Tuesday 21st August (Day 1)
So today a trip to Highbridge in Somerset to sort out a couple of issues with the Motorhome. We left Braintree around 11.00am for Somerset. The first stop was Ikea at Reading, just a mile from the M4 to change an item. That was the first challenge as the car park was multi story with a 2.2m height restriction. A bit difficult for us being 3.1m. We got that sorted and drove a few miles to a service station for lunch. Then off to our stop for the night. The Satnav took us off the M4 very early and in the wrong direction. A quick check and we found the coordinates were wrong. New ones input and off again. We were due to stop at a wild site in the Mendips with views. We got the message "You have arrived at your destination" to find ........ nothing. We were clearly near to the right place but unable to find it. So Plan C: a certified location near to Highbridge. So by 5.00pm we arrived at Mulberry House, a small but nice site for twelve pounds with full facilities. We then sat in the evening sunshine before having our evening meal. Then a quiet evening with some TV with a very short trip tomorrow to Highbridge - less than half mile.
Wednesday 22nd August (Day 2)
So we left the site at 8.30am and arrived at Highbridge at 8.33am - damn traffic! The Motorhome was booked in and we unloaded our bikes as they needed it all day. We then cycled into Burnham-on-Sea. While quite overcast it was still in the low 20's. A cycle along the seafront presented us with what must be the shortest pier in the UK. Somewhere in the bible I believe it states that the wise man built his house on the Rock and the foolish man on the sand. Well St Andrews church was built over 700 years ago on sand. Aß a consequence the tower leans over at quite an angle.The grounds are well kept and the church itself has some fascinating features (we'll at least for me). The current church was designed by Sir Christopher Wren. The pulpit is Jacobean and the Victorians put a balcony in. It also has two angels and a gold centre piece that adorned Westminster Abbey in the 1700's. There are also two Perspex cut outs in the shape of a man sitting in the pew where no one may sit. It is in memory and a reminder of those lost in World War I, quite a nice and different touch. Anyway off we cycled all too soon to Brean - which is a real 'kiss me quick' / Ice Cream / Pontins /. Donkey Ride sort of place. We sat and had a cup of tea and just people watched - quite amazing what walked by. Next a stroll down to the beach with the intention to walk along the sand to the spit that juts into the Severn Channel. No sooner had we started (about 11.30am) than the phone rang to say the Motorhome was all sorted, so much for the whole day! Back tot the bikes and a cycle to the Motorhome place. Then load up bikes and drive to Asda to get some lunch which was eaten in their car park while we decided where to go. Three options; home; drive for a while then find somewhere; or The Stratton Arms. We are not ones to visit the same place too often and we had been to this pub twice this year already. So The Stratton Arms it was. By way of defence it was only slightly off the route home, we knew the food was good and good value, that the beer was good, and finally Chris wanted to visit the local antique place to try and get a small receptacle for a gold rose I had bought her for Christmas. Just before 4.00pm we were stalled and walking into Brackley where, joy of joys, she found a suitable item at a bargain price. A walk back and a cup of tea followed as well as resorting the garage area to use it better.Later on we went into the pub for a meal - main courses were all around eight pounds. Two mains four pints 29 pound. A cha with the host Phil and some of the other motorhomers before returning to watch a DVD.
Thursday 23rd August (Day 3)
So I was fast asleep until around 3.00am Chris woke me to lower the top vents (Hekis) as it was raining. Apparently she couldn't do it herself (well she could have) so woke me up! (She 'domestical'; me 'technical'.) There then followed about an hour listening to the rain on the roof. There is something soothing listening to rain on the roof of a tent / caravan / motorhome that I have always liked. Not heavy rain which sounds like a troop of mad monkeys banging the roof with sticks but just ordinary rain. By morning the rain had gone and just ominous clouds were scudding not by. Emptying and sorting and after breakfast we were off to Braintree to park the motorhome. A good run with all the major problems going on the opposite side of the road, including the anticlockwise M25 which was closed to traffic. By 1.00pm we were sorted and leaving the site.