The Happy Caravanner goes North for Easter

We set off Northwards for Kearby with Netherby, near Wetherby about 09:15 on Good Friday morning. Outfit checked and ready to rumble, we left home with empty tummies, destined initially for the Junction 23 Truckstop on the M1 where our minds were set on a full English breakfast. Arriving at the truckstop, it was perhaps, unsurprisingly for Easter, pretty empty but the smell of bacon and eggs could not be missed. Although a full menu was available, for us there was only one option, 'Two full English please!' Superb food and lots of it at a sensible price and you can even keep your eye on your outfit from the table. If you have not been there, go!

Moving on Northwards and passing many more junctuions, traffic was quite light, we were doing fine until Sat Nav lady decided to leave the motorway prematurely as it turned out, and took us off towards Leeds. Utilising her Easter humour, she showed us many a 'shortcut'. Whilst these may have been alright for joy riders, they did not much suit the car and caravan.

So, on the phone to my old mate Steve (already nicely pitched and wondering where we were), he tells me I should have stayed on the M1 and when you reach the village, the site is a bit tricky to find. (So was Leeds and have you seen the size of that on the map!).

About 13:00 hrs or 1 O'clock as it was in Yorkshire, we arrived at Maustin Park in Kearby with Netherby, North Yorkshire and what a reet proper place it was too. Beautifully laid out accommodating only 25 tourers, we realised we had made an excellent choice of venue, good old Cade's guide.

With Easter Saturday being Dawnie's birthday (Steve's good lady), Steve had made a provisional reservation in the 'on park' restaurant, the Stables. Not confident this would suit everyone, he suggested that he and I pop over to take a look. We did. Maustin Park conceals a beautiful little restaurant, newly refurbished to a most excellent standard with decor, furnishings and everything to match, Gordon Ramsay would have nothing to do here apart from reveal a little envy perhaps! As the restaurant was closed and the bar almost closing, we asked the elderly gentleman behind the bar if we were too late for a drink? No, you're alright for one he said. My daughters gone up to the house, but I will look after you. He did. After about four pints, we decided that the place suited us nicely. The menu was mouthwatering and the banter with the elderly gentleman, who was actually the proprietor, the very 'cheeky' Yorkshireman, Mr Webb, was great fun. Having done our research into both Tetley's and Sam Smith's, we thought we had better involve the ladies for the final seal of approval. We got it, and another drink!

Friday night was chilli, rice and some more alcohol in't caravan as they say up there. Saturday morning saw us heading for York, traffic was quite heavy along the way (about 25 miles) but we soon got to the park and ride and then bussed the rest of the way in. This is not a tourist guide so I will not go in to too much detail about York itself but it has shops, Ruth and dawn love shops, it has bars, Barry and Steve love bars and when to the two are almost side by side all four of us are happy. We chanced upon a Cornish Pasty shop and all indulged in 'Large Traditionals'. What you may ask, is a Cornish pasty shop doing in York? The Vikings asked the same question. Our conclusion was, having consumed the said pasties, that they had been expelled from Cornwall being told to take their pie crust, head North and don't even look in the rear view mirror. Never mind, we had our dinner at The Stables to look forward too. We turned our directions upside down and followed them back to the park. Incidentally, if you leave Maustin Park without a Sat Nav locked on to its position, tie a piece of string to the gate post so you can find your way back.

Dinner that evening was even better than anticipated. The food was superb, the service excellent and Mr Webb? Oh yes, Mr Webb was there. He came across to see us as his daughter was serving to our table. ''Look after these people Judith'' he said. ''I look after everyone'' she said. ''I know'' said father, ''but these drink bloody loads!''.

Sunday breakfast was cooked by chef Steve on his trusty Cadac and the smell of bacon, eggs and sausages filled the park. After a complete over indulgence, we headed off for Whitby via Goathland which is Heartbeat Country. Having said this is not a tourist guide, Goathland is well worth a visit especially if you are Heartbeat fans. You can shop in the Aidensfield Stores, pose outside Scripps' garage, take a drink in the Aidensfield Arms (really the Goathland Hotel) and take photo's of old police cars!

On then to Whitby. A lovely still day saw the sea just like a mill pond. It is a very hilly place, with lots of fish and chip shops. In fact, only fish and chip shops! Not really, it's very nice and you can get a trip round on a steam powered bus. If you do intend to eat there, you can expect long queues at the best fish and chip reataurants in town, but we were assured that they move very quickly as those restaurants have many tables.

We did not eat there. We moved on down to Robin Hood's Bay. A beautiful place, but the road runs out at a car park half way up the cliff face. Take binoculars or a rope and some crampons to see the bottom. Hungry again, we moved South to Scarborough. Beautiful in the sunshine it was, and we finally succumbed to fish and chips. Steve, Dawn and Ruth even had mushy peas. Disgusting! Can't remember what we did later on that evening, but the bar on site was closed, so we must have ended our day at the caravans.

Monday up with the larks. Breakfast cooking on my Cadac today (two Cadac mentions, no fee received). Harrogate was on the agenda today. It is only about five or six miles from Maustin Park and it has LOADS of shops. Eh? Oh yes, and bars. So once again we all four had a good time.

With the Stables restaurant being closed Monday night, we headed up in to the village to eat at one of the local pubs. The one on the right coming down the hill or on the left going up if you prefer. Roast dinners were in order here and very nice they were too.

Well we retired once more having had a thoroughly nice time. Good company, lovely scenery and a beautiful little caravan park made our Easter most enjoyable. Avoiding the Bank Holiday traffic, we stayed one more night, heading for home on Tuesday.

Look out for more Happy Caravanner blogs as the season progresses.

Have good ones yourselves.

Best wishes

The Happy Caravanner