The Cotswolds 10 - 19 Feb 23

It's been a few months since we've been away in the van and ill health forced us to cancel a planned trip to the Forest of Dean, so we decided to take advantage of a low price offer at Cotswold Farm Park to see if we could watch the lambing.

Packing was a bit more tricky as we'd lost the knack, but we were soon on our way for the relatively short 2 hour journey to the Cotswolds, parking up on a superb pitch on Adam Henson's farm. It was a bit chilly, so we donned coats and hats and wandered into the farm on the day that it opened for the year and had a good look around the rare breeds and lambing shed, where some sheep had already given birth. That evening we sat in the Ox Shed Restaurant for a couple of beers and a meal. It was jolly cold in there!

Spiced Rum and Ginger Beer

On Sat 11 Feb it was time to see if any of those ewes were going to drop, so back into the farm and into the lambing shed. They have it well organised, with staff explaining the whole process and what to look out for as the ewes neared birthing. It was fascinating - but very chilly! We were lucky to see a few lambs being born.

In the afternoon we followed the waymarked route for a 2 mile walk around the farm before heading back to the Ox Shed for a bit of live music

Explaining the process 

Minutes old

Iodine

Sun 12 - after checking on the new-borns, and test-erecting a second hand awning we had just bought for a trial, we walked down the hill to the picturesque village of Kineton and the Half Way pub to see if we could watch the England v Italy game. The pub was rammed, but a nice couple made room for us at the end under the telly and explained that they were the parents of the chef who had just taken over the pub and was attempting to make a go of it. Unfortunately the pub was rammed so we couldn't eat there, but the food looked absolutely delicious and the customers appeared very happy. We had a very pleasant afternoon watching the rugby, then walked back to the van via Adam Henson's house. He very kindly pointed us in the right direction. 

On Mon 13 we reluctantly left the Cotswold Farm Park and travelled to the Broadway Cackyvan and Motorhome Club site, stopping enroute in Stow on the Wold for a quick mooch around and some tasty lunch in Huffkins. Moving onwards, we quickly pitched up in Broadway and walked into the village, stopping at the Crown and Trumpet pub for a refreshing pint before heading home.

Stow on the Wold

The following day we decided we would chance a bus into Chipping Camden. Thames Water had dug up the road outside the caravan site so we had to walk to the next bus stop. Thames Water had closed that as well! We sprinted to the next bus stop and finally caught the bus, which appeared to get lost on the way to Chipping Camden. Ah well - all part of the adventure.  Chipping Camden is a lovely little place and we had a good mooch around, followed by an excellent breakfast in the Bantam Tea Rooms. Finally we caught the bus back and retired to the pub in Broadway to recover.

Wed 15 - We decided to extend our stay a bit more and moved across to the Moreton in Marsh Caravan Site. It was very busy, but we found a decent enough pitch. However - later that day 2 families in 2 tag axle cackyvans moved in on each side and made a din until the early hours of the morning. That, and the proximity of the pitch to the very noisy A44 running along outside, prompted us to see the wardens in the morning and move pitches to somewhere quieter.

On Thursday we caught the bus into Bourton on the Water where we blagged a free entry (Boundless membership) into the excellent Cotswold Motor Museum, then had a good long walk to Lower and Upper Slaughter before catching the bus back.

Fri 17 - We wandered around Moreton in Marsh, then settled down in the pub for a nice meal before heading back to the van to watch Quins lose to Gloucester.

New second-hand awning working well

On Saturday we walked up to Batsford Garden Centre for tea and cake (it was OK, but the other garden centre in Moreton is better). After 7 miles trogging cross country we headed for a very late lunch/early dinner then went back to van for an early pack up ready to leave in the morning.

Sunday it was up and out, getting home just before lunch.