First ralliers Brian & Pat Lethbridge
With Pauline Bayliss.

Thursday evening June and Peter greeted us all with the usual warm welcome, giving us information on their programme for the weekend as we partook of tea, coffee and biscuits. With ten vans and one motorhome present at this stage, and one more van due on the Friday, this would complete our homely gathering. Friday dawned with lovely sunshine and hot, this enticing people to sit around and enjoy the weather and the pleasantness of the site. In the evening once more we gathered for the usual drinks, biscuits plus Junes home made cakes (very nice). Followed by a couple of twenty questions quizzes with Peter assuring us that they were for juniors really, we were not convinced, anyway, on checking the answers on both games our Chairman (Ken) took the winning chocolate bar.

Saturday was very windy and one or two awnings suffered damage, fortunately there was nothing too serious. In the evening we once more joined Peter and June to enjoy Pizza, Quiche and salad which June had organized. After which, once more Peter tested us again with his quizzes, on checking the results (yes you’ve guessed) our ‘Ken’ took the chocolate, (should certain one’s be handicapped?) Well done Ken! Then Sue and Geoff Jones announced with great delight that earlier in the day they had been blessed with a grandson and would we join them in a celebration and wet the baby’s head.

At flag on Sunday evening Angela Palmer presented June and Peter with a pretty hanging basket on behalf of us all to celebrate their 200th Rally. June thanked everyone, and then wished Angela and Roger ‘Bon Voyage’ and a happy life in Australia when they eventually leave us. Then Chairman Ken presented June and Peter with their special 200th Gold Rally Plaque. June and Peter then provided a range of delicious cheese, biscuits and wine to celebrate the occasion.

An unexpected guest joined us for the evening ‘Elvis’ guess who? Monday was a free day, in the afternoon those who had to return for work said their goodbyes. Those of us left, crowded into June and Peters van and awning in the evening for a chit-chat.

Tuesday arrived all too soon, for the rest of us to depart. I think everyone tried the food at the ‘Fox and Duck’ over the weekend with much approval, and with our hosts hospitality first rate we say ‘Thank you June and Peter for a lovely weekend.

We left a very pleasant few days in Durham and headed across from the East to the West Coast, and the Borders region of Scotland and the Braids Caravan Park on the outskirts of Gretna village. Firstly we had a lovely exclusive spot at the top of the site which conveniently held all eleven outfits attending. The site showers and toilets were available to us, as was exclusive use of the 'clubhouse' for all our socialising during the week.

The weather was as you might expect, sunshine mixed with showers with only one day causing any change of plans. Carlisle and Dumfries were close at hand for the shoppers, and the Forests of Galloway and the Solway coast for those looking for a little sightseeing. Of course by walking into the village, there was the occasional Wedding in all their splendour at the nearby Anvil Hall and a little further away at Gretna Green was the Blacksmiths shop which also supports weddings together with the Scots Piper and a wee dram!

Back on the site, our Rally Marshal, Tom Stobbs and his assistants once again did us proud with tea and coffee available nearly every night and 2 meals also provided, once on the Thursday to compliment your BBQ offerings and again on the Saturday. We enjoyed cooked ham and various salads with boiled potatoes and Cheesecake to close. It was absolutely wonderful and good company to boot.

Flag was held on the Saturday night with special thanks offered to Tom and a 100th Rally plaque, in the shape of the new logo and plinth were presented by our official, Darren Medley to Bernard & Sheila Wilson of Huddersfield (see photo).

Well done to you both!

I cannot close without mentioning the entertainment for most evenings being provided by the lovely 2 years old FaaaaaaaaaYYYYe (Faye with a North East accent!) Whose Grandma Heather Reed was run ragged throughout the week keeping her in sight - and to Brent Reed who provided TV & DVD films for the children one evening. Everyone I am sure enjoyed a wonderful week at Braids, Scotland - just!