I don't feel the urge to write something up about every weekend me and Will spend in the van, but this weekends trip to Keith's field reminded me how really nice the area is. So I thought I would share it! I had forgotten how really pleasant the Cotswolds are in my haste to whizz along the A40 with more an eye on getting where I am going than where I am passing. Yet this weekend I joined the TLB elite ( I jest ) and took up my invite to Keith's field. deep in the Cotswold loveliness. Will and I met Baybirmingham in Stratford upon Avon at midday on Saturday. The heat and bustle of the old town centre proved the perfect place to embarrass myself totally by flooding my van in the middle of the busiest set of lights in town. Oh how I cringed as a smartly clad lady who was stuck behind me asked if I needed the AA or a scrap man! Eventually Rhubarb coughed and released me from my eternal despair. And off we set head bowed to our rendezvous with bb. And then in blazing heat we set off along the A3400 and A429 Fosse way to Burford on a beautiful sunny summers day. The route purposely chosen to enjoy the views at a speed that would get us there in good time yet allow time to glimpse over the hedgerows. Within an hour of driving in picture perfect scenery we dropped down the bank into the picturesque town of Burford ( little did I realise as we waited at the lights on the narrow bridge over the small river that meanders it's way around Burford that we would be swimming in that very water in less than an hours time) Burford has one main street that leads on to the A40, and a short journey down that busy strip of black top lead to a left turn back into the slow lane. Just half a mile and just a few minutes later we were in the heart of middle England and had stepped from the fast lane of life into the rural equivalent of the slow lane. The cricket pitch with a match in progress loomed on our left and beyond that stood the effervescent Glyn waving two handed like a aircraft carrier signalman to attract our attention. Once through the field gate I suddenly began to smile. My van had been playing up a bit on the way and seeing Glyn had set up everything ready to camp was a great relief, Keith's field has a fire pit, seating, a stream and very pleasant views over the cricket pitch. There was a game in progress and within minutes I was sat with a beer watching a left hand swing bowler taking his first wicket - bliss! The kids took off on the lawnmower and monkey bike, while Glyn gave instruction, Wills first crash trashed his clothing, He laughed it off, changed his clothes and jumped in the river. Keith and his lovely wife Loretta came down in the evening to sit and chat around the fire, They told us about the field and the area we were in, how we were deep in Cameron and Clarkson territory ( which one is the leader?) anyhow, it appeared we were camping amongst the landed gentry, we were in the land of power and only last week the PM had been having a swift one with the French PM in their local across the way. Clarkson has a bright gold Cotswold stone monstrosity on a hill across the way and another load of people I had never heard of lived within a couple of miles of Keith's field, I could understand why, It is a beautiful area. I just hoped they never came down to meet us, we only had a barrel of cider and a few bottle's, just enough for me really. Sunday we awoke to a cooked breakfast and coffee. The sun was out and the birds were singing. After breakfast and a stroll over to the cricket pavillion for a wash and brush up ( which they kindly left open for us ) we popped to Keith's house and spent a pleasant hour or so looking over his tidy resto, having headlining refit lessons, blagging bits for the doka and amazingly seeing a Humming bird hawk moth in his garden - Brill. Baybirmingham set off home from Keith's while me and Will had a stroll through the town of Burford buying sweets and other stuff Mum would frown upon. Then Glyn came and found us... I did get a peek in Glyn's well stocked workshops/store rooms come garages and blagged a few bits off him before spending another hour or so at his home supping coffee and feeling thoroughly spoiled. A nice weekend, I can't wait for the next invite. Cheers Keith, Loretta, Glyn and Deb. PS, If you get an invite GRAB IT,, You won't regret a trip to the Cotswolds and Middle England. A few pics.. Base camp by the river.. A chilled bb A chilled TBR Chilled kid's.. With a bigger kid... Busy Deb.. Kids are off adventuring... Great weekend for us.. Thank you all
The Humming bird Hawk Moth In Keith's garden It was really difficult to believe it was a moth not a bird.
Good one Malc, TBR is a top bloke and very hospitable, his garage is quality too Looking forward to August
What lovely pics, and nice write up too. That river looks so inviting, I could imagine taking a refreshing dip each morning before breakfast. And watching a game of village cricket with a beer in ur hand, doesn't get much better than that I reckon
Glad you both enjoyed it, just let me know when you fancy coming again. Just to clarify the "invite only" bit, as i understand it, or more importantly as my father understands it you are allowed to camp on an agricultural field for upto 14 nights before it becomes a grey area and it wouldn't surprise me if the odd villager was counting. It started when i agreed to some military guys having a get together twice a year, then i thought what about a TLB get together, the "official" event at the beginning of August is on a first come first served basis up to a max of 15 buses, which i just thought was a manageable number. Anyway those three do,s account for 8 nights so i have to be a bit careful about the remaining nights or my father might get twitchy
Can I add my thanks to Keith for the use of the field, doubly so now that we've found my little girl's vocation in life -Mowing! She wouldn't stop til she'd done the entire field, it was getting dark!
