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Hearty Happenings
Issue 8
Chairman’s Note
With September drawing to a close, having given us some of the best weather of the year, we are now turning our attention to the 2010 season which starts in only 4 months time!
However, we still have three more events in 2009 to look forward to and you will probably recall the enjoyable rallies from earlier this year. Much of this edition of Hearty Happenings is taken up with the reports from the rallies this year so I will turn my attention to 2010 and give you a flavour of what we have planned for you next season.
We have tried to combine some of our tried and tested favourites with some new sites in 2010 whilst trying to maintain reasonable coverage of the Heart of England. We start off back at Diamond Farm (keeping our fingers crossed for the weather next year) where we will celebrate Valentine’s Day Heart of England Style. Our AGM next year is going to be courtesy of Keri and Ashley at their home in Barton in the Beans. Another new site is planned for Easter when we will be visiting Waterloo Leisure Farm near Market Harborough. In May we go back to two old favourites, Ullesthorpe Garden Centre and Rectory Farm at Sywell. We then have our holiday rally near Weymouth to look forward to in June.
All the details of these and the rest of the rallies will be in your rally pack that should be with you in the next few weeks and also on the web site which is at www.heartofenglandccclub.org.uk.
I would like to offer a very big thank you to the members who have run rallies for us this year and are planning to do so next year. Your contributions are very much appreciated.
Whilst it is still a good few weeks away, Margaret and I would like to wish all our members a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year and we look forward to seeing you at a rally again before too long.
Steve
Foxton Locks
By Margaret Williams
We arrived a day late for this rally but nevertheless were warmly welcomed by the Marshals, Molly and Allun, with a welcoming cuppa. Barry and Allun very kindly helped and set up the van for us as Steve had an injured shoulder.
The weather was very kind to us over the weekend and many ralliers took the opportunity to walk the canal and have afternoon tea by the locks. With the remains of the Incline Plane and the museum to look at it was certainly interesting.
With some ralliers gathering for a barbeque on Saturday night we had a very enjoyable time. Some of us played ground darts with the younger ones being upset ‘cos we wouldn’t let them play!!! We were entertained by a group of paragliders who kept flying around then disappearing and returning a few minutes later to wave and greet us. I wonder if we were in the field they were supposed to land in!!
Sunday saw lots of people out and about with the rally field being quite quiet. There was a gathering in the Marshals awning in the evening with some opting for dinner out or a quiet night in the ‘van.
Thanks to Molly and Allun for a lovely weekend.
Spring Bank Holiday – Blue Lias
By Margaret Williams
Summer had arrived! We set up, with the help of Joan and Danny, and enjoyed the sunshine while we waited for our members to arrive. This is a very nice site at the side of the Grand Union Canal and right next to the very picturesque Blue Lias pub. We welcomed Darrell and Joyce Collins on their first rally with Heart of England
We were a small but select gathering who enjoyed hot sausages and garlic bread plus rocky road for afters in the Marshals awning on Friday evening. There was plenty of chat while relaxing over a glass of something or a cup of coffee (and more rocky road in some cases).
Saturday saw many out and about with some walking the pretty canal side and watching the many boats going through the locks. As it was so nice we had a communal barbeque where we were joined by Nigel, Lisa and Zoë. We sat and chatted well into the evening as it was so warm.
Sunday was again glorious with more canal walks. Mark and Anne joined us as 4 o’clock became Pimms o’clock so we indulged in a few jugs of Pimms and some cream scones. Yum, Yum. In the evening some of us went to The Blue Lias for a meal which was very nice.
The quiz, which was questions where the answers were all connected to the colour blue, was won by Keith and Diane.
This was a wonderful weekend which we enjoyed very much. Thanks to Joan and Danny for their help.
Rally without Caravans - December 2010
New Westcliff Hotel, Bournemouth
After the success of our weekend in 2008, we are arranging a return visit to Bournemouth for our rally without caravans in 2010.
We will again be staying at the New Westcliff Hotel in Bournemouth. This hotel is in the centre of the West Cliff area of Bournemouth and it strikes a reasonable balance between quality and price. The hotel has 53 en-suite rooms and it has recently been voted the best 2 star hotel in Dorset. It has a swimming pool, sauna etc and is well placed for the sea front and the attractions in the centre of Bournemouth. You can find out more about the hotel and surrounds or view their brochure at www.newwestcliffhotel.co.uk
Their rates for December 2010 will be £129 for a three-night break (Friday to Monday). This is per person for Dinner, Bed and Breakfast and includes entertainment on Friday and Saturday nights. There will be a rally fee of £5 per room to cover administration costs and to provide prizes for the draw. One point of note, the hotel does not accept dogs.
If you would like further information or wish to make a booking please contact Steve & Margaret. Bookings will close 30th April 2010
Germany Holiday Rally
By Sue Stephenson
After an uneventful journey we pulled on site in glorious hot sunshine, to be greeted by the most wonderful, breathtaking views of the Rhine and everyone was sited to have a view over Lahnstien. In fact you could say we had the best pitches on site. Our own small corner no vehicles could come through so all the space was ours to enjoy. At night the lights twinkled in the villages and the trains could be seen on both banks and it was commented on several times that it looked just like a model village and train set with the busy Rhine in the centre of it all. The site was so relaxing that no one seemed to venture to far with the heat, and the small tree near our caravan, which seemed to be used for having lunches and numerous drinks beneath its small branches all holiday, was very handy for enjoying the views, with the kites and buzzards flying around.
