A Vast Expanse Of Water - Boddington Reservoir

After a hot stuffy day spent indoors, we thought that an early evening bit of exploration in the bus was definitely called for!

It is so good that it's always fully loaded and ready to go, as it makes spur of the moment trips like this so much easier. We fill up our spill proof jug with milk, grab the camera and we are off.

The sun is sinking a little lower in the sky and with the windows open a cooling breeze fills the cab as we set off along the winding country lanes. One thing I love about travelling like this, is how high up we are, the viewpoint is so much better. I can actually see over the hedgerows and glimpse things I just wouldn't have known were there from our normal 'car height' vantage point.

As we had no particular destination in mind, we set off in a direction we weren't too familiar with and hoped that as usual, serendipity would play a part. It was a glorious evening and looking over the patchwork fields was like watching a painting shifting as we moved.

Then we turned a corner and there in the distance sparkling in the sunlight was a vast expanse of water. We took the next turn and headed in that direction, navigating by keeping sight of the snatches of silver water through the sunlit trees. Before long we rounded a corner and there it was spread out in front of us.

We pulled into the shaded parking area and within minutes we had the kettle on and the side door open as we enjoyed the views.

After we had drank our coffee we decided to find out what this place was. We walked over to the sign that informed us that we were at Boddington Reservoir.

Apparently it was constructed in 1820 for the for The Oxford Canal Company and enlarged in 1883/84 when the top water level was raised by 3ft. It has a huge surface area of 72 acres and holds 204.6 million gallons.

Information digested, we saw an arrow pointing us in the right direction.

We followed a footpath from the parking area through an area lined with trees until the view opened out and we were finally beside the water. There were people fishing on the banks and lots of walkers enjoying the evening sunshine.

It was wonderful seeing the expanse of the water and after the warmth of the day, feeling the breeze. It was cooler now and so good to be so close to all of this beauty, we decided it would be nice to take a short walk a little way around the perimeter.

There were a multitude of birds swimming on the water, all in their own little groups as they serenly glided over the surface. The noisy gulls overhead added to the sound effects.

There were people sailing, agile boats and billowing sails skimming across the water, I was amazed at how fast they were going and stopped a while to watch.

As we made our way up the side of the reservoir, I kept thinking "we should turn back soon" but something about the sights and sounds kept us walking and before we knew it, we were a long way from where we started.

This walk was turning into a much longer one than the short stroll I had anticipated!

I finally said, "we really should turn back, we have come so far! it will be such a long way back to the bus." Joe replied, "maybe we can walk all the way round and then that would lead us back to where we are parked." I really wasn't sure, as the other bank looked wild and overgrown but agreed that we would carry on and find out.

The scenery started to change as we left the rock edged area of the reservoir and became more natural, more wild. I had to watch my footing now as I was walking over uneven rough grass rather than the managed path we had previously been walking on.

We rounded the top edge and by this time I was really hoping that we would be able to find a way through as the walk back was starting to feel daunting.

Then, on the far bank, I spotted some people through the trees, there was a way through! my heart lifted and suddenly I regained the spring in my step.

There was still a long way to go but soon we were round on the far bank and we left the bright sunlight and entered the tree shaded canopy.

I was startled by the beauty of the light dappling through the leaves and sparkling on the water, it was magical.

There were no hard, man made edges to the water here, it felt soft and natural and such a contrast from the far edge. It was beautiful.

We trudged on, ducking beneath branches and marvelling at the sunlight on the water. My bag was getting heavy so Joe hooked it over his shoulder. Our short walk had become quite a trek.

We crossed a wooden bridge and the path started to lead uphill, we figured we must be getting close to where the bus was parked.

Leaving the canopy of trees, we emerged back out into the sunshine and there in the distance we saw the car park and our trusty bus waiting for us. Well, that had certainly been an unexpected adventure.

