June 14th 2015: Hook Norton: Music and Beer

Monty the Motorhome has been rocking on his suspension this afternoon, listening to folk and jazz music at 'The Gate Hangs High' pub just outside the Oxfordshire village of Hook Norton.

Some time ago we'd decided to meet up with James and Becka for Sunday lunch at a venue fairly equidistant from our respective homes and had come upon 'The Gate' during an internet search. While checking it out we saw it had a small campsite attached to the pub, and just down the road was the Hook Norton brewery, which ran tours during the week. So the decision was made - meet up for Sunday lunch, then stay overnight before doing a tour on the Monday, stay another night and return home on Tuesday.

We duly travelled down this morning, arriving about 11.30, to find a small field at the rear of the pub with a few vans on it. Also there was a small marquee in the adjacent beer garden, with people messing around with wiring and amplifiers. Unknowingly we'd arrived at the start of day 2 of a mini music festival!

Another van was leaving shortly after we arrived and it seemed to have the most level pitch, so we quickly settled in there. Coincidentally it was just adjacent to the marquee and we had a grandstand view out of the side door.

James and Becka arrived and we had lunch - roasts all round, washed down with Hook Norton 'Hooky' for myself.
Then back out to listen to the bands for the afternoon, with a bit more Hooky. As the afternoon progressed the temperature dipped, so it was just right sitting in Monty with the side door open.

The music went on till about 6.30pm, when the rain just started to drizzle.
Looking forward to the brewery tour tomorrow.