CMC Beechwood Grange

 Just coming to the end of six nights at the above site being our first trip away for 2026.

Been here many times before as it is our "local" CMC site being only about forty five minutes from home.

Weather has been very kind,

Still as pleasant a site as ever,now with the addition of ten seasonal pitches,

No Cadiz problems after the winter lay up fortunately.

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If anyone is after a caravan vacuum cleaner as I was recently after our Dyson handheld bit the dust,then try one of these:

Only £20 from Dunelm but other outlets are available as they say.

Excellent for the caravan and car.

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Chap on the neighbouring pitch was using one of these connected to his waste water pipes:

The blue cable is nothing to do with it,just an electric cable.

The waste water drains into the grey box,a filter inside filters all the crap out of the water then the clean water drains out of holes underneath into the ground,remove the filter periodically to clean it.

No need for a Wastemaster.

Said he has used it for two years with no problem.

Costs about £27 off E Bay.

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Finally a chap opposite wanted a new Whale water pump.

He found a place in Wetherby called Caratech whose prices are reasonable and there is free shipping for on line purchases.

Caratech

They appear to stock most leading brands so might be worth a look.

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Ian

Done and Dusted

Well that's it for this year, wheels off cleaned and in the garage.

Door locks squirted with silicone spray, window rubbers to follow. 

Chap coming to give it a good clean in a few weeks. 

Most importantly all water drained off via the Floe. 

Even the doormat has been washed. 

Looking forward to next spring. 

Ian

CMC Chatsworth Park

 Just coming to the end of a stay at the above site which may be our last as there is a strong possibility that this is the last year as the lease with the Chatsworth Estate runs out next year,

There are no bookings available after the beginning of March next year.

Various scenarios have been put forward as to its future from being a car park to bringing the farm shop down to the Chatsworth Estate running its own site.

The site doesn't seem quite as well cared for as it has in the past so the writing may be on the wall.

There may still be an outside chance that the CMC will continue as before so we will have to see.

It was the weekend of the Chatsworth Country Fair which we managed to blag our way into for free for the last couple of hours on Sunday and very good it was.

No problems with the Cadiz to report despite torrential rain.

Have had the door  lock barrel replaced and the faulty tail light fixed which went AWOL in Norfolk.

Can't believe where this year has gone,its September already.

Ian

September already

Repairs

 Took the van today to DTH  A19 Caravans at Eggborough (my mobile mans workshop) for a new door lock,the duff near side road light fixing and a new high level brake light which I noticed had a few duff LED's in it.

Ian

CMC Norfolk Broads

 Just returned from three weeks on this delightful site at Ludham Bridge in Norfolk.

We have visited many times before and it never ceases to be a very pleasurable experience.

The wardens are very friendly and work hard to keep the site pristine and,unlike Durham Grange,have a well stocked shop on site.

Unfortunately the Cadiz wasn't without a couple of problems.

Firstly the near side rear road/brake light gave up the ghost the day prior to leaving, changed the bulb ( not an easy job the new bulb is very difficult to get into the holder,I broke one in the attempt).

Checked the fuses,all OK.

When we came to depart I thought it had sorted itself out as the car wasn't displaying a fault.

However when we came to go home it was not working again.

Secondly the door lock broke and wouldn't accept the key.completely jammed.

Got a chap out to look at it who said he couldn't fix it as it needed a whole new lock,fortunately he didn't charge me.

E-mailed Bailey to clarify if the one shown on Prima Leisure came with a barrel and keys as it wasn't made clear.

Still waiting for a reply a fortnight later.

Anyway taking it to my mobile chaps facility as he is booked solid for two months at least for site visits.

He thinks it might just need a new barrel.

Oh and just to put the top hat on it I got stung on the tongue by a wasp,boy that was painful.

 but I was a brave little soldier.

Come caravanning for a relaxing holiday!

Ian

More Silky

 Another little job for the Silky arose today,

Tried it on the barbecue gas output lid which had become very yellow over time,

Came up a treat.

Not quite as new but much better than it was,

Incidentally I have no connection with Silky,bought it myself from my hard earned pension.

Ian

Bits and Bobs

 As mentioned in the previous blog the two rubbery corner pieces to the left and right of the two outer front windows,came adrift.

After soaking them in bleach for a week to clean them up ( came up very well ) decided to reaffix them today.

I used some of this from Poundland (£2):-

It seemed to work very well.

The bottom lip should fit in the panel gap between the body of the van and the panel where the light is but I couldn't get it to fit so just stuck it on and sealed around the edges.

It all looked OK when I had finished.

The Unicorn across from us in storage had also lost one I noticed,perhaps worth keeping an eye on.

New ones are about £8 a pair plus P&P from Prima Leisure.

Plugged in the new ATC light and all worked.

Just waiting for a new little plate as I buggered the original up trying to clean it up,all the lettering came off.

Whilst in that area there was a cable hanging down whose support had presumably come away.

Bought some of these from E Bay to reattach it:-

Seems to do the job,

The piece of body work under the front window ( the bit with the badge on ) always seems grubby for some reason and is difficult to clean.

Thought I would try some Silky ( £10 or so off Amazon ):-

It is non abrasive and did a good job.removed a lot of grime:-

You can also use it on a boat if you've got one.

Hope these little adventures might help someone,

Ian