Woke up this morning, January 8th, and got the van ready to head to the second stop of our UK tour, Henley on Thames, recently voted one of the most beautiful places to live.
After ten months of not worrying about having to secure anything, we’re getting used to having to put stuff away, and lock everything up before we move. Apart from when the cutlery drawer slides open as we go around the first roundabout!
New Destinations
Having never really visited this area before, we are really looking forward to moving on. What a day for travel though! The weather is AWFUL! It isn’t so much that the rain is torrential (it is!), or that the roads are busy (they are!), but the standing water on the motorway is unbelievable! Thankfully the gales that were forecast didn’t materialise, and we make our way, slowly, through the “river” towards our second stop at Henley on Thames.
Eventually we arrive safely, albeit later that we’d planned, Kev vowing to use our preferred ‘A’ roads for the rest of our trip, wherever possible.
It has been surprisingly easy to settle into a routine of not having a routine! It’s a relief not to have anything we HAVE to do, only things we want to do.
After a leisurely morning in the van, we have an equally leisurely first morning in Henley. We were slightly disappointed that there isn’t a riverside walk into town,(research people!) but it’s an easy walk in, so off we go.
Coffe and cake – the start of a trend
We had been recommended a coffee shop called Hot Gossip but, by the time we get into town, it was pretty much full. Undeterred we wander to the other end of town where we come across https://www.berriescoffee.co.uk .Great coffee and two of the biggest cookies we have ever seen, and we’ve found our coffee stop for the next few days. Over the following three mornings we sample chocolate chip, dark chocolate and raspberry, coffee and walnut, double chocolate, and Nutella filled cookies. I honestly couldn’t pick a favourite if I had to, they were all fab!
After staying in town for an early dinner at the local Spoons (I know, I know!) we head back for an evening of Downton Abbey.
Tuesday morning and another chilled start. We stroll back into town for, of course, coffee and cookies. While we were mooching about yesterday we can across a shop called COOK https://www,cookfood.net . They stock freshly cooked meals, with local ingredients, which are then frozen. We buy Beef Bourguignon, and a couple of raspberry mousses and had both for dinner, the quality is excellent!
Meeting Old New Friends!
We have been really looking forward to Henley! Kev discovered that a couple we have followed on YouTube are due here on Tuesday. Spotting their vehicle when we get back from town (yes be warned we will stalk you vanlifers!) we have a quick intro/catch up, and arrange to meet up on Wednesday evening for some libations.
Sam and Claire, of https://www.nextstopeverywhere.co.uk , are exactly as you would expect them to be. We have a fantastic evening in their company, discussing everything from working for The Club, to families, to our mutual interest in family histories. It’s a huge bonus when you meet someone you’ve followed virtually, and they turn out to be every bit as nice, funny, helpful, informative, and interesting as you thought they would be! We will definitely be keeping in touch, and hope to meet up with them during the coming season, if possible. Good luck in Battle guys!
Just a quick side note, although the walk into Henley is easy and straightforward, if the weather is wet there are a lot of puddles en route, which can get quite big, so be prepared for a game of Puddle Roulette! Also if you come across a COOK store anywhere, get as much as you can fit in your freezer, you won’t regret it!