Here comes the summer!

20th to 23rd July 2012

At last, a decent weather forecast.  No extra fleeces and waterproof clothing needed this time, instead insect repellent and sun tan lotion.  Summer 2012 has arrived.

We visited Oxon Hall  just outside Shrewsbury earlier this year and liked it so much we thought another visit was in order.  Probably the only negative thing to say about this site is that they only give you one key to the facilities block.

Friday

On arrival we were allocated pitch no. 83.  Not the best pitch on the site but not the worst either.  It was the 3rd pitch from the entrance so we got a lot of cars going past, and also most of the other caravanners going to and from the toilet!

Time for a bit of reading and a glass of wine after setting everything up

We took a quick stroll to a nearby pub for a really cheap dinner and one drink!  Note, just one drink…probably would have been more but the range of real ales was non existent.  Luckily the local Co-op had an excellent selection of locally produced bottled beers, most of which D sampled.

Put up the awning and sat outside the caravan in the evening, which is something we haven’t really been able to do so far this year.  Ah, I remember, this is what caravanning is all about.

Saturday

Awoke to sunshine, albeit a bit hazy with plenty of cloud cover.  The plan for today a trip to Church Stretton and a walk up onto the Long Mynd, which means long mountain.  High point Pole Bank at 516 metres, about 8 miles in total.  Here’s the route…

Pausing for refreshments

A monument with a dial at the top pointing out all of the mountains that can be seen, including Cadair Idris and Snowdon in the distance, so pretty good views.

Searched for a geocache at the end of the walk.  Took a while but soon found a large metal ammo case.  Very exciting, because there were lots of muggles around (Muggles are  non geocachers who may steal or  move the cache) We watched  a family searching around the bottom of a tree nearby, who looked like they could have been searching for the cache themselves.

Also came across a very good tyre swing, and D couldn’t resist having a go!

Sat around the caravan in the evening, after a very successful barbecue.

Sunday

J listened to the Archers and then we decided to catch a bus into Shrewsbury…but there are no buses on a Sunday even in the town centre!  So instead we walked, partly alongside the river Severn, about three miles in blistering heat.  Finally staggered into town and enjoyed sandwiches in the park listening to a band playing big band music.  We got there too late and only heard a couple of songs. 

A taxi back to the site and then another (not quite as successful) barbecue and drinks around the caravan.  A very tiring day!

Not too much drinking this weekend!

Monday

Managed to put everything away, including the awning, by 9.30, so set off early.  Short journey of less than 90 mins back

Coming soon…

Three nights at Park Coppice, Coniston.