It was lovely to arrive here at Gretna on a lovely warm sunny day, especially after all the bad reports from various parts of the country that the weather had been very cold. Tom and Roy welcomed us with the usual tea/coffee and biscuits on the Tuesday evening. Wednesday brought another sunny warm day when the ralliers made their own way to various locations around this lovely area. Thursday again warm and sunny and the evening BBQ was held in the recreation hall situated on the site.

Tom did his usual potatoes and salad whilst we all took our own meat etc. It was good being able to sit on comfy seats and catch up with the latest gossip. It was nice to see Doug and Sheila arrive today after their awful experience with a rather large wheeled vehicle. Their mishap doesn't seem to have dented their enthusiasm for towing and attending Elddis rallies.

Friday another sunny day and by now most of the ralliers had found the 'Outlet' shops just walking distance from the site where there were some good bargains.

With the rest of the ralliers arriving today, this made a total of fourteen vans in all, and they were welcomed by Tom over tea/coffee. Saturday was yet another nice day with the prospects of a social in the recreation hall to look forward to. We were again looked after by Tom, Roy and Matt and a lovely meal of meat or chicken pie, potatoes, mixed veg and gravy (no lumps) followed by apple or blackcurrant pie and custard (no lumps) and tea/coffee, followed by 'flag'. Tom and Roy were presented with their ‘Rally Marshal’s’ plaque and ‘Assistant Rally Marshal’s’ plaque by Peter Turner and thanks were given for a very good rally and the usual lucky van prizes. Quite a few of us stayed on in the hall to have a drink and chat etc with some background music for company and a good night was had by all.

Sunday quite a few of the ralliers made their way to the Sunday market just across the road and then returned for their final tea/coffee/cakes and biscuits before having to make their way home. Monday was another free day for the eight vans that were left but this again turned out very warm. Tuesday saw the end of a very good rally made all the more enjoyable being able to sit out or just wander and chat to your neighbours.

Well done Tom, Roy and Matt and many thanks for all your hard work.

Fourteen caravans and one motor home were booked in for the rally at Dawlish Warren run by Neil and Kerry Vernon, the weather was quite good on Thursday when we arrived. Charles and Pauline put in a surprise appearance after his long illness and were quickly surrounded by fellow ralliers who took over all the chores, siting his van and fetching water, this is what the Elddis club is all about everyone pulling together and helping each other.

Lots of things had been planned for the next five days including a birthday party for Kerry’s daughter Danielle, with Coco the clown (alias Jeff Jones) putting in an appearance, lots of noise and games and plenty of food was had and the children had a great afternoon. Neale and his dad John had erected a large pavilion for all the social gatherings to take place in, so we were not too bothered about it raining.

Friday was flag and a general get together for the usual tea and coffee and a good old natter with friends and people you hadn’t seen for a while. Saturday was a free and easy day to view the sights, some went to Dawlish and some went to Dawlish Warren (which was within walking distance). Four till five p.m. was Danielle’s 8th birthday party and lots of noise could be heard as the clown turned up (not sure who was making the most noise the children or the clown).

A BBQ was planned for the evening but the weather was not too good so we did most of the cooking in our caravans but all sat down in the pavilion to eat together. We then had a Devonshire cream tea provided by Kerry and Neale, the scones cooked by John and Margaret; and very nice too may I say!

Flag was held on Sunday morning at 11a.m. for those poor folk who have to work for a living. Monday was another free day but we should have met in the pavilion again in the evening for games and drinks and more cream teas, but unfortunately the wind during the morning had other ideas and dismantled the pavilion for us, so the cream and scones were delivered to the caravans instead. Tuesday should have been flag but unfortunately the wind and the rain prevented it from happening. Wednesday the weather was kinder and we all managed to pack away in Sunshine.

A great rally, despite the weather, a really lovely site.

The clue was in the title! It never stopped raining all week end, nine caravans arrived at a lovely spot overlooking the Reservoir and all were met by the enthusiastic Sellers Family. Stewart had already erected the Gazebo for sheltering the participants and kids Daniel and Emily were quick to volunteer their services to fetch the water barrels. With Amanda busy preparing for the week end inside. Everyone got settled without too much fuss and we all met on the Friday evening to discuss – you guessed it, the weather forecast.

