Wednesday 14th July (Day 1)
So by midday we were sorted and off. Tomorrow we need to be at MG Caravans at Royston as we hope they can fix our electric water heater. We intend to be there when they open (8.30am) so opted to stop at a pub nearby. We chose The Red Cow at Chishall, Essex about twenty minutes from the MG Caravans. We arrived at the pub just before 1.30pm and had our lunch in the motorhome. I then used the Ordnance Survey app to plan a circular walk. Just after 2.00pm we were off. The walk planned is about seven miles and takes in part of the Icknield Way Trail. The Icknield Way trail crosses six counties and starts in Suffolk finishing in Buckinghamshire and is 274km long. We actually walked about two to three kms of it. It was lovely sunny day and we were glad we remembered the drinking water. We crossed corn fields almost chest high that had poppies around the edge. The poppies varied in colour from an orange/red to an unusual deep blood red that I do not recall ever seeing before. We were also surrounded with dozens of butterflies. By about 4.30pm we arrived back and a bit footsore and weary so we sat for a while just chilling. We then had a shower as we needed it! Then it was over to the pub for a couple of pints and a meal followed by a bit of TV and then bed.
Thursday 15th July (Day 2)
Today we had to go to MG Caravans at Royston to, hopefully, get the electric water heating sorted - after 15 plus months of not working. The day was clearly going to be really nice. A short 25 minute drive saw us arrive by 8.25am and leave the motorhome. Off then to walk into Royston for breakfast and to sample the joys of the town. Not a great choice of cafe’s for a cooked breakfast but eventually we settled on Morenos. We had a pleasant meal without it being great. That said we both have a thing for sausages! In as much as we would pay a bit extra for a decent sausage instead of a plastic / Richmond / cheapo items usually served. Morenos sausages were tastier than many we have sampled previously and they did black pudding and bubble and squeak, so a pleasant different breakfast was had. We then were ‘on the town’. Royston is not a place to raise the blood pressure. It does have a cave to visit (closed due to covid) and an old style picture house - we never tried to find it. We did go to the Memorial Park which was …… average. I am sure many a Roystonian will be annoyed at our review but as a place it really did not excite us. We had, we thought, at least five hours to spend in the town which was quite daunting. However, by just before 10.00am we were contacted and the heater issue was fixed. We walked back and paid £96 to them to replace three small electrical connections each the size of a thumb nail. That said at least it was fixed. Having paid and collected the motorhome we then drove around the corner to Tescos to get food for the next few days, and alcohol. Next a fill at an Esso station as we get 4p a litre off (or 14p a gallon for the oldies). Then it was two and a half drive to Offenham for the Chausson (Coggars) meet. Part of the way the M1 was almost stationary so we took a small detour and joined the M1 a bit further up which saved us oodles of time. By 1.30pm we were at the site and settled in and tucking in to a light lunch. The rest of the day was spent meeting old faces from previous years and introducing ourselves to the ‘newbies’. While setting up the couple next door appeared a bit anal (by my low standards). In that they even pegged down the front silver screens. Their names were Mike and Sharon and they were Caravan and Motorhome Club wardens but had been promoted to trainers. Over the next few days I would totally change my view in that they were not just a lovely couple but were the club wardens I would want on my visit to a site. A few drinks with people around the site and then dinner. As the evening closed in we retired for a game of (S)Uno sand then bed. I didn’t mention Destiny and Hector. Michelle a lady from north Wales who had Doberman dogs but this year she had two new dogs - Hector who is ten months old and Destiny at ten weeks. They were adorable. Bed beckoned.
Friday 16th July (Day 3)
A bright start to the day and the forecast was hot, hot, hot. After croissants for breakfast we chilled a bit chatting to others around. Nearing midday we had a small group of people gather and introduced them to the games of both Kubb and Molkky. By just before 1.00pm we stopped and I had to sit in the shade of the Quest as I was affected by the heat. We then had a simple lunch and at 2.00pm went for a short local walk. Arriving back we all gathered as a group for scones and cream and had a ‘Pull a String’ raffle. Basically, everyone donated a bottle of anything. A string was tied to it and it was placed under a sheet. Then you paid £1 to ‘pull a string’ and see what you won. Wine, vinegar, mini bottles of spirit, even loo concentrate. It raised £64 for a cancer charity that the group support. It was then a general social time and Molkky raised its head again, Gradually people returned to their motorhomes in small groups for the evening meal or to escape the heat. We just sat in the shade and chilled. Having eaten the scones etc we found that we were not too hungry so instead of a BBQ just had cheese and biscuits. The evening was spent playing the Mexican Train Game with Mike and Sharon. Bed was after 11.00pm.
