I still haven't worked out how to move things from Microsoft Excel to the blog, so it looks like I will have to do the statistics the hard way.
The 2007 figures are in brackets
Total nights in caravan 183 [167]
Total site fees £2138.15 [£1527.05]
Average nightly cost £11.68 [£9.14]
Nights on C/Club sites 44 [36]
Total site fees £765.90 [£517.05]
Average nightly cost £17.41 [£14.36]
Nights on C/Club CL's 131 [127]
Total site fees £1118.00 [£1008.00]
Average nightly cost £8.53 [£7.94]
Nights on other sites 8 [4]
Total site fees £254.25 [£28.00]
Average nightly cost £31.78 [£7.00]
I need to add a few notes about these figures.
The average cost for the whole year increased by approximately £2.50 per night, however these figures are dependant on the number of occupants on club and commercial sites. The same theory applies to the figures for Caravan Club Sites. These show an increase of just over £3.00 per night.
A more accurate indication of trends is shown in the CL figures which show an increase of about 60p per night
Thursday, 11 December 2008
Thursday, 30 October 2008
BACK HOME - GOOLE
Sunday 12th October – Until around New Year
I left Crystal Palace on Sunday 12th October and arrived home 4 hours later after travelling 207 miles. Not bad to say the first half of the journey was through London and involved the Blackwall Tunnel.
Anyway it’s good to be home again and find out what all the gossip is about. One thing that really is noticeable is how the economical climate is affecting local industry. My old business has had to put staff on a four day week, and the company I normally do some driving for during the winter has no vacancies.
Well that’s all for now. I do have some statistics about days onsite and cost etc which I will post in a few days. [When I can get my blog to talk to Microsoft Excel]
I left Crystal Palace on Sunday 12th October and arrived home 4 hours later after travelling 207 miles. Not bad to say the first half of the journey was through London and involved the Blackwall Tunnel.
Anyway it’s good to be home again and find out what all the gossip is about. One thing that really is noticeable is how the economical climate is affecting local industry. My old business has had to put staff on a four day week, and the company I normally do some driving for during the winter has no vacancies.
Well that’s all for now. I do have some statistics about days onsite and cost etc which I will post in a few days. [When I can get my blog to talk to Microsoft Excel]
CRYSTAL PALACE - LONDON [103]
Sunday 5th October – Sunday 12th October 2008
My approach from Leatherhead was faultless until I got in the wrong lane at Streatham and was unable to get onto the A23. My Sat Nav wanted to send me in all directions to correct my error but after being caught out down a very narrow lane in Devon a few months ago I thought better of it. So I drew on my commercial driving experience from 20 years ago and somehow finished up on the South Circular. After that I managed to arrive about 30 minutes after my wife and son who had been behind me in another car when we left Leatherhead.
If you haven’t been to Crystal Palace then you must book as soon as possible. It would take ages to tell you all the good points about this site so you must find out for yourselves. I cannot think of many bad points other than don’t get in the wrong lane when travelling and go careful onsite with long outfits; it can be tight in places. The site is terraced with a central toilet block in the middle and reception at the top. Not many [if any] long distance views except up, where plane spotters can watch aircraft approaching Heathrow. The Crystal Palace mast cannot be missed, except on foggy days and provides perfect TV reception. If you can’t get a picture here you need a new telly. [You may need to unplug your booster if you have one]
Getting about is easy, all you need is a Oyster Card [see http://www.tfl.gov.uk/ for details] or use your over sixty pass if you have one. [Not sure if this can be used on the underground] The No 3 bus leaves from nearby into Oxford Circus and takes about 1 hour. If you wish to save time you can get off at Brixton and catch the underground, but you would miss most of the interesting sights on route. It cost us £13 each for an Oyster card that covered all our bus fares for 7 days. If you don’t have a card the newsagent in Crystal Palace is very helpful.
In Crystal Palace you will find pubs, restaurants, takeaways, shops and a supermarket. The Sainsbury supermarket has free car parking and our visit was the only time we used the car all week.
If you can’t find anything to do from this site you shouldn’t be using a pitch that could be used by someone with a life. Most British people from outside the area think that London is unfriendly and best left alone, but I find that not the case and thoroughly enjoyed my visit. I don’t normally say this but I think I may be back.
Analogue TV signal very good with amplifier turned off
Digital signal available
£20.90 per night [3 adults]
My approach from Leatherhead was faultless until I got in the wrong lane at Streatham and was unable to get onto the A23. My Sat Nav wanted to send me in all directions to correct my error but after being caught out down a very narrow lane in Devon a few months ago I thought better of it. So I drew on my commercial driving experience from 20 years ago and somehow finished up on the South Circular. After that I managed to arrive about 30 minutes after my wife and son who had been behind me in another car when we left Leatherhead.
