Well we finally managed to get another rally together in this topsy turvy year, despite the ongoing national restrictions and the planned implementation of local lockdowns which meant it was touch and go for many members as to whether they could attend. That said, we ended up with 15 vans which is really great given the challenges we all face at present.
So, given the green light, we packed up our motorhome and headed north (although most rallies except those in France are north for us!)
On arrival at Eye Kettleby Lakes we were greeted by Val & Dave who had been having some fun with a few late changes and some creative pitching!
On the morning after arrival we all gathered outside in our small bubbles (there is certainly a whole new vocabulary for 2020 we have learnt) for a welcome “Meet & Greet” which provided a good opportunity for us to all catch up, albeit in our small groups of six and also included some nice COVID secure treats provided by Val & Dave.
On another day we took a nice circular walk with the dogs to the local farm shop which had some great fresh produce for sale, although as we ate out on a few of the evenings and had enjoyed copious helpings of pork pie, we felt we didn’t really need anything - except of course another pork pie. Well, it was made on the farm! Because of the impending rain we decided to stop for a drink and sat in their barn, which they had converted into a makeshift sheltered coffee area, which was very cosy, especially as they also provided blankets to keep out the chill.
We decided to return to the campsite along the road but then Heather suggested we cut off the corner a bit. So we took ourselves across a waymarked field to then discover it was home to a rather large bull, who watched us studiously as we made our way hastily to the gate.
Some members went a little further afield to the larger, more interesting town of Grantham. This was the home of Sir Isaac Newton 1643-1727), the famous physicist. A statue of him stands outside the Guild Hall and sculptures depicting his work on the planets of our solar system are located in the Market square.
The rest of our days at Eye Kettlleby Lakes were spent relaxing in our cosy home on wheels, catching up with other members outside in the cold or walking the dogs around the site’s extensive pathways, taking a moment or two to watch numerous people fishing the sites many lakes. These hardy souls included guests Sue & Merv, who had enjoyed a few hours fishing and apparently netted a lot of fish, much to the envy of many of the others on the bank.
Evenings often (perhaps too often) included a visit to the sites friendly and cavernous clubhouse. During our stay, it hosted a fish and chips evening and a takeaway evening where local eateries delivered to the site's clubhouse and you were provided with plates and eating irons. The portion sizes for our table’s Chinese and Indian offerings were huge. There was also a quiz night, although unfortunately whilst some of our social bubbles did quite well (I really must get on Bill & Phyllis’s team), the site's regulars walked away with the prizes.
On Sunday we had a stand up coffee morning and swapped stories of our week's escapades. This was followed in the afternoon by a trip up to the clubhouse (again) for an afternoon tea which had been arranged by Val & Dave. We had, once again, to go up in our small bubbles; strange how we can’t use the term groups anymore!
All in all it was good to just get away from home once more in this foreshortened rally year and catch up with fellow members, even if it was from a distance. Although the site was a little isolated it was very well laid out and the welcome we had in the clubhouse was always friendly and inviting, although next time perhaps they need to make more scones!
Finally a very big thanks to Val & Dave who ensured we did what we could to be “normal”, because as many of us know marshalling a rally is a challenge at any time but in these times it is especially so.
So, given the green light, we packed up our motorhome and headed north (although most rallies except those in France are north for us!)
On arrival at Eye Kettleby Lakes we were greeted by Val & Dave who had been having some fun with a few late changes and some creative pitching!
On the morning after arrival we all gathered outside in our small bubbles (there is certainly a whole new vocabulary for 2020 we have learnt) for a welcome “Meet & Greet” which provided a good opportunity for us to all catch up, albeit in our small groups of six and also included some nice COVID secure treats provided by Val & Dave.
On another day we took a nice circular walk with the dogs to the local farm shop which had some great fresh produce for sale, although as we ate out on a few of the evenings and had enjoyed copious helpings of pork pie, we felt we didn’t really need anything - except of course another pork pie. Well, it was made on the farm! Because of the impending rain we decided to stop for a drink and sat in their barn, which they had converted into a makeshift sheltered coffee area, which was very cosy, especially as they also provided blankets to keep out the chill.
We decided to return to the campsite along the road but then Heather suggested we cut off the corner a bit. So we took ourselves across a waymarked field to then discover it was home to a rather large bull, who watched us studiously as we made our way hastily to the gate.
Some members went a little further afield to the larger, more interesting town of Grantham. This was the home of Sir Isaac Newton 1643-1727), the famous physicist. A statue of him stands outside the Guild Hall and sculptures depicting his work on the planets of our solar system are located in the Market square.
The rest of our days at Eye Kettlleby Lakes were spent relaxing in our cosy home on wheels, catching up with other members outside in the cold or walking the dogs around the site’s extensive pathways, taking a moment or two to watch numerous people fishing the sites many lakes. These hardy souls included guests Sue & Merv, who had enjoyed a few hours fishing and apparently netted a lot of fish, much to the envy of many of the others on the bank.
Evenings often (perhaps too often) included a visit to the sites friendly and cavernous clubhouse. During our stay, it hosted a fish and chips evening and a takeaway evening where local eateries delivered to the site's clubhouse and you were provided with plates and eating irons. The portion sizes for our table’s Chinese and Indian offerings were huge. There was also a quiz night, although unfortunately whilst some of our social bubbles did quite well (I really must get on Bill & Phyllis’s team), the site's regulars walked away with the prizes.
On Sunday we had a stand up coffee morning and swapped stories of our week's escapades. This was followed in the afternoon by a trip up to the clubhouse (again) for an afternoon tea which had been arranged by Val & Dave. We had, once again, to go up in our small bubbles; strange how we can’t use the term groups anymore!
All in all it was good to just get away from home once more in this foreshortened rally year and catch up with fellow members, even if it was from a distance. Although the site was a little isolated it was very well laid out and the welcome we had in the clubhouse was always friendly and inviting, although next time perhaps they need to make more scones!
Finally a very big thanks to Val & Dave who ensured we did what we could to be “normal”, because as many of us know marshalling a rally is a challenge at any time but in these times it is especially so.