The Ham Nomads

24 Apr 2014. <GB-ENG> Blackpool, Lancs; Hudderefield, Yorks —

Woke up at about 7:30am to our farmyard view. Got ready, had breakfast, and it was about 9:00 before we moved. Went back (again!) to Squires Gate Retail Park, this time for an inverter to allow us to charge the computer en route — the person who served us at Maplin Electronic Specialists would have done Jess's heart proud, with his full makeup, styled eyebrows and hair, and a full tattoo on his right arm (he was also the one who gave us directions to the Post Office, see below). We also did some more food shopping — and Susie decided she couldn't live without a hair dryer she can use when we are connected to power, or have a bathroom available to us.

Went to the Post Office — the Daggers Hall Lane Post Office — to get some stamps and to post off the registration papers to Swansea, where they will be dealt with and returned to Lochcarron for us. The lady at the Post Office asked us why we had come to Blackpool, thinking that there are many other places more worthy of a visit — but she's a local. We were enjoying ourselves.

Blackpool Central Pier and Tower

Warren, Susie
& cones of chips!

Susie gazing
at Tower

Decided to run in to the Blackpool Promenade to get a shot or two of the Blackpool Tower. The day was so lovely, we decided to park and do some exploring along the Promenade. Went out onto the Central Pier, which is a fun park much like a mix of Luna Park and the Ekka's Sideshow Alley. Everyone is so friendly — one of the stall holders even offered to take photos of two travellers (although he did suggest he might run off with the camera!). Had to choose between a cone of chips or an ice cream on the pier — went for the chips! Beautiful sunny day, school Easter Holidays, families out to have fun.

Then we decided to go across to Huddersfield, where there is a Brit Stops location for us to overnight. On the way we stopped off at a Starbucks as the inverter didn't seem to be working properly. Spent an hour over coffee at Starbucks with the computer plugged into power. When we started up again, we switched the power from the leisure battery to the van's primary battery. This worked, but we'll have to be careful to set it back to the leisure battery when we come to a halt, as we wouldn't want to drain the primary battery and be unable to start the vehicle in the morning!

Susie suffering separation anxiety from van
(van, top left — Susie at right)

The Brit Stop site is in the Dick Lane Motorhome Sales Yard. They lock us in at 5pm when they go home, and open the gates again at 8:30am. Suits us fine, as they plug us into power and give us free WiFi for the night. Bliss!

Van parked at Huddersfield (the little one in the middle!)

The reason we chose Huddersfield is that on Friday we intend to visit Brodsworth Hall and Gardens, then cross over to Chester to look at the Cathedral and also, on Saturday and Sunday, there is a Medieval St George's Day festival at Beeston Castle and Woodland Park, just outside Chester. Both Brodsworth Hall and Beeston Castle are free entry for English Heritage members — i.e. us!

Distance driven — today, 89 miles (144 km ); to date, 130 miles (210 km )