Planet Ruby Starrs

Family returned back to city of birth and then we set off back in the van this time heading north.   Both Dr Fred and I love Dumfries and Galloway and we have some favourite secret spots we like to visit and wild camp in so that’s where we headed.  Asage creeps upon us we seem to be becoming creatures of habit (I’m definitely getting more tidy ha ha haha) so our usual stop off at a wee place near Kirkbean was to be out first stop for the night – we’ve been there loads, kipping in the van in the village car park, having a meal and a couple of pints in the local pub followed by a wander down the beach - all with a  sea view – it’s a very nice location.   Imagine our disappointment when we get there to discover huge NO OVERNIGHT PARKING  signs – our peaceful evening dashed.  This is becoming more and more common in the spaces we like to wild camp, it’s a real shame as we know quite a few like minded camper vanners and we all feel the same. As in every walk of life there are some peo

We curtailed our southern trip – the weather came in seriously badly – more storms and we were less able to dodge the rain and wind – its less fun in an ever dampeni ng van.   Also some vague family circumstances dictated we returned to the north – some things needed to be sorted – that done we had a little chaos of a few days while my daughter and her two messy, noisy, lively, ever hungry but very gorgeous little imps came to stay… we did the llama café and Butterfly World which was really lovely for tropical plants and some stunning butterflies – how lovely to have that on your doorstep and little bit of the tropics with heat and colour just 20 mins drive away.   Plus it had a massive playground perfect for contributing to tiring over active children out all in all a winner of a day.   

I was so impressed with this meal I have just got to post it!!! I don't normally do foodie posts... so this is probably a one off!  but.. I have to say after a 'rest' day of doing van chores, a wee bit of shopping, a couple of esoteric crags - the weather was seriously wild so we took ourselves off across the camping field to the Oak Hill Inn, ( in Oak Hill nr Radstock) for a pie and a pint. All I'm going to say is it was the BEST steak and ale pie I have EVER had in a pub!!!!  None of this namby pamby 'healthy' pastry just balanced on the top milarky- proper pie!!!! Beer was excellent too!

It was wet and windy down south – so much that the Bristol balloon festival was delayed.. and the Boardmaster festival – not that we were going – was completely cancelled so there were quite a few lost campers trundling around the south west looking for alternative entertainment… We did quite well -on a mission to find and ‘tick’ all the remaining esoteric crags on Dr Freds list and I followed with camera, sketch book and reading material in hand finding nice spots to photograph, sit and draw.  We were lucky with the weather - we managed to dodge all the really bad stuff and some how find quite a lot of sunshine...   We had a very pleasant walk from Frome to Mells through some ancient woodland – we were only going to do a couple of miles but got carried away chatting and wandering and ended up doing over six instead!   Beautiful woodland complete with running stream, waterfalls, mill houses and some almost complete lime kilns. Made all the nicer by a cake and a coffee i

We have been gallivanting around the Forest of Dean eating wild boar sausage rolls and crashing through undergrowth looking for esoteric crags... Well Dr Fred has - I followed slightly less enthusiastically - enjoying stunning scenery and some interesting flora and fauna.  texture Its been quite hot which makes moving at any speed and distance hard work but I'm not going to complain just take it steady and enjoy the summer... it wont last too long.  we camped at the yew tree inn just out side Ross on Wye - we had been before - it was adequate but not as nice as we remembered it - I think last time we were desperate and pitched up the one night of the week they served food - out main reason for stopping at a pub camp site - fortunately we had supplies with us so we didn't starve and the beer was quite nice.. Forest Having exhausted local crags in  Ross on Wye and then headed for r&r at hotel chez friends in Bath - excellent facilities - fantastic food and good co