Thame, Oxfordshire

We decided to leave Wales this morning just after nine, and boy were we glad we did. The gritting lorries had been out and on the dual carriageway the inside lane was fairly clear, the outer not so. White knuckled hands clung to the steering wheel, eyes were fixed firmly on the road and nerves were steadied. Let's do this.

As we approached Conwy we drove through a winter wonderland and just to heighten tensions large hailstones fell onto a freezing road surface. Oh dear. Steady as you go Margery. After an hour and a half of driving, the worst of the weather behind us we stopped for a breather. A couple of hours after we read the road we'd just driven had been closed. We'd made it back to England in one piece. From then on beautiful sunshine and dry clear roads. Well done Margery.

Tonight a cozy night in a Travelodge in Thame. Tomorrow dentist for Angela. And then home. A couple of busy days, and then time to get on with planning. We are hoping to go away again mid January. This time in Muddy Marge. One thing's for sure, snow and hailstones won't bother here. As for Margery, there's adventures to be planed for her as well. So happy new year all. Enjoy moving forward with your journey and embrace the choices you've made for 2026.

Thame, Oxfordshire

Today we leave our little cabin. It served us well. But with more relatives to visit we were away early. For some reason we always seem to be the ones who have to do the rounds at Christmas. But needs must. The weather today cold. The wind blowing from the north east. But we managed a walk out to move along the excesses of the season before settling down to Christmas television, buffet food and good company. Tomorrow, we pack up and drive to the Wirral. We feel tired now. That's Christmas time for you. Our bodies, not used to slowing and eating to excess become a little confused.

Kingston Blount, Oxfordshire ( Day 3)

Christmas Day. While some families are up before day break we start the day leisurely. Opening stocking presents before breakfast, the main ones waiting under the tree for opening upon our return, at that time of the day when  at some family gatherings stomachs are full, tiredness from an early start is setting in, and some family members are becoming a little annoying.

Not at all envious we packed some lunch and drove over to Henley on Thames for a Christmas Day walk. And it seems we weren't to be alone. It was a clear cold day, the sky picture postcard blue.

The river Thames ran high and fast, but as always it pleased us to walk beside it. We've lost count how many times we've visited Henley and walked alongside the river. Overhead the red kites circled low. Were they aware it was Christmas Day? Did they expect remnants of Christmas lunch to be place out in gardens for them to swoop down to?  If you've ever watched these beautiful birds of prey you'll know how keen an eye they have and how quickly they move. We find them mesmerizing.

As for our own Christmas meal, it was to be a challenge. In our little cabin there was no oven, just a two ring electric job, microwave and air fryer. Our first time using an air fryer. How would our meal turn out. Very well as it happened. And yes it was delicious!

Kingston Blount, Oxfordshire (Day 2)

Christmas Eve. The best day of Christmas according to Angela. A day of joy, excitement and anticipation, and a dash around the family to drop off presents for grandchildren. The excitement of younger children infectious. The laying out of refreshments for Santa and Rudolph (still the other reindeer don't get a look in), still brings a smile to us adults with memories of Christmas as a child fresh in our minds. An evening family meal of new Forest venison casserole a great start to the many indulgent days that lay ahead. As Johns father would say. 'There's no calories in sweet treats gifted to you'. Bring them on!

Kingston Blount, Oxfordshire

There's something about the Christmas getaway. All those jobs that needed to be done somehow don't matter anymore. They can wait until the new year. For the next two weeks life's all about family, relaxation and enjoyment, and driving. Yes, Margery is taking the trip with us. 

Christmas, a time for families, tends to be complicated. Who do you visit on Christmas Day? We like to be obliging, and tend to spend the day just the two of us. And this year we've rented a very nice cabin overlooking a pond in the countryside near to the relatives. Perfect!

