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Statford - May

We arrived at Monks Barn Farm, the site of this and previous Waggoner rallies after the requested time of 2pm only to find all but one of those attending already in place and set up. So much for the Marshall issuing instructions. Whatever, we will strive to abide by the rules set by the Marshalls.

Set up was no problem including erecting the awning.

Friday 28^th May

No plans for today other than picking up Ben from 6^th form around 3 in the afternoon. We decided best that I left prior to lunch, to get back to home in time for me to eat lunch there and then go on to pick up Ben.

Drive back thankfully uneventful but noted a number of queues going the other way, especially around the numerous road works around Coventry.

Ben out and ready to go away and agreed that it might be better to avoid the route that I had taken out and to go back instead via the M42. This was likely to be busy especially as we would hit the area around Birmingham at peak time. This was inevitably the case but not so bad that we still made good progress back to Nana.

We spent the evening in the pop-up marques erected, the previous day, supplied courtesy of the Marshall the previous day. The combined marque area being large enough to provide governmental social distancing, if not fully according to all the rules on restrictions. Thankfully we are all still Covid free many days later.

Saturday 29^th May

We needed blue and pink for the van toilet, so Ben researched the location of the nearest caravan centre. He also looked up a location for lunch at Harvester and booked us a spot for lunchtime. We set off for Alcester where the caravan retailer was located. Quick purchase and ahead of our booking slot at Harvester we decided to make a visit to Alcester a location that we had not visited before.

We parked eventually on the main road after the inevitable short exploratory Blue Badge car park search through the town and set out with Nana walking to explore the town.

On our return to the spot where the car was parked, we decided to stop, with time still in hand before lunch, for a drink, sitting as we did in the smallest courtyard area at the back of the building.

Our arrival at Harvesters led us to an education in the effects that Covid has on eating out and a lesson from the staff on what as a result of the virus as to what you can and can’t do whilst enjoying your meal. All relevant and a fine example of the company and this staff at least taking the situation seriously.

Not the best of meals despite the attention to service, with only Nana fully enjoying her food.

Back at the rally we settled in for an evening in the marques with hot food, in the form of Pork, with stuffing and apple sauce cobs, being provided as part of the rally fee. Excellent food with seconds to follow for those with adequate appetite. After food an evening of games to keep us entertained.

Sunday 30th May

A trip today to explore Broadway, the one near to us in the Cotswold. A place that Ben has visited through his computer driving game on numerous occasions driving no doubt at high speed through the village. The place as busy as usual but we managed to find Blue Badge parking on the approach to the village. Nana in her chariot made light work of our tour around despite the usual crowd of people.

No obvious place to eat so I decided to travel elsewhere, that is, after showing Ben the now open Gloucester and Warwickshire Railway (GWR) station on the outskirts of the village and adjacent, on the other side of the main rod, to the Caravan Club site. From here we travelled to Toddington the base of the GWR where we knew, or at least hoped, that we could get lunch at the “Flag and Whistle” the café run by the GWR staff.

A much-limited choice on offer but nevertheless more than ample food came so much so that Ben was the only one to clear his plate.

No thought of going on the train this afternoon but we will wait to see the return of the Merchant Navy class that came in and departed for Broadway whilst we were eating.

The arrival was well worth the wait as number 35006 Merchant Navy Class “Peninsular & Orient” finally returned having been turned at Broadway and therefore facing the correct way. An immaculately turned-out locomotive which stood long enough at Broadway for a collection of photos to be taken before it departed to Cheltenham racecourse station.

Another fabulous evening organised by the Marshalls. More food this time with an ample supply of desserts plus an intro competition. 50 questions on various film and television theme tunes.

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