If you haven’t been to Crystal Palace then you must book as soon as possible. It would take ages to tell you all the good points about this site so you must find out for yourselves. I cannot think of many bad points other than don’t get in the wrong lane when travelling and go careful onsite with long outfits; it can be tight in places. The site is terraced with a central toilet block in the middle and reception at the top. Not many [if any] long distance views except up, where plane spotters can watch aircraft approaching Heathrow. The Crystal Palace mast cannot be missed, except on foggy days and provides perfect TV reception. If you can’t get a picture here you need a new telly. [You may need to unplug your booster if you have one]
Getting about is easy, all you need is a Oyster Card [see http://www.tfl.gov.uk/ for details] or use your over sixty pass if you have one. [Not sure if this can be used on the underground] The No 3 bus leaves from nearby into Oxford Circus and takes about 1 hour. If you wish to save time you can get off at Brixton and catch the underground, but you would miss most of the interesting sights on route. It cost us £13 each for an Oyster card that covered all our bus fares for 7 days. If you don’t have a card the newsagent in Crystal Palace is very helpful.
In Crystal Palace you will find pubs, restaurants, takeaways, shops and a supermarket. The Sainsbury supermarket has free car parking and our visit was the only time we used the car all week.
If you can’t find anything to do from this site you shouldn’t be using a pitch that could be used by someone with a life. Most British people from outside the area think that London is unfriendly and best left alone, but I find that not the case and thoroughly enjoyed my visit. I don’t normally say this but I think I may be back.
Analogue TV signal very good with amplifier turned off
Digital signal available
£20.90 per night [3 adults]
Thursday, 23 October 2008
PATSOM COTTAGE - LEATHERHEAD [102]
Thursday 2nd October – Sunday 5th October 2008
The approach to this CL is simple being about a mile from the M25. Just be aware that the entrance is close to the final road junction and the sign may be obscured by trees. The site is a level firm area with a few trees scattered about to give a more pleasant feel. It is sheltered from the A245 by a mature hedge which helps to drown some of the road noise. The owner runs his business from the property.
Leatherhead is a short drive away and has all the services that would be required; there is also a Tesco on an industrial estate at the edge of town. I didn’t see a bus stop in the vicinity of the site however you can catch a train to London from the town rail station. I think the train goes to the south coast in the opposite direction.
Being close to the capital there is plenty to do in the area and I managed to fill all the time available during my stay.
Analogue TV signal variable depending on tree movement
Poor or intermittent Digital signal available
£9.00 per day
The approach to this CL is simple being about a mile from the M25. Just be aware that the entrance is close to the final road junction and the sign may be obscured by trees. The site is a level firm area with a few trees scattered about to give a more pleasant feel. It is sheltered from the A245 by a mature hedge which helps to drown some of the road noise. The owner runs his business from the property.
Leatherhead is a short drive away and has all the services that would be required; there is also a Tesco on an industrial estate at the edge of town. I didn’t see a bus stop in the vicinity of the site however you can catch a train to London from the town rail station. I think the train goes to the south coast in the opposite direction.
Being close to the capital there is plenty to do in the area and I managed to fill all the time available during my stay.
Analogue TV signal variable depending on tree movement
Poor or intermittent Digital signal available
£9.00 per day
Friday, 3 October 2008
WILD RIDINGS - FLEET [101]
Sunday 28th September – Thursday 2nd October 2008
I used the directions given in the members’ handbook to approach this site but this meant that I had to use a roundabout route from junction 4A off the M3. I later discovered that any route from this junction is caravan friendly. This site is a gem. It is in a large lawned area with a few trees scattered around the pitching area. Each pitch is on a hardstanding and the owners ask you to leave your car in the car park which all helps maintain the quality of the grass. Entry to the property is through a security gate so it is important that the owners are aware of your arrival. After that you are provided with a control to operate the gate. The electric hook ups are meter operated by £1 coins which didn’t last long if you use your electric heating which was necessary in the late evenings at this time of the year. There is a free shower and toilet block. Unfortunately I had to use a pitch under a tree which was irritating as the first rain for weeks dripped all night onto the caravan roof.
I tried hard to find things to do in Fleet without travelling too far. I like canals so spent a few hours walking the Basingstoke Canal from the Visitor Centre at Mytchett. Another day I explored the shops in the town centre which are all placed down one street with a fairly modern indoor shopping centre. According to the internet Fleet is a young town built after the London to Southampton railway was constructed. However it has expanding rapidly with the construction of new housing and is now probably a satellite town for London.
I didn’t find a useable bus service near the site however all facilities including supermarkets are available in and around the town centre.
Analogue TV signal good
No Digital signal available
£10.00 per night. [I used £8 on electricity in four nights]
I used the directions given in the members’ handbook to approach this site but this meant that I had to use a roundabout route from junction 4A off the M3. I later discovered that any route from this junction is caravan friendly. This site is a gem. It is in a large lawned area with a few trees scattered around the pitching area. Each pitch is on a hardstanding and the owners ask you to leave your car in the car park which all helps maintain the quality of the grass. Entry to the property is through a security gate so it is important that the owners are aware of your arrival. After that you are provided with a control to operate the gate. The electric hook ups are meter operated by £1 coins which didn’t last long if you use your electric heating which was necessary in the late evenings at this time of the year. There is a free shower and toilet block. Unfortunately I had to use a pitch under a tree which was irritating as the first rain for weeks dripped all night onto the caravan roof.