Thame, Oxfordshire

Our last morning in Yorkshire, and it rained, a lot. It makes packing up a little more difficult, but not as difficult as it will be for the people with tents. Especially very large tents which will need erecting back at home to ensure they are totally dry before storing away. For them, camping may have just lost the fun factor. The weather conditions made for a miserable slow drive across country to Bradford. Now there's a depressing place. Blackened limestone damp looking Victorian houses, dual carriageways and lots of sets of traffic lights, and some of the worst driving ever. As soon as we reached the M1 we couldn't wait to stop at a service area and take a break. The unrelenting rain made for a slow onward drive, but eventually as we crossed the border into Buckinghamshire the sky brightened. Our time in Yorkshire had been spent at a leisurely pace, but today we needed to arrive at Tingewick by five o' clock to pick up our Facebook purchase, so the pressure had been on to keep driving without too many breaks. Our overnight arrangements also needed to be hastily changed as we were planning to return to Fir Tree camping at Warmington, where we stayed on the way up. So, after some rearranging of vehicles we spent the night on Angela's son's drive at Thame.

The fair was in town and we took a walk up, stopping to chat with old acquaintances and buy a chippy tea.

Although we were glad to be back in this area, The Yorkshire dales suddenly seemed a very long way away. Angela thinks it's time to plan another trip, so the research has begun!

Thame, Oxfordshire

The campsite around the fishing lakes near Banbury turned out to be a real find. We think we'll definitely stop there again one day. Being so close to the M40 motorway, meant our drive down to Thame would only take around an hour and a half.

At Thame we layed flowers on John's parents grave before visiting Angela's son Chris and his family. It was nice to be able to sit out in their garden which had undergone a makeover, and catch up. That is the one problem with us travelling, we don't get to see our family so much. Staying overnight in a 'proper bed' seemed strange after so long. And sitting inside seemed even stranger. Now the weather has settled we just want to keep on travelling, but alas we must return home for a few weeks now.

Fir Tree Campsite, Warmington, nr: Banbury

Ten weeks ago we set off on our trip. We expected to be home last weekend, but as you can see we aren't. We are now aiming for this Sunday, or Monday or maybe Tuesday. We definitely have the travelling bug. Our stay at Coco's wild camping was great. The weather beautiful and the vista stunning. We asked the son and daughter of the owners  who collected the money what the weather was like in the winter. 'Christ, it's bloody awful'. O.K. The site is open 365 days a year and is popular on New Year's Eve. They even have a sited caravan here, (with no services), called the 'Love Shack'. Sleeps six. How does that work then? Across the way as night fell the young lady continued to fascinate one of the men. By now she was fully covered. His wife commenting, 'do you feel more comfortable now'?

We were expecting a beautiful sunset yesterday evening, but it didn't materialise, however a spherical moon glowed in the sky, it's normal milky white tinged by the last colours of a sunset far away. This morning around four o'clock clock Angela was up for the toilet. A marshmallow pink sun tinged the marshmallow white clouds. It was beautiful. But Angela doesn't sleep well and couldn't risk missing the few hours sleep on offer before morning to watch the sun rise fully. 

This morning whilst we packed up to leave a Liverpudlian lady asked if she could photograph Marge. Well there's a surprise. Right Marge no shenanigans we've dipped your wheels into Wales, time to head back to England. Angela had found a small campsite in the country near to Henley in Arden and close to the M40 motorway.  It was beautiful. A large Victorian house at its centre. We were directed under some apple trees in the shade which was perfect as the temperature was 28 c. It reminded us of a French campsite. Angela went off for a shower, managing to lock herself in! After a lot of tugging at the door she was free. Back at Marge John announced we were leaving, and he went off to the reception to ask for our twenty pounds payment to be returned. A group of 6 teenage girls (celebrating finishing school), with a ton of stuff and three large tents were setting up (how many more were expected?). We know how this goes, having experienced this situation before.

Tired we headed into Stratford upon Avon to make a plan and John found a site at some fishing lakes near Banbury. Result.

The site is perfect. Marge is parked in the adult section right by the lake. The children in an area a little further away from the water. The lady managing the site loves Marge. She owns a left hand drive VW T25, which was the vehicle John expected to buy to replace our crafter van. Fir Tree Campsite was a great find. Beautiful views, tranquillity and wildlife. On the hill the sheep bleat. There's just something missing, oh the oyster catchers.