Relieved to be finally back, we open the side door and take off our shoes. Tired but happy, I get myself comfortable as we look at the Sun going down over the glinting water in the distance and wait for the kettle to boil.

Boddington Reservoir

A Chance Encounter

It was a blustery day and we decided to set off for a picnic on the hills at Burton Dassett Country Park.

We loaded up the bus with provisions, packed the camera and decided to stop off at the supermarket on the way to buy delicious crusty rolls topped with poppy seeds to eat with our picnic.

Rolls on board, we headed out of Banbury on the A423 Southam road and set the Satelite Navigation on the cell phone with the postcode for the Country Park.

It was a beautiful day and from the high vantage point of the cab, I could see over the hedgerows into the fields, the sun was lighting the new green leaves on the swaying trees and we were just getting relaxed into the journey, when unexpectedly the Sat Nav (who incidently talks with the voice of KITT from Knight Rider) calmly told us to take a left turn. We had programmed it to take the quickest route and it had taken us at our word.

We turned down the unsignposted single track lane and marvelled at the adventure, as we had no idea at all where it was taking us.

We were taken through picturesque villages and winding lanes until we rounded a bend and came across an absolutely beautiful place, we saw a parking spot and decided to pull over.

The National Trust - Farnborough Hall
Jumping out of the bus we walked over to the sign post to see what this place was.

It said The National Trust Farnborough Hall looking behind us there was the big House, a large impressive building.

We were more interested in the beautiful trees in the distance, so locked up and set off to explore.


The mature trees in the distance looked huge, green and inviting.

















As we got closer, peering through the trees to the left, we could see glimpses of water glinting in the sunlight.

















Walking closer, through the trees we could see a beautiful lake.

Wow, what a find.

Framed by trees there was a huge lake complete with swans.

We crossed the little wooden bridge and walked out of the trees and on to the path that lead around this idyllic place.

The swans hissed, then after I had reassured them in my best swan language they serenely swam along with us as we walked.

What a wonderful place and such an unexpected find. The gorgeous colours of the trees on the far bank, the glistening water, the swans...

A chance encounter of the most magical kind.

















At the end of the path, the track forked, one branch following the lake around to its far side, the other heading into dappled woodland.

We decided that the path through the woods would lead us back to where the bus was parked. So we walked through the trees and puddles of sunlight, through the dancing shadows. . .

















Until there, in the distance, we saw the car park and the bus waiting for us.

Well, what a serendipitous find this place had been.

We hopped into the cab and continued our journey to Burton Dassett Country Park and our delicious picnic lunch.

See you soon!


Notes: The area we were parked in and the walk we took was not included in the admission fee for the house and gardens at Farnborough Hall, so there was no charge, not even a parking fee to sit in the bus and enjoy the view.


Farnborough Hall - wikipedia
Farnborough Hall - Gardens
Farnborough Hall - National Trust

An Evening Drive with the Cats

Travel with Cats in camper vans - TIP - Harnesses are a must!

It was a lovely evening and we thought it would be a good idea to take the cats somewhere quiet so they could try out their new harnesses.

We drove a couple of miles to a newly found favourite spot, it is down an unsignposted road and has a parking spot by the side of a small lake.

















We parked up the bus and put on the kettle!

It is still a novelty to be able to make a drink every time we park up and we tend to drink lots of tea and coffee on our trips. (it is a good job we have a toilet too!)

It's so good to sit down in a comfortable space with the kettle on, the side door open and the sounds of nature all around. Which is why we needed to get the cats used to their new harnesses.

They have worn harnesses since they were kittens so have no problem with it. The harnesses they are used to are small cord ones, but we thought they needed something more substantial if they are to travel with us.

This was to be their first 'try out' of both the new harnesses and them tethered up outside the bus.

















Well, lets just say this wasn't a success!

Sammy (in the foreground) is a very adventurous cat and he slipped his harness and ran for the undergrowth at the edge of the water.

