I tried hard to find things to do in Fleet without travelling too far. I like canals so spent a few hours walking the Basingstoke Canal from the Visitor Centre at Mytchett. Another day I explored the shops in the town centre which are all placed down one street with a fairly modern indoor shopping centre. According to the internet Fleet is a young town built after the London to Southampton railway was constructed. However it has expanding rapidly with the construction of new housing and is now probably a satellite town for London.
I didn’t find a useable bus service near the site however all facilities including supermarkets are available in and around the town centre.
Analogue TV signal good
No Digital signal available
£10.00 per night. [I used £8 on electricity in four nights]
Monday, 29 September 2008
YEW TREE COTTAGE - WINCHESTER [100]
Wednesday 24th September – Sunday 28th September 2008
This is the 100th site I have visited on my Grand Mooch and at the moment I have 744 to go. This varies every winter when I update the information as new sites appear and others close.
I made a mistake approaching this site by not checking the distance from the roundabout. Consequently I missed it and had to travel about two miles down the A3090 before I could turn around. It’s not always easy to spot entrances when you are on your own as most of your attention is on the road and other road users [that’s my excuse]. One thing I later noticed was the owner flew the St Georges Cross flag at his entrance which would have helped if I had known [I hope it’s still there if you are going to use this as a landmark].
The site is a level grassed field which was in very good condition in view of the wet weather that we have had this summer. It must drain well. The pitching area is along one hedge adjacent to the main road [which can be noisy at times] but gives good views to the North West. Each pitch had its own dustbin but it was not obvious what re-cycling requirements were needed.
There is a supermarket a few miles away towards the M3 and of course there is everything else in Winchester. I think the number 66 bus between Romsey and Winchester passes the entrance but I did not see a bus stop. Anyone who needs to use this service should check it out first.
I found plenty to do in the surrounding area with the Cathedral and the City Mill worth a visit in Winchester.
Analogue TV signal good
Digital signal available
£10.00 per night
This is the 100th site I have visited on my Grand Mooch and at the moment I have 744 to go. This varies every winter when I update the information as new sites appear and others close.
I made a mistake approaching this site by not checking the distance from the roundabout. Consequently I missed it and had to travel about two miles down the A3090 before I could turn around. It’s not always easy to spot entrances when you are on your own as most of your attention is on the road and other road users [that’s my excuse]. One thing I later noticed was the owner flew the St Georges Cross flag at his entrance which would have helped if I had known [I hope it’s still there if you are going to use this as a landmark].
The site is a level grassed field which was in very good condition in view of the wet weather that we have had this summer. It must drain well. The pitching area is along one hedge adjacent to the main road [which can be noisy at times] but gives good views to the North West. Each pitch had its own dustbin but it was not obvious what re-cycling requirements were needed.
There is a supermarket a few miles away towards the M3 and of course there is everything else in Winchester. I think the number 66 bus between Romsey and Winchester passes the entrance but I did not see a bus stop. Anyone who needs to use this service should check it out first.
I found plenty to do in the surrounding area with the Cathedral and the City Mill worth a visit in Winchester.
Analogue TV signal good
Digital signal available
£10.00 per night
Friday, 26 September 2008
NEW FOREST CENTENARY SITE - BRANSGORE [99]
Saturday 20th September – Wednesday 24th September 2008
It is strange that this site is the 99th that I have visited on The Mooch and it is the clubs centenary site. If only I had done one more then it would have been spooky!!
The pitching area is level on a mixture of hardstandings and grass and all the facilities are new and equal to the normal Caravan Club standards. What this site looses in the way of stunning views it makes up for in many different ways. Around it are miles of mainly flat walking or cycling routes in the New Forest National Park. The coast is within easy reach with museums such as Beaulieu and Bucklers Hard nearby.
There are shops including a convenience store in Bransgore but many basics can be bought at reception. A farm shop visits on Mondays and Fridays and a large supermarket is a few miles away with a garden centre next door.
Many of the people I spoke to had been to this site before so it is starting to become popular. One person claimed to be its third visitor. If you are planning a visit to the New Forest this site would make a good base.
Analogue TV signal and
Digital signal available from bollard
£11.60 per night [1 adult]
It is strange that this site is the 99th that I have visited on The Mooch and it is the clubs centenary site. If only I had done one more then it would have been spooky!!
The pitching area is level on a mixture of hardstandings and grass and all the facilities are new and equal to the normal Caravan Club standards. What this site looses in the way of stunning views it makes up for in many different ways. Around it are miles of mainly flat walking or cycling routes in the New Forest National Park. The coast is within easy reach with museums such as Beaulieu and Bucklers Hard nearby.
There are shops including a convenience store in Bransgore but many basics can be bought at reception. A farm shop visits on Mondays and Fridays and a large supermarket is a few miles away with a garden centre next door.
Many of the people I spoke to had been to this site before so it is starting to become popular. One person claimed to be its third visitor. If you are planning a visit to the New Forest this site would make a good base.
Analogue TV signal and
Digital signal available from bollard
£11.60 per night [1 adult]
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