Sunday saw us having coffee and the names were drawn for the boules competitions.
Molly’s birthday came and went; she looked lovely in her birthday cake hat.
A full English breakfast was enjoyed by all on the Monday cooked by Merv, Allun & Paul with Sue, Carol & Molly dishing up the bucks fizz, tea, coffee, toast and marmalade and anything else required. Monday evening saw us all in the restaurant next to the site for a very good meal. We didn’t know we had an arsonist in our midst did we Alan. While reading the menu the serviette accidentally caught fire on the candle and then burnt the table cloth. It was very funny watching Alan putting it out. The waitress promptly put a clean cloth on the table after laughing with us and carried on as if it had never happened.
During the holiday Rudesuim, Boppard, Cocham on the Mosel, and Limburg seemed to be the most frequented places by most. From chairlifts to castles, small sightseeing trains to glorious cakes and desserts (which were consumed most days) there was always plenty to see and do. When not out sightseeing the local Globus superstore (which is in itself unusual in Germany) covering 3 floors was frequented for supplies on a regular basis, usually of the liquid variety. Meat was more reasonable priced than the UK.
Merv followed the communal BBQ in the first week with a hot fruit salad with cream, cooked for everyone with each caravan donating a dish of fruit. Afterwards those that hadn’t played their first round of boules gave us some more entertainment. Friday saw us all heading for a leisurely ride down to Cocham on the Mosel for the day.
Wine tasting had been booked for the afternoon and those of us that drank made sure that all those bottles were empty, soaked up by plenty of bread. The drivers were supplied with a very refreshing bottle or two of non-alcoholic wine fruit juice. I am sure that Val, Carol and Molly cannot remember much about it but the video caught it all. A souvenir glass was given to everyone.
Sunday saw us having a cheese and wine afternoon and again we all lingered around before cooking the evening meal.
The boules final was played on Tuesday Evening and everyone sat and supported, or barracked as the case may be, this again was followed by a communal BBQ this time we supplied everyone with warm Apple Strudel and Cream. It was very tasty but unfortunately not enough for seconds. Everyone but Allun had some, so we gave him a slice of chocolate cake and he was a happy chappy. By popular request an Irish raffle took place with some amusement. Where have those watering cans gone?
A farewell meal was booked, by unanimous vote again, at the restaurant. Prizes were also given out to the winners of the competitions. During the holiday we had ran a boules competition and the final was between Paul & Carol, with Paul just beating Carol. Thanks to Ken & Margaret for supplying a trophy for the winner. Bingo tickets were also in the envelopes at the beginning of the rally and numbers were displayed daily. Sheila won the line, but the house was a close thing and was won by Margaret C with Margaret F second. The quiz was won by Graham & Sheila.
It was a pity, but all too soon it was time to leave this peaceful and tranquil site to head off to France for the weekend and the ferry home. Thank you to everyone who helped in any way (Even my pots occasionally disappeared and reappeared clean). We thoroughly enjoyed running the rally for you and enjoyed being amongst such good company. We look forward to seeing you all again soon.
Wedding Happenings
On a beautiful sunny day in June Amanda Cooke and Gareth Broom were married at the Guildhall in Poole. This was followed by a champagne reception and boat trip around Poole Harbour. After that there was dinner and dancing to a Jazz Band at the Sandbanks Hotel. It was a fabulous occasion enjoyed by the family and friends of the happy couple. We wish them every happiness in their married life.
Wedding Happenings
On the day after the Poole wedding on another sunny day Keri Turner and Ashley Garratt were married at County Hall in Leicestershire This was followed by a barbeque and party at their home in Leicestershire surrounded, and enjoyed by, their family and friends. There was a ceildh band which entertained everyone in the evening, accompanied by the bride for one of their numbers! We hope your marriage will bring you much deserved happiness.
A Celebration of Summer at Waterperry Park
By Margaret Williams
Ken and Margaret arrived on Thursday to set up for this rally but couldn’t get onto the field as it was too wet. They were worried that the Heart of England curse had struck again!!! After several inspections by Nikki they were finally allowed on at 11 o’clock on Friday and had their work cut out to be ready for the opening at 1 o’clock. We welcomed Brian and Joy Trivett out on their first Heart of England rally
They made us very welcome with their assistant (?), Joan, running about the field dishing out cups of tea and cake. We had a gathering Friday night with quite a few sat outdoors, (maybe ‘cos I was indoors showing wedding pics!), and ate a lot of the tasty nibbles supplied by the Marshals.
This is a remarkable site with a beautiful old farmhouse at its heart but surrounded by fields containing unusual animals. Most of the ralliers took the opportunity to stroll around the field that contained the hutched animals and found it really interesting.
Some of us barbecued on Saturday evening then joined the Marshals for coffee and chocolate. After the rain of the past week we marvelled at the beautiful sunshine we had enjoyed over the weekend.
