It’s Monday the 22nd July and a relatively short drive from Bladon Chains near Woodstock to Black Knowl in the New Forest. The Bladon Chains site could ideally benefit from some capital investment but we understand that the site is only leased from Blenheim Estates on a short-term basis.

However, what small limitations existed on the site were totally made up for by the two sets of wardens. Probably the friendliest site we’ve ever stayed on. Nothing was too much trouble – from our early arrival and the help assisting us to choose an absolutely stunning pitch to dealing with our parcel deliveries and any queries. Absolutely the best!

No such investment dilemmas have faced Black Knowl over recent years – the facilities are literally stunning and the location is perfect for exploring the New Forest on the bike or on foot.

Same can’t be said for some of the site kommandants – the friendly wardens at Bladon Chains are nowhere to be seen here at Black Knowl!

We’d mostly set up on arrival and the new Isabella awning is performing well and easy to erect. Tuesday night was witness to a massive thunder and lightning show with some large hailstones intermingled with the waves of rain.

We also needed a visit home so little to report on until the weekend. Other than the fact a baby seagull has decided to make our porch its home. And the parents are ultra aggressive in attacking us when we chase the chick away.

Saturday was a trip to Bucklers Hard near Beaulieu.

Buckler’s Hard, originally called Montagu Town, was built by the second Duke of Montagu, and was intended to be a free port for trade with the West Indies. Its geography also favoured the development of shipbuilding, as the hamlet possessed access to a sheltered but navigable waterway with gravel banks capable of supporting slipways for vessel construction and launch. Timber for hulls was also readily available from the surrounding New Forest.

Shipbuilding at Buckler’s Hard commenced in the early eighteenth century. A private shipyard adjoining the hamlet was established by James Wyatt, a local entrepreneur and timber merchant from Hythe on Southampton Water. Wyatt & Co. won a contract to build the Navy ship HMS Surprise in 1744, and subsequently another, HMS Scorpion, at Buckler’s Hard. Henry Adams, a master shipwright, was sent from Deptford Dockyard to Buckler’s Hard in 1744 by the Admiralty to oversee the building of these ships by Wyatt & Co.

After the completion of the initial ships by James Wyatt (HMS Surprise and HMS Scorpion), Buckler’s Hard grew to national prominence under Henry Adams and won subsequent Royal Navy contracts. Over the following sixty years, Adams would supervise the building of 43 Royal Navy ships at Buckler’s Hard, including three that fought at the Battle of Trafalgar in 1805: HMS Euryalus, HMS Swiftsure, and HMS Agamemnon.

There is also a pleasant short cruise along the river.

Evening was a cycle ride to the Royal Oak at Fritham and take-away fish and chips from Tony’s Frying machine. The fish are as as good as any we’ve sampled!

An eventful cycle home with Joe falling off his bike at low speed – landing on the side of his rib cage. Ouch!!