It
doesn't seem like a year since we visited
the Tattingstone White Horse but it really
is twelve months or more. We had been
looking forward to this weekend for a while
and even though February had been a very wet
month, the field was not even slightly muddy. On
arrival the sun was shining and the first
signs of spring were in the air.
It was not too long before we had old
friends waving and saying "hello!" across
the field. It took me a while to set up the
van as we had not been out for a while and
we had winterised the unit. This meant that
some of the kit was packed differently and
so my little brain had to think a bit.
The White Horse Public House
- Picture courtesy of Trevor Smith
The Rally Field - Picture
courtesy of Trevor Smith
We soon
sampled a beer or two and were not
disappointed. Sue was tempted to have a
Guiness with a little blackcurrant in the
top... slurp ! We decided to have a light
supper... it would have been a missed
opportunity ! So gammon and chips for
me and the vegetarian option for Sue. Very nice too, the perfect example of
pub food with all the atmosphere of a good
old Suffolk "watering hole". Colin was in
his element and couldn't believe his luck.
He had not attended this rally before and
appreciated the reasons why we had returned
for a second visit. It was fun to see him
looking around at the beams, floorboards and
the inviting wood burning stove.
Saturday was all about walking and wrapping
up warm. The wind had a bite to it and I was
glad of my gloves to keep may hands warm. I
had completely forgotten the size and scale
of Alton Water. It is huge ! The water
was flat and calm but it had a shimmer that
reflected the early spring budded trees and
wow... now I know why we rally
locally, our Suffolk countryside is just
wonderful.
At 7pm we went over to have dinner and our
orders were placed. There was 40 or more
meals to prepare and the team in the kitchen
offered a huge, diverse menu. This meant
that it took a while to deliver meals to
some of the tables. The food was well worth
the wait and there was still time for desert
and coffees too.
Flagpole on Sunday was followed by a nice
cup of warm chocolate in the Pub and then it
was time to start packing up. Colin has been
talking to the Landlord and "watch this
space" there may be a special rally in store
for 2008.
Many thanks to Andy, Caroline and their hard
working staff for making us so welcome. We
hope that you will have us back again next
year. Thanks also to Ron, Sheila, John and
Christine for organising this excellent
weekend.
Regional Rallies
A full programme of events for all 5 Anglia Region Centres is
now available...
more>>
Octobafest
South Essex Centre invite you to their Octobafest Rally 29 - 31
October at Chelmer Valley High School, Chelmsford. Contact Ray
on 01245 262725 for more details.
Bonfire & New YearDeposits Please
The Bonfire Rally requires advance payment £28 on booking
please. The New Year Rally requires a £10 deposit.
Christmas
Shopping Rally Change Venue
The venue has been changed for this rally. Camping for 2 or 3
nights and Saturday evening Christmas social planned...
more>>
Volunteers Wanted
We currently need more volunteers to
support the Centre with the 2011 Rally Programme. With spaces on
the rally field in high demand again in 2010, the Rally
Secretary will welcome anyone who would like to help run a
rally in 2011. Please ask a committee member for more details...
more>>
Need
Rally Slips ?
Print your own rally slips...
more>>
Other News
Rally on
TV How many of our members
can you recognise on the Caravan Channel TV programme ? more>>
New
Suffolk Lines Newsletter is now
available online...
more>>
Centre Members The Caravan Club's new computer systems is still being upgraded
and is not currently notifying the Centre of your new or renewed
membership. Please accept our apologies if your rally handbook
is delayed. If you wish to attend a rally, please contact a
member of Committee for rally marshal details. Contacts on page
675 of your Sites Directory & Handbook.
Fire Safety
Please ensure you have read the Fire Safety
Procedure on page 635 of your Sites Directory & Handbook.
Rally Marshals may not have fire extinguishers available on the
rally field in future.
From October 2009 it will be a Suffolk Centre
recommendation that all caravans attending a rally should have a "fire bucket" filled with water adjacent to their "A" frame.
It is recommend that you have a fire extinguisher and fire
blanket in your caravan in case of emergency and regularly check
the batteries in your smoke alarm.
