We had two lovely days at Chertsey an end to our marvellous adventure. We spent the days walking, we had a couple of pub stops on route and we went out for a nice meal on the bridge. The dogs even got a shower in the new dog wash area at the campsite.

It was a joy to arrive at Chertsey, yes we have been here before and yes this is the 2nd (of 31) campsites in our trip that we have been to before but it felt like a nice pair of comfortable daps. A little bit of something we know and can trust. What made it even better was that the campsite had been completely refurbished and so any concerns we may have had were quickly squashed and we both had a huge sigh of relief. What helped matters what when we arrived the sun was shining against a beautiful blue sky.

Those of you that know us, will know that keeping active, fit and healthy is part of our make up.. it hasn’t always been easy on this trip. We started off with such good habits cycling, running, pilates..occasional swim and the plank every day. All was going well in the sunshine but then we hit Scotland and the wind and sometime rain. In our small space pilates became impossible. Running became difficult as sometimes it was just one road in and out and no footpaths and difficult terrain. I also got bad feet from all the walking – trench foot! Plus we were moving on quite often, so this meant often there wasn’t a day for a cycle, although we did do quite a few. Swimming was awkward as we decided only to dip partly as we don’t know tides and currents so it wasn’t really a fitness thing. However the one constant was the 3 minute plank we each did every day.

There are always a few nerves about moving day just because you don’t know what you are going to get at the next campsite. Not just the facilities but the area too.

So we started our day firstly with a walk at Rutland Water starting at the Waterside cafe past Nomanton church and up to the Dam. It was nice enough but a little dull but the hot chocolate was lovely the Rutland pipkin pie not so much.

We arrived at the campsite, put up the awning and took the dogs out on the dark. We came back and cooked Chinese curry chicken.

It’s time to move on, Mabel has disgraced us once more. A lovely walk taking in the golf course and Exton Estate including Fort Henry. We were literally on the home run when she took on a chase right into a private wood with the gamekeeper right there. We got told off and asked to keep our dog under control!!

Upon arrival at Rutland Camping in Greetham we set up and took the dogs out for a lovely walk. We popped into the plough for a pint of Timothy Taylor landlord and ended up staying until the village fireworks has finished. Walkinf home in the dark some 4 hours later!

Blue skies and sunshine is what we asked for on our last day in the Peak District and we said we didn’t mind the cold. It’s exactly what we got – thank you! It was beautiful out there so much so we got back into our shorts, dare I say also the hat and gloves came out too. That being said we were afforded such amazing views across the valley into Castleton and Hope as well as Edale.