17th December 2016 Stuck in the mud!

As we had been static for our 28 days stay at Oxford we decided that the van could do with a run out. We needed to fill up our gas bottles and get diesel so we drove off in the rain on the A34 heading for junction 13 (M4). It is only a 30 minute drive to the service station which we know well and access to the LPG pump is easy! After our first ever trip overseas in our van we had a brief encounter with a fixed object while attempting to fill up the gas bottles so it is understandable we are cautious. The damage to the van cost us £3,500 to put right

After filling up we set off back up the A34 to the campsite in Oxford to collect the Smart car. Angela then followed behind me and we drove over to Garsington, our next destination for a while.

The next event is rather embarrassing but I will report it anyway!

Last week I came to check this site out and meet up with Kate one of the owners to discuss where we could park. It had been raining and the ground was a little soft in places, especially for a 4 ton motorhome.

After discussing the various options I was happy with  everything and told Kate that all will be fine and most people get stuck because they are not sure how to drive on wet grass. I also told her that me being an ex Army driver would have no trouble parking up on her lovely campsite.

Well what can I say?  Nothing as this picture clearly shows what happened next!

All was fine going in a straight line but once I began to turn the wheel I had that sinking feeling. I got our slip mats out to get us going again but I had underestimated just how wet it was in places.

I phoned Kate who was very understanding, extremely helpful and more to the point was 2000 metres on top of a snow capped mountain in France Skiing

Kate had arranged for help and as we were stuck there was no use us both being there waiting. We needed some food shopping so Angela went off in the car while I waited for the cavalry.

Within an hour two knights in shining armour appeared and within twenty minutes I was parked up roughly where I wanted to be safe and sound.

They used Kate’s 4X4 and tow rope to pull me but in order to get traction they had to carry two big honeycombed mats and drive onto them before setting off. I am using one of the big mats under my drive wheels to stop me sinking. Also it will give me traction to get going once I leave.

By the time Angela got back from shopping I was all set up ready for a relaxing evening. Angela said that she was dreading coming back just in case we were still in the middle of a field.