Sunday was again sunny so we were able to sit out for coffee morning. The general knowledge quiz was won by yours truly. I don’t know how I know all these obscure things, sometimes I guess! Ken thanked Joan and Danny for their help over the weekend.
As promised, the dining room was lovely. Some of us decided to enjoy lunch there before heading off for home. The food was delicious and plentiful with loads of fresh vegetables and meat from the farm. After filling our boots it was time to put the legs up and head for home.
This was a lovely relaxing weekend so many thanks to Ken and Margaret for running it and getting the SUN to SHINE
Ingles Hill (Teddy Bears Picnic)
By Sue Stephenson
12 units turned out on a mixed weekend of weather from lovely sunshine to heavy showers. Friday evening saw us all in the marshals awning for drinks and nibbles to greet old friends and new. Saturday dawned fine but the rain clouds soon appeared on the horizon. Would we be able to hold the Teddy Bears Tea outside or would we be in the awning again? Steve and Margaret joined us for the afternoon. Margaret brought the small cakes she had made with her and also the sunshine which lasted till late evening. Margaret also painted faces in the likeness of teddy bears and teddy ears were worn by some. Finger sandwiches, small cakes, teddy crisps and cookies, followed by jelly, blancmange and carnation milk. Pass the parcel was played for some amusement and songs were sung. Joan had baked a cake and it was duly decorated for the occasion. Teddies of various shapes and sizes (and some not so well behaved teddies) enjoyed the sunshine with their owners. The children sitting in the middle on a plastic mat were very well behaved.
The evenings planned BBQ did not take place because the weather turned quite chilly but the awning was the meeting place later that evening. Sunday morning’s flag was held outside. The raffle seemed to favour some more than others especially Margaret Cantles tickets, which just seemed to appear all the time. Sunday evening (5 units which were staying on till Monday) saw us going to the Beeches Pub for dinner and an enjoyable meal was had by all. This was followed by coffee at the marshal’s awning when we got back. Danny had us in fits of laughter alongside Paul. I don’t think we have laughed so much. We actually went to bed with our sides aching from it all. Monday dawned with sunshine so all was packed away dry. Thanks must go to Joan for the wonderful cake and to anyone else that helped in any way.
Emberton Country Park
By Margaret Williams
It was sunny when we arrived on site but the heavens opened and we had a couple of bad showers. Thankfully it didn’t make the field boggy. With help from Margaret and Ken we set to and put up the awning and were soon ready to welcome the members.
We gathered for hot nibbles on Friday night (along with the obligatory rocky road). Did I really get those wedding pictures out again? Well there were people who weren’t at the last rally!!
Saturday was fine but windy but most folks went out into Olney and Steve and Sue went looking for a motor home (again!!!). We played quoits and lawn darts in the afternoon accompanied by a few jugs of rum punch and coconut punch, followed by Key Lime pie. The playing got better as the jugs were emptied with the eventual winner being declared as Ken Cantle. It was lovely to see Judith who joined us for the games. A few of us huddled in the awning in the evening for dinner and chat.
Sunday was dry but again windy. Some folks went out walking again but it was nice just to chill. Nigel, Lisa and Zoë joined us for a barbecue lunch but we had to eat in the awning as it was too windy to be outside. We had to have Pimms and scones in the awning in the afternoon which was a real hardship. Sue and Merv had to leave us as work beckoned for Merv on Monday. We had a quiet evening (ask me about it if you want to know) actually in the ‘van as it got quite chilly.
Monday was fine enough to be outside for coffee morning which was a nice end to the weekend. There were plenty of raffle prizes to be won and the quiz was a tie between Sue and Merv and Brian and Joy. Brian had to guess which hand Steve had a coin in and unfortunately guessed incorrectly so the prize went to Sue and Merv.
The weekend seemed to go very quickly but we enjoyed the company of those that were there. Sorry you didn’t get your motor home, Steve.
Monkeying Around at Twycross
By Margaret Williams
With the promise of good weather we wound our way up the seemingly endless drive towards Gopsall Farm where we were welcomed by Molly and Allun and a cup of tea.
We gathered with the Marshals on Friday evening and enjoyed plenty of chat and nibbles. Fiona was given a card for her birthday and we sang “Happy Birthday” to her. Your secret is safe with me as to the number of candles on your cake.
Saturday saw a lot of folks off walking, or should it be trekking, the surrounding lanes and villages which are very pretty. Some visited the nearby Twycross Zoo and spent a very pleasant day there. Somebody went looking for a place to put on her lottery and was away for the best part of the day! We went to Market Bosworth which is a very pretty, historic, town. It was a beautiful day with lots of sunshine so we were able to sit out and have a communal barbecue. It was lovely to chat about the day’s events and we were out until quite late.
Sorry about watching your TV Jane and John, we only wanted to see who was knocked out of “Strictly Come Dancing” and know the lottery numbers!!
We had to leave very early on Sunday morning because of family commitments but I have been told that Sunday was a lovely day. Meg and Wally joined in for coffee morning.
Thanks to Molly and Allun for being such welcoming and good hosts.
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