Saturday 17th July (Day 4)
A good nights sleep as, because it is Saturday, work traffic on the road behind us is almost none existent. A healthy breakfast to start the day and then a planned walk of four miles taking a stop at National Trust building, Middle Littleton Tithe Barn was the aim. This is one of the largest and oldest barns in the country. It is 42m long and who knows how high. Built around 1250ad it was quite impressive. There are square holes in the walls to allow construction, called puglets. These square holes supported large beams to allow the next stage to to be built above. Another set of puglets would then be made and the beams moved up again. While just a barn, the logistics of building it was quite remarkable. By now the temperature was mid 20’s with higher temperatures to come. We continued on with butterflies, insects and birds in abundance around us and the odd bird of prey overhead. After two plus hours we arrived back at the site. By now the temperature was in the high 20’s and low 30’s (in the afternoon it reached 32 in the shade). A sit in the shade was much needed to cool down which was followed by a very light lunch. Around 3.00pm we all gathered together again for the raffle. Mad dogs an Englishman, it was roasting in the field for this event. The group was about forty motorhomes, that said over 2,500 raffle tickets had been bought! As a result the raffle took a while, with no-one allowed to redraw the ticket - if your ticket came out you had to select something. After this was ended, people slowly returned to their motorhomes for their evening meal. At 8.00pm a large number gathered again for some music supplied by Alan Hess (of Small Home; Big Garden’ fame). Then we all sat and chatted until well past 10.00pm. Fortunately it had cooled down so sleep was going to be pleasant.
Sunday 18th July (Day 5)
Another good nights kip. We definitely sleep better in the motorhome. We have found the issue with the second problem we have had with our electric water heater - which was fixed on day one of this trip. While it was fixed it has two settings 900w and 1800w. to heat the water. We have always found the water does not get very hot on the high setting. Today we turned the water onto the lower setting and the shower water was much hotter. It would appear that Pierre at Chausson has connected the switch up incorrectly. Anyway after a bacon butty, with egg, we just sat around dripping in the heat. At 10.00am it was already in the high 20’s. We sat in the shade and chatted to those passing by. At one stage we walked over to the river and stood in the ford which we found to be a very cooling experience. Much drinking of water is going on. A quick clean of the motorhome windows and then more, well, sitting in the now 30+ degree heat. Around 7.00pm a small group of eight walked across the fields and footpaths to a pub by the river, The Bridge Inn. Here we sat by the river in the warmth enjoying a beer, eventually. We were sat in two groups of four. Our table ordered and the barman came back with my beer and three small tasters glasses as the beer the other three ordered had finished. They liked this taster and off he went only to return to inform them that beer had finished. A decision was made a third time and the beers duly served up. Much to the chagrin of the other table ours were free due to the issues. We then strolled slowly back and sat out for a while before retiring to bed.
Monday 19th July (Day 6)
So today we are saying goodbye to the ‘Coggers’ (the Chausson group) where we have made a few new friends and enjoyed the company of the others we have met previously We were in no rush to leave but after the goodbyes we were off by 10.00am. Our next stop was Lashlake Barn, a CL, in Thame. we were joining our good friends Resa, Eric, Chris, Gra, Barbara & Ron We had a stop to stock up on some essentials and by just after 1.00pm we arrived - sort of. The satnav only had the nearest postcode not the actual site location. A few minutes of, ‘where is it’, which in 29 degrees heat caused me to be a bit short tempered and we eventually found the site. After setting up we just sat in the shade to cool off as it was 30+ degrees. We then opted to go walk into the town. Thame has a very pleasant high street. We stopped for a couple of items in a supermarket on the return. We took a small detour as, behind the site, is the house that Robin Gibb (one of the Gibb Brothers) and his family lived in. Next door to their ‘house’ is the church where Robin Gibb is buried. It was not very difficult to find his grave as people still visit and leave things. In addition there is a grave for the brother Andy. The widow of Robin still resides in the house by the church and the house has a blue plaque in memory of a great musician. Having then returned to the site we had a cooling off period where I actually dozed off. Then we all had our evening meals before reconvening to chat and ‘put the world to rights’. It was gone 11.30pm when we all tired to sleep.
