Plenty of nights out and I had travelled the length and breadth of the UK.
On Wednesday I found myself up in Leeds and a night out in a new Service Station - Skelton Lake J45 on the M1 just East of Leeds. Quiet and it was not busy.
From here I had a reload at 1100hrs on Thursday, and then I was to return to London Gateway.
An easy trip or so I thought!
I knew I would not get down to London Gateway and had planned to stop around 1900hrs, but at 1800hrs the traffic ground to a halt.
And from this spot I moved less than a mile over the next 8 1/2hrs!
Unfortunately there had been an accident just ahead which had closed the A1 in both directions.
I am all the other trucks were stranded, they did manage to get the cars cleared, but we were left to our own devices.
I ran out of Working Time Directive at 2100hrs, Drive Time was ok thankfully.
Eventually at 0240hrs we were given the go ahead to drive through.
All the layby's were stacked out with vehicles, some trucks parked with their back ends sticking out onto the carriage way, which I thought was not only foolish but dangerous.
I carried on till I hit the next truck stop, pulled in, parked up and slept like the dead!
I had to take 11hrs off which meant that I did not get going again till 1400hrs the next day.
I was supposed to be on the docks at 0600hrs and I still had a 2hr journey to get there!
But, this is what happens, you just have to go with what is dealt you.
Eventually I got to the docks, unloaded and ran dead to Southampton where I had to go on the docks to collect a box.
By the time I got back to the yard, unloaded all my gear out of my truck and got home it was 2300hrs and I was knackered and in desperate need of my 2 weeks off!
The first few days I have to admit were spent sleeping! We did nothing at all!
Then on Thursday we travelled up to Preston for a flying visit to see my daughter who has just returned from Spain after losing everything after both their jobs fell through due to Covid-19.
Thankfully, after having been in 2 weeks of quarantine my daughter got a job, shortly followed by her partner, so both now in full time employment. Which is pretty impressive all things considering.
We had booked into the Farrington Lodge Hotel - A lovely hotel, but upon arriving we did have our doubts that it was even open. It just looked deserted!
Must say that the the guy we saw on reception, who was also on the bar and appeared to be running the whole show "Paul" was brilliant.
The restaurant was not open, and a continental breakfast was left in a bag outside our room but the room was big, clean and very comfortable.
Would I recommend it - Yes, without doubt.
We met up with my daughter at the pub she works at, It's got a whole new team and owners from what I can make out, no website yet, but they do have a facebook site. It's The Woodsman at Leyland.
We ate there and the food was good and inexpensive.
Next day we took my daughter and her partner out for lunch, stopping in Clitheroe, never been before but from what I saw was a quaint market town. It was raining but we did walk up to Clitheroe Castle, you can walk around it for free. There is a museum but it was closed.
On the way up to the Castle you pass a rather splendid War Memorial, probably one of the finest around.
The Castle itself, is really no more than a "Keep" apparently one of the oldest in the UK.
On a fine day I can imagine the view is a little better, but it was pretty wet by the time we had wandered around and headed back down the hill to find shelter and a brew.
We found refuge in the Rose and Crown pub and had a hot drink to warm us and helped us dry out before we headed out to our lunch destination.
We did find an award winning butchers "Cowmans The Famous Sausage Shop" with an immense range of sausages, so we bought some to take home!
After drying off we headed out to a pub called The Aspinall Arms - You just know you are in fro a special time as soon as you walk through the door.
The service and food was amazing and could not fault the service or the food. We certainly dined in style that day!
We said our goodbyes and headed home, eventually getting home just after 2100hrs.
Over the weekend it was my birthday, so we had a few beers with some friends down at Milford On Sea - village green. The weather was kind, and a good day was had by all.
Then on Monday we were off for a 3 night stay in a Shepherds Hut in Old Heathfield in Sussex.
It was lovely and just what was needed.
It had it's own resident goats which were very friendly and no trouble at all.
We were lucky enough to see an Owl and on our final morning I woke early and as I looked out the door I spotted a large deer with a full set of antlers and 3 or 4 females no more than 100 foot away.
I didn't manage to get a picture, I was rooted to the spot just looking at them. It was magical to see.
It was just so relaxing, the weather was amazing and we cooked on a wood fire pit each night.
We decided to on our way home to follow the coast as we were in no rush and ended up having lunch at the Cams Mill at Fareham. An stunning building and great staff, unfortunately my pet hate is Triple Cooked Chips - These chips looked like they had been cooked three times, dry and burnt, along with the chicken burger which was also over cooked. The roll was not only warmed but burnt around the edges.
What is with this fascination of cooking everything to death?
So sorry, not worth visiting and certainly not at £14.00 for a chicken burger!
Lovely location as well, so a bit of a shame really.
Then to cap it all, we had another problem with the car, same old fault by the looks of it. Another or maybe even a replaced tyre sensor, as it is displaying the same faults.
A phone call to the garage and it is booked in for this Wednesday.
Now sat at home and it's Friday. Had a message from work wanting to know if I would start back on Sunday, I agreed as the money is too good not to do it. So Sunday I am back in my truck and heading to Liverpool!
That's my summer holiday done for this year!
Stay safe folks.....