Luckily he was quickly found and returned to the safety of the bus.

We decided to go for a walk, leaving them safely inside!

















It was a beautiful evening and despite the escapologist, valuable in learning that the harnesses need to be tighter and we all obviously need more practise at travelling together!

So while they watched the sunset from the cab.


We sat in the back, relaxing and watching the sun going down and of course drank more coffee!


We'll try again another day!

Coffee, Cats & Another Canal

Another day, another trip. We thought we had better take the cats out again, so set out for a drive. We planned to park up in a pub car park near a set of locks and take a leisurely walk along the canal. We thought that it would be good for the cats to get used to being left for a while in the bus while we explored. As usual plenty of miaowing accompanied the journey!

We parked up in the picturesque car park, the pub was closed but the small canal shop alongside was open and people moored alongside the canal were walking to and fro collecting provisions.

We sat a while with the cats as they got used to the new views from the windows, of course we couldn't resist putting the kettle on before we started, the novelty still hasn't worn off!

Coffee finished, we then put down some food and water for the cats and made our escape through the cab. We strolled through the pubs pleasant grounds and on down to the canal.

Saying cheery hello's to people coming up the path and off the boats we made our way down to the towpath.

It was a beautiful day, blue skies and white fluffy clouds, an ideal afternoon for a walk.

As I always feel when walking along canals when people are moored up, or chugging along on the brightly coloured narrowboats, I sensed the feeling of freedom, almost like a whole other subculture living alongside but apart from the world of dry land and static homes rooted in the earth.

The scenery for these people is temporary, moveable, everchanging and though they always have the comfort and security of their boat, their home, If they don't like the view or fancy a change they can just move on, viewing life from a vantage point not many of us get to see.

They can glide through the water between inaccessible banks overgrown with nature, they see things we land dwellers are not privy to.

As we walked we felt nature growing more abundant the further away we got from the road. We stopped by a lock, fascinated by the gushing water, the old wood and metal, the beauty and mechanics of it. The water looked deep and dark in its man made channels .

We headed back, thinking the cats had been alone long enough and hoping Sammy hadn't started scratching the windows and doors as he does at home, he doesn't want anything, we think he just enjoys the feel and rhythm of doing it, but as we are not sure if the window tints that Joe fitted were up to a cat claw onslaught, we quickened our step.

Joe made it back to the bus before me, as I called in the little shop to browse. He had the kettle on, the cats in the cab and the door open as I caught him up.

From where we were parked we could see cherry trees laden with cherries that the birds were making a feast of, joe had collected a few as he passed and we sat and ate them as the kettle boiled.

Coffee made, we shut the side door and let the cats come and join us as we got comfortable and recovered from the surprisingly long walk. They seemed relaxed and happy and best of all there were no scratches anywhere!

Time to go, we climb through into the cab, put the music on and we head for home. All in all a successful mission - now, if we can only get them to stop that incessant miaowing! :-)

Visiting Banbury Canal Day 2009

Well, September managed to slip by without any trips out in the bus, so we were determined to remedy that and have a few days out while the weather was still being kind.

When we read about Banbury's Canal Day we decided that even though it wasn't very far away, we really should do it in style (and you can't beat having a cup of tea in the back while you watch the world go by) so decided that the bus would come too.

We had never visited before and had heard that last year was a washout because of the bad weather, so we were relieved when a dry morning dawned. We climbed into the bus and were pleased it started easily despite not being used for quite a while.

A lot of the car parks around the canal were being used for stalls and attractions so we were quite relieved to easily find a parking spot near The Mill Arts Centre leaving us with only about 20 yards to walk to get on to the canal and all the action.

Straight away, the smell of delicious food and the sheer number of people was surprising, I hadn't imagined it would be so busy.

We crossed the bridge to the far side of the canal and were quickly reminded of the theme of the celebration this year which was spooky things and ghosts and ghouls.

