Description: 2.5 acre, level. Advance booking advisable. Taunton to Bridgwater canal for walking nearby.
Site visited: 8th of June 2011.
At first glance this site just looked like a back yard to a rather run down farm. But when you got past the old disused caravans and other equipments, you w...
Because now I can! I picked up a hat the other day after many years of thinking about getting one; I finally narrowed it down to a Tilley Hemp TH5.
The reason for me getting the hat was to cover my face and neck from the sun and the rain while camping.
I have only used it for a few days no...
Description: (From camping.uk-directory.com) Rushbanks Farm is a minimum facility site. It is the only official site on the banks of the River Stour and is very suitable for boaters and canoeists. Tents Caravans and Campers are all welcome.
Site visited: 17-19 June 2011.
As seen on the bl...
Our Jet-boil cooker is brilliant but we found that gas canisters were sometimes hard to find. And, if you go into a outdoor shop you do feel that you are paying a wee bit extra. Whereas liquid (Meths) is cheap and easy to find while touring anywhere in the world.
We were looking for something else...
"Overnatning i det fri" is a guide book in Danish about nearly free campsites in Denmark. Denmark don't have the "Allemannsretten", freedom to roam, like other Scandinavian countries. Since the normal campsites have become rather expensive and more like a family holiday theme park. Which off cou...
Description: Fudges CycleStore has fast become one of the biggest and best cycle shops. Specialising in Dahon Folding Bikes, Brompton Folding Bikes, Sram and Look custom road bike builds and an extensive range of bikes for the whole family from Specialized and Trek. We are setting new levels of ser...
In Omarama there is two campsites, the basic domain camp site and the Top 10 Holiday park. For some reason I was just dead tired even though we arrived on a bus. I therefore made the decision the first campsite we spot we take.
We rode into the top 10 in Omarama and was greeted with a smile and we...
This is bar none the best rear light I have used and seen on any bicycle. Very bright, though I haven't seen it, just been told. :) The three red diodes looks like one very bright red light and is very easily spotted.
I have the Tubus rear rack, which I had to drill a bigger hole in since the cabl...
I'm not much of a "girly girl" at all, but one item of women-specific cycling kit has really fancied my tickle. It's the Terry Stretch Mini skirt. It's a simple piece of lycra, mid-thigh length, with little slits up the sides, so is actually rather dear at around £30.
But, when cycle touring in N...
Having tried out SealSkinz waterproof socks, with great success, I just had to try out their gloves.
Sealskinz Waterproof Ultra Grip Gloves: Link
I wouldn't say that I have big hands, but even the XL versions are rather tight at first. But after a few weeks using them they loosen up, but still...
Description: Elmscott is a charming cottage property set in a beautiful secluded garden close to the centre of the thriving market town of Northallerton.
Site visited: Feb 2011.
This was a bit of a last minute trip for us, but what a treat. The Elmscott bed and breakfast was a welcoming site a...
Description: Whatoff Lodge is a quiet site on a working farm with lovely views of the Charnwood countryside. The site is a large field with plenty of room. We have modern showers and toilets and washing up area. A recent addition is an indoor room with wood burning stove suitable for functions, mee...
Just before we were off to the southern hemisphere my Pro Bike Gear Rev sunglasses broke. Being summer where we were heading and with a strong/bright sun I really needed some new sunnies.
Why I needed new specks and how I got them.
I really liked the PRO Bike Gear's Rev, frame less wrap around s...
Description: Our newly renovated heritage backpacker accommodation with a colourful history - the former Addington Prison in lovely Christchurch, New Zealand. Since opening in 2006, our amazing Christchurch Accommodation has become renowned as a fascinating and award-winning backpackers hostel.
S...
We’ve just come back from a trip to New Zealand where we cycle toured for five weeks. I had crawled the internet for information, reading other people’s blogs and write-ups about their cycle tours in New Zealand. My strong recommendation is that you simply have to buy ‘Pedallers' Paradise’ by Nigel...
Description: Henderson Cycles is also a lawnmower shop, which made me laugh because that combination was the same as my very old LBS in Denmark.
Shop visited: 03/11/10
Peli was having some problems with her back and never really got the position right on her bicycle the first couple of weeks o...
Shop now closed :(
Description: The CBD workshop is there to keep your beloved in tip top shape and optimum working condition. Bookings are essential as the hard working team upstairs want to ensure you have the least time off the bike as possible. For a normal service, drop it in before 10am in...
Steam boat, stunning views, gorgeous weather, broken valve and a cracked rear rim. Crafty critters, erm, sandflies by the millions and a fall with gravel rash made this challenging, but fantastic, few days.
Day one : 30/10/10
At 10am we boarded the TSS Earnslaw (98+ year-old steam boat) and se...
Description: (From their site) Kinkell Braes is situated on the hillside overlooking the town and the bay. We have a well kept holiday park which has a family bar with entertainment and restaurant. Our hire fleet is modern and reasonably priced. Children are well catered for with our play park.
S...
As you know I'm a big fan of the Surly LHT, I just spotted this in Australia. Might be worth checking your bicycles anyway. I build ours up myself and do not use cantilever brakes, so I'm sure that we are ok.
Dirt Works Australia Pty Ltd are recalling the Surly Crosscheck & Surly Long Haul Trucker...
Description: (From their site) The Royal Oak camping grounds are generously proportioned with easy vehicle access and a short stroll to the amenities in one direction and The high Peak Trail in the other.
Site visited: 24th of August 2010, 9/10th of Sept. 2011.
As seen on the blog: What goes...
A few weeks ago I got a Garmin Dakota 20 GPS mainly for us to use when touring. Don't get me wrong I do love the old paper maps, could spend hours looking at them. But a GPS will cut down the faffing with them while on route as it is easier for us to find out where we are, if we should be...
I'm now coming up to 5,000 miles on the Surly Long Haul Trucker, aka my little Tank, and boy have they been my most comfortable 5,000 miles ever.
But, as there always is a but, the fecking Long Haul Trucker is the reason that I can't ride my other bicycles any more. As my good friend at my LBS s...
Over the last year or so I have used my Ortlieb Bike-Packer Plus (Rear) a lot.
Mainly to carry my work stuff to and from and of course touring. I fondly called them "bags of evil" simply because you keep putting stuff in them, extra lock and a brick and some tools and a brick and extra layer as...
After I read Anne's book A Bike Ride, I just had to read one of her other books and got hold of Lone Traveller: One Woman, Two Wheels and the World.
This book is written in the same way as A Bike Ride, very witty and page turning. You get into the book and just can't get away, not that you are l...
