Trip 150 - Rectory Farm, Tingewick, Buckinghamshire

Monday 18th August (Day 1)

Off to Buckinghamshire to meet cousin Alan and wife Lyn. We left about 1030 for a seventy mile drive. We arrived at around 1230, after getting  lpg, the destination being Rectory Farm, Tingewick, Buckinghamshire which is a CL. Alan and Lyn messaged to say they left a bit late and would be here soon. We set up and had a light lunch and around 1330 they arrived. The weather had changed from the blistering hot of the last few days to the ‘ok but not great’. So we sat around and caught up as we last saw each other in February 2024 for my 70th birthday. Around 1600 we decided to go for a walk into the village and get a pint from The Royal Oak. As we left we met the farmer and in the chat informed hm of our intentions. The pub is shut and the nearest now is over three miles away! We agreed to do the walk anyway which was a circular route of just over three miles. Back at the site and with the weather improving (indeed sunshine), Alan cooked steak, sausage and burgers. Then it was sit around with more chat before going into the Quest and introducing them to Uno Flip. Around 2230 it was agreed to retire, especially as there was now quite a chill.

Tuesday 19th August (Day 2)

A dull start to the day. After breakfast which was croissants courtesy of Alan and Lyn, we all got slowly ready for a cycle ride to Buckingham. Around 1130 we left and about six miles we arrived. We secured our bikes and got a tourist information map an off we went. Buckingham has a lot of history where two US presidents had visited (a long time ago - Jefferson and Adams). It also has a hospital whose origins go back to 1431. We strolled the old town and then along the river. Back into town and a coffee before getting on our bikes and riding to Chackmore which was a village on our way back to the site. It is still overcast and dull. In Chackmore we visited the Queens Head pub to investigate the food for today / tomorrow. They only do lunch and so fish finger sandwiches were ordered with Timothy Taylor Landlord. After a good chat we cycled back and by the return we had completed just under twelve miles. The sun decided to grace us (for a while) and we sat and played the Mexican Train Game and Uno Flip before we cooked the evening meal for the four us, which we ate in the Quest. By now it was chilly and so Rummicub in the motorhome was played with a chat until 2330 when we said our goodnights.

Wednesday 20th August (Day 3)

So we were woken up today by rain, albeit light. That said it soon stopped but it was cool and overcast. We had cereal for breakfast and a good chat for a while. We had been invited to walk in their wood at the back of the farm. A pleasant walk with the surprise of over two hundred pheasants in a compound. Previously I had identified a pub for lunch about seven miles away. We played a game that Tash bought for Alan and Lyn which had us in fits of laughter. Then just before 1300 we got ready for the cycle ride leaving about 1300. A  pleasant ride along quiet country roads to Syrensham. Arriving at the Kings Head we found it did not open until 1700 (note to self ring and check in advance). Chatting to a local the nearest pub that was definitely open was in Silverstone (The White Horse). Although only three miles away that was along the busy A43. The alternative was almost eight miles. Before we moved off I rang got check they were open. They were. Off we went arriving about 1430. We then had a nice meal washed down with a couple of pints. The journey from here back to the site, which involved, potentially, some busy roads. I managed to find a bridleway that would do the job for us. Off we went cycling by the race track with some sort of noisy vehicles practicing and even a spitfire flew overhead. For the most part it was nice and easy. A short part of about half a mile was quite rutted and bumpy - not liked by Chris and Lyn. It brought us out right next to Stowe (Private) school which even had its own stables. Back at the site we played the ladder game before moving not the Quest as it was chilling down. Here we had cheeses and biscuits. More chatting then bed around 2300.

Thursday 21st August (Day 4)

Well as we are off home the sun was shining! I cooked bacon butties for all and we packed and by about 1045 we were off. A good drive home with a small diversion for a road being closed. Home by 1315.