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Tuesday, 12th March 2019
Weather forecast has dire warnings of "storm Gerard". Well, as at 09:00, the predictions appear the usual level of exaggeration. By 11:00. it is rain heavily, but, no strong wind, by 15:00, the rain has stopped and sun is out. Unfortunately we chose 14:00 walk to the nearby Tesco for essential supplies (ie Chocolate), got slightly wet!
Wednesday, 13th March 2019
Dry and bright, windy, 12C as we leave Cirencester Park CAMC Site.
A reasonably boring 117 miles, lots of motorway, to Hertford Camping and Caravan Club Site (N51.78571, W0.06801).
Weather at Hertford not a lot different to Cirencester.
Thursday, 14th March 2019
Hertford Camping and Caravan Club Site (N51.78571, W0.06801).
British weather! Never mind three seasons in one day, we have it in one hour, cold and windy, then raining, then sunshine. It definitely reminds me why I like to go South (Spain/Portugal) to avoid the British Winter!
A very pleasant walk into Hertford, about a mile, mostly slightly downhill, which of course means slightly uphill on the way back!
The inevitable search for a Catholic Church, which we eventually find, with the aid of Google.
During our wanderings, we spot several walking/cycling possibilities, mainly along the River Lea, which we may be able to take advantage of in the next few days, weather permitting!
A very pleasant lunch, and, then, a walk back.
Perhaps the effect of the lunchtime wine, but, Kathleen is in an adventurous mood,
and, agrees to following a footpath, on a hunch that it will take us in the right direction, sure enough, it does, and, it is actually shorter than the way we went.
We accomplish all of this without being caught in the rain, although, the rain does start about five minutes after we get back!
Sunday, 10th March 2019
Weatherwise, the good news is, sunny and mild at 11C, the bad news is, it has been blowing a gale all night, and, it is still blowing strongly this morning!
Quite a few branches and debris lying about, but, it would appear, no harm done, and wardens are out clearing it away.
A leisurely breakfast, then, a walk through the very pleasant park, to Cirencester Towncentre, so Kathleen can top up her indulgences at church.
For me, a little shopping (wine and
chocolate treats, it is not lent for us none believers).
The Cirencester Park and Bathurst Estate are open to the Public (between 8:00 and 17:00 each day, thank you to the 9th Earl and Countess Bathurst, jolly decent of them, I am sure) and form an extensive area of parkland, with footpaths weaving through it. All very attractive, and, from the number of people stalling there, even on a windy Sunday morning, clearly quite well used.
Monday, 11th March 2019
A very pleasant day for March, sunny, 11C, although still a stiff breeze blowing.
We have a walk around our domain, ie, Bathurst Estate, making a wide circle, through the grounds, and eventually arriving at Stretton, a small village just outside Cirencester, and then back via Cirencester (where refreshments are taken), to make just over 6 miles.
Almost all of the walk is traffic free, either through woods, or, open countryside there is brief section where we have to walk along the (relatively quiet) road, but, we have a chance encounter with a dog walker, who tells us we can follow "The Coffin Route"
which takes us across the fields from the nearby St Peter's Church, to the Plough Inn, Stretton.
While walking through the streets of Cirencester, spotted an interesting "blue plaque" which gives a possible explanation of the slang word "dole" for (Unemployment) Benefit. Apparently, in the Middle Ages, Abbeys, had a building, near the Gatehouse, where travellers could get free food and refreshment, this building was known as "The Dole House"
Friday, 8th March 2019
The day begins with sunshine, but, it does not last beyond 10:00, when the clouds roll in. But, being positive, it is mild (10C) and, not actually raining (yet).
We walk the (approximately) 3 miles along the canal, into Kidderminster. The route is perfectly cyclable (IMHO), Kathleen is not so sure, too many puddles, she says.
The Catholic Church (St Ambrose) is found, and, Mass times determined (11:00 Sunday).
A coffee, and cake stop.
We "normally" frequent Costa Coffee, but, for the last couple of times, we have used Starbucks. Slightly more expensive, not to mention their tax dodging reputation, but, I have formed an addiction to their "luxury fruit toast, but butter and jam", so, principle and moral considerations are abandoned, Starbucks it is today.
We also take the opportunity to check out the The Lock Inn, food, just a short stroll from the Campsite.
We strike up a conversation with a couple from Australia, the woman, originates from this area, and, is "home", because her father has died. Drinks are good, food looks good, and, they have a Folk Night on Mondays, so, if we are still here on Monday, we may be back!
On our return to the Van, Kathleen goes to Reception, to arrange to extend our stay. Bearing in mind, it is March (ie pretty much "out of season"), and, the Site is far from full, we envisage no difficulty. Much to our surprise, we are told the site is almost filly booked for the weekend, and, we may not be able to stay. We have to wait until 9:00 tomorrow, to see if we can be "fitted in". I do not understand all of this obsession with pre-booking, it ruins the spontaneity of MotorHoming.
Saturday, 9th March 2019
Showers and 10C. But, it is little consequence, the site is fully booked for tonight, so, we cannot stay. Rather a shame, I was rather looking forward to eating at the Lock Inn and, possibly visiting the Folk Club on Monday evening.
A quick online check and we find a space at Cirencester Park CAMC Site (N51.71418, W1.98403).
A very windy 65 or so miles, to Cirencester.
Weather is slightly warmer here, and, no rain,
Church "checking" has to be repeated, since we are not going to be at Kidderminster, St Peters RC Church is about a mile and a half from the site. The walking route is very pleasant, through the Private Estate of some landed gentry or other, two small problems, the route is closed to the public at 17:00 each evening, and, no cycling allowed.
