AUTUMN 2018

A favourite activity for club members……. Contents: Editorial Page 1 Two Sisters Take on the Six Dales Trail Page 2-3 My Engine Requires Air Conditioning! Page 3 A Wight Good Time Page 4-5 North of the Border Page 6 Four Murvi Lovers go to Shrewsbury Page 7-8 Converting an older Murvi to a Gaslow Cylinder Page 8 Waterloo Page 9 A Focus in France Page 9 - 10 …….this time at the Liverpool meet The Velodysee Page 10

EDITORIAL

Wouldn’t you just Know it! There was I dancing parade through the town centre on know how delicious their food is, so this thinking “Oh dear, it’s looking a bit thin on the Sunday morning. could be a welcome addition to your cook- the ground this time round.” Well, I book collection. shouldn’t have worried, should I? One A couple of useful tips I’ve been sent. The reminder from me and the articles came first from Keith Ross who says “I did a silly flooding in from all directions. So, thank you thing and drove away with the EHU cable to all of you who felt my pain and still plugged into the van, from laziness in responded so generously. not following full checklist.” The November So, another summer’s over, but only just it MMM magazine carried a similar tale of seems; the warm weather seemed to go on woe and an electrical warning solution duly Morris dancers at Shrewsbury Festival and on didn’t it? Hopefully you took full provided by Clive Mott. Keith’s photo shows advantage of the glorious summer to go off Now we’re looking forward to a few late an alternative low tech warning system. The wandering the length and breadth of autumn trips. Coming up next weekend notice is laminated and is stored with the Europe (of course, including the UK ….. for there’s the meet at Port Eynon on the EHU cable when not connected, then easily now, at least). Gower peninsula with our new tour leader, attached to the Sadly Karin and I didn’t get as far afield as I Brian Biffin. Brian is taking over the organi- steering wheel via a would have liked this summer. Apart from a sation of our annual November meet from short length of rather curtailed trip to France, we were Roger Pepper, a hard act to follow after velcro when the EHU limited to a few forays in the UK. But who’s Roger’s superb organisation and choice of is connected. Makes it complaining? There’s plenty to see and do locations over the last 7 years. Let’s hope harder to be careless on our home turf isn’t there? Brian has inherited Roger’s knack of next time. ensuring fine weather! Along with a group of Murvi friends (and a The second tip comes from Bob Eley who few hangers-on) we spent a delightful Then there are a couple of pre-Christmas says “I recently had the need to change a August bank holiday weekend at the Murvi meets to look forward to. There’s the blown fuse and had a horror of grovelling in Shrewsbury Folk Festival. The Shrewsbury inaugural Northern Christmas Meet at the wardrobe to find the duff one. I was Showground is rapidly becoming a must- Seahouses from 26th - 30th November and however delighted to find that Murvi have visit destination for Murvi trips, what with the Southern Christmas Meet this year at recently started to fit the new “smart fuse“, Vince’s article on page 7 about the flower the Spinney campsite in Alresford in Hamp- which is marketed by Halfords as the “LED blade fuse”. As indicated, when the fuse show there and it’s also the venue for next shire from 5th – 9th December. year’s AGM. blows, a tiny LED lights up and The foodies amongst us (and makes it unmistakable as to The great thing about the showground is its who isn’t?) may be interested which fuse has bust.” I gather that proximity to the town. It’s only about a 15 in a book recently spotted in Murvi now fit these fuses on new minute walk into the centre of town which Waterstones – a recipe book vans. is full of interest – and shops, of course. from the Hidden Hut in Corn- And finally, a plug for a charming During the Folk festival weekend the whole wall. Those of you who have Murvi children’s story by member town becomes part of the festival with been on the couple of Port- Christine Flitney, to be found Morris dance teams at every turn and a scatho meets we’ve had will here on the club website.

the MURVI club newsletter Autumn 2018 - page 1 T˩˦˦˩˥ S˨˩˩˥˨˩˥˩˨˨˥˩˥˧˩˥˨ T˨˧˦˨˩˦˨˨˥ ˩˥˨˩˩ ˩˥˩˨˨˩˨˨˥ S˨˩˩˦˧ D˨˧˦˨˩˧˨˨˥˩˥˨ T˩˥˧˨˧˦˨˩˨˩˧ By Carol Wilkinson

