Alan had booked the Friday off work for the Pembridge rally, but on arriving home earlier that expected on the Thursday we made a mad rush to finish packing last minute things and set off 6.00pm. It was a pleasant evening in the Peterborough area when we set out but as we travelled along the M42 nearing the M5 it became damper and damper. We arrived at Pembridge at 9.30 to be greeted with a cuppa by the stewards Ray and Gerry. It was raining quite steadily by then and a little windy, so we had our drinks and with help from Ray and Gerry up went the Dandy and into bed we climbed.

We emerged next morning to find that no matter how early you go to rallies there is always someone there before you, five this time. It’s a lovely site with a lake, ducks, a pair of swans and farm shop with home produced meat. It was about nine’ish when Jim and Avril Mitchell arrived with a steady stream all day. A total of 33 units arrived with the last ones turning up Saturday morning. Four of the units were the new royal blue ones; two were new members attending their first rally.

Many folks went down to the village hall on the Friday evening to catch up with news and old friends and meet new ones.

Saturday brought sunshine and showers with a strong breeze. We had a walk into Pembridge it is a very old village almost in a time warp, the houses built in the 1400’s. Saturday evening found most of us in the village hall again attempting “Rays Quiz” The winners being Pete and Chris Derry and Eric and Marjory Horder, chocolates all round.

It was raining quite fast by the time the evening was over and the cars streamed back onto the camp site, most stopping at the toilet block on the way back to the Dandy’s. Quite a few large puddles had appeared during the course of the evening and it had turned chilly in the rain. Nearly every one was on hook ups, so heaters and kettles went on. A nice warm drink and a warm through before going to bed….we hope??? then out went all the lights!!! Yes we blew the fuse on the camp site with that many drawing on the power at the same time. Out came the battery lights and on went the good old Dandy gas heater (those that have one.)

Sunday morning brought a bright sunny day, no rain and a little warmer. The large puddles had mostly drained away leaving it a little soggy under foot. Of I went to sell the last few raffle tickets while Alan cooked himself his usual camping breakfast. 10.30ish everyone gathered round for the flag meet, a cool breeze but it was still dry. One or two people were already packed and folded ready to be away straight after the meet. The raffle was drawn and “thank you’s” were said, so many people had helped each other out this weekend with things being forgotten or broken or needing repair. Two or three people were staying extra days while others started to pack.

The weather began to change, the wind started to get stronger and big black clouds began to appear. One by one the Dandy’s left the site, one or two had difficulty with the wind and had to turn their Dandys into it to fold them down with a little help from other members. Bob and Angela Hollaway’s car got bogged down and had to be pushed off the grass, this was without the Dandy in tow. When we eventually came to put ours down, it was raining and blowing just like it was when we arrived, but with help from Ray Tims and Derek Garston it was folded and ready for off. I hope this hasn’t set the weather trend for the rest of the season. Despite all the drama and poor weather we would not have missed it.

As most members who have rallied will tell you, it’s not the location or the weather that are the main reasons for going but the people and the friendships that are made that make rally and the club what it is. As Tom Anstruther will testify. Some of us sent him text messages to cheer him up when we found out that he could not make it because of car trouble.

 Susan Smith