Salisbury

21 - 24 August 2015

Take a chance on me

The weather for this particular weekend was forecast to be typical for August in GB – changeable with heavy rain somewhere along the way (moan, moan, moan …) but we had booked our site so set off regardless.

However, the weekend started well, with a stop en route to Salisbury at the National Trust Property, The Vyne, near Basingstoke.  The 500 year old Tudor house is in need of repair, to the tune of a staggering £2.3 million, and conservation work will start in 2016.  The extensive grounds include a sweeping lawn for lakeside picnicking

 and a bird hide overlooking the water meadows.  Our knowledge of all things ornithological is limited to say the least, but eager to learn, I started talking to the man already in the hide; he had an enormous lens on his camera, so he had to know more than I did!  I was reliably informed that the two birds near the bank were green sandpipers and the ones further in the water were lapwing.  I feel the need for an I-spy book!

One other interesting snippet about The Vyne is that when it became clear in May 1940 that the German bombing of Britain would resume, the headmaster of Tormore Prep School in Upper Deal, Kent packed up his school, consisting 60 boys and staff, and came to stay here (at the invitation of the owner, I hasten to add!).  There is currently an exhibition in the house and gardens to celebrate the 70^th anniversary of their departure at the end of the Easter Term 1945.

A summerhouse dating from around 1632 is likely to have been used initially as a Banqueting House (the banquet being the final course of the meal, served in a separate room or building).  The shape of the adjacent flower beds reflect the shape of the summer house.

By the time we arrived at the Camping and Caravanning Club Site in Salisbury in the late afternoon, our pitch was about the only one left!  The first surprise of the weekend was that the Salisbury Summer Spectacular would be taking place next day (Saturday) on the adjacent field, complete with funfair, live music and fireworks.  Was this good or bad? 

From the site it's a 30-40 minute pleasant walk, by the river in places, to town and a quick visit to the tourist info gave us some ideas for the day.  The area around the Cathedral (The Close) is pleasant and Arundells, home of the late Edward Heath is located there as well as a couple of museums.  To escape the scorching sunshine (second surprise!), we went into the Salisbury and South Wilts Museum, where there was an extensive exhibition of Turner paintings, and then had a tasty lunch in The King's House tearoom housed in the same building.  Further along The Close is the National Trust property, Mompesson House, which was one of the locations used for the film “Sense and Sensibility”.  Photographs of the filming and some of the costumes worn were on display.

Finally we walked out of town along the Town Path, admiring the view of the cathedral across the water meadows,as painted by Turner.

Back at the campsite the music was belting out, the instrumentals somewhat better than the vocals.  However, the acts seem to improve as the evening wore on and culminated in an Abba tribute band, which was pretty good and tempted us to sing along!  The weather had turned showery during the evening but turned to heavy rain just before the firework finale took place, and we wimped out of going outside to take some photographs.

Apparently the clearing up process started immediately after the fireworks and went on into the small hours – some complaints were lodged with the site wardens – but we were blissfully unaware; our walking had obviously tired us out.

Sunday lived up to the forecast of heavy rain all morning, so we had a relaxing few hours in the 'van, remarking on how quiet the site normally is.  After lunch the rain clouds rolled away and we had an enjoyable walk to the remains of Old Sarum, which was the site of the original town of Salisbury.

Old Sarum from the campsite

“Climb the mighty ramparts for views over the Wiltshire plains and imagine the once thriving town of Old Sarum. Stand in the footprint of Salisbury's original cathedral, conquer the royal castle which stood high on the motte, and discover the awe-inspiring Iron Age hill fort where it all began. Unearth over 2,000 years of history and find out how the Romans, Normans and Saxons have all left their mark on this impressive landscape.”

Footprint of original cathedral

Very impressive and well worth a visit.

Looking back from Old Sarum towards Salisbury and the campsite

And tomorrow, Monday, promises persistent rain all day, both here and at home, so it looks as though we shall be getting wet at both ends of the journey!