Just the dog and me this time!
Mrs M’s light operatic group have been performing Guys& Dolls all this week. Like all “artistes” she tends to get a bit temperamental (well, more than usual!) during show week so it seemed like a good idea to have a few days away in the van with Harry and “give her some space”. Cirencester was open, they had spaces and the weather forecast was good so – woo hoo! - off we go. Just me and the dog this time!
Day 1 – Wednesday – weather forecast was a bit dodgy for the afternoon so I rang the site and asked how strict they were being about 12 noon arrivals. Very friendly warden said it would be ok to arrive any time after 11am (cue tut-tuts from some quarters but remember this was mid-week and there were loads of spaces.) Duly arrived, checked in everything set up, awning erected and an early lunch. Weather still looking ok so off to nearby South Cerney for a walk along the disused canal and around the lakes at the Cotswold Water Park. Last time we did this walk we were astounded to see a couple of tiny muntjak deer leap onto to the towpath just ahead of us. No such luck this time but a pleasant walk all the same and it stayed dry. Good start!
Day 2 – Tuesday – Mrs M came visiting today. A stay a Cirencester is never complete without a visit to Sapperton and the award winning Bell Inn. We walked along part of the Macmillan Way LDP and up to the tiny village of Edgeworth, returning via Daneway. Really warm today. Great lunch at the Bell (slow roast belly pork for me, duck breast for madam) and then back to the van for a quiet afternoon reading before Mrs M returns home for the evening performance.
Day 3 – Friday – Weather forecast a bit grim for the afternoon, so up early and off to Ampney St Peter for a walk along the footpaths to Poulton and back via Ampney Crucis. Stop off to admire the gold letterbox dedicated to Olympic equestrian star Laura Bechtolsheimer. Dashing home for tonight’s performance so back to the van for an early lunch and – ooh look it’s getting awfully dark out there and then …. About 1 o’clock the heavens opened. Hailstones, thunder and torrential rain, fortunately only for about 30 minutes or so and I did feel sorry for the poor folks arriving during that. Back home (it’s only about a half hour drive) and pick up Mr M senior for his annual outing to the show. And very good it was too so well worth coming back for! A quick “congratulations darling you were marvellous” (I know how to talk to the stars of the show!) and it’s back up to the van again.
Day 4 – Saturday – Woke to a glorious morning, clear blue sky, sun up already and it’s clearly going to be very warm today. First up, off to Chalford for a walk we’ve done before. It starts along the Thames/Severn canal and it’s fascinating to watch the work they’re doing on clearing the vegetation which has choked large stretches of the canal itself and the repair work to the towpath and locks. There’s a lovely stretch of water along the way now, although the down side is the factory units on the other side of the towpath. Coming off the canal and then it’s a very steep long series of climbs to Bussage – but, wait, yes , we’ve timed it just right to get there as the local pub, The Ram, is opening. Obviously got to stop off for a swift pint and sit and admire the views over the Stroud valley.
Then it’s up to Mitchinhampton for lunch and another walk over the commons again with fantastic views over Stroud and the surrounding area. A very tiring day but very rewarding. Back to the van to discover that Rovers’ new manager has obviously done the trick – a brilliant 1-0 victory over mighty Morecambe with a goal 4 minutes into stoppage time. Right, lads, we’re clearly back on the up!
Day 5 – Sunday – What happened to the clocks, surely I should still be asleep!! Never mind, another lovely morning so, as is traditional when we stay at Cirencester, an early breakfast on the last morning, then a stroll over to the park before the last minute packing up – just time for a quick coffee before departing. What a brilliant time and the site, as ever, looking magnificent and well looked after by the hard working wardens. A big thank you to all of them. Must come back soon – but not next weekend – we’re booked in at Cheddar for three days to tie in with the quiz night we’re running for Arthritis Research UK and expecting great things from Team Tigerfish – will let you now how they fare later!