Trip 16 – Stoke Bruerne – Days 3 to 4

Sunday 14th September (Day 3)

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Another good nights sleep! A favourite breakfast start (fried potato with bacon and fried egg) then off to the events again. George Formby to start followed by a walk along the canal to the blacksmith and then on up the hill for some exercise. A stroll about in the sun followed by a walk back to the MH for a tea.The neighbour came over for a chat and it was not until past 2.00pm that we were back. The flypast by the Spitfire was delayed. Indeed it was cancelled after a while as it had some mechanical problem. It was replaced by a Hurricane but on way it had radio failure. It was therefore not sure whether it would put in an appearance but just after 4.00pm it arrived and flew past several times and rolled and looped, quite a spectacle. We then sat with a pint waiting for the finale from George Formby and Lola Lamour. A good ending with another sing song aka Last Night of the Proms. It was also nice that youngsters (8 to 15 ear olds) were confident to get up and dance…. and very well. We strolled back to the MH and watched the many tents, cars, caravan and MH’s leave and we are beginning to feel like ‘Billy No Mates’ here in the field. One bit of good news……. someone listened and the union flag was put up correctly …. hooray.

Monday 15th September (Day 4)

Today we were going to go for a cycle ride but we awoke to rain. So we packed up slowly and left at about 10.30am. The M1 was shut / stuffed so we opted for the A5 and then the M1/ M25 at the southern end. This proved a good decision. Overall a good run home although we did not get home until almost 2.00pm. We emptied the MH and cleaned it and then took it back to its base. One thing of note was that in just less than 100 miles we saw no motorhomes to wave to. Overall it was a good, different, weekend and one to be repeated in the future.

Trip 16 – Stoke Bruerne – a ‘Village-at-War’ – Days 1 and 2

Friday 12th September (Day 1)

We decided to leave on Friday for ‘Village-at-War’ at Stoke Bruerne, Northants. We were thinking of leaving earlier but we (Chris) was due to go with Matt to the Fracture Clinic as he injured his shoulder last Sunday. Friday morning comes and Matt goes to work as he has an ‘important’ meeting to attend. Nice to see he is trying hard at work but REALLY! So by mid-morning we were at Billina’s home loading up and setting off. The route was 95% dual carriageway or motorway (A12 / M25 / M1).

As we got. near Junction 15 of the M1 the traffic was stationary so we ducked off and followed the ‘A’ roads to our destination – Home Farm. With a few minutes delay we arrived. However we went to the wrong Home Farm. We wanted ‘The Home Farm; just a few miles from junction 15! Forty minutes later we arrived. After a roll and cup of tea we went for a cycle ride along the canal. After almost ten miles and a pint at the pub next door we returned to the MH. The field we were on was filling up and by the evening about 15 units were here. Around the site and in town ‘army’ units / tents / vehicles were setting up. It really does look like a good weekend ahead. A cooked tea and a watch of the ‘Invictus Games’ before bed was the order of the day.

A good, if somewhat frustrating, start to the weekend.

Saturday 13th September (Day 2)

King George VI

Winnie

A good nights sleep was had by us both. Peculiarly better than when we sleep at home; perhaps we should go away more often. Anyway a shower and some breakfast was the first thing to set us up for the day, which proved to be very different and fun. By 10.15am we had paid our admission and got our wrist bands for the weekend and went for a stroll around the canal / lock / displays. At 11.00 the day’s activities was opened by King George VI (with stutter) followed by Winston Churchill (not yet a ‘Sir’). We then strolled around a small traders market that had military items, old toys and ladies apparel (garters, girdles and stockings). We then went into the ENSA tent (Entertainments National Service Association) where we we entertained by a singer and informed how to make things last longer and re-use things (in the war). Then it was time for a bit of libation in the form of a pint of beer. During this a Dakota from the Battle of Britain Memorial flight flew over several times and extremely low.

George Formby!

We then walked back to the MH for tea, cake and a brief rest. Back to the area and we watched a re-enactment of the British attacking a German machine gun post (guess who won). Very noisy. Then it was to a stage under the road bridge where George Formby entertained us and locals, or anyone who wished to, got up and danced. He was followed by a female, Lola Lamour, who also sang war and pre-wartime songs and the ended with the good old faithful”We’ll meet again’ with the whole crowd singing. A stroll back to the MH for tea, another pint, a bit of TV (including a sing song with The Last Night of the Proms and then bed.

The only disappointment of the day was that, despite all the military people around and the ‘Village being at war’ no-one noticed that the main Union Flag above the bridge was upside down. A small thing for some but for me it grates that people. do not know the correct way.