First Post Lockdown Trip

Who would have imagined that it would be eight months almost to the day that we would make our first trip away in the motorhome in 2020. Last December, when we stayed at Bladon Chains, COVID 19 was something going on in China and it would be several months afterwards that we started to take it seriously. Normally we would try and get away in the early part of the year but a new kitchen and conservatory rather got in the way. By the time got through those two we were on verge of going into lockdown. Fortunately we managed to get the motorhome back from its first service a week before everything came to a halt! 

Even when sites reopened in early July we were still uncertain whether we wanted to go away as the COVID situation, whilst much better than it was, is still with us and seemingly new infections starting to emerge. So hardly an encouraging background to get out camping!!! In the end we thought we had to bite the bullet and booked four nights on a serviced pitch at Cirencester Park which is less than eighty miles from where we live. 

On Sunday 2nd August we set off on our trip. There has been a bit of controversy about the approach road to Cirencester Park as Cirencester College who own the access road decided to rebuild it. For those that knew the old road that was probably a cause for celebration as previously it seemed like one long pot hole!!! The new road is an improvement in some ways but has caused a degree of anger amongst members because of its narrowness and the use of large rock boulders to protect the edging of the road but could also be a danger to leisure vehicles. Since the original reconstruction there have been some changes to improve the road. Fortunately we didn’t encounter a problem arriving or departing from the site but then we are in a motorhome and someone towing a large twin axle caravan might well have a different view! 

Arrival at the site entrance was a little different to what we had known before. To avoid queues building up at Reception a member of site staff was on duty and asked if we had a booking and then asked us to deposit out membership card in a plastic tub and we were told to go off and find a pitch and come back when we had settled in, all very civilised. Back at Reception only one person allowed in at a time which is understandable and a safeguard for staff and members alike. Having paid I was given a comprehensive list of information on the COVID precautions plus two rubber bands. The bands are a way of restricting numbers in the toilet blocks at any one time which seems sensible. We were happy to use our own facilities as requested by the Club. Queuing to use a toilet block at any time of day is not my idea of fun!!! 

We knew our stay would feel different to anything we had done before. Perhaps we were too cautious but many of the things we would normally do from site like going on a bus, stopping for a coffee and sandwich, looking around the shops seem to us as things to be done on needs must basis as we would at home. So we contented ourselves with walking into Cirencester Park, where you can admire the long Avenue of Horse Chestnuts down towards the town. En route you pass the cricket and tennis clubs which I have never seen as busy before but it could just be the time of year. Many members seem content with using their units like a mobile beach hut where they relax in nice surroundings at the van. Whilst there is an element of that with us it is not the main focus of our touring which is getting out and about. It is the latter we feel is missing even if self-imposed. We have booked a second trip in September but nothing, as yet beyond that.