We passed the first of many people collecting for charity who were dressed in the most amazing costumes. I told this lady how great she looked, after I had snapped a photo as we passed.

We spotted an old Double Decker bus waiting in the car park beside the canal to take people on rides.

There were lots of interesting looking stalls lining the side of the canal and at first sight the colours, noises and all the people was a bit overwhelming - what a sheltered life I usually lead. lol

As we were to find out as we walked further along there were lots, lots more stalls in the car parks adjacent to the canal.

Some were charity stalls but there were more selling colourful clothing and hats and all manner of wonderful things.

There were lots of jewellery stalls and so many delicious looking stalls selling all kind of edible things. There were cakes, fudges, wholefoods and caribbean food to name just a few. How is a girl to resist!

Joe had a cake - I kept moving. :-)

We continued on up to the upper level of the walkway and from there could see the scale of the celebration! it was great to see so many boats that had arrived to join in.

They were all decorated with flags and their own ghostly things.

Then we saw the mini fairground and couldn't resist taking photos.


I love this little boys face he really looks as though he is having a whale of a time! and isn't the paintwork of the little car great.

We head back down to the lower level and smile as we see this man in his rowing boat joining in the celebrations on the water - it must be tricky to row with your head under your arm like that!

We are amazed how packed it is down this end of the canal, all these people must have been visiting the small market full of stalls set up in this area.

Crossing back over the bridge we start to walk back in the direction we came. Not so many stalls on this side of the canal but we hear music from the free all day folk concert in the garden of one of the buildings by the edge of the towpath, we stop and listen for a while.

We notice these guys. They looked great and were very funny too. I wouldn't fancy being on stilts that close to the edge of the canal!


Not much further now and we are back to where we parked. We have had enough noise and excitement for one day and are so pleased that the bus is waiting for us! It is so great to snuggle up comfortable in the back and drink a nice cup of tea and watch the crowd from a safe distance. Suitable refreshed, we head for home, deciding not to leave it so long before we have another day out!

See You In The Spring - Hibernation!

Well, summer is at an end, the light is fading, the wind has got a chill to it and we thought it was time to think about what to do with the bus over Winter?

We considered three options, 1. keeping it on the road, 2. putting it in undercover motorhome storage or the 3rd and the one we finally plumped for! We decided to bring the the bus in off the road and put it away until spring.

We bought a huge tarpaulin and wrapped the bus up like a giant camper van parcel to keep the worst of the weather off.

So with the autumn leaves transforming the ground into some exotic carpet and colours glowing as the afternoon sun sinks low in the sky, and our trusty bus stored for the winter, we will say goodbye for now.

We look forward to Spring and unwrapping the giant green present in the corner of the garden and starting another year of Journeys Close to Home. Please come back and travel with us!

Have an enjoyable and productive Autumn/Winter and we will see you again in the Spring!

Looking Back - Cats in Camper Vans

"My favorite thing is to go where I have never gone." - Diane Arbus

I thought I would take a look back over some of our travels and include a few of the photos that didn't make it into the original posts.


Looking at the photos brings back such good memories of what a wonderful time we all had. . . cats included!

Photo - Sammy intrigued with a new view!


The cats had never travelled before and miaowed incessantly as we drove but as soon as we stopped they were fascinated at all of the new sights outside of the window. . .

Photo - Mitz and Sammy surveying the latest stop.

I still laugh when I think of Bina's face when she saw her first cow staring at her through the window! She looked amazed then slowly backed away and hid in the foot well until the monster had gone!

Photo - Bina watching for monsters!

Photo - Sammy and Bina enjoying the view!

Photo - Waiting for the kettle to boil.

Did you read these posts?

All of the posts below had the cats (and their miaowing!) as accompaniment on the journey.


Coffee Cats and another Canal
- LINK

An Evening Drive - With Cats
- LINK

Cats and Coffee Close to Home
- LINK




Photo - Bina and Mitz at the window taking in the scenery.