Juniors were enjoying themselves in a mini Rutland Water, which had developed in the rally field, testing their wellies and how many sets of clothing their parents had packed for the week end. On Saturday, ralliers spread far and wide with visits to Peterborough, nearby Oakham and Rutland Water’s own Visitors Centre.

A DIY Barbeque was the evening entertainment with Brian Moseley sat under his brolly determined not to burn the Lincolnshire Sausages, provided by the Rally Marshal, which many will know from past events. None were to be outdone by the weather and we all sat down in the gazebo for our meals and from the knees up, everyone looked fine, but below lurked mucky wellies and was that a worm or an eel? Stewart provided some light entertainment with a quiz, won by Bob Sinclair and a pleasant evening social was spent despite all the weather could throw at us.

Sunday opened up with grey skies and as we got closer to 11am, yes, it rained once again. Prizes were awarded to those judged to have coloured their picture best, including adults and a 100 % return of entries meant fierce competition which was won by Janice McArdle for the Ladies, Dominic Taylor for the Juniors and Bob Sinclair for the Men, though he did confess that his entry was kindly donated by his wife Maureen.

The weather did its best to spoil the week end, but this was a family affair, the Sellers Family put together the week end and the Elddis Family came along and together we all had a muddy good time!

The Borg family welcomed all the ralliers to this slightly sloping site at Fillongly near Coventry in the usual way with drinks etc, but in order to give us some shelter they had erected a large marquee which was very welcome. The weather was mixed – sunshine and showers, some of them very heavy.

On Saturday most people visited the surrounding area with some searching for last minute fancy dress costumes to wear that evening. It had been a unanimous decision on the Friday night that we would pay a little extra and hire the on site Village Hall on the Saturday evening due to the inclement weather and the fact that the marquee was about to take off in the high winds. On the night the event was a resounding success with everyone bringing something for the American Supper and getting into the spirit of things by dressing up in their St Trinian’s costumes. Some of the men looked a bit too well made up for my liking! Steve Borg, Chris Jones and John Vernon to mention but a few in gymslips is a sight not to be forgotten! There were Pupils, Teachers and Professors with some ‘children’ who were very naughty indeed! Throwing cake around I ask you! What is the world coming to! Children didn’t behave like that in my schooldays.

Flag was held on Sunday with John Vernon doing the honours and thanking the Borg family for a wonderful rally. As the rally didn’t finish until late afternoon it gave us time to pay further visits to the surrounding area thus making the most of the weekend.

Thank you to Steve, Andrea and children for an excellent weekend.

The end of June and the beginning of July is obviously Monsoon season in Yorkshire; however, four caravans made the trip from the rally at Bedale to attend David Bird’s rally at Wighill near Tadcaster. Considering this was held at the same time as widespread flooding in other parts of the same county the field although soggy at the entrance, was otherwise firm and caused no problems. We were welcomed by David and Gwyneth with a ‘Yorkshire Tea’ in their awning on the Sunday afternoon.

Monday and Tuesday saw people venturing out to visit friends and explore the area. Wednesday was American Independence Day and we celebrated with hot-Dogs and coffee in the Marshal’s awning. Thursday was another free day; at least two couples used the local Park and Ride to visit York on what turned out to be a bright and dry day.

Darren, Serena and James Medley joined us on Friday for the weekend; unfortunately Serena was taken ill overnight and returned home. Darren came back on Saturday to pick up their `van and told us that Serena was feeling better that morning, he then went home with his `Van and our best wishes for Serena’s speedy recovery.

We had a D.I.Y. Bar-B-Q on Saturday evening with salad and dessert provided by David and Gwyneth, Flag was held at the same time and in the absence of any Officers or Committee the plaque was presented by Ken Wootton. The evening was rounded off with a few games of card bingo.

In spite of the weather everyone enjoyed the rally and David and Gwyneth’s hospitality, this event should have been better attended. Rally Marshal’s the calibre of David and Gwyneth deserve better.