The above picture was taken three years ago when we were a newby caravaning family with two young children and a small baby. This was only our second trip away in Connievan, a two night stay at a beautiful caravan park in the Yorkshire Dales only half an hour from home. I remember it being a glorious weekend where we lounged about doing very little in the heat of early summer. Long golden days, lush green hills, a cool shallow river. Ice cold beer, colourful relaxing crochet, happy outdoor children. Good memories.
Three years on and it has suddenly become surprisingly hard to make caravan holidays actually happen. I think we all still love the idea of spending time in the caravan, but the planning/organising part of it is just a bit too much hard work. The unpredictable weather doesn't help either (oh that wet week in Blackpool last year was a bit dire!), but mainly I think it has simply become easier to Stay Home.
I wrote about our Stay Home holiday recently, the week where I really wanted us to be away in the caravan but had failed to actually book anything in time. The week where every other member of my family said they preferred to be at home actually. Oh I stropped. I ranted. I sulked. Then I re-grouped and gave the whole dilemma some serious thought until the answer slowly presented itself to me. What we needed was a permanent home for Connievan, somewhere beautiful and rural, but close enough for us to drive to at the drop of a hat if the whim suddenly took us. If the weather suddenly looks tippety-top then we can sling a change of clothes in a bag, grab some grub and head off. Just like that. We need for it to be easy. We need the chance to be spontaneous. No planning. No booking. Just up and go.
I knew this particular site would fit the bill perfectly as I had (secretly) made inquiries about it last year. But it was the money you see. This sort of thing does not come cheap, one has to pay quite dearly for the privilege of renting out a permanent little patch all year round. And yet.....after much discussion, we decided we could dig into our savings and it would be worth it. What the heck. Let's do it, lets splash out a bit and really make this work for our family. Yayyyy!!!!!!
So on the very last day of our StayHome week, we moved Connie out of her concrete storage place and into her new green country home. It was wonderful, oh I was SO excited! We've got a lovely little spot in a quiet corner, with a dry stone wall and an old bench. The pitches either side are empty for now, so we have quite a bit of open space in front of us.....
.....and we have the rustle of the wind in the trees behind us.
Those of you who have been visitors to the Attic for a while will know all about my complete devotion to Connievan. You will know about my prettifying exploits (see here and here for pictures). You will know about the early beginnings and about our adventures in her.
I am still as excited about all things Caravan and just adore spending time within these four small walls with my family. It's pretty damn marvelous!
Last weekend, we had out first proper sleep over with Connie in her new home. I packed up a few clothes and a cool bag of food and on Friday evening at 6pm we set off. By 6.30pm we were there, and I was strolling around picking flowers to put in my jam jar vase.
The weather was absolutely breathtakingly perfect. Sunny and warm, with the daylight lasting forever. We cooked hot dogs for dinner, with a plate of strawberries and melon for afters. J and I sat outside to chat and drink beer and the Little People went off to play. There is a lovely children's area on site with swings, slide etc, plus a green field where they played ball, tennis and frisbee. As a treat we also bought Swingball which has been a great success, and we took scooters with us too. So there was plenty to keep them happy and occupied.
Sleeping in Connievan is snug and cosy. We find it easier to all go to bed at the same time (including an over excited/over tired Little B) at around 10pm. J and I make up our double bed at the front of the van and we have the luxury of sheet, duvet and feather pillows. The Little People sleep at the back of the van in (newly purchased, stripy blue) sleeping bags. The seating at the back makes up into a double bed where Little Man and Little B sleep head to toe, then there is a narrow bunk which pulls out above them for Little Lady to bed down on. It can sometimes be a bit tense getting everyone to settle down and off to sleep, but mostly it goes ok. And thankfully we all seem to sleep well, waking around 6am.
I love early mornings in the caravan. I love the smell most of all. I love to open up the window and breath it all in, that nostalgic smell of still damp grass and fresh morning air. At the caravan site there is a tonne of wildlife. There are lots of rabbits hoppity-hopping around the caravans and oodles of birds sing and tweet all day long, including my favourite curlew. Oh how I adore the sound of the curlew, it is one of my all time favourite bird sounds (seagulls possibly come top, but hmm not sure about that to be honest. Maybe curlew is top)
I had to show you this photo, I really LOVED that Little Lady went to such effort to pack this all up into a big bag to bring for the weekend. All the drawers and cupboards were stocked with food and equipment (I was given the full tour) and the playmobil family had a lovely time camping alongside us.
The highlight of the weekend was undoubtedly the outing we had on Saturday, walking from the caravan site to the nearest village to have a pub lunch.
The countryside was looking absolutely glorious, I just love this time of year so much. Green and gold, sun light and shadow. Everything is so light and bright and lush.
Oh and there was such an abundance of buttercups! I could hardly believe this field, it took my breath away.
The walk to the village was 1.5 miles of flat riverside and meadow.
I loved this part of the river with it's deep, steep river banks....
....and clear reflective water.
But it was the meadows that I loved the most.....
....they were just soooooo beautiful.
