at the last minute, with the weather looking good, we decided not to follow up on any of our plans to go places, but instead to camp, and took our little evolution tent to the wilds of rutland so we could cycle round the water. [see, I am doing well with excercise this week!] so we went to wild hall, a lovely campsite with good shop and good cafe [though we didn't use it] let down a bit by the toilet facilities – i think would fail on the michellometer, but were just passable for me! We were taking it easy tho, so got tent up in a relaxed fashion, had a very relaxed picnic lunch and then meandered to cycle track. our first one was the more tricky, lots of upping and downing and track. bb was a maniac, and scared me somewhat. sb declared herself unable to go down slopes – all that flat living!!! 
we did fine until bb got stung by nettles, and then scraped something or other etc etc, so we made our way back, had a relaxed tea and bed time, and i have finally read enders game!!
the next day was another lazy start. we had brekkie, i played games with the girls, we got the tent down, and then went to normanton and did some more cycling. this was a much easier cycle, mostly flat, good tarmac, so both girls enjoyed whizzing along and we clocked up 7 miles, with an ice cream break, which i thought was quite good!! sb and i had lots of chats as we whizzed along, so i felt reconnected after a difficult week – always good, as i love sb so dearly and yet often say or do the wrong thing.
both girls read lots of box books in the car. since i have found out they can both read without being travel sick, am stuffing books for them in, and they are enjoying that. bb suggested the french colour car game on the way back too!! a dinner break at little chef and home. fab idea dearest husband!!
Sounds like just what you needed.
Sounds lovely. My parents have been to Rutland Water a few times and love cycling around that area.
so what did you think to Ender’s Game then?
Fab all round
Including the Michellometer idea. Wonder if I could persuade it to be added to campsite reviews?
I liked the campsite, lovely bread, fresh eggs from their hens and yummy looking cakes in the shop (it doubles as a farm shop as well as a camp shop). toilets/showers were on the slighty ‘rustic’ side. Which doesn’t bother me per se. But didn’t feel it is reflected in the price. It was £19 non-electric (same price all year).
Loved putting up a tent small enough that we could be up and sorted out in half an hour
Sounds wonderful!
I like the idea of a Michellometer!! I think I’m probably as fussy. But what do you mean by ‘rustic’? Have to admit–I got excited by reading a camping blog! Argh! I might just get hooked into it after all!
Elizabeth – camping is great, we all just love it. As to ‘rustic’, well basically I guess a little rough and ready and more basic in their construction and finish.. Functionally fine, but things like just bare concrete floors in the toilets, not always tiles, somnetimes just painted bricks/blocks. A few cobwebs in the corners, a few leaves blown under the door etc.
Maybe 5 on the Michellometer?
Doesn’t bother me at all (and we don’t generally bother about showers over a weekend anyway), but other people have higher expectations
but plenty of campsites with very clean, modern facilities – our summer one was like that