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look at those clouds ! Feeding the cattle perhaps? Farmer Giles? Not looking much better

 

Hereford Canoe & Kayak Rally

August 2008 Rally Report

Rally Officers - Liam, Beth, Catrina, Jack, Mike, Carol, Kieran, Jenna and Jordan Oh and Carols right leg Sarah! (Thanks)

23 Vans were on site, 21 Gwent, 1 South Wales and 1 Gloucester. We arrived on site on Thursday night to find the farmer had given away all our electric pitches. We were given the field opposite which was quite uneven to say the least! Poor Carol she was already on crutches because she had hurt her leg. Oh well, nothing we could do, so set up the awnings, had a few drinks and listened to the sounds of a bull trying to get out in the barn behind us all night long!! Pretty smelly too!!!

We woke up Friday morning to the glorious sunshine in Hell's Field! Got all our jobs done and sat down to some lunch before the 1st Rallier turned up, Rebecca and Daren.(Great timing). Slowly everyone started to arrive and we struggled to get the last 6 or 7 vans on even ground and had to site Karen and Dean and a few others at the bottom of the field, which seemed miles away! (helloooooo down there!)

On Saturday morning we woke up to cloud and drizzle but that wasn't gonna stop the ralliers from hell. We took our Kayaks up to the lake in Heaven's Site and all the kids and adults thoroughly enjoyed themselves. Everyone had it in for Rebecca for singing happy birthday to herself all day and night - she ended up in the lake headfirst, followed by Paul Coburn who had been given a slightly small kayak which filled with water so he ended up in the water too.

Even Andrea and Shirley Evered were determined to master the kayaks but poor Shirl ended up in, laughing and screaming from under her life vest. But to her rescue Liam jumped in, with no fear for his own safety from the nasty, man eating fish he has feared for so long! She is hauled up the bank to safety still laughing her head off. Well done Liam!!!!

Just as were finishing up the heavens opened and we all ran back to hell for a shower. It rained all afternoon and it rained and it rained. The field was like one big mud bog so we cancelled flag till sunday morning and put up the red flag. (editor's note: bet the Bull loved that1!!)

Rebecca's 21st Party still went ahead that night under Carol and Mikes cleverly designed awning. We had a great evening despite the rain and mud outside. Rebecca entertained us with her singing again!!! Mike emptied water from the roof of his awning on top of little Yestins head! oops! and even Dawn got a bit wet from her party trick!!! ha ha!!!! (Nice one Dawn!) The night ended with Debbie slipping and falling in the mud (someone had to do it)

Sunday Morning started off bright but soon turned to drizzle as flag came to a close. The field was churned up and made it impossible for anyone to leave so Brian brought some hay down on his truck to scatter over the mud so the vans could be towed out. Then Liam, Mike, Dean and Brian took it in turns to tow people off the site. Thanks Dean and Brian!

After everyone had gone we sat down for a cuppa before packing up and heading off closing the gate to hell!!! Thanks to everyone who helped this weekend, especially Mike and Carol, we couldn't have got through it with out you. See you all at the National!!!!!

Beth Liddell

Little Cotton, Dartmouth Rally Report July 2008

Rally officers Dean, Karen, Jess, Jack, Graham, Toni and Tayler.

55 vans on site - 15 visitors and 40 Gwent Vans attended this week long rally at Little Cotton, Dartmouth. A few of our members had extended their stay by booking on with Leicester for the week prior to our rally and thank goodness they did. We knew we had a quick turn over with Leicester closing at 11am and us opening at 2pm however an accident on the M5 held up our assistants Graham and Toni and made the ralliers on our pitches before us reluctant to leave. We were very grateful for team Gwent's assistance with marking out the field, putting out signs and helping us with the awning and cups of coffee.

John and Moira, Rob and Anne came out of retirement and we were soon ready to receive everyone. Thanks again to all that helped.

Opening flag was held on Sunday morning with cream teas. Val and June were soon roped in to help cream and jam 200 scones which were enjoyed by everyone except those of us who'd prepared them.

Early in the week Deb and Brian went to collect Teegan who had returned to us after a sponsored walk in Northern Spain, Teegan has raised over £600 so far for St Anne's Hospice - well done Teegan.

The weather on Saturday, Sunday, Monday and Tuesday morning was glorious however, we should have known it wouldn't last and during our bbq on the beach on Tuesday afternoon the clouds gathered with rain. During the night the rain and wind howled around the rally field which was excellently drained so it didn't really spoil our fun.

We'd planned bingo on Wednesday evening and Jack our apprentice bingo caller was getting worried he might be rained off, luckily for us and him the rain held off and bingo went ahead Jack did very well for his first time calling bingo and only got a few numbers mixed up!! We had a few new rhymes to go along with the numbers 20 fellowship plaque, 40 Dads age in December and of course 25 Mums age. A few of us followed the bingo with a visit to Dartmouth for the new Gwent Centre sport of crabbing (can we have it in the National please our team got 47 crabs in 2 hours). However later in the week Paul Coburn caught a mackerel and Graham caught 6 prawns. Paul had his fish for breakfast but Graham let the prawns go aahh. We also let the crabs go which we are sure were getting dizzy from jumping in and out of the river onto kids crab lines.

Friday evening we managed to book a local community hall for a Gwent Centre pyjama party and flag, we arranged cheese and cider Dean and Rachel organised kids games followed by Grahams disco for all and a few other antics that you might see on you tube!! The hall was brilliant with a full kitchen and all of us wanted to pick it up and bring it back to Gwent for us to use for all our socials. I think the caretaker took a fancy to Dean and renamed him Gladys in his nightie.

Saturday a few awnings came down as everyone prepared to leave or go on to other rallies lucky them!! We're preparing for work tomorrow. Never mind only 2 weeks in work and its more time off for our Gwent National. Most had left the rally field by Sunday afternoon with a few staying on in the hope that the weather may improve.

Thank you for everyone who assisted on the rally it was very much appreciated. Little Cotton was a lovely site with a very helpful owner, Paul, who couldn't do enough for us. We will hopefully return one day. It was lovely to be out with so many Gwent vans all of our visitors were made to feel very welcome many of them commented on the friendly atmosphere thank you to you all.

Karen

 

 

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