Well, we’ve just been back from Rhodes for a few days and we’ve got itchy feet again! We remembered meeting a couple who recommended Wolverley and thought why not? It’s only an hour away. So, booked up, loaded up and with warm duvet on board we went to Wolverley.

As with all sites, you can’t pitch up till 1pm and there we were waiting at the barrier dead on 1. After much discussion about where to pitch up and a visual inspection on foot by Tim, he decided where our temporary home was going to be.

Filled up with water, claimed our pitch, levelled the van up and then set off for a walk along the canal. We walked most of the way into Kidderminster, only turning back when some rain clouds threatened. Luckily, we got back in the dry and were even able to sit outside the pub and have some well-deserved liquid refreshment. As it was a lovely afternoon Tim was designated to do the kebabs on the Cadac while I prepared a veggie stirfry inside. We’d bought an infra-red hotplate before this trip and found it’s great, it really liberated space in the kitchen.

We were given an information leaflet by the site and decided to go to the Victorian village at Blists Hill the next day. It was about an hours drive away, but well worth it. I was fascinated by the haberdashery shop and the old sewing machines they had there. We watched candle making and bought some fruit bread from the bakery which was delicious. All the “staff” were in traditional Victorian costume and were very knowledgeable and happy to answer questions. There were some stalls with darts, “rolling the ball” games and I managed to win myself a skipping rope! A very interesting visit and I would recommend it for a bit of nostalgia. The price of our ticket covered entry to the Coalport museum a mile or so down the road which we continued to.

Whereas Blists Hill is a living village museum, Coalport is the exact opposite. There were displays of Coalport china, exhibits in the kiln chimneys and the pottery workshop but it didn’t really come alive at all. We didn’t spend very long there and left to visit Ironbridge.

It was easy to park in Ironbridge and cross the bridge into the town where we bought some delicious pasties as we were both rather hungry by this time. A short walk along the riverbank was curtailed by rain and fortunately we managed to make it back to the motorhome before the heavens opened and there was a deluge of rain. It seemed like a good idea to wait before setting off back to Wolverley in time for dinner. Chicken curry with naans for dinner, the hotplate came into it’s own again and the grill was fine for heating the naans.

Next day dawned bright and sunny so we decided to go to Bodenham Arboretum just a few miles away. We had a lovely walk round after a nice coffee in the restaurant and our ticket gives us a free return visit this winter. Rain set in at lunchtime, so we hastened back to the motorhome for a light lunch and put our feet up for an hour. Did I doze off for a while? Yes!

The weather cleared and we went back into the Arboretum to explore some more. A lovely dog was playing footie, dribbling a ball up the hilly path and chasing it as it rolled back down the hill. Good game we thought and joined in, kicking the ball for the dog to retrieve. Spotting that 2 humans had decided to play, his mate came and so we had a 2 on 2 game of footie! This lasted all the way round one path until we got back to the entrance.

Saying farewell to our furry friends, we set off again, thinking we would go to Bewdley and walk by the river for the rest of the afternoon. We rapidly discovered that you can visit Bewdley in a motorhome, but you can’t park. Anywhere. Ater two circumnavigations of the town centre we gave up and went back to Wolverley. Shame, as it looked a pretty town. A walk along the canal at the back of the campsite had to suffice.

Before going home the next day we decided to go to Kinver Edge as we were interested in seeing the houses built into the sandstone cliff. Unfortunately, they were closed to the public “it’s on the website” we were told. We had to settle for taking some photos from a distance before walking up to the hill fort. We were rewarded with spectacular panoramic views and enjoyed a good walk round the area before setting off for home. A lovely few days away!