The Six Dales Trail runs from in with exhilaration - had enjoyed every we arrived weary but happy at our day West Yorkshire for 42 scenic miles due step. 2 destination - the Pott Moor High north to in North York- Road. Later, a good soak in the bath, a shire. It passes through the hearty stew and a glass or two of vino AONB, traversing the 5 watersheds were all that were required to revive that separate: , the Wash- us but, Sue was already talking about burn Valley, Nidderdale, , the next long walk! and . A journey taking in the towns at its extremities, Honouring the Fallen plus riversides, reservoirs, fields, Leeds Pals woods and moorland. Dob Park Packhorse Bridge The weather on the second day was again a poor start but eventually rose to the occasion as we lunched again in the first glimmers of sunshine by the bandstand in the park in . We left behind the shores of Gowthwaite reservoir, bare and tide marked after the dry summer, and Stepping out climbed steeply up to the top of Foun- tains Earth Moor; a wild forbidding Our final day was full of interest. A I have long been a fan of the long dis- place with ne’er a soul to be seen for short detour in Colsterdale was in or- tance walk, having completed many of many miles. As we reached the summit der to pay our respects to the Leeds the UK’s famous hikes as well as those we were taken aback by the stunning Pals at their Memorial. It was built to in far flung places from the Alps and honour the memory of the friends and Andes to the Himalayas. The aim of Trail Marker relatives from Leeds who volunteered this walk however was to initiate my together, trained together in this re- younger sister into the pleasures of mote spot then fought and died to- this wonderful pastime. gether in the Great War. Many of them died at Serre on the first day of the The start, Battle of the Somme - “... two years in Jubilee Clock Tower, Otley the making and ten minutes in the de- stroying”. We are Leeds native so this was very poignant. Onward towards views across the Vale of York to the our goal and returning to ‘civilisation’ Hambleton Hills while directly below we passed through parkland, close to us shimmered the twin reservoirs of the ruins of the Cistercian abbey of Roundhill and Leighton - a stark con- Jervaulx by the River Ure in Wensley- trast to the seemingly endless black dale. Being sure not to miss the conflu- moorland on which we stood. Naviga- ence of the Ure with the Cover, we tion from this point was rather tricky then passed over Cover Bridge with its for a while, descending then ascending 16th century coaching inn and fol- We arrived in Otley by bus on a dull to the far side of the valley; the path lowed the river for a mile or two. At and drizzly weekday which did not au- being overgrown and less well walked. this point I almost lost Sue as, walking gur well for convincing sister Sue. How- Despite this, and a field of frisky cattle, behind me, she tripped on a tree root ever by lunchtime we were eating our sarnies basking in sunshine above Combs Crags on Low Ash Head Moor Nether Timble looking back down the Washburn valley at the seven or so miles we had already covered. A red kite circled low overhead. We finished day 1 well north of Thruscross having covered sixteen miles. Sue - buzzing Crossing the River Cover

the MURVI club newsletter Autumn 2018 - page 2 and was catapulted past me, grabbed a now planning the next one... watch tree branch and, with gymnastic prow- this space. ess, stopped herself from taking a quick dip in the river. Unhurt and un- deterred we now turned our backs on the Cover and climbed the bank. Now scenting success, we marched on and a few minutes later the horizon was Middleham Castle pierced by a fluttering flag. It was sud- denly there, looming large and very Our journey was coming to an end and close - the grand sight of the 12th cen- it only remained for us to make our Celebrating the end of the tury Middleham Castle - childhood way to the Market Cross for a photo, a Trail at Middleham home of Richard III and sadly left to fall high five and a commitment to further into ruin in the 17th century. travels together. Job done - we are

M˩˦˨ E˨˩˩˨˨˧˨˩˨˩˩˨˨˥ R˨˨˥˩˥˦˩˦˨˩˩˥˧˨˨˥˩˥˨ A˨˩˩˥˧ C˩˥˨˩˩˨˧˩˨˩˩˥˩˨˩˩˥˨˩˩˨˩˨˩˩˨˨˧! By Andy Embling

Off we go on holiday for a few days in hooked up to their diagnostics, but it your van back. While it is a FIAT Wales. We stopped en-route at a great was not terribly conclusive. They even- Technical Case we have to have the National Trust house (Tyntesfield not far tually decided that it was telling them vehicle in the workshops. The only from Bristol). Weather was great – that a second fan somewhere had alternative would be to cancel the rather warm in fact, and the house still failed, but they needed a wiring Case with FIAT, put your van back having the ambience of a friendly diagram which only a FIAT Professional together, you come back tomorrow, comfortable family home. It was a very dealer had. So they gave up and put it we take it apart again, take the pleasant day but by 3pm it was time to all back together – cost £100. diagnostics again tomorrow and head into Wales and find a site. The van My nearest FIAT Professional dealer was resubmit the Technical Case. was like an oven of course so open the very friendly, but said they were fully Me: (Not very politely) You must be windows, grab a quick drink from the booked for 8 weeks ahead. I phoned ******* joking. fridge, turn on the cab air-con, put the another one and they offered next Garage: (Muttering in Background) Err – outside vents back on the fridge and off week – seemed like a better deal – even we think we may be able to find a we go in our trusty 5 year old FIAT if it did mean driving for about 90 car to lend you. Murvi Morello. After about 50 yards a minutes at up to 35mph! Me: (Still prickly) With some fuel? light suddenly appears on the Dash- Garage: Yes sir – with fuel. board, “INJECTION SYSTEM FAILURE”. We took it in to them first thing and Me: We’ll be back with you soon Well as it was still making a noise I know walked into town. But by nearly 4pm we hadn’t heard anything. So a quick ring – So back to the garage and we get the it was still running! So back round the smallest thing on 4 wheels I’ve ever car park, park again and get out the they couldn’t find the cause of the fault and had referred it to FIAT HQ as a driven. After a couple of crashes of manual. After many minutes of gears (we normally drive autos / searching it unhelpfully says something Technical Case (or some such term). The following exchange then took place. Comfortmatic) off we head home – it like “Proceed at reduced power, and did go faster than 35mph at least, visit your FIAT dealer”. As the next day Me: Er – OK – but will that be resolved although it’s a bit scary so close to the was a Saturday, I was unlikely to get tonight? road! anyone to investigate further until at Garage: No Sir, very unlikely. least Monday and we were coming Me: Well can I have the van back to go To finish the story off the following day home Tuesday, so we abandoned the home please. FIAT HQ came up trumps – the message holiday and set off home. There was no Garage: Well its in pieces – we’d have meant that the Air Conditioning Fluid need to reduce power – FIAT had kindly to put it back together and we’d was low!!!!! So the garage filled it up, told the electronics not to let me go have to charge for the labour. put it all back together, we pottered faster than 35mph! After a scary one Me: Well let me have one of your cars back and picked the van up together junction on the M5 we came off and to get home please. with a bill for labour of £300. They pottered down the A38 where I was less Garage: We’ve not got one we could didn’t charge for Air Con fluid! likely to be rammed up the rear. lend you I’m afraid. LESSON LEARNT – Get my AirCon serv- Well we got home and after the Me: I live 40 plus miles away – what do iced regularly – probably would save me weekend I rang my local garage who expect my wife and I to do tonight? £350+. Obviously FIAT think low AirCon normally services it. They are not a FIAT Garage: (Muttering in background) fluid is a pretty serious failure but don’t dealer but service many FIAT vans. They Actually sir we cannot let you have like to let on about it!

