Oxford

Another beautiful sunny day. After breakfast we had a walk to th park and ride and went into town. 

We walked to Balioll college and had a nice walk around the gardens. We popped into the chapel before looking going into the Hall before heading off in search of Costa Coffee. 

The we had a stroll to the castle but unfortunately didn’t have time to do the tour as we had afternoon tea booked for 4:00pm. We decided to have a couple of beers in the sun on the rooftop terrace at the slug and lettuce. 

We went for afternoon tea at Malmaison. A lovely hotel in what used to be Oxford Prison until around 1996. It was very impressive the way it’s been transformed into a hotel whilst still being obviously a former prison.

On the way back to the bus we had a quick stroll into the gardens of Christchurch College, before heading back to the caravan for a chill outside the caravan. Another pleasant evening until it dropped cool around 9:00pm

Oxford Camping & Caravanning Club Site

We woke up to a nice sunny morning. After breakfast we had a walk to Go Outdoors and then chilled for a while before getting the bikes out and going for a 15 mile ride. 

We stopped and had a beer at Shaldon Locks. The lovely weather had bought everybody out and the place was incredibly busy. 

After a further few miles of cycling we had another beer at another Thameside pub before heading back for a relaxing evening sat outside the caravan. It was a pleasant evening but dropped cooler earlier than last night. 

Oxford Camping & Caravanning Club Site

We woke up to another nice sunny morning. 

Oxford Camping & Caravanning Club Site

Left Mirey Leys around 3pm. Just as we got on the M1 the overhead signs said there was a 90 minute delay between junctions 20 and 21 so we diverted down the A42. We still ended up losing around 30 minutes though around Birmingaham. 

We arrived on-site about 6:15 pm. Sharon was already here and after she had finished putting up her awning she made a start on barbecued tea. By the time we were all sorted food was ready and we sat and ate outside as it was a pleasant evening. 

By about 10pm it was dropping a bit cool so be headed of inside. 

Bath Marina & Caravan Park

Woke up to a hard frost. Thought it was cold in the night. The overhanging part of the awning above the front had ice 10mm thick. Unfortunately the awning was wet so we had to put it away and dry it out on Sunday.

We left just after Midday and called St Gloucester services for a wee and snack. 

We arrived back at Mirey Lees just before 5pm.

Tyntesfield and Clifton Suspension Bridge

Although we had some we rain overnight it was again a nice bright morning. We did have a few showers on and of throughout the day but it was generally a nice warm day with a bit of a nip in the wind.

After breakfast we set off for Tytensfield. A lovely YU Gothic style we building, op need by the National Trust, who managed to beat off Kylie Minogue, since 2001.

On the way back we diverted to Clifton Suspension Bridge. A beautiful bridge across the Avon Gorg we, built by Isambard Kingdom Brunel in

Dyrham Park

A bit colder today but still nice and bright. After breakfast we headed to Dyrham Park

The car park is just inside the main gate at the top of the hill. The house is 15 to 20 minutes walk down the hill. There is a shuttle bus to take you ther but we decided to walk down an catch the bus back up.

The house looks lovely as you walk down the hill but inside is a little disappointing. It is not as grand inside as it looks from the outside.

We had a walk around the formal gardens and the church.

After the tour of the house we went to the tea rooms for the traditional cuppa and crisps, although this time we had a nice cheese scone as well. Then onto the bus for the ride back to the car.

On the way back we had a detour to Halfords at Yate to pick up a couple of spare inner y
Tubes for the bikes.

We drove back to the van for a nice cuppa, before getting changed and heading back to the cinema to watch Bohemian Rhapsody.