It's a good few years since we'd been to this little village and I couldn't remember it very well. I recalled a village green, and a small pub, but not a lot else.
Turns out that's because there isn't a lot else there. Picturesque cottages around an uncut village green given over to meadow at this time of year....
....and yup, there's the pub. It's called The Falcon Inn and is an absolute original gem.
When you step inside, it's like walking into someones house. Small cosy rooms, ancient floors and walls, with a very simple and rustic style. Lots of stuffed animals (including a pair of pheasant and a whole fox) which I didn't much care for but the Little People thought were fantastic (especially the whole fox)
It was a delight. There was a simple menu and great, honest, homecooked food. The country kitchen was pretty open to view, with the landlady cooking everything herself on the Aga while her hubby served the beer from a tiny bar area in the hallway. The beer was poured the traditional way straight out of the barrel into a china jug before being poured into the glass. It was a very memorable lunch (who knew pea and mint soup was soooo good?!) and we left feeling satisfied, rested and happy.
This wasn't a circular walk, so the return home was back the same way we had come.
Back through the delightful riverside meadows....
....sneezing all the way! Yeah, there was a serious amount of pollen in the air here, but honestly the beauty of it more than made up for the discomfort.
We returned to the caravan site in the mid afternoon, with the promise of ice creams from the on site shop. Happy happy.
We have our old portable barbecue at the caravan and the dry stone wall which runs behind Connievan makes a perfect outdoor cooking area. That evening we cooked up burgers (delicious ones from the supermarket flavoured with smoked garlic, they were really good) and I made a big bowl of salad to go with them. Fruit and chocolate for afters.
And a little more beer.
The weekend felt warm and golden in more ways than one, and definitely one for the Family Memory Bank. I'm hoping that this is the start of a long line of weekends spent at our Country Residence. Connievan, we love you ♥
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ps thank you so much for all your good wishes for my head and hand this week! Still feeling a bit rubbish, but very much better than I was earlier in the week. I continue to rest my finger and it is slowly feeling better as a result. I'm holding off with the crochet until next week and keeping up with the ibuprofen which is helping loads. It can only get better, right? x
pps I have a tagged all my caravan posts, so they are all in the "caravan" category...if you fancy pootling back through Connievan's archives, you can find them here xxx
hi hon we have recently had to give up our permanently pitched caravan as we could no longer afford it but it gave us 8 amazing yrs ours was about an hr or so from home. enjoy!!
Posted by: Nicky | June 15, 2013 at 07:54 PM
Everything looks so absolutely perfect. I have only one little suggestion, for when your finger is better. Those arm rests in Connievan look like they're crying out for some hooky covers. Just a thought.
Posted by: Kari | June 15, 2013 at 07:19 PM
It looks like your lovely caravan has a beautiful new spot.....you will love your visits :)
Posted by: Lindsey Toms | June 15, 2013 at 06:46 PM
What a wonderful new home for Connie! Seems like the ideal solution.Thanks for sharing, I feel like I'm been transported there for a quick holiday :D Love the song of those birds, I've never heard them before. Where ever did you find that gorgeous little vase of flowers(on the wall, above the window) in Connie?!LOVE it! Oh, and I love your fold up grill too :)Continued healing blessings sent your way!
Posted by: Angela- Southern U.S.A. | June 15, 2013 at 05:51 PM
fun!!! i'm jealous! sometimes when i want to get away but have commitments for the weekend, or no one to go with, i put my tent up in the back yard and yard camp. maybe i'll do that tonight...
Posted by: erica | June 15, 2013 at 05:34 PM
your children will have lots of tales to tell their children later in life.my ideal getaway from it all.i noticed on the shelf in connie a vase of flowers, are they crochet? whatever they are they are very pretty
angie
Posted by: angie campsell | June 15, 2013 at 03:37 PM
Lovely post!
Posted by: Jennifer | June 15, 2013 at 03:13 PM
Hello Lucy, glad to see you're feeling better! I just wanted to drop you a wee note and let you know I'd come across your blog in this last week, and I find your sunny attitude, beautiful photos, and bright crochet an absolute inspiration! I've only just started crocheting, and I can't wait to do a ripple blanket like yours. Though I'm in the States, I lived in the UK for a brief amount of time for Uni, and it found its way into my heart, so your photos of the countryside make me a bit homesick! Thanks for bringing us all along on your adventures, and I can't wait to read more.
Cheers, Kristi
Posted by: Kristi | June 15, 2013 at 02:23 PM
Sooo jealous! This reminds me of the camping holidays we had when our children were younger, when all we needed was sunshine ans space. We used to watch all the hikers and cyclers go off in the morning knowing that we had the campsite pretty much to ourself for the rest of the day. Lazy strolls, country pubs, games of badminton, otter and deer watching (and one trip to hospital for a broken arm!) I really miss it. This would be a perfect solution for my almost grown up family, those who wanted to and were available could join us or we could (gasp!) GO ON OUR OWN!
