Once again Holly and Jim excelled themselves by welcoming so many ralliers to their New Forest haven at Ower. The weather was superb throughout the rally, enabling us to make the most of the fresh air, sunshine and this lovely part of the country.

It should be mentioned that Jim was really quite unwell for much of the time with a very heavy cold, but soldiered bravely on to ensure everyone was well looked after, and the site was secure at night, with any "stop-outs", safely back!

Throughout the rally Holly often provided extra refreshments for the ralliers who would congregate under the very welcome gazebos, one of which was provided by Jim and Janet James. The communal barbecue was a splendid evening, many laughs provided by Jeff Jones.

Holly and Jim provided the drinks and a cheeseboard worthy of any French restaurant and the sun continued to shine well into the evening ensuring that, like the cheese, we had all "mellowed" nicely!

Most people travelled on to the Isle of White the following day, and then to Wareham, having spent a most enjoyable few days at this first of the 3 southern rallies.

Thank you Holly and Jim, looking forward to next year!

Of the 13 vans present on the rally, 11 followed on from Durham. The rally site was a new development at the Braids and had only just been completed, but it was nice to have all the services, plus electric, on site.

Tom, Matty, Lily & Roy, once again catered for us in their usual manner, with a barbecue on Thursday and an evening meal on Saturday.

Gretna Green Outlet was a popular visiting place over the period of the rally for most members. Trips to Dumfries, Annan and the Solway Coast were also popular.

Flag was held on Saturday evening when Peter Turner presented the plaques and thanked Tom and his helpers for us all.

IoW weather was to be hot & dry, so 25 various outfits pulled into the rally field at the Orchards. Most had only just left Ower (nice and flat) but here not that easy, the field seemed twisted in every direction. Still the site is superb and even had a free outdoor pool.

Brian & Jean’s first event was to be a get together on the field at 7.30. But at 7.00 the rain was teeming down. Brian came round, change of venue, clubhouse, top of the site at 8.00. By 8 the rain has stopped, all trudge slowly up the hill to get Tea, Coffee & biscuits.

The attractions at the Isle of Wight are described and Brian gives out info packs. There was no more rain at all during the week – who wants to be a Rally Marshal?

On Monday the first reports of a pod of Elddis whales sighted in the swimming pool came in. They even changed colour from white to red over the week! On Monday an international boules tournament takes place – local IoW rule - winner of the round has to pick up and carry a fence post. Joy Wootton was begged to help by throwing the jack – 10 centimetres in front, 15 metres behind (forgot to let go), straight up in the air (spectators hid under their seats). Was it real or just comments that distracted Joy and had everyone else in stitches. At the end the winner was Hans but really we all were.

For Tuesday Brian had organised fish & chips in the clubhouse followed by games – the rally was on a roll. Wednesday night bingo at the local community centre saw ralliers rushing to gain big prizes. But when they returned the talking point was the idiosyncratic calling terms. Just slowly say 88 wobble wobble to the bingo players and watch them start giggling.

On Thursday the IoW Festival provided horror stories – there was a one-way system – you got into Newport – but couldn’t get out. Tales predicted worse to come – set off for midday Sunday ferry at 7am! Then sense took over – they’re kids at a pop festival – they won’t be up before midday, we’ll be gone by then! We got back to real concerns like Jean had a bad problem with neck and back, and baby Ruth having just got over a bad cold was now not eating. Unfortunately therefore first timers Vic & Denise Wardle left us on Friday to get baby Ruth home. Hope she is now well and they will give rallying with us another try. Brian got Jean a bit more comfortable and drafted in help so he could go ahead with his Saturday Night Flag Party. Sandwiches, sausage rolls, cakes, Tea Coffee, speeches, thanks from Chairman Ken Wootton. Then come Van prizes, the raffle for the children’s charity (over £40 raised), the auction of a painting by Laurie Jameson – another £28.50 raised for club funds, Holly & Jims lager was sold – sorry, given, to those making donations to the children’s charity.

First time ralliers William & Carole Grant, Keith & Jacqui Dawes, Alan & Glennys Crouch, were welcomed into the club – let’s hope you all enjoyed the IoW and hopefully Brian will be running it again in 2008.

Hope your shoulder got better Jean and you were able to go on that cruise - after all your and Brian’s efforts you deserved it.

After months of anticipation we were finally on our way to the Belvoir Castle rally near Grantham. As we drove down small winding roads, sun dappling through the trees, I was itching to get there. We went round one last corner, the sun hit the cluster of white caravans and I could almost hear the hallelujah chorus. The grass had just been cut which wasn’t good news for the few of us that had hay fever but the view and the company made up for the itchy eyes and the runny noses.

Saturday was another beautiful day as I awoke to a panoramic view as far as the eye could see. I put on my England top ready to support our boys in their first match of the World Cup.

As some ralliers went round the castle a handful of us gathered around the McArdles van, with sun block and nibbles at the ready, to cheer and yell at the mini T.V. An hour and a half later the match was over and we were all a little disappointed at the way we had played, but hey, we won and that’s all that matters. In a playful mood the rowdy football fans and a few others joined together in a game of rounders. The winning team (which I was on) won 13 nil. Mind you, I think this may have had something to do with the large quantity of Pimms and beer consumed earlier in the day!

The Medieval Banquet was, as always, wonderful, with everyone gathered under a shell of a marquee (it was too hot to put the sides on) watching the sun set and admiring the great Henry V111 who made an appearance. To top everything off, over the trees towards the castle, a magnificent display of fireworks lit up the night sky thanks to a wedding at the castle that day. Rally Marshal, Steve Lickley of course claimed the show as his own creation but none of us were fooled.

The next morning at flag, everyone emerged from their vans, sunglasses on and trying to protect their sensitive heads, to congratulate Bob and Maurine Sinclair for doing 150 rallies (see photo-left) and Daniel Sellers for doing 100 (see photo- right).

After convincing Steve Petra and Jordan to run another one next year we all waited to the very last minute to pack up and head for home, a little hung over and a little sunburned but smiling all the way, at what was, a wonderful rally.