Riverside, Stratford upon Avon - Sept 2018
It’s good to be back rallying with SMOC again, and Stratford is an easy 2 ½ hour run through the M6 road works and the Toll Road for us.We were first to arrive and set up in the sunshine. We had brought our awning to trial, to ensure that it was intact before carrying it to Spain for the winter. This was a good move as we couldn’t find the pegs anywhere; so new pegs or a better search at home.
The ‘meet and greet’ sitting in the sunshine is a pleasant beginning, meeting old and making new friends. The day ended in style for many ralliers, dining out at the local ‘Indian’, ‘Chinese’ or the site restaurant, with excellent reports from all groups.
Thursday, we decided to use our bus passes and venture further afield to Warwick. It’s a pleasant place without large chain stores but lots of coffee shops. The castle is well worth a full days visit, but having been before, instead, we enjoyed the museum and coffee shops and returned just before it rained.
In the evening there was socialising and playing of Rummikub in some vans, whilst others went out to celebrate 49 years of ‘married bliss’. Congratulations and ‘well done’ to Robert and Bridget.
Friday, we again made good use of the bus pass, some to Warwick, others to Leamington Spa. Again, a pleasant town, but I don’t think we had time to do it justice, we wanted to ensure that we were not late for the free buffet and skittles evening at the Bowls Club.
It’s good to be back rallying with SMOC again, and Stratford is an easy 2 ½ hour run through the M6 road works and the Toll Road for us.We were first to arrive and set up in the sunshine. We had brought our awning to trial, to ensure that it was intact before carrying it to Spain for the winter. This was a good move as we couldn’t find the pegs anywhere; so new pegs or a better search at home.
The ‘meet and greet’ sitting in the sunshine is a pleasant beginning, meeting old and making new friends. The day ended in style for many ralliers, dining out at the local ‘Indian’, ‘Chinese’ or the site restaurant, with excellent reports from all groups.
Thursday, we decided to use our bus passes and venture further afield to Warwick. It’s a pleasant place without large chain stores but lots of coffee shops. The castle is well worth a full days visit, but having been before, instead, we enjoyed the museum and coffee shops and returned just before it rained.
In the evening there was socialising and playing of Rummikub in some vans, whilst others went out to celebrate 49 years of ‘married bliss’. Congratulations and ‘well done’ to Robert and Bridget.
Friday, we again made good use of the bus pass, some to Warwick, others to Leamington Spa. Again, a pleasant town, but I don’t think we had time to do it justice, we wanted to ensure that we were not late for the free buffet and skittles evening at the Bowls Club.
What a superb spread! Marilyn, the committee and helpers had excelled themselves. I think they emptied the shelves of Morrisons (especially the chicken). An excellent social evening of food and sport was had by all......although I never did find out who won the skittles!!!!
Saturday dawned very early for us; oh yes, that’s why we are here, the AGM; there were 15 vans and 1 car attending!!! All went smoothly with volunteers (so much nicer than pressed men) for all vacancies. Since it was chilly and raining, we had a ‘feet up’ afternoon interspersed with visitors (isn’t that what friendly rallies are all about) until time for Bingo etc. at the Bowls Club. Glad to say there were some SMOC winners during the evening.
We faired well with the weather again and the coffee morning and raffle on Sunday were enjoyed in the sunshine. It was good to hear people volunteering for jobs, (the next raffle and marshalling at a show that David isn’t going to).
Later, most people either took the bus, river boat or walked into Stratford to have lunch and browse the Craft Market and I know that at least a couple of Christmas presents were bought.
So, another excellent SMOC rally enjoyed by us, but sadly missed by the majority of our members; where were you all??
Saturday dawned very early for us; oh yes, that’s why we are here, the AGM; there were 15 vans and 1 car attending!!! All went smoothly with volunteers (so much nicer than pressed men) for all vacancies. Since it was chilly and raining, we had a ‘feet up’ afternoon interspersed with visitors (isn’t that what friendly rallies are all about) until time for Bingo etc. at the Bowls Club. Glad to say there were some SMOC winners during the evening.
We faired well with the weather again and the coffee morning and raffle on Sunday were enjoyed in the sunshine. It was good to hear people volunteering for jobs, (the next raffle and marshalling at a show that David isn’t going to).
Later, most people either took the bus, river boat or walked into Stratford to have lunch and browse the Craft Market and I know that at least a couple of Christmas presents were bought.
So, another excellent SMOC rally enjoyed by us, but sadly missed by the majority of our members; where were you all??