The Family Descends On Clumber Park

This weekend's trip is very different from our last two forays. We booked the bunkhouse in Clumber Park near Worksop. It sleeps 12 and we're taking the motorhome to provide additional sleeping for two more. We have 6 children between us and, at some stage over the weekend, they and their partners will be together with Rosie, Paul and Gill, Rosie's sister-in-law.

Travelling in England on a Friday afternoon or evening is a nightmare. We leave Denton shortly after 2pm and arrive at the park at 4:30pm. The journey should take 75 minutes but a half hour holdup at the end of the M67 (about 4 to 5 miles from Denton) and additional traffic elsewhere on route combined to double the time taken.

Paul drove the van and Rosie followed behind in Paul's car. Just before the M1, Rosie decided to leave the route to go looking for a cup of coffee without telling Paul. Ironically, the road taken was a dual carriageway without access to the café.

Gill arrived first and had opened up and put the heating on. A welcome cup of tea was soon enjoyed.

Bedrooms are assigned, Rosie's younger daughter and her husband volunteered to sleep in the van. The evening meal was a combination of dishes brought by each couple. Two of Paul's sons were scheduled to arrive late. The gate closes at 7pm but we should be alright because the National Trust have provided us with a code.

Paul went for a short walk before the meal and thought he could get round the lake. Four miles later he returned in the dark. Coincidentally, Rosie's younger daughter arrived as he was approaching the bunkhouse.

We all went to meet the late arrivals but were approached by a mobile security guard. It was a good job that we were because it transpired that the code doesn't work. He opened the gate for us using his mobile fob. Much drinking and talking before we bedded down about 1am.

A cooked breakfast is prepared on Saturday morning. The family come down in dribs and drabs depending on the amount of alcohol consumed last night. Paul's son Daniel complains of the noises emanating from the public toilets across the fence, We are next to the start of the parkrun and runners were shouting to each other outside his window.

The afternoon is spent at Go Ape in Sherwood Pines Forest. We start at 1:30pm and the course takes 3 hours. A great time was had by all.

Rosie and Paul brought meat and potato pies for the evening meal. It looks like it went down well, perhaps helped by what is was washed down with.

Sunday offered a walk around the lake for those that were interested before we all went our separate ways home. Should we do this again? A resounding yes from all!