Oxford 4-7 Jan 13

After fulfilling the family duties at Christmas it was time for the first trip of 2013. It just so happened that Harlequins were playing London Welsh at the Kassam stadium this weekend and Martin also heading for Oxford in his boat, so the Camping and Caravanning Club site at Oxford was duly booked.

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As usual, I flew solo down to the site on the Friday, stopping briefly at Bicester shopping village to remind myself what an overpriced useless dump it is (but they are motorhome friendly). I had to gloat to Martin that his journey from Northampton to Oxford took 7 days - mine a mere hour and a half.

I found the site without a problem and was directed to the road alongside the pitch by the very helpful and friendly warden. It would appear that on this site they park on the roads to save the grass, but it was a bit odd. Having set up I walked into Oxford of a mooch around before meeting Debs at the station. With my distance app set on the phone, it turns out that I had walked about 19.1km! We returned to the eat dinner in the bus and turned in early.

On Saturday we were up and about early for another wander around Oxford and then meet Martin as he arrived. His journey was slower than anticipated, so we had a quick pint and decided to wander along the canal towpath to meet him. As usual with all things to do with "Jonah" Martin, there was a hitch. The Police had closed the towpath and we had to take a massive detour through Jericho to finally catch up with him a couple of miles from Oxford. Hitching a lift back on the boat, we soon moored and wandered into town for a pint or 4 and a very good meal in the Head of the River Pub. Another long walk of 25Km!

Sunday we met up at midday in the Four Candles pub for Sunday lunch before catching the no 5 bus to Blackbird Leys. Oxford is lovely. Blackbird Leys is not, and the bus was full of oddballs and ne'er do wells and we were pleased to get off. The game was pretty rubbish, but Quins won, and afterwards we checked into the Priory (the pub, not the nuthouse) for a couple of beers before taking the taxi back into town for a delicious Chinese meal.

Monday was a leisurely start and a slow bimble back home.

As for the site....Hmmmm. It badly needs work, but there is an issue between the landowner and the Camping Club. It is handy for Oxford, but it is not a site we would really rush back to, despite the best efforts of the marvellous wardens to make the best of a bad job.