Trip 6: Bourton on the Water FC, July 27th 2021
I visited Bourton in the 1970s when there was a National Model Flying Championship at RAF Little Rissington. I remember the bridges over the river but that is all, so I am looking forward to our visit.
This is also the first trip with two differences. The first is that the Truma boiler does not work long enough to heat water and secondly this is the first time we are camping since adding the extra solar panel. I hope to be able to confirm that it has made a substantial difference although we are rarely short of solar power at this time of year.
In theory the drive down to Bourton should have been easy and to a certain extent it was, until we approached Morton Le Marsh. It was market day and the 2mile queue to get into and through the village took at least 30minutes.
The next hold up but not so severe was Stow on the Wold, this was due to the narrow roads and the volume of traffic. Once through the village after a short drive we soon found the turning for Bourton on the Water. Narrow streets and thousands of tourists but we found the football club easily.
The stewards gave us a very friendly greeting and we were soon parking on our pitch. A level pitch so no ramps. We were soon set up complete with the windbreak. The site is full hence the need to prebook, but everyone we have met has been very friendly..
After lunch a quick knapp for me and then we walked to the Coop to get some butter and a pudding. I waited outside while Sue went shopping. When Sue came out she was beaming from ear to ear. Apparently this is not just any Coop but this is a posh Bourton on the Water Coop, with vast ranges of posh food and wine but all at Coop prices.
We walked into the village against the flow of visitors as they were making their way back to the coaches. However there were still hundreds of people enjoying this picturesque village and a variety of artisan shops and eateries.
We just got back to Iona before a light shower which continued on and off throughout the afternoon/evening. Tonight we have Spaghetti Bolognese prepared at home for ease.
I spoke to our neighbours and ended up talking to them for an hour. In the end standing under their awning out of the rain. They were probably glad to see me go home.
Day 2:
It was dull ☁️ and raining 🌧 in the morning. We set off early and headed for the model village. There were only a few people looking around and no queues. We took lots of pictures.
We then went for a walk around the village and despite the rain showers we had an ice cream when the sun came out briefly.
We continued our walk and we joined a footpath that took us in a big circle passing a beautifully laid out cemetery and memorial gardens, the Carp Farm campsite and back to the football club.
We sat outside in the sun and clouds but eventually had to retire inside when it started to rain. Tea tonight was a huge bowl of ribs with corn & salad, this was followed by Sticky Toffee pudding. No chance of starving in Iona .
Day 3:
A much brighter day this morning. However I have a problem with a painful toe, so I managed to do the elsan and empty the grey water.
The rest of the day was spent reading although I did have a break when the solar app needed rebooting, this entailed removing fuses and disconnecting wires from the controller. I am getting to the point of fitting the optional display monitor.
Tonight we are having Paella and Sue is cooking outside, and I am washing up as we go along. Despite not having a working boiler the kettle is doing a great job.
Day 4:
Rain showers are forecast all day. It is not looking good. I did get an email or rather three from ACTS, a motorhome engineer, regarding the repair of the Truma boiler in Iona. It is now booked in on August 9th in the afternoon.
It got quite cold this morning so I tried the heating, and because it is on the full 4kw it stayed on and heated the van and the water. That is just another sign that the 2kw valve is faulty.
My foot is painful so I am confined to the campsite. Sue went for a walk into the village but she did not find anything in the charity shops to buy for Goodwood.
We had steak for tea which was accompanied by salad and Sweet Potato fries. Washed down with a glass of wine. Sue then served up a Chocolate Brownie type pudding with clotted cream. Tomorrow we head home after another good trip away.
Iona’s Travels 