HANLEY SWAN NEAR MALVERN

24th October. We are nearing the end of our holiday and getting lazy, particularly with the fine sunny weather. The morning was spent enjoying the sunshine and after lunch we took Tim to an open heath called Old Hills, just a few miles from the site. We found he place last year but forgot about it until we passed it yesterday.
It was ideal for letting him loose for a run which we can't do in many places. He sometimes comes back to a whistle but all too often other things distract him and he just plays deaf!
It was amazing, he just ran around in huge circles with his toy (plastic) stick and never seemed to run out of energy.



22nd October. A walk was planned for today but unfortunately Di had an upset tummy so I set off for a stroll with Tim after lunch and got as far as the duck pond in Hanley'. This was about a mile I suppose in half an hour with frequent stops for sniffing purposes! On route I took some photos of the Autumn leaves, sadly they never look as good on a photo as they do in real life. Tim and I sat to watch the ducks for 10 minutes or so then walked back to the MH. The photo of Di and Tim is typical of him always wanting a cuddle!





21st October. We made an early start for Moreton in Marsh as today was market day! I knew it would be a long day from previous experience of open markets but I was on a promise, chips for lunch! The weather was fine with a cold wind. Having done the market (nothing to comment on it) we found a seat and feasted on hot pork rolls and a portion of chips (French fries to non UK readers). Tim enjoyed some too before having his usual dog biscuits.
As we had the afternoon free we went on to Bourton on the Water another quaint Cotswold town, or is it a village? Either way it cries out to be photographed with the river slicing through the middle. Now here were bargains in the form of half price waterproof warm winter jackets, ideal for dog walking. We had one each, really warm but a bit too bulky to keep in the small, already full wardrobe in the MH.

20th October. The weather forecast was good and correct for a change, it was windy and cold but sunny. We went to Ross on Wye before lunch had a look around the shops and had lunch parked by the river. I took some photos - difficult in town centres as they all look the same except for ancient features. The weather vane was above a church which had been converted into an antiques centre.

We then found our way to "Ross Labels"- I didn't know we needed any labels! It was a sort of designer outlet, I might have known. They did a good cup of coffee, then I kept Tim company for nearly 2 hours while Di bought clothes.
On our return to the site it started to rain and continued while I collected fresh water and disposed of the waste getting absolutely soaked. The joys of UK weather!
Photo right was taken near the river.








18th October. Another lazy day as it was hot and sunny. In the morning we drove to the local village Hanley Swan. Not a lot there other than a village store, a pub and a church, oh and a butcher. A bit like home other than the shops which we don't have! I think it will be quite noisy from traffic on the main road which bisects the village. Di had a wander around the bazaar in the church hall looking for home made cakes but sadly they were all gone. That's something we really miss! Photos left are taken at Hanley Swan close to the cross roads.








In the afternoon we did err', nothing, other than a walk around the site with Timmy who demonstrated stalking for Di. He remembers seeing a squirrel 5 days ago when we first arrived and goes back to the same spot and stalks- sort of slow motion with all legs bent, low profile!

17th October. No rushing around today, we had a leisurely morning. I did the usual dog walk and took a few photos around the site. The trees are particularly attractive but difficult to get in an artistic way without caravans which are, naturally, everywhere. Then again many would say what do I know about an artistic photo!


After lunch we headed for the hilly area, parked and walked to the top of British Camp. I remembered being here last year with Freddy, stopping for him to rest on many occasions. This time I was pulled up the hill by Tim who couldn't wait to see what was ahead!

On our return to the site it was such a calm hot day we actually sat outside the MH having a cuppa. The day ended in a spectacular sunset.







16th October. We made a return trip to Evesham having been there yesterday. I had the battery replaced in my watch but the analogue hands didn't respond after the replacement- I suspected the person who replaced the battery did something to ruin the watch. After an hour of fiddling the manager agreed to send the watch off to a repairer free of charge. I wait to see if that actually happens.
We then motored on to Broadway in the Cotswoulds, a picture postcard village where we had our picnic lunch before a ramble around. I used the new camera that I bought yesterday to take the photos.








14th October. Yesterday we set off from home in Devon to arrive here about 1pm at Hanley Swan Caravan Club site which is near Malvern . This is our second visit to the site: last year it was with Freddy and looking back it was probably the start of his illness as we made frequent visits to the local vet.
We picked a spot with good views of the Malvern hills and facing more or less south. For the record O2 phone was 5 bars, Voda 2 bars, and 3 Internet 3g no bars but good.
It would appear that I've forgotten to bring my digital camera, so it will either be photos from last year added when we get back home, or low resolution ones from Di's phone again when we get back home as this laptop doesn't have a bluetooth connection. (See later, I bought a camera)
The rest of the day was spent setting up, generally relaxing and walking around the site with Timmy.