The Readers Rally

[brianjw47]

:woohoo: WOW! What a weekend, this was the first time the wife & myself have been to a Readers Rally.
It was nothing less than brilliant; I think that all human emotions were shown over the weekend:
We laughed at the "Dislexic" Bingo calling, it was excellent. We were saddened to hear that Doug King has gone off to advise The Big Man above on how to live the life, he will be missed. We clapped at the children's sports. We were impressed by the Sheep Dog Show. We talked and discussed all things caravanning with others.
The Practical Caravan Staff & friends really did pull out all the stops to make it a weekend to remember.
We arrived to rally fields of strangers and when we left, we took with us memories of new friends who we will meet again at some time.
Will we go again, just look out for a Bailey Magenta with a Skull & Crossbones fluttering in the breeze above and you have found us, come and say "hello" you will always receive a warm welcome as we did from everybody we met.

 

[Dustydog]

Hi Brian
Welcome to the forum.
I'm glad we Woosies met you. Especially with your knowledge of Parksy's new awning. Your help with his erection was much appreciated.
Maybe you can apply to join The Woosies Round Table.just tell our King W C something silly you have done whilst caravanning.
You may then become eligible to join the september Woosiefest at Wheathill near Ludlow.

 

[brianjw47]

Hi Dustydog,

Yes we had a great time and were very pleased to help with the "erection" problem.
Proves that viagra is not always the answer but many hands are.

What have we done that is daft?

Well this is a cracker:

Back in about 1992-3 we (me, Gill & the kids) were off to Torbay for a 'van holiday.
Gill was navigating and gave me a bad turn direction so I told her that in future I would navigate myself.
We all had a cracking fortnights holiday and the disagreement was forgotten, or so I thought.
On the way home, I got a bit confused and asked Gill for some quick navigation instructions; needless to say, the reply can not be printed. So I thought I know best and followed my instincts and went up what appeared to be the right road.
WRONG! it got narrower and narrower until we were brushing the sides of the bank, then we went through a quarry, up a steep hill and were totally lost. Anyway, I had to admit defeat and pulled up. A group of people on horses happened to come out of a field so, like you do, I ask for directions back to the main road.
In a broad Somerset brogue, this rather horsey women replied " We Don't get Many Caravans Up These Parts" and just rode off.
So, We had to uncouple the 'van and car, push the van backwards into a farm driveway, hook up again and retrace our steps.
Needless to say, I ate humble pie for a long time after. But our son, thought it was all "Rather Cool"

Now I rely on Gills superior map reading skills.

 

[Mel]

Hi Brian. Welcome to the forum. Good story. I was an "absent Woosie" at Stowford, but would be pleased to meet you if you join us at Wheathill.
mel

 

[Parksy]

Hi Brian, welcome to the forum :cheer:
It was really nice to meet Gill and yourself at Stowford and we were really grateful for your help and advice with my new awning.
We were very pleased with it and it stayed intact through the strong winds and heavy rain toward the end of our stay.
We hope to meet you again, hope you become a Woosie and can come along to Wheathill.

 

[brianjw47]

:woohoo: Hi Parksy,

yes, Gill & I had a great time, sad it had to end but looking forward to meeting everybody again.

I have sent a "silly moment story to Dustydog; to see if we qualify for The Woosies. Just waiting to see if it is good enough to get us in.

We had a good drive home. Left Stowford at exactly 09:30 and pulled in to our drive, Stevenage at 15:45.
That I was happy with; no hold up all the way home and keeping up 55-6- MPH.

Regards to all The Woosies.

Speak Soon.

Brianjw47 and wifey Gilly.

 

[Gagakev]

Hi Brian, big welcome to the forum and glad you enjoyed the Rally.
Erecting Parksy's awning was like the council changing a light bulb
Since I have been on the forum we have met some wonderful people, had some great laughs and that all started at stowford. The Woosie thing lets us all join together, with the meets nearer the end of each year it rounds our year off to a tee.
Hope to see you at wheathill.

 

[LizziePope]

Hi Brian and a warm welcome to the forum. It's great to hear you enjoyed the Reader Rally so much.

 

[brianjw47]

:cheer: Yes, Gill & myself would be interested in coming to Wheathill.
Can The Woosies give me some info on this and we can start to plan things out.

Trying to get a few things done in between the showers at the moment, got a new idea for my aerial pole, a length of wood that clamps under a 'van leg and the pole slots into it.
Hopefully I have got it right, as it is a problem erecting on a hardstand.
There is nothing worse than a wobbly pole.

Off for a cuppa now so back on later before I go off to a Patient Liason meeting at my local Doctors surgery.
O the life I lead, not exactly jet set.

Brianjw47.

 

[brianjw47]

Hi Lizzie,

Yes it was nothing short of brilliant. The wife & I went on a rally with one of the major caravan clubs many years ago and were treated as lepers all weekend. That experience put us off ever doing another rally.
However, When I read about the Readers Rally, I knew it would be good, but we were really surprised by the friendly attitude of all your colleagues and other caravanner's.
With the exception of a 2 year break due to serious illness, we have had a 'van since 1986 and without doubt it is the best feeling in the world when you arrive at a site, get the legs down and the kettle on. It knocks getting on an aeroplane into a cocked hat. Our 2 children grew up caravanning and love the life, they are now married and go camping. But more importantly, they learned how to interact with others, make friends, understand their various surroundings when we were away. All in all it set them up to become better adults.
If anybody questions our hobby, I always say "Don't Knock It Until You Have Tried It" It is de-stressing, friendly, superb value for money, and a way to see our fantastic country. Bur the best thing is that you always have your home from home with you.

Best Wishes,

Brianjw47. :cheer:

 

[WoodlandsCamper]

:cheer: Yes, Gill & myself would be interested in coming to Wheathill.
Can The Woosies give me some info on this and we can start to plan things out.

We will re-echo the details on the Woosie thread, so as not to hijack this thread.

 

[spardoe]

Morning Brian,
Thanks for the kind words about the rally. Lovely to hear that you had such a great time on your first visit and that the Woosies made you feel welcome!

We're just putting together the rally feature for the next issue and I'd like to use this post as a letter if you don't mind? If so I wondered if you perhaps had a few photos of your time at the rally that you wouldn't mind sharing?

Many thanks and hope you can join us again next year. Stacie (Community editor)

 

[Dustydog]

Hi Stacie
There are some pics under the Woosie thread.
If you send me your e mail address I'll see details you the pics.

 

[spardoe]

Thanks for the help Dusty Dog, I did see a few that you had posted. My email is stacie@practicalcaravan.com
Hopefully Brian can also send a few of him & his family etc.

Cheers, Stacie

 

[brianjw47]

Hi Stacie,

I sent a reply to (hopefully) your email address. If you do not have it, please advise of best email address and I will resend.

Best Wishes,

Brian