Joe, Molly and the lane

now featuring Eevee and Brucie!

The ongoing blog of caravanner, holidayist and dog-lover

Jock E Wheel !

31. Oct, 2022

Henley on Thames, Watlington and Christmas Common

Well this was a nice little mini-break. Camping at Swiss Farm, Henley, of which more later, in a review.

It was my birthday weekend and although quite local to us, we have been before and encompass Birthday, Halloween and, inadvertently, Bonfire night, all within the weekend. As well, we had plans to scatter the ashes of the parents over the white mark on Watlington Hills, within site of his boyhood home and their favourite place to visit.

We are walking distance from Henley here, which is buzzing and full of life.

This site is very luxurious, well sited and offers plenty to do. So we have been walking, blessed again by the weather, by the river, in the local woods, and sampling the pubs and eateries in and around town.

So on Sunday we had made arrangements for daughter Corine to drop off little Eevee, and we had booked a table with my friend Gavin, head Chef at the Fox and Hounds, Christmas Common. We were up that way because of the scattering of ashes. In a strange twist, Ollie, our son had left his narrowboat for a couple of days, and had gone home for a few days, so they were both able to join us.

We met at 11;30AM Sunday morning, and travelled up to Watlington, parked in the old chalk car-park which we always used to use, and walked, with Joe in the lead and all three dogs enjoying the sunny walk up Watlington Hill.

The ashes scattering to be honest was long overdue, but worth waiting for, as I was able to release them both into the ether on a stunning blue morning over their beloved Chiltern Hills.

After the ceremony, we drove up to nearby Christmas Common, where we walked the dogs through the beautiful woods there. We were caught a bit short in an open field half-way, where suddenly the heavens opened, and to be fair, we got soaked, and had a very damp trek back through the trees in the heavy rain!

But, our table was pre-booked and we were able to park near the pub and have some lovely Brakspears bitter, enjoy the bustling and busy surroundings, and enjoy a lovely Sunday Lunch in a lively, warm and vibrant restaurant.

What a beautiful Cotswold pub. Deceptively tiny on first arrival, with the small, original bars cluttered with drinkers, oak stools and gleaming beer pumps, but opening up into the restaurant area with kitchen and Gav visible working away at one end in the kitchen.

A brilliant birthday, and later, the sun came out again, and we trolled our way back through the lovely Chiltern hills, courtesy of Corine's driving, who not only didn't drink, but also split the bill with Ollie!

Thanks guys, lovely birthday!

Jock