The rally at Hogsdown Farm was most surprisingly enjoyable. Who would have thought that mid-October would be so dry and warm, and that so many members would attend the last rally of the season (about 30 units, I believe). The site is in an excellent position for exploring the area, not far from the M5 motorway and main line railway; a bit of a rumble but not too intrusive. A weekend here is not long enough.

I spent Saturday at the Wetlands Centre at Slimbridge and was delighted to see 2 Peregrine Falcons, 3 Buzzards, 2 Bewick's Swans (no partridges in a pear tree, though; must be too early in the season) but best of all, a group of newly arrived Eurasian Cranes. These cranes are an endangered species and the WWT has a programme of breeding and conservation so that they can be reintroduced into the wild. They disappeared from Britain mostly by being eaten, I gather.

The revised access route to the rally was very timely published in The Dandyman and proved very easy to follow. Thank you to Chas. and to the Stewards for marking the route so well with Dandyman signs. It is always comforting to see these friendly images. Saturday evening in Stone village hall was most enjoyable with the usual groans and disputes over the answers to the quiz. Well done, Ray, you have maintained the tradition. The 'booby' prize was won by the team containing the couple who donated the prize; a lesson to anyone who feels inclined to donate prizes in future, which should ensure the quality is just as high.

Many thanks to the stewards, Ray, Jerry, Norman and Marg. Also thank you to the additional workers at the hall for a good supply of tea, coffee and the cake made by Jenny in her Dandy.

Harry Saunderson