Permission has finally been granted for campsites to open, albeit with strict limitations. If it hadn't been for the requirement to beef up security we wouldn't have ventured out for a few more weeks, but needs must, and luckily VanBitz, the makers of the finest motorhome alarm on the market, could get us in for a fitting on 6 July. We set off on Sunday 5th for the long drive down to Taunton, stopping a couple of times for a quick break without leaving the van. On arrival at Cornish Farm in Taunton we were met by the incredibly friendly and helpful warden, set up quickly in this gem of a campsite and settled down for a well deserved beer in the warm sunshine.
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| Cornish Farm, Taunton |
On Monday the van was left in the very capable hands of Ash of Vanbitz and we cycled into Taunton, which felt very odd as it was the first time that we had been out and about in a large town in Covid times. We stopped for cake and coffee and an ice cream, pootled along the canal and in no time we had the call from Ash to say that our van was now complete, so we headed back for the handover and very detailed brief. The weather had improved over the day so we enjoyed sitting outside and chillaxing.
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| Vivary Park, Taunton |
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| A Covid-free ice cream in Taunton |
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| Bloody noisy Royal Air Force! |
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Love this slogan on the honey wagon
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On Tuesday we set off for the relatively short drive to the Motorhome and Cackyvan Club site at Tewkesbury. This is a very busy site as it caters for those travelling down the M5 to and from the West Country, so there were a lot of noisy cackyvanners moving to and fro. It was very well organised though, with very thorough systems in place to ensure that the visitors remain Covid safe, but as we have a loo and shower on board we felt no need to use their facilities. We had a little bimble around town. Nice-ish place, but don't think we would rush back.
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| Tewkesbury Abbey |
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| Tewkesbury |
On Wednesday we lazed around whilst it tipped it down, then had another short walk, watching travellers being evicted from the common land in front of the Abbey.
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| "Travellers" (pah!) being evicted |
On Thursday it was off to the not-a-rally at the Stratford upon Avon Racecourse where we didn't park up with other motorhome fun vans who were not attending a rally. The vans were parked a measured 6m apart with the habitation doors facing away from each other and strict social distancing maintained. It was very safe. It rained.
The following day we walked into Stratford Upon Avon, stopping at The Collegiate Church of the Holy and Undivided Trinity to pay our respects to William Shakespeare. According to the guide in the church, the place is usually rammed with tourists with coach parties arriving every minute. We had the place to ourselves and were able to enjoy a peaceful and uninterrupted visit to this lovely old church.
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| It's highly unlikely that this church will ever be as empty |
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| "Cursed be he that moves my bones" |
Continuing our walk along the river we arrived in Stratford and had a bit of a nervous mooch around this pretty town, picking up a bit of shopping en-route. It was then back to the racecourse for a lovely, if not a chilly, evening chatting with friends.
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| Royal Shakespeare Theatre |
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| Stratford upon Avon |
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| Shakespeare's birthplace |
Saturday was warm and sunny so breakfast was cooked outside before a gentle ramble up to Anne Hathaway's cottage which, unfortunately, was closed.
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| Stratford upon Avon Racecourse |
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| Anne Hathaway's Cottage |
Sunday we had every intention of cycling along the Stratford Greenway, a long cycle route on a disused railway. However...we got chatting...and you know how it is.
Monday it was off home after a very good, and Covid-safe, few days away. It was good to be out and Warwickshire is another county bagged on our grand tour plan.
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