They were parked in two circles, cowboy and Indian style when we arrived. A knight in shining armour (well, Bob in a High-Vis coat + torch) appeared to guide us to our pitch. Saturday dawned bright, sunny, and frosty, ideal caravanning weather!

A trip around the delightful site was followed by a visit to Banbury to view the colourful Narrow boats and the intricacies of manoeuvring through the locks. Opening flag in the village hall was followed by a traditional fish and chip supper, though only one family were ‘brave’ enough to eat them the traditional way! Many enquired after the well being of a fellow rallier, her singed fringe and eyebrows a cause for concern (she had had a slight mishap with lighter fuel whilst making a cup of tea in her `van). Thankfully no serious injury or damage was done.

Our memories were thoroughly tested by two ingenious quizzes: the first (won by Caroline & Stuart) required intimate knowledge of children’s TV shows, both distant past and present. The second seemed relatively easy, however, we rapidly realised our General Knowledge was seriously lacking!! Lyndon proved to be the mastermind of this quiz!

Closing Flag followed opening flag very quickly (it’s the shortest rally we’ve attended!) an evening of quiet chat ended with invitations exchanged to visit each other’s `vans for a warming drink. The frosty start to Sunday was soon forgotten as the sunshine warmed us while we made our cheery goodbyes and wishing Maureen a speedy recovery.

Thanks to Bob and Maureen for a relaxing enjoyable rally.

It was nice to get the wheels rolling again as we set off for our first rally of the season. We arrived on site to a warm welcome from Thelma and Norman and a lovely cup of tea. Ten Elddis vans arrived at various stages throughout the rally to visit the show at the N.E.C. A trip to the ‘local’ was very popular on the Saturday. A very nice meal and a good natter were enjoyed by all.

Due to the wet weather we were asked not to drive on the grass and thanks to the site manager we held ‘Flag’ in the owners’ garage. There was plenty to see and do in the area. Our last ‘Flag’ on Sunday was attended by Moss Owen and his wife and also Pauline and Charles Bayliss who thanked Thelma and Norman for running the rally and presented them with their plaque.

Thank you to Thelma and Norman for a very enjoyable rally.

I had kept the menu card with "Bangers and Mash with green beans and onion gravy followed by Spotted Dick or Treacle Sponge with custard" written on it as it sounds so much more fun in Welsh than English - but now I can't find it!! Anyway, 12 outfits arrived to join Lyndon & Ruth Wigmore (our marshals) for this rally at Walford village hall and at flag on Friday plans for the weekend were outlined.

Saturday was a free day for most of us except Alan Giles (assisted by Janet) who (for reasons best known to themselves I suppose) had volunteered (?) to prepare the meal for our Saturday social and spent virtually all day doing so - what with peeling an ENORMOUS amount of spuds, producing real home made gravy and conjuring up the most delightful custard into the bargain. Not only were we to be provided with this glamorous feast but Lyndon had also co-opted four other gentlemen in dinner suits to act as waiters for the evening - the plan being that as Mothering Sunday was to come the ladies would get the night off - apart from Janet, obviously. After all had been served and fed this wonderful meal the remaining men folk were invited to do the washing up and even Charles Baylis felt compelled to do his bit.

Sunday flag arrived all too quickly with the usual round of thankyou’s and awards being handed out. First of course was the extended vote of thanks to Alan (and Janet) for his/their kitchen heroics the previous day (the novelty of which had obviously not worn off as there were some mutterings of a Christmas dinner rally next year also to be created by Alan - watch this space) with special thank you plaques presented to them by Lyndon and Ruth. The waiters (George Moody, Chris Jones, Dave Withington and Bob Sinclair) were also rewarded with special plaques and all were warmly applauded by everyone else.

Val Withington received a birthday card signed by all, Danielle Mundy won the kid's competition, Bob and Maureen were close runners up in the picture quiz held on Saturday night (to identify a number of TV chefs from pictures) winning 8 sausages and a packet of Smash and the winners of the quiz (of course) were our own chefs for the weekend, Alan and Janet who picked up a book which looked worryingly like 101 things to do with bangers and mash. Vic Baker won the bonus ball lottery taking half the proceeds with the balance to be donated to Comic Relief which had been held the previous Friday. Bob Sinclair did the honours on behalf of the club thanking all Saturday night's helpers again and then presenting Lyndon and Ruth with their marshal's plaque.

In between snow, sleet, torrential rain and glorious spells of sunshine all departed homewards suitably packed up with containers full of cold mashed potato left over from Saturday and delightful little potted plants presented to each the mums/ladies (and Vic) by Lyndon and Ruth to mark Mothering Sunday.

Thank you all for a brilliant weekend rally.