Trip 8: Riverside Campsite, Bridgnorth
The weather is extremely variable and the atmospherics are at odds and the sat nav gps failed in a couple of places, but we arrived ok.
We got a pitch in the middle and level. We had lunch and then put up the Quest room. I was going to put up the windbreak but without any wind it seems pointless.
We walked into town slowly in the heat and made our way to the Cartway.
There is a pub on the Cartway, the last one remaining. It is called the Black Boy Inn and we always call here when we are in Bridgnorth. The landlady is the same and she told me this is her 11th year at the pub. The pub hasn’t changed but the sign hanging outside has lost the picture of The Black Boy and replaced it with a picture of a 17th century gentleman.
Apparently the council wanted to change the name as well but the locals objected and it remains The Black Boy Inn.
We had a couple of drinks and we got talking to two men on the next table and they were explaining that the town still has over 25 pubs, three closed down but then three new bars opened. We got a comprehensive run down of the best places to eat and drink. I wish I recorded the conversation because I can only remember a few.
We walked home and I got the BBQ out for a quick burger and some sausages. It was still very hot and we sat outside with a few drinks until gone 10 o’clock.
The fridge cooling fans have been on constantly and they were draining the battery. I had to adjust the temperatures because the fans could not get the temperature down to the normal level it was that hot. It was 34°C in the van with all the windows open and the fridge fans are set to stop at 32° which is why they were on constantly.
We did have a rain shower with thunder and lightning at around 3am. I had to get up and shut all the skylights, then the rain stopped as quickly as it arrived.
Day 2:
Another hot hot day. We sat around the campsite until lunchtime and then walked into town again. We walked into town and took the Bridgnorth Cliff Railway (Shropshire): England’s oldest and steepest inland electric funicular to Upper Town,
then after a wander in the market place we headed for the castle and walked around the gardens. We could see the activity on the railway as they were getting the station ready for the 1940 theme on Armed Forces Day
We walked back into town but there was a pub covered in hanging baskets, and it was one that the men mentioned to us yesterday so we called in to check it out.
The garden out the back was very smart and again the flowers were stunning.
We left the pub and walked into town and back down the Cartway , we had lunch at the Black Boy Inn. Their cobs/rolls were great value and one each was enough.
The rest of the afternoon was spent at the campsite moving between the inside and outside because the sun was very strong.
BBQ tonight for tea and then sitting outside people watching.
Day 3:
We walked into town and watched some Morris dancing by the river.
We headed for the Severn valley railway. It is their 1940s themed weekend. There were a lot of people about and quite a few dressed up in the period clothes including soldiers and airmen. The live music was good and we watched a group of ladies sing some 1940 songs.
We left the railway station and climbed upto the castle and headed into town. Sue wanted to check out a shop but she came out empty handed. We made our way along the high street and through the market to a pub that was recommended to us. The Royle was a quirky layout but we got a table by a window and the beer was good.
It was time to head back to the campsite via The Cartway and ofcourse we called in at the Black Boy Inn for a drink and their great ham or cheese cobs.
Once back at the campsite we dosed and read. The wind was gusting quite strongly and I had to rescue next doors awning that was beginning to flap about in the wind.
Tea tonight was another BBQ and we sat outside until the 🏴⚽️ match started at 22.00. I watched the first half and a bit of the second half but I got bored and went to bed.
Day 4:
Light rain to start the day. We went for a walk along the river but after a mile or so the path became really overgrown so we turned around and walked back to the campsite.
We had lunch at the van and read until mid afternoon. The sky had darkened so we took the Quest room down in case it rained. We spent the rest of the day reading until supper which was Lasagna tonight.
Our last evening before we head home on Monday. It has been a good four days and we will try to get back here next year.
Iona’s Travels 