Tuesday 20th July (Day 7)
Another hot day in the offing. We all gathered at 10.00am at Chris (North) and Gra’s motorhome as she cooked us all pork and tomato sausages in bread rolls. Eric suppled the rolls and Ron the fried onions. A nice social way to start the day. Today Alan was due to go to hospital for small operation to fix a hernia. Having got to the hospital he found that the operation was cancelled as he had not seen a heart specialist to ok the op. We all suggested they came and joined us all which they agreed to do and arrived at 2.30pm. Before they arrived we all took a slow stroll into Thame to sample the delights of the market. It was a nice traditional market with no stalls selling mobile phone covers etc. Just meat, veg, clothes and the like. Back at the site we had just fruit for lunch. It was so hot we were chasing the shade. In the centre of the field is a large bird table and some meat was placed there to entice the red kites but, while they were circling around they were not tempted. About 4.00pm for bit of exercise (!) we again went into town and supported the local economy at a pub, the James Figg. James Figg lived in the 18th century and exhibited and taught methods of fighting with swords, cudgel and fists and is widely recognised as the first English bare knuckle boxing champion. We sat in the garden, with red kites circling still above us, and for the first time in about 15 months ordered our drinks at the bar. After a couple of pints, we all walked back and on the way one or two picked up some small grocery items. It was then time to cook dinner and reconvene and put the world to right until bedtime.
Wednesday 21st July (Day 8)
So just for a change another 30 degree day. We were due to have toast and jam but the bread was mouldy - well we bought it almost a week ago! So it was yoghurt. We then just chased the shade until about 11.30am. Eric, Alan, Sue and the two of us then left for the Thame Museum and a walk around the town. The museum was free and while not spectacular gave a good flavour of the development of Thame through time. By the time we finished Ron and Barbara had joined us. After the visit to the museum Ron, Barbara, Sue and Alan went for a pint. The remaining four of us took a ‘guided’ walk around Thame. A two and a half mile stroll. Nothing very exciting but a pleasant walk. We then went and joined the other four at the Black Horse where they still were. A nice pint or two was had and, as Raymond Blanc lived local and owned the pub we had a snack. A Moroccan Mezze Plater for me and Chicken Parfait for Chris. Both were so tasty. By just before 4.00pm Resa, Eric, Chris and I left for the motorhome. Having left the pub we split up as we wanted some bread and Eric an ice cream. It was then chase the shade at the site until dinner which was a roast chicken, roast potatoes and veg. Then we all gathered again and sat out until very late just chilling.
Thursday 22nd July (Day 9)
Another hot day is in the promise. Blue skies and already a bit too hot to just sit in the direct sun for breakfast. After a few housekeeping jobs Graham, Chris and I went for a walk. I had planned a circular walk of abut 5 miles mainly across country but with a few roads. In a field near to the start of the walk Chris noticed an abandoned jet aeroplane, most weird. Halfway around in a lovely village of Long Crendon we found a pub. It was ten to midday and didn’t open until noon. Onwards we went until we found the Churchill Arms which was already open. Here we sat in a lovely garden with a pint of water each followed by a beer. Looking at the time and the map app we decided to extend the walk a little - by about two miles. We arrived back at the site about 2.00pm after detouring into Thame as we were going to buy a small food processor that was on sale and Graham some tonic. It was then a light lunch, a sit in the shade and then a game of boules (pétanque). Around 5.00pm we both had a cool shower and changed and then all of us walked into Thame to the Rising Sun where we were booked in for a Thai meal. The meal that followed was absolutely delicious and certainly a change froth usual pub fare. At the end the staff brought out a warm chocolate desert with candles in and sang Happy Birthday to Barbara. It was then back to the site to chat and listen to music and then slowly people drifted off to bed.
Friday 23rd July (Day 10)
A cooler start to the day with weather warnings for both thunderstorms and rain this evening. We all started our own way and four of the group were off to Oxford (Resa, Eric, Chris (north) and Barbara). Chris and I were off for a 6 mile walk and the others stayed on site / locally. We left about 11.10am on our walk in mid 20’s temperatures with a nice cooling breeze was very pleasant. Our midway point was Haddenham where we hoped to have a pint. After a very pleasant cross country walk and we arrived at said town / village. The pub was not only shut but empty. Horrors(!). We spoke to a local who informed us of an alternative - The Kings Head a bit extra distance in our planned walk but needs must! It was a gem of a pub. We sat and had a couple of pints and a nice snack meal. Then it was off again on the return journey. Again mainly fields and woods. Having got back it was nice feeling to soak our feet as the walk ended up over seven miles. We then were contacted by Resa to inform us that all the others had gathered at the Black Horse in Thame for a ‘goodbye’ drink - to be fair some had been there for a few hours. So off we trotted to join them for a pint. We had spent most of the week as a group trying to get a photo of a red kite and today Chris (North) managed it. Back at the site we cooked Lamb steaks we bought last Tuesday form the local market and, while not cheap, they were so soft and tasty. By 7.30pm we had all got our awnings in and packed most stuff away as the weather forecast was a yellow warning for thunderstorms and heavy rain. It was a late finish for us all.
Saturday 24th July (Day 11)
In the early hours of the morning we had some rain but not heavy or for long. Morning was overcast and we had a simple breakfast. Slowly people left for their home, Alan and Sue then Resa and Eric followed by us. An easy drive home arriving about 12.15pm.
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