, and the delivery man had just arrived and was able to directly hand me my meal.
Again the meal was very good, and after the meal the furniture was again stored under the motorhome to protect it from the rain, that was restarting. We then retired inside to spend our last evening watching the TV, although the signal wasn’t too good. I decided after putting up with the interference to buy a signal booster in the hope that it would help improve the TV’s reception, and one was bought online.
The next morning the day broke bright and we completed all our tasks to make sure we left the site before the deadline, and began our journey home. Although our time had been interrupted by frequent rainfall we still enjoyed our break. Curiously, for another time, Finn was not made a fuss off by other people during the trip, he must be losing his puppy cuteness?
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