Posted by: Louise | June 15, 2013 at 02:22 PM
When I was little, my family did exactly the same, and your photos could easily have been ours. Our little caravan was in the Dales near Grassington so I recognise the hillsides, the dry stone walls, walks by the river Wharfe and the sound of the curlew. It really took me back. I'm sure your little ones will have wonderful memories of these times. Thank you for sharing.
Posted by: Ceri | June 15, 2013 at 02:14 PM
You know Lucy, we are planning an october holiday, and wonder what we shall do...a Tour de France, or...a tour in England... We love both countrys very,very mush...but after reading your blog...well...I think we set of for England... Want to bay a new waxcoat anyway...so... I wish you and your husband manny warm weekends at Connyvan with your little people! I've never met you, but you have sush a beautifull family!
Posted by: Chris | June 15, 2013 at 01:39 PM
It seems such a strange idea to me, camping this way, we were always a tenting/roughing it kind of family, but looks like great fun. The Bumper and I are thinking of going backyard camping ourselves. Get better soon, but take heart your triangles from around the world will be arriving shortly.
Kim
Posted by: Kim W | June 15, 2013 at 01:36 PM
I know just how lucky you are with your conivan....we have a Abby. She lives at the back of my husbands wood yard and when we can we pull her out in to a sheep paddock ! Move the sheep first( well my father in laws sheep!) I sew, our girls play with the dogs and climb trees and my husband hopefully sits down with a beer!! Oh joy. Very windy down here in Kent today, but hope to stay in our Abby next weekend. Hope you will be hocking again soon.....had repetitive strain on my right hand before...not nice. Enjoy, love Tracyx
Posted by: Tracy aplin | June 15, 2013 at 01:22 PM
You haven't heard from me before (a "stealth" follower), but I am thinking of you with your current struggles. Your blog lifts me up! Hang in there and feel better soon.
Posted by: Kathy C | June 15, 2013 at 01:22 PM
what a lovely spot. The pub looked great. Then on closer inspection , I realised I'd actually been to the area and called there on a coach day trip about 7 years ago !
Posted by: carol partridge | June 15, 2013 at 01:11 PM
I love what you post. Gorgeous pics and from a former 'camper' I love your descriptions!! I'm on the shores of Lake Michigan in Pentwater , Michigan , USA
Posted by: Pam roach | June 15, 2013 at 01:09 PM
I don't usually comment although I always read, but your post struck me. We took our 3 in our little tent trailor and it too was always the getting ready that was the worst. You've found a wonderful solution.
The countryside and villages are so quaint and different than anything we'd see here. I love reading and seeing it through your words and photos.
Posted by: Holly McLean | June 15, 2013 at 12:50 PM
I love reading your post about your lovely weekend. I'm so glad you managed to find a ways round the hassle of packing up to go away. When my children were small we had a regular campsite we went to, just 30 minutes from home. Not quite so convenient as having a permanent spot, but we had great times. Like your little ones, the children packed their favourite toys - my eldest refused to move without a large box containing his wooden train set! I really miss those times - all my children are grown up now and living a long way away, but only a couple of weeks ago we were reminiscing about our regular camping trips. You certainly do live in a lovely place. Hope you continue to recover and are back crocheting soon.
Posted by: OkeCrafter | June 15, 2013 at 11:50 AM
What a wonderful idea for your caravan and I'm sure it'll work out well for you too. I love how the curtains look, all those gruesome hour of hand stitching paid off! I adore the Playmobile caravan, my DD is into playmobile too and we've just got a swingball as well. Hoping it'll be perfect for home and holidays too. Aren't we lucky to be enjoying this great age with them?
S x
Posted by: Sandra (Cherry Heart) | June 15, 2013 at 11:16 AM
I remember the first time you posted about this site , it looked wonderful , and still does. Your solution seems perfect. No towing hassle either. Just perfect.
Thank you for sharing the special times again Lucy...your posts are such a joy.
Jacquie x
Posted by: Jacquie | June 15, 2013 at 10:45 AM
Oh Lucy, i am so glad you have found a place for Connievan. Sometimes it is the simple things in life. Im so happy you can just pop a few things in the car and head off to visit Connie. Such a wonderful thing to do. My kiddies are now 19 and 17 and long past any family time like you are sharing with your family. They will treasure these daysxxxxx
Posted by: charmaine | June 15, 2013 at 10:40 AM
Looks perfect.The Curlew is absolutely the best bird call.When we visit family in Scotland I love sitting outside listening to them. Rub arnica into that finger!
Posted by: Kate | June 15, 2013 at 10:25 AM
This area seems lovely. It brings back memories of my trip in Peak District and the Snowdonia area.
The Playmobil family has no crocheted blanket to make them warm. What a shame! ;)
Posted by: Carine07 | June 15, 2013 at 10:16 AM
I love that the playmobil family camped with you!
Posted by: Jan McCann | June 15, 2013 at 10:06 AM
Oh I think that was indeed serendipity. You , the van, the site, the village were all made for each other. Enjoy the lovely memories. It truly is the simple pleasures that we look back on fondly and form our children's sense of self. x
Posted by: Sara | June 15, 2013 at 10:05 AM