A Work Trip That Turned Into a Weekend Away

📍 Somerset  🚐 Campervan Stay  📅 July 2026

By the time I arrived after work, Alex had already worked her magic. Hendricks and Boë were happily settled, the ice machine was humming away and the cider was chilling. Campervan priorities!

The evening took an unexpected turn when my boss, Tom, mentioned he was meeting his partner for a drink at his local pub (The Compass). As we had both the camper and the car, we decided to join them. Alex finally got to meet “the boss” after hearing so much about him, and what was meant to be one drink soon turned into dinner, plenty of laughs and one of those easy evenings where nobody is looking at the time.

I opted for chargrilled chicken with mushroom sauce, roasted baby potatoes and cauliflower. It sounds fairly ordinary but it was genuinely excellent. Alex worked her way through a couple of Limoncello Spritzes while Hendricks and Boë happily demolished a few pork scratchings.

We eventually wandered back to the camper, full, tired and very happy.

The following morning began rather earlier than planned.anpits, it quickly became clear that this wasn’t just another campsite. The apple orchards gave the site a real sense of character, with quirky touches dotted around that made it feel cared for rather than clinical. The welcome was genuinely friendly and, despite the nearby road making its presence known at times, it still felt like a little oasis. Before we’d even finished setting up Vinny, we had a feeling this was going to be a good weekend.

At around five o’clock we were gently reminded that Tanpits isn’t just a cider farm… it’s also home to free-range peacocks.

If you’ve never been woken by one, let me assure you they’re far louder than something that beautiful has any right to be.

After grabbing a little more sleep we decided to tackle what I confidently assured Alex would be a leisurely three-mile stroll around the Hankridge Loop, with the important business of stopping for a pint at the Bathpool Inn, followed by another at the Hankridge Arms.

I’d even planned the route with AI.

Naturally, within minutes I managed to lead us completely the wrong way.

Instead of arriving at the Bathpool Inn, we somehow found ourselves heading into Taunton town centre… eventually walking straight past SCC Toyota.

I’m still not entirely sure how.

By now the cloud had disappeared, the temperature had climbed sharply, Alex’s new hip was beginning to complain and two increasingly warm black dogs were looking for somewhere to cool off.

Thankfully we came across a group of teenagers swimming in the River Tone. They couldn’t have been kinder, happily moving aside so Hendricks and Boë could cool off with a paddle.

Hendricks, however, remained deeply suspicious of the whole idea.

Lunch eventually arrived at The Ring of Bells in the form of tuna melt baguettes, chunky chips and a wonderfully cold cider. Exactly what we needed.

The afternoon drifted happily along.

I even did something I very rarely do… bought some new clothes. Three of my favourite shops happened to be within a few doors of each other, all gloriously air conditioned, and with my expanding waistline steadily retiring various favourites from the wardrobe, it felt like time for a refresh.

Alex then disappeared to find a few bits of her own while I was dispatched to the Old Library with the dogs.

The Cocktails & Giggles

As they snoozed happily under the table, regularly interrupted by passers-by wanting to make a fuss of them, I enjoyed the shade, a cooling breeze and another drink before Alex returned wearing the unmistakable smile of someone who’s had a successful shopping trip.

Looking across at the Cosy Club, we both agreed it would have been rude not to finish the afternoon with a couple of cocktails before catching the bus back to the campsite.

A relaxed barbecue followed just in time for England’s World Cup match against Panama.

Perfect.