We packed our bags and raided the breakfast boxes for items to save for another day then checked out. We had another in-car picnic breakfast before heading off to Berkeley Castle for which we had pre-booked tickets. We arrived before the castle gates opened so on arrival we walked around the Yurt café walled garden whilst waiting.

Once inside the gates there wasn’t a queue to get into the castle so we decided to visit that before the gardens. It was nice to be able to view it without too many people around. It had been much busier on our previous visit last year.

The sunshine enhanced our enjoyment of the gardens which had a temporary, one-way system in place. I think we got the direction wrong at least once. By the time we had finished in the gardens it was time for lunch. We sat outside in the sunshine where I enjoyed a slice of white chocolate and raspberry cake from the Yurt café.

All too soon it was time to continue our journey home. We invited mum round for an evening so that we could round off the holiday in style; fresh salmon, mini hassleback potatoes, rocket and lemon mayo.

Drifting in and out of my dream, I heard an alarm going off. As I came to I reached out for my glasses. Where were they? I couldn’t place my hand on them in the usual place. I had the same difficulty with the light switch so I sat up in order to put my slippers on just as Mr C said the fire alarm is going off. As I put my feet in my slippers I wondered why my holiday slippers were by the side of my bed. It was only then that I became awake enough to realise that I was not at home!

I tried to make sense of the fire evacuation map (it was only later that I realised the map was upside down). Normally I look at on arrival in a hotel I blame lockdown for befuddling my brain.

It was 3am in the morning and as I opened the door the alarm stopped. I noticed a box outside our door; breakfast had arrived. Much later, after another small wobble with the fire alarm, and some sleep, we opened the box to find a “cardboard” croissant and jam, a blueberry muffin (factory produced and packed rather than fresh), an Alpen bar, an apple and a carton of orange juice. This was most unsatisfactory as a breakfast experience in what is advertised as a quality hotel. Mr C abandoned the croissant (too cardboard) and I abandoned the blueberry muffin it was too sweet.

Mum, due to being almost deaf, was not disturbed in the night be the fire alarm. She awoke in the morning to find two breakfast boxes outside her door. Due to allergies she had to mix and match between the two boxes for items to eat.

Plan B came into operation we called in at a nearby motorway service station for bacon butties, freshly cooked pain au chocolate and freshly made tea. We enjoyed these tasty delights as an in-car breakfast picnic. It was a first for me, but it seemed like heaven after the hotel offering.

We visited Bath to see the Abbey and then having time to spare we visited the Circus and the Royal Crescent. Mum didn’t seem to impressed by the vistas they provided. Bath was busy and attractions needed to be pre-booked so we decided to press on. We picked up freshly made sandwiches and left the city to enjoy eating them in a quieter place where we could decide what we would do in the afternoon.

Farleigh Hungerford Castle was nearby, afternoon tickets were available so we booked in and had an enjoyable sunny afternoon exploring the grounds.

Returning to the hotel, we enjoyed tea and cake on the hotel terrace before retiring to our rooms to freshen up before dinner.

During dinner we were partly attended to by the delightful young man who had served us on the previous night. The other person attending to our needs gave us the impression that customers were a nuisance.

After a nightcap we returned to our room to find two breakfast boxes placed outside our room before we had even gone to bed!!!

We set off in good time despite having had an impromptu family visit the day before. The get together with my brother and nephews was wonderful but it made packing our bags a little bit rushed.

We picked mum up before heading to Bourton-on-the-Water for lunch. The town seemed busier than I have ever seen it before, except perhaps on one sunny mid-August day many years ago. We decided not to struggle to get into a teashop because of the current Covid restrictions and sometimes booking is required in advance. Instead we opted for a meal deal from the Co-op which we intended to eat on a bench with a view but we decided the air was a little bit chilly for Alfresco eating so instead we had an in-car picnic before heading into town.

The village was rather crowded and we chose quieter pathways to enjoy. Mr C spotted an antique shop that he wanted to go in. Only 6 were allowed in the shop at any one time but since there were only a couple others inside we entered. By the time I tried to make my way to the exit there were more than 6 people inside with several of them not respecting social distancing and I found it difficult to get round people in order to leave the shop.

We decided to leave Bourton-on-the-Water and continue on our way with the intention to visit Upper and Lower Slaughter. These villages are delightful but unfortunately we were unable to explore them because the parking places were full. It was time to put plan B into action. We drove to Castle Coombe where we were able to park and enjoy a wander around the lovely village. It was like stepping back in time.

Afterwards we checked into the hotel before enjoying a cup of tea in our room. Feeling refreshed I ventured out into the hotel garden and reminisced about our previous visit to the hotel in 2008. The garden was a little overgrown but still enjoyable.

We had a very pleasant dinner followed by a nightcap in the bar.

Anecdotes and photos coming soon!