Thursday 16th July (Day 6)
No rush today but still by just after 10.00am we were off. First only a couple of miles to shop at Tescos and fill with diesel. Then we had selected a walk at Dovers Hill, a National Trust location that was, apparently, the place of the first English Olympics Games in 1612! However to approach it we drove through Chipping Campden, a Cotswold village that was just a ‘must stop and see’. Despite it being busy we managed to park on the high street. We then spent a short time, about 40 minutes walking around. Places of note; a 400 year old market hall, almshouses built in 1627 and a dipped area to wash carts. Definitely one of the nicest Cotswolds villages we have been to. Off again to the Fish and Anchor camp site at Offenham arriving at 1.15pm. On arrival, before being allowed entry, we had our temperature taken (this happened several times during our stay also). It was time for lunch. Then it was while away the afternoon chatting with the rest of those here getting reacquainted Later in the afternoon we went for a short walk along the river only to find the path just stopped. Dinner was a BBQ and then a lazy evening. We just sat outside in the warmth enjoying the to-ing and fro-ing and chatting with the passersby until around 10.30pm we turned in.
Friday 17th July (Day 7)
A good day (at least weather wise) in the offing. After breakfast we had decided to go for a walk to Harvington. A small town on the other side of the river. That clearly meant crossing the river. To Harvington was either a seven mile detour or three miles if using the nearby ford. So shoes off and a careful walk across the ford to the other side. The water was halfway up the calves but the river bed was a bit slippery. A pleasant walk followed after drying feet etc to the town. Two pubs, Two churches and not much else other than nice houses with well kept gardens. Even the hairdresser worked three mornings in one of the pubs. The Post Office was open outside of a pub, a small van. One extra special part was the painting of the bus shelters. Scenes from the town. We had a couple of pints in the Golden Cross pub, well supporting the local economy was one excuse. Then the return journey, this time we found a couple of footpaths for a slightly different route. The second path went by the sewage plant and across fields and a golf course. That said part of the footpath was barely there and the adventurer in us was brought out. Thank goodness for the OS Maps app to see us on the correct route . Across the ford again and on the site by just after 2.00pm. At short notice we found out that 3.00pm it was a group scones and cream tea (it was originally tomorrow). So jam first or cream first? Well jam for us every time, and the jam first appeared to be in the slight majority. While gathered we all got ‘gunned’ for our temperature which reassured everybody. Gradually people sloped off and when some space was freed up we got the Kubb out and introduced poeple to it. It went down well. As we ate late in the afternoon, a light evening meal of salad with salmon was for tea. Around 9.30pm it had chilled down and so we moved inside to bed..
Saturday 18th July (Day 8)
We had a slightly noisy night as one of our awning bars squeaked. After breakfast the wind was getting up and, having had a minor bit of damage in the past we opted to get the awning in. This was then replaced by our little house’. (A Quest pop up.) We had decided on some exercise and went for a walk along the river. This is an exceptionally nice walk, taking us by a weir, then a climb to view the river from on high and into Cleve Prior. The road into it has some lovely, and fairly large, houses who all seem to be trying to outdo each other with their front gardens. Unusually for us both the church and pub were not to be visited. Instead we found another pathway across fields up onto the the hill overlooking the site and back for a light lunch. A couple of games of Molky, showing the neighbours another new (to them) game and then 3.00pm saw us all gather for the raffle. So many prizes surely all would get something. We got two: some shower gel stuff and haggis and black pudding. The latter two items brought from Scotland by Shug, a very personable tall, bald Scotsman. He assured us of the good quality of both so we are looking forward to trying them. Shug had won nothing so we gave them all our tickets also and ......... they won still nothing! Then it was back to the central area where people got into small groups and some games of Molky was played. Most brought out pre-prepared cold food but we had a BBQ and bought cheesy chips from the pub; smashing. The rest of the evening seemed to whiz by. A few ‘youngsters’ in the pub garden celebrating a birthday were getting noisy but then a light rain fell which got heavier and off they went home. We sat out a while before retiring with the pleasant sound of the rain on the roof.
Sunday 19th July (Day 9)
A lovely day promised with clear blue skies. A simple breakfast and then another chin-wag with neighbours. 1.00pm saw us in the pub for a lamb roast; good but not great. Again, games in the afternoon and I popped into the motorhome to watch Chelsea win 3-1 against Man U in the FA Cup semifinal. Then a laze in the dwindling evening sunshine with plans for tomorrow being made; shopping; time to leave site etc. In addition to a great time, £710 was raised for CancerrResearch UK. So well done to all who organised and took part in a safe enjoyable few days. Here's to many more.
