CMC Scarborough West Ayton

Just had five nights at this lovely site just outside Scarborough.

A lot of money has been spent modernising it to good effect. 

Treated us to a premium pitch with a picnic table and umbrella which was surprisingly useful for alfresco dining in the sun

The site is very far from full with many empty pitches. 

If you ever visit Scarborough, take a trip round the castle, preferably on a guided tour, very interesting. 

Anne Bronte's grave is also close by. 

The Cadiz behaved itself with no problems rearing their head. 

This will be our last trip for this year. We usually visit the NEC show in October but have decided to give it a miss this year. 

Got one or two cottage and hotel stays in the pipeline plus I have to fit in a spot of minor surgery somewhere. 

Anyway thanks for reading. 

Ian

Avtex Customer Srrvice

We have an Avtex TV and soundbar.

On the last trip the short co-ax lead which connects the two broke.

Couldn't find a replacement on line so contacted Avtex who put me one in the post free of charge. 

Excellent customer service. 

Ian

CMC Chatsworth Park

Just had five nights at the above location,one of the Caravan and Motorhome Club's honeypot sites

It is a lovely site but some of the trees could do with cutting back, a lot of pitches are well overhung.

There are rumours about about the sites future as the lease runs out in 20026 and the Chatsworth estate may have other plans for it. 

We will have to see,but it would be a shame if it went. 

Cadiz wise one if the grey plastic window blind catches fell off yet again, think I've glued them all back now. 

Also dropped a bollock topping up the Alde fluid which was a bit low. 

It's far too embarrassing to go into detail but I won't do it again. 

Ian 

Fire Safety Stick

Just replaced our old, heavy and years out of date fire extinguisher with a Fire Safety Stick.

Much lighter than a traditional extinguisher with a 50 second discharge time. 

Can be used on every sort of fire and doesn't damage upholstery etc

If it is a smallish fire you can put it in the van and shut the door ( with you outside obviously) and let it get on with it. 

£88 from Amazon.

( Don't know why my photos keep getting twisted round, the stick should be vertical on the left hand side in the doorway).

Ian

Tayna Batteries

Tayna batteries have a 5% discount on at the moment.

Use the code FIVEOFF. 

Ian

CMC Norfolk Broads

Just coming to the end of two glorious sun soaked weeks at our favourite site at Ludham Bridge in Norfolk.

The weather has been really kind with only a sprinkling of rain twice. 

On the Cadiz front some smart aleck scraped the side of the van with his Ford Fiesta. 

There is not a great deal to see but I know it's there so some touching up is needed. 

I didn't feel him/her do it but no wonder they buggered of quickly. 

Secondly the water pump wouldn't turn off. 

Replaced the rings to no avail. 

Tried our spare pump and all was well.

Tried to take the faulty one apart but to no avail so don't know what was wrong. 

Bought a replacement and boy they are a price 

£80.

Everything else OK. 

Have booked three weeks for next year 342 days away. 

Ian

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New Battery

After a long and happy nine year relationship from new the van battery has finally died.

It was charging from the solar panel during the day but going flat at night,as Phantom was constantly telling me. 

Purchased a Banner Bull replacement ( 95751) from Tayna Batteries for £135.16 plus next day delivery.

With the battery being under the floor you need to make sure it isn't too tall or else the lid won't fit. 

If you fish round on the Bailey website there is a list of batteries that fit. 

This battery came with long vent tube which the old one didn't have.

I was ready to drill a small hole in the battery box to vent it to the exterior when I noticed a pre drilled hole just above the off side clamping wing nut,presumably for just an occasion.

Fits the vent tube exactly so that problem sorted.

From what I read the battery isn't sealed so you have to periodically check the electrolyte and top up as necessary. 

Here's to another nine years. 

Ian

CMC River Breamish

At present on the above site in Northumberland.

Very well cared for location in a beautiful part of the country. 

If you pay a visit at any time, try the Ingram Cafe well worth dropping in. 

Had a slight Cadiz problem with the nearside front spotlight which shorted out and blew a fuse. 

After much humming and aahing and swearing it turned out to be a loose power wire that had come adrift in the fitting.

Pulling the wires down to get to the spade connectors is a bit nerve wracking as if they come adrift in the superstructure then Lord knows how you get them out. 

Dan Trudgian on one of his videos suggests placing a cable tie around the wires on out to prevent them going back up the hole. 

8k

Then it was down to Alnwick for a soldering iron, solder and some wire strippers. 

Eventually got it all wired up and back in place but twisting the fitment to secure it is the Devil's own job, anyhow it works now.

Incidentally if you need to replace one of these spots, they are the ones with the USB connectors, try to avoid Prima Leisure where they are £52 plus P&P, they are readily available elsewhere for half the price. 

Anyway our next sojourn is our yearly trip to Norfolk at the end of July

Ian

PS

Grinders in Wooler also worth a visit. 

CMC Buxton

Just coming to the end of a five night stay at the above site in Derbyshire.

It is a lovely site located in an old limestone quarry. 

The weather hasn't been sparkling though with plenty of the wet stuff. 

The Cadiz has been faultless with no disasters over the winter layup as this is our first trip of the year due to SWMBO'S knee surgery.

One thing has improved on some CMC sites is they now have free Wi-Fi for an hour, not very fast at 1Mps,but it's there all the same. When the hour is up just log in again. There are paid for options as well but I found the free service adequate.

Ian