Day 5: Gloucester and Bourton on the Water

[Dollymixture]

One of those days… 😬

Today started off fine - we had a much needed later start and popped out for a late breakfast in a local Wetherspoons in Taunton. We left the dogs in the Travelodge on their own for the first time - i was so worried they may make a racket but they seem to be taking all the travelling well, and we weren’t going to be long.

We’ve never been to a Wetherspoon before but I was really impressed with the prices and the speed of the service. The food was lovely too… I wonder if they are all this good?!

This is when things started to go wrong!
Checkout at the Travelodge is 12pm - and we were only a few minutes drive away, but the traffic was horrendous so it was really stressful as the journey took ages and it didn’t look like we were going to be back in time! Obviously we had the dogs in the room and all our stuff, so not ideal.

After the slowest journey ever, we got back to the Travelodge a little after 12 - the dogs were fine, but it was a mad rush to get everything packed up and get checked out, and we were pretty late checking out and we were pretty stressed.

We went to put the case in the roof box and the lock barrel snapped in half with the key in it! 😬
So now we had no way of opening the roof box which had most of our cases in, and one case we had taken out for the night, we couldn’t put back in!
The car was jam packed as it was so it was a stressful dilemma while we figured out what to do 😖

We managed to wedge the case in the car between the girls and put the dogs bed on top 😂 then drove to Halfords, which luckily was only a short drive away.

Koolie asked to borrow a screwdriver from Halfords and then managed to completely pick the lock barrel out and open the roof box. We then had to buy a couple of ratchet straps for £35 and are using these to close the box for the rest of the trip 😬
All this was done in 30 degrees in the sun, so it was pretty awful!

Anyway, that little ordeal dealt with, we carried on with our plans to go to Gloucester. The kids wanted to see the Cathedral and the parts that were featured in the Harry Potter movies.

Gloucester was lovely - very accessible with lots of parking, and we didn’t have far to walk to the Cathedral.

We really loved the Cathedral - it’s absolutely beautiful and we preferred it to Exeter’s. The staff were really nice too and very friendly - also liked the fact it was donation with no set amount, unlike Exeter’s set £5 entry.

There were touch screen information points which were great, and showed stills from Harry Potter which featured the Cloisters!

We were still quite full from breakfast but picked up some subways to take with us to our next stop - Bourton on the Water


It was about 4.30 when we arrived in Bourton on the water - and this was planned deliberately in the hopes we would find parking a bit easier and it would be cooler.
It worked out well and we managed to park without any trouble.
We set up a picnic blanket and had our subways by the stream. Lila enjoyed a paddle, Marnie did not!

We then decided to split into two groups to go and see the model village. I took Amber and Sonny first and we loved looking at all the mini buildings which were a replica of the actual village, and recognising the shops we had walked past.

We went back to the picnic spot to let the others go and have a look while we looked after the dogs - such a shame dogs aren’t allowed in the model village!
They had ten minutes to get there before last entry, and it was a two minute walk down a straight road, but somehow Koolie managed to get lost and ended up getting there just as they bolted the gate closed, and wouldn’t let them in even though it didn’t actually close for another 15 minutes, which would have been plenty of time to see everything. It was a real shame and Elliott was upset as he has me really wanted to see it.
Thankfully it’s not actually too far from Bristol, so I’ve told him I will take him back before the end of the summer holidays.

It was getting late, so we decided to get in the car and drive to our next stop, Stratford Upon Avon.
Checked in and went up to the rooms and they were unbearably hot - never known anything like it! One small fan did nothing to help and it was a very restless night for all of us!

So overall, not the best day with lots going wrong, but these things happen on our road trips!
We still managed to enjoy the Cathedral and Picnic in Bourton on the water.

[mrsdjh]

A bit of a stressful start and end to the day but the rest sounded good. Such a shame Elliott didn’t get to see the model village but hope he enjoyed the rest of the day. Hope you have a cooler night tonight.

[Mexy02]

Love bourton . It’s just idyllic , we will be there Sunday 😁

[P&S]

Stressful morning but looks like you found a fab shady spot to eat your subs at

[Sparksy72]

I can only imagine how stressful your morning was. Thankfully you sorted out a quick fix. We love Bourton on the Water, must have been lovely to have lunch and cool off. Poor Elliott missing out on the miniature village but it does give you a good excuse to go back!

[cartoonp]

So sorry 😞 what a day

[margyloveswdw]

Not the best start and end do good to hear the Cathedral made up for it.

[Mental Minnie]

The Cathedral photos are stunning. It's a shame your son didn't get to see the model village but like you said it isn't too far away and he will get to see it another time.

[OB1LukeLucas]

Oh no what a stressful day but you still managed to have some fun. I feel inspired to try and visit the Cathedral and the area one day it looks lovely. I hope you got some sleep.