the MURVI club newsletter Autumn 2018 - page 3 A W˨˩˨˨˧˨˨˩˩˥˩ G˩˥˩˥˨˧˩ T˨˩˨˩˨˨˨˥ By Jo Romero

My husband loves islands, so come polishing out scratches on her car which The Chine itself has a micro climate, September with the weather still warm, had been vandalised somewhere in town. growing fuschia trees and lush vegetation. intrepid travellers that we are, we crossed Polishing with a View! Access, she said, There are several waterfalls but the water the 2 miles from Portsmouth to the Isle of was only via the beach and could be level was low due to lack of rain. Many a Wight. Our base was Adgestone Camp dangerous at high tide. famous person has trodden the Chine Site and we decided to explore nearby Brading Roman Villa is also close to paths: Jane Austen, Keats, Turner, places with one longer trip to Osborne Sandown and is very posh with a new Tennyson were some of the notables – House in the north. build (2004) protecting its excellent and us! Adgestone Camp Site is on a Quiet Road, mosaics. It is well presented and we At the top of the Chine is the Old Village, shared with horse riders, cyclists, pedes- particularly enjoyed the figures of a a group of thatched cottages nestling trians and cars which should drive at Roman-era mosaic workman set against a together offering refreshments to weary 15mph. The IOW has numerous country- Victorian archaeologist discovering it. sightseers. Apparently one is also the side walks: one just outside the Site And of course, the mosaic of ‘Gallus’ the home of Fairies and it is easy to believe as entrance led up a hill from where we had cock-headed, ‘cocky’ Gladiator Trainer it’s so quaint and ‘old worldy’. a gorgeous view of Sandown and the red showed Roman humour. We failed to find a parking place in and white cliffs of Culver Down with the A 100ft/24m well, discovered at the villa Ventnor to hunt fossils so carried on to Yarborough Memorial on top. contained Roman pottery and bones, Niton and the Buddle Inn, the haunt of thereafter rubbish and infill. The water smugglers. A quick drink and then a walk table is low, unlike several sites we know down to St. Catherine’s Lighthouse whose in West Sussex, such as Fishbourne warning beam must have put a lot of Roman Palace and Bignor Roman Villa, smugglers out of business. We booked where the mosaics are suffering from for a tour up the lighthouse but changed algae. our minds as time was getting on and ‘Wight’ derives from the Roman name donated some of our ticket price instead. It is a working lighthouse, controlled from Quiet road sign ‘vinca’ for the island. The Saxons who came later, could not pronounce ‘V’,' so it the mainland by Trinity House. At Sandown we parked in a car park became ‘Wiht’ and the rest is history. The steep walk back (no vehicular access) opposite ‘The Old Comical’ Pub, easy to An oddity of this Museum is the perma- was helped by numerous ripe and juicy recognise because of the painted faces on blackberries on either side of the lane. one wall. Like many Victorian seaside nent exhibition of Puppets and Masks from around the world including our own Again, views were superb but the wind resorts, Sandown has a Pier, which was Force 5 . appeared to be full of gaming machines. Punch and Judy. Puppets are a realistic What could be better than walking along way to tell stories of gods and goddesses, the Esplanade in the sun? People were events and even politics (see the large baking on the sand, cooling off in the sea Russian dolls). The little puppets are or eating the (obligatory) fish and chips, beautifully dressed and their faces show the sky was bright blue and the far cliffs strong emotions. red. Shanklin Chine seemed difficult to find as Further towards the cliffs were numerous there was an absence of locals around. little bathing huts with quaint names such We found signage is often good from one as ‘Ace of Huts’ and ‘Some like it Hut’. direction only and if you come a different Lunchtime view near Ventnor way, you might have problems. The One proud owner/sunbather was Godshill boasts a Model Village and is, enlarging and insulating his. Perhaps he carpark near the Cliff Lift is the place to aim for with Shanklin Chine just around itself, a pretty village full of souvenir was thinking of downsizing ? His hut had shops and places to eat. The car park is originally been under the cliff but he had the corner. The Lift is a replacement for the very rickety-looking Victorian one and free but was filling up fast by late been forced to move when part of the morning. cliff fell down. was also on our ‘to do’ list. The Model Village is styled on places and Culver Down, of the red and white cliffs, Chines are narrow ravines and a feature of the south coast of the IOW. Shanklin people of the 1930s and was very green was on the opposite side of the bay. It is with patches of grass and hundreds of easily identified by the tall Memorial to Chine is well-publicised and houses an Aviary for rescue birds, tea room and small trees. Shanklin Chine featured but Charles Anderson-Pelham, the 2nd, then small museum in the Heritage Centre. I was oddly much less verdant than today st 1 Baron Yarborough, founder of the admired a whale bone and baleen there but the Old Village was recognizable Royal Yacht Squadron. We parked on the but there was a problem with the shrilling above it. A tease was a model village cliff top, hoping to find a path down and Fire Alarm so we did not stay long. Else- within a model village. Best of all was an asked a young couple if there was one – where PLUTO (Pipe Line Under the Ocean) orchard scene with real, small, red apples he did not know and she was busy bringing fuel to the IOW is described. on the tree. Continued overleaf the MURVI club newsletter Autumn 2018 - page 4 Worth a visit is the 14thC Church of the and learned to cook. My husband was present donkeys have contracts and are Lily Cross up the hill, just as in the Model horrified as cooking would require only allowed to work for up to 6 mins per Village. The murals of Christ Crucified on working over naked flames. What if the day. The well is so deep it took 7 seconds a Lily and a Consecration Cross had been Royal children went up in smoke!? for a pebble to plunk into the water. painted over during the Reformation Carisbrooke Castle was a poorly-signed We drove on to the Needles and Alum which has helped preserved them. The attraction, something to do with the High- Bay, following road signs which seemed church also has a replica rood screen with ways Authority apparently and we went to wind all over the place. The car park Mary and Jesus. Returning down the hill wrong several times. The castle was full charged £8.00 per day and there were no we found a shop selling lovely artisan of scaffolding as the walls were being ‘half-days’ and no NT car park. A bus shut- bread, a must for our lunch. cleared of weeds, such as valerian whose tles to and from the Needles and Battery The Donkey Sanctuary was on our return roots can loosen stones and eventually but we walked the three-quarter mile to Site. Donations of £5.00 (or more) are destroy the Castle. The wind on the top each way. Alum Bay has a chair lift down welcomed. They keep around 100 rampart was a ‘two hatter’ meaning I to the beach but there was no time to donkeys; some have sun allergies which needed to hold my baseball cap on with investigate it. affects eyes and skin, some need special the hood of my raincoat but there were Alum Bay cliffs are famed for their diets and others were surplus to require- superb views over Carisbrooke town and colouring, red, white, yellow, brown due ments. The donkeys are in great demand countryside. to different minerals. Away in the near at Christmas and earn many a carrot or distance is a beacon on a spit of land st two. Charles 1 was imprisoned at Carisbrooke which is part of England. It seemed close Appuldurcum House, a large English Castle for 18 months and his young enough to swim across but is probably Heritage property was on our route but, daughter, Princess Elizabeth, aged 14, treacherous and the shore is mud flats. died here, possibly of TB. There is a copy unfortunately for us, was closed for a The Battery belongs to the NT and there Wedding. Phone before going! of a picture of Charles at his trial. He has bags under his eyes and does not look are exhibitions of life in it during WW2 Queen Victoria spent many holidays and happy. He must have known the showing the Ammunition Store and Labo- died at Osborne House and you will need outcome was a foregone conclusion. ratory for making the ammo. (no metal or a day to see everything. We missed the fags allowed because of sparks). A very turning to East Cowes and found In the Museum was a large, chiming clock narrow, spiral staircase led down to a ourselves on the ferry on the west side of which duly chimed at 1200 and a wonder- corridor and searchlight so close to the the Medina River. That was certainly fully ornate 17th century organ with one Needles only two of the three stacks were unexpected! Beware the steep slope foot pedal. Rod also discovered a seismic visible. driving off the ferry which could well graph machine which had belonged to ground a larger or low-slung vehicle at John Milne, the famous IOW earthquake low tide. Someone had not taken tides researcher who had married a Japanese into consideration with the design! lady. Osborne House was redesigned by Prince Queen Victoria’s youngest daughter, Prin- Albert in the Italianate Style and has cess Beatrice, lived in Carisbrooke Castle many original furnishings and decora- when her husband was made Governor of tions, the most sumptuous being the the IOW. This was a little ploy by Queen State Dining Room. Here much of the Victoria who was living at Osborne House, intricate design is made of papier-mache. to keep her daughter nearby. Tunnel at the Battery There are emblems of India, such as The highlight of this visit, for us, was elephant trunks in the swirls while watching a donkey work the water wheel. Waitresses in the small tearoom wore Ganesh the elephant-headed god of luck There are several donkeys who take it in 1940s-style head scarves and the china presides over one door. There are a great turns to turn the wheel by stepping inside was authentically from different sets. many portraits of Victoria and her family it and walking up the side. In the Middle Luckily, realism did not extend to having and a section with paintings of both ordi- Ages prisoners were used, but they could war rations and soya milk was available nary and Royal Indians. The Royal not pull up enough water so they trained for me so we enjoyed a much-needed Nursery was delightful with a row of little donkeys who worked 16 hrs a day. The ‘cuppa’ and snack. cots, wooden toys and small chairs and We hope that our experiences whet your tables for the children, set off by a gaily- appetite for a visit to the IOW. Apart coloured carpet from well-known places and multiple Lunch was taken sitting on the cafe attractions, there are hundreds of foot- verandah, overlooking the Solent, next to paths and good cycle paths. Being cut off the Queen’s Bathing Hut. All that was from the mainland, it feels just that bit needed, we felt, was a nice Planter’s foreign and yet everyone speaks English! Punch. 15 mins on foot from the Bathing Hut is the children’s Swiss Cottage where they played, had small vegetable gardens Donkey on the waterwheel

the MURVI club newsletter Autumn 2018 - page 5 NORTH OF THE BORDER By Margaret & Peter Lloyd

As a birthday treat for our nine-year-old is built in the traditional style of a Korean These monsters steal children and often grandson we decided to take him for a shrine and contains name boards listing appear in the form of horses. We have trip in our 2006 Murvi Morello. We now visited here on three occasions and borrowed a bench seat cushion from our the policy on car parking has changed narrowboat and by turning the front each time. On our last visit, in the seats to face each other we made him a evening, parking near the entrance was bed by laying it across them. With six free and campervans were permitted to younger siblings, foreign travel was not a stay overnight. The Kelpies must be viable option for his family but we visited both in the day and at night to thought we would widen his horizons appreciate them fully. There is some- and take him abroad – to Scotland. For Korean War Memorial thing magical about wandering through our first foray into the wild unknown we all the men who died. I believe it is the Helix Park in the middle of the night as centred our trip around Linlithgow which only memorial in the UK dedicated to the others are doing and wondering at these is only a couple of hours drive over the Korean War that does this. majestic sculptures which are illuminated border. from within. Landranger Map 65: Grid ref: 987727 We camped at Beecraigs Country Park Signed from Linlithgow Town Centre Nine-year-old boys cannot get enough of which is run by West Lothian Council. From M8 follow signs for Beecraigs castles so we had to visit Blackness Castle There are 23 hard pitches all with 16A Country Park on the river bank 15 minutes drive from hook-up, rare breed cattle at the farm, Beegraigs. fishing in the lake, woods to walk in and Our interest in canals soon took us on Blackness Castle lovely views over the Firth of Forth. Oh the 30 minute drive to the Falkirk Wheel yes, and there is an adventure play- which lifts boats from the Forth & Clyde- ground and a café. Canal to the Union Canal. A short drive down the hill is Linlithgow with all the usual retail services plus the birth-place of Mary, Queen of Scots (and six other Scottish monarchs) at Linlithgow Palace. Phone: 01506 842 896 This is little changed from its 15th century origin and is very popular as a film loca- tion. We arrived there on one occasion Forth & Clyde Canal - Falkirk Wheel to find it closed to the public as an Amer- ican outfit were filming Mary Queen of This amazing structure replaced the flight Scots there. On a windy day it is not hard of eleven locks which were in use during to imagine yourself defending the Firth the canals’ commercial freight-carrying of Forth from invaders. Beware the low days. (the locks were about a mile to the Linlithgow Palace from across the Loch doorways and very rough courtyard but east and are now buried beneath blocks enjoy the views. The entrance charges Although this is partially derelict it is still of flats). The wheel is free to visit but can are the same as at Linlithgow Palace and, interesting for adults and children. There get busy at weekends. There are boat on a pure comparison of size, do not is an entry charge. There is much to see trips up to the Union Canal and back. We appear good value but the views alone in the town and a heritage trail leaflet is parked on a nearby housing estate and make up for any lack of rooms. available from the town hall. Our interest walked along the Forth & Clyde Canal led us to the Union Canal and to the towpath which is paved and has informa- discovery of some wartime prefabs. tion boards at frequent intervals. These had all been fitted with new windows and clad in brick but two of On the way back from Falkirk we visited them still had Anderson Shelters in the Helix Park to see The Kelpies. garden employed as sheds. A short drive up the hill from Beecraigs is the Scottish Korean War Memorial . The Memorial is an arboretum of 1,114 native Scottish trees, one for every man Beercraigs Highland Cattle who died, and a shrine surrounded by The unanimous verdict on this trip was two mounds in the shape of the Ying and ‘we must go there again’ Yang on the South Korean flag. The shrine Kelpies in Park setting

the MURVI club newsletter Autumn 2018 - page 6 F˩˥˩˦˩˥˧ M˩˦˩˥˧˩˦˥˨˩ L˩˥˩˦˥˨˨˥˩˥˧˩˥˨ ˨˨˧˩˥ ˩˥˩˩˥ S˨˨˩˩˥˧˨˨˥˩˦˦˩˥˨˨˧˧˩˦˩˥˧˩˦˨ By Vince Wright

Well, it seems it falls to me to submit my and exclusive area. However I am matters from fruit growing and managing humble contribution to Adrian’s news- allowed to be equally exclusive as we set pests and diseases, to flower arranging letter. Why should that responsibility fall up our Murvi next door to our VIP friend. and advising us about our own problems to Vince you may ask? Simply because (gardening ones only!) during a Well, if you are still with me, I hope you Christine and I were the only Murvi gardeners’ question time. Panellists will read on, find out what happens at the couple to respond to Nick and Yvonne’s including Margaret Thrower: yes of the Shrewsbury Flower Show and, who invitation to join them at the Shrewsbury Percy Thrower family fame. knows, swell numbers next summer? Flower Festival. So just two vans to a There was restful seating around the Murvi get-together you respond in aston- So getting from the Showground to the bandstand with an ongoing programme ishment! Quarry? An excellent free shuttlebus. of choirs and military and civilian bands. The first one at 8.00 am, last one back Well yes, a little sadly, that pretty well from Shrewsbury itself, or from the Show, Then, with a growing appetite, we visited sums it up. So now it rests with me, as as late as 10.30 and never a wait of more the food marquee where we were spoilt per Nick’s request, to convince a few than 10 minutes. Christine and I were the for choice. Here again we could also more members that you may have only show-goers on the first 8.00 bus. choose from a range of food demonstra- missed out on something you might have Yes indeed we were at the show by 8.30, tions by celebrity chefs. We then spent greatly enjoyed. ready for a free coffee and a quiet an hour or two admiring all the show Well I have to admit that the idea of two preview before the gates opened to the entries, involving a vast range of crafts whole days at a Flower Festival might not general public a couple of hours later. So and garden produce simply too numerous immediately enthuse everyone. And you two were also VIP’s the gullible may to list and – of course – flowers! For a again the added attraction of rows and ask? Well not quite: such exclusive privi- little peace and quiet and a rest we rows of jars of honey, awaiting judges’ leges were purchased by way of the two descended to The Dingle admiring the decisions, may appeal to our in-house day combined admission and member- meticulously planted and colourful bee and IT expert, but not necessarily to ship ticket, which not only made a saving gardens overlooking the small lake. the run-of-the mill Murvi Club members on day tickets but also provided exclusive Handy seating, under the shade of the typical of me! use of the members pavilion and outdoor trees, to nibble on a purchase from the eating area which overlooked the main food hall and to quench our thirst. Ah yes but, Adrian asks for photographs arena. Oh! So there was an arena for all to generate interest. Great! I have the flowers you enquire? And you spent dozens. Now here’s one of rows and two days watching the flower action, at a rows of chrysanthemums and another of distance, from the members’ pavilion you rows of gladioli and rows of geraniums continue?! Oh dear, am I not being very and rows of …. oh dear not even a well- convincing? Do please read on and bear focussed shot of a single jar of honey or in mind that once admitted all entertain- the odd bee. Sorry Nick! ment is included in the admission price. So actually, in the arena, we were able to enjoy show jumping, a falconry display, a quack pack (ducks and sheep dogs), the Then back to explore some 200 or so pony club musical ride, several military trade stands which even included a piece bands, a jousting display, WW1 heroes of the Ffestiniog Railway, complete with and horses display, an Abba tribute band, its steam locomotive, a couple of The Red Hot Chilli Pipers and the Massed carriages, a short length of track and free Bands Finale display. When the showers rides. A treat for old and young alike came we were able to retreat to the though the latter could already find So did we all enjoy two days of flower ‘lecture’ marquee where radio and televi- plenty of entertainment in the children’s show festivities you may ask, possibly not sion gardener celebrities were providing arena with its variety of animals including without some pessimism? Well yes we demonstrations on a range of gardening ducks and chickens, a little rascals disco did, especially after Nick had repeated dome, a giant inflatable obstacle course, the information, with great patience, a rugby skills area, soap carving, a craft because it had already been circulated, tent, face painting etc. etc. as well as a that the Shrewsbury Flower Show does succession of children’s entertainers. No not take place at the Shrewsbury Show wonder Nick doubled the numbers of our Ground. Well yes, that’s obvious isn’t it!? Murvi contingent by arriving with his In fact it takes place at a much more daughter and her partner and two grand- appropriate venue called The Quarry. children! (They in a tent, not Nick and Shrewsbury Show Ground is where Nick, Yvonne’s Murvi!) being a VIP, as he convinces the gullible (that’s me), has set up camp in a secluded Continued overleaf….

the MURVI club newsletter Autumn 2018 - page 7 Still lots of activity at 10.00 as we waited with worthy of a visit in its own right, pleasantly situ- anticipation for the fireworks display. Provided ated by the banks of the River Severn, and you by the ex-chemistry teacher firm of Kimbolton can’t help but note that Charles Darwin began his Fireworks. That’s right, the market leader that education here. You can easily nip into the town has fired London New Year Displays, not to for a break from the show. We stayed an extra mention the opening and closing ceremonies of night to give us a little more time to explore the the 2012 London Olympics. Needless to say the town and its shops, pubs or cafes. Then, yet spectacle did not disappoint. again, we were spoilt for choice as we located a suitable venue for a late evening farewell meal. Moving towards 11.00 the shuttle bus crews wait patiently for us to make sure no one is left behind See you next year Shrewsbury. Put us on your and we are ready to catch up tomorrow on every- list Nick. See a few more Murvi Members too? thing we have missed today and relive that fire- And if you have caring duties for little ones works finale one more time. during the summer months why not bring them with you? Nick makes a brilliant baby sitter – And of course there is Shrewsbury itself, invitingly now that makes him a brilliant VIP too! right next to The Quarry Showground. It’s The Firework Display

C˩˥˨˩˩˩˦˥˨˨˥˩˥˧˩˥˩˨˩˨˩˩˨˨˧ ˨˧˦˨˩˩ O˨˩˧˨˧˩˨˨˥˩˥˧ M˩˦˩˥˧˩˦˥˨˩ ˩˥˩˩˥ ˨˧˦ G˨˧˦˩˥˨˨˩˧˩˥˩˦˦ C˩˦˨˨˩˧˨˩˨˩˩˨˧˩˨˨˥˩˥˧ By Tony Gumbrill

With an extended trip abroad on the horizon a few months Pic. 6 Pic. 7 back I decided to convert our 04 Morello to a Gaslow system. The first problem to overcome was where to place the fill point. With the Gaslow recommendation in mind that the fill pipe should not pass through the living area, a direct access to the gas locker was required. After a bit of investigation and a test hole (later to be resealed), I concluded that the best place would be where the original regulator was located and hope- also recommend a light spray of fully the fill point would be alongside the top vent for the gas Multi Solve spray to enable you to locker (pic1&2). get a smooth finish. Then I bonded in the filler point with black CT1 (pic9&10), and positioned the bottle and assembled the pipe work leaving provision for a second bottle to be added if required. Pic. 8

Pic. 1 Pic. 2

So out with the drill and cutters, all was clear, next task was to put a pilot hole through the outer skin of the van from the inside, then cut the filler hole (pic3&4), after cutting the hole it needed a small notch top and bottom to locate the filler(pic5). I then cleaned up and painted the bare metal edge to help Pic. 9 Pic. 10 prevent corrosion. The new regulator was fitted as high as possibly, ideally it should be above the bottles (pic11), if below the top of the bottle, this can cause problems such as funny smells when the gas starts to run out. The gauge shown in the picture can be used to test the gas system for leaks. Following Gaslow instructions, simply prime the pipe work Pic. 3 Pic. 4 Pic. 5 then turn off the gas supply, the Because the filler and connection was passing through the gauge should show green, if it shows insulation void, I had to make a gas tight sleeve for this, I used any red within 10mins you have a a short piece of 110mm drain pipe, this was bonded in place leak. with CT1 sealant (http://www.ct1ltd.com/) (pic6, 7 & 8). As the If anybody wishes to do this with cutter I had was slightly bigger than needed, I cut a short piece their van I am happy to be of of pipe and split it to make a spacer. When using CT1 I would assistance if required Pic. 11

the MURVI club newsletter Autumn 2018 - page 8 W˨˧˦˩˥˩˨˨˥˩˥˧˨˩˧˩˥˩˥ By Heather Gould

Three years ago we were lucky enough to Battlefield View visual presentation in one of the build- go to Waterloo for the re-enactment of ings. We took about four hours to see the famous battle so, this year on our everything. way to our GB Motorhome Tours holiday in Croatia we thought we’d go back to see Waterloo at our leisure. We arrived at Waterloo but couldn’t find any parking so we didn’t visit the Du Lion which has 226 steepish steps. It Wellington Museum in an old coaching is worth the climb for the view, though it house. Signposts to the battlefield were does make the battlefield look rather Hougement Farmhouse non-existent so Google maps came to flat. the rescue and we arrived at the Butte There aren’t any nearby campsites, we du Lion near the battlefield. This is a found one about an hour away, but memorial to the Prince of Orange who wouldn’t recommend it. acquitted himself well during the battle, https://projecthougoumont.com/visiting- he was on Wellington’s staff. There is a waterloo/ café/bistro on site plus adequate parking.

Exhibit in the Visitor Centre After the climb back down we visited the Panorama, painted in 1912, it portrays a 360 degree view of the great cavalry charges during the middle of the battle. The Butte & Panorama Building Finally, a visit to Hougemont Farmhouse, Modern Memorial The visitor centre is underground and is a free shuttle bus will take you there and fascinating, with lots of info on the battle back, but there is a pathway which only plus soldiers uniforms displayed on takes about 20 minutes each way. It’s a models and there is access to the Butte very significant part of the battle with a

A F˩˥˨˧˨˩˦˩˥˨ ˨˩˨˩˩ F˩˥˧˨˧˦˨˩˩˨˧˨˨˨˥ By Lin Powell & Wendy Palmer We don’t really need an excuse to go to ‘interesting’ and the farmhouse a joy to believed in two principles, a good god France. We love it. Be it to visit the War live in. It did however give us a chance to and his evil adversary (much like God and graves, Battlefields, Beaches , Bayeux stay a little longer and to continue our Satan of mainstream Christianity). tapestry, Wine, Provence, Food, travels around the Languedoc region and Cathars maintained a Church hierarchy Pyrenees, Alps, Friends, Le Tour ….we once more we found ourselves heading and practiced a range of ceremonies , but could go on and on. We usually spend a off towards the ‘Cathar Castle Country’. rejected any idea of priesthood or the use month or so there every year one way or Visiting the castles gives us a good and of church buildings. Basic Cathar Tenets another. interesting focus to our travelling around led to some surprising beliefs for the This September we cheerfully set off this beautiful area of the French country- time. For example they largely regarded ostensibly to look after our friends animal side and combines our love of hillwalking men and women as equals, education for ‘sanctuary’ for 9 days for what in itself, is with an amazing and unique part of all and had no doctrinal objection to fast becoming an annual occurrence. French history. contraception, euthanasia or suicide . By Now this is no hardship. The animals are ‘Who were the Cathars?’ the early thirteenth century Catharism was probably the majority religion in the The Cathars were a religious group who area. Many Catholic texts refer to the appeared in Europe in the eleventh danger of it replacing Catholicism century, their origins something of a completely. The head of the Catholic mystery though there is reason to believe Church, the somewhat ill-lnamed Pope their ideas came from Persia or the Innocent III , called a formal Crusade Byzantine Empire. The religion flourished The Farmhouse against the Cathars of the Languedoc , particularly in the Languedoc region , appointing a series of military leaders to broadly bordered by the Mediterranean head his Holy Army. Simon de Montfort ... and a Sea, the Pyrenees, and the rivers few of our Charges Garonne, Tarn and Rhône. Cathars Continued overleaf….

the MURVI club newsletter Autumn 2018 - page 9 now remembered as the father of ‘pogs’ (mountain tops) affording magnifi- another Simon de Montfort, a figure in cent views particularly the castle at Quer- English parliamentary history, was the ibus where the views encompass most prominent. The war against the vineyards, the foothills of the Pyrenees Cathars continued for two generations. and the Canigou Masssif. From 1208, a war of terror was waged Using the Cicerone ‘Walks in the Cathar against the indigenous population of the Region’ by Alan Mattingly as our guide Languedoc and their rulers. During this and staying in local village and town period an estimated half-million Aires, we have visited many sites and Languedoc men, women and children never tire of the excellent walking, beau- View from top of Le Pic de St Barthelemy were massacred as The Crusaders killed tiful countryside ,and this fascinating part the locals indiscriminately usually by way of French history. Although a bit dated at the van by Lin and their other dog of horrific torture eventually wiping them now (2005) this splendid little book not Gracie, who had remained to take in the out. The Cathar history has become an only gives excellent walks but a fasci- gentler walks around the village of immense and popular tourist attraction nating precis of Cathar history for each Monsegur and its hilltop castle. Le Pays for the region with a huge amount of walk and castle. Cathare, as it is known covers a fairly literature available as well as tours of ‘ everything Cathar’. This time we set our sights on Foix , Monsegur and Le Pic de St- Most of the main "Cathar Castles" are Barthelemy(2348m). Foix is a lovely town, actually castles re-built by the French well worth a visit on its own with special after the Cathar Crusade, and used to ‘campingcar’ parking together with a defend their new border with Aragon. really well conserved castle. There are a few genuine remaining Cathar Castles, Carcassonne probably has the best claim to be a Cathar Castle followed by Foix There are also many Monsegur castle on its ‘pog’ later French Castles built on the site of Cathar strongholds and there are a large area of South west France and is number of sites of Cathar Castles, where highly recommended for its beautiful almost nothing remains. Generally countryside alone. For those not up to speaking the castles are built on top of walking or climbing to some of the castles, most of them can be reached Foix and its Magnificent Castle simply by driving there. Peyrepertuse and However, the highlight of the this latest Queribus are two of our favourites, trip was Wendys climb of Le Pic. With although you may find yourself needing a Lola the dog she strode off embracing glass of that lovely French wine when you 1350 metres of ascent along the way to eventually stop in the delightful little finally reach the splendid views afforded village Aire, as the unguarded road can be from the top into Spain, Andorra and the a little scary in places. Bon Voyage! Gracie, Wendy & Lola at valley of the Ax. A tired Wendy, but still the remains of Chateau De Montaillou bouncing Lola, were met eight hours later

T˨˨˩˨˨˥ V˨˨˥˨˩˧˩˥˨˧˩˩˦˨˩˥˨˨˨˥˨˨˥ By Penny McCallig

The Velodysee is a cycling route through We can't wait to go back and try some of France - across Brittany, along the Atlantic the more northerly stretches. and Basque coasts to the border with A great website - in English - describes Spain. Mostly traffic free paths and flat, each section in detail: with campsites and motorhome aires along the way, we had a great couple of http://www.velodyssey.com weeks, starting at La Tranche sur Mer and travelling south to Hendaye.

The towns of La Rochelle, Rochefort and Chateau Ahon, Blanquefort, a vineyard aire Bayonne were easy to navigate on bikes, You can even start in Ilfracombe as it links and Bordeaux made an interesting visit a to the 'Coast to Coast' in Devon, take the tram ride away from a wine chateau stop- ferry from Plymouth and pick it up again in over. Roscoff.

Riverside parking at Marans near La Rochelle

the MURVI club newsletter Autumn 2018 - page 10