Barrington- The Fox Inn

Barrington- The Fox Inn

Barrington is one of the closest grounds to Folly Farm and to Willows school. This meant we had quite a few visitors which was lovely for Willow and I think her friends quite liked getting a chance to explore and play behind the scenes.

One thing I have never liked about Barrington is the thistles, you can not go anywhere here without shoes on and even Crocs struggled sometimes.

We are nearly opposite The Fox Inn and they have a table set up and take orders for interval drinks.

I have never really explored the Barringtons and really should one day as there are some nice houses and buildings and even herds of deer.

Business this year has been good with lots of sell out shows. Bookings for Barrington were so good we even added a show on Sunday which also sold out straight away.

This is a ground that I have a lot of memories of Daisy which is sad and happy at the same time. I still miss her so much.

Lechlade – The Trout Inn

Lechlade is always interesting before we even get parked up due to a narrow bridge going on to the ground. It has recently been made a bit wider but not by much. This year Nell and Toti have a new wagon which is a bit bigger than their old one. I wish I had been there when Toti reversed it over, I think it would have been a really impressive sight to see and I doubt there are many people who could have managed. Willow and I had headed back to Folly so she could get a few days at school so we missed it.

The circus actually plays in The Trout Inn's garden, out the back and this is another venue you can pre order interval drinks. Its quite odd, in all the years we have been visiting this venue I think I have only been in the pub once. Though I'm sure they get plenty of custom from others in the company. They also have live music which draws Tweedy across occasionally.

We are right next to the river and for a few years now a local wild duck has hung out near the pen Brian the goose and duck live in. I'm sure it is the same duck from three years ago and I think it may want to run away and join the circus. Or maybe it is Brian’s number one fan.

The pub is situated out of town, but it is walk-able and there is a path which always helps. The town isn't big but I have always liked it and there are a few nice shops, including an all year Christmas shop which my Mum would love.

The town is fairly old and there is a notice board that gives its history and also has old photos so you can see what has changed or more interesting, what hasn't changed.

Stadhampton

Stadhampton was a ground that we had only done once or twice before we went to America so I wasn't a hundred percent sure the image I had was the correct one, but it was.

There isn't a lot near the ground and the only shop is attached to the petrol station so not too much to buy there.

Once again there was a play park, which is what I remember about the place as Willow hurt herself on the climbing frame before. She vaguely remembers it but it didn't stop her from enjoying herself or charging over on her own any chance she got.

Tweedys Mum and Dad visited while we were here and they stayed close by in Dorchester, which was a nice town full of interesting old buildings. I would have liked to explore more there and maybe do one of the town walks the tourist information had printed out. Maybe another time, if we come back?

Tackley Oxfordshire

The description of Tackley didn't ring any bells with me and I wasn't sure I had been there, even though Tweedy had. Eventually I thought maybe I just didn't remember and I would recognise it once we arrived. This didn't happen and I'm sure I would have remembered, so I'm pretty certain I didn't join the circus last time Tweedy played here with them. Maybe Willow had something important to do that weekend, like a birthday party.

We play the village green which is nice and has quite a bit going on with the school being attached to it as well as the community centre and the Village Shop. The shop is really nice and definitely better than most corner shops you come across. The fruit and veg was all really fresh and they sold a lot of local products including some really rich chocolate ice cream. All the staff were really nice too, even tracking down some bubble mixture from another town for Willow when she wanted to buy some, though they didn't actually sell her it she got it free. Willow also loved the shop as she could just pop over on her own as it was so close.

Right next to the shop was a play park. Not as good as the one from Broadway, but then that will take some beating. Again close enough for Willow to pop over on her own.

On the day off we visited a town close by called Woodstock which I liked except for a car reversing into me. We visited the Oxfordshire Museum and Dinosaur garden which was free and Willow enjoyed. She hasn't really been to that many Museums or Gallery’s since we return from America and she was use to visiting lots. My favourite part of the museum was a visiting display by the photographer John Gay.