It’s could be considered a ‘bit of a risk’ going camping in September – but when isn’t it in these fair isles? I love the summer (it’s my favourite day of the year) but don’t shy away from camping ‘off season’. We’ve been in wind, rain and even snow.

The weather was kind to us this weekend though after a forecast of doom. We headed back toBudle Bay in Northumberland campsite – a campsite we have been to before about three and a half hours north of Harrogate. New ownership, new rules, no stickers (they used to give you van stickers. They don’t any more. I want sticker.). Around 20 of us piled up from theHarrogatearea and filled out boots with a triple birthday celebration bonanza.

We arrived on Friday night just after nightfall and drove Clover (our van) straight into the throng of people sitting and chatting and drinking. Not literally – but alongside. Fire torches and lanterns lit, we established one-ness with the group. A reasonably steady away Friday night followed by a reasonable amount of kip.

Saturday saw me and my clan go on a solo mission to find a geocache. More than that – it looked liked (and proved to be) a beautiful walk around Budle Bay. Not sure what it was – perhaps the full moon – but our boys we’re about as argumentative as it’s possible to be with each other. They we’re even arguing over things that don’t actually exist – along the lines of – if one of them has an Xbox 360, would he let the other one play on his save? Crazy hypothetical arguments that we desperately to tried to ignore enjoy the nature abound but unfortunately eventually had to intervene.  Quite glad we had the brunt of that storm away from other people. We hung out with a local family for an hour or so as they waited for the tide to reach their (maHoosive) jet ski. Got some local knowledge. Always good.

Late afternoon, we got a bus into Seahouses to go to the ‘tacky shop’ as it was described to us, and get some chips. Nice chips, timed to perfection as the heavens opened as we stood in the chippy eating them. 15 minutes later, it was blue sky again. 22dec C type temperatures as well. Oddness. With tacky shop filled bags, we headed back to camp.

The evening blessed us with an incredible sunset – pictured above – and was perfect for sitting around a fire bin (ahem, self contained, LNT, off the floor renewable fuel outdoor heat source – defiantly not a “campfire”). Drinking and laughing. Stories under a still and crystal clear sky.

A top time.

We came home via the Metro Centre to grab some Lamb (M&S) and some shin-pads for Felix (a sports shop). I played in the Apple store. The recession doesn’t seem to have hit that particular retail indicator – it was packed (Although I didn’t do anything nerdy like a ‘how many people are actually carrying bags’ type survey – just the gut feel.

Again… it all went by in the blink of an eye.