Every trip we’ve made has taught us something new, what we need to do or what we shouldn’t do, what we should have or what we don’t need. The last trip had us thinking we’ve just about got it cracked, but then a power shortage became apparent. The batteries last pretty well, but on this trip we had watched a bit of telly, charged phones, and had lights on and music playing, generally having a ball. Problem was we’d been away from hook up and not actually driven for any great time therefore apart from ten minutes in the morning when we ran the Genny to make breakfast and a coffee, there had been nothing to top up the batteries. This was just the scenario we would face on a trip around Europe so we knew the issue needed to be addressed. We don’t want to be reliant on camp sites for anything other than a bit of a break and a washing machine for our dirty smalls. (Not that important as we have plenty and each pair can do a few days if they’re turned inside out). The only real solution is Solar, so in best Top Gear style, it was back to base and “cue the music…” Well not quite, it was back home to do a bit of research and see what it would cost.
After a bit of YouTube, Google and good old conversation, we’d just about figured out what we needed. Next job, get an expert to take a look and get it organised. Another good excuse for a trip out and this time we’ll plan the route with ‘Brit Stops’, a directory for MH and RV friendly Pubs and other establishments offering free over night park ups.
So off we go…First stop, just for some lunch and a nosey, was Bicester Village. Haven’t been here for years, last time it was no more than a dozen shops selling last year’s styles and seconds. Not now, the only way to describe it is as a high end extension of Duty Free. Wealthy Asian and East European shoppers by the executive coach load, clutching New York style designer shopping bags and queuing twelve deep to gain entry to Gucci and YSL etc. We got ushered very efficiently and politely to park along with the exec coaches in the coach park, all for free, so all was good. We stepped out in our everyday shorts and Crocs and headed to the shops. Yes of course we had Sonny and Purdie with us; it was far too hot to leave them in the RV. As we entered a security guard who looked more like a night club bouncer directed us to the Customer Services offices, explaining the dogs needed to go in a cart. A what? Yes a cart, I saw a comedy moment, oh and how I wasn’t disappointed. Enough said on that, just take a look at the images, well it is the rules of BV. We moved on and found our rest for the night; in fact it was to be for the next couple of nights.
The Chequers at Weston on the Green is a delightful thatched pub with a great atmosphere and fab food. We walked the dogs and settled in for the night in the corner of the car park, they didn’t seem to mind we took up five spaces. Up early the next day, I tested myself along some single track roads while Lyd walked the dawgs across the fields to see the RV Man. An interesting chat and a good new acquaintance made, we booked the RV in for her solar fitting and continued on our way. That night in the Chequers, we were joined by three other Euro Box Motor Homes. A nice bunch, all one family off to tour Spain and France for a few weeks. All of them had Solars and confirmed we had made the right decision to get some fitted.
We moved on at first light to walk the dogs next to the Oxfordshire Canal. We returned to an old haunt, spookily named The Rock of Gibraltar. This pub was on a route we used ride on the Motorbikes many years ago. Nothing had changed; even the prices appeared to be locked in time. Two nice meals for £15 and two alcoholic drinks for £6, no wonder there’s such a large Canal Boat community nearby. We were tempted to stay the night but decided to follow the book and head into Oxford. We ended up in a Sports centre Car Park on the edge of town and in the shadow of The John Radcliff. Too good an opportunity to miss, we walked the dogs up to the hospital for Lyd to do a bit of reminiscing. We visited the Nurses Quarters that were Lyd’s first UK home. She came here at the tender age of 23(arrrgggh!!) years ago. Our space in the car park was a peaceful spot and just in front of some Black Berry Bushes, heavy with the biggest and sweetest berries I’ve seen for years, so I got picking of course. I had to be quick as a couple of Italian motorhomes pulled in beside us and Mama wasted no time in filling her bowl.
After some Brit Stop studies, it was onwards to Wallingford and The Brightwell Vineyard. Such friendly folk and a cracking spot with views across the Thames Valley and a short river side walk to Wallingford. This is a great stop over and we’ll do it again. It’s a working vineyard so it would have been rude not to taste some and buy a bottle or two. Up till midnight with fellow campers one night and joined by our good friends Simon and Elma the next, this was a lovely couple of nights. We even caught up with Lydia’s friend Jacquie who works nearby. She brought us fresh eggs from her chickens, yummy; they made for a lovely breakfast…
By now we decided it was all getting a bit too hot for the dogs, and to be honest for us too. Ok if you’re on a proper trip but we’re just treading water a bit so with a perfectly good house to chill out in, we headed for home.
We’ll be off the road now for a couple of weeks while we wait for the trip get the solar panels fixed up. That’ll be great as we’ve put together a nice little itinerary and route plan for a proper exploration around the UK and really, properly test the Solar Panel solution.
Until then, thanks for reading, we’ll be back soon….
