Ideas for somewhere to go for the day!
Discussion
7 days ago I nearly wrote my car off in an accident on the way to work. Luckily no-one was hurt and I am in one piece (despite having real neck/shoulder pains for the last week) and the car is in the process of being fixed.
Anyway to cut a long story short, I've always been a confident driver and never questioned my abilities but this has shaken me up a little bit. I have to drive frequently for my job and I am still a little nervous behind the wheel after what happened.
The OH has suggested that we drive somewhere for the day this weekend to help me feel more confident about my driving and to have lunch and a mooch around whilst we're there.
I am based in Northampton and wondered if anyone had any good suggestions for events happening this weekend or somewhere good to go for the day and potentially suggestions for good pubs for lunch. Ideally I'm looking for somewhere out of the county but not more than about 1.5hrs drive away.
Anyway to cut a long story short, I've always been a confident driver and never questioned my abilities but this has shaken me up a little bit. I have to drive frequently for my job and I am still a little nervous behind the wheel after what happened.
The OH has suggested that we drive somewhere for the day this weekend to help me feel more confident about my driving and to have lunch and a mooch around whilst we're there.
I am based in Northampton and wondered if anyone had any good suggestions for events happening this weekend or somewhere good to go for the day and potentially suggestions for good pubs for lunch. Ideally I'm looking for somewhere out of the county but not more than about 1.5hrs drive away.
First of all Hayley, sorry to hear about your accident, but glad you're OK. I know EXACTLY how you feel about driving as a lorry pulled out on me and started to push me into the central reservation on Monday night and am now in the same position with my confidence towards driving.
With regards to your shoulder/neck pain, get them checked out. I had an accident 6 years ago and walked away with what I thought was whiplash, didn't do anything about it, didn't make a claim for compensation or anything like that and then steadily over the next 3 years started to lose all the strength in my left arm to the point where I couldn't even lift my handbag! I went to a chiropractor and it turned out five vertebrae had been knocked out of line in the accident. I spent hundreds of pounds being clicked back into place, and now the accident on Monday seems to have started the problem again and I've got pain in my shoulder and neck again - so even more expense paying to have that put right again
If you're heading out towards Gaydon, make sure you use the B4525 which runs off the A43 just past Silverstone to Middleton Cheney, it's one of my favourite roads! Then you can drive back through Southam, which again, has some lovely roads and nice pubs (but I'm afraid I can't remember the names of them!). I'll send a link to this thread to missdiane, she's an expert at finding brilliant roads and nice pubs in the area.
With regards to your shoulder/neck pain, get them checked out. I had an accident 6 years ago and walked away with what I thought was whiplash, didn't do anything about it, didn't make a claim for compensation or anything like that and then steadily over the next 3 years started to lose all the strength in my left arm to the point where I couldn't even lift my handbag! I went to a chiropractor and it turned out five vertebrae had been knocked out of line in the accident. I spent hundreds of pounds being clicked back into place, and now the accident on Monday seems to have started the problem again and I've got pain in my shoulder and neck again - so even more expense paying to have that put right again

If you're heading out towards Gaydon, make sure you use the B4525 which runs off the A43 just past Silverstone to Middleton Cheney, it's one of my favourite roads! Then you can drive back through Southam, which again, has some lovely roads and nice pubs (but I'm afraid I can't remember the names of them!). I'll send a link to this thread to missdiane, she's an expert at finding brilliant roads and nice pubs in the area.
Edited by Mrs Trackside on Thursday 19th November 18:17
Sorry to hear about the accident 
The Southam to Banbury Road A423 I think is a lovely road- I think that is one Mrs T is thinking of as we went for a hoon via that way once,
big wide bends on a big wide road, should not have any issues with nerves on that road!
Bikers love that road.
If you are coming back that way get on the B4525 (Banbury to A43 silverstone) nice for a pootle.
You could also tie it in with a visit to Leamington, I know it's close, but a lovely little town (city?)
Last time we went there we hired a row boat on the river, spent more time in the rushes than on the river, but it was fun never the less
There is also a lovely route over to Burford if you fancy that direction, I would need to look at the map for that route. We found a nice pub in Clanfield Oxon by accident, proper english pub with lovely food.
Did you want to go further afield?
ETA, just saw that MrsT posted about B4525, double recommended

The Southam to Banbury Road A423 I think is a lovely road- I think that is one Mrs T is thinking of as we went for a hoon via that way once,
big wide bends on a big wide road, should not have any issues with nerves on that road!
Bikers love that road.
If you are coming back that way get on the B4525 (Banbury to A43 silverstone) nice for a pootle.
You could also tie it in with a visit to Leamington, I know it's close, but a lovely little town (city?)
Last time we went there we hired a row boat on the river, spent more time in the rushes than on the river, but it was fun never the less

There is also a lovely route over to Burford if you fancy that direction, I would need to look at the map for that route. We found a nice pub in Clanfield Oxon by accident, proper english pub with lovely food.
Did you want to go further afield?
ETA, just saw that MrsT posted about B4525, double recommended

Edited by missdiane on Thursday 19th November 19:17
missdiane said:
There is also a lovely route over to Burford if you fancy that direction, I would need to look at the map for that route. We found a nice pub in Clanfield Oxon by accident, proper english pub with lovely food.
Absolutely! there's some lovely roads over Burford way and the pub in Clanfield was really really good. http://www.clanfieldtavern.com/default.htmI often pop over to Stow on the Wold for some fudge (the sweet!!) and that takes about hour and half. Stow is lovely, with lots of trinkety little shops and there's loads of pubs to stop at for a nice meal. I wouldn't recommend the one on the triangle at the bottom of the town, I think it's called the Bell Inn, the food is better in the other places.
Unfortunately we didn't get to go this weekend but I wanted to thank everyone for their responses.
Mrs Trackside - I am going to go and get my neck/shoulder looked at when I actually have some money. Because the insurance company class it as my fault regardless of the fact that the stupid woman I hit left me nowhere to go because of her poor use of lanes and brakes, I am unable to claim against anyone for my injuries. So once I have covered all my outgoings for Xmas, excess payment plus a friends wedding in a couple of weeks in Devon, if I have any money left then I may be able to get myself fixed!
We are going to try and do a run this weekend instead so I'll put everyone's suggestions to the OH and we'll be off. I have recently had to take on a new Administration job in Hemel Hempstead so I've had to drive down there twice now so my courage is getting a bit better now.
Mrs Trackside - I am going to go and get my neck/shoulder looked at when I actually have some money. Because the insurance company class it as my fault regardless of the fact that the stupid woman I hit left me nowhere to go because of her poor use of lanes and brakes, I am unable to claim against anyone for my injuries. So once I have covered all my outgoings for Xmas, excess payment plus a friends wedding in a couple of weeks in Devon, if I have any money left then I may be able to get myself fixed!
We are going to try and do a run this weekend instead so I'll put everyone's suggestions to the OH and we'll be off. I have recently had to take on a new Administration job in Hemel Hempstead so I've had to drive down there twice now so my courage is getting a bit better now.
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