Feb 2023 and finally the sun came out. We had 3 beautiful days of sunshine at Conkers CCC site, to which we will return in the spring. Lovely, quiet site with lots of space between the pitches. No shop or restaurants nearby, so be prepared. We walked for several hours on Sunday afternoon, finding our way round the area, the Conkers Waterside and Discovery Centres were busy with people enjoying the sunshine.

A lovely sunset, dinner in the van and we turned in early ready to go to the National Arboretum on Monday. We spent a full day at the Arboretum and still didn’t see it all. There are so many sculptures and artworks, each paying tribute to the armed forces, police, NAAFI, support workers, ambulance crews etc. etc.

We were moved by the tribute to the WW1 Christmas day truce when soldiers from both sides played football and exchanged gifts. The artwork was designed by a 10 year old and is stunning.

The “Shot at Dawn” memorial is humbling and very moving. It pays tribute to the servicemen who were shot by their own side as punishment for cowardice, desertion, mutiny or striking a superior officer. Some were as young as 17 who had lied about their age to join up. We came away saddened by the cruelty shown them.

The memorial at the centre of the arboretum pays tribute to over 15,000 service people who have died since WW2. Sadly, there is space left on the walls to add more men and women in the future. We chatted with one of the guides who explained that the gap in the walls which the soldier is pointing at was designed so that (assuming the sun shines) sunlight will fall on the wreath at the centre of the memorial exactly on the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month.

It’s a beautiful place to visit and a reminder of how much we owe those who have gone before and given their lives.

On a lighter note, Tuesday morning we decided to go to Ashby de la Zouche castle, only to find it only opens at the weekend. Okay, we thought, we’ll go and explore Conkers only to find that the Discovery and waterside centres are also only open at the weekend in February. You can’t get into the forest walks without going through the centres, so we abandoned that idea and went for a very, very long walk along the canal which was lovely.

Back home on Wednesday having enjoyed a lovely break.