A Cheeky Stop-Over

Friday 9th August
Day 1  


It had been forecast to be a lovely day, Adele is on holiday so we decided to take a day trip out in Vera to Church Stretton and the National Trusts CardingMill Valley 
Its not too far from home, Kidderminster to Bridgnorth then on to Much Wenlock and Church Stretton, but as we drove through Much Wenlock the road to Church Stretton was closed and we were diverted which was not a problem we have all day after all, however, the diversion took us all the way to Shrewsbury, miles out of our way, with hind sight I should have set the sat-nav and taken a route across country through the Shropshire countryside but we didn't and the detour took us almost 40 minutes longer than it should have taken.


We arrived at Cardingmill Valley about 11.30 and it was already very busy, we had not really thought about it but it is August and in the middle of the school holidays so we should not have been surprised.
The NT volunteer took our membership card, scanned it and gave us our car park ticket, he directed us up the road and said there was space for the 'van, there was but only just.

Parked up with the back doors open, we must have been in the busiest part of the valley with all the young kids playing in the stream, which was nice to see if a little noisy. 


I took Archie for a short walk whilst Adele made a spot of lunch, cheese and pickle bagels, crisps and a nice cold drink.
We people watched for an hour or so then we went for a walk, Cardingmill Valley has been a family favourite for years, in fact my parents introduced us to it when we were kids, you can take a gentle walk up the valley on a tarmac and gravel path but when you reach what used to be the top carpark it requires hiking boots as the stoney path winds up the valley, we only took it for a short while, it was getting hot and we only wanted a potter about, we sat and enjoyed the peace and quiet for some time then returned via a different route crossing the babbling stream, there are miles of paths and walks in the area, it doesn't matter how many times you visit there's always something to see and enjoy.




Back at the van we were reluctant to leave, Adele found a pub, The Yew Tree Inn just about a mile away, the food looked lovely and they offered a park up for the night if you ate with them.
A quick phone call later and we had booked a table, the pub is dog friendly if you eat in the bar but as Archie may have played up we booked in the restaurant.
We sat in the sunshine for a couple of hours before it was time to move on, the sat-nav took us down the narrowest lanes we could go down and we didn't even get to the right location!
Back to using my sense of direction we found the correct road and the pub.
The car park was almost full even at 6.30pm but managed to park the van in one of the last few remaining bays, we gave Archie a treat to nibble at whilst we were in the pub and left him in the van with skylights open, we would come back every now and then to make sure he was ok.

The Yew Tree Inn was a traditional country pub separated into two areas, a bright and busy bar area and a quieter lounge/resturant when we booked in we were shown to our table, we ordered drinks, it was good to see local ales on tap.
The menu was small, but looked good, Adele ordered pate to start followed by scampi, I had hoisin pork bites and beef brisket with mash and veg.


All the food was delicious, served by really friendly staff, we had a few drinks and after our meal moved into the beer garden so that Archie could come out of the van and have a bit of a run before bed.
The night was drawing in and it started to get a bit chilly so we said our thanks and returned to the van, I took Archie for his final walk whilst Adele put up the bed, there was another MoHo and a campervan also parked up for the night, its really good to see country pubs allowing 'vans to park up and 'vans using the pubs, a win, win all round I would say.

Saturday 10th August
Day 2


It was 8.00am before we woke, we had closed all the blackout blinds so the daylight didn't wake us as normal and Archie slept all through the night.
We got ready and left the pub to make the short journey back to Cardingmill Valley, we planned to have breakfast there then take another walk before heading home, as it happened the lovely weather from yesterday have gone and we were treated to low cloud and rain, we did have breakfast but as the weather looked set for the day we packed up and left for home, our normal route home was still closed so took a much shorter detour via Ludlow and Cleehill home.

We had a lovely little stop-over especially as it wasn't planned at all, that's one of the many great benefits we can enjoy with the campervan.  
  

benivanadventures - travels in our campervan

Trip Details:


Miles:   

Ave MPG: 

Fuel Cost: £ 

Car Parking: £0.00 (non NT members £8.00 per day)

Autoroute Charges £ o.00

LPG £ 0.00 


Nights: 1

Camp Fees: £ 0.00

Camp Ave per night: £ 0.00




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