23rd Trip
Mound Lodge, Hill Farm, Chesterton, Peterborough CC CL 29th December 2008 – 2nd January 2009

Our 23rd trip away was for three reasons.
One - it was a wee break away for our anniversary.
Two - it was a New Year getaway.
Three - it was a CL we wished to check out because it was the closest to Ferry Meadows.

At just £8 per night with EHU, it's £11.55 per night cheaper than Ferry Meadows itself and for four nights, that's a saving of £46.20! We don't need to pitch at Ferry Meadows to use the facilities at Ferry Meadows so we were keen to try a CL close by and Mound Lodge, Peterborough was our choice. We had intended to leave this until the Summer but since we needed somewhere to go for our Anniversary/New Year break, we decided to try it now.

We had originally booked a hardstanding but upon arrival, the owner said the ground was firm and we could pitch in the field if we wanted to. Unsure, we asked if it was OK to check the hardstanding area first and then return to the grass field if we choose to. He directed us to the hardstanding which was further up and so we set off to have a look. The hardstanding area was actually a pebbled area with it's own EHU points, water taps and Elsan point. There was just one motorhome pitched there when we arrived. It was smaller than the grassy field and close to a farm building which appeared to be converted to a Bridal Shop. It was lovely and enclosed but perhaps too enclosed and close to the building for receiving a Satellite signal so we decided to go back to the grassy field.

We were the only one in the field so we could choose to pitch where we wanted. We decided on a location next to a hedge between the water tap, Elsan and EHU. We were joined by two other caravans for New Year's Eve.  OK, it's "just a field" but it was a nice peaceful location marred only by the low drone of nearby traffic from the busy main roads. With Ferry Meadows just up the road, it's a great location for visiting Ferry Meadows and way cheaper too.

Mound Lodge, Hill Farm, Chesterton is a working farm with a Farm Shop or three (Fruit and Veg, Bridal Wear, Plants and Shrubs, Cafe) and no doubt would be lovely in the Summer. It was also full of Rustic Charm with great possibilities for photographers. It was cold and dull for photography this time round but I did take some photos of the area to give you an idea. It also has a small children's play area. We hope to return in the Summer but there are other CL's close by to Ferry Meadows we could also try.

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27th Trip
Mound Lodge, Hill Farm, Chesterton, Peterborough CC CL 15th  – 18th May 2009

Once again, we choose Mound Lodge because of a Photo Shoot Meet organised for members of The Digital Site photo forum, a trip to Ferry Meadows followed by a BBQ at a members house nearby on the Saturday and a visit to Nene Valley Railway on the Sunday.  It was good to meet up with some of the forum members again, many whom we hadn't seen for a while.

The weather was lovely with an occasional drizzle but mostly sunny and quite warm.  The ground was firm so we more or less pitched where we were last time.  Soon after setting up and settling down to watch some TV there was a knock at the door.  It was the site owner Paddy Ivens who gave us a bottle of wine from himself and his wife Susannah as a thank you for the above report.  We thought this was really nice of them and totally unexpected.  He also gave me two cans of bitter left with him by a member of my caravan forum, who stayed at Mounds Lodge earlier this month, with a little note attached.  Thank you, George, it was a nice surprise!

Nothing really new to report except it was still as lovely as before.  The "low drone" of the nearby traffic I mentioned last time was barely noticeable this time.  We think it was because of a change in the wind direction rather than less traffic.  Didn't take any new photos since it looks the same as those above at the moment but we hope to return in the Summer when the fruit and veg are available and hopefully meet up with George.  I'll take more photos then because I'm sure it'll